Chapter 43: Liu Che Fights a Tiger

On the highest level of the temporary palace, there was a place similar to a pavilion. During the day, standing here, one should be able to take in the entire Shanglin Park, as this was the highest point in the whole park.

Standing in this high place, looking at the starry sky and the moon above, it felt as if one only needed to reach out to pluck the stars and the moon. In Liu Li's mind, a poem by Su Shi inexplicably surfaced.

—I wish to ride the wind and return, but I fear the jade towers and palaces, the high places are too cold to bear. Dancing to play with my clear shadow, how can it compare to the human world.

No wonder the ancients could write such classic verses. It turned out that when a person really stood in such a high place, where one could reach for the stars, the thoughts and feelings in one's heart were also different.

Liu Li boasted that she didn't have much cultural cell in her body, and she couldn't write such eternal masterpieces as "May we live long, sharing the beauty of the moon across a thousand miles." The only thing she wanted to do at this moment was to shout at the sky.

To convey her voice to the bright moon and stars in the sky.

Just as Liu Li put her hands to her mouth and took a deep breath, preparing to shout it all out, a voice suddenly came from beside her: "Jianling Princess?"

Liu Li's breath was instantly stifled in her heart. She was so scared that she took a step back and looked to her side. After all, when she came over, she hadn't seen anyone else here at all.

The maid who was following Liu Li and holding the lantern was also startled. She hurriedly raised the lantern in her hand, which allowed Liu Li to vaguely see the person who had appeared here.

"Huo, Huo Qubing?" The flickering, hazy candlelight illuminated his face, and Liu Li recognized him, exclaiming in surprise: "Why are you here?"

Huo Qubing had originally been lying on the ground resting. When he heard footsteps, he didn't get up. It was only after recognizing the person that he climbed up from the ground and called out to Liu Li.

Huo Qubing leaped up from the ground, patted the dust off his body, and took the dogtail grass he had been chewing out of his mouth before speaking: "Why did you come here?"

Liu Li sniffed and retorted: "Why are you hiding here and scaring people?"

"I came first." Huo Qubing emphasized with a frown.

"Even if you came first, why didn't you make a sound to warn me when I came over just now?" Liu Li patted her over-startled heart. Her heart was still pounding, and she hadn't calmed down yet.

Fortunately, it was night, and Huo Qubing didn't see her expression of being scared into the world-famous painting "The Scream."

"I..." Huo Qubing scratched his head: "If I had made a sound at the beginning, wouldn't you have been scared?"

Liu Li: "..."

She puffed out her lips and decided to change the subject: "Then what are you doing lying here alone?"

Huo Qubing: "Watching the stars."

Watching the stars? Liu Li raised her eyebrows, turned to look at the starry sky above, then turned to look at the blurred silhouette of the young man, and teased: "I didn't expect you, a kid, to be quite romantic."

"What is romantic?"

"Uh..." Liu Li was stumped for a moment. After all, the concept of romance didn't even exist in this era yet.

Seeing that Liu Li couldn't answer, Huo Qubing sneered, walked to the railing, leaned lazily on it, and asked: "You still haven't said why you came here alone."

Liu Li pouted: "I came to watch the stars too."

"I wish to ride the wind and return, but I fear the jade towers and palaces, the high places are too cold to bear?" Huo Qubing recited slowly.

"!!!"

Liu Li gasped, her voice shrill with surprise: "How do you know this poem?" Save me, could it be that Huo Qubing is also a transmigrator?

Huo Qubing frowned, puzzled: "Wasn't this sentence recited by you just now? I just repeated it."

Liu Li: "..."

Oh, she was scared to death. She thought she had met a fellow countryman.

"That sentence you just said was really good." Huo Qubing suddenly praised. Although he still didn't understand what it meant, he just felt it was written very well.

Liu Li was embarrassed: "This poem wasn't said by me; I saw it in a book, written by a poet named Su Shi."

"So that's how it is." Huo Qubing didn't doubt what Liu Li said; after all, he hadn't read many books either.

For a time, there was no conversation between the two. The pavilion was quiet, as if one could hear a needle drop on the ground.

