After lunch, Zhao Yao returned to his tent to rest.

Tongxi brought the raw lamb to the cut. Zhao Yao took it and picked up a small piece of chopsticks to feed Xiaobai.

"Your Highness, Xiaobai is like growing on you." He didn't see Xiaobai leave His Highness's body. "Now Xiaobai is still small and can still wrap around your arm, but when it grows up, what will I do?" Tongxi imagined the picture of Xiaobai growing into a big snake and entangled Zhao Yao, and then was frightened.

"When Xiaobai grows up, it won't be so shy." Zhao Yao stretched out his finger and gently touched Xiaobai's little head.

Xiaobai was very comfortable to touch, and took the initiative to rub Zhao Yao's fingers with his little head.

"Your Highness, Xiaobai seems to have grown up a little more."

Zhao Yao looked at Xiao Bai carefully, and then stretched out his palm and gestured.

"It's grown, almost a foot long."

Tongxi stared at Xiao Bai, and suddenly found that there seemed to be words on Xiao Bai's head, and exclaimed: "Your Highness, do you see if there is a word [king] on Xiao Bai's head?" ”

Hearing Tongxi say this, Zhao Yao lowered his head and looked at Xiaobai's head carefully, and found that there was indeed a vague word [Wang]. If you don't look closely, you really can't see it.

"Xiaobai, how can you have a king on your head?"

Xiao Bai tilted his little head and asked in a puzzled tone: [Wang Zi? What is the word? 】

Zhao Yao suddenly thought of a possibility, and said with a somewhat excited expression: "Xiaobai, you shouldn't be the snake king, right?" ”

[Snake King? Xiaobai said, "I am not the Snake King, but I should be the leader of our clan. 】

"The leader of the White Snake Clan?" Zhao Yao said with great interest, "Isn't that the Snake King?" ”

Xiaobai doesn't understand very well, after all, not long after it was born, its parents were gone. The reason why it was able to grow up safely was thanks to the help of Bailu.

"Xiaobai, I didn't expect you to be the Snake King." Zhao Yao smiled and said, "I found a treasure."

"Your Highness, Xiaobai is really the Snake King." Tongxi was also very excited, "This ...... If it is really the snake king, can Xiaobai command all the snakes? ”

Zhao Yao asked, "Xiaobai, can you command all the snakes?" ”

Xiaobai: [I don't know, I haven't tried it.] 】

"When you grow up, you try." Zhao Yao imagined the picture of Xiaobai ordering all the snakes, and his mood was very agitated.

Xiaobai said obediently: [Okay. 】

"Come, keep eating meat." Zhao Yao picked up another piece of mutton for Xiaobai.

Don't look at Xiaobai, he is very small, but his appetite is not small, and he has eaten all the big bowl of mutton.

After feeding Xiaobai, Zhao Yao was ready to lie down and rest. At this time, Ling Yun flew in.

When Xiao Bai saw Ling Yun coming, he was so frightened that he crawled into Zhao Yao's sleeve and wrapped himself around Zhao Yao's arm.

Ling Yun hadn't eaten less snakes before. They are the natural enemies of snakes, and when Xiaobai sees it, he will naturally be afraid.

When Emperor Wu of Zhou comes to spring hunting, he will definitely bring Ling Yun with him.

During the morning hunt, Ling Yun caught several hares and foxes.

It gave half of the hares and foxes it caught to Zhao Yao, and kept the remaining half for its own consumption.

Ling Yun had just finished eating its feast, and there were blood stains on its beak, chest, and paws.

"Laifu, you stink to death, stay away from me." Zhao Yao smelled the smell of learning on Ling Yun's body, and looked disgusted.

Ling Yun said unhappily: "Where do I stink? 】

Zhao Yao pointed at Ling Yun's mouth, "You still have blood on your body, did you just finish eating a hare?" ”

[Yes.] 】

"It's dirty." Zhao Yao said to Tongxi, "You go and bring a basin of warm water." ”

"Slave and maid, go now."

After a while, Tongxi brought a basin of warm water.

Zhao Yao pointed to the basin and said to Ling Yun: "You fly in, I'll wash you, otherwise I won't hug you." ”

Ling Yun said reluctantly: [It's really troublesome. It said so, but obediently flew into the basin.

Zhao Yao squatted on the ground and carefully washed Ling Yun with a towel to wash the blood on his beak, chest, and paws.

"By the way, Laifu, you will fly to the forest to the north later, and help me see if there is anyone or something in there?"

