Ye Chutang could ride horses.
Before the apocalypse, she often went to the stables to ride for fun and had even won prizes in horse races.
Although that was many years ago, once she got familiar again, horseback archery wouldn’t be a problem.
She agreed without hesitation. “Alright, see you tomorrow at the city gate.”
After saying that, she left.
Song Jingning watched the black figure gradually disappear into the distance, feeling an urge to follow her.
It was strange—he had never felt this way about anyone before.
Someone waved a hand in front of Song Jingning’s eyes.
“Of course, only the stunning and extraordinary Miss Ye could make our Moonlight Prince’s heart flutter.”
Song Jingning swatted the hand away, speaking seriously.
“Zeyu, don’t be ridiculous. I’m just amazed that such a person with such similar features actually exists in this world.”
Though he didn’t understand the strange feeling he’d just experienced, he was certain it had nothing to do with love.
Wei Zeyu immediately dropped his teasing expression and patted Song Jingning on the shoulder.
“There are billions of people in the world; it’s not surprising that some resemble each other.”
Su Yu nodded in agreement.
“Isn’t it true that before the apocalypse, Xiuwen once met someone who looked a lot like him? He even thought that person was his father’s mistress’s child and caused a scene in front of his mother. It turned out to be a big misunderstanding.”
Tang Xiuwen scratched his head awkwardly.
“That was because my dad and that guy came out of the tavern one after another. Honestly, I only looked about three or four parts similar to that person’s face.
But Jingning and Miss Ye’s brows and eyes look like they were carved from the same mold. Standing side by side, they could pass for twins.”
Su Yu joked.
“Xiuwen, why don’t you get your eyes checked at the clinic tomorrow? They only have similar eyebrows and eyes—how can that make them twins?”
Wei Zeyu agreed.
“The Ye family and Song family have no connection, and Jingning was born in Liangzhou. It’s just a resemblance in their brows and eyes.”
Song Jingning also thought so and cut off their chatter.
“Curfew is about to start. Let’s all head home. See you tomorrow.”
Su Yu asked, “If Ye Chutang is the only woman on tomorrow’s hunt, wouldn’t that be a bit awkward?”
“Indeed, it might affect her reputation. If any of your sisters like hunting, bring them along.”
“Alright, it’s settled then.”
The group parted ways and returned to their respective homes.
When Song Jingning arrived at the Song residence, Song Zhiyan was waiting for him.
“Jingning, Father has instructed you to teach at the academy in three days.”
“How long will the lectures last?”
“About a month for now. During that time, they’ll arrange for you to meet some young ladies.”
Before Song Jingning could object, Song Zhiyan raised his hand to stop him.
“You’ll meet them first. If you don’t find anyone you like, Father and Mother won’t force you. It’s their concession.”
Song Jingning knew there was no escaping and reluctantly agreed.
“Fine, let them make the arrangements.”
Then he mentioned meeting Ye Chutang.
“Brother, I ran into Miss Ye on the street just now. As you said, our features really are very similar.”
Song Zhiyan quickly said, “That’s fate. How does Miss Ye feel about you?”
“Pretty good, I think. I’ve arranged to go hunting at Meishan with Xiuwen and the others tomorrow. When she heard about it, Miss Ye asked to join us.”
Those words reached Song Zhiyan’s ears as if Ye Chutang had changed her mind and was now willing to have contact with Song Jingning.
He smiled and asked, “What about you? Do you have any feelings toward Miss Ye?”
Song Jingning shook his head firmly.
“No. Miss Ye is a wonderful person, but we’re only suited to be friends.”
Changing the subject, he added, “Big brother, Xiuwen said that Miss Ye and I look like twins. What do you think?”
Song Zhiyan chuckled.
“How come I didn’t know our parents had a daughter?”
They were five brothers in this generation; if their parents had a daughter, they would probably wake up laughing in their dreams.
“Besides, Miss Ye looks about seventy percent like her mother, and only about ten percent like you. What nonsense are you thinking about?”