In Liu Li's mind, this elementary school composition-like descriptive technique inexplicably surfaced, and she couldn't help but secretly laugh.

She took a deep breath, lifted her skirt, and said: "Alright, you continue watching the stars; I'm leaving." Saying this, she signaled for the maid to leave with her, returning this quiet place to Huo Qubing.

"Princess." Huo Qubing behind her called out to Liu Li.

Liu Li stopped and turned to look at his blurred silhouette: "Is there anything else?"

"Before..." His voice paused slightly, and he said: "I misunderstood you before. I apologize to you."

Liu Li was stunned, thinking she had misheard: "What did you say just now? You are apologizing to me?"

Huo Qubing responded in a muffled voice: "Yes."

Liu Li licked her lips, not knowing what to say for a moment. When she had interacted with this young Master Huo before, she felt that this young man was quite arrogant and stubborn.

At that time, he wasn't willing to apologize, and she didn't care, after all, in her eyes, he was just an eight or nine-year-old child. Now that he suddenly apologized to her, it made her feel strange.

"Why are you apologizing to me for no reason?" Liu Li asked.

"Do I need a reason to apologize?" Huo Qubing retorted gruffly. Fortunately, with the night as cover, the Jianling Princess couldn't see that his face was already hot and red.

After a pause, he said again: "I misunderstood you before. Sorry."

Although Huo Qubing was young, he wasn't stupid. Perhaps at first, he felt that the Jianling Princess wasn't a good person because of his cousin.

But for the past six months, everything he heard and saw was everyone praising the Jianling Princess. When he went to understand some of the things he had misunderstood before, everything became clear.

No wonder Uncle said he was wrong. He only realized then that he had indeed been wrong. If the Jianling Princess hadn't been indifferent to what he had done before, he should have been punished by the Emperor long ago.

Although she was only five or six years old, the things she did were not at all like what a five or six-year-old child could do.

He had intended to apologize seriously in person, but Uncle was afraid he would cause trouble again, so he transferred him to Shanglin Park. Now that they met by chance, he simply opened up and apologized.

Although she didn't know what he was thinking, Liu Li still curled her lips and said: "Alright, since you apologized sincerely, I accept." After she finished speaking, she waved at Huo Qubing: "I'm leaving first."

It was a pity that the system was upgrading, and she couldn't see the change in Huo Qubing's favorability, but that was fine too; having one more friend was better than having one more enemy.

Under the hazy moonlight, Huo Qubing stood in the pavilion, watching Liu Li's back as she skipped away, the corners of his lips lifting involuntarily.

She seemed quite easy to talk to.

Waking up the next morning, Liu Li put on her clothes and combed her hair with the help of the maid before walking out of the sleeping palace.

Then she met the Emperor and Empress coming together halfway, but Liu Che was no longer dressed as a woman.

He was wearing a man's hunting outfit, and his long hair was tied high. At first glance, he looked heroic and spirited, quite like a woman with the bearing of a man.

"Father... Mother, why are you dressed like this?" Liu Li stared at Liu Che for a long time.

Liu Che raised his eyebrows slightly: "How is it?"

"Beautiful, very dashing!" Liu Li gave a high evaluation.

A Jiao smiled: "Let's go, let's have breakfast first, and then go to the hunting camp."

During breakfast, A Jiao let the maids all go out. When only they were left in the room, she said slowly: "Your Father intends to go hunting in person."

Dressed like this, Liu Li had already guessed it.

This outfit of Liu Che's was measured and made by the clothing officials in the Weiyang Palace, specifically prepared for today's hunt. After all, in March and April of previous years, Liu Che would come to Shanglin Park to hunt and would personally lead the team into the forest to show off his skills.

When Liu Che was the Crown Prince, his archery and riding skills were among the best of the princes. Later, after he ascended the throne and became the Emperor, but couldn't govern personally, he would also bring his companions and playmates to Shanglin Park to hunt nearby.

If Liu Che hadn't been born into the imperial family, perhaps he would have become a Great General like Wei Qing, showing off his skills on the battlefield.

