Phoenix Cries Return to Court

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone was startled and became even more energetic, looking eager to try.

Fu Chen cracked his whip first, and the Crimson Sky neighed loudly, its four hooves stomping the ground as it galloped into the forest like an arrow released from a bow.

Fu Yanzhi followed closely behind, and with a flick of his long whip, he galloped away, his hooves flying high on the snow.

With a pull of the reins, Fu Jie spurred Mo Yun's steady pace. Though not as swift as Chi Xiao's, which galloped across the snow, it was by no means slow or sluggish.

The three horses galloped side by side into the depths of the hunting grounds, with guards following closely on horseback to ensure the safety of the distinguished guest.

Deep within the Mulan Hunting Grounds, towering ancient trees with lush foliage intertwined, surrounded by the fragrance of grass and earth, and the occasional calls of animals could be heard.

The three had been running for a short while, putting some distance between themselves and the guards. Just as they were searching for prey, they suddenly heard a deer's cry from not far away. Fu Chen's eyes lit up, and he pulled on the reins, calling out loudly, "Father, there's a deer over there!"

Fu Yanzhi and Fu Jie reined in their horses at the same time. Following the sound, they saw a brownish-yellow deer with long limbs and a sturdy body, slowly strolling through the sparse forest not far away. Its antlers were exquisitely forked and as lustrous as jade. It was truly a rare and precious creature.

The deer seemed to sense the commotion around it, raised its head, and looked warily in the direction of the three people.

"This deer is truly rare!" A glint of light flashed in Fu Yanzhi's eyes. He pondered for a moment, then said loudly to the two people behind him, "Whoever can hunt it today will be the one with the greatest merit."

Having said that, he raised his hand, took the longbow from his back, and nocked an arrow, ready to shoot.

Upon seeing this, Fu Chen hurriedly took the longbow off his back, drew the bowstring taut, held his breath, and fixed his gaze on the deer.

Fu Jie was flustered. His archery skills were not good to begin with, and he rarely practiced. If it weren't for the effects of the pill, he probably wouldn't even be able to draw the bowstring right now. But now that things had come to this, in order not to waste all his plans, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it. Thinking of this, he forced himself to calm down, took a deep breath, and pulled the bowstring hard, aiming the arrow at the deer.

Just at this critical moment, a loud bang came from somewhere. The deer was startled and turned around abruptly, running wildly into the depths of the dense forest.

"Chase!"

Fu Yanzhi gave a low shout, then suddenly flicked his wrist, spurring his horse to gallop ahead. Fu Chen and Fu Jie dared not delay, and followed closely behind, galloping at full speed.

The horses' hooves rustled through the fallen leaves and branches, kicking up clouds of dust.

The three men galloped away on horseback, chasing each other for several miles. The dense forests around them gradually disappeared, and their view suddenly opened up.

The deer that had just fled was exhausted and was now standing on a hillside not far away, panting with its head down.

The three reined in their horses and were about to raise their hands to nock arrows and draw their bows again when they did not notice a dark figure hiding behind a large tree not far away. A pair of sinister eyes were fixed on their backs, and the arrow in his hand was already quietly aimed at Fu Yanzhi at the front.

Just as Fu Yanzhi loosened his grip and the arrow was about to fly, he suddenly heard a sharp, piercing sound.

The next second, a piercing scream suddenly rang out from behind.

Fu Yanzhi's heart sank suddenly, and he turned around sharply to look.

Fu Jie lost his balance and fell heavily from his horse. An arrow was lodged in his left shoulder, and blood gushed out, staining his brocade robe red.

At this moment, Fu Jie was overwhelmed by intense pain. His brows were tightly furrowed, his face was deathly pale, and his forehead was covered with a fine layer of cold sweat. He kept groaning.

Upon hearing the commotion, the accompanying guards and officials rode up from afar.

This sudden turn of events stunned everyone present.

Fu Chen's face was deathly pale. He hurriedly reined in his horse and dismounted, staggering to Fu Jie's side, his voice trembling, "Third brother! Third brother, how are you? Imperial physician! Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"

Fu Yanzhi reined in his snow-white steed, his face grim, his gaze fixed on the arrow that had struck Fu Jie's shoulder.

That arrow... it looks so familiar.

The accompanying guards and officials dismounted and surrounded the emperor. They divided the tasks clearly: some guarded the emperor and the two princes, some looked around cautiously, and others rushed back to the camp to find the imperial physician.

Fu Jie clutched his shoulder, his face ashen, blood seeping from between his fingers. He leaned weakly against the guard, yet still managed to lift his eyes, his gaze seemingly filled with fear as he looked at Fu Chen.

Fu Yanzhi took in the whole scene, his face turning ashen. His gaze darted back and forth between the arrow on Fu Jie's body and Fu Chen, his eyes growing even colder.

Just then, the commander of the guards, Li Zhong, suddenly knelt on one knee and said loudly, "Your Majesty! I saw it clearly just now; that arrow was shot from the direction of His Highness the Crown Prince!"

These words were like a thunderclap, suddenly exploding in all directions. Everyone gasped and turned their gazes toward Fu Chen.

Fu Chen was startled and turned sharply to look at Li Zhong, his eyes filled with disbelief. He retorted sharply, "Insolence! Don't talk nonsense! How could I, the Crown Prince, possibly shoot an arrow and injure my third brother! This is clearly a frame-up!"

Li Zhong, however, remained unfazed, meeting Fu Chen's gaze directly. He spoke slowly and deliberately, "Your Majesty, I dare not deceive you. I was standing not far behind you just now, keeping a close eye on the surroundings. The moment the arrow was shot, I saw it clearly. The arrowhead was fired from the location of His Highness the Crown Prince. I could not have been mistaken!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several guards chimed in, "Your Majesty, Commander Li is right. We also saw it; the arrow did indeed come from the Crown Prince's direction."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Just now, His Highness the Crown Prince was drawing his bow and aiming at the deer, but when the arrow was shot, I saw it clearly: the Crown Prince changed the angle and aimed the arrow at Your Majesty!"

They echoed in unison, and all the criticism instantly turned against Fu Chen.

Hearing timid whispers among the officials, someone muttered, "The Third Prince's position isn't much different from His Majesty's. Is this arrow really aimed at the Third Prince...?"

These words were spoken softly, yet they reached the ears of everyone present clearly.

The arrow, however, was shot towards Emperor Sheng; it was the Crown Prince's doing!

Fu Chen trembled, his face turning even paler, his eyes filled with grievance as he urgently protested, "Father, please believe me! I didn't! How could I possibly harm my third brother, much less you! I beg you, Father, to investigate thoroughly!"

As Fu Chen spoke, his gaze unconsciously swept over the guards and officials around him. But those who were usually so respectful to him were now either bowing their heads to avoid his gaze or looking away.

Fu Yanzhi's expression grew increasingly grim, his brows furrowed tightly, and the coldness in his eyes intensified.

"But if the Crown Prince wanted to harm His Majesty, why would he have injured the Third Prince?" At this moment, an official spoke up.

"Could it be that the Third Prince saw through the Crown Prince's intentions and sacrificed himself to shield His Majesty from the arrow?" Li Zhong suddenly said loudly.