The next morning, Jing Xin had barely opened her eyes when she heard Chang Huan reporting that preparations for entering the mountains had already been made outside.
Last night, after the tiger’s roar disappeared, soldiers discovered fresh tracks in the forest at dawn. The moment Qi Shen woke up and heard the report, he had already changed into his gear and prepared to go hunting.
Jing Xin hurriedly got up and dressed. As expected, today was likely the scene from the novel where Shen Qingyue blocks an arrow for Qi Shen.
“Where is the Son of Heaven?”
“This servant has already told Cheng Fu that Your Highness will accompany His Majesty. The Son of Heaven is waiting for you in the courtyard.”
Jing Xin changed into a light narrow-sleeved outfit with an above-ankle skirt. She did not have time for breakfast, her stomach both hungry and slightly nauseous. She quickly ate a few pastries and drank some milk to fill her stomach, but the milk, freshly drawn from the farm, was too rich. The moment she swallowed it, she nearly vomited it back out.
Chang Huan said, “There is not much worth seeing in a hunt. Your Highness should eat breakfast properly before going.”
Jing Xin shook her head and walked out.
Qi Shen always made the feudal lords and officials wait for him. When Jing Xin arrived, they all hurried to bow.
She then approached Qi Shen and said, “Your Majesty, this consort was delayed. I wish to witness Your Majesty’s grandeur and accompany you.”
As they walked, Qi Shen asked, “Not afraid of tigers today?”
“I am afraid. But with Your Majesty here, I am not. Even tigers fear the true Son of Heaven.”
Qi Shen seemed to enjoy her flattery lately. Jing Xin could tell he found it pleasing.
His thin lips curved slightly. “Then ride with me later.”
The hunting party of over a hundred entered the deep mountains. Qi Shen first traveled by carriage into the forest. Once they reached the hunting grounds, Jing Xin dismounted and switched onto his fierce warhorse.
A tiger’s roar suddenly echoed nearby. Among the feudal lords, the oldest and most enthusiastic hunter, Che Kangcen, excitedly pointed out, “To the north!”
Qi Shen smiled faintly, eyes gleaming with a bloodthirsty thrill. He leapt onto his horse and, looking down at Jing Xin, extended his hand.
She placed her hand in his. His palm was broad with faint calluses, ticklish against her skin.
Qin Wuheng spoke about the terrain ahead, then added, “Your Majesty, rest assured in your hunt. Although the wild tiger is fierce, this minister has invited the farm’s female immortal down the mountain just in case. She knows a little about hunting tigers and may assist Your Majesty.”
Jing Xin sat in front of Qi Shen. She turned slightly to see his expression behind her. He caught her movement, her curled lashes trembling lightly, her delicate nose and charming beauty exposed to the wind. In front of everyone, he kissed her forehead.
A wet “smack” sound echoed.
The three feudal lords averted their gaze. Officials and guards lowered their eyes.
“Why should I fear such a beast?” Qi Shen said as he spurred his horse into the forest.
Jing Xin startled and grabbed the reins in panic. Guards rode on all sides, but she still did not see Shen Qingyue.
Could it be following the original plot, where the tiger was used to lure Qi Shen into an ambush, and Shen Qingyue would appear at the critical moment to save him?
The tiger moved swiftly, its roar echoing before vanishing from sight.
Qi Shen grew irritated, feeling as though he was being played with, especially in front of Jing Xin. “No trace of the tiger?”
Qin Wuheng returned from the front and replied, “Your Majesty, scouts have found its tracks ahead.”
Qi Shen immediately rode forward.
Along the way, deer, squirrels, and rabbits scattered in panic.
Wind roared past Jing Xin’s ears, when suddenly Qi Shen’s warm breath brushed against her. He leaned close and said in a low, magnetic voice, “My consort, do you want a rabbit?”
Jing Xin shook her head and quickly replied, “No, I only want Your Majesty to hunt me a tiger as a seat mat.”
Qi Shen laughed and sped up.
For her first time riding a horse, Jing Xin felt extremely uncomfortable.
A guard ahead suddenly shouted, “Your Majesty, not good! The tiger is charging!”
Qi Shen could not yet see it. He rode forward and finally saw the massive beast charging through the forest. Its eyes gleamed with ferocity as it sprinted toward the frontmost soldier.
