Rabbit

By the time Crown Prince Qi Ling reached the hunting grounds, the sun was already halfway up the sky. He had come not on horseback but in a carriage from the Eastern Palace. Xie Chen rode alongside him and only dismounted at the entrance to lift the carriage curtain for the Crown Prince. Qi Ling wore moon-white informal robes that day, with a black leather belt around his waist and not a single unnecessary ornament on his person. Standing beside the carriage, he first looked toward the group of boys on horseback at the far edge of the enclosure, then withdrew his gaze and headed toward the tents.

Marquis Jinghai, Xie Ting, came down from the lookout tower and strode forward, cupping his hands in greeting. "Your Highness."

Qi Ling nodded. "No need for ceremony, Marquis Jinghai. I haven't come in my capacity as Crown Prince today." He paused and looked toward the black Qilin Banner with its red border at the entrance. "A Yu has been talking about hunting for days. Father was worried and sent me to have a look." Xie Ting straightened and gestured him forward. "Tea is ready in the tent. This way, Your Highness."

Qi Ling did not move. His gaze passed over Xie Ting's shoulder and settled on the bay horse in the distance. Qi Yu sat astride it, holding the reins with one hand and waving toward them with the other. He was too far away for his expression to be clear, but he waved so vigorously that he nearly rocked himself off the horse. Xie Ning reached out beside him to steady him.

"Tea can wait," Qi Ling said. "I'll go see him first." Xie Ting followed his gaze, said nothing more, and stepped aside.

At the edge of the enclosure, a dozen or so boys sat in a row on horseback, with Qi Yu and Xie Ning naturally at the head. The cloud patterns on Qi Yu's slate-blue riding clothes shimmered faintly in the sunlight, and the white jade clasp at his waist swayed gently in the breeze. His horse, Zaofeng, was not especially large, but with a glossy coat and four snow-white hooves, he stood out all the more among the tall horses.

Xie Ning rode on his left, his navy riding clothes setting off his slender figure. He held his back very straight in the saddle, the reins resting loosely across his palm, and his white horse moved as steadily as if gliding over water. In his youth, Xie Ting had been known in the capital as the "jade gentleman on horseback." Everyone in Capital City who had seen Marquis Jinghai ride said the second young master of the Xie family already possessed seven-tenths of his father's skill.

On the right was Wang Yuan, riding that large chestnut horse. He had changed into royal-blue riding clothes that day, with gold-thread trim at the cuffs, and an engraved longbow hung from his saddle. One look showed it was no ordinary hunting bow: intricate cloud-and-thunder patterns were carved into its limbs, and its string was twisted from fine ox sinew. His riding posture was very proper, and his legs gripped the horse's belly with just the right pressure. Some of the younger young gentlemen beside him were another matter. One plump boy on a gray horse pitched forward whenever his mount jolted, clutching his reins so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Farther back, two young gentlemen of perhaps twelve or thirteen brought up the rear on short-legged ponies, constantly craning their necks to look ahead.

Qi Yu glanced back at the plump boy. "Fatty Liu, can you manage or not? If you can't, wait here. We'll bring you back a rabbit." The plump boy surnamed Liu flushed bright red. "Your Highness, I can! This horse won't do as I say."

Xie Ning also turned to look at the gray horse the boy was riding. It kept its head down, steadily cropping the grass, ignoring him no matter how he pulled the reins. "You're pulling the reins too tight," Xie Ning said. "It's uncomfortable. Loosen them a little and grip with your legs."

The boy tried loosening the reins, and the gray horse did indeed raise its head. Delighted, he was just about to speak when the horse lowered its head and went back to grazing. Several boys burst out laughing. Even Wang Heng could not help his lips curving.

Qi Yu laughed the loudest, his laughter carrying across the entire enclosure. Once he finished, he fished a piece of malt sugar out of the bag beside his saddle and tossed it toward the plump boy. "Catch. If it eats sugar, it won't eat grass."

The boy caught it in a flurry, nearly tumbling off his horse. Another round of laughter followed.

Qi Ling stood outside the fence at the edge of the enclosure, watching from a distance. Xie Chen stood half a step behind him and followed the Crown Prince's gaze.

"The Fourth Prince's riding has improved considerably since last year," Xie Chen said.

