"This tiger is extremely powerful. When I brought my men to capture it, I lost quite a number of them to it. I wonder who would be good enough to overpower it?"
Hu Lunan came out of his melancholic mood and displayed his magnanimity.
Lin Mengya cast an impassive look at him. She had a lousy impression of him since he would not even let go of a pregnant tiger but was still boasting. To her, Hu Lunan was no better than a beast.
"I didn't expect Second Prince to be the one to bring men to capture this tiger, you're truly a valiant man!"
Just a moment ago, the Crown Prince was vying against Hu Lunan, and the next moment, he was singing the same tune as Hu Lunan.
Lin Mengya could not shake off the feeling that these two men were simply so hypocritical.
As the saying goes that the true love between brothers would be tested when they are fighting against a tiger. She was anticipating to see if they were really like brothers and what would come out from this.
The banquet proceeded as usual, but Lin Mengya had lost the mood to continue in pretense.
To Lin Mengya, the memory of what happened in the small tent would be etched in her mind forever.
"Miss, who do you think will be the first to hunt down the tiger?"
Back in the tent, Baishao also thought it was too cruel to hunt the tiger.
Tigers were the spirits of the forest, they were the kings of the forest. They should not die innocently in the hands of these noblemen.
"Regardless of who eventually hunts it down, it is still such a pity. How about we think of a solution?"
The eyes of the two maidservants lit up at Lin Mengya's words. If they managed to release the tiger, they would be doing a good deed.
"Alright, let's think of a plan."
The meeting to discuss the battle plan to save the tiger began in Lin Mengya's tent.
"I think if we make leeway for the tiger by creating a gap between the guards surrounding the hunting ground, the tiger could escape into the dense forest through the back hills."
Lin Zhongyu drew a simple map of the area and pointed to a spot on it as he explained his suggestion.
"I don't think that'll work. The tiger doesn't understand what we say. What if it runs to the wrong place? If it was injured before it reaches the escape route, would it be digging its own grave?"
Baiji raised her concern and she was right. The group of them sank into deep thoughts once again.
"I think we should just release it."
Baizhi said, looking questioningly at Lin Mengya with big, watery eyes and looking sympathetic.
Lin Mengya rolled her eyes at her and with a calm voice, she said,
"How about you go and lure the Crown Prince and then talk him into releasing the tiger? Silly you! If you release the tiger now, it would either be caught again or be killed by the guards using swords and knives."
Silence fell upon the tent once more.
It seemed that nothing would work. They had hit a brick wall.
"Once the hunting starts tomorrow, I will bring Lin Kui to surround the tiger first of all. I've sent men from the capital to bring me the anesthetic used on horses, so rest assured."
The voice of Long Tianhao sounded from the entrance to the tent and everyone there turned to him.
"What a good idea, Your Highness, the prince!"
Baizhi started boot-licking Long Tianyu as instructed by her mistress.
Baizhi had been told that the Prince was going around to help to resolve her issues.
She did not wish to be married to the crown prince of the western vassal state to become some consort to the prince.
"Put your heart at ease on this matter."
Long Tianhao got someone to have a look at the white tiger and confirmed that it was indeed pregnant.
His Emperor father once said that each living creature had its own natural pattern of growth cycles.
If man were to upset this natural pattern and routine, he would be bringing destruction upon himself.
This was the reason he gave special provision to this pregnant tiger.
"What about after it is being put down? What good plan do you have for the tiger afterward, Your Highness?"
The usual practice in the western vassal state was very different from that of Dajin.
If this tiger was released into the forest, it may not be totally safe from the hunters.
"Don't worry, rest assured that I will return it to its home. I've already made the necessary arrangements."
They did not expect that Long Tianhao's idea would easily override the discussion the six of them had.
For this reason, Lin Mengya's mood was lifted.
It seemed that she did not have reason to worry as long as he was here.
When the rest of them sensed the sweet and tender way Lin Mengya and Long Tianhao interacted with one another, they gave each other a knowing look and quietly took left the tent.
By the time Lin Mengya recovered from dazing, there were only the Long Tianhao and herself left in the tent.
"Your Highness, would you like some water?"
This was the first time she was alone with a man, camping in the wild. For some unknown reason, the usually thick-skinned Lin Mengya was feeling a little nervous.
"Yes please."
Long Tianhao had drunk quite a bit of wine at the banquet and he was feeling a little thirsty indeed.
He was not sure if it was the effect of the alcohol, or that Lin Mengya was dressed in a horse-riding outfit.
He found that this woman before his eyes was exceptionally beautiful.
Under the lights, her features were almost perfect, and there was an ineffable grace about her.
Her prepossessing eyes were so captivating. Even though Long Tianhao had seen numerous beautiful women, there was no one like her, who was so full of life.
There was warmth wherever she was. Even the usually cold atmosphere of the mansion was now filled with a warm human touch.