The soldier drew his bow, but the guard commander shouted, “Do not shoot! It is His Majesty’s prey!”
No one dared disobey Qi Shen. The feudal lords and officials behind also stopped.
The soldier was forced to turn his horse, but before he could react, the tiger pounced and tore into him.
Jing Xin screamed in terror, trembling violently at the sight.
The more afraid she was, the more excited Qi Shen seemed. He spurred forward and drew his bow.
“Sit steady,” he said.
Qi Shen aimed at the tiger charging at them and released an arrow. The shot was precise, striking its foreleg. The tiger staggered but did not stop.
He intended to capture it alive. His next arrow struck the other leg.
Jing Xin saw his intent and clung tightly to him, too frightened to move.
“Don’t be afraid, I am here. Do you think I would let it eat you?” he said coldly.
At the word “eat,” Jing Xin burst into tears.
“It will eat me. It has eaten me before.”
Qi Shen laughed despite himself and fired again, missing and striking the tiger’s ear instead.
The beast roared in fury and charged directly at them. Even Qi Shen’s warhorse reared in fear.
The guards and feudal lords behind changed their expressions and moved to assist, but Qi Shen barked, “Stand down!”
His arrogance would not allow him to lose to such a beast.
Only then did Jing Xin realize why, in the original story, Qi Shen would fall for Shen Qingyue.
He was already being forced back by the tiger.
This was its territory. It knew the terrain better than him and drove him step by step toward a dead end.
The horse beneath them trembled wildly. Jing Xin’s lower abdomen ached sharply, but she dared not distract him.
There were too many guards behind, and only precise archery could avoid accidentally injuring Qi Shen.
Only two arrows remained.
Qi Shen finally realized he had underestimated the situation.
Just as he drew his bow, Qin Wuheng’s voice rang out, “Protect His Majesty!”
An arrow from the guards flew in but missed the tiger. Qi Shen fired, but his shot was knocked off course.
“Damn it!” he growled, reaching for his final arrow.
At that moment, Jing Xin suddenly calmed.
So Shen Qingyue was about to appear.
When the final arrow was deflected…
When the tiger lunged…
When the guards were too late…
Shen Qingyue would descend like a goddess and save Qi Shen.
Could the plot not be avoided?
Qi Shen’s temples were damp with sweat, not from fear, but anger. He suddenly called out, “Jing Xin.”
Hearing her name, Jing Xin snapped back to reality.
The arrow had already been released during her distraction. The tiger was now charging straight at them.
Qi Shen pulled her into his arms and turned his back outward. “I like the puff pastries you make.”
Jing Xin blinked in confusion, when a flash of red appeared in her peripheral vision.
She looked up.
A girl in red rode down from the high wall behind them, shooting an arrow that struck the tiger only steps away from Qi Shen. At the same moment, hidden guards pierced the tiger’s neck with swords.
The beast collapsed.
Arrows from earlier were still flying toward them.
Qi Shen had expected the guards to arrive late, but he did not expect this striking red figure to appear as well.
He stared at Shen Qingyue.
Her features were strikingly beautiful, fearless in the face of the tiger. With swift precision, she drew her sword and cut down the incoming arrows mid-air.
Jing Xin felt a chill in her heart.
Qi Shen was still watching Shen Qingyue.
The descent had been breathtaking. Even Jing Xin had to admit such a fearless and elegant girl was captivating.
The hidden guards knelt in apology, but Qi Shen did not punish them. His gaze remained fixed on Shen Qingyue.
Jing Xin sighed inwardly, her lower abdomen pain returning sharply. Before she could speak, she suddenly noticed an arrow shooting directly toward Qi Shen.
“Careful!” she cried, lunging to shield him.
Qi Shen pulled her away and flipped off the horse. The arrow pierced Jing Xin’s shoulder. Pain exploded through her body, her clothes tearing, revealing her undergarments. A strand of hair was cut cleanly away.
Qi Shen’s expression darkened as he held her tightly.
Shen Qingyue rushed forward, but it was already too late. She stopped behind Qi Shen.
Jing Xin, dazed, felt the pain fade strangely from her shoulder as a far stronger wave of abdominal pain surged up. Her vision blurred.
She thought faintly of Qi Shen’s earlier words.
“I like your puff pastries.”
Was that… a last farewell?
With that question lingering, she lost consciousness.