Taken to the Hunting Grounds

Qin Ye took off his outer robe and turned over to lie flat right beside Shen Bichuan. Shen Bichuan’s body snapped rigid instantly, his breathing turning very faint.

Qin Ye closed his eyes and said in a faraway voice,

“Rest well tonight. Tomorrow you will follow this Prince to the Yanshan Beast Grounds for the hunt.”

Shen Bichuan looked at him with confusion.

Qin Ye still did not open his eyes, merely adding a flat sentence.

“To prevent you from causing more trouble, it is safer for this Prince to keep you by my side.”

Shen Bichuan pressed his lips together and did not argue.

That night, Qin Ye did not make things difficult for him again, letting him get a peaceful night’s sleep.

The next morning, just as the sky was turning bright, Eunuch Pei personally brought over a set of proper junior eunuch attire.

Shen Bichuan took the clothes and hat, quickly changing into them.

The plain cloth uniform was clean and neat. It stripped away his usual look of an elegant young master, blending him perfectly into the ranks of the accompanying servants—unobtrusive and blending into the background, which made it easy for him to follow right by Qin Ye’s side.

Along the way, the carriage bumped and jolted. By the time the group arrived at the Yanshan hunting grounds, the sun was already high in the sky, close to the hour of noon.

The hunting grounds were bustling with the sounds of shouting men and neighing horses.

The Emperor and the various princes had just finished their morning hunt. Sitting atop their large steeds, they were currently counting up their spoils of war.

Qin Ye rode up on his horse, pulled the reins to dismount, walked forward with steady steps, and bowed to the sovereign.

“This son arrives late. I beg Imperial Father to forgive my sin.”

The moment those words fell, the Second Prince, Qin Ge, let out a sharp scoff from the side.

“Fourth Brother, accompanying Imperial Father on a hunt is a major event in the palace. For you to arrive so late, could it be that you don’t care about Imperial Father in your heart at all?”

This was an incredibly heavy accusation. Qin Ge was clearly trying to push Qin Ye into a fatal corner.

Just as the atmosphere turned tense, a warm, gentle male voice slowly rang out.

The Crown Prince sat upright on a dark red steed, his moon-white embroidered robe making his frame look as flawless as jade, his aura humble and gentle.

“Second Brother, do not be too harsh. Fourth Brother shoulders heavy duties in the imperial court and is always busy. Arriving a day late is entirely within reason.”

Qin Ye slowly raised his eyes and nodded, his expression indifferent though his tone was perfectly proper.

“Thank you for your clear judgment, Crown Prince.”

Then, he turned toward the Emperor, explaining calmly.

“Yesterday, a sudden flood broke out in Jiangnan. Imperial Father personally entrusted this son to supervise the emergency matters, which delayed my time. That is why I only arrived today. I hope Imperial Father will not blame me.”

Hearing this, the Emperor nodded slightly.

“We know you have always been diligent. Being busy with official business is an acceptable reason. It is fine.”

With that, the Emperor raised his hand and carelessly tossed a young deer he had personally hunted right at Qin Ye’s feet. The deer’s body was still warm with fresh blood.

“Take a look. What do you think of the prey We hunted today?”

Qin Ye immediately took the opportunity to step forward, speaking with deep sincerity.

“Imperial Father’s dragon body is in excellent health, and your skills with the bow and horse are still matchless in this world. Such a swift prey is difficult for even ordinary soldiers to hunt, yet Imperial Father secures it with a casual raise of your hand. It is clear your physique is robust and your divine might is as great as the old days. This is truly the fortune of our Great Yin Empire.”

The Emperor was thoroughly pleased by the flattery. He laughed and waved his hand.

“Age catches up to everyone. We are old after all, and cannot compare to you young and vigorous ones.”

While the ruler and minister, father and son, were chatting casually, Shen Bichuan, who was following within the ranks of the servants, had his gaze completely captured by the man on the dark red horse.

So he is the current Crown Prince.

Shen Bichuan’s heart trembled, a wave of unspeakable absurdity and bitterness washing over him.

Spies like them had been repeatedly trained since childhood that the only person they must owe loyalty to in this life was the current Crown Prince. Their lifelong purpose was to assist the heir to the throne and serve him like a dog or horse.

