"Understood." The words seemed to squeeze through her clenched teeth.
Ling Xiao's lips curved slightly before he finally strode away.
Yue Yao took a deep breath, gritted her teeth, and turned back toward Bright Moon Pavilion in frustration.
Three days later, the spring hunt commenced.
Yue Yao rose early and had her maid, Chun'er, help her dress.
Since she was accompanying the emperor on the hunt, she couldn’t afford to be careless—her attire needed to be neither too eye-catching nor too plain.
Chun'er styled her hair in a low bun, adorned with two silver hairpins embedded with pearls on either side, each dangling delicate tassels that chimed softly with every movement. A pair of small pearl hairpins added the finishing touches, lending her a graceful yet understated charm.
For her dress, she chose a moon-white gown. Spring dresses tended to be light and airy, cinched at the waist, flowing like mist as she walked.
"All done, Madam."
Yue Yao examined herself in the mirror and couldn’t help but ask, "Is this too extravagant?"
She had never dressed like this before.
Chun'er widened her eyes. "Extravagant? Madam, this is as modest as it gets!"
Then, honestly, she added, "It’s just that Madam is too beautiful."
Even with such simple adornments, she looked ethereal.
What a pity for someone so young to be widowed.
Yue Yao pinched Chun'er’s cheek. "You and your sweet talk."
Chun'er giggled. "I’m only speaking the truth."
"Enough, let’s go."
Yue Yao smiled, lifted her skirt, and stepped over the threshold.
She first went to bid farewell to the elderly matriarch, who reminded her to take good care of the princess. Yue Yao nodded obediently.
Outside the marquis’s estate, a carriage awaited at the gate. Standing before it was a tall figure in a dark robe with narrow sleeves and subtle patterns, a belt cinching his slender waist. His broad shoulders and straight posture made him stand out like a crane among chickens. He was turned away, giving orders to his attendants.
Hearing her footsteps, he glanced back and froze, as if momentarily dazzled.
"My lord, shall we depart now?" Yue Yao asked.
He lowered his gaze, shifting his attention away, his voice cool. "Get in the carriage."
Yue Yao was accustomed to his aloofness and paid it no mind. She nodded and turned to board the carriage, lifting her skirt as she stepped inside.
She had no intention of warming up to him either.
Ling Xiao glanced back just as she disappeared into the carriage.
He withdrew his gaze, mounted his horse, and rode ahead to join the imperial procession outside the palace gates.
The spring hunt was a grand affair, with an endless procession stretching beyond sight. Imperial guards led the way, followed by eunuchs, palace maids, and ceremonial attendants escorting the emperor’s carriage, then the crown prince’s, and finally the ministers’ carriages.
Ling Xiao’s arrival caused a stir.
"Brother Xiao!" Huaining had been craning her neck in anticipation. Spotting him from afar, she immediately waved excitedly.
Ling Xiao gave a slight nod. "Princess, return to your carriage. We’ll depart soon."
"Oh, has Sister Yue Yao arrived?"
Yue Yao stepped down from her carriage. "Your Highness."
Huaining happily grabbed her hand. "Come, let’s ride together!"
Before Yue Yao could react, she was dragged away.
Ling Xiao watched as Yue Yao was pulled into the princess’s carriage, his brow furrowing slightly. But he said nothing and spurred his horse forward to attend to official matters near the emperor’s carriage.
Inside Huaining’s carriage, the princess immediately lowered her voice. "Has Brother Xiao settled on a marriage candidate yet?"
Yue Yao hesitated. She had expected Huaining’s enthusiasm to be a ploy to pry for information about Ling Xiao.
"Not yet."
"Why not? Does he not wish to marry?"
"That’s not it."
He simply refused to bend to her will.
"Perhaps he just hasn’t found the right candidate."
Huaining scoffed. "That Chen Shiyun acts so high and mighty—you’d think she’s already been chosen as the future marchioness!"
Yue Yao paused before cautiously adding, "But I’ve heard His Majesty has other plans for Your Highness’s marriage?"
"Nonsense! I won’t marry anyone but Brother Xiao!"
Huaining declared firmly, "For him, I’ll fight to the end!"
Yue Yao was taken aback. From what she could tell, Ling Xiao didn’t seem inclined to resist.
She swallowed her words, not daring to voice the truth—especially since the young princess didn’t seem oblivious.
Perhaps she just loved him too much.
What was there to love about such a foul temper, anyway?
