Who says the prince is weak and can't take care of himself?

Qi Xiao was just thinking when Lu Fangjin came galloping over: "Why are you here?"

"walk around."

"Go back, dinner is almost ready."

Qi Xiao nodded.

"You don't look very interested. Don't you like hunting?"

Qi Xiao laughed: "It's boring to play with them."

"Hey, you're looking down on me." Lu Fangjin realized after a moment's thought that Qi Xiao had never been to the Autumn Hunt and must have known a lot. So he said, "Every year there's a prize for hunting. Whoever catches the prize will receive a generous reward from His Majesty. Even the Five Capitals will select people to participate in the hunt. The princes want to stand out, so naturally they try their best. Even the guards around them and the people from the Five Capitals can be promoted if they can catch the prize. What do you think? Are you sure?"

"Are you joining us?"

"That's natural."

"Have you hunted one?"

Lu Fangjin laughed heartily. "What do you think?" He was a renowned general of the Great Chen Dynasty. How could he possibly lose a hunting expedition? It was just that he led troops year-round, rarely returning to Yuanjing. He had only participated in one hunting expedition in total, and this year was his second.

"That's even more boring."

"Hey, how dare you look down on others?"

"You are incredibly strong and can draw a hundred-stone bow, but hunting isn't a contest of strength. If you can win, then those guys probably don't have much ability."

Lu Fang tried to retort but suddenly lost his voice. Qi Xiao's words were a trap, waiting for him to jump into them. If he said that the princes were all extremely capable, then his victory was just a fluke. If he agreed with Qi Xiao's words, it would be so arrogant and ignorant that if anyone heard it, he would be in trouble even if he had a big mouth.

"...Forget it, I won't talk to you. I'll go back first." Lu Fangjin pulled the reins and ran towards the camp, leaving Qi Xiao with grass ash and mud blowing in his face.

Hunting at Baiyan Mountain was a tradition in the Great Chen Dynasty. It wasn't just for the entertainment of the royal family, of course; it also served as a test of the emperor's archery and charioteering skills for his sons and members of prominent families. This year, in addition to the three princes and General Lu Fangjin, several members of the imperial clan and other prominent families also accompanied the emperor, forming three distinct groups of troops.

Qi Xiao rode his horse and surveyed the camp from the hillside. Tents grew in clusters like white mushrooms in the wild. The emperor's golden tent was a little further away from the others, guarded by layers of imperial guards. It felt like another world. The other tents formed their own formations, with the fifth and seventh brothers at the center, splitting east and west. The sons of aristocratic families and clan members, either members of the Qin clan or the Gongsun lineage, naturally followed the fifth or seventh brother.

Another group, led by Lu Fangjin, comprised the military, with the Five Capitals, the Imperial Guards, and the Five City Guards surrounding the outermost circle. While the Five Capitals, the Imperial Guards, and the Five City Guards all answered directly to His Majesty, they were also entangled in factional disputes, with complex implications. Qi Xiao hadn't had time to fully grasp the situation, but based solely on the layout of the tents, he guessed that the Imperial Guards and the Five City Guards were closer to the Fifth Prince, while the Five Capitals were on the Seventh Prince's side.

Qi Xiao watched and laughed secretly. If the situation in the court could be so clear, then the world would be peaceful.

Qi Xiao rode back to the camp, handed his horse to the sentry, and walked slowly into the camp. He felt a little disoriented as he moved between tents; he seemed to have not noticed where his own tent was. He didn't know where Zong Sheng and Bai Xiqiao had gone, and they hadn't even realized they were coming to pick him up. He should have followed Lu Fangjin back. What was the point of getting lost in the camp?

Logically speaking, someone as unfavored and unimportant as Qi Xiao couldn't possibly have a "seat" in His Majesty's sight, so his tent should be arranged on the periphery. However, due to his status as a prince, he couldn't be placed too far away. Thinking this way, Qi Xiao walked into the camp, looking for him in the corners between the aristocratic families and the military. If he couldn't find him, he would have to go find Lu Fangjin to eat for free.

Qi Xiao walked around for a while, and it seemed as if many eyes were slowly focusing on him, which made him walk faster. When he turned around, he suddenly saw a familiar figure.

"Su Qin!" Even without Lu Fangjin, it would be great to have Su Qin.

Su Qin turned around when he heard the voice, and when he saw Qi Xiao, he couldn't help but frown, feeling a little uneasy in his heart.

"General Su, long time no see." Qi Xiao smiled and took a few quick steps to catch up with Su Qin.

Su Qin was originally from Jiaozhou and had no relatives in Yuanjing City, so he was also arranged to live in the same guild hall. However, his rank was too low, so he definitely could not live in a separate courtyard, so he never saw Qi Xiao again.

Su Qin clasped his fists and said, "I pay my respects to His Majesty the King of Chu."

"No gift, no gift."

Su Qin looked around, but didn't see Zong Sheng and Bai Xiqiao. He asked in confusion, "Is there something wrong, His Royal Highness the Prince of Chu?"

"Nothing, just hanging out."

"...Then I will not disturb Your Highness. Farewell."

"No." Qi Xiao stopped Su Qin and said with a smile, "This is my first time participating in the autumn hunt, and everything I see is quite new. General Su, if you have nothing to do, can you accompany me for a walk?"

Su Qin looked at Qi Xiao and thought, if he needed someone to accompany him, why not take Bai Xiqiao and Zong Sheng with him? Wandering alone?

"In reply to Your Highness, this is also my first time to come to the Autumn Hunt, and it is thanks to the General that I am able to do so."

"That's great, let's go for a walk together."

Su Qin took a small step back and said with a bow, "Your Highness, please forgive me. I was just about to go and change my guard."

Qi Xiao was helpless. Su Qin was under obligation and couldn't be forced. Besides, he didn't really want to go shopping, so he smiled and waved his hand: "It's my fault. General Su's military duties are more important."

"I will retire at the end."

"Hey, wait, do you know where General Lu is now?"

"Your Majesty has summoned me. The general should be in your tent right now."

"..." Qi Xiao forced a wry smile and watched Su Qin leave. Now, could he still rush into the golden tent and drag Lu Fangjin out to lead the way for him?

Qi Xiao sighed loudly. Never mind. As a prince, he wasn't that valuable. Reputation wasn't important. Going back to eat was the most important thing. So Qi Xiao grabbed a soldier and asked for directions.

The soldier was on duty at his post. When he saw Qi Xiao, he bowed and saluted. Then, judging from his clothes, he knew he must be a young master from a noble family. He was not surprised that he did not recognize Qi Xiao. He did not dare to call him by his given name. After hesitating for a long time, he said, "I am humble and do not recognize you, young master. Please forgive me."

"No problem, no problem." Qi Xiao smiled carelessly. "Young man, I just want to ask for directions. Where is the tent of His Majesty the Prince of Chu?"

"Go north to His Royal Highness the King of Chu's tent. You'll find the blue wolf flag outside the tent."

"Thank you very much."