Transmigrated into Li Chengqian, he effortlessly ascended the throne and became emperor.

In the blink of an eye, it was September, the golden autumn season. At the foot of Mount Li, banners covered the sun.

The Tang Dynasty valued martial prowess, and the autumn hunt was a major annual event.

Thousands of cavalrymen stood in formation, their bright yellow dragon banners fluttering in the autumn wind.

Li Shimin, dressed in military attire, rode his famous steed named Telebiao, with a jeweled bow hanging at his waist, exuding high spirits, as if he had returned to the era of war and conquest.

And halfway up his body was a small, pure white foal.

Li Chengqian, mounted on horseback, was dressed up meticulously. As soon as he appeared, the eyes of the burly military officers around him widened in astonishment.

"This is His Highness the Crown Prince? He's so handsome!"

"They're practically like attendants of Guanyin descending to earth!"

Hearing the surrounding chatter, Li Shimin's smile stretched almost to his ears. He turned to look at his son, his eyes full of affection: "Yu Nu, you look quite dashing today. But it's windy deep in Lishan, and your health is weak. Go hunt a few rabbits for fun on the outskirts later, and don't go too far."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian slightly raised his chin: "Father underestimates me! I have been diligently practicing riding and archery recently, all so that I can hunt a big one for Father today!"

"A big one?" Li Shimin chuckled, reaching out his rough hand to ruffle his son's hair. He didn't take it seriously. "Alright, alright, I'll be waiting. If we can hunt a deer, I'll reward you handsomely!"

"Who wants something as docile as deer hunting?" Li Chengqian muttered under his breath, brushing aside Li Shimin's hand and spurring his horse. "Father, just wait and see! Giddy up!"

The little white horse neighed and carried that fiery red figure, drifting like a red cloud into the depths of the dense forest.

Li Shimin watched his son's departing figure, his smile fading slightly. He then whispered to the commander of the Imperial Guards behind him, "Hurry up and follow! If the Crown Prince loses even a single hair, I will hold you all responsible!"

"Yes, sir!" A troop of elite cavalry immediately spurred their horses and gave chase.

……

Deep in the dense forest, the autumn wind was bleak.

Li Chengqian sat on his horse, holding a specially made small horn bow in his hand, his brows furrowed tightly.

"System, where's the tiger you were promised?"

He had been wandering in the woods for an hour, but he hadn't seen a single tiger hair, let alone a tiger.

[Host, tigers are solitary animals with a very strong sense of territory. Besides, the outer perimeter of Mount Li has already been cleared by the Imperial Guards. Where would any tiger dare to stay?] the system said helplessly. [How about you venture deeper into the mountains? However, the terrain there is complex, and the safety factor…]

"Then forget it."

Somewhat dejected, Li Chengqian hung the bow back on the saddle, took out a small bronze mirror from his pocket, checked his hair to make sure it wasn't messed up, and then sighed, "I originally wanted to hunt a tiger skin to make a mattress for my father, but now it seems I can only return empty-handed. How embarrassing..."

Just then, a rustling sound suddenly came from the bushes ahead.

"What is it?"

Li Chengqian's eyes narrowed, and he instantly got into focus.

The guards behind him also gripped their sword hilts, looking on guard.

The clump of withered yellow grass twitched, and then a small, delicate head peeked out.

It was a pure white fox, without a single stray hair.

It didn't seem afraid of people. Its long, narrow, and slightly upturned eyes revealed a clever and mischievous glint as it tilted its head and curiously examined the group of two-legged beasts in front of it. Finally, its gaze fell on Li Chengqian, who was dressed in red and looked exceptionally handsome.

A human and a fox, their eyes locked.

Li Chengqian was stunned for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up.

That fox... is so beautiful!

If this fur were made into a scarf, it would be a bit small, but it would be exquisite!

No, it's such a beautiful little thing, it would be a shame to peel it.

