flstandardbreds Chapter 112 Tiger Hunting
Chapter 112 Tiger Hunting
Arriving at the hunting grounds again, I looked around and saw morning mist swirling in the mountains and forests, accompanied by the sounds of birdsong.
Li Wanqing was deeply moved. She recalled the terrifying experience of being chased by a tiger and was still terrified.
She also recalled how she had initially disliked Liu Shan, only to be saved by him in the end.
Liu Shan's calm yet firm gaze seemed to reappear before my eyes.
She also thought of Jiang Ruolan and Xiao Yue, wondering how Jiang Ruolan's injuries were recovering, as she hadn't written a letter in so long.
With a multitude of thoughts swirling in her mind, Li Wanqing took a deep breath, composed herself, and gripped her weapon tightly.
This hunt was organized by Princess Changning, and no one was allowed to bring their own attendants. Li Wanqing and Lin Nanjia rode side by side on horseback, waiting for the princess to announce the start.
Not long after, surrounded by nearly a hundred guards, the dashing Princess Changning rode up and appeared before everyone.
After looking around, Princess Changning announced loudly, "Today's hunt is aimed at enhancing friendship, so please be sure to pay attention to safety."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone responded in unison, and the atmosphere became tense yet exciting.
Li Wanqing gripped the reins tightly, secretly determined to do her best to make a good impression on the princess.
With a command from Princess Changning, the hunt officially began.
Just as Li Wanqing was about to ride off, she was stopped by the guards.
Li Wanqing was slightly taken aback, only to hear the guard say, "Madam Liu and Miss, my princess invites you."
Li Wanqing was slightly surprised, and then she realized that she was already Madam Liu, Liu Shan's wife, or Madam Liu for short.
Ha... what a niche term.
The two followed the guards to Princess Changning's horse. The princess said, "You two can hunt with me. It will keep you company on the journey and make it less boring."
Li Wanqing and Lin Nanjia exchanged a smile and readily agreed.
They rode alongside Princess Changning, and Lin Nanjia said excitedly, "With the princess by our side, this hunt is sure to be very fruitful."
Li Wanqing smiled subtly, but secretly she was determined to prove her strength in the hunt and impress the princess.
As the forest path gradually widened, Li Wanqing and her companion witnessed the unique hunting methods of the Xia Dynasty nobles.
A large number of guards rode into the forest, selected their prey, and drove it to Princess Changning's horse.
Immediately afterwards, Princess Changning seized the opportunity, drew her bow and arrow, and delivered a fatal blow to her prey.
If the prey is not dead, Princess Changning will ride forward, thrust her spear, and deliver another fatal blow.
At this point, the guards would carry the carcass of the prey to be weighed, and then announce the weight of the prey to congratulate the princess.
Li Wanqing sighed. No wonder Princess Changning found hunting boring. If she were being served like that, she would also find it boring.
Lin Nanjia, however, seemed quite interested in this method. She whispered to Li Wanqing, "Sister Wanqing, look how majestic the princess looks while hunting."
Li Wanqing nodded, but in her heart she didn't think much of this hunting method.
Thanks to the hard work of the guards, Princess Changning has already shot and killed several prey animals, including large animals such as wild deer, roe deer, and wild boar.
At this moment, Princess Changning seemed tired and said to Li Wanqing and Lin Nanjia, "You two should practice too, instead of just watching from the sidelines."
With the help of the guards, Li Wanqing shot and killed two rabbits, while Lin Nanjia successfully captured a pheasant.
It wasn't that Li Wanqing didn't want to hunt large animals, but the princess's guards were all shrewd and capable people, so naturally they wouldn't let the two of them hunt prey that was more prestigious than the princess.
During a break in the hunt, the three stopped their horses to rest. They chatted about private topics among women, occasionally covering their mouths and chuckling as they got into the conversation.
Suddenly, a tiger's roar echoed from the distant mountains and forests, startling the entire hunting party.
Princess Changning's expression hardened, and she immediately ordered, "All guards, listen to my command! Go and surround and kill the vicious tiger, so as not to disturb the hunting fun."
Before he could finish speaking, the mysterious old man who had been guarding the princess clasped his hands and said, "Princess, this tiger is rightfully your prey. Let me capture this beast alive so that you may deal with it personally."
Princess Changning knew this mysterious old man very well; he would never say anything he wasn't sure of, much less do anything he wasn't sure of.
He said if he could capture the vicious tiger alive, then he definitely could.
Princess Changning nodded, her eyes revealing trust and expectation in the old man.
At the same time, Li Wanqing and Lin Nanjia held their breath, eagerly anticipating witnessing the old man capture the vicious tiger alive.
The old man leaped into the forest, placing his feet on the treetops and walking easily on the leaves.
Not long after, the roar of a ferocious tiger and the cursing of an old man suddenly came from afar.
Then, silence fell.
Soon, the old man dragged a defenseless tiger slowly toward Princess Changning.
The old man placed the ferocious tiger in front of the princess's horse, then knelt on one knee, cupped his hands, and replied, "Princess, I have not failed in my mission."
Princess Changning smiled and nodded, her approval evident in her words.
Witnessing this scene, Li Wanqing and Lin Nanjia couldn't help but feel respect and admiration for the old man's strength.
Princess Changning drew her bow and nocked an arrow. She took a deep breath and the arrow steadily shot towards the tiger's left eye.
With a muffled thud, the ferocious tiger let out a miserable howl and finally collapsed, slowly dying in convulsions.
Immediately afterwards, cheers erupted from the surrounding area.
Princess Changning's face was filled with the joy of victory. She ordered her men to tie up the tiger's carcass and transport it back to Prince Kang's residence after the hunt.
As the sun set and the hunt came to an end, Princess Changning and her two companions returned home laden with their spoils.
The other nobles who participated in the hunt were all very restrained, and no one dared to exceed the number of prey that the princess could hunt.
Princess Changning selected a few game items and distributed them to several close nobles. The rest of the game was taken back to Cangzhou and made into meat porridge to help the poor people, in order to show the benevolence of King Kang.
Amidst the profuse thanks of the nobles, Princess Changning led Li Wanqing and Lin Nanjia back to her residence.
Before parting, Princess Changning said to Li Wanqing and Lin Nanjia, "Today's trip has been very fruitful. I will invite you to come again next time."
Li Wanqing and Lin Nanjia both agreed and bowed gratefully.
At this moment, Princess Changning asked seemingly casually, "I heard that the Li family also has two tiger skins?"
Li Wanqing dared not hide anything, so she told him everything that happened during the hunt.
Upon hearing this, Princess Changning's eyes flashed with approval, and she said softly, "I see. Your hunting story from last time was quite exciting."
Li Wanqing quickly replied modestly, "Your Highness is too kind. That time was just a fluke."
Princess Changning smiled slightly, her gaze gentle: "Luck is also part of strength, there's no need to be so modest."
After saying this, she turned and stepped into the carriage. Li Wanqing and Lin Nanjia exchanged a smile and bowed again to say goodbye.
After watching Princess Changning leave, Lin Nanjia asked, "Sister Wanqing, why didn't you let me plead for Wei Xiuying just now?"