Yet they had never once laid eyes on the very person they were meant to die for.

He stared blankly in the Crown Prince’s direction, his gaze frozen and his mind wandering, completely forgetting the dangerous environment he was currently in.

Perhaps because Shen Bichuan’s gaze was too intense, the Crown Prince on horseback seemed to notice something. His gaze drifted casually over the servant ranks below, locking precisely onto Shen Bichuan, whose features stood out despite the simple junior eunuch uniform.

The Crown Prince’s eyes changed so subtly it was barely noticeable, before returning to normal in an instant.

Just then, the Emperor spoke in a loud voice.

“The hour is late. Let us return to the camp to rest and reorganize first.”

Everyone took the order, turning their horses around one after another and heading toward the hunting camp in a grand, sweeping procession.

Upon returning to the camp, Qin Ye did not say a single word. He walked straight into his main tent, speaking to the accompanying Shen Bichuan.

“You, come inside.”

Shen Bichuan’s heart tightened, and he walked in with slow steps.

Thud.

The tent curtain fell. Before Shen Bichuan could even stand firmly, he was violently slammed against the tent wall by Qin Ye, the fabric rubbing against the rough texture of the wall with a sharp rustle.

Shen Bichuan’s beautiful eyes widened into round circles, his face filled with utter confusion and shock, completely unaware of how he had provoked the man again.

“Your Highness…”

Qin Ye lowered his eyes, staring down at him coldly.

“Just now at the hunting grounds, you were watching very intently, weren’t you?”

Shen Bichuan’s heart skipped a beat, understanding the situation in an instant.

Qin Ye stared at his paling face, every word dripping with mockery and rage.

“What? Seeing the master you swear loyalty to… did it move your heart?”

Shen Bichuan’s breath caught, and he quickly shook his head to defend himself.

“I didn’t.”

“You didn’t?” Qin Ye let out a low laugh, leaning down to press close to him. Their breaths tangled together, a suffocating pressure blanketing the space. “Looking at the master you’ve served since childhood, you didn’t feel a single bit of excitement? Shen Bichuan, do you dare say that to me?”

Driven into a panic by his pressuring, Shen Bichuan did not dare to meet his eyes at all, choosing instead to submit in a small voice.

“This servant did not. This servant has nothing to say.”

“Then you better remember this clearly for this Prince.”

Qin Ye’s voice suddenly turned heavy, dark, and menacing.

“From this day forth, pull back those thoughts you shouldn’t have. You are this Prince’s person. In this lifetime, you can only submit beneath this Prince’s body.”

He stared at Shen Bichuan’s submissive, lowered head, his tone becoming increasingly mocking.

“The master you swear lifelong loyalty to doesn’t even know who you are from beginning to end. He cannot save you, nor can he protect you. That ridiculous loyalty of yours is worth absolutely nothing in his eyes.”

Shen Bichuan’s hands, hanging down at his sides, clenched into tight fists, his knuckles turning white.

He didn’t say a word, but a wave of profound bitterness flooded his heart.

Others did not understand, and Qin Ye would understand least of all.

To this batch of spies trained since childhood, the Crown Prince was never just a simple master; he was an instruction carved into their bones and blood, a lifelong faith.

All of this had long been deeply rooted, having nothing to do with romance, nothing to do with right or wrong, and nothing to do with gains or losses.

But he did not dare to say it, nor could he.

Suddenly, Qin Ye gripped his shoulders, forcing him to kneel down right in front of him.

Shen Bichuan’s breath hitched, and his throat swallowed with a bitter ache.

“This Prince has no patience to wait,” Qin Ye’s voice drifted down from above.

With trembling hands, Shen Bichuan reached out and untied the sash around Qin Ye’s waist.

Qin Ye let out a cold laugh, forcefully and brutally slamming Shen Bichuan’s head close to himself. Shen Bichuan let out several painful whimpers, followed immediately by loud gasps of dry retching and coughing.

Qin Ye loved to torment people, always finding ways to vary his cruelty regardless of the location.

Shen Bichuan did not dare to delay, putting every ounce of effort into pleasing the man. By the time it was over, his hands and mouth had already gone completely numb, tears and saliva smearing his face. Fortunately, Qin Ye did not continue to torment him further, straightening his robes and leaving the tent.