Now that the Emperor and Empress had swapped, A Jiao didn't have any riding or archery skills at all, while Liu Che's heart itched when he heard about hunting, so he simply found someone to make an outfit convenient for hunting, intending to satisfy his craving at the hunting ground today.

A Jiao didn't know he had this preparation at first, and only reacted when she saw Liu Che change into this outfit. It was too late to object.

After breakfast, they went to the hunting camp together. The venue here had already been set up, and the soldiers had also changed into clothes convenient for hunting, ready with bows and arrows, eager to try.

The hunting activity was directed by Wei Qing. When it was almost ready, he walked over and reported to A Jiao: "Your Majesty, the soldiers are all ready."

A Jiao nodded slightly, then pretended to be uncomfortable and said: "We are not feeling well today, so We will not go into the forest to hunt with everyone. Let the Empress complete it on Our behalf."

Wei Qing was stunned and subconsciously looked at Liu Che beside him, but when he saw Liu Che's outfit, his expression tightened: "Empress?"

Liu Che nodded slightly. He was very confident: "Rest assured, My skills will not lose to any of your soldiers."

Wei Qing hurriedly said: "That must not be. The Xiaojun's body is precious, and the jungle is full of dangers, and there are fierce beasts. This is really too dangerous."

Liu Che had been to Shanglin Park to hunt many times, and he considered these things Wei Qing said to be trivial matters: "Others are not afraid of these dangers, and I will not be afraid either."

Wei Qing could only look at A Jiao, hoping the Emperor could let the Empress settle down. After all, this was a hunting ground, and swords had no eyes. If the Empress's delicate body were really injured, ten of their heads wouldn't be enough.

A Jiao knew Wei Qing's worry, so she said: "Wei Qing, since you are worried about the Empress's safety, then you go with the Empress and protect him at all times. We believe that with you there, the Empress will definitely not be injured."

Wei Qing: "..."

Liu Che had already walked to the side and taken his horse, Zhuifeng, from the groom. Zhuifeng seemed to recognize Liu Che and followed Liu Che very obediently, and even lowered its arrogant head when Liu Che touched it.

The groom clicked his tongue in wonder watching this scene. After all, Zhuifeng had once been the Emperor's horse, and ordinary people couldn't touch it, but now Zhuifeng actually obediently lowered its head to let the Empress touch it.

Liu Che led the horse over and raised his voice: "Give me the crossbow and equipment."

With A Jiao's tacit approval, the attendant on the side put the equipment used for hunting on Liu Che. After everything was ready, Liu Che stepped on the stirrup and flipped onto the horse. The movement was handsome and smooth. It was just that his figure was a bit slender, and he didn't quite match the tall Zhuifeng.

Liu Li, standing on the side, saw him like this and also wanted to ride a horse.

In modern times, if you want to ride a horse, you must go to a specialized horse farm, and there will be professionals to direct you before you can ride. As a social animal, Liu Li didn't even have a chance to touch a horse, let alone ride one.

Wei Qing saw that the "Empress" was already like this, so he had no choice. After putting on his equipment, he led his horse and took a team of soldiers to chase after him.

Other ministers and marquises who wanted to hunt could also take a team of soldiers into the jungle.

After Liu Che and the others disappeared into the jungle, A Jiao prepared to take Liu Li back to the tent on the side. Liu Li looked at A Jiao with eager eyes: "Father, Daughter also wants to ride a horse."

She blinked her eyes, acting cute and coquettish: "A Li hasn't ridden a horse before."

A Jiao naturally couldn't bear to refuse such a Liu Li. She reached out and took her daughter's hand and called the groom: "Is there a horse here suitable for the Jianling Princess to ride?"

The groom hurriedly said: "What a coincidence, a mare just gave birth to a foal not long ago, and it has already been tamed to be very docile. If the Princess wants to ride a horse, this servant will lead the foal over."

Liu Li said happily: "Great." After a pause, she pursed her lips and said: "But I don't know how to ride a horse."

Groom: "Princess, don't worry, this servant will teach the Princess."

