Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

"Learn to make use of everything that is useful to you, even if it is given to you by someone you don't like. Don't act impulsively."

Bian Yushu pondered Qin Ji's words over and over all night, and the more he thought about them, the more reasonable they seemed.

The next day, he rode a tall horse, standing upright beside the imperial carriage, with the new saddle that Shang Jingming had given him as a cushion.

At first, Bian Yushu felt uneasy, always feeling that Shang Jingming was mocking him from the back of the line.

After two more days of jostling on horseback, he couldn't care less about anything else. He only felt that His Majesty was indeed wise and powerful, with foresight, and had saved his life.

Shang Jingming did indeed spot Bian Yushu in the back of the line at a glance, and saw the new saddle.

He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things.

It's exactly the same; it's the one he gave me.

It's astonishing that Bian Yushu didn't "tear the saddle to pieces" and even managed to use it despite his dissatisfaction with him; it's like the sun has risen in the west.

It seems he was really in a lot of pain; no wonder he was hiding in the woods crying.

This pampered brat got off too cheaply.

Shang Jingming didn't really intend to mock Bian Yushu by giving him this saddle.

If Bian Yushu got angry and frustrated, Shang Jingming would be happy to see him jump up and down. If Bian Yushu accepted it, with Shang Jingming's years of experience in martial arts and archery, how could the items he picked out be anything bad?

That would save the kid from running into the woods and crying, disturbing his peaceful sleep.

He was annoyed that he had disturbed his peaceful sleep, but a smile was playing on his lips, probably because he was thinking about the fun he had in the woods.

Bian Yushu was completely unaware of his nemesis's cunning intentions. The pain he was in was so intense, yet he had to maintain an "iceberg" expression every day, which had already exhausted all his energy.

Every night without fail, Fu Lu would go to Bian Yushu's tent to apply medicine to him. Bian Yushu would bite the blanket and tremble, but he would never forget to thank Fu Lu softly with tears of pain in his eyes every day, and then go to Qin Ji's imperial tent to thank His Majesty for his grace.

On the third day, Bian Yushu was summoned by His Majesty and dragged onto the imperial carriage to read to His Majesty.

Bian Yushu, holding the book, actually knelt down beside Qin Ji and began to read it word by word, only to be interrupted by Qin Ji raising his hand.

While Bian Yushu looked completely bewildered, Qin Ji handed him a pile of homework.

Bian Yushu obediently picked up the charcoal pencil, wanting to write it down word by word.

Fu Lu observed His Majesty's expression and, understanding the situation, pulled Bian Yushu aside, draped a small blanket over him, and presented him with tea, fruit, and seeds.

"His Majesty understands that you have been working hard these past few days, and summoned you here so that you can get some rest."

Bian Yushu hadn't expected this. He secretly looked at His Majesty, his eyes brimming with tears of emotion. He looked at Qin Ji as if he were a great benefactor who had saved him from dire straits, clearly having forgotten who had punished him so miserably.

Before he could kowtow and express his gratitude, Qin Ji had Fu Lu stuff fruit into his mouth, saying, "You must continue to heal your injuries, but you cannot skip your studies."

After giving him a dressing-down, he offered a few words of encouragement in a gentle tone.

Bian Yushu was immediately energized, and while recovering from his injury, he continued reading.

Qin Ji observed this and was fairly satisfied.

On the fourth day, the large autumn hunting party finally arrived at the Yushan hunting grounds, where they set up camp and rested for a day.

On the fifth day, the autumn hunt officially began.

The twelve rhinoceros horn horns sounded in succession in the hunting grounds, startling the birds fluttering in the forest.

The autumn wind was chilling, making the flags flutter loudly.

The master of ceremonies recited the verses, and Qin Ji personally announced the start of the autumn hunt.

Looking at the many young faces in the group, he encouraged them, "When the Great Yin Dynasty was founded, the flames of war engulfed twenty-three prefectures. Which prefecture wasn't won on horseback?"

"Your fathers are now the pillars of the court, my right-hand men. You are also the fine sons of my Great Yin Dynasty. How can you spend your days indulging in luxury and forget to bend your bows and shoot geese?"

Qin Ji reached out, and a guard took down a lacquered bow and presented it to him.

Amidst the white mountains and black waters, a hawk soars overhead.

The arrow grazed the thumb ring, the bowstring was suddenly pulled to its full length, and with a soft "clang," the arrow shot away, its dark fletching streaking across the sky.

A mournful cry echoed through the hills as the eagle plummeted to the ground.

Amidst enthusiastic gazes, Qin Ji proclaimed, "Whoever wins the autumn hunt will be personally presented with this precious bow by me."

"If you have any ambition, let me see your abilities today, and see who truly stands tall and proud in my Great Yin Dynasty!"

A single sentence ignited the entire autumn hunting grounds. Banners fluttered in the wind, and the young men, their eyes gleaming with eager anticipation, were itching to display their skills before His Majesty.

Shang Jingming tightened the reins, knowing that the opportunity given by His Majesty had arrived. He looked at the figure on the high platform, and boundless ambition ignited in his heart.

Your Majesty, I will certainly not let you down.

...

After Qin Ji shot down the first eagle, the autumn hunt officially began.

Bian Yushu was captivated by Qin Ji's posture of drawing his bow and shooting the eagle, and looked at Qin Ji with even more admiration, his eyes almost filled with stars.

His Majesty had become synonymous with omnipotence in his heart, to the point that these past two days he'd been showering him with compliments: "Your Majesty is the chosen one, the eagle that soared through the sky and hovered must have been attracted by Your Majesty's imperial aura. To be shot down by Your Majesty is a fitting end for it!"

