Early the next day, at the gates of the Imperial Palace, the Imperial Army was assembled, along with the civil and military officials and their families. Carriages of various colors and styles lined up, making the scene look like some grand festival.

Long Yue sat in a light purple carriage, accompanied by Yu Zhu, who attended her, and her persistent younger brother, You’er. A Yao sat on the carriage board, in charge of driving.

"Miss, please get on the carriage."

A Yao lay on the ground, forming a human step for Long Yue to step on.

This was a privilege reserved for young ladies of esteemed families.

Long Yue glanced casually around. Most people stepped on the backs of servants to get on, but Long Yue didn’t. She simply asked A Yao to stand up and gracefully stepped onto the carriage herself.

"Sister, that’s quite unrefined!"

A pink carriage passed by, with Wei Yundai sitting inside, accompanied by another young girl.

Wei Yundai spoke lightly as they passed by, followed by another voice from the carriage.

"Dai’er, I heard this sister of yours was brought from the countryside? Tsk tsk, a country bumpkin doesn’t know such customs. Calling herself your sister makes you feel devalued!"

"Ah, look at what Sister Yi Yun is saying, what can I do? She’s indeed a country bumpkin, but she’s still my sister, so I can only advise her a little. Whether to heed it or not is her business."

"..."

The two voices gradually faded away.

"Miss, they are mocking you!"

Yu Zhu peeked out to take a look, then anxiously returned her gaze to Long Yue.

Being talked about like this, Yu Zhu thought Long Yue should express something, shouldn’t she?

But Long Yue just smiled slightly, "Let them say what they want, we’ll do what we must. It’s not related, why be troubled by it? Yu Zhu, your mind is quite narrow!"

Yu Zhu immediately became agitated, "Miss, I’m just worried about you! Worrying that you might harm yourself..."

"What’s there to worry about? If I were to be upset over such trifles, wouldn’t I have long been overwhelmed with anger?" Long Yue said seriously, "Yu Zhu, remember, when we get to the forest, observe more, think more, speak less, make less sound, understand?"

Yu Zhu, having been lectured by Long Yue lately, felt somewhat dizzy and even thought the past few years were wasted; she could only meekly agree.

"Clear the way, don’t block, His Majesty and the Princess’s carriage are coming!"

At that moment, a voice suddenly commanded, followed by countless cries of ’Long live the emperor.’

"Long live His Majesty, long live, long live!"

Long Yue lifted the carriage curtain, peeking out with her delicate head, observing the long line of carriages with a slight shift in her gaze.

She saw the Dragon Carriage, as well as the Phoenix Carriage beside it, and the Princess’s carriage, which was even more luxurious and splendid than the Dragon Carriage, with a grand canopy like a house completely covering it.

Long Yue watched the convoy slowly move away, her thoughts drifting far away, until Yu Zhu beside her called, bringing her back to reality.

"Miss, His Majesty and the others have already gone far!"

"Right, A Yao, drive on!"

"Okay, miss!"

The carriage moved quickly, soon catching up with the convoy. Long Yue’s carriage squeezed into the line, just as another carriage belonging to Duke Wei Wei Yan appeared beside them.

Wei Yan lifted the curtain and said, "Yan’er, come here!"

Long Yue hesitated for a moment, then got off and boarded Wei Yan’s carriage.

"Father, what do you need me for?"

Wei Yan looked at his elegant daughter, sighing, "This forest hunt will provide you access to His Majesty the Emperor, but... it seems not very advantageous for you."

Long Yue was slightly surprised, "Why does Father say so?"

"It’s well known that His Majesty the Emperor greatly esteems martial prowess and is highly skilled in martial arts himself. This forest hunt isn’t just for a spring outing, but also for selecting concubines. It’s said that women showcasing bravery and vigor would more capture his favor."

Long Yue blinked, "So what Father asked me to prepare earlier is now useless?"

Wei Yan looked awkward, "Yes, that’s right!"

Long Yue laughed, "Father views me as gentle and virtuous?"

Wei Yan was caught off guard, isn’t that so?

"Father, I hail from the countryside, a rustic bumpkin who climbed and crawled since childhood. I either climbed roofs to uncover tiles or trees to pick peaches, or else stole bird nests, caught rabbits... In short, I’ve done all sorts of messy things, so I don’t think this hunt will be a loss to anyone!"

Hearing Long Yue’s words, Wei Yan’s eyes lit up, looking at her in delight, "Girl, are you speaking the truth?"

"Yes, in hunting, I won’t lose to others. I often played with slingshots as a child!"

Slingshots...

Wei Yan’s face twitched again; can a slingshot compare with a bow and arrow?

Is this daughter reliable or not?

He looked at her with twitching cheeks, took a deep breath, and said, "Fine, Yan’er, if you can attract the emperor’s attention this time, that’s best; if not... your father won’t blame you."

Long Yue nodded obediently, "Father doesn’t need to worry, I will try my best! Besides, there’s still my sister!"

Ugh!

Wei Yan’s face turned a liver-red color, unsure of what to say.

He lightly coughed to cover his embarrassment, turned, and said, "Since Yan’er is confident, go back, and don’t force yourself."

"Yes, Father!"

Of course, Long Yue wouldn’t force herself. What she contemplated was, upon meeting Li Qingmu later, would he still recognize her?

Now that she donned Wei Yunyan’s face, could he, like her, recognize him at a glance?

Yu Zhu, unaware of Long Yue’s thoughts, assumed she was figuring out how to approach His Majesty, but His Majesty dwelled high above, not easily accessible.

"Miss..." Yu Zhu wanted to ask Long Yue for her plans, but recalling her previous admonition, she quickly shut her mouth.

Long Yue glanced back at her, smiled silently.

This girl might be scheming, but at least she’s trainable and knows the hierarchy. Dare to harbor ill intentions in front of her, and she’ll meet the same fate as Dong Mei!

The carriage moved on leisurely.

The Beifeng Forest was quite far from the palace; it would take the convoy over two hours to get there, and there was a palace often used for the emperor’s hunts.

This palace was called the Beilu Palace.

By noon, everyone finally arrived at the Beifeng Forest and lodged at the Beilu Palace.

Travel-worn, they immediately went to their pre-arranged chambers to bathe, change clothes, dine, and rest.

This hunt was not just hunting but also for Li Qingmu’s selection of concubines, so the first day was only for resting.

After lunch, Long Yue took a leisurely nap. When she woke, seeing the bright sunshine outside, she intended to stroll about to familiarize herself with the terrain.

However, just as she stepped out, she heard a commotion outside.

"Stop, don’t run!"

"Catch him, quickly, catch that little thief!"

Amidst the clamor, Long Yue saw a figure rushing in her direction.