The sky stretches vast, the wilderness boundless, as I bask in the sun on the grasslands. Steeds gallop across the grass, plump sheep roast on spits, and inside the tent, I sit gazing at the starry river. [Accompanied by 18 images.]
The next morning, the convoy set off again, arriving at the hunting grounds before noon.
Within the grounds, tents had already been erected, and palace attendants who had arrived earlier guided the imperial concubines to their respective quarters. The concubines' tents were arranged around the Emperor's grand tent, each spacious enough at roughly ten square meters.
Qi Daiyu didn’t enter immediately. Instead, she instructed Shiliu and the others to tidy up inside while she lingered outside, admiring the scenery, with Xiao Li standing guard beside her.
Earlier, as they entered the hunting grounds, Qi Daiyu had discreetly lifted the carriage curtain to peek outside. Her eyes were met with an endless expanse of grassland, still lush and green despite the approaching tenth month. The breathtaking view filled her with excitement.
The deeper they ventured into the grounds, the more traces of human activity appeared—wheel tracks from carriages crisscrossing the land. She soon learned that aside from the concubines, many civil and military officials had also brought their families to the hunting grounds. They resided in the outer regions, with their proximity to the center determined by their status.
The innermost area was reserved for the Emperor and his consorts.
Xiao Li eagerly pointed out, "Your Grace, look over there—that’s the royal hunting park." He gestured toward a dense grove of trees. "Tomorrow, His Majesty will lead the first hunt. If he bags a grand prize, everyone will be rewarded! The day after, young nobles from the imperial clan will compete—it’ll be quite the spectacle!"
"After three years of breeding, the game in these grounds is plentiful. This autumn hunt is sure to be bountiful!"
His excitement was understandable. After three years of rest and growth, the prey here would be plump and delicious. Even the eunuchs and maids might get a taste of the spoils!
"And over there," he continued, "is the equestrian field for horseback riding and archery. If Your Grace is interested, this servant can fetch you a horse!" The best horses wouldn’t wait—other consorts might have already sent their people to claim them.
Qi Daiyu was eager to ride, though she had never done so before. A mix of curiosity and nervousness stirred within her. "I don’t know how. Pick a gentle one for me—even if it’s small, that’s fine."
Xiao Li bowed. "At once!" He summoned Pingguo to attend to her and hurried off toward the stables.
By afternoon, after a brief rest, the fatigue from the journey had mostly faded, replaced by a growing fascination with the hunting grounds.
At lunch, the Empress had sent word that the consorts were free to explore until the evening banquet at sundown. With her permission, the ladies shed their formal robes for elegant riding attire and made their way to the equestrian field.
Qi Daiyu wore a round-collared, light-green riding coat embroidered with gold-threaded floral patterns, paired with a deep-green skirt adorned with plum blossoms. Her narrow sleeves fluttered with delicate tassels, and her hair was coiled into a simple bun, fastened with a single jade hairpin—both practical and refined.
Xiao Li had chosen a small mare for her—short in stature and mild in temperament, perfect for a beginner. The stable eunuch, who also served as her riding instructor, bowed respectfully before explaining the basics and helping her mount.
Once atop the horse, her view expanded dramatically. The wind carried the scent of grass and earth, and she instinctively closed her eyes, savoring the moment.
"Your Grace, this servant will lead the horse for you first," the eunuch offered, not daring to let her ride freely just yet.
Qi Daiyu nodded. "Very well."
With the eunuch on one side and Xiao Li on the other, the trio circled the field. From her vantage point, Qi Daiyu noticed the equestrian area was divided into concentric rings. The innermost ring, with its smooth turf, was reserved for the imperial consorts. The middle ring hosted noblewomen—among them, Qi Daiyu spotted the granddaughter of the old Prince Xiang, a girl named Zhiyu. The outermost ring was for the wives and daughters of officials, too distant to discern clearly.
The layout inexplicably reminded Qi Daiyu of the concept of "class." The barriers separated different social strata—those outside gazing enviously inward, while those inside looked outward with a mix of superiority and longing.
The thought made her chest tighten.
Shaking off the unease, she immersed herself in the scenery, even snapping a few mental pictures.
Though the mare was docile, riding was no easier for it. After an hour, Qi Daiyu’s inner thighs ached from friction, and the jostling left her stomach unsettled.
The eunuch promptly guided her back to the starting point, where she found Consort Cao and Consort Ma.
The two greeted her with a curtsy.
"Greetings, Your Grace. Have you come to ride as well? Had we known, we would have asked Concubine Miao to wait," Consort Cao said with a smile.
Following her gaze, Qi Daiyu spotted Concubine Miao galloping across the field in riding attire, her figure bold and graceful—a sight that stirred admiration.
"Concubine Miao rides splendidly," Qi Daiyu remarked sincerely.
Consort Cao and Consort Ma exchanged glances, unsure if it was praise or sarcasm. Consort Ma replied, "Her father is a battalion commander in Daning Garrison. She must have learned young. Still, the best rider in the palace isn’t her."
"Oh? Then who is?" Qi Daiyu asked curiously.
