Early the next morning, people arrived from the Imperial Training Grounds to fetch Ziqing—she would be gone for five days. Hongyi and Shiliang went along with her, accompanied by a number of guards as well.
The Imperial Training Grounds were located in the western outskirts of the capital, part of the hunting grounds, the nearest stretch of grassland to the capital, rich with lush grass and water—a natural place for raising and training war horses.
This particular training ground fell under Jun Beiyao’s jurisdiction—it was the main base for his personal unit, the Eighteen Riders of Shadow Night, who guarded the four directions around the capital.
Standing at the entrance, Ziqing gazed out over the vast expanse of grassland, her spirits lifting at once—it was rare to find such an idyllic paradise so close to the bustling capital.
Several groups of military horses could be seen training across the grasslands, with soldiers moving back and forth in pairs practicing drills. And yet, no commanding officer had come out to greet them.
“Where is Commander Ouyang? Doesn’t he know Her Highness the Consort has arrived?” Hongyi demanded angrily.
The minor officer who had escorted Ziqing there answered nervously, “This one doesn’t know. Commander Ouyang said he was busy and instructed me to simply deliver Her Highness here.”
Ziqing showed no reaction, but Hongyi was furious. “Simply deliver her here? What does that mean? Go tell him that Her Highness the Consort has arrived in person—if he doesn’t come out to greet her at once, he’ll regret it!”
Seeing Ziqing’s quiet, docile appearance, the young officer decided he’d rather offend this consort than offend Commander Ouyang!
Commander Ouyang had followed the Prince ever since he was fifteen years old, campaigning to conquer the seven prefectures of Youyun—he was the Prince’s most trusted confidant, his right hand. This consort, no matter how much favor she enjoyed from the Prince, was in the end just a weak woman!
Ignoring Hongyi entirely, he said to Ziqing, “Your Highness, Commander Ouyang gave these instructions, and this one is merely following orders. My task is complete—I’ll take my leave now.”
With that, he really did turn and walk away, paying no further attention to Ziqing and her companions.
“Master, he… he’s gone too far!” Hongyi said angrily, and even Shiliang was indignant. “Master, what does Commander Ouyang mean by this?”
A cold smile played at the corners of Ziqing’s lips. She said nothing, simply walking forward.
Not far ahead, a group of cavalry was in the middle of drills. As they drew closer, Hongyi immediately recognized the man leading them. “Master, that’s Ouyang Xun, Commander Ouyang—the head of your Eighteen Riders of Shadow Night. He’s the one in charge of this training ground!”
Ziqing stopped in her tracks. The man at the head of the group looked to be in his early twenties, dressed in black riding gear, radiating an imposing presence as he held a long spear and directed the cavalry drills.
The three of them stood off to the side, and soon the entire cavalry unit had noticed them—everyone except Commander Ouyang, who didn’t spare them so much as a glance.
Ziqing calmly sat down cross-legged right where she stood. Hongyi and Shiliang were baffled but didn’t dare say anything, simply staying by her side.
As more and more soldiers began glancing their way, distracted from their drills, Commander Ouyang finally lost his patience. He rode over and, with astonishing audacity, pointed his spear directly at Ziqing, saying coldly, “Woman, go find somewhere else to cool off. If you disturb troop morale, don’t blame this commander for being rude!”
Ziqing quickly rose to her feet, appearing startled, backing away several steps. Seeing this, Ouyang Xun let out a disdainful snort, not regarding her seriously at all.
The entire Eighteen Riders of Shadow Night unit, from top to bottom, opposed the Prince marrying such a woman. In their eyes, the Prince marrying her was nothing more than a gesture to spite Emperor Tianhui—just a decoration for the Prince’s residence. As far as they were concerned, the only woman in the world truly worthy of the Prince was the Princess Imperial of Western Chu, the fierce rose of the saddle, Chu Feiyan!
He looked at Ziqing coldly, and seeing her remain silent for so long, grew even more contemptuous, muttering under his breath, “Look at her—daring to reach so far above her station, aiming for the War God, Prince Yao!”
“Insolence! Who do you think you are, showing such disrespect to Her Highness the Consort! Someone, seize Ouyang Xun!” Hongyi finally exploded in fury. Unfortunately, no one around dared to move—not even the guards who had escorted Ziqing there.
Ouyang Xun sneered coldly. “This is the training grounds, a military field, not the Prince’s residence. This commander answers only to military orders and respects only soldiers. Don’t lecture me about your fussy courtesies! Women have no business being on the training grounds!”
As he spoke, he pointed to a young soldier nearby and instructed sternly, “You, take Her Highness to the guest lodge. Within five days, teach the consort to ride and shoot. Get moving!”
With that, before the young soldier had even moved, he turned his horse and galloped away with his troops.
“Bastard! I’m telling the Prince about this!” Hongyi said furiously, but Ziqing said calmly, “The Prince is away from the capital for five days. You won’t be able to find him.”
“Your Highness, you actually know the Prince’s whereabouts!” Hongyi exclaimed in surprise.
Ziqing’s brow furrowed immediately, and Hongyi realized at once that she’d let her anger get the better of her and forgotten her place. She lowered her head, chastened.
To everyone’s surprise, Ziqing, unusually talkative, murmured softly, “Five days… what are you in such a hurry for…”
With that, she let the young soldier lead the way. Watching her retreating figure, Shiliang and Hongyi both felt a chill run down their spines—their mistress usually settled scores on the spot. If she was holding herself back this calmly, it surely wouldn’t end well for whoever had wronged her!
At the guest lodge on the grasslands, Ziqing easily dismissed the young soldier and swiftly changed into a set of night-travel clothes.
“Master, you’re leaving?” Shiliang and Hongyi exclaimed in unison, startled.
“I need a set of bow and arrows, and a warhorse. Have them ready before I return,” Ziqing said coldly, offering no further explanation before her figure flickered and vanished.
Also located in the western outskirts, not far from the Imperial Training Grounds, stood the dilapidated temple where the beggars lived.
Ziqing stood with her hands clasped behind her back, feet planted shoulder-width apart, standing perfectly straight—though petite in stature, she nonetheless carried an air of striking, heroic bearing.
Before her stood seven young men and women, all around fourteen or fifteen years old, each now dressed uniformly in black training garb, their faces clean, their eyes resolute.
“I’m glad all seven of you have chosen to stay. I’ll ask you one last time—does anyone wish to withdraw?” Ziqing said sternly. Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a force that could unsettle even the most composed heart.
“No one!” the seven answered in unison.
“Good. From this moment on, anyone who regrets this choice—dies!” Ziqing said coldly, and with a sharp flick of her hand, she tossed a life-and-death contract before the seven of them.
Guxi immediately opened it. One by one, the seven bit their fingers and pressed their bloody thumbprints onto the paper. Soon, the document, written in black ink and sealed with blood, was presented before Ziqing.
She glanced at it and nodded in satisfaction. “I won’t waste words, and you needn’t waste any on me either. What I want is genuine ability. Three months from now, I will form a mercenary band. Your pay will be determined by your skill, and I will personally test and select the captain.”
With that, Ziqing gave a sharp, spirited salute to the seven of them and immediately took her leave.
The moment she left, the seven began discussing boldly amongst themselves, brimming with passion and ambition, no longer the downtrodden, timid little beggars they had once been. In the prime of their youth, spirited and bold, they looked forward to the true new beginning that awaited them three months from now!