Fish hunting (2)

– Your Highness! – The gentleman sitting in the palanquin immediately bowed to the prince who came up to them and lowered his eyes to the floor. The guard who had grabbed Yang Yulan's hand earlier immediately recognized Yang Yusheng, fell to his knees and began banging his head on the bare ground, begging for forgiveness.

Yang Yusheng passed by without paying much attention to them. He approached Yang Yulan, who was nervously looking at him, and put his arm around her shoulders.

– He's with me. Don't you dare raise your voice at him – the guy smiled his usual silly smile and turned a menacing look at the ignoramuses groveling in front of him.

–You – he said to the guard personally – put him on the list. Tell them that this is my dear friend, whom I invited to participate in the hunt with me.

– Yes, Your Highness!

Then the guard stopped and, a little later, asked the prince:

– How do I write it down, Your Highness?

– Are you asking me? – the guy flared up – come up with something yourself!

From the prince's scream, the guard trembled all over and, lowering his offended eyes to the floor, ran to the registration table, simultaneously grabbing his injured leg in an attempt to stop the blood.

The gentleman who had previously been indignant and shouted at Yang Yulan also turned tail and fled the scene at the first opportunity. The prince and the princess were left alone.

As soon as everyone had left, Yang Yulan turned her innocent gaze to her older brother. He did not notice her expression because of the mask, but he could already guess what she was thinking about. He chuckled and suggested:

– Do you want to participate in the hunt?

The girl nodded her head quickly

– Did your mother forbid you to come?

Yang Yulan nodded uncertainly again

– Let's go. I'll find you a fast horse.

Yang Yulan couldn't believe her luck. Why did the prince react so simply and even cover her up? Knowing this character perfectly well thanks to the book, Yang Yulan was sure that he would definitely give her away, just to observe her suffering.

In any case, she didn't think much and skipped after her brother towards the stable. There were many beautiful thoroughbred horses. There were others like them standing next to the imperial stable. The neighing of horses and the chatter of people slowly gathering could be heard throughout the territory.

Some looked curiously at the prince's new "friend" and wondered who he might be.

– But how did you recognize me? – the girl asked already in the stable, stroking the big black horse's soft silky mane.

– Who gave you the bow, huh? Do you think I won't recognize my own creation?

– Did you make it yourself!? – The girl was actually surprised.

– Of course! No one in the entire Nan makes weapons better than me.

It was the first time Yang Yulan had heard something so discouraging about the prince. In the palace, Yang Yusheng was always talked about only as a useless incompetent, unable to do anything right. He caused a commotion, punished innocent servants, and disregarded parental prohibitions. But it turns out he has a lot of nice features. He just loses a lot against the background of his great younger brother.

Yang Yulan led her horse out of the stable and walked with her brother towards the other participants. Young people were already standing at the starting point, ready to hunt. There were also various wooden structures not far from there. This includes places for the imperial family and invited guests who will watch the start of the competition and the award ceremony itself.

The rest of the time, the audience will sit in their tents, the size and decoration of which amaze with their wealth and grandeur, and will drink hot tea in them and eat their sweets.

«And it's all for the sake of a few days of hunting. Truly the elite of society»

Not far from the place where the imperial family was sitting, there were places for envoys from Northern Bei, including the throne for Princess Shin Zuzhou. When Yang Yulan passed by these places, she couldn't help feeling that someone was watching her. Turning her head, she noticed the Princess of Northern Bay, who was watching her every move, burning through her mask with her sharp gaze.

Yang Yulan's legs immediately trembled, and goosebumps ran down her back. She was ready to faint from fear at any moment.

«I forgot that she saw this mask. Oh my God, let her think it's just a coincidence.»

However, unfortunately for Yang Yulan, Shin Zuzhou did not consider such an incident to be an ordinary coincidence at all. She had seen this archer more than once, and she had a strong feeling that something was wrong with him. She sent her bodyguard to clarify his origin, and as soon as she reported that there was absolutely no information about him, and in the registration sheet he was marked only with the initial M. Shin Zuzhou was convinced of the weight of her suspicions.

– Who are you? And why do I keep meeting you?

At this time, Yang Yulan, trembling like an aspen leaf, fearing the wrath of the villainess, immediately after the announcement of the start of the hunt, quickly galloped deep into the forest. Her brother chased after her. He had to work hard to catch up with this desperate fugitive.

–I have a suggestion for you – Yang Yusheng announced when Yang Yulan finally calmed down and came to her senses – Let's catch the jade tiger. I've heard that he's a dangerous and rare specimen. If we capture him, I'm sure we'll take first place in this competition.

– us or just you? – The girl laughed

– Of course "us". After all, if I win, I will definitely dedicate the victory to you. I just need to rub the nose of a narcissistic idiot.