[The woods in the north? 】

"I went hunting in the north forest in the morning, and there was no other animal in it except birds, don't you think it's strange?"

[That's weird, I'll help you take a look later.] 】

After washing Ling Yun, Zhao Yao took another piece of cloth to dry his feathers.

Zhao Yao yawned and said, "I'm sleepy, I want to take a nap first." When I wake up, you tell me. ”

[Okay.] After Ling Yun finished speaking, he waved his wings and flew out.

When Ling Yun flew to the forest to the north, he saw some people. These people were sent by the four princes to the northern forest to check.

The forest to the north was huge, and Ling Yun carefully inspected it from beginning to end.

Before Ling Yun flew back to Zhao Yao's camp, the people from the Four Princes' faction had already returned.

"Your Highness, we didn't dare to go too deep, but there were really no other animals in the place we checked."

"Your Highness, there are a lot of thorns and grasses in the depths of the forest to the north, and if someone is really hiding there, it will be difficult to be discovered."

"Your Highness, the atmosphere in the northern woods is indeed strange."

Wei Mian was stunned: "Could it really be that there are assassins hiding in the northern woods?" ”

The fourth prince frowned and did not speak.

"What are you doing hiding in the woods to the north?" A man in a guard's uniform said, "The forest in the north is remote, and no one goes there to hunt, so who is hiding there to assassinate?" ”

"If they plan to come to the camp at night to assassinate them, they will be able to throw themselves into a trap."

"These assassins aren't stupid enough to come to the camp at night to assassinate, do they?"

The camp was surrounded by Praetorian Guards, and it was like Tietong. Not to mention a person, not even a fly can fly into the camp. Also, the camp was patrolled by the Praetorian Guards and Imperial Guards.

Even if the Assassins broke in, they would be taken down by the Praetorian Guards and guards in the camp. It may even be shot into a sieve.

Since the last time the crown prince was assassinated in the Dragon Protector Temple, Shen Hu and Chu Ying have strengthened their defenses.

"The forests are interconnected, not separated." The fourth prince said with sharp eyes, "From the forest in the north, you can go to the forest in the east and south. ”

Hearing the four princes say this, Wei Mian and the others showed a sudden look, and then their expressions became solemn.

"Your Highness, do you mean that the assassins hid in the northern woods and then penetrated from the northern woods to the east or south?"

"Hmm." The forests to the east and south are many of the hunting places because of the abundance of prey. Especially in the eastern woods, the father and the emperor often went hunting. The Praetorian Guards will scrutinize the woods to the east from the inside out, and will guard the place so that no suspicious person will be there.

The Assassins could not hide in the woods to the east or south. And the forest in the north, because of its remote location and the fact that no one goes hunting, is not so strict with the inspection of the forest in the north.

Wei Mian asked with some horror, "Your Highness, what should you do next?" ”

"I'm going to see my father." Regardless of whether there were assassins hiding in the woods to the north, he had to tell his father about it.

"Your Highness, we didn't find an assassin in the northern woods, what do you say when you go to the emperor?"

"Tell me the truth." The fourth prince said solemnly, "Whether there are assassins or not, you have to remind your father to be careful. "Be careful to sail the ship of ten thousand years.

"That's what Your Highness said."

In the tent of Emperor Wu of Zhou, he had already finished playing chess with He Xiang.

He Xiang was a little tired, so he went back to his tent first.

Shen Hu and the others did not go back, because they wanted to protect Emperor Wu of Zhou.

"By the way, boss, our stinky boy has played with your youngest son, you know?" Chu Ying said.

"Yes, they played well with His Highness the Ten."

"This morning, they were hunting together."

"I've known about this for a long time, let them play."

Hearing Emperor Zhou Wudi's answer, Shen Hu and the others were a little surprised: "Boss, you actually don't object?!" ”

Chu Ying was not surprised: "The Ten Princes are not others. ”

When Shen Hu and Zhang Gong heard Chu Ying's words, they instantly understood.

As he was talking, he heard the sound of saluting the four princes from outside the account.

Shen Hu and the three of them immediately stood up.

Sun Doudou walked in, saluted Emperor Wu of Zhou first, and then said, "Your Majesty, the four princes ask to see you." ”

"Let him in."

After a while, the four princes walked in.