If that dead eagle heard this, I wonder if it would be so angry that it would come back to life and peck at his eyes.

Qin Ji listened to his cheap companion and apprentice's flattery, glanced at him lightly, and slightly curled the corners of his mouth.

The eagle had already been captured alive. The men below seized the opportunity to release it from a distance. They had prepared several eagles, and one of them was sure to fly to the right spot.

Otherwise, why would it be such a coincidence that as soon as he drew his bow, a hawk immediately flew overhead?

If we wait for ages and there's not a single ghost in the sky, wouldn't that be boring?

Of course, if he missed, the people below would definitely pick up a dead eagle and say that he hit it, otherwise where would his dignity as the emperor be?

Qin Ji didn't need to speak; his subordinates, understanding the emperor's intentions, would handle these matters themselves.

"His shot hit the target" signifies his literary and military prowess, his skill in archery and horsemanship, and his strategic planning and great talent.

Of course, there was no need to tell Bian Yushu all this. How could he possibly miss a mere eagle?

Qin Ji glanced at Bian Yushu's starry eyes, gave a soft hum, and then looked away with satisfaction.

In previous years, the autumn hunt at Yushan would last about ten days. This year, Qin Ji granted special permission for the sons of his ministers to participate. In order to allow the young people to show off their skills and enjoy the hunt to their heart's content, Qin Ji generously extended the autumn hunt from ten days to fifteen days.

The boys, in groups, were all eager to hunt more prey and gain the glory of receiving the precious bow bestowed by His Majesty.

Bian Yushu knew his own limitations and didn't dare to compete for the prize. With the help of a few eunuchs, he drove the beasts from three sides and opened one side, hunting some rabbits and pheasants.

For a scholar-official's son like Bian Yushu, if he has no intention of making a big splash, this is enough. It's proper and not shameful.

But for those who want to shine in the autumn hunting grounds and win His Majesty's favor, rabbits and pheasants are just trifles that are not worth their attention. They need to go deep into the forests and hills to find large prey that are hard to come by.

Of course, this also means more danger.

For the first two or three days, Bian Yushu was still able to enjoy himself. But on the fourth or fifth day, he started to get restless. By the eighth or ninth day, he began to break down.

"I heard that the son of the Vice Minister of War captured a white fox and presented it to His Majesty."

Yes, that white fox was glossy and shiny, its fur as smooth as satin. When it grinned, it seemed to be smiling at people. His Majesty immediately ordered the Imperial Beast Garden to raise it. Bian Yushu felt a little envious.

"What day was that news? His name is Shang Jingming. Yesterday, he actually hunted a tiger and presented His Majesty with a complete tiger skin to make a carpet. His Majesty was overjoyed and had the imperial chef cook the tiger meat to share with everyone."

Shang Jingming, that peacock, would eagerly send whatever he hunted to His Majesty, as if afraid His Majesty wouldn't see it, which made Bian Yushu even more jealous.

"You guys aren't very well-informed. The latest news is that Shang Jingming caught a strange-looking tapir this morning. It looks a bit like a bear, with black and white markings, round and chubby, and a ring of black fur around its eyes. It looks kind of cute."

They are quite cute, and I'd like to touch them... but His Majesty won't allow it.

Pshaw, he doesn't want to touch it!

Shang Jingming is a sycophant; His Majesty will never be fooled by him. Bian Yushu added insult to injury.

"Is Shang Jingming absolutely certain of victory this autumn hunt? It seems like no one else can match his catch."

"I heard that Lin Suizhi, the son of the Left Guard General, also hunted a bear, as well as many other prey, and is on par with Shang Jingming. Perhaps one of them will ultimately come out on top."

As they chatted, they saw Bian Yushu walking by and greeted him warmly, "Reader Bian."

Bian Yushu nodded slightly to them, then walked past without looking to the side, and could still hear soft sighs coming from behind him.

"Young Master Bian is truly a man of exceptional talent and composure, no wonder he enjoys the Emperor's favor."

"He didn't seem to have any desire to compete with anyone during this autumn hunt."

"He is His Majesty's study companion and will be given an important position sooner or later. He probably doesn't want to compete with others for the opportunity to show his face in front of His Majesty."

"What a kind person."

Does he not want to compete? No, he's incapable of competing.

As His Majesty's study companion, I am neither good at literature nor martial arts, while Shang Jingming has come with great momentum and has won His Majesty's favor.

With such a mortal rival by his side, won't His Majesty one day become disappointed in this good-for-nothing?

Bian Yushu felt increasingly heartbroken. Amidst the repeated calls of "good guy" from the people behind her, she walked away expressionlessly. As she walked, she suddenly turned and entered the woods. She twisted and turned until she reached a secluded spot and crawled into a tree hole hidden in the bushes.

This was a good spot he had discovered a few days ago. It was a perfect place to hide a person, very secluded, and he wouldn't run into any monsters or demons. He had been hiding in the tree hole for several days without being discovered.

Bian Yushu squatted in the tree hole, hugging her knees, and began to quietly wipe away her tears, trying to process the bitterness in her stomach.

He brought some gadgets he had made at home for this autumn hunt. Should he use them for the hunt?

Forget it, people will just think it's a weird trick, not respectable, and not honorable enough.

As the acidic liquid was digesting, Bian Yushu suddenly heard a "crack" sound, the sound of footsteps on withered leaves.

"How did things go?" A strange male voice rang out from outside the tree hole.