Yang Yulan felt a little sorry for the guy. She knew that he would definitely not win these competitions. No matter how strong the first prince is, he is still not the main character. And this prey is definitely too much for him. The Jade Tiger was designated as the strongest lot in these competitions for a reason. A crowd of heavily armed warriors will not be enough to defeat him. Only the main character, who has amazing fighting skills and is motivated by Mei Baijie's love, will be able to defeat this beast. Yang Yulan was so sure of this that as soon as the couple came across the tracks of a large beast in the forest, the girl backed down.

She convinced her brother that she was scared and did not want to hunt such dangerous game. Thus, Yang Yusheng ran headlong along the trail further into the forest, Yang Yulan drove in the opposite direction from him.

The girl was leisurely strolling through the yellowed autumn forest. Although the fog began to settle on the rain-soaked ground, it still made it difficult to see at least something on the way.

Other participants kept running past the girl and from time to time teased her for her stupid mask. Some people even stopped and tried to have a conversation with her. But as soon as they approached her, she immediately jumped on her horse and rode on, without giving them a chance to ask any question.

While the other hunters had already started to carry the caught prey back, Yang Yulan had not taken out her bow and arrow once in all this time. It wasn't because she didn't want to win or was afraid of competition. Rather, it was because she didn't want to shoot innocent animals. Her heart bled every time she heard the death cries of a lone wolf from the forest or the screech of a rabbit caught in an elaborate trap. She wouldn't have dared to kill herself. Every time someone was killed in front of her, she covered her ears and rode on, trying just to enjoy the fresh air and the opportunity to shoot at trees and bushes at a gallop.

After a few hours of archery, already pretty exhausted, the girl jumped off her horse at a tall old tree and sat right under it, leaning against its wet thick bark. She closed her eyes and listened to the soft sound of the wind and the birds singing.

The calm was disturbed by a rustle in the bushes nearby. The girl opened her eyes and looked away. There, among the twigs and yellowed leaves, she noticed a silvery tail. Then a muzzle appeared. It was an unusual kind of squirrel. It's ears looked disproportionately large and pointed at the ends.

There was no limit to the girl's emotion at that moment. The fact is that Yang Yulan used to have a cat. And it was somewhat similar to this animal. The same ears, the same muzzle. It's name was "Little bell". He died when Yang Yulan was not even ten years old.

The girl hesitantly stretched out her hand to stroke the curious animal, but as soon as she moved, the squirrel quickly jumped onto the nearest tree and disappeared into its branches at the speed of light.

– I won't hurt you, buddy – the girl tried to persuade the animal, but it continued to hide and did not move from its place.

Then Yang Yulan stood up, walked a little away from the tree and threw the bow and quiver of arrows away from her.

– You see. Now I'm unarmed – she raised her hands in a surrendering gesture – Come on, little squirrel. Come here.

The animal seemed to start sniffing at the girl, twitching its antennae prettily at the same time, and then approached her uncertainly, descending from the top of the tree.

Yang Yulan was ready to scream with joy, but, afraid to scare away the cautious animal, she only gently stroked its silvery short fur

– Well, you see. You have nothing to be afraid of.

– What is it?

The animal suddenly listened, raised its ears in alarm and jumped a couple of centimeters to the left. A long sharp arrow crashed into the place where it was a second ago.

Yang Yulan, without thinking twice, grabbed the little squirrel in her arms and hid it in her bosom.

– Hey, don't bother me. This is my prey – a deep male voice sounded.

Four formidable-looking hunters rode up to the girl and surrounded her from all sides.

– Let him go. It's not according to the rules.

« And isn't it a shame for such grown-up foreheads to chase after one small defenseless squirrel? » – the girl thought, but did not dare to voice her thoughts out loud.

Instead, she continued to stubbornly stand in place, clutching the unfortunate animal to her chest. When the men saw that the skinny kid in front of them was not moving, they completely lost their temper.

– Give it back now or you'll find out what happens to you.

Then all four of them pointed their weapons at her, but Yang Yulan did not move a muscle.

After standing in such a tense state for some time, one of the men could not stand it and swore. – Crazy.

Out of desperation, the men spat on this mad man and drove on. After all, they shouldn't mess with a masked stranger. They say he came with the first prince.

The girl looked after them, and then opened her cape a little and stroked the very calm squirrel on its round little head.

– And you're very brave, aren't you, kid? You're not even shaking. Just like me.

The squirrel twitched its ears merrily and continued to sit in a warm place under her clothes. The girl decided to leave the animal for a walk, since it did not want to leave and it was quite convenient.

Towards evening, the hunt came to an end. Yang Yulan, quite satisfied with her walk, came out of the dark forest to the tents, where the night lanterns had already been lit.

«Tomorrow morning, the number of game caught will be counted and the participants will be assigned to their places. Then there will be a festive feast.» – Thinking about it, Yang Yulang couldn't help but smile.

The girl patted her stomach contentedly, looking forward to tomorrow's dinner. In contrast, Yang Yusheng left the forest with a sour expression on his face

«He still have failed it» – the girl laughed.

Yang Yusheng was followed by Yang Jinglong. His horse was pulling a huge wild beast behind him. The snow-white tiger dragged itself along the muddy ground and completely lost its former proud appearance.

