Jennie smiled noncommittally towards Jonathan's words.
She took out a silk handkerchief to gently wipe away the dense sweat on Jonathan's forehead.
For Jonathan who had lost his mother and who wasn’t over nine years old, his older sister’s gentle actions were very effective.
He squinted his eyes as he raised his head slightly with an expression where he was enjoying being spoiled.
Jennie kept the silk handkerchief once she had wiped his sweat away, then she brought out an intricate food box.
She opened it to show a plate of jade dew linglong pastries and yuanyang green bean cakes.
“You must be hungry after travelling for half a day, right? Eat some.”
Jennie said gently while she flipped over the teacups on the desk, then she poured a cup of water for Jonathan.
“Thank you, sister.”
Jonathan's eyes were lit up as he straightened his posture on the cushioned seat.
He picked up a pastry to send them into his mouth, no longer talking about snitching to Jonathan.
Jennie sat quietly by Jonathan's side. Her eyes nearly revealed a smile as she watched him glut on delicacies.
Jonathan ate up three pieces in one go, then he drank the water that Jennie had poured for him in one go.
Jennie raised a hand to pour another cup for Jonathan, then she leisurely asked in an indifferent manner: “Jonathan, what kind of things do the new Grand Preceptor teach you every day?”
“Mm… Other than teaching me to read and practice writing, the new Grand Preceptor also taught me about the path of Kings.”
“Oh? Then could you go on and say, what you think is the path of Kings.”
“The Grand Preceptor said that the people are the kingdom’s roots, the court’s foundation. One must govern the world with benevolence. The peace of the people leads to prosperity of the kingdom, and the fortune of the people leads to the strength of the kingdom.”
Jennie nodded.
Jonathan continued: “The Grand Preceptor also said that there must be heavy law in troubled times. A king must not be too merciful, so as to not be deceived and fooled by lower officials.”
“Oh? Then what have you understood from Grand Preceptor’s education?”
“I think that, for what is called the path of the King, one must learn to temper force with mercy. With a good grasp on each level, one could become a good King.”
Satisfaction filled Jennie's eyes as she listened to Jonathan.
She patted Jonathan's young and tender shoulders lightly, then she said: “You said it very well, but do you know that this is only a part of the path of kings? The common people are important without a doubt, but the court also has multiple structures that requires many talents?”
Jonathan averted his eyes once Jennie said that, while his legs that hung in the air kicked forward.
Pouting his lips, he said in a low voice: “I know what you wants to say, but I just don’t like…”
Before Jonathan could finish speaking, Jennie reached out a delicate finger to stop his lips at the last moment.
The latter also realized it at once; he stopped talking.
Seeing that Jonathan understood, Jennie's eyes filled with relief.
The two siblings quietly shared a smile in this private carriage.
Jennie said to Jonathan: “Jonathan, father has decreed for all men to ride on horseback to the hunting grounds. I know that it’s tough for you, but you must persevere to the end, understand?”
“You can rest assured, sister. I am only here to see you while there is a break, and will leave right now.”
“Mm.” Jennie corrected Jonathan's appearance for him, then she escorted him with her eyes from the carriage compartment.
Once Jonathan had left, Jennie could not help but part the carriage’s window drapes to watch Jonathan's small figure gradually walk away.
She thought back to her own mother.
An ache flowed through her heart: Mother, Jonathan has grown up. Can you see it from up there? You don’t have to worry. I will do everything in my power to protect him and ensure him a life of peace and well-being
-----
Charles gave the order an hour later, and the procession continued its journey once again.
A short while later, Kaizen snuck into Jennie's carriage again.
Jennie looked at Kaizen as she said: “Jonathan is still young. If there is anything unsatisfactory with his etiquette, may you allow some understanding.”
Kaizen settled down next to Jennie, then he looked fondly as he said gently: “Your Highness is being too strict. In the official sense, he is the Crown Prince and the heir of the kingdom, while I am a mere son of an official; in the private sense, his Majesty has already set the engagement, so he is my brother-in-law. How could I possibly mind something so trivial.”
Hearing Kaizen's words, Jennie gave a faint smile towards him. She did not speak.
The hunting procession travelled formidably for three entire days before they finally arrived at the royal family’s hunting grounds.
It was just the season where flowers were falling like snow.
The game in this hunting ground was at their fattest and firmest; it was perfect for a hunt.
Victor, Jacob, and Joshua had changed into hunting clothes.
They had been waiting respectfully in the hunting grounds for a long time.
Once Charles' imperial carriage came within sight, the three Dukes stood up orderly at once.
The carriage stopped before them, then the three of them kneeled on the ground at once: “This son welcome father!”
Charles descended the carriage with the stewarding eunuch’s support, then he waved his hand towards the three: “You may all rise!”
“Thanks, father.”
Jonathan walked with Jennie behind Charles.
Once the three Dukes saw Jonathan, they gave him a courtesy for monarchs at once.
Jonathan returned it with a courtesy of brothers.
“Mother, please be careful!” Jennie turned back to look towards that abrupt voice.
Seeing that Bobby was helping Charlotte down the carriage, Jennie smiled faintly, then she turned her head back.
Following that was the exchange of greetings between members of the royalty and the other aristocratic sons, along with the three Dukes, which needed no further elaboration.
Since it was already nearing nighttime when they arrived, Charles ordered everyone to rest for the day.
They will officially begin the hunt tomorrow…
-----
The next day,
There was not a speck of cloud in the blue skies, and the autumn air was clear and refreshing.
