Today was a small hunt. Yan Huai led everyone on horseback into the forest. Whether it was the Crown Prince, Prince Cheng, Tuoba Hong, or others, none strayed too far from Yan Huai. As they rode uphill, the group chatted and laughed. When spotting prey, they would demonstrate their archery skills. If Yan Huai hadn’t caught anything, others’ arrows would mysteriously missed. Only after Yan Huai shot down a wild bear did others begin to make their catches.

Soon, a guard rode close to Tuoba Hong and whispered something in his ear.

Tuoba Hong’s expression changed slightly upon hearing this. He immediately turned to look, and sure enough, saw Tuoba Wu riding up the gentle slope. Tuoba Hong frowned anxiously – women were not allowed to participate in today’s small hunt. He had confirmed this with Lin Zhang, and Tuoba Wu knew this as well. How could she knowingly break this rule?

Before Tuoba Hong could speak, Liu Yun suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “Ah, why has the Northern Wei Princess come?”

His shout alerted everyone to Tuoba Wu’s arrival. Even Yan Huai reined in his horse to look back, indeed seeing Tuoba Wu’s gallant figure on horseback.

Liu Yun continued, “Weren’t women forbidden from today’s hunt?”

Tuoba Hong glanced at Yan Huai and quickly apologized, “Your Majesty, please forgive us. My younger sister has always been fond of martial arts and particularly loves hunting back in Northern Wei. She probably couldn’t resist following us out of playfulness…”

Though Tuoba Hong said this, he knew why Tuoba Wu had come. Although this was just a small hunt, Yan Chi was also present. Thinking this, Tuoba Hong glanced at Yan Chi in the distance. While Yan Chi wasn’t right beside Yan Huai, he wasn’t far away either. Tuoba Wu must have come for Yan Chi!

Though Tuoba Wu had indeed broken the rules, upon hearing Tuoba Hong’s words, Yan Huai smiled and said, “In that case, the Princess must be quite skilled with a bow?”

Tuoba Hong smiled, “She’s fairly capable among women.”

Yan Huai’s smile deepened, “If that’s so, let’s have Princess show us her skills.”

This meant he wouldn’t blame Tuoba Wu. Tuoba Hong sighed in relief, though Liu Yun let out a cold snort. Meanwhile, Tuoba Wu had ridden up close, “Your Majesty, please forgive my uninvited arrival. However, today’s hunt shouldn’t be exclusively men’s domain. In Northern Wei, women are never forbidden from participating in hunts.”

Yan Huai rather admired Tuoba Wu’s boldness, “Since the Princess speaks thus, you must be eager to demonstrate your skills?”

Tuoba Wu proudly lifted her chin, “Few here could best me.”

With that, she took up her bow and arrow, rode forward, and quickly loosed a shot!

Yan Huai glanced at a nearby guard, who hurried on horseback to check. Soon, the guard returned holding a shot pheasant, “Your Majesty, the Princess hit her mark.”

Yan Huai clapped and laughed heartily, “Well done! Princess, you certainly haven’t disappointed me. In that case, follow me and let me see just how formidable Northern Wei’s daughters truly are!”

Liu Yun smiled, “The Princess is indeed impressive, hitting a running pheasant is no easy feat.”

Though pheasants run erratically, they can’t compare to flying wild geese or other swift precious birds. Liu Yun’s words were ostensibly praised but disparagement, showing some calculation. Tuoba Wu naturally paid no mind, or rather, her thoughts had already wandered elsewhere. Today the main group followed Yan Huai, with Yan Chi and Yan Li’s figures occasionally visible in the distance. Tuoba Wu took note of this and made up her mind.

She would no longer present herself before Yan Chi as she had last night. She just needed him to know that she was very different from other women and worthy of him. His disregard for her was a huge mistake!

Thinking this, Tuoba Wu performed even more enthusiastically than Tuoba Hong. She fired arrow after arrow, hitting nine out of ten targets. Yan Huai watched with great delight – though Tuoba Wu was somewhat impolite, her skills were truly impressive.

Yan Huai’s loud praise carried far – Tuoba Wu was certain Yan Chi would hear it!

Her heart soared with pride. As she seemed about to steal Yan Huai’s thunder, Tuoba Hong signaled her multiple times, but Tuoba Wu didn’t notice at all. She just enthusiastically cleared out all the game on the hillside in one go.

Liu Yun looked at the rabbits and chicks the guards retrieved and shook his head, “The Princess is indeed different from other women. Other ladies would hesitate to shoot rabbits, but the Princess is decisive and efficient.”

Hearing this, Tuoba Wu feared these words would reach Yan Chi’s ears and immediately stopped. Tuoba Hong watched from the side, just sighing repeatedly.

