The young general spoke a few instructions to Fei Liu and Yang Yun before he mounted on his horse to accompany the Emperor into the forest.

Soon, a few princes entered the woods. Then, Prince Jing set off into the hunting ground along with his guards and a few officials.

Only the youngest officials left as most of the senior officials were chosen to go with the Emperor. Princess Lingchen walked towards her horse and followed by her physician, Mingyue. Because Mingyue had learned how to ride at a young age and was proficient in martial arts, it was not a problem for her to escort the princess into the hunting ground.

"Your Highness," Yang Yun bowed to the princess. Then, he spoke in a low voice. "I will be the one to escort you into the hunting ground along with my men."

Princess Lingchen turned at the men behind Yang Yun and noticed that the men were all from General Jiang Xiao Xian's elite squad. A smile curved on the princess' lips. She knew that the men were arranged by the young general under His Majesty's order. Princess Lingchen looked at Yang Yun and said, "Then, I'll be counting on you, Captain Yang Yun."

Yang Yun nodded. He then turned to the member of his squad to give them further instruction. Earlier, the young general had voiced his worry as Princess Lingchen will be entering the woods. They had expected that whoever wanted to harm the princess will try to do so during this time. Since Yang Yun was among the few who knew of the poison in Her Highness' body, Jiang Xiao Xian had instructed him to be wary of everything.

Once everything set, Princess Lingchen exchanged a few words with the Empress. Then, she mounted on her horse and turned to the princes. She greeted them with a nod and soon galloped into the forest. Mingyue and Yang Yun ride closely to her, and the other members of the elite squad followed behind.

A few of the princes chose to ride their horse and followed the princess. They wanted to take this chance to get close to the princess. After all, they might get chosen to be the princess' husband. A few more trained soldiers were sent to set off with the prince to guard them. As Da Cheng was the one who organized this Spring Hunt, they needed to ensure their guests' safety, or they might find trouble if anything happened to the princes.

Mingyue turned around to see the princes who had chose to follow them. Then, she reported the situation to the princes. "Prince Huo of Western Zhou and Prince Qin of Sui country choose to come along."

"I got it," Princess Lingchen nodded. Her group went further into the jungle and stopped after they have got farther into the woods. The group stayed in silent as they observe their surroundings. Their ears perked up to listen to the sound of the animals and any movement.

The Princess took out her bow and arrow to standby. After a few minutes, a deer appeared. Princess Lingchen drew her bow and arrow and shot. The arrow hit the deer's body. The small animal tried to run, and after a few steps, it fell on the ground.

The others started to cheer for the princess. A few soldiers and servant went forward to check on the deer and retrieved it to be taken back to the camp.

Prince Qin went to the princess and said, "Congratulation, princess. I did not expect you to be good at archery."

Princess Lingchen smiled. "Thank you, Prince Qin. I guess luck is on my side."

Prince Qin chuckled at her words. "I guess I should not waste my time here and lose to you." He turned to his guard, and soon galloped further into the woods. The soldiers a.s.signed to guard him followed.

Princess Lingchen raised a brow as she watched the prince went away. She had thought that Prince Qin would choose to stay around to nurture some feelings between them.

"Princess," Prince Huo approached with a smile. "I am amazed by your skill. Have you been practicing for long?"

"His Majesty had me trained in archery from a young age so that I can accompany him to the hunting ground once in a while." Princess Lingchen glanced at the bow in her hand and looked at Prince Huo with a smile.

"It seemed that rumor of the Emperor of Da Cheng fondness on hunting is true," Prince Huo commented.

"The Emperor does love hunting," Princess Lingchen confirmed. "I heard that the Emperor had prepared some valuable prize for the winner of this Spring Hunt."

"Oh?" Prince Huo raised a brow. "I hope the prize was not Da Cheng's famous oranges."

Princess Lingchen chuckled. Da Cheng was famous for its delicious, sweet oranges. "I can a.s.sure you that it's not oranges," Princess Lingchen said. "But I can tell you that it's valuable."

"But what should I do?" Prince Huo said to the Princess. "I already have something I wanted to win as a prize."

Princess Lingchen met the prince's gaze and raised a brow. "What?"

Prince Huo's lips curved into a playful smile. "Your heart."

The princess' expression froze for a few seconds. "Then, I can only wish you luck," she smiled and turned to Mingyue and rolled her eyes. Then, she sprinted away along with her entourage, leaving the prince and his men.