Qi Ling did not answer. He watched Qi Yu rocking back and forth with laughter in the saddle, watched Xie Ning holding out a hand beside him to guard against a fall, watched the boys clustered around Qi Yu, chattering away. Only after a long while did he speak.

"As long as he's happy."

Xie Chen glanced at the Crown Prince. There was little expression on his face, and his tone was mild. Just then, Qi Yu spotted him too. The boy swung nimbly down from his horse and jogged over. The hem of his slate-blue clothes snapped in the wind, and the white jade clasp at his waist tapped against his side with every step. By the time he reached Qi Ling, a thin sheen of sweat had appeared on his forehead.

"Brother, why are you standing here? Aren't you coming over to join us?"

"I'm fine watching." Qi Ling raised a hand and wiped the sweat from Qi Yu's temple with his thumb. "If you don't bag a few things today, how will you account for yourself to Father?"

"Father doesn't care whether I catch anything." Qi Yu grinned. "He just wants me back before the hour of the Monkey. Brother, why don't you ride around too? Xie Ning brought several horses. One of them is especially gentle. I'll lead it over for you."

"No need."

"It really is easy to ride. Even more obedient than the horses in the palace."

"I said no need." Qi Ling's tone had not changed, but Qi Yu understood. When his brother said it a second time, he really meant it. He said, "Oh," and did not press, turning to run back. After three steps, he looked back again.

"Brother, wait here for me. I'll get you a pheasant, and we'll roast it for lunch." Qi Ling nodded.

Qi Yu ran back to his horse and swung up even faster than before, his hem tracing an arc through the air. He caught the reins and called to Xie Ning, "Xie Ning, let's go. I told my brother I'd get him a pheasant."

Xie Ning cupped his hands toward Qi Ling from afar, then urged his horse after him. The boys swept toward the woods in a rush, the clatter of hooves briefly chaotic before fading into the distance.

Qi Ling stood beside the fence, watching that slate-blue figure grow smaller among the boys until it finally disappeared into the woods. The wind blew past, sending waves rolling through the grass of the enclosure.

"Your Highness, the marquis is still waiting in the tent," Xie Chen said quietly. Qi Ling withdrew his gaze. "Let's go."

Marquis Jinghai's tent stood on a stretch of level ground east of the hunting grounds, not far from the enclosure. It was not large, but it had been pitched with care, with double stakes at all four corners and the oxhide roof stretched smooth and taut. Two guards stood at the entrance. When they saw Xie Ting leading the Crown Prince over, they cupped their hands in unison and lifted the flap.

The furnishings inside were simple. A low table stood in the center, bearing a set of celadon tea ware. Beside it was a small charcoal stove, with a copper kettle bubbling and steaming on top. Farther inside stood a camp bed, its bedding folded into neat squares. A bow and arrows stood in one corner, the lacquer on the bow's limbs worn shiny: clearly, it saw frequent use.

Qi Ling sat down beside the low table. Xie Ting lifted the copper kettle and brewed the tea himself. The tea in the celadon cups was pale gold, its fragrance delicate. Xie Chen did not sit, remaining behind the Crown Prince.

"Your visit today was rather unexpected, Your Highness." Xie Ting pushed a cup toward Qi Ling. "Have you finished your business at the Eastern Palace?"

"There was nothing pressing today." Qi Ling lifted the cup, smelled the tea, then took a sip. "This is good tea."

"It's newly arrived Cloud Mist Tea from the south. His Majesty bestowed it on me the other day. He said there were only two jin in all, and he gave half a jin to the Jinghai Marquis Residence."

Qi Ling set down his cup and glanced at Xie Ting. Of course he knew why his father had given Xie Ting tea. Xie Ting had served under his father in the army; they had been on the battlefield together. Of all the civil and military officials at court, few were granted a seat in Xuanzheng Hall. Xie Ting was one of them.

"I'm sorry for the trouble A Yu has caused you today, Marquis."

Xie Ting's hand paused around his cup. "Your Highness, you needn't say that. For the Fourth Prince's visit to the hunting grounds, His Majesty sent imperial troops and guards, and specifically ordered me to watch over him as well. I merely brought a few extra men. It's no trouble."

"He's lively and rather hard to keep an eye on," Qi Ling said.