"Your Highness, it's a white fox! What an auspicious sign!" the head guard behind him exclaimed in delight. "This is a rare and precious creature!"

The white fox seemed to sense the danger, and with a kick of its hind legs, it transformed into a streak of white light and was about to flee.

"Don't let it get away!"

Li Chengqian did not draw his arrow, but instead leaped off his horse.

The white fox was cunning, dodging left and right, deliberately darting into the thicket of thorns.

"Little thing, it can run pretty fast!"

Li Chengqian's competitive spirit was aroused, and disregarding the fact that his expensive Shu brocade outfit would be torn, he pounced on the attack.

After a chaotic chase, Li Chengqian sat on the ground, panting, clutching the white fox that was still kicking its legs tightly in his arms.

Where was the noble young master he had been when he first appeared?

His hair ornament was askew, his red riding clothes were covered in grass clippings and mud, his cuffs were torn by thorns, and there was a gray mark on his face.

"Keep running...keep running!"

Li Chengqian grabbed the white fox by the scruff of its neck and lifted it up: "You're unlucky to have fallen into my hands. From now on, you'll be my hand warmer!"

The white fox seemed to know that all was lost, and it stopped struggling. It put its two front paws together as if bowing, and looked at Li Chengqian pitifully with its big, watery eyes, making "whimpering" sounds.

"..." Li Chengqian's lips twitched.

Has this fox become a spirit?

Why does this green tea look so familiar?

[Host, isn't this just a copy of yourself?] The system couldn't help but complain.

"Shut up," Li Chengqian thought to himself irritably, but his gaze softened as he looked at the little thing.

They didn't manage to hunt a tiger, but this white fox seemed to please the old father even more.

After all, who can resist a fluffy, affectionate pet?

……

As the sun sets in the west, the evening glow is as red as blood.

A campfire was lit at the campsite at the foot of Mount Li, and the aroma of roasted meat filled the air.

Li Shimin had returned with a full load, having hunted two deer and a wild boar. He was now sitting in the main seat, drinking heavily while listening to the flattery of his ministers. However, his eyes kept glancing towards the entrance of the camp, and his expression revealed his anxiety.

"Why hasn't the Crown Prince returned yet?"

Just as he was muttering to himself, a rider came galloping in from afar.

"He's back! His Highness is back!"

Li Shimin quickly put down his wine cup and strode forward to greet him.

When Li Shimin finally saw the disheveled figure on horseback, his heart clenched.

"Jade slave!"

Li Shimin pulled Li Chengqian, who had just dismounted, close to him, scrutinizing his tattered clothes and the dust on his face. His voice trembled as he asked, "What happened? Did you encounter a bear? Are you injured? Imperial physician! Quickly, call the imperial physician!"

The surrounding officials were also startled. If something happened to the crown prince, they would all lose their heads even if they had hunted the dragon.

"Father, I'm alright..."

Li Chengqian lowered his head somewhat embarrassedly, his hands behind his back like a child who had done something wrong. "It's just... my clothes are dirty."

"What's wrong with dirty clothes! As long as you're alright!" Li Shimin breathed a sigh of relief, feeling both distressed and amused. He squatted down, took out a handkerchief, and wiped his son's face. "Look at you, you look like a mud monkey. If you didn't catch anything, you didn't catch anything. I don't need that little bit of game. Was it worth you going into the woods and getting yourself all messed up like this?"

Li Chengqian sniffed, his eyes slightly red, and his voice trembled with a sob: "But I promised Father I would hunt a big one. I originally wanted to hunt a tiger to make a tiger-skin cushion for Father, so that Father would be more comfortable sitting in the Taiji Palace... But I'm too stupid, I couldn't find a tiger..."

After these words were spoken, the surroundings immediately fell silent.

Those military officers who had been secretly mocking the prince's disheveled appearance were now somewhat moved.

