Who was looking at him?!
Yue Yao felt a lump in her throat, her breath caught as if stuck midway.
She tightened her grip on the reins, her face stiff, and immediately turned away, refusing to glance at him again.
"The reins control the horse. Pull them to guide it, tug backward to stop, and never let go under any circumstances."
Yue Yao didn’t turn around, her voice flat. "Understood."
"Brother Xiao, why don’t you join us for a ride?" Huaining chimed in eagerly.
Yue Yao’s brow twitched. She’d rather go back and sleep!
Besides, the princess was clearly hoping to spend time with Ling Xiao—her presence here was nothing but an intrusion.
Just as she was about to excuse herself, Ling Xiao replied coolly, "I have matters to attend to. Enjoy yourself, Princess."
Huaining pouted. "Fine, then."
Ling Xiao glanced at Yue Yao but didn’t linger, instructing a few guards to keep watch before walking away.
"Let’s continue the lesson!" Huaining regained her enthusiasm.
Yue Yao nodded. "Alright."
After Huaining demonstrated twice and reiterated Ling Xiao’s instructions, Yue Yao gradually gained control of the pony.
At first, she could only walk slowly, but soon she gathered the courage to follow Huaining at a trot. Surprisingly, it wasn’t as difficult as she’d imagined—likely because the pony was gentle and obedient.
By midday, Yue Yao had improved significantly, maneuvering the pony with relative ease.
After completing a lap around the field, Huaining praised her, "You’re learning fast! It took me ages just to master the reins."
Yue Yao’s cheeks flushed, her forehead glistening with sweat, but her eyes sparkled. "Thank you, Princess."
As they dismounted, Huaining excitedly discussed their plans to hunt rabbits the next day.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted them. "Princess and Madam Ling are practicing horsemanship here?"
Huaining tensed and looked up—it was Chen Shiyun.
Yue Yao wiped her brow and nodded politely. "The princess is teaching me."
Chen Shiyun smiled. "I’ve heard of the princess’s skill in riding and archery. Learning from her, you’re bound to succeed."
Huaining snorted. "Obviously. What, you want lessons too?"
Chen Shiyun discreetly frowned at their disheveled, sweaty state. Of course she wouldn’t stoop to such unrefined behavior.
A lady of noble birth ought to be graceful and dignified—unlike this unbecoming display.
After all, she was destined to be a marquess’s wife, not some uncouth rider.
Chen Shiyun forced a smile. "I’m afraid it’s not for me. Another time, perhaps."
Huaining smirked. "Good. I wouldn’t have time anyway."
Chen Shiyun’s smile stiffened.
Yue Yao, anxious to defuse the tension, changed the subject. "What brings you to the field, Miss Chen?"
Chen Shiyun softened. "I heard you were here and thought to pay my respects."
"How thoughtful of you."
Chen Shiyun pressed her lips together. In truth, she wanted to probe about Ling Xiao’s marriage prospects. Jiang Yueyao had previously hinted that she was the likely candidate for the marquess’s wife.
Yet, days had passed without a word from the marquess’s household.
She was growing impatient.
"I’m drenched in sweat and must freshen up. We’ll talk tomorrow."
Huaining, unwilling to humor Chen Shiyun any longer, dragged Yue Yao away.
Yue Yao shot an apologetic glance at Chen Shiyun. "I’ll find you tomorrow."
She knew exactly what Chen Shiyun was after—and she couldn’t afford to offend her. This mess with Ling Xiao’s marriage was hers to clean up.
Chen Shiyun waved dismissively. "Very well."
As Huaining pulled Yue Yao away, Chen Shiyun’s expression darkened.
"Is the princess clinging to Madam Ling because the marquess’s wife position…?" Lianxin ventured.
Chen Shiyun scoffed. "Do you really think she has any say in this? The princess stands no chance. If the Emperor intended for Ling Xiao to marry her, he’d have issued an edict long ago. What good does cozying up to Jiang Yueyao do?"
"But why has there been no news about the marquess’s marriage lately?" Lianxin wondered.
Chen Shiyun narrowed her eyes. "Could Jiang Yueyao be meddling to curry favor with the princess?"
The Emperor clearly intended for Ling Xiao to marry into an established family. The Chens were a centuries-old lineage, having produced three chancellors and an empress. With her own exceptional qualities, she was the obvious choice.
