Whispers trail Yue as she prepares for a private hunting trip with the Emperor. But beyond the palace walls, it's not just gossip that hunts in silence—will she return unscathed?
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Yue couldn't stop thinking about it after leaving the Emperor's study that day.
Her mind constantly revisited the same question.
A royal hunting trip. With the Emperor.
Was this just a playful punishment, or was there more to it?
Even as she walked through the quiet hallways of the inner palace, her hands were clasped tightly together, her sleeves hiding her nervous, trembling fingers.
Consort Shu was waiting with tea already poured at the Peach Blossom Pavilion.
"You seem nervous," Shu said with a grin. "That's unlike you."
Yue managed a small smile and sat down.
"I'm not nervous."
"You've folded that sleeve three times," Shu pointed out with a raised eyebrow.
There was a moment of silence. Yue took a breath.
"His Majesty invited me to the royal hunting trip."
Shu paused with her teacup, eyes wide and then sparkling with mischief.
"You say that as if it's a punishment."
"I don't know what it means," Yue said softly. "Why would he want me there?"
"Yue," Shu said gently, carefully setting the cup down,
"You are smart, kind, and braver than many concubines who have been here for a decade. Whatever his reasons, don't let this opportunity go to waste. Use it wisely."
Yue looked at her, surprised. Shu reached over and squeezed her hand.
"You've already done so much for me. My mother will be visiting me tomorrow; it has been years."
Emotion rose in Shu's chest, and she blinked quickly to hold back tears.
"I couldn't have done it without you," Shu said warmly.
"Now go. And don't just fade into the background. Let him see who you truly are."
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The next morning, Yue looked into a shiny bronze mirror as a palace maid fastened her hunting robe.
This outfit differed significantly from the silky clothes she usually wore in the inner palace. It was practical and dark green with bronze trim.
It hugged her body comfortably, made for easy movement rather than style.
Her hair was pulled back into a neat, high knot, held by a simple wooden pin.
She barely knew the person looking back at her. The woman in the mirror seemed strong, calm... even brave.
"Am I truly meant to be out there? With him?" She paused, looking at the leather gloves on the table.
After a moment of hesitation, she put them on.
The sun had just started to rise when she stepped outside, but whispers had already spread through the palace.
The whole harem was buzzing like a disturbed beehive:
"Did you hear?"
"She's going with him? Alone?"
"They say The Emperor personally asked for her!"
The whispers floated through the corridors, impossible to catch and ignore.
She kept her head down as Yue walked through the Jade Pavilion courtyard. The eyes following her felt louder than thunder.
Some consorts pretended not to look, their fans moving too slowly.
Others openly stared, eyes full of disbelief, anger, or even colder.
Curiosity had turned into suspicion. Envy flashed in their glances.
Even younger maids paused their work, peering from behind columns and windows.
The imperial carriage was waiting for her. Its dark wood gleamed with gold leaf and was decorated with a dragon emblem.
The horses were restless, their gear matching her robe's green and gold.
As she climbed the steps into the carriage, she could feel the weight of many eyes on her back.
None of them are kind.
Beyond the carriage curtain, the palace slowly disappeared into the distance—and ahead lay the vast, untamed wilderness of the imperial hunting grounds.
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The imperial hunting grounds extended far beyond the palace, full of lush green forests filled with wildlife.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting warm patterns on the earth.
The meadows were dotted with blue and pink wildflowers while birds soared in the vast sky, their calls carried by the breeze.
Yue descended from the carriage, feeling a sense of awe.
This place seemed like a completely different realm compared to the palace.
It was untouched, wild, and vibrant.
The air was crisp and smelled of pine, a refreshing change from the heavy, silk-lined corridors and quiet whispers of the palace.
She felt a sense of freedom.
Her hunting robe moved in the breeze, and her boots crunched on the gravel as she walked toward the horses.
A pale bay mare, the horse prepared for her had bright amber eyes.
Yue approached calmly, gently touching the horse's warm neck.
The mare snorted softly but remained calm. Yue felt surprisingly familiar as she ran her fingers through the horse's mane.
Memories came to life as she checked the saddle and foot loops.
Taking a deep breath, she mounted the horse. Initially, she felt uncertain—grasping the reins too tightly, knees awkward.
But once she settled in the saddle, her posture became straight, and her legs naturally found their position. She adjusted her grip with confidence.
The guards watched, one raising an eyebrow. Yue blinked, amazed at her own ease.
Why did this feel so right?