Xie Ting smiled. As his brows and eyes relaxed, he looked several years younger. "The Fourth Prince's riding has improved considerably since I last saw him. He mounted very neatly just now."

"Father still talks about the incident with the startled horse."

"I heard about it. That's why I had Ning choose an especially gentle bay for him this time. Three years old, accustomed to the world, and not easily startled. I watched from the lookout tower just now. The horse moved very steadily."

Qi Ling nodded and lifted his cup for another sip. The tea swirled over his tongue, leaving a trace of sweetness in his throat after he swallowed. From far outside the tent came a burst of hoofbeats and boys' shouts. The hunt had probably begun.

Xie Ting set down his cup and glanced outside. "Won't you hunt a few yourself, Your Highness? I have bows ready here."

"No need," Qi Ling said. "I only came to have a look today."

It was already the third time he had said that today. Xie Ting glanced at him and asked no more. He lifted the copper kettle to refill Qi Ling's tea, then poured himself another cup.

"How has Xie Chen been doing on duty at the Eastern Palace lately?" Xie Ting changed the subject. Qi Ling turned to glance at Xie Chen behind him. "Very well. He's dependable, doesn't talk much, and hasn't neglected a single assignment."

Eyes lowered, Xie Chen bowed slightly to the Crown Prince. Looking at his eldest son, Xie Ting said nothing, but the hand holding his tea grew a little steadier. He had only two legitimate sons. Xie Chen had entered official service, while Xie Ning was still young. One pursued civil affairs and the other martial skills. He never said he was satisfied, but there had been an old bow hanging in his study at home: Xie Chen had been unable to draw it at ten, while Xie Ning could draw it fully at twelve. He had given the bow to Xie Ning. Xie Chen had not been displeased. He had never liked riding and archery; he loved reading.

In the enclosure's woods, sunlight sifted through gaps in the canopy, spreading a layer of shattered gold across the ground. The air was cooler than outside and carried the scents of pine resin and earth. Occasionally, a bird flew overhead with a flutter of wings.

Qi Yu sat on Zaofeng with his bow already drawn. Squinting one eye, he aimed at a gray wild rabbit in the bushes. Xie Ning reined in beside him, holding his breath and not daring to make a sound.

The bowstring twanged. The arrow went wide and struck the tree trunk beside the bushes, startling the rabbit into leaping up and fleeing. Qi Yu swore and urged his horse after it. Zaofeng raced through the woods. Xie Ning shouted, "Slow down!" from behind and hurried after him.

Wang Yuan and several others cut it off from the other side. Chased by several horses, the gray rabbit darted left and right through the woods before finally diving beneath a clump of low shrubs, leaving only its furry rump exposed. Qi Yu swung down, thrust his bow into Xie Ning's hands, and crept over.

Everyone fell silent. The woods suddenly grew quiet, with only the rustling of wind through leaves and an occasional snort from a horse.

Bent low, Qi Yu approached the bushes one step at a time. His boots made faint noises on the fallen leaves. The rabbit twitched its ears but did not run. Qi Yu held his breath and lunged forward.

He landed flat on the bushes, both hands pinning down a soft, furry bundle. The rabbit kicked frantically beneath his hands. In a flurry, he scooped it up and held it against his chest. When he stood, several dead leaves clung to his hair.

"Got it!"

It was a half-grown gray rabbit, with long, upright ears and a twitching split lip. Held in Qi Yu's arms, it surprisingly did not struggle hard, merely looking at him with round black eyes.

Qi Yu looked down at it. "It's far too small. Not enough to roast."

Xie Ning dismounted and came over, reaching out to stroke the rabbit's ears. "It's a little female. Probably still nursing."

Qi Yu looked down again at the dusty-gray bundle in his arms, thought for a moment, then tucked it closer to his chest. "Then I'll take her back and raise her. We have carrots in our palace."

Xie Ning glanced at him, the corners of his mouth lifting. "All right."

Wang Yuan rode over, looked at the rabbit in Qi Yu's arms, and said with a smile, "So Your Highness wants his prey alive." Qi Yu paid no attention to the undertone of his words. He had already turned toward his horse. Carefully, he tucked the rabbit into the bag beside his saddle, leaving only its furry head exposed. The rabbit wriggled outward, and he tucked it back in.

