Disguised as a Man: A Guide to Taming the Tyrant - Chapter 3

Upon receiving the invitation to the hunting banquet, Su Yi knew she couldn’t afford to sit idly by. She decided to start by familiarizing herself with the rules of the hunt and the attendees, preparing for this unknown trial.

Su Yi summoned the steward and inquired in detail about the hunting banquet. The steward replied respectfully, “Young Master, the hunting banquet is a grand event hosted by His Majesty every year, attended by all the nobility and high-ranking officials. During the banquet, everyone hunts in the royal hunting grounds.

The quantity and variety of game reflect each young master’s skill. Moreover, after the hunt, His Majesty rewards or commends the participants based on their performance. However…” The steward hesitated.

Su Yi’s interest piqued, and she pressed, “However what? Speak freely, Steward.”

The steward hesitated for a moment before lowering his voice. “Young Master, in previous years, some have used the hunting banquet as an opportunity for covert struggles and faction-building. You must be extra cautious when you attend.”

Su Yi nodded, deep in thought. It seemed the hunting banquet wasn’t merely a simple recreational event but a stage for power struggles among various factions. She asked the steward for more information about the nobility, hoping to identify potential threats.
Meanwhile, System 2023 spoke in Su Yi’s mind, “Host, I’ve detected that unexpected incidents may occur during the hunting banquet. The specifics are unclear, but you must remain vigilant at all times.”

Su Yi tensed inwardly but maintained a calm exterior. She began strategizing for the hunt, she needed to demonstrate enough skill to avoid being underestimated by Xuan Yuan Lie, yet not so much that she drew envy or hostility from others.

Soon, the day of the hunting banquet arrived. Su Yi, dressed in a sleek riding outfit, arrived at the royal hunting grounds with an air of confidence. The nobles had already gathered, their laughter and chatter laced with an undercurrent of tension.

Su Yi immediately spotted Xuan Yuan Lie standing atop a high platform. Today, he wore a black hunting outfit that accentuated his tall, imposing figure. His devilishly handsome face, bathed in sunlight, exuded an irresistible allure. His gaze swept over the crowd before settling on Su Yi for a brief moment.

Su Yi’s heart tightened, and she quickly stepped forward to bow. “Your servant, Su Yi, greets Your Majesty.”

Xuan Yuan Lie gave a slight nod. “Su Yi, perform well today. Do not disappoint Us.”

Su Yi replied, “Your servant will spare no effort to meet Your Majesty’s expectations.”

Once the hunt began, the nobles spurred their horses and charged into the hunting grounds. Instead of rushing after prey, Su Yi first observed her surroundings. She noticed several young masters subtly moving closer to her, and her guard went up.

Activating her mind-reading ability, she overheard one of them thinking, “Su Yi has been stealing the spotlight in front of His Majesty lately. Today, we’ll make sure he’s humiliated.”

Su Yi smirked inwardly. It seemed these men had ill intentions. She calmly guided her horse in another direction, trying to shake them off. Yet, the young masters persisted, trailing closely behind her.

At that moment, a massive wild boar suddenly appeared ahead, charging furiously toward Su Yi. Her heart skipped a beat, though she had some horseback riding skills, the sudden danger still sent a wave of tension through her.

The young noblemen nearby watched with smug expressions. One of them called out mockingly, “Careful there, Young Master Su! Wouldn’t want that boar to hurt you.”

Su Yi knew panic was not an option. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. Just as the boar was about to collide with her, she seized the moment, yanking the reins sharply. Her horse leaped high, narrowly dodging the charge.

But the boar, now enraged, turned and lunged at her again. At the same time, Su Yi noticed movement in the surrounding woods as if someone was watching from the shadows.