The dignified eight-year-old crown prince, in order to hunt tiger skins for his father, did not hesitate to venture into the thorny forest, making himself so disheveled.

What filial piety!

Li Shimin felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and his eyes welled up with tears.

Even a hundred tiger skins couldn't compare to his son's little act of love!

"Silly child..." Li Shimin's throat tightened slightly. He pulled his son into his arms and patted his back forcefully. "What do you want a tiger skin for? All I want is for you to be safe and sound. Don't be foolish like this again, do you hear me?"

"But... although I didn't hunt a tiger, I did catch another one."

Li Chengqian emerged from Li Shimin's embrace and proudly extended his hand, which had been behind his back, as if presenting a treasure.

He was carrying a white fox whose limbs were bound by thin ropes.

The white fox seemed to be frightened by the scene, shrinking into a ball, trembling, its big, wet eyes looking at Li Shimin in terror, appearing particularly pitiful.

"This is... a white fox?" Li Shimin was taken aback.

"Hmm!" Li Chengqian nodded vigorously and handed the white fox to Li Shimin. "Your subject thinks it is beautiful and its fur is warm. I thought that if Father gets cold while reviewing memorials, he can use it to warm his hands. Although... although it is not as majestic as a tiger, it is still your subject's good intention."

Li Shimin took the white fox.

The little creature stopped trembling when it was in his hands. Instead, it rubbed against Li Shimin's calloused palm in a flattering manner, then tilted its head back and revealed an extremely human-like smile, its narrow eyes curving into crescents.

Li Shimin looked at the white fox, then looked up at Li Chengqian, who was also looking expectant with his eyes crinkled in the breeze.

Suddenly, he burst out laughing.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Li Shimin's laugh was bold and hearty.

"What is Your Majesty laughing at?" Changsun Wuji asked curiously as he leaned closer.

Li Shimin, holding the white fox in one hand and pinching Li Chengqian's dusty cheek with the other, laughed loudly, "Fuji, come and see. This little thing's cleverness and the way he smiles, doesn't he remind you of our Yu Nu?"

Changsun Wuji was taken aback and carefully compared the two.

To be honest, the white fox's slightly upturned eyes and its seemingly harmless yet arrogant expression were exactly like those of the Crown Prince!

Especially the way the prince looked so pitiful and begging for praise just now, it was almost identical to this fox trying to survive by acting cute.

"Your Majesty is wise! Indeed... it has a remarkable charm." Changsun Wuji said, suppressing a laugh and bowing.

"Father!" Li Chengqian protested, stamping his foot, his face flushed red. "Your subject is the son of the true dragon emperor, how could I resemble a fox? This fox... at most, is a little prettier than other foxes, how could it resemble your subject at all!"

"It looks like it! How can it not look like it?"

Li Shimin was in a great mood, and the more he looked at the white fox, the more pleasing it became to the eye.

Since it resembled his most beloved son, the fox was no longer prey, but a treasure.

"This fox is intelligent; there's no need to skin it." Li Shimin waved his hand, untying the rope from the white fox's legs and placing it on his shoulder. "Since it was given to me by Yu Nu, let it be kept in the palace. Wang De!"

"This old servant is here."

"Go, make a gold collar for this little thing. From now on, let it stay in the Ganlu Hall. Just as Yu Nu said, it will warm my hands when I'm reviewing memorials!"

"Here you go!"

"I'm glad Father likes it." Li Chengqian stepped forward, naturally took Li Shimin's hand, and looked up, saying, "Then Father, may I have an extra bowl of roast meat tonight?"

Li Shimin looked down at his son, then picked him up and said, "Eat! I'll grill it for you myself!"

Meanwhile, in a corner where no one was paying attention, the system in Li Chengqian's mind was silently scrolling through messages:

[Ding! Special pet obtained: Psychic White Fox. Note: This fox seems to know better than its host how to be a scheming woman; you should learn from it.]

Li Chengqian: ...Get out.