Chapter 155 - 155: Encountering a Tiger
The empress was anxiously watching from the imperial fusion platform. “Xiuwen! How could you venture into the territory of ferocious beasts? Ye’er, quickly follow your brother!”
Even though Chu Chengye had caught up, the empress remained on edge.
Noble Consort Xiao, nibbling on delicate pastries nearby, sneered coldly, “The third prince dares to hunt fierce beasts, so he must have the skills for it. Your Highness, it seems you know about his capabilities, or else why be so concerned? He shouldn’t have gone to the area with dangerous beasts!”
“Noble Consort Xiao, how dare you accuse my son!” The empress was infuriated.
“This is what the empress said herself. I’m just curious if Third Prince has the ability!” Noble Consort Xiao, who was watching the show, did not mind the matter getting out of hand, angering the empress even more.
“If you say so, how capable is your son? He can’t even hold a bow and arrow!” The empress’s anger was immediately directed at Chu Jinling, who had found a table at the back and was obediently writing a book.
Noble Consort Xiao gave Chu Jinling a fond look, “My son is naturally talented. Just look, the other princes have gone off to play, while my Ling’er is obediently staying here to accompany his mother and the emperor!”
Chu Jinling occasionally looked up, flashing Noble Consort Xiao a charming smile, making her heart swell with happiness.
The empress felt stifled!
Her son was being unruly, and she couldn’t win the argument. She was close to fainting from anger!
In the thick forest, Chu Xiuwen wasn’t adept at horseback riding and archery. As soon as he entered, it became inconvenient to ride, feeling restricted.
But he was stubborn and would not allow himself to lose to those two wretch women. He began scouring the area for signs of the beasts.
He had a squad of guards trailing behind him. He commanded, “Search for this prince. Find a ferocious beast and make sure to kill it and bring it back!”
He refused to believe he couldn’t outdo those two wretch women!
“Third Prince, I’ve never heard of anyone needing guards to assist in a hunt!” Su Yingxue’s mocking voice echoed.
When Chu Xiuwen glanced her way, Su Yingxue’s arrow was already trained on him.
“Su Yingxue, what are you doing!” Chu Xiuwen cried out in panic!
“Swoosh!”
The arrow was released. Chu Xiuwen’s eyes widened as he watched it hurtle toward him. It grazed his cheek and pulled him off his horse with considerable force.
“All!”
Chu Xiuwen fell into the mud, his entire body tinged with the earthy fragrance.
Rolling onto his feet, he erupted into curses, “Su Yingxue, you’re plotting against a prince! It’s a capital offense!”
Su Yingxue shrugged, appearing entirely nonchalant.
Just as Chu Xiuwen was about to draw his sword and advance on her, a sudden howl pierced the air.
“Roar!”
A gust of wind accompanied the sound, causing nearby vegetation to quiver.
Chu Xiuwen’s legs turned to jelly. He spun around and spotted a tiger twice his size directly in front of him.
“Your… Your Highness, run!”
His guards trembled as they shouted.
Chu Xiuwen also wanted to flee, but fear had left him rooted in place, his legs like lead.
The tiger seemed to be fixated on him, approaching even though others were present.
“Your Highness, aren’t we here to hunt ferocious beasts? Why are you so frightened at the sight of a tiger?” Su Yingxue sat astride her horse, watching him with a playful smile.
She seemed entirely unafraid of the tiger.
If it were possible, Chu Xiuwen almost believed that Su Yingxue had deliberately released the tiger to scare him!
“Roar!”
The tiger let out a series of enraged roars. Chu Xiuwen stood there, trembling like a sieve.
Su Yingxue, still atop her horse, offered him a well-meaning reminder, “Third Prince, if you don’t run now, you’ll end up as the tiger’s lunch!”