It was a sunny day. By noon, the sun hung high in the sky. Though Yan Huai was in high spirits, between the early spring warmth and his heavy armor, he couldn’t take much more. Seeing everyone had made catches, he ordered the main group to return. Though they had only hunted for half a day, it had been thoroughly enjoyable.

As the main group returned, Tuoba Wu deliberately slowed her pace. Yan Chi and Yan Li, along with other noble youths, fell slightly behind, so Tuoba Wu intentionally appeared in Yan Chi’s line of sight.

Yan Li had noticed Tuoba Wu early on and smiled, “This Princess must be doing this deliberately. Seventh Brother, she’s trying a different way to get your attention-“

Yan Chi’s brows furrowed slightly upon hearing this. He naturally knew of Tuoba Wu’s arrival and hadn’t expected her to possess such skills. But that was the extent of it – though she had stolen the show today, she had only earned the Emperor’s praise.

“Did I not express myself clearly yesterday?”

Yan Li laughed, “You never said you didn’t like her-“

Yan Chi raised an eyebrow – Tuoba Wu hadn’t declared her feelings for him either…

Seeing Yan Chi’s expression, Yan Li knew what he was thinking and said, “Seventh Brother, you don’t understand women. I suspect she’s had her eye on you since two years ago. She thought you remembered her, but who knew you never even noticed her? Though she was disappointed last night, she quickly regained her spirit. See, she’s here again today. Seventh Brother, I bet she was first disappointed and angry, but now she’s determined to win you over.”

Win him over? Yan Li spoke rather boldly, but Yan Chi disagreed inwardly.

In this world, only those he willingly bowed to could win him over

At this thought, Yan Chi couldn’t help but think of Qin Wan. He raised his eyes to look toward the main camp and suddenly asked, “Are there any scenic spots nearby?”

Yan Li thought for a moment, “There’s a Crescent Spring upstream of the Wei River. I went there once when I was little. It’s a bit far – what’s the matter, Seventh Brother, you want to look around?”

Yan Chi shook his head, “Just asking.”

With that, he spurred his horse forward, quickly passing Tuoba Wu and the others to reach the front. Yan Huai turned to look at Yan Chi and the guards following him, seeing their horses laden with game. He smiled, “Not bad – among the younger generation, Yan Chi caught the most. There will be rewards upon return!”

Yan Chi cupped his hands in thanks. The group galloped down the mountainside, soon reaching the outskirts of the main camp.

The return of the main force caused another commotion in camp. Though the women couldn’t participate in the hunt, by now there weren’t so many restrictions on movement, and many ladies and young misses had come from the camp to watch at the edge of the square. This made the noble youths pay even more attention to their bearing, each returning to the square with heroic vigor.

Qin Wan supported the Empress Dowager, along with Zhao Shuhua, Feng Lingsu, and others to welcome Yan Huai. Seeing Yan Huai return covered in sweat, they both praised and worried about him. Yan Huai laughed heartily, “I really can’t run anymore. I had wanted to hunt all day, but once the sun rose, I couldn’t take it. I’m getting old indeed.”

Zhao Shuhua shook her head with a smile. Feng Lingsu even said coquettishly, “Your Majesty is clearly still in his prime, how can you say such things? Your Majesty exhausts yourself daily with state affairs, that’s why you’re tired. Your Majesty, I’ve prepared snow pear soup to clear the heat – would you like a bowl?”

Yan Huai immediately nodded, “Thank you for your trouble. I’m quite hot.”

Feng Lingsu hurried off smiling to fetch the sweet soup. Yan Huai ordered everyone to count the game and rank the catches for rewards, then entered the main tent with Empress Dowager and Zhao Shuhua. The Empress Dowager looked lovingly at Yan Huai, “You’ve always loved hunting, but staying in the palace daily, you don’t get the chance. Have you satisfied your craving now?”

Yan Huai laughed while ordering people to remove his armor, “I’ve had my fill. Now I can only get my fill occasionally – this armor is hurting my back. Just running around this once today was enough. Let the young people compete when it’s time for the real competition.”

Since there was hunting, there naturally had to be competition to make it interesting. The Empress Dowager did not comment and also worried Yan Huai would hurt himself.

Seeing Yan Huai continuously rubbing his back, she said, “Nine girl has excellent medicinal oil. Have her give it to Yuan Qing to massage you – that will help.”

Yan Huai didn’t try to hide his gradually weakening body, smiling in agreement. Qin Wan hurried to get the medicinal oil. When she walked out of the main tent, she saw Yan Chi standing at the bottom of the steps not far away, counting everyone’s game with Zhao Yu and others.

