Not too stupid?

She took a deep breath, a piercing pain shot through her right ribs, and fire silently rose in her heart.

That small chestnut palace horse had galloped wildly like it had gone mad, carrying her into the midst of flying arrows, then throwing her violently from its back. She was already fortunate to have survived—even if he had rescued her from under the horse’s hooves, what right did he have to be angry, and what right did he have to speak to her like that?

Her waist and abdomen ached repeatedly. She couldn’t straighten her body and could only lie against his saddle, held by him as they galloped toward Baojin Tower.

Behind them, hoof prints disappeared into the yellow sand in the distance. Over there, chaos had erupted. The palace horse that caused the incident had been subdued and taken away. All the military officers and female officials were shocked, feeling waves of fear at the thought that Meng Tinghui had nearly lost her life.

The autumn wind suddenly rose. Perhaps because he rode too fast, she felt her entire body chilled by the wind. The soft cap on her head had long been lost, and her long hair tumbled down, swaying gently at the side of the horse.

Amidst the jolting, she felt pain in every bone of her body, yet he showed no tenderness. His large hand around her waist was like an iron clamp as if trying to crush every inch of her flesh and bone.

She struggled to look up and saw the horse passing through the side gate below Baojin Tower. He showed no signs of stopping, still whipping the horse fiercely, riding northward.

The trees grew denser, and the forest thicker. Beneath the hooves was a wide path paved with crushed stones, stretching as far as the eye could see, with no end in sight.

She finally couldn’t bear it anymore and asked, “Where is Your Highness taking me?”

His hand moved up, pressing on her ribs just below her chest. Hearing her painful gasp, he spoke coldly, “From the day I was born until now, I have never seen a woman who could fall from a horse in such a manner.”

She closed her eyes, extremely angry inside.

The thick sarcasm in his words was clear even to a fool, but she didn’t understand why he was so angry. She was even more annoyed that his simple words could ignite such fire in her heart.

After a long while, noticing the horse slowing down, she finally spoke indifferently, “How could a person like Your Highness, and the women around Your Highness, be compared to this subject? This subject dares not compare herself to the Emperor who excels in both civil and military affairs with heroic talent and grand strategy, nor am I like Lord Shen with her outstanding talent, beauty, and superb horsemanship. It’s not surprising that Your Highness has never seen a woman as stupid as this subject.”

He suddenly pulled the reins, drawing her into his arms, and said coldly, “Are you ungrateful or just audacious? Even the Emperor is not someone you can discuss!”

She stiffened, her voice growing faint, “This subject did not discuss the Emperor.”

Seeing her in so much pain that even her lips trembled, yet still stubbornly defiant, he frowned, released her, and sighed softly as he guided the horse in a half-circle. Only when they reached a low corridor did he stop, dismounting as he spoke, “From beginning to end, you were only focused on staring at men, so naturally you couldn’t ride properly? You’re lucky you weren’t killed this time.”

She was stunned, unable to react immediately.

Staring at men?

When had she been focused on staring at men from beginning to end?

Even if she had been staring at men, what did that have to do with her being thrown from the horse?

Standing by the horse, he looked up and met her confused gaze. The tall warhorse lowered its head, snorting. Her soft body lay on the horse’s back, her clothes’ deep crimson mixed with the horse’s coarse, black shiny fur, causing his breathing to become heavy as he looked at her.

But thinking of the danger earlier, he frowned again.

She had ridden like a madwoman into the willow targets where the officers were competing in archery, not knowing that cold arrows had no eyes. It was already heaven’s grace that she wasn’t shot on the spot.

Seeing her panic-stricken appearance, he was greatly alarmed and rescued her in front of everyone. Yet she not only showed no gratitude but even looked angry and wronged. How could he suppress his anger?

Seeing him standing there like a sword, motionless, not knowing what he was thinking, she could only frown and struggle to dismount herself. But as soon as she moved, she gasped with pain.

His eyes flickered slightly. Without speaking again, he quickly reached out to catch her, his touch very gentle. Supporting her waist, he helped her down from the horse, then lifted her in his arms and carried her toward the low corridor ahead.

She was increasingly bewildered, not understanding his fluctuating temper. But her nose was filled with the smell of dust and sweat from his body, and looking up, she saw his handsome profile. Her heart instantly weakened in an undignified manner.

His strides were very long as he went around the low corridor and directly entered the inner hall.

She sniffed softly, boldly nestling into his arms, secretly glancing at him from the corner of her eye. Seeing no particular reaction from him, she naturally pressed her face against his hard, cold armor.

These arms were long and strong, holding her steadily; this man was towering and upright, having saved her time and again.

She couldn’t help but think of that night ten years ago, of that youth’s arms and embrace that had kept her warm for a full decade.

Her eyes suddenly became moist.

But before she could think further, voices came from ahead—

“Your Highness, this is…”

His steps faltered slightly, but he continued forward, striding past the speaker, softly ordering, “Go summon Di Nian, and have him bring the horse that lost control in front of Baojin Tower for me to examine.”

She hurriedly turned to look behind, seeing Shen Zhishu’s eyes bright and penetrating, his face full of suggestive smiles. He mumbled in response and walked out, turning his head three times with each step.

He suddenly lowered his eyes to look at her.

Caught off guard, it was as if he had seen through her thoughts, and her face suddenly reddened.

From behind came Shen Zhishu’s distant voice: “Your Highness, I understand now… could it be that Your Highness is playing the hero saving the beauty?”

She noticed his eye twitched.

Looking back again, Shen Zhishu had already run out of sight.

His arms immediately became rigid, and he abruptly stopped, setting her down, his lips barely moving: “If you can walk, walk by yourself.”

As soon as she touched the ground, her left ankle was in intense pain, and she could barely stand. But she understood his meaning, so she bit her lip and said nothing. After a while, she finally spoke, “Though this subject is not skilled in horsemanship, I am not so stupid as to be distracted and unable to control the horse. I fear there was something wrong with that palace horse.”

He raised his eyebrows, his tone cold and harsh: “You truly are not stupid.” Seeing her left foot that dared not touch the ground, his expression changed again, “Your foot is injured too?”

She ignored his unfriendly tone, calmly nodding, giving the impression that she could no longer walk forward no matter what.

Unexpectedly, he suddenly knelt and reached out to grasp her ankle.