CHAPTER 231: CHAPTER 231: COMPETING FOR SUPREMACY!

Beiyuan Royal Hunting Ground, located seventy miles north of the Capital City, covers a vast area. The path there is through dense forests and deep mountains, making it the ideal location for hunting.

This hunting ground is reserved solely for the imperial service, and commoners are prohibited from entering.

Qi Yun, fifty-one years old, ought to ride the imperial carriage, but he did not; he still rode a horse.

As Emperor, he cannot show any sign of weakness, or the ministers might harbor disloyal thoughts.

He restrained himself to appear imposing, yet what about these ministers? They cling to several Princes, engaging in the battle for succession, a reflection of human ambition, even though some of it is orchestrated by him.

Qi Yun looked at the endless expanse of Beiyuan Hunting Ground, and the open view eased his mood greatly.

On either side stood Empress Qiao and Consort Xue, behind them was Princess Consort Zhen, along with a group of concubines.

"Emperor, the hour is nearly here, it’s time to begin!"

Consort Xue stepped forward with a fitting smile. Reclaiming favor made her radiant and youthful.

Qi Yun nodded and said, "Hmm, then we’ll follow the old rules. Prey taller than a person scores three points, half a person’s height scores two points, and below that scores one point, with points doubled for rare prey.

You may hunt alone or in groups, but the points will still be shared among the group. The highest scorer will be the first in this spring hunt, with the prize being a Blood Jade Coral from the Western Regions!"

"Blood Jade Coral? Oh my, it’s actually Blood Jade Coral!"

Qi Yun’s words immediately sparked amazement among countless people. No one expected the first prize this time to be the Blood Jade Coral tribute from the Western Regions!

"Is it something special?"

Li Qingmu hadn’t heard of any Blood Jade Coral and awkwardly asked his wife beside him.

Long Yue said, "I don’t know, but I’ve heard of it. It’s a tribute from the Western Regions ten years ago. This coral is carved from a whole piece of blood jade, stands half a person tall, is said to be very exquisite, and seasonally temperate, deemed priceless."

"To offer such a treasure as a reward, it seems this spring hunt is indeed extraordinary!"

"I declare, the competition begins, lasting three days, the totals will be calculated in three days!"

Spring hunting is a large event, so it can’t last just one day; typically, it’s three or four days. Long Yue considered it a great opportunity to enjoy an outing and planned to have a fulfilling time.

"It’s started, let’s go!"

"Hunting, this time I’m determined to break into the top ten, hahaha..."

As hunting began, crowds surged into the forest, including ministers, nobility, and Princes and Imperial Grandsons.

"Brother Li, aren’t you going in to hunt?"

Su Shi was not skilled in archery, so he envied those who rushed into the forest to hunt. Remembering Li Qingmu’s proficient archery, he approached him to inquire.

"It’s still early, isn’t it three days? Take it slow, the one who laughs last is the winner."

Li Qingmu laughed softly, radiating a mysterious confidence.

"Good sister, we meet again!"

A clear and melodious voice sounded from behind Long Yue, without needing to say who it was— Pang Shuangyue!

She showed a cold smile and gradually turned around, "Long time no see!"

"Sister, such words! It’s only been a few days, how can you say long time no see? Sister, you painstakingly ruined my wedding back then, but in the end? I still happily married Jinheng, how does it feel, does sister have heartache?"

Pang Shuangyue walked gracefully to Long Yue’s side, turned and watched her with a smile. While speaking, she deliberately raised her voice to let Li Qingmu hear.

She was here to disrupt their marital relationship.

Unfortunately, Li Qingmu remained expressionless, making her punch fall into empty air, rendered futile.

"Sister, the wedding night, each moment of spring worth a thousand gold, but... was it worth it?"

Long Yue’s words made Pang Shuangyue’s face instantly turn ugly and livid.

On the wedding night, Pei Jinheng never touched her, never, even until now! This wretched woman!

"That day, did you intentionally bring He Laosan to expose my plans from back then?"

Pang Shuangyue’s jade hand inside her sleeve gradually tightened, eventually forming a fist, unaware of her sharp nails piercing her palm.

"Yes! It was I who brought him, I arranged for him to accuse you, how about that? Wasn’t this bridal gift surprising, unexpected, thrilling, shouldn’t you thank sister properly?"

"Hmm, then... it was you who killed He Laosan, wasn’t it?"

"He Laosan? Did he die? Ah, I don’t know, wasn’t it your doing?"

Long Yue was stunned, showing a puzzled expression that made Pang Shuangyue even more furious.

"Pang Longyue, stop pretending, my father later went to track He Laosan, yet there wasn’t even a trace! You must have silenced him, eliminated the witness! I regret, back then why wasn’t I more ruthless, otherwise I wouldn’t be in such situations now. I truly regret it!"

"Sister, now it’s not too late to understand, in life, one must be ruthless!"

Long Yue whispered in Pang Shuangyue’s ear, her tone full of mockery.

Having been too kind-hearted in the past while Pang Shuangyue was too vicious led her to die cold and hungry. Upon living again, she realized, in this world, either others are ruthless to you or you to them!

If you are destined to make decisions, why not choose to be ruthless?

"Fine, very fine!"

Pang Shuangyue didn’t expect Long Yue to admit it so easily, becoming increasingly uncomfortable. Somehow she felt her sister had become smarter. In the past, as long as she lowered herself and flattered, her sister would allow her way, but now?

While Pang Shuangyue tangled with Long Yue, on the other side, Chang Yao spurred his horse forward, looking at Li Qingmu with cold eyes. He held a fine longbow, bright and black, engraved with exquisite designs, clearly an expensive bow.

"Li Qingmu, remember our agreement from that day? You must contend with me, don’t forget!"

Chang Yao pushed the longbow forward, issuing a challenge to Li Qingmu.

Li Qingmu’s face remained expressionless, just about to mount his horse, when another reddish-brown horse approached. Riding it was none but the Young Master Qiao, Qiao Zizhan, whom he had previously tricked!

"Chang Shidu, when did your judgment become so poor, competing with a talentless mad dog? If you’re not ashamed, I’m embarrassed being your foe!"

Qiao Zizhan, frustrated by losing his ranking mysteriously and having to wait three more years, intended to harshly humiliate Li Qingmu.

However, Li Qingmu merely looked up in curiosity, "Young Master Qiao, by your account, we are foes too. I’m a mad dog, you speak to me, then what are you?"