Her steps faltered slightly. Yan Chi seemed to sense something and turned to look. Their eyes met in the air, and Qin Wan’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. At this moment, the sweat hadn’t dried on Yan Chi’s face. Everyone else complained about the sun being too strong and had returned to their tents to rest, but only he and the Imperial Guard commanders like Zhao Yu remained outside. In his pitch-black battle armor, his presence was intimidating. The mix of sweat and game blood on his body made him seem to glow in the warm sunlight. When the wind came, Qin Wan seemed to catch his scent.

Though Yan Chi was used to the mixture of blood and sweat, he was still human after all. This small hunt had left him somewhat hot and tired, but he was used to it and didn’t mind. However, seeing Qin Wan now was like a cool breeze through his heart, more soothing than drinking that snow pear soup. It would be even better if he could hold his beauty and taste her sweetness.

They gazed at each other for two moments, but with many people around, Qin Wan said nothing and entered the Empress Dowager’s tent. Yan Chi withdrew his gaze, and the heat he had suppressed rose again.

Qin Wan came out with the medicinal oil. Yan Chi was still standing not far away. This time Qin Wan didn’t linger, going straight into Yan Huai’s main tent. While staying by the Empress Dowager’s side had some benefits, it also had inconveniences. The Empress Dowager kept her close, and she couldn’t easily make excuses to leave. After waiting a while and coming out, everyone in the square had disappeared.

Meanwhile, Yan Chi returned to his tent. Just after removing his armor, Bai Feng came in from outside.

“Master, this is from Bai Ying, saying it was on Ninth Miss’s orders.”

Yan Chi turned to look and saw it was a medicine bottle. He took it and opened it, immediately smelling a cool medicinal scent. The scent was familiar – it was for treating bruises and injuries. Yan Chi’s smile deepened, his heart extremely content.

After sitting for a moment, Yan Chi looked at Bai Feng, “Go find out if there really is a Crescent Spring upstream.”

…

…

Tuoba Wu returned to her tent in frustration!

Tuoba Hong frowned as he followed her in, “I told you today that according to Great Zhou custom, women cannot participate in the small hunt. Knowing this, you still came along – weren’t you afraid of angering the Great Zhou Emperor?”

Tuoba Wu snapped, “Did Elder Brother see the Great Zhou Emperor get angry?”

Tuoba Hong took a deep breath, “The Great Zhou Emperor didn’t show anger because he considered us guests, but that doesn’t mean he truly didn’t mind at all. Wu’er, don’t be too unrestrained – Great Zhou is a place that follows rules.”

Tuoba Wu’s real purpose naturally wasn’t hunting – her true prey was Yan Chi. Yet not only had she failed to catch her prey, but all her efforts only earned her a scolding from Tuoba Hong. Tuoba Wu’s brows furrowed tightly as she turned and walked behind the screen, “I want to change and rest. Brother, please leave!”

Hearing Tuoba Wu wanted to change clothes, Tuoba Hong couldn’t say more. He sighed and left in a huff.

Behind the screen, Tuoba Wu’s hand stopped at her belt, gripping it tightly without moving for a long while.

Too hateful! She had been so brilliant today, stealing the spotlight, but Yan Chi seemed not to have looked at her once from beginning to end. Why?! Forget men – even women would look at her a few times. Was Yan Chi even normal?!

Tuoba Wu was extremely frustrated. Going up the mountain today, she was covered in sweat, with pheasant blood on her clothes. She had fought so hard, but it was truly all for nothing. What kind of demon was Yan Chi?!

Thinking this, Tuoba Wu couldn’t help but grit her teeth as she came out from behind the screen, “Someone-“

At her sharp call, two maids immediately entered the room.

Tuoba Wu looked at one of them and said, “Go keep an eye on the Crown Prince of the Rui Prince’s mansion and report anything to me.”

The maid’s expression changed, “What? Watch the Crown Prince of the Rui Prince’s mansion?”

Tuoba Wu frowned, “What else?! You’ve traveled north and south with me – don’t tell me you can’t handle such a small task?”

The maid hesitated for a moment, but as Tuoba Wu said, she was indeed Tuoba Wu’s most trusted person. The maid could only quietly agree, then asked worriedly, “Why does the Princess want this servant to watch the Crown Prince?”

Tuoba Wu snorted lightly, “I want to see exactly what kind of person this Yan Chi is. He’s only been leading troops and fighting for years – surely he hasn’t lost interest in women because of all the fighting?!”

The maid’s lips twitched upon hearing this, not daring to say more.

Meanwhile, Bai Ying came in from outside the tent and whispered something in Qin Wan’s ear. Qin Wan looked around, saw the Empress Dowager playing with Yan Sui, and asked, “Why did he want me to go out then?”

Bai Ying shook her head, “This servant doesn’t know. The Crown Prince just had me pass on the message this way.”

Qin Wan nodded, “Alright, I understand.”