"From now on, if Brother Xiao makes any moves, you must tell me immediately! We’re close—you can’t keep secrets from me."
Yue Yao nodded solemnly. "Your Highness can rest assured."
Satisfied, Huaining chattered excitedly again. "Have you ever hunted? Let’s go after rabbits together in the field tomorrow!"
Yue Yao shook her head. "No, I don’t even know how to ride."
Huaining proudly patted her chest. "I’ll teach you! Back in Youzhou, I often went hunting with my royal brothers."
Yue Yao’s eyes lit up. "Alright!"
The massive procession set off, and the journey passed quickly with Huaining’s endless chatter—about hunting, about Ling Xiao. Before they knew it, the two-hour trip was over.
The hunt was held at Dragon Roar Mountain, the imperial hunting grounds, where rows of tents stretched endlessly.
Yue Yao was given her own tent, placed right beside Huaining’s.
After instructing the servants to unpack, Huaining immediately dragged Yue Yao off to practice riding.
"Tomorrow’s the hunt! If you don’t learn today, you’ll just be stuck watching from the sidelines—how boring!"
Yue Yao hadn’t planned on entering the hunting grounds, but the novelty of riding and hunting made her eager to try.
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
"Come on! To the stables!"
At the stables, attendants were already waiting.
Eunuch Zhang stepped forward respectfully. "Your Highness, Madam Ling."
He gestured to two small horses. "These two are the gentlest, perfect for beginners."
One was brown, the other white—both fluffy and endearing, with innocent eyes.
Yue Yao was itching to try.
But Huaining frowned. "Why such tiny horses for me? I’m not a beginner!"
Eunuch Zhang smiled awkwardly. "Your Highness nearly fell last time. A smaller horse is safer."
Huaining flushed with indignation, planting her hands on her hips. "That was a fluke! That horse was just unruly!"
Eunuch Zhang remained polite but firm. "His Majesty’s orders."
Huaining stamped her foot in frustration. Yue Yao quickly intervened. "A smaller horse is perfect for teaching me. A big one would scare me."
The words salvaged Huaining’s pride. She huffed. "Fine, I’ll humor you this once."
Yue Yao sighed in relief. Thankfully, the princess was easy to placate.
Huaining lifted her chin. "First, we mount. Watch closely—I’ll show you."
Yue Yao nodded attentively.
Huaining grasped the saddle with both hands, stepped onto the stirrup, and with a swift motion, swung herself onto the small brown horse.
Yue Yao felt she could do the same. Mimicking Huaining, she gripped the saddle of the white pony, planted her foot in the stirrup, and pushed herself up—
The pony let out a sudden snort, startling her into retreating.
Huaining chided gently, "Don’t be afraid. It’s very tame."
"Oh…"
Yue Yao had never handled a horse before, and the sudden presence of a living creature so close made her uneasy.
Though this pony was smaller than the others in the stable, it still stood nearly chest-high to her. At first glance, it seemed adorable, but up close, its size was undeniably intimidating.
She swallowed hard, steadied herself, and resolved to try again.
Stepping onto the stirrup, she clutched the saddle once more, mustering the courage to hoist herself up. But the pony, growing impatient, shifted a few steps forward. Yue Yao lost her balance and stumbled back to the ground.
A soft chuckle sounded behind her.
Huaining’s eyes lit up. "Brother Xiao!"
Yue Yao turned, her face still flushed with embarrassment, to see Ling Xiao standing a short distance away, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
He was laughing at her?!
Her cheeks burned. Clenching her teeth, she spun back around, refusing to meet his gaze.
"Why are you here, Brother Xiao?" Huaining urged her pony forward, excitement bubbling in her voice.
"Just passing by," Ling Xiao replied, his eyes flickering to Yue Yao’s rigid back. Though he couldn’t see her face, the way her hands white-knuckled the reins betrayed her frustration.
So she did have a sense of shame?
Such a tiny horse, and she couldn’t even mount it. He could’ve leaped over it in a single stride.
"It doesn’t bite. What are you so scared of?"
Ling Xiao’s voice dripped with mockery as it reached her ears.
Yue Yao’s pride flared. With a grit of her teeth, she swung herself onto the pony in one determined motion.
Huaining gasped. "Ah! You did it!"
Even Yue Yao was surprised by her sudden success. Blinking in disbelief, her eyes sparkled with triumph before she shot Ling Xiao a defiant glance.
Ling Xiao arched a brow. "Hold the reins, not the saddle. Watch the horse—why are you looking at me?"