Song Jingning also thought it was ridiculous to jump to conclusions just because of Tang Xiuwen’s remark.
Although he was born in Liangzhou and had tastes and personality completely different from his older brothers, his parents and four brothers treated him very well. How could he not be their biological son?
Even if he wasn’t, there was no way he and Ye Chutang could be twins.
First, the Ye family had no reason to entrust their legitimate eldest son to the Song family for upbringing.
Second, since the family was trying to match him with Ye Chutang, it was proof enough that they weren’t related.
After thinking it through, Song Jingning pushed those wild thoughts aside.
He explained, “Big brother, please forgive me. It was the first time I met someone with eyes so much like mine, and I was just curious.”
“Stop being curious. You’ve traveled for days; go get some rest.”
“Yes, big brother. You should rest early too.”
When Song Jingning returned to his room, Ye Chutang had just finished ransacking the shops in the Prince An’s mansion.
Back at the Minister’s Mansion, she noticed that the person Qi Yanzhou had sent to watch over Ningchu Courtyard was still there.
“This man is way too cautious. Looks like I’ll have to pull out more tricks tomorrow!”
During the Meishan hunt, she had ruined the dog emperor’s ambush plan!
She just felt sorry for her virtue points.
She had spent nearly ten thousand points in one night.
Tomorrow would be even more!
Ye Chutang comforted herself, “It’s okay. You have to spend what you earn, or else virtue points lose their value.”
With that, she went into the kitchen to fetch hot water and headed to her room for a bath.
Lying in the warm water, she thought of Song Jingning’s eyes.
Could the original owner’s brother still be alive?
Isn’t that how novels usually go?
“Tomorrow, going to Meishan should clear things up.”
***
The next day.
Ye Chutang woke up early, around the first watch and a half.
She looked through her wardrobe and picked a simple outfit, tying up the sleeves and pant legs.
Last night, when she parted ways with Song Jingning, all the shops on the street were closed, so she couldn’t buy riding clothes.
Today, she would have to make do.
She figured those young masters hunting around were no different from those out for a stroll.
Meishan was probably an artificially stocked hunting ground.
After washing up, Ye Chutang took some fruits and snacks from her space to pack for the trip.
She went to the stables and told the servant in charge of the horses, “Pick the best horse for me and saddle it.”
“Miss, the best horse has already been taken by Chen Zhong, preparing to take the master to court.”
“Bring me a saddle, then.”
The servant immediately fetched a fine saddle and handed it to Ye Chutang.
Taking it, she casually led a horse out of the Minister’s Mansion.
She called out to Ye Jingchuan just as he was about to mount the carriage.
“Father, wait a moment. Let’s change to a different horse.”
Ye Jingchuan paused mid-step, turned around, and asked, “You’re dressed like this and holding a saddle—what exactly are you planning to do?”
Ye Chutang handed the reins to Chen Zhong and casually made up a story.
“I heard Prince Chen favors bold and spirited women, so I’m going hunting at Plum Mountain to bring back some game for him.”
Ye Jingchuan took her words at face value and immediately instructed Chen Zhong to switch horses.
With a smile, he said, “Chuter, I believe that as long as you put your heart into it, you’ll surely win Prince Chen’s favor.”
“Father, when you go to court later, you have to put some pressure on the Dali Temple and Jingzhao Prefecture. Those scoundrels won’t even spare the future favored consort of the emperor—they deserve no mercy!”
Ye Chutang playfully tossed one pancake after another, hitting Ye Jingchuan and making him laugh with delight.
“Don’t worry, Chuter. Whoever’s behind this is trying to sabotage the emperor’s grand plan. The emperor won’t let it slide.”
As they spoke, Chen Zhong finished changing the horse and secured the saddle.
Ye Chutang swung herself onto the horse, looking every bit the gallant heroine.
“Father, I’m off to hunt some game for Prince Chen.”
With that, she cracked the whip and rode toward the city gate.
