Chapter 23：A Fierce Hunter With Beauty

The prince led me to "our" tent, but I was suspicious of his activities, so I refused his "ours". There was only one tent prepared for us he said, but this woman right here is always prepared. I left him in the tent alone and went to go find an empty spot somewhere in the forest.

While flying, I scoured the entire area I found a good spot. It was beside a river and there were lots of trees surrounding the river, but had a perfect spot fit for my tent. My tent was full of luxury of that even the emperor can't find. The location was not that far from the others, so that was even much better. It was perfect for peace and for communication.

I then sent a telepathic message to the prince telling him of my location. I could just imagine his face right now. That prince probably never thought that one day he wouldn't get what he wanted.

After settling down, the emperor had summoned everyone to start the hunt. Unfortunately, a consort of his wanted to make things more interesting for the rest of us women. We were to compete and see who was a much better horse rider and if we could catch a hunt while racing, we would get a prize. The emperor liked this very much and agreed to it, but I felt tired at this idea. I really wanted to stay and not do nothing, but I didn't to ruin the prince's reputation, so I decided to accept this challenge. All the women accepted the challenge except a few.

Many of the women who came here were either favored or the at least some idea about hunting. The consort who thought of this plan was probably a favored one and someone who had an idea of hunting. Unfortunately, hunting and horse riding is too easy for me. I lived inside of a forest for 10 years with my beloved before moving back to the palace. During those days, I would usually go picking vegetables and he would hunt for meat, but sometimes I would rebel and go hunting on my own, while being hunted down by him.

This continued on for 10 years before we were called back for duty. It was so fun back. This is why during the competition, I gave no effort at all, but yet still won. I had won first place for the horse race and first place for the hunt. I had killed 3 deers, 5 pheasants, and 7 boars.

When I came back, I showed the crowd my hunt and was greeted by a happy face of the prince. He also had on a sly smile as if saying, "This is my woman." The emperor also had on an ecstatic face. I merely thought he was ecstatic because of the fact that a woman can hunt more than a man while racing on horseback. It was harder to aim while speed-running with a horse after all, but me and my horse can collaborate super well. We were well made companions.

While Zhao Ling missed the jealous and wolf-like stare of the emperor, Prince Wu did not. When he saw the look of the emperor, he was so close to destroying the eyes of the emperor, but calmed himself down when he saw the smile of his woman.

"Concubine Xiu of the Wu Clan has hunted more than enough meat for all of us, how about we prepare it for a small feast before the men leave for their hunt?" I'm jealous that the Prince Wu has such a beautiful yet talented concubine. Perhaps... Haha! A plan! A plan to make her mine. Shall I steal her away from the famous Prince Wu? "Concubine Xiu, you won, so naturally the prize goes to you."

"No need Your Majesty. I had merely participated in these womens' affairs to not ruin the prince's reputation. After all, someone like the prince doesn't deserve to have his name ruined because of a concubine. Not only that, I have no need for the prize. It is useless to me. Unless something is useful to me, I never keep it."

"Haha... I see." The emperor gave out an awkward laugh at this rejection. He was angered that this woman had actually managed to anger him in day broad-light and wanted to embarrass her, but his concubine had already come up with a new idea for the day.

"Your Majesty, how about us concubines prepare the feast? Why don't we give out another prize for the lady with the best cooking?"

"En. That is a good idea. Whoever wins, gets to keep this previously prized hairpin and gets a new set of clothing made from the finest silk."

The women participating had selfish thoughts such as, "Hmph, cooking is easy. I'll definitely get His Majesty's favor if I win this." However, Zhao Ling thought, "Can't they take a rest?"

Maybe because Prince Wu saw her face, but he went to her and said in a comforting voice, "Ling'er, you don't have to cook for them. Just for me. Your cooking is too good for them. I'll get jealous."

"Alright, I understand. I won't participate in it. But won't this damage your reputation somehow?"

"I don't care about reputation when it comes to you. You already showed them how fierce you were with the hunting. Your beauty is still uncompared even when you are horse riding."

"I was too lazy to try though. Riding horses are second nature to me and hunting is something I've loved to do for a while now. It's one of my hobbies. Of course, I only hunted when I was out in the forest, which never really happened a lot. I'm quite proud of myself. I didn't lose my hunting skills."

"You... Sigh..."

"Your Highness, while they prepare food, why don't we eat?"

"Hm? You already have food?"

