From cute to empress

Chapter 311 The Secret of the Celebration Banquet

"Follow me!" I grabbed my bow and arrow and ran without hesitation in the direction of the tiger's roar. Zhen Youcai, who was behind me, wanted to follow, but I shouted at him, "Protect the camp!" Knowing that I had made up my mind, he didn't insist and just watched me leave with a worried look in his eyes.

Hunter Bingsan led the way, pushing aside dense brush and winding his way deeper into the forest. The further we went, the clearer the tiger's roar became, causing a dull pain in my eardrums. My palms were sweating, not from fear, but from excitement. Hunting a white tiger—this is a once-in-a-century opportunity!

"Your Majesty, be careful!" Hunter Bingsan lowered his voice and pointed to an open space not far ahead. "The white tiger is right there!"

I held my breath and slowly parted the branches in front of me. I saw a massive white tiger crouching in the middle of the clearing. Its fur was as white as snow, with only a black "king" pattern on its forehead standing out. It was lowering its head, gnawing on a dead wild deer.

I observed my surroundings and discovered that this clearing was surrounded by dense forest, with only a narrow passage leading in and out. This was extremely advantageous for me. I signaled Hunter Bingsan to hide behind a stout tree. Then I took my bow from my back, loaded it with a specially crafted feathered arrow, and aimed it at the white tiger's vitals.

With a whoosh, the arrow flew off the bowstring, piercing the air with a sound as it accurately struck the white tiger's hind leg. The white tiger, in pain, let out a deafening roar, then abruptly stood up and looked around, searching for its attacker.

I was prepared. The moment the white tiger stood up, I had already moved behind another tree, drawn my bow again, and aimed at another vital part of the tiger. Three arrows in a row, each one hitting the target with pinpoint accuracy.

The white tiger roared repeatedly, but could not find a target to attack. It ran back and forth frantically in the open space, not knowing that it had fallen into a carefully laid trap.

I took a deep breath, nocked another arrow, and aimed at the tiger's forehead. I knew this was the final blow, the one that would decide the outcome...

"Stop! Don't hurt it!" Suddenly, a panicked voice came from not far away. Startled, I turned around and saw a man in fancy clothes stumbling out of the woods, followed by a huge black bear, its maw gaping and closing in.

Oh no! It's Marquis B! I recognized that man in the finery; he's a member of today's hunting party, a distinguished figure. I can't just stand by and watch him die!

Without giving it any time to think, I decisively gave up the chance to shoot the white tiger, turned around, put on my arrow, and aimed at the black bear...

"Roar--" The black bear roared and pounced towards Marquis B.

"Swoosh!" My arrows shot out almost simultaneously, accurately hitting the black bear's forehead. The black bear's huge body shook and fell to the ground with a thud.

I quickly ran to Hou Ye Yi and found that his leg was scratched by the black bear and was bleeding.

"Thank... thank you, Your Majesty, for saving my life..." Marquis B said weakly, his eyes full of gratitude and awe.

I shook my head, signaling him not to say anything more. At this moment, there was a commotion in the surrounding woods, and I knew that my prey had arrived.

A huge white figure slowly walked out of the woods. It growled, lowered its noble head, and prostrated itself at my feet, as if submitting to its king.

I reached out and gently stroked the white tiger's soft fur, my heart filled with joy and pride. I had succeeded! I had captured the legendary white tiger!

"Your Majesty is mighty!"

"Long live your Majesty!"

There were deafening cheers all around, but I had no time to pay attention to them. My eyes passed over the crowd and fell on the familiar figure in the distance, and the corners of my mouth couldn't help but rise slightly.

He should have seen this scene...

I mounted the white tiger, feeling its power and majesty, and a surge of ambition surged within me. This white tiger would become the symbol of my rule, the light of my glory!

"Return to camp!" I shouted, leading the group back to the camp in a mighty procession. Along the way, the people cheered and bowed down to me, as if I were a goddess sent down from heaven. I reveled in their awe and worship; it was exactly what I deserved. I would lead them to an even more glorious future!

