On the final night of the spring hunt, a bonfire banquet was held.
Various officials brought their family members to join the feast.
It was not until the sky began to darken that the Emperor and Empress arrived fashionably late.
The crowd kneeled, greeting them in unison with respectful voices.
Emperor He, with a smiling demeanour yet not lacking in majesty, glanced around the circle. After taking his seat, everyone rose and returned to theirs.
Eunuch Ying, acting under orders, went to tally the game. Before departing, his gaze inadvertently met that of Ji Zhui, who was donned in a four-clawed python robe.
Then quickly looked away.
When the tally showed Ji Wang was even more successful than Ji Zhui, Eunuch Ying's hand paused on the ledger. Suddenly, in a high-pitched voice that seemed casual, he spoke out, "Where has the wild wolf hunted by His Highness the Crown Prince last night gone?"
