the cat in emperor's arms

shooting a tiger

After the cat darted out, Pei Shenyu returned to handling official matters.

Yet for some reason, he felt a vague unease in his heart.

By the time Shen Hour arrived, Pei Shenyu set down his brush, intending to seek General Sun and others to discuss troop deployment for the coming days. On his way, he saw the camp gates open, and a group of hurried soldiers carrying a stretcher walked in.

Several men were carrying the stretcher together, and on it lay a soldier with a pained expression.

His right leg was heavily bandaged, but a large patch of blood had already soaked through the fabric, showing just how deep the wound was.

Pei Shenyu frowned slightly, a bad premonition rising within him.

"What happened?"

"Your Highness, a wild tiger went berserk in the mountains and attacked people. General Sun sent us to subdue it, but the tiger was extremely agitated, and one of our brothers got bitten. We had no choice but to retreat," explained a soldier who had followed behind.

"And where is the tiger now?"

"It escaped westward. We’re afraid it might reach the town and cause havoc, so we plan to gather more brothers to lay an ambush for it."

Pei Shenyu’s heart tightened as he remembered the cat that had run out earlier. He turned around and asked, "Yuan Hao, have you seen the cat?"

The young attendant following behind Pei Shenyu paled at the mention and responded weakly, "Your Highness, after noon, I haven’t seen it."

"But I heard an officer say that the last sighting of Your Highness's cat was near the western forest. I fear..."

He trailed off, voicing the exact concern in Pei Shenyu’s mind.

"I understand," Pei Shenyu’s brow darkened, his voice cold. "I will go with you to hunt the tiger."

No matter whether for public duty or personal reasons, he couldn't just sit by and do nothing.

"Yuan Hao, bring my crossbow and arrows."

Yuan Hao hesitated for a moment. "Yes!"

"But Your Highness, your noble body must not be harmed..." The leading officer looked hesitant, afraid to make a decision.

"Hurry!" Pei Shenyu’s eyes were sharp as ice, barely restraining his emotions as he pulled out his command token. "This is an order."

Hooves thundered as the group galloped swiftly like the wind.

"Roar!" In the distance, a tiger’s roar echoed, startling countless birds into flight.

"Your Highness, over there!"

But Pei Shenyu’s hearing was sharper. As soon as he heard the tiger’s roar, he urged his horse toward the sound, his heart heavy with an unnameable fear.

Despite his countless battles, this was the first time his palms were sweating while holding the reins.

Pei Shenyu couldn’t bear to imagine the cat lost in the forest… Only one thought remained in his mind—he needed to be faster.

Finally, they arrived near the source of the tiger’s roar. The sight about ten meters away nearly shattered Pei Shenyu’s soul.

The massive tiger was restlessly flicking its tail, glaring menacingly at the trembling white cat. Its fierce expression was unmistakable. The cat lay silently on the ground, its damp eyes filled with terror.

With just one glance, Pei Shenyu recognized it as his cat.

"I’ll go. You stay here and don’t move." He signaled with his hand, dismounted, and raised his bow.