The cold wind at the border fluttered the battle flags. Zhen Youcai, clad in silver armor, stood atop a high observation tower, gazing into the distance. In his hand, he held a secret letter from the capital. It detailed my heroic exploits on the hunting grounds and the white mythical beast I had conquered.

"Mengmeng, you're really getting better and better..." Zhen Youcai murmured to himself, a gentle smile on his lips. He seemed to see the girl who once acted like a spoiled child in his arms, now grown into a heroic empress, her light illuminating the entire earth.

"General, news has come from the capital that His Majesty will return to the palace soon and will hold a grand celebration banquet in the palace to celebrate the complete success of this hunt." A soldier quickly walked up to the observation deck and reported to Zhen Youcai.

"Celebration banquet?" A hint of joy flashed in Zhen Youcai's eyes. He wished he could grow wings and fly to Niu Mengmeng immediately to share this honor with her.

"Pass the order down. The army will set off immediately and return to the capital!" Zhen Youcai gave the order decisively, his voice filled with anticipation and excitement. He wanted to give Niu Mengmeng a surprise. He wanted to witness her rise to the pinnacle of power with his own eyes!

Deep inside the imperial palace, in a dark palace, Prince A and Marquis B were plotting something.

"This Niu Mengmeng is getting more and more arrogant! She even dares to ride a white tiger through the city. Is she going to declare her ambition to the world?" Prince A said gritting his teeth, his eyes full of jealousy and resentment.

"Yes, she is challenging the authority of the royal family! We must not sit idly by!" Marquis B echoed. There was still a scar on his leg from being scratched by a black bear. This scar always reminded him of Niu Mengmeng's "life-saving grace" and made him hate Niu Mengmeng even more.

"I have already made arrangements. On the day of the celebration banquet..." Prince A smiled sinisterly, lowered his voice, and whispered a few words in Marquis B's ear.

"Okay! Let's do as you say!" After hearing Prince A's plan, Marquis B showed a sinister smile on his face.

A conspiracy against Niu Mengmeng was quietly brewing... Inside the magnificent palace, clinking glasses and laughter filled the air. I sat upright on a high phoenix chair, receiving the homage of civil and military officials. The dazzling lights illuminated my golden phoenix robe, each gemstone gleaming with a dazzling brilliance.

"I declare that the white tiger obtained in this hunting is an auspicious sign bestowed by God on our dynasty, a symbol of peace and prosperity! From today on, the white tiger will become the patron saint of our dynasty, and will be worshipped by the people forever!" I held high the golden cup filled with fine wine, my voice clear and majestic, echoing throughout the entire hall.

The audience erupted in thunderous cheers, and everyone raised their glasses, offering their sincerest blessings to me and to this great nation. Looking around at the faces brimming with joy and admiration, I felt a surge of ambition and ambition.

Just then, I spotted a familiar figure in the crowd. He stood tall, his silver armor gleaming in the light, and his deep eyes were filled with admiration and pride for me.

"Talented!" I almost blurted out.

He strode up to me, knelt on one knee, and said in a loud voice: "General Zhen Youcai pays homage to Your Majesty!"

"Get up quickly!" I hurried down the stairs and helped him up with my own hands.

"Mengmeng..." He looked at me lovingly, tears glistening in his eyes, "You did it! You became the most noble woman, you realized your dream!"

I could no longer contain my excitement and hugged him tightly. At this moment, we were no longer king and subject, but just lovers who loved each other.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!" Someone in the crowd took the lead in shouting, and then the entire hall was filled with blessings.

I looked up, seeing the sincere smiles around me, my heart filled with happiness and emotion. I knew I wasn't fighting alone. I had family members who loved me, loyal subjects, and... him.

Just as I was immersed in happiness, a subtle change in his eyes caught my attention. Prince A was hiding behind the crowd, looking at Zhen Youcai and me with resentful eyes, and standing next to him was the Marquis B who I had "saved".

Their plan will never stop here... I calmly withdrew my gaze and secretly became more alert in my heart.

"Your Majesty," I picked up the wine glass and walked towards Prince A, "This glass of wine is for you."

Prince A obviously didn't expect me to take the initiative to toast him. He was stunned for a moment, a trace of panic flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and put on a hypocritical smile on his face: "Your Majesty, thank you for your grace..."