"A Ping," Qi Yu called toward the edge of the woods. A Ping had been following far behind on horseback. Hearing the call, he hurried over at a jog. "Take this back to the tent first and find her some water. Don't let her run away. And don't let anyone touch her. And don't let dogs near her. And don't-"

"Your Highness, this servant knows how to care for rabbits." A Ping took the bag, looked at the gray rabbit inside, then at the dead leaves on his prince's head, and reached out to remove two.

Qi Yu mounted again. He pushed up his sleeves, exposing a stretch of wrist reddened slightly by the sun. "Let's keep going. I still have to get my brother a pheasant. I said I would."

This time, he was serious. He rode Zaofeng slowly through the woods, no longer laughing and fooling around with the plump boy and the others, his eyes fixed on any movement in the bushes and grass. Xie Ning rode beside him without speaking either, occasionally pointing out a direction. They worked together in perfect accord. When Xie Ning pointed left, Qi Yu looked left; when Qi Yu spotted something, he nudged Xie Ning's arm with his elbow.

A pheasant's cry came from deep in the woods. Qi Yu reined in and listened intently for a while, then signaled to Xie Ning. They dismounted together, handed their reins to the servants behind them, and crept toward the sound, bent low.

It was a long-tailed golden pheasant, scratching at the earth beneath an old pine. Its feathers were golden red, and its long tail trailed over the ground. Qi Yu nocked an arrow and drew his bow, taking far more careful aim this time. His breathing gradually steadied, and the knuckles of the fingers gripping the bowstring turned faintly white.

As the arrow flew, Xie Ning said softly beside him, "A hit."

The arrow struck the pheasant at the base of its wing. It flapped twice and fell to the ground. Qi Yu ran over to pick it up, holding it by the feet to examine it. It was a good size, its feathers flashing gold in the sunlight.

"This one's fat enough." Xie Ning came over to look. "This bird's legs will be best roasted."

Qi Yu handed the pheasant to a guard who had caught up behind them, then mounted again. From the saddle, he checked the sun. It was nearly noon. The woods were growing hot, and the sunlight felt a little scorching on his neck. He wiped the sweat from his face and called behind him, "That's about enough. Let's go back and roast the bird."

The boys swept out of the woods in a rush, hoofbeats mingling with laughter and chatter. Qi Yu rode in front, a pheasant hanging beside his saddle and a live rabbit tucked into the bag. Xie Ning rode beside him, his white horse walking abreast of Zaofeng. The midday sun shrank the boys' shadows into two small dark patches that bounced beside the horses' hooves.

When they returned to the enclosure, a roasting rack had already been set up beside the tent. Two guards crouched on the ground tending the fire, the charcoal crackling. Qi Yu dismounted, carried the pheasant over, and handed it to a guard to prepare. Then he took the gray rabbit out of the bag and checked on it. It was still curled into a ball, its nose twitching as it sniffed his fingers.

A Ping brought over a bowl of water. Qi Yu took it, crouched beside the tent, and set the bowl in front of the rabbit. At first, it did not move. Only after a long while did it lower its head and take two sips. Watching it drink, Qi Yu reached out and stroked its ears.

The fire beneath the roasting rack was blazing now. The guards cleaned the pheasant, rubbed it with salt, and turned it over the flames. Fat sizzled from its skin, dripping onto the charcoal and sending up little bursts of sparks. The scent of roasting meat drifted on the wind. Several boys gathered around, all craning their necks to peer at the rack. Fatty Liu swallowed so loudly that everyone heard. Another round of laughter followed.

Once the bird was done, a guard took it off the rack, set it on a platter, and carried it into the tent. Qi Yu followed, drew a small knife from his sleeve, made a tentative motion with it, then began dividing the bird. First, he cut off one leg and placed it on a small plate beside him.

"This one's for my brother."

Then he cut off the other leg and put it in his own bowl. He left the rest for Xie Ning and the other boys to share. Fatty Liu received a wing and did not complain about the small portion, gnawing at it until his mouth shone with grease. Wang Yuan sat in a corner, slowly chewing a piece of breast meat, his eyes flicking toward the tent entrance now and then.