Shen Hu and the three of them hurriedly saluted the four princes: "I have seen the four highnesses." ”

The four princes nodded politely to the three of them, and immediately saluted Emperor Wu of Zhou: "Erchen has seen his father. ”

Emperor Wu of Zhou said softly: "Get up." ”

Seeing that the four princes had something to tell Emperor Wu of Zhou, Chu Ying and the others retreated with each other.

"Father, my son has something to tell you."

"You say."

The fourth prince told Emperor Wu of Zhou about the abnormality of the forest in the north, and also told Emperor Wu of Zhou about his speculation.

After hearing this, Emperor Wu of Zhou nodded and said, "I know, I will send someone to investigate." ”

After the four princes finished speaking, they did not disturb Emperor Wu of Zhou.

Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly spoke again: "Father, there is something strange in the forest in the north that was discovered by the tenth brother. ”

"Xiao Shi found it?" Emperor Wu of Zhou was a little surprised.

"In the morning, the tenth brother and General Shen and their youngest son went hunting in the northern forest, and found that there were no other animals in the northern forest except birds, and they thought it was very strange, so they told their sons about it."

"I didn't expect this kid to be quite sharp."

The fourth prince didn't say anything more, "Father, the son won't bother you, so he will retreat first." ”

Emperor Wu of Zhou nodded his head and said softly, "Go back and have a good rest." ”

"Yes, Father."

After the four princes left, Emperor Wu of Zhou called Shen Hu and them in, and then explained some things to them.

After Shen Hu and the others heard this, their expressions became very solemn for a moment.

originally planned to go out hunting with the four princes in the afternoon, but Zhao Yao didn't wake up until the beginning of the afternoon nap. By this time, it was already evening.

While he was sleeping, the Four Princes and Chu Huan had all come to look for him. Seeing that he was still sleeping, he didn't let Tongxi wake him up.

When Zhao Yao woke up, he saw Ling Yun sleeping next to his pillow.

Ling Yun saw that Zhao Yao was gone, and gently pecked his little face with his beak.

Zhao Yao rubbed Ling Yun's little head. Seeing that the tent was very dark, he subconsciously asked, "What time?" ”

Lingyun Dao: [It's getting dark. 】

"Huh? It's getting dark? Zhao Yao was shocked, he sat up suddenly, and looked outside the tent, and sure enough, it was also dark outside, "I slept all afternoon?" ”

Ling Yun said: [Well, you slept all afternoon. 】

Tongxi, who was guarding outside, heard movement in the tent, hurriedly walked in to check, and saw that Zhao Yao was awake, and said happily: "Your Highness, you have finally woken up." If you don't wake up again, the slave will have to call the doctor. ”

Zhao Yao stretched his waist and said, "I didn't expect me to sleep for so long." "Last night he had a dream in which he had been chased by the Assassins, and he had been running all night and was exhausted. I woke up early this morning, and I was hunting all morning, so I was a little tired.

"Your Highness, do you feel unwell?" Tongxi asked nervously.

"There's nothing wrong with me." Zhao Yao said, "I'm refreshed now. ”

"That's good." Tongxi breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, "You don't know that you haven't woken up in the afternoon, and the fourth prince is very worried." He comes to see you every other hour before leaving. ”

"Huh? Didn't the fourth brother go out hunting? ”

"The fourth prince didn't worry about you, so he didn't go out to hunt." Tongxi said again, "Young Master Chu, they also came to see you in the afternoon. Niangniang also came to see you a few times, and the emperor also sent Grandpa Sun to see you. ”

Zhao Yao was shocked by Tongxi's words, "I'll just take a nap, why did you alarm so many people?" ”

"You've been not awake, and everyone is worried." Tongxi asked again, "Your Highness, are you thirsty, hungry?" ”

"Sort of."

Tongxi poured Zhao Yao a cup of hot tea first, "Your Highness, you take a sip of tea first." ”

Zhao Yao finished drinking tea and asked, "Did anything happen in the afternoon?" ”

"Nothing major happened in the afternoon...... Tongxi suddenly thought of something, and hurriedly said, "The slave maid found that the patrol of the camp has become stricter. ”

Zhao Yao said: "It must be that the fourth brother told his father about the northern forest. As soon as he finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Ling Yun and hurriedly asked, "Laifu, did you find anything when you went to the northern forest in the afternoon?" ”

Ling Yun Dao: [There are people. 】

"How many are there?"

Lingyun: [Not a lot.] 】

"Sure enough, there are people!" Zhao Yao thought to himself, these people should not be assassins sent by Starling.