Although the servants were afraid of her, they mostly respected her because she would never Lord over them. She did not show partiality to them. Even those had been punished by her thought she was fair in her judgment.
She was the only woman he met who was like this.
Therefore, sometimes he was grateful that she was the one forced to marry him by the Queen.
"What are you looking at, Your Highness? Is there something on my face?"
Lin Mengya touched her face, but she did not find anything strange.
"Nothing, I was thinking about some personal stuff. Oh yes, where did you go when you left your seat at the banquet?"
The man Lin Kui sent to watch over her had come back and reported that Lin Mengya was brought to a small tent.
Thereafter, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince of western vassal state also entered the tent.
At that instant, he could sense that it was not as simple as it seemed.
There was some unhappiness between the Crown Prince, the Second Prince of the western vassal state and Lin Mengya. He would not believe that this was all just a coincidence that they went into the same tent.
After some quiet contemplation, Lin Mengya decided to tell him everything that had happened.
Lin Mengya narrated the entire incident as accurately as possible without adding anything to it.
Just when she finished talking, Long Tianhao crushed the teacup in his hand in an instant.
"Your hand! Oh, you silly, what if you get cut by the broken pieces?"
Lin Mengya immediately took hold of the broken pieces of the teacup from Long Tianhao's palm.
However, the sharp pieces of broken teacup had cut into his hand nevertheless.
She carefully removed the piece of the broken teacup from the wound on his hand and bandaged it with a handkerchief. Finally, he sat down beside her, still frowning.
"Why would you do that? Am I not safe and sound now?"
If she had known this would happen, she would have kept it from Long Tianhao.
"I totally didn't see this coming! How could the Crown Prince be so shameless!"
When he and the Crown Prince were young, they had both learned about what was right, honorable and what was wrong and shameful.
Never would he expect the Crown Prince to lay his finger on his own sister-in-law.
Unless the Crown Prince totally ignored the moral teachings and refused to be bound by them?
"So, Your Highness, do you still think that the Crown Prince should be the only candidate for the throne? Once such a character gains control over the entire nation, it would be disastrous for its people. Today, he could take me captive, tomorrow he may sexually assault other people's wives. This is a sign of the impending destruction of our empire. Have you thought of it this way, Your Highness?"
Lin Mengya's words cut straight into the heart of Long Tianhao.
There was a quiet voice in his heart telling him that Lin Mengya was right.
However, because he had other personal considerations at this moment, he could not summon his determination.
"Let me think about this carefully first. It's getting late and you should retire for the day."
After saying those words, Long Tianhao exited the tent. Lin Mengya had no idea where he was going.
She looked at his back as he left and let out a sigh.
Now she knew why Concubine De had told her that they needed to get rid of his generous and kind heart.
If he were to be left to continue in this state, he would never in his life be able to achieve great things.
Lin Mengya, however, did not agree with Concubine De's point of view. She believed that it was precise because Long Tianhao was generous and kind that his men were willing to follow him, was it not so?
Nevertheless, there was one little thing Long Tianhao still lacked.
One needs to go through many experiences in life in order to become tough and hardhearted.
At that instant, Lin Mengya conceived a plan in her mind.
Sooner or later, she would leave Prince Yu's Mansion, be it for Linlang or other reasons, she was determined to pave the way to greatness for Long Tianhao.
"Your Highness, the Prince, why are still standing out here to enjoy the breeze? It's getting late."
While Lin Mengya was deep in thought, she heard the penetrating voice of a eunuch echoing through the air.
"Oh dear!" Lin Mengya thought in her heart. She had forgotten that they were not in their own home.
Rightfully, she and Long Tianhao should be in the same room.
Following that, she heard an embarrassed Long Tianhao said,
"Oh, it's too warm in the tent. I've come out here to cool down."
In the tent, Lin Mengya was laughing quietly to herself. Ever since she got more familiar with Long Tianhao, she kept seeing the side of Long Tianhao that was unique. He was very different from others.
For example, whenever he caught someone in the act of doing something wrong, he would try to camouflage his embarrassment with an impassive voice.
Lin Mengya turned to exit the tent only to see Long Tianhao standing outside the tent, looking fidgety and nervous.
"Your Highness, it's getting cold, are you not coming inside so you could go to sleep?"
Lin Mengya said with her sweet, gentle yet teasing voice. Long Tianhao dazed and his eyes flitted with nervousness.
"You go ahead and sleep first, I still have something to attend to."
As he turned around, he realized with embarrassment that he had nowhere else to go.
"Are you going hunting in the night, Your Highness? Is the tiger inside my tent? Why are you unwilling to come into the tent, do you hate Mengya that much?"
For some unknown reason, Lin Mengya had a sudden urge to tease Long Tianhao.
Long Tianhao was cornered by her words at that instant.
His eyes flitted as he entered the tent obediently.
As he scanned the surrounding, he spotted a figure hiding in one corner, watching them.