Qi Yu picked up the plate, stood, and went outside. Lifting the tent flap, he headed toward Marquis Jinghai's tent. After a few steps, he turned and called to A Ping, "A Ping, keep an eye on the rabbit. Don't let her run away."

A Ping answered from the tent entrance.

Inside Marquis Jinghai's tent, the tea had already been refilled twice. Sitting beside the low table, Qi Ling had just lifted his cup when he heard footsteps outside, along with Qi Yu's voice.

"Brother. Are you in there?"

Qi Ling set down his cup. "Come in."

The flap lifted, and Qi Yu entered carrying the plate. His hair was considerably messier than that morning, a small smudge of ash marked the silver-gray squirrel fur on his sleeve, and sweat still clung to his forehead. He walked up to Qi Ling and set the plate on the low table.

"I saved you a leg. It's freshly roasted. Still hot."

The leg on the plate was roasted golden brown, its skin still sizzling with beads of fat. Qi Ling looked at it, then at Qi Yu.

"Have you eaten?"

"Yes. I saved this one especially for you." As Qi Yu spoke, he turned and smiled at Xie Ting. "Uncle Marquis Xie, there's more outside. Would you like some?"

Xie Ting smiled and shook his head. "None for me. Please enjoy it, Your Highness." Qi Yu turned to Xie Chen. "Brother Xie, you should go eat too. There's still half a bird outside."

Xie Chen glanced at Qi Ling, who gave a slight nod. Only then did Xie Chen cup his hands, rise, and leave.

Only Qi Ling and Qi Yu remained in the tent. Qi Yu sat down beside Qi Ling, picked up the leg, and handed it to him. "Try it. I shot it myself. Got it with one arrow."

Qi Ling took it, tore off a small piece, and put it in his mouth. The skin was crisp, the meat still tender, and the salt just right. After chewing, he nodded. "Not bad."

Qi Yu smiled until his eyes curved. "Of course. Xie Ning said this was the fattest pheasant in the hunting grounds this year."

"What's this about your rabbit?" Qi Ling tore off another piece of meat and asked unhurriedly. "I caught her in the bushes at the edge of the woods. She's too small, not enough to eat, so I'm planning to take her back to the palace and raise her," Qi Yu said. "We have carrots in our palace."

Qi Ling glanced at him. "Will Father let you keep her?"

"I'll tell Father. He'll definitely let me."

Qi Ling said nothing and continued eating the leg. Qi Yu sat beside him, watching his brother finish it bite by bite, even picking every shred of meat clean from the bone. Qi Ling ate much like their father: quietly, carefully, without waste. Ever since he was little, Qi Yu had thought his brother looked good when he ate. Whenever he himself ate, A Ping was always beside him saying, "Slow down, Your Highness," as though he ate like he was fighting a battle.

Qi Ling placed the bone on the plate, took a handkerchief from his sleeve, and wiped his fingers. "Was hunting fun?"

"Yes. Come along next time."

"I'm fine just watching today."

Qi Yu glanced at him. He remembered looking back in the woods earlier and seeing his brother standing outside the fence, alone in the wind. At the time, he had been busy chasing the rabbit and had not thought much of it. Now, sitting in this tent, he suddenly felt his brother had looked a little lonely like that.

"Brother," Qi Yu said.

"Mm?"

"You really have to come next time. I'll let you ride Zaofeng. He's especially obedient. I'll pick a lighter bow for you. I haven't even used my new one yet."

Qi Ling folded the handkerchief and put it back in his sleeve. "All right."

Qi Yu smiled. He stood and brushed the dust from the seat of his clothes. "Then I'm going out. Xie Ning's still waiting for me." At the tent flap, he looked back again. "Brother, when are you going back to the palace? Let's go together."

"When you've finished hunting."

"Then you'll have to wait a little longer. I want to go into the woods again. This time, I'll get you a big one."

Qi Ling nodded. Qi Yu lifted the flap and ran out. The sunlight outside was just right, stretching the boy's shadow long across the grass as he ran, calling Xie Ning's name all the way. His voice was loud enough to carry across the entire enclosure.

Xie Ting sat beside the low table and took a sip of his now-cold tea. He looked at the entrance flap, still swaying gently after it had fallen back into place, then at the calm-faced Crown Prince sitting opposite him. Lifting the copper kettle, he refilled the Crown Prince's cup for the fourth time.