Nanny Qian smiled reassuringly, "Your Majesty, rest assured—Princess Leyou is at the training grounds learning to ride. With her maids attending closely and the two young princes present, she won’t suffer from heatstroke."
As Princess Leyou grew older, her spirited nature only flourished, making her as unrestrained as a wild horse galloping freely.
Lately, she had taken a keen interest in horseback riding, often rushing to the training grounds to practice archery, wrestle, or play with wooden swords, thoroughly enjoying herself.
The wife of the Minister of War fanned herself with a silk fan and teased, "Your Majesty need not worry—my son is there too. He’ll surely look after the princess."
...
At the imperial training grounds.
Under the radiant spring sun, the grounds stretched endlessly, surrounded by lush greenery. In the riding arena, Princess Leyou, clad in a pink riding outfit and a special helmet crafted by Shen Wei, gripped the reins with her delicate hands, beaming as she rode a small pony.
"Giddy up!"
She circled the arena cheerfully, her round cheeks flushed from the heat.
By the fence, a sun-tanned boy watched her intently, his dark eyes fixed on her, as if afraid she might fall at any moment.
Once tired, Princess Leyou dismounted with practiced ease.
Her maids hurried over with handkerchiefs and chilled tea to ward off the heat. But the princess waved them off, wiping her own sweat and sipping the tea before settling in the shade of a pavilion.
As she drank, she noticed the boy lingering nearby and beckoned him over. "Liang Huaichuan, come have some tea?"
Liang Huaichuan—the youngest son of the Minister of War—flushed faintly beneath his tanned skin and shuffled forward silently.
He accepted the cup she handed him and drained it in one gulp.
Princess Leyou swung her feet, tilting her head curiously. "The others are at the archery range. Why aren’t you with them?"
Liang Huaichuan scratched his head, too honest to lie. After a quick glance at her, he mumbled, "Didn’t feel like archery. Wanted to watch you ride."
She frowned. "You ride every day but skip archery practice. If this goes on, you’ll fall behind."
Liang Huaichuan answered plainly, "No matter how hard they train, they’ll never outride or outshoot me."
As the Minister of War’s son, he lacked scholarly talent but excelled in martial skills. In a few years, he planned to join the military and become a general defending the nation.
Princess Leyou considered this—the other boys practiced diligently, yet Liang Huaichuan always bested them.
Her face brightened with a radiant smile. "Alright then! Have another cup of tea, and later, we’ll ride together."
Her round cheeks and cheerful grin made her look like a porcelain doll. Liang Huaichuan stammered, "O-okay... good. Very good."
Servants hovered nearby as the two children enjoyed their tea under the pavilion. Soon, the archery session ended, and a boisterous group of boys approached.
Leading them were Princes Li Chengtai and Li Chengyou. Surrounding the royal brothers were sons of high-ranking officials, who visited monthly to accompany the princes in riding, archery, and studies.
Emperor Li Yuanjing was already grooming future aides for his sons.
"Brothers, come have some tea!" Princess Leyou called merrily.
The boys hurried over, bowing respectfully before accepting the chilled tea she offered. Laughter filled the training grounds.
Liang Huaichuan, ever quiet, stood silently beside Princess Leyou. Before long, the group returned to the archery range.
Reinvigorated, Princess Leyou mounted her pony again. Liang Huaichuan, still anxious she might fall, followed closely on his own horse.
When Emperor Li Yuanjing arrived after concluding state affairs, the sight that greeted him was the Minister of War’s dark-skinned brat sticking like glue to his precious daughter.
His expression darkened instantly, irritation simmering in his chest.
...
That night in Yongning Palace, Li Yuanjing and Shen Wei retired to bed.
Once again, the emperor grumbled to Shen Wei about the Minister of War’s son, accusing the boy of harboring ulterior motives—daring to eye his daughter at such a young age!
Shen Wei stifled a laugh.
"That boy Liang Huaichuan is diligent and hardworking, excelling in martial arts. In my eyes, he’ll grow into a capable general," she remarked.
Li Yuanjing scoffed. "Generals are always away on campaigns, rarely home. How could he possibly be worthy of Leyou?"
In his mind, Princess Leyou’s future husband must be "accomplished in both letters and arms, virtuous and talented, handsome, devoted, and refined."
That rough, sunburnt Liang Huaichuan fell short in every regard!
Shen Wei nestled closer, her voice light with amusement. "Leyou is still a child. Your Majesty is worrying over nothing."
Li Yuanjing only huffed in response.
Seeing his lingering displeasure, Shen Wei deftly changed the subject. "Your Majesty, the princess of Yue Kingdom is due to arrive this year. Have you decided on her rank?"
Qing State and Yue Kingdom had signed a century-long peace treaty.
Trade flourished between them, and border conflicts ceased. The Zhao Yang Princess had married the Yue emperor and recently given birth to a son, who was promptly named crown prince.
Now, the eighteen-year-old Yue princess was set to come to Qing State as a consort, per the earlier agreement.
Yue’s formal missive had arrived, awaiting Li Yuanjing’s reply.
The emperor pulled Shen Wei closer, a smirk playing on his lips. "Why does this sound like jealousy?"
Shen Wei feigned indifference.
Li Yuanjing chuckled. "The late Marquis of Jing’an passed last year, and his eldest son inherited the title. If the Yue princess comes, she can marry into their household—no dishonor there."
Having once reveled in fleeting romances, Li Yuanjing now desired only a quiet life with Shen Wei, like any ordinary couple.
The Yue princess? He wanted no part of her.
Shen Wei toyed with his belt, her tone casual. "As Your Majesty wishes."
Soft candlelight bathed the room, illuminating her beauty.
Li Yuanjing traced her face with his fingers, mesmerized—every feature, from her eyes to her lips, her hands to her waist, seemed crafted to his liking.
With a roll, he pinned her beneath him.
Behind the embroidered bed curtains, spring’s warmth blossomed, the flickering light casting playful shadows.
...
The next morning, Li Yuanjing rose refreshed. After breakfast, he prepared for court.
Though state affairs often wearied him, returning to Shen Wei’s side dissolved all tension. She was his haven, the source of his strength and calm.
On his way out, he passed the thriving vegetable garden he tended. The spring greens flourished, and he pointed at two particularly robust plants, instructing De Shun, "Pick these for the kitchen. Have them make a ham and greens soup for lunch—I’ll share it with the Noble Consort."
De Shun bowed. "At once, Your Majesty."
Stretching contentedly, Li Yuanjing headed to court in high spirits.
Shen Wei, however, still slept soundly—exhausted from the night’s activities. When she finally stirred past noon, squinting at the sunlight flooding the chamber, one thought crossed her mind:
Heavens above, this nightly indulgence is unbearable!
Must he always pester her alone?