Aristocratic children generally had to learn the Six Arts when they were very young. Before, Liu Che had planned to arrange a teacher for Liu Li, but later, because Liu Li proposed the concept of a school, the learning aspect was temporarily delayed.

Seeing that the Imperial Academy was about to be built, one could imagine that Liu Li's future learning career would not be very easy.

The groom soon led a foal over. Compared with other horses, this was indeed a foal, but for Liu Li at this time, this foal was also a behemoth.

When the foal was led in front of her, she even took a slight step back.

A Jiao saw her movement and asked with a smile: "How is it, do you still want to ride a horse?"

Liu Li bit her lower lip and made up her mind: "Yes." Brave A Li, not afraid of difficulties! It's just a foal, she wasn't afraid at all.

The groom knelt in front of Liu Li and lay on the ground: "Please mount the horse, Princess." The reason the groom did this was to let Liu Li step on his back to mount the horse. After all, the Jianling Princess was small and couldn't step on the stirrup at all.

Liu Li was stunned by the groom's movement. As a modern person, she couldn't do something like stepping on someone else's back.

Liu Li didn't know how to refuse, so she could only look at A Jiao at a loss.

A Jiao smiled and said to the groom: "You get up." Saying this, she bent down, picked up Liu Li, and placed her gently on the horse's back.

Liu Li grabbed A Jiao's hand nervously, for fear that the foal would throw her off.

The groom handed the reins to Liu Li and then led the horse: "Princess, don't be afraid, this horse has already been tamed."

Although he said so, it was impossible for Liu Li not to be nervous. She held the reins tightly and sat on the horse very stiffly, not daring to move at all.

"This servant will lead the horse and take you for a walk here first." The groom said, slowly leading the foal and taking Liu Li forward.

A Jiao praised: "A Li is so brave, don't be afraid."

Seeing that the foal was really docile, Liu Li gradually relaxed. She even dared to secretly touch the horse's fur.

Just then, Huo Qubing also led a horse over. He handed the horse rope to another groom and walked straight to A Jiao, then knelt before A Jiao: "Your Majesty, I also want to go hunting!"

A Jiao looked at the young man who appeared before her. He was wearing hunting casual clothes, and his equipment was all ready.

A Jiao: "You want to go hunting?"

"Yes." Huo Qubing's voice was somewhat aggrieved: "But Uncle said I am still too young and won't allow me to enter the jungle."

So that was it. A Jiao understood: "Since your uncle said so, he must be concerned about you. Wait a few years until you grow up, and naturally you can go hunting with the soldiers."

Huo Qubing pursed his lips, his eyes carrying a stubbornness and tenacity: "I am not afraid of danger. The Empress just went in, why can't I go in?"

"That is because your uncle is protecting the Empress on the side." A Jiao said: "You are going in now, and no one is protecting you. What if you encounter danger? If something happens to you in the jungle, how am I to explain to your uncle?"

Huo Qubing frowned, clearly not wanting to give up yet.

A Jiao said: "Get up first. If you really feel your skills are very strong, why not show them to Me now."

Huo Qubing looked up at the Emperor, his eyes revealing hope and anticipation: "If I get Your Majesty's affirmation, will Your Majesty allow me to go hunting?"

A Jiao thought for a moment and nodded: "Yes. If you are really outstanding, then We will allow you to go in."

Huo Qubing stood up, his voice sonorous and powerful: "Nuo."

There was excitement to watch here, so Liu Li hurriedly asked the groom to take her off the horse. The groom stopped the horse and knelt before Liu Li again: "Please, Princess."

Liu Li gripped the reins tightly and whispered: "You get up quickly. You are a person, I don't want to step on you."

She said she intended to get off the horse by herself. Chen Fei, who had been following Liu Li, appeared like a ghost and reached out to take Liu Li off the horse.

After landing steadily, Liu Li curled her eyes and looked up at Chen Fei's heroic and handsome face: "Thank you."

Since Liu Li knew that Chen Fei had some martial arts skills, she had A Jiao agree to send Chen Fei to the Qimen Army for training for a period of time.

Because of the good environment and food, Chen Fei had become much stronger during this time, and he had even grown quite a bit taller, changing too much compared to before.

