Chapter 181 The Hunt Begins

In that instant, a hint of resentment arose in the Crown Prince's heart towards Emperor Wenyuan. He felt that he had been placed in a delicate position, as if the emperor's actions were questioning his abilities.

However, he knew he couldn't back down now and had to face the challenge head-on.

Fortunately, his mother came from a powerful clan, and his uncle was a great general. This blood connection gave him some peace of mind. He understood that he had to fight not only for himself, but also for the honor of his mother's clan.

The atmosphere in the hunting grounds grew increasingly tense and exciting. Everyone was filled with anticipation and passion, eager to showcase their skills and create their own glory in the hunt.

At the emperor's command, the hunting party charged into the autumn forest like wild horses.

Knights brandished their lances and rode their horses swiftly along the forest paths, deep into the heart of the royal hunting grounds.

In the jungle, the chirping of birds and the whistling of the autumn wind intertwine to create a vivid symphony. Squirrels leap nimbly among the treetops, as if cheering on the hunt.

However, these vivid natural scenes did not diminish the hunters' determination. They kept their eyes fixed on the prey ahead, ready to launch a swift pursuit at any moment.

In this vibrant autumn forest, an exciting hunt is about to begin.

Everyone will do their utmost to fight for honor, for their family, and for their beliefs.

Meng Zhelan inadvertently caught a glimpse of Prince An not far away, who was also looking in her direction.

However, his eyes seemed to reveal his disinterest in the lively scene. Despite being surrounded by people, Prince An appeared somewhat absent-minded. He slowly rode his horse into the woods.

"Lan'er, what do you think of Prince An?" The Empress Dowager saw that Lan'er was looking absentmindedly at the hunting ground and gave her an ambiguous smile.

Meng Zhelan's thoughts were interrupted by the Empress Dowager's sudden question, and she came back to her senses.

"Your Majesty, Prince An is a member of the royal family, of noble birth, and naturally possesses an air of authority." Meng Zhelan carefully chose her words, trying not to reveal too much personal emotion.

The Empress Dowager smiled slightly, seemingly not entirely satisfied with her answer. "Lan'er, you and Prince An are not much different in age, and both are young; you should have more in common. What do you think of him? Is there anything special about him?"

Meng Zhelan's heart stirred. She had never thought about this question before. Her relationship with Prince An had always been that of doctor and patient.

She couldn't help but recall Prince An's deep gaze and his perpetually preoccupied expression. "Your Majesty, Prince An is indeed extraordinary," Meng Zhelan said softly. "Although he holds a high position, he doesn't seem burdened by worldly affairs. His eyes always reveal a depth and contemplation, making one want to explore his inner world."

After listening, the Empress Dowager remained silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: "Lan'er, you are very observant. Prince An is indeed a profound young man; his thoughts are far more complex than they appear. I wonder what kind of princess should Prince An choose for him?"

After she finished speaking, she looked at Meng Zhelan.

This was a potentially disastrous question; the choice of which princess to marry was not something she could interfere with. However, discussing this with the Empress Dowager made her feel more at ease. After a moment's thought, she replied:

"His Highness Prince An should find a woman whose status and values ​​are compatible with his to be his princess."

Meng Zhelan had often heard Xi'er say something like this: When looking for a man, you should not only find someone who shares your values, but also someone whose social status and class are suitable.

"Oh? What does 'shared values' mean? This is the first time I've heard such a thing." The Empress Dowager looked at her with a gossipy expression.

Seeing that everyone else had dispersed and gone about their own business, Meng Zhelan felt much more relaxed.

"Well, the so-called compatible values ​​mean that two people should have roughly the same worldview, outlook on life, and values. This way, they will have common topics, similar living habits, and get along better without too many conflicts or arguments. Similar social class means that the two people should be well-matched in terms of social standing, so that their families won't have any objections."

"That makes sense. So what do you think of Prince An?" The Empress Dowager couldn't resist teasing her.

Meng Zhelan was slightly taken aback, not expecting the Empress Dowager to suddenly ask about Prince An. She wondered to herself, was the Empress Dowager testing her? Or did she genuinely want to know her opinion of Prince An?

She smiled slightly, trying to make her answer both appropriate and truthful. "His Highness Prince An is naturally outstanding; many women in the capital secretly admire him."

She decided to probe further: "So what kind of man do you think is most suitable for you?"

Meng Zhelan pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "I believe the most suitable man for me should be a responsible and dependable person. He should have his own pursuits and ideals, while also respecting and supporting my choices."

In our relationship, we understand and support each other, facing life's challenges and difficulties together. As for social class, I don't think that's the most important thing. As long as two people truly love each other and are willing to work for each other's happiness, then nothing else matters.

Meng Zhelan's answer resonated deeply with the Empress Dowager.

However, Meng Zhelan has no intention of getting married and having children at the moment. Just like Xi'er said, she wants to be a strong woman all her life.

She shared her thoughts with the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager smiled slightly after hearing this and said, "Lan'er, your idea is quite unique. Since you already have this idea, then live according to your own heart."

However, you should also be aware that life's choices aren't always smooth sailing; sometimes, sacrifices and compromises are necessary. But as long as you firmly believe your choice is right, then bravely pursue it.

Upon hearing this, Meng Zhelan felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

She knew that the Empress Dowager genuinely cared about her and hoped that she could live a happy life.

So she bowed deeply and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I will remember your words, live according to my own heart, and bravely pursue my dreams."

The Empress Dowager decided to stop testing Meng Zhelan and instead began to consider how to create more opportunities for Prince An and Meng Zhelan to spend time together.

She believed that over time, Meng Zhelan and Prince An would discover each other's strengths and virtues, and eventually come together.

Prince An is a good boy...

By evening, all the participants in the autumn hunt had returned, and each team had reaped a good harvest.

The Crown Prince, in particular, had hunted a black bear today and was quite impressive. He glanced at the silent Prince Liang beside him, a smug smile playing on his lips.

King Liang sat to one side, his heart filled with turbulent emotions.