No matter how much the girl loved the main characters and no matter how much she wanted to see all the scenes with their participation, she could not calmly look at such a picture. It was beyond her strength. Therefore, as usual, she looked away and walked in the opposite direction from the prince.

Before the princess had gone far, Yang Yusheng immediately grabbed her by the arm and forcibly took her to the game gathering place. Despite fighting with his brother for the tiger, he still managed to collect quite a few other prey.

The girl followed him and entered a small tent that smelled of fresh blood.

– And what do you have? – An obese man with a scar on his lip addressed her when he finished counting the goods collected by the first prince

–Nothing – the girl replied.

– Then what is it in your bosom? – The fabric on her chest moved and a small silvery muzzle popped out into the light.

The scarred man seemed deeply impressed by the sight.

– You really caught him! – he babbled, not believing his eyes.

Yang Yusheng also stared in amazement, and then laughed merrily

– Oh, come on! This man is faster than all forest animals combined. No one has been able to catch her for so many years

– Really? – The girl looked suspiciously at her stupid brother.

– That's right!! –– the obese man confirmed, nodding his head cheerfully, and every now and then glancing at the little squirrel.

– This thing is really amazing. It is fast, agile, smart and impossible to catch because of it's small size. It is absolutely not afraid of anything and has more than once led hunters chasing her to a ravine, where they found themselves on the verge of death.

Yang Yulan, hearing about this, lightly scratched the head of the Bell. She was bursting with pride for her new little friend.

«No wonder you weren't scared of those hunters. They should be afraid of you.»

– Let's get him here quickly – the big man reached out to the girl, trying to snatch the animal from her hands. Yang Yulan immediately recoiled and hid the animal in her bosom again.

– I don't want to give it back – she whispered to her brother.

– Why is that?

– They're going to kill him!

– So what? It's just a wild animal.

Yang Yulan pouted with indignation and Yang Yusheng decided to make concessions to her. Who else but an older brother should solve the problems of his younger sister.

– Oh, Good. Let's save this thing

– Hey you! – the prince turned to the obese man – He caught him. You confirmed it. If necessary, he will bring the creature to the award ceremony tomorrow. But it will stay with him.

– But Your Highness. It's not really according to the rules – the man complained

– I set the rules here. And as far as I know, the caught prey, after the competition, still remains the property of the hunter

–This servant realized his mistake, Your Highness – the man replied and turned his curious gaze to Yang Yulan. He seemed to be starting to wonder why he hadn't said anything and was so calmly manipulating the first prince, but he didn't mind his own business.

– Will you dedicate it to someone? – The girl thought about it. She did not plan to become an active participant in the competition. And she didn't need any extra attention.

She whispered to her brother again:

– Can I give my place to someone else?

– Don't you want to win?

– Yes, I don't want to be recognized. And at the award ceremony, you will need to go out in front of a crowd of people. And also in front of the Empress.

– I see.

Yang Yusheng scratched his head thoughtfully, and then turned to the man with the scar

– My friend dedicates the award to any girl who enters this tent first.

– Yes, Your Highness.

Yang Yulan finally relaxed and began mentally preparing for dinner and a long, sound sleep. Having dealt with all the formalities, Yang Yusheng led the girl back, simultaneously telling her how his hunt went.

When the couple came to the exit of the room, the fabric that served as the door of the house moved and Shin Zuzhou entered, accompanied by a couple of men from her country who also took part in the competition. Yang Yulan first froze in place, and then quickly ran to the exit. She was ready to sink through the ground.

– Why is she the one of all the girls!?

***

The next morning, the whole forest was full with the noise and hum of the crowd. People gathered at a small stage to watch the awarding of the participants of the autumn hunt. Young boys and girls came up on stage from time to time, and a man with a scar on his lip announced their places and the number of game caught.

– The fifth place is the second son of the official Tai – Tai Shaihe. Two black wolves. One deer.

– The fourth place is Madame Qi. Two pheasants, two red foxes, one black wolf. Her husband, Mr. Qi, dedicated his place to her.

– The third place is Her Highness Princess Yang Yulan. One bear, one deer, two black wolves. His Highness the first Prince, Yang Yusheng, dedicated his place to her.

– What a fool – the girl spat out, and then thought about it. One moment seemed rather strange to her.

– According to the plot of the book, Yang Yusheng definitely took second place in the hunt. Why did he end up so low in the rankings this time?"

The man continued.

– The second place is Ms. Mei Baijie. One big jade tiger. His Highness the Second Prince, Yang Jinglong, dedicated his place to her.

All the spectators gasped at the same time. Yang Yulan was also in shock. She was restless from bewilderment. She was sure that according to the plot, Yang Jinglong took first place in the competition by catching a tiger, and then dedicated his prize to his beloved girl. There was definitely no mistake.

But if the main character did not take the first place, then who could take it?

– The first place. Princess Shin Zuzhou. One silver spirit of the forest. Mr. M. dedicated his place to her.