Consort Ma covered her mouth with a light laugh. "Why, the Empress, of course! Have you forgotten? Her grandfather was the great Marshal Jiang! Rumor has it Her Majesty was raised by her grandparents—her skills far surpass ordinary women."
Consort Cao added, "I once had the fortune of witnessing it. Back in the 19th year of Chongde, the Prince of Sheng hosted a polo tournament. Among the ladies, the Empress—then still a maiden—stood out so brilliantly that even the young lords paled in comparison. The Prince of Sheng himself praised her that day. Some even say it was her performance that convinced the late Emperor to name her Crown Princess!"
The 19th year of Chongde? That was nine years ago. The late Emperor hadn’t designated the Crown Princess until the 22nd year—three years after the tournament. To claim the decision hinged on that single event seemed too simplistic.
Still, the rumor underscored the Empress’s exceptional skill.
Consort Cao sighed. "A pity we’ve never seen Her Majesty ride since she entered the palace."
Burdened with the dignity of her station, the Empress now prioritized solemnity over the carefree spirit of her youth.
As Qi Daiyu lamented this, Consort Ma suddenly exclaimed, "Look—who is that following Consort Ning?"
Their eyes turned, and a flash of awe passed between them. The girl trailing Consort Ning was breathtakingly beautiful—worthy of the title "peerless beauty."
"Graceful as a startled swan, elegant as a wandering dragon, radiant as autumn chrysanthemums, lush as spring pines. Whose daughter is that?" Consort Cao inquired.
A eunuch promptly went to investigate and returned shortly with an answer.
"That is the younger sister of Consort Ning, the youngest daughter of Chancellor Yang’s household. She is only fourteen and arrived today with Lady Yang. An hour ago, Consort Ning summoned Second Lady Yang to join her for horseback riding, and now she has gone to Consort Ning’s tent."
"Only fourteen?" Consort Ma gasped.
To possess such beauty at such a tender age—what would she become when she grew older?
Consort Cao remarked, "Though they share the same mother, Second Lady Yang bears no resemblance to Consort Ning."
No resemblance at all. Had the eunuch not confirmed their relation, none of the three women would have guessed they were sisters.
In terms of looks, Consort Ning could only be described as moderately attractive, though she carried herself with grace. But Second Lady Yang—she was purely, undeniably beautiful.
Yes, no other words were needed. She was simply beautiful.
So beautiful it was dazzling.
"I wonder if Consort Ning summoned her sister to strengthen their bond or if there’s another intention behind it," Consort Cao murmured thoughtfully.
Inside Consort Ning’s tent, Yang Luoniang gazed around in fascination at the lavish decorations.
Behind her, Consort Ning sipped her tea, her eyes dark and unreadable as she studied her sister’s back.
It had been four or five years since she had last seen her sister, back when she was still a crown prince’s consort in the Eastern Palace. At that time, Luoniang had been too young for her beauty to fully blossom. But today, the sight of her had stunned Consort Ning.
Her little sister had grown into such a breathtaking beauty that she had almost failed to recognize her.
Yet, in all these years, there had been no rumors in the capital about Luoniang’s striking appearance. This meant their mother had deliberately kept her secluded at home. So why had Lady Yang brought her to the hunting grounds today?
The memory of her last conversation with her mother in the palace weighed heavily on Consort Ning’s heart.
"Sister, are you happy in the palace? Does the Emperor treat you well? As a consort, do many people kneel and bow when they see you?" Yang Luoniang sat down, tilting her head curiously.
The innocent questions tightened Consort Ning’s chest. "Why do you ask?"
"I’m just curious about your life in the palace! It’s been so long since I last saw you—I’ve missed you terribly! But every time there’s a palace banquet, Mother never brings me, so I never get to see you. This time, she finally agreed to let me come, and I have so much to tell you!"
So that was it. A pang of guilt struck Consort Ning. Luoniang was still naive, yet she had suspected her of ulterior motives.
Forcing a smile, she replied, "Don’t worry, Luoniang. Your sister is doing very well in the palace."
"Really? But... last time Mother returned from the palace, she was crying in secret. Sister, tell me the truth—is someone bullying you there? If so, I’ll enter the palace with you and help you fight those villains!"
Consort Ning stiffened, abruptly pulling her hand from Luoniang’s grasp. "What did you say? You want to enter the palace?"
Startled, Yang Luoniang blinked in confusion. "Mother said... you lack support in the palace. If I could join you, I could be your ally..."
"I don’t need your help!" The realization struck Consort Ning like a blow.
She stared at Yang Luoniang.
From childhood, their mother had been strict with her, tolerating not a single flaw. "Your future is of great importance," she had said. "There is no room for mistakes." To earn even a word of praise, Consort Ning had strived relentlessly to become the epitome of an accomplished noblewoman—well-read, refined, and sought after by countless suitors. Back then, her mother had been proud of her.
She still remembered how her mother had lectured a young Luoniang: "Your sister is exceptional. You must strive to be like her."
But now, at fourteen, Luoniang possessed peerless beauty yet remained innocent and ignorant—utterly unlike her.
Why had their upbringing been so different?
Consort Ning dared not dwell on it.
"Yang Xue, escort Second Lady Yang back."
She couldn’t bear to look at her sister any longer. The sight only reminded her painfully that she was the failed one.