However, every time Liu Li saw Chen Fei's handsome face, which didn't lose to modern little fresh meat, she always felt sorry that he wasn't a normal man.

Liu Li ran to A Jiao's side, and Chen Fei followed silently behind Liu Li. The groom looked stunned, leading the foal, preparing to send the foal back to the stable.

When the Emperor brought the two Wei princesses to Shanglin Park last year, he also received the two princesses. That day was just like today, and the two princesses wanted to ride horses.

He also waited on the ground just like today, waiting for the princesses to step on him to mount the horse. He once thought this was the most common thing, until today, when the Jianling Princess said to him: "You are a person."

So I am a person.

The groom didn't show anything on his face, but his heart was already churning. He thought, the Jianling Princess is worthy of being a long princess conferred by the Emperor!

Speaking of Liu Che, he drove Zhuifeng to the front, followed by Wei Qing and more than a dozen soldiers.

Although the soldiers didn't dare to have opinions on their lips, they didn't understand the "Empress's" behavior of messing around like this in their hearts. They were here to participate in the hunt, not to accompany the Empress to stroll in the forest.

Who didn't want to follow behind a powerful adult? If they could hunt a rare wild beast, it would be a great achievement in front of the Emperor! Now following the Empress, they had no chance to perform at all.

Liu Che didn't feel that he couldn't do it at all. He drove his horse into the depths of the jungle with great interest. Occasionally seeing a few wild rabbits passing by, he had no interest in shooting them. He wanted to hunt a fierce beast back.

Wei Qing frowned and followed the "Empress," only hoping that the Empress could go back quickly.

Suddenly, a tiger's roar came from the front, and everyone's nerves tightened. Wei Qing gave an order: "Protect the Empress."

The soldiers behind drove their horses and protected Liu Che, holding crossbows aimed at the unknown distance.

There were actually many wild animals in Shanglin Park, but they rarely encountered them when they came to hunt. The most they encountered were wolves and foxes, but this was the first time they had encountered a tiger.

Liu Che was dissatisfied that the soldiers had protected him, so he said: "You all move aside, it's just a tiger."

The soldiers were a bit speechless, but they had to obey the order and make a way.

The jungle in front seemed to be filled with mist. Liu Che gripped the crossbow tightly, ready to go. There was some movement in the grass, and before long, a tiger with a white spot on its forehead really appeared before everyone's eyes.

A soldier gasped: "Wow, this tiger is so big."

Even though Liu Che had rich hunting experience, it was his first time seeing such a big tiger. His hand holding the bow and arrow trembled slightly, out of nervousness and excitement.

Wei Qing leaned toward Liu Che and whispered: "Empress, you step back a little, it's too dangerous here."

Liu Che didn't listen to Wei Qing at all. He felt that the hunting soul in his body had been ignited, and today he was determined to hunt this big tiger.

The tiger seemed to smell the threat, roared, bared its teeth, and pounced toward them. Liu Che was not surprised at all, pulled the bowstring, and drew three arrows to shoot at the tiger.

With three "whoosh" sounds, the three arrows flew toward the tiger like sharp blades. One hit the tiger's belly, one pierced the tiger's front leg, and one stuck in the ground.

The big tiger howled and fell to the ground with a bang, struggling and unable to stand up.

The soldiers on the side were stunned. They didn't expect the Empress to be so powerful, not changing color in the face of the big worm, and even hunting the big worm down. Such a heroic posture made people admire, truly worthy of being the Empress of our Great Han.

Clearly, everyone had been conquered by Liu Che's heroic posture, forgetting that they were still disliking this "Empress" not long ago.

Clearly, everyone had been conquered by Liu Che's heroic bearing and had forgotten that not long ago, they were still looking down on this "Empress" before them.

Wei Qing looked at the "Empress" before him in a daze. He had never seen such a dashing woman.

Thinking of the scenes just now, his heart beat uncontrollably, but when the "Empress" looked at him, he hurriedly looked away.

Thump thump thump... ===== CHAPTER 44 =====

Bang, bang, bang...