The matter should have been settled by now.
"Who does she think she is? Ling Xiao only tolerates her out of respect for his late brother. Does she truly believe she’s the lady of the house? She should remember her place," Lianxin sneered.
Chen Shiyun’s face darkened. "She won’t stand in my way. If she dares interfere, once I’m the marquess’s wife, she’ll regret it."
For now, she humored Jiang Yueyao out of courtesy to Ling Xiao. But once she took her rightful place, Jiang Yueyao would live at her mercy.
The next day, the hunt began with the blast of a horn.
Outside the hunting grounds, a sea of riders stood ready, black-armored imperial guards maintaining order.
The Emperor, astride a snow-white steed, led the procession, flanked by the Crown Prince and Ling Xiao.
In high spirits, the Emperor declared, "This is our first hunt since our ascension. Whoever claims the highest bounty shall be richly rewarded!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The crowd roared, their voices echoing through the valley.
With a hearty laugh, the Emperor spurred his horse into the hunting grounds, followed by the Crown Prince, Ling Xiao, and the imperial guard.
The rest of the hunters surged in after them.
Yue Yao and Huaining entered as well, though they were restricted to the outskirts—no deep forests for them. Despite being the Emperor’s favorite, Huaining’s limits were well-known, and guards were assigned to keep her in check.
While bears and wolves lurked in the depths, the periphery held only rabbits and wild goats.
Yue Yao wore a pale riding outfit, her hair tied back with a ribbon—unusually practical for her.
"You’ve never hunted before, so just follow me. I’ll bag us some rabbits, and we’ll feast tonight!" Huaining said excitedly.
Yue Yao grinned. "Deal."
They rode their ponies leisurely into the woods, trailed by a squad of guards. Even on the fringes, the princess’s safety wasn’t to be risked.
Before long, Yue Yao spotted a dark-gray rabbit hiding in the underbrush.
"Princess," she whispered, pointing.
Huaining immediately pulled the reins, held her breath, and drew her bow to take aim.
With a "whoosh," the feathered arrow shot through the air—only to land in a patch of grass nearby.
Yue Yao turned her head slowly, staring at Huaining, who quickly defended herself: "That rabbit was too clever! Let me try again!"
Huaining nocked another arrow and fired, missing three times in a row.
Yue Yao finally understood why Princess Huaining wasn’t allowed into the deep mountains.
Huaining, thoroughly embarrassed, declared with fiery determination, "I won’t leave this hunting ground until I’ve bagged at least one rabbit today!"
Yue Yao nodded along. "Your Highness must be out of practice. A little more time to adjust, and you’ll surely improve."
"Exactly! That’s it!"
Reinvigorated, Huaining regained her confidence and led Yue Yao deeper into the woods in search of another target.
At last, they spotted a wild goat. This time, Huaining was certain of success. She drew her bow, took aim, and steadied her breath.
Yue Yao watched the goat intently—until her peripheral vision caught a flicker of movement. She jerked her head up and saw a black-clad figure crouched in the undergrowth, an arrow already nocked and aimed straight at Princess Huaining.
"Your Highness, look out!"
In the blink of an eye, Yue Yao lashed out with her riding crop, striking Huaining’s chestnut mare. The startled horse bolted forward, sending Huaining tumbling onto its back as she clung for dear life.
A dark arrow whizzed through the air, narrowly grazing Huaining’s back as the mare carried her out of the assassins’ ambush.
The guards, now alert, shouted, "Protect the princess!"
Assassins burst from the tall grass, clashing with the guards in a flurry of blades and arrows.
Yue Yao spurred her horse, desperate to escape.
The thwarted assassin, furious at failing to kill the princess, turned his rage toward Jiang Yueyao. Amid the chaos, he nocked another arrow.
A series of "whooshes" cut through the air—cold, merciless arrows.
"Ah!" Yue Yao cried out in pain, slumping forward onto her horse’s neck.
The assassin’s aim had been disrupted by the ongoing skirmish, but with multiple arrows loosed at once, one still found its mark—piercing Yue Yao’s shoulder.
Her white mare, startled by the stray arrows, let out a shrill whinny. The usually docile horse panicked and broke into a frenzied gallop.
