Chapter 19: Seeing a Deer Deep in the Forest

Outside the outskirts of Kyoto, a group of people were busily and enthusiastically at work.

Preparing food and drink for over four hundred people clearly would not take a short amount of time.

However, Zhu Gaoxu had his own private kitchen, and his meals had been prepared early on.

With four dishes and one soup already laid out, Zhu Gaoxu held his bowl and chopsticks, staring at the faintly visible city walls of Kyoto in the distance, lost in thought for a moment.

At this moment, Zhu Gaoxu even wanted to just leave and never return.

The recent period of time had undoubtedly run contrary to his intentions, likely starting from his chance encounter with Zhu Yuanzhang in the back garden.

This trip was less about hunting and more about avoiding the brunt of the situation.

Lv Ben and Hu Weiyong were both ruthless characters.

Especially Hu Weiyong; as the current Chancellor, he had been humiliated in full view of everyone, rendered speechless by a four-year-old child, and the other party would certainly seek revenge.

"I hope Lao Zhu is capable enough to wipe out Hu Weiyong before I return."

While little Zhu was muttering about Lao Zhu, Zhu Yuanzhang was also inquiring about news of him.

"Jiang Huan, call that little monkey over here! It's only the first day of lessons and Lv Ben has already run over to lodge a complaint with me; it's simply outrageous!"

Hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's order, Jiang Huan hesitated for a moment before saying, "Your Majesty, the Nanyang Commandery Prince just left the city to go hunting; I'm afraid he won't be back until tonight."

"He went out of the city to hunt?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was also somewhat bewildered upon hearing this.

I told you to go to school, and you ran off to the mountain gullies to play?

However, Zhu Yuanzhang soon thought of something; his eyes flickered, and he immediately understood.

"This little monkey is handing a difficult problem to me while he goes off to hide in peace. What a pity, it's not the right time yet."

"Besides, I am still very curious about your method of training troops. I might as well give you the Shenji Battalion... it's just a pity you're a bit too young..."

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was not loud, but Jiang Huan heard it with extreme clarity.

Unconsciously, a bead of cold sweat broke out on Jiang Huan's forehead. If these words reached the ears of any minister in the imperial court, it would likely drop everyone's jaws in shock, and one could only imagine the bloody storm it would stir up.

Clasping his hands together subconsciously, Jiang Huan stood by in silence, as if he had heard nothing at all, merely waiting obediently for Zhu Yuanzhang's next instruction.

Glancing indifferently at Jiang Huan, Zhu Yuanzhang changed the subject and asked about his fourth son, Zhu Di.

"Lao Si should be coming back soon, right?"

"The imperial decree summoning the Prince of Yan back to the capital has already been sent via an eight-hundred-li urgent dispatch. I expect it has arrived by now; the Prince of Yan will reach the capital in three or four days at the latest."

"Good. Let that little monkey hide outside for two days. When Lao Si arrives, have him bring that little monkey along to see me."

"Understood..."

The supplies Zhu Gaoxu bought for this hunt were quite sufficient, enough for these four hundred-plus people to eat and live for at least half a month.

But he clearly did not expect that because of one sentence from Lao Zhu, his good days were about to end just as they had begun.

"All troops, set out!"

By now, the four hundred-plus people had finished their lunch. Zhu Gaochi stood on a carriage, pointed his sword toward the heavens, and shouted, after which the group headed toward the hunting ground once more.

The journey was silent, and it was already afternoon by the time they reached the hunting ground.

Zhu Yuanzhang was relatively frugal during his reign, so the hunting ground did not usually receive much attention.

But the Royal Hunting Ground was, after all, the face of the imperial family; it had everything it should have, and there was no shortage of large wild beasts.

There were plenty of tigers, deer, and other wild animals, and there were people specifically assigned to manage them.

As the Nanyang Commandery Prince, Zhu Gaoxu was a proper member of the imperial family.

Wanting to go hunting was merely a matter of saying the word.

Three hundred Embroidered Uniform Guards went ahead to clear the path and set up camp, followed by one hundred household servants who began to handle the chores.

Zhu Gaoxu stepped onto his horse and, taking Mao Xiang and a dozen others, entered the forest first.

Whether it was real or fake, since he had come, he had to at least put on a show.

Furthermore, Zhu Gaoxu now possessed divine strength, so he was not afraid of hunting.

The outer perimeter of the hunting ground only had small living creatures like rabbits and pheasants. Zhu Gaoxu drew his bow and shot arrows, but after hitting two wild rabbits, he lost interest.

"Let's go, let's head deeper in."

Having said that, Zhu Gaoxu spurred his horse and rode off first.

"Yes!"

Mao Xiang and the others gladly accepted the order, and seeing Zhu Gaoxu take the lead, they hurriedly followed.

After all, with great skill comes great courage; Mao Xiang was confident that under his protection, he could ensure Zhu Gaoxu's safety.

Just like that, Zhu Gaoxu's group went deeper and deeper, finally pulling their horses to a stop after spotting a small deer ahead.

He raised his hand to signal Mao Xiang and the others to be quiet. Seeing this, the others hurriedly stopped a short distance away to avoid startling the deer and ruining Zhu Gaoxu's fun.

Zhu Gaoxu drew his bow and nocked an arrow, aiming at the deer's head. Just as he was about to release, the deer seemed to have been startled by something and instantly bolted, running deeper into the forest.

Seeing this, how could Zhu Gaoxu give up? He patted his prized steed and gave chase.

The hunting ground was filled with towering trees, so even a prized horse could not run fast and could only barely keep up from a distance.

Just as they were about to lose sight of it, Zhu Gaoxu's prized steed suddenly stopped, then shook its head, its hind hooves shifting uneasily and slowly backward.

Seeing the deer had already vanished from his field of vision, Zhu Gaoxu was just about to raise his whip to urge it on when a beast's roar came from not far away.

Following this roar, the horses of Mao Xiang and the others also became uneasy, each wanting to turn and flee, but they were all brought under control.

At this moment, having stabilized his own mount, Mao Xiang arrived at Zhu Gaoxu's side and said gravely, "Your Highness, judging by the sound, I fear it is a big tiger!"