"Your Highness, do you mean there are assassins in the woods to the north?" Tongxi's face showed a look of horror and uneasiness, "There are assassins...... This ......"

"The fourth brother told his father that his father should send someone to the forest in the north."

"The slave didn't hear of any assassins."

Zhao Yao thought for a while and said, "It's possible that my father doesn't want to startle the snake. ”

Ling Yun said again: [Not an assassin. 】

"What, not an assassin?" Zhao Yao asked in surprise, "Didn't you say that there are people in the forest in the north?" ”

[It's someone, but it's not an assassin.] Ling Yun said again, "I didn't find an assassin. 】

"You really didn't find the assassin?"

[Nope.] Ling Yun said, "However, there are wolves. 】

"Wolves?"

[Well, there are quite a few. 】

"How can there be no assassins?" Zhao Yao felt that this was unreasonable.

[There are no Assassins in the entire paddock.] After Ling Yun inspected the forests in the north, he checked the forests in the east, south, and west by the way, and found no assassins. [There is a bear in the depths of the forest to the west.] 】

Ling Yun's eyesight is very good, it didn't see an assassin, which means that there really aren't assassins.

"Didn't the Assassins hide in the paddock?" Zhao Yao asked again, "Then why are there no other animals in the northern forest?" ”

[Eaten by wolves.] 】

"Were there wolves in the paddock before?"

[There were wolves, but not as many as there are now.] Lingyun Dao, [This is a complete wolf pack. 】

"Wouldn't that be dangerous?"

[There are a lot of people, it's okay. Ling Yun said again, [There are many people, and the wolves dare not approach. 】

Hearing Ling Yun say this, Zhao Yao felt relieved.

"No, where is the assassin hiding?" Starling specifically told him that it was impossible not to have assassins.

"Your Highness, there are no assassins?" Tongxi was confused by Zhao Yao's words.

"Rifle says it didn't find the Assassins."

It's weird, how can there be no assassins?

If the Assassins weren't hiding in the woods of the paddock, where were they? It's impossible to stab out of nowhere, right?

The paddock was guarded by layers of Praetorian Guards, and the Assassins could only fly in. However, when you fly in, there is a high chance that you will be shot into a sieve by the archers.

"Your Highness, there really are no assassins?"

"Possibly."

"It's good that there are no assassins." Tongxi said, "Your Highness, the slave maid will go and get you something to eat." ”

"You go and tell the fourth brother and the concubine first, they say I'm awake."

"Slave and maid, go now."

A moment later, the four princes came over. He saw that Zhao Yao's face and spirit were good, and he was relieved.

"Tenth brother, you go to my tent at night and sleep with me."

Zhao Yao looked surprised: "Huh? ”

"Don't you want to?"

Zhao Yao shook his head and said, "Fourth brother, I will sleep with you, won't it disturb you?" "After all, he doesn't sleep very honestly.

"No, it won't." The fourth prince smiled, "You pack up, and you will follow me to my tent later." ”

"Okay." Did the fourth brother know something, otherwise the fourth brother would not have asked him to sleep in his tent.

After Zhao Yao packed up, he obediently followed the four princes to his camp.

The two stayed in the tent for a while, and then went to the grass outside the tent for dinner.

The bonfire had already been erected, and it was burning very strongly.

Around the meadow, a lot of torches were lit. The torches lit up the grass as if it were day.

Quite a few people came to the meadow and sat down. They were talking about this afternoon's hunting competition.

In the afternoon, Emperor Wu of Zhou did not go out hunting, and stayed in the camp to deal with political affairs.

The crown prince and the king went out hunting together. The crown prince invited by the acting king, but the prince did not refuse.

The king also invited a number of generals to hunt with their sons.

Shen Hu, they and their son naturally did not participate.

The ministers who supported the king and the prince and their sons participated, and then it turned into a contest.

Almost all of the people on the king's side are military generals, and they are good at riding and shooting. Most of the people on the prince's side were civil servants, and there were no generals who were good at riding and archery, so they lost to the people of the acting king.

The competition in the afternoon was very intense and exciting, but unfortunately Zhao Yao slept all afternoon and didn't see it.

The food for dinner tonight is the prey that the king and the crown prince hunted in the afternoon.

On the other side of the grass, Empress Xie took her concubines to dinner.

Jiang Chuan returned to Empress Xie's side and whispered in Empress Xie's ear: "Niangniang, everything is arranged. ”

Empress Xie nodded slightly.

(End of chapter)