The Eldest Daughter Returns with Power

Gongsun Lin was secretly calculating in his mind. The Crown Prince's hunting trip? He had only been away from the capital for no more than seven days, and he had explained everything in detail to his elder brother, the Crown Prince, before he left. Why would his elder brother arrange a hunting trip so suddenly? There must be some reason why his elder brother arranged this hunt.

The night was already very deep, but he was not sleepy at all, and kept thinking about the intentions behind his elder brother, the Crown Prince, in making such arrangements.

The next morning, as the sky was just beginning to lighten with the pale glow of dawn, Gongsun Lin had already packed his bags and was ready to depart. Dressed in his exquisite riding attire, a sword at his waist, he appeared both capable and elegant. Yin Feng was already patiently waiting outside. Seeing Gongsun Lin emerge, he immediately stepped forward to report, "Young Master, everything is arranged perfectly, and the horses are already waiting at the back gate."

Gongsun Lin nodded slightly and strode quickly towards the back gate. He rode his horse leisurely away from the Duke of Jing's residence in the morning sunlight, passing through the bustling streets, and finally stopping at the city gate. Gongsun Lin and Yin Feng dismounted together and quietly awaited the Crown Prince's arrival. By this time, a considerable number of people had already gathered at the city gate; they were all ordinary citizens who had heard the news of the Crown Prince's hunt and had come specifically to catch a glimpse of the royal family.

Soon after, the sound of horses' hooves echoed in the distance, and then a large and imposing royal hunting party came into view. The Crown Prince rode a tall and majestic white horse, dressed in magnificent hunting attire, his dashing appearance drawing the attention of everyone around him.

Seeing this, Gongsun Lin quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your subject, Gongsun Lin, has come specifically to greet Your Highness the Crown Prince." The Crown Prince tightened the reins and stopped his horse. His gaze lingered on Gongsun Lin for a moment, then he smiled slightly and said, "Lin'er, there's no need for such formalities. This hunt was originally just a casual affair, but I didn't expect you to come as well."

Gongsun Lin straightened up and replied very respectfully, "Your Highness is too kind." At the same time, he gave him a look that only the two of them could understand.

The Crown Prince immediately understood and sincerely invited him to go to the hunting grounds together. Gongsun Lin readily agreed and walked alongside the Crown Prince, leisurely enjoying the unique autumn scenery of the outskirts of the capital. After walking for most of the day, they finally arrived at the hunting grounds. The Crown Prince methodically arranged for everyone to settle in first, and after a short rest, they would leisurely stroll around the hunting grounds.

Gongsun Lin and Yin Feng found a quiet spot to sit down, then took out the dry rations and water they always carried with them and ate a simple meal. Soon after, they finished resting, and everyone mounted their horses and headed aggressively towards the hunting grounds. The Crown Prince led the way, his movements lithe and agile, while Gongsun Lin followed closely behind, not daring to slacken his pace in the slightest.

Within the hunting grounds, the vegetation was exceptionally lush, with birds and beasts frequently appearing and disappearing. The Crown Prince decisively drew his bow and shot an arrow, instantly felling a lively hare to the ground. Seeing this, the crowd cheered in unison, their voices echoing through the sky. Gongsun Lin, not to be outdone, also reaped a considerable harvest thanks to his excellent archery and horsemanship. However, just as everyone was engrossed in their game, a strange sound suddenly echoed from the forest.

The Crown Prince frowned slightly, quickly signaling everyone to be on high alert. Gongsun Lin gripped his sword without hesitation, his eyes fixed on the direction from which the sound came. A group of men dressed in black suddenly sprang from the forest, charging menacingly towards the Crown Prince and the others. Undeterred, the Crown Prince and Gongsun Lin calmly directed their men to resist. In an instant, the hunting grounds echoed with deafening shouts of battle. Gongsun Lin engaged the men in black in fierce combat; his movements were as agile as a dragon, his swordsmanship as sharp as the wind. After several rounds, several men in black had fallen to his blade. The Crown Prince also fought bravely, displaying extraordinary courage and superb martial arts skills. After a hard-fought battle, the men in black gradually lost ground and began to retreat in panic.

The Crown Prince and Gongsun Lin did not rush into pursuit, but instead methodically reorganized their troops and carefully assessed the casualties. "Who on earth is so audacious as to attempt to assassinate me!" the Crown Prince roared in fury. Gongsun Lin's expression was grave. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Your Highness, this matter is likely far from simple. We must consider it carefully and not act rashly." The Crown Prince nodded slightly and said, "Let's return to our camp and make further plans." The group cleaned up the mess and hurriedly returned to their camp.

Back in their tent, the Crown Prince and Gongsun Lin immediately summoned their trusted confidants for an urgent discussion. "These men in black are highly trained; they are no ordinary bandits," Gongsun Lin analyzed methodically. "Their target is clear: His Highness the Crown Prince." The Crown Prince, seated in the main seat, his face ashen, said, "I am usually kind and generous to others. Who is so ruthless as to want me dead?" Yin Feng chimed in, "Could it be another prince secretly instigating this?" Gongsun Lin shook his head. "There is no conclusive evidence yet; we cannot jump to conclusions. But we cannot completely rule out this possibility." Everyone fell into deep thought, the atmosphere in the tent so heavy it was almost suffocating.

At this moment, a guard rushed in and reported, "Your Highness, some unusual markings have been found on the man in black." The Crown Prince and Gongsun Lin exchanged a glance and quickly had the guard present them. Gongsun Lin carefully examined the markings, his brow furrowed. "These markings are quite unfamiliar. It seems the person behind them is extremely cautious." The Crown Prince slammed his hand on the table. "Whoever it is, I will find them and punish them severely!" Gongsun Lin reassured him, "Your Highness, please calm down. The most urgent task now is to strengthen defenses to prevent any further unforeseen events. At the same time, secretly send people to investigate the origin of these markings; perhaps we can find crucial clues." The Crown Prince nodded in agreement. "As you say. This matter must be kept strictly confidential; not a single word can leak out." Everyone accepted the order and hurried off to make their arrangements.

Gongsun Lin gazed at the deep night outside the tent, feeling uneasy. All day long, he hadn't had a chance to ask his elder brother, the Crown Prince, why he had sent people to look for him these past two days.

Just as Gongsun Lin was pondering, the Crown Prince walked to his side and slowly said, "Lin'er, the reason I summoned you here is twofold: first, to discuss the situation in the court, and second, to inquire about your sister Yunruo. Various forces are now stirring, and I need to make plans as soon as possible." Gongsun Lin's expression turned serious, and he replied, "Your Highness's concerns are well-founded, but the situation is complex and requires careful handling. After the hunt, I will come to the Crown Prince's residence to find you, and we will discuss this in detail."

The Crown Prince nodded slightly, his eyes filled with determination: "That's very good. But I'm really worried about Yunruo." Gongsun Lin said softly: "My sister is exceptionally intelligent, and with her master and senior brother around, she'll be fine."

The Crown Prince sighed deeply, "I hope so. In this situation, a single misstep could lead to utter ruin." At that moment, a slight breeze rustled outside the tent, as if foreshadowing an impending storm. Gongsun Lin turned to the Crown Prince, his tone resolute, "Your Highness, no matter how treacherous the road ahead, I will follow you to the death." The Crown Prince patted Gongsun Lin's shoulder, "With you here, I feel at ease." The night deepened, and both men grew increasingly heavy-hearted, worried about the unknown challenges ahead.

The next morning, the crown prince led his hunting party back to the capital.