"Yes. I made it while we were still at the mansion. I made quite a lot of food." With a wave of my hand, a table came out with lots of foods. The food was fancy and exquisite with a spiritual aura oozing. "Xiao Ru, you can take a break now. Tell the others they are free to have whatever food they want in the storage. I'll cook for them again."

"Yes, Master."

The other men looking at Prince Wu was jealous. He had such good food to all himself and had such a talented beauty to all himself. They ever only had a wife that depended on them, yet he was lucky enough to have a woman who can depend on herself. She didn't even need him. Just from the food and her outfit already, you can tell she is from a status equal to a god. What luck he has they thought. The emperor was even more jealous though. In his mind, all he could think of was making Zhao Ling his.

Prince Wu of coursed sensed the stares of the other men, and made on a smirk showing his happiness of showing off how this woman belongs only to him. You could say he was a bit shameless for ignoring a competition the emperor made, but he was a shameless dude for over-protection of her before everything else.

After having a small feast, the emperor chose the winner of the feast. He wanted to choose Zhao Ling, but seeing the stare of the prince he chose not to. Not only that, it seemed like the girl was not from a normal family. The chosen winner was a young concubine of the emperor's by the name of, Wang Kuonuo.

Zhao Ling looked at her and thought, this girl is still so young, yet she is already a troublemaker. It's best for me not to cross her if I want to live without problems. The less problems, the better. Although I can get rid of her without even lifting a finger, I can get so tired of these stupid harem fights. Why do they depend on men anyways? What is so great about depending on one man that has so many other women by his side. I could never support such a man. I would be disgusted by him to the core. I wish to have a man that will love only me and belongs to only me. Like him...

"What are you thinking about my beautiful concubine?"

"I'm just thinking about how irritating it is to see these women fight over for a man's favor. It's stupid when the man already has so many other women in his harem."

"Why does it matter to you?"

In a murderous voice I said, "If my man dares to bring another woman into my house, I will make him regret his decision and then leave him with a broken heart."

"Hm... Why haven't you done that to me yet?"

"You didn't choose your concubines, and besides, I was forced into marriage by a fake foster family. Everything came without giving me a choice. I didn't have a chance to voice my opinion. Not only that, Your Highness, you still haven't captured my heart fully."

"Ah-haha... You know how to ruin a good moment. Really..."

"I'm not a woman who depends on a man. I am someone who believes that I can make a living independently. If not for the fact that I had some problems, I would probably had never ended up in your mansion. But I don't mind living in your mansion and being your wife for now. You saved me after all. I would be a thankless wretch for not giving you something back. Anyhow, I can leave whenever I want anyways."

"You really know how to kill my heart."

"You've barely noticed?"

"You're the first woman to have been so cold to me."

"Of course! But if you can get past this cold facade, you will definitely seduce me."

"Isn't it suppose to be the woman who seduces the man?" Prince Wu thought silently.

"Your Highness, I'm leaving early. I don't want to stay here anymore. These fake white lotuses are blinding me. I have to help the Madam with her daily affairs anyways."

"Wait! Before you leave, answer a question of mine."

"What is it?"

"Have your curse been removed yet?"

"Yes. My spiritual storage sucked up the curse and turned it into spiritual energy."

"Isn't the curse dark energy? After all, it's from the demon."

"My body uses both dark and light energy. There is no harm to me because... I am a mixed human with the blood of the gods and the demons." I then left with all the things I brought with me disappearing back to my storage realm.

After arriving at the mansion, the Madam heard that Zhao Ling had already came back from the hunt and called her over.

"Child, you are already here. What about Xiao Lim?"

"He will come back later. Don't worry. This concubine merely hurried back because she was worried that Madam may have wanted me to help her with the house affairs."

"Is that so? There is a matter I need your help with. It's about time we pay the servants. It would also be great to have some new clothing made for the spring season. Please deal with these."

"Yes. I'll get to it right away." I left back to Winter Court and started planning right away about what I should do for the spring clothing.

When it was about night time, Zhao Ling bathe herself and changed her clothes into a nightgown. She started preparing for bed and after the lights had gone off. Zhao Ling once again went into deep thoughts. She thought about the future. She thought how different the story would be if she let the prince chase Ling Rui. They were suppose to meant for each other. If she destroyed this story, then how did it involve the real story? Would there be changes that she did not know of?

Zhao Ling then fell asleep with sweet dreams.