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of approaching hooves.
A rider appeared over the hill; it was the Emperor.
He appeared powerful and natural on his black stallion. His riding outfit was deep charcoal, adorned with silver wind and cloud patterns. He bore a longbow on his back and a hunting knife at his side.
His horse moved gracefully, full of restrained strength.
She had never seen him like this. He was transformed from the man behind the desk who teased her with lazy smiles.
He seemed commanding and sharp.
The Emperor noticed her attire—simple but striking.
The wind caught a loose strand of hair, brushing it across her cheek.
For a moment, he said nothing. She reminded him of… A memory flashed briefly—another girl, long ago, riding with laughter in the wind.
It was brief, but it lingered.
"You ride?" he finally asked with quiet fascination.
Yue lowered her eyes, feeling the heat rising in her cheeks. "I guess so...?" she replied.
The Emperor did not say anything; he smoothly turned his horse, calling back to her—
"Keep up."
Yue gently urged her mare forward.
At first, the pace felt overwhelming. Her horse moved more powerfully than expected, and her grip tightened again.
She bounced once but quickly adjusted. Her body remembered before her mind caught up.
The wind rushed by, tugging at her sleeves.
The mare responded with familiarity, and soon, Yue was riding comfortably.
They moved through the forest swiftly, cantering across fields and weaving between trees. Birds scattered into flight, startled by the thundering hooves.
Laughter bubbled in Yue's chest, light and unrestrained, surprising even herself.
Ahead, the Emperor turned at the sound. He saw her riding hard to keep pace, cheeks flushed with the wind, eyes alight with excitement.
Not the obedient concubine. Not the ink-grinder. But a woman alive, unburdened—beautiful in a way that had nothing to do with court etiquette.
He smiled. No one else noticed, but it was there.
The aroma of crushed leaves mixed with wildflowers drifted on the breeze.
Emperor Li Zhao rode slightly ahead, looking both relaxed and alert.
Occasionally, he slowed his horse, allowing her to catch up while he pointed out broken branches or animal tracks in the mud.
"A deer passed through here not long ago," he noted, pointing at the ground.
"Look how the earth is pressed down but still damp; it must have just left."
Yue leaned in to examine the tracks, concentrating intently.
He was a patient teacher, his voice calm and clear, never mocking—just explaining.
She observed his face as he spoke, noting how easily he read the landscape, and saw his gentle smile when he realized she was watching him rather than the tracks.
Suddenly, there was a quick motion in the bushes. Before she could react, he had already drawn his bow in one fluid motion.
The bowstring groaned as he pulled it back, and then he released.
A clean, direct shot.
The deer fell quietly beyond the trees, barely disturbing the grass as it landed.
Yue remained motionless, her heart racing. His actions were so natural and instinctive—almost more animal-like than human.
He turned slightly, catching her expression.
"Impressed?"
"Your Majesty, make it seem easy," said Yue.
He shrugged casually. "Once you understand their behavior, it's not that hard. The prey always reveals itself."
The air was clear, and worries from the palace felt far away. Birds made soft rustling sounds in the branches above, and sunlight danced on the trail.
They didn't speak for a while, yet the silence felt comfortable and companionable.
Then—another quick movement.
A frightened rabbit dashed into the open area ahead.
Before even thinking, Yue reacted.
Her fingers found the bow at her side, and she instinctively nocked an arrow.
She drew back, feeling the tension in her shoulders; she aimed and released.
The arrow hit its mark.
The Emperor reined in his horse beside hers, studying her and the fallen rabbit.
His eyebrows raised, showing not mockery but genuine surprise.
"Well," he said, "not bad."
Yue's heart pounded in her chest, and she blinked, hardly believing what she had done.
"I... I think I got lucky."
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he nudged his horse closer until their knees were nearly touching.
A soft breeze lifted a lock of her hair across her face, and he gently tucked it back behind her ear.
"Or perhaps," he said softly, "there's more to you than just luck."
Suddenly, high above, a hawk screeched loudly.
Yue's voice cut through the air, filled with concern,
"What was that sound?"
Instantly, Li Zhao's demeanor changed. The softness in his expression vanished, replaced by a leader's sharp, commanding focus.
He turned towards the direction of the noise, urging his stallion forward with purpose.
Without warning, a group of guards emerged from the opposite side of the trail. Their faces were pale, and their weapons were ready for action.
"Your Majesty!" one of them cried.
"A tiger—it escaped from the holding pens! It's headed north, toward the creek!"