Charles and Charlotte stood on a high platform before the hunting grounds.
Standing behind them was Jennie who was wearing her palace dress as usual, and Roseanne who had changed into hunting clothes.
Uniform men who rode on big and tall horses gathered on the ground.
All of them had changed from the usual resplendent clothing into hunting clothes, and each of them carried a bow on their backs.
A few quivers of arrows hung from the horse’s back. Everyone’s heads were slightly raised to look up on the platform, waiting for Charles to speak.
“Every son under this platform. Our kingdom’s founder had conquered this land on horseback. Although we are now in peace and prosperity, our skills of horseback archery must not be abandoned. Everyone here are young talented men of our kingdom, the pillars of the kingdom. In the following days, I want all of you to bring out your true abilities. The winner will be heavily rewarded!”
Once Charles' words landed, everyone on horseback revealed excited expressions.
The horses underneath them snorted and kicked their front legs as if they were connected to their masters hearts, eager to begin.
“Go, sons!” Following a wave of Charles' wide sleeve, the whinnies of war horses sounded unendingly.
Everyone raced their horses forward, full of vigor.
The competitive Joshua who was skilled in matters of war and horseback archery rode at the very front. He surpassed the crowd of horse riders by himself.
Joshua galloped onwards excitedly, enjoying the satisfaction of flying like the wind, but he did not forget to look back at the people behind him.
Once he saw Jacob's figure among the crowd, he roared loudly: “Come on! In today’s hunt, we’ll see just who owns the world!”
With that said, he whipped his horse fiercely. The white steed under him whinnied as it quickened its speed.
And so, Joshua quickly became the first to disappear in the forest of the hunting ground…
Roseanne, who was already dressed in hunting clothes, watched the crowd until they disappeared from her sight, then she rushed to Charles' side with dainty footsteps.
She said in a spoiled way: “Father, Father...This daughter wants to go too. Just let this daughter go!”
Charles' eyes flashed with affection when he turned to look at his own little daughter.
But he still pretended to be stern as he said: “Nonsense. What are you going for? Stay and accompany your royal sister. As a lady, what are you going in there for? You can’t even draw a bow.”
“Hehe, you see father, I had Luther make me this~” Roseanne took out an intricate crossbow, one that was about half an arm’s length.
Charles took Roseanne's crossbow.
He let out a shot forward, which reached about over ten meters. Its arrow head sunk into the dirt.
“Mm, not bad. Although it doesn’t shoot very far, it’s light and efficient. Quite suitable for a lady to use too.”
Roseanne took back the crossbow from Charles' hand, then she tilted her chin proudly as she continued to say: “Father, this daughter will definitely not walk inside the forest, and I’ll only roam outside to hunt for some wild rabbits and the like. Father, just let them see, your daughter won’t lose to the men!”
“Hahahahaha, oh you. Very well!”
“Thank you, father!”
“Ai, but you can’t just go on your own. I’ll have two more people to accompany you.”
Four guards responded as they stepped out, while someone had already led Roseanne's red pony here.
Roseanne walked gleefully down the platform, then she got up the pony’s back with the help of an inner official.
The four guards were already prepared to set off.
Roseanne carried the crossbow on her back, then she galloped towards the forest along with four of Charles' guards…
Jennie stood quietly on the platform.
Her heart was filled with worry as she watched the forest from afar.
Although she already had two of her most martially skilled shadows disguised as Jonathan's bodyguards to protect him, he was still only nine years old.
He was not yet tall enough to reach the horse’s back.
The other Princes had only started to participate in the autumn hunt when they were twelve; she did not understand what her father meant by imperially ordering the Crown Prince’s compulsory participation…
Recently, Jennie kept feeling a faint sense of unease.
But from the reports of the different lands, the different palaces, the important Dukes and nobles, there was only news of calm and quiet.
But Jennie still felt an indescribable eeriness that was permeating everywhere ever since she had returned to the palace.
She has a very bad feeling, but even when she utilized pretty much all of her assets to investigate it, there was nothing strange to be found…
Resigned, Jennie had no choice but to wait and see.
Some days ago, Jennie heard about Bobby's ‘blooming iron tree’ event on the court.
He had not just subverted everyone’s previous assumption of him with a single act, he had also let his father recognize Lady Charlotte as a mother who provided good guidance to her sons, gaining even more favor for her.
Even for this hunt, Charlotte was the only consort who was brought along.
Jennie could trust in Charlotte's character. She was a clever person, and the most aloof from worldly success in the entire imperial harem of the kingdom.
But Bobby…
Jennie was somewhat hesitant.
But since things had already progressed to this point, she absolutely could not skip over her suspicion towards Bobby just because of Charlotte's moral character.
After Bobby's ‘blossom iron tree’ event, Jennie activated the dark post in Charlotte's palace at once.
But the report she received said that Bobby was the same as he always was.
He led a secluded life, and he had no contact with anyone else. He made no conversation with anyone other than Prince Jin.
But yesterday, Bobby personally helped Charlotte down the carriage.
And this scene was ‘coincidentally’ seen by her father.
While everyone was busy greeting the three Dukes, Bobby's behavior appeared somewhat garish…
Charlotte was Bobby's birth mother. Such an action was not exactly a cause for criticism, however…
Bobby did not come forward with his younger brother of the same parents, Jin.
In Jennie's opinion, that gave some food for thought.
Jennie narrowed her eyes as she looked up at the azure blue sky.
A flock of wild geese flew towards the south.
===============