Long Yue’s voice was not quiet, but because everyone else was a bit far from her, they didn’t hear it. Otherwise, saying such outrageous things would definitely get her tied up.

Today is the first day of the hunt, and everyone is surely very interested. Many people have come, practically filling the open space outside the hunting grounds.

People were gathered in groups, chatting away, while around Long Yue, there was no one.

The whole world seemed isolated from her.

However, she didn’t mind.

"Giddy-up, giddy-up!"

Suddenly, urgent hoofbeats sounded from behind, and a black horse came near Long Yue. On its back sat a slightly sinister handsome young man who extended his hand, gesturing for Long Yue to mount.

Long Yue looked up, gazing coolly at the young man on horseback.

Yan Dan!

The man she ran into yesterday afternoon!

At that moment, he was dazzled by his own charms, looking lecherous and had invited her, but she refused. And now he’s back?

Isn’t he afraid of that petty Emperor holding a grudge against him?

Long Yue looked at him as if he were an idiot: "Young Master Yan, are you kidding? Now everyone sees me as a clown, a shameless clown trying to seduce the Emperor, and they’re all eager to avoid me. Jumping out now to get close to me, aren’t you afraid of being ridiculed or even attacked?"

"Hahaha..."

Yan Dan laughed loudly, looking at Long Yue with an ever-changing gaze.

"Miss Wei, you’re truly a bold and meticulous woman. Others wouldn’t dare utter such words, but with Miss Wei, there are no reservations. I like it!" 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Long Yue looked at him, speechless: "You might like it, Young Master Yan, but I don’t!"

Yan Dan was taken aback, then laughed again: "Miss Wei truly shows no mercy, hahaha... In that case, I shall take my leave! Giddy-up!"

He spurred his horse away, swiftly heading towards Li Qingmu.

Watching Yan Dan’s departing figure, Long Yue suddenly felt something was odd, but couldn’t pin down what was strange.

"Ah!"

At that precise moment, you’er’s voice rang out, reminding Long Yue of the ink jade they previously snatched from their side.

That ink jade secretly held mechanisms capable of shooting poison-laced hidden weapons. Long Yue had studied the toxins within but just couldn’t figure them out.

Could there be a connection between Yan Dan and that ink jade? Otherwise, why would you’er steal the ink jade?

"Ah, ah!"

You’er gently tugged at Long Yue, pointing in a direction.

Long Yue followed the direction and saw several young women approaching, among whom one was all too familiar with her—Wei Yundai!

As the daughter of Duke Mansion, Wei Yundai certainly had her circles and many close friends. Currently, surrounded by a group of companions, she came near Long Yue.

"Dai’er, is she your sister, Wei Yunyan?"

The speaker was a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl dressed in an apricot pink skirt, with rosy lips and white teeth, looking so fresh and alluring that one couldn’t help but want a bite.

She raised her white, tender neck, her small face slightly lifted, looking at Long Yue with a contemptuous gaze, as if viewing the most despicable person.

Indeed, they considered Long Yue despicable, audaciously sneaking into Your Majesty’s bath to seduce him, shameless to the extreme!

Such a person, even speaking to her would be deemed a humiliation!

"Yes, she is my sister. Well, honestly, it’s not entirely her fault. She was left outside in her early years, lived in the countryside, how could she know about etiquette? I suppose being poor for those years scared her, so now she’s doing everything she can to climb up?"

Wei Yundai looked regretful, as if deeply tied to sisterly love, but in fact, every word she spoke carried ill intent, mocking and belittling Long Yue.

"Tsk, isn’t this what people constantly say, when poverty leads to shortsighted ambitions? Hahaha..."

These young women spoke and laughed, treating Long Yue as a joke. After teasing, they left.

On the other side, people were already mounting horses with bows and ropes, rushing into the forest from the hunting grounds.

Forest hunting would last half a month. Those who caught the most during this time would receive rewards, with the first prize being the most generous.

This was quite normal; the aim was to encourage more active involvement in hunting and also to boost everyone’s spirits.

Li Qingmu riding on a horse, watched the young elites dashing into the forest, suddenly tightened his reins, and galloped off.

Daliang placed more emphasis on martial arts than Dazhou, and he certainly couldn’t fall behind.

If an Emperor couldn’t demonstrate impressive martial prowess, then others below might start plotting. Li Qingmu had just ascended the throne, needing prestige more than ever.

Long Yue watched him fade into the distance, suddenly pulled over a horse, grabbed a bow and arrows, and raced to catch up.

Everyone focused their attention on Li Qingmu and other young elites, not expecting Long Yue to join in, leaving them momentarily stunned.

While talking to Wei Yundai, the young girl even mocked: "Is she chasing after Your Majesty then? Tsk, tsk, Dai’er, your sister from the countryside certainly is relentless and resilient, isn’t she? Even though Your Majesty has clearly said he isn’t interested, she’s still shamelessly throwing herself at him, hehe..."

Another woman next to her said: "Let her chase if she wants, just hope she doesn’t come back as a stiff body!"

After pausing, the woman realized her words were inappropriate and hurriedly added, "The forest is filled with wild beasts, very dangerous. Just a little carelessness, and she might end up in a tiger’s mouth. After such a detour, would she even come back?"

"Probably not returning!"

"I’d say she’d most likely be crying out for Your Majesty to save her!"

"Hmph, utterly shameless!"

Once again the women despised Long Yue, clearly displeased with her.

Long Yue didn’t have the time to care about their judgments. At this moment, she was chasing Li Qingmu’s horse.

Having experienced the initial chaos and forlorn state, she gradually came to her senses.

That scoundrel surely recognized her!

Otherwise, why didn’t he kill her the instant he discovered her then?

He wanted to kill indeed, yet he didn’t in the end.

That fellow couldn’t possibly have a change of heart; he wasn’t that kind of decent chap!

Thinking through it, Long Yue was sure he knew who she was.

But, why was he treating her so coldly?

There’s definitely something fishy here!

Li Qingmu wants to shake her off? Impossible!

"Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up!"

The horse galloped fiercely, gradually some people appeared ahead.

They were scattered young individuals, drawing their bows and shooting at a hovering eagle above.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—"

The air filled with the sound of arrows slicing through; those arrows densely rained down, yet the eagle merely circled and escaped their attack.

"Hey, this hawk is so sneaky, running away like that? Watch me shoot it down..."

"Whoosh!"

Just as a young gentleman finished speaking, an arrow flew from the other side, piercing the body of the hawk!