The nobles of Dali liked to hunt at enclosed hunting grounds, but the nobles of Yuexi always headed toward the grasslands to hunt. Yuexi’s grasslands were located at the westernmost edge. Crossing through the entire capital, then continuously passing through fourteen towns before reaching there. For a single hunt, one had to traverse mountains and cross ridges. Over a thousand people had to ride swift horses for more than a month straight. Not only were the expenses for coming and going enormous, but people were also exhausted to the point of collapse. Most strangely, though Yuexi had strong soldiers and fine horses, these grasslands didn’t actually belong to Yuexi—they belonged to a tribe called Blazing Fire. The leader of this tribe, people called him the Great Khan of the grasslands. Many years ago, starting from his ancestors, they had continuously paid tribute to Yuexi. When he had just inherited the position of Khan and unified the seventeen tribes on the grasslands, in his youthful vigor he was once unwilling to live this kind of life depending on others’ goodwill, so he launched a large-scale war. Yuexi’s five hundred thousand iron cavalry and the grasslands’ three hundred thousand wolf cavalry fought a bloody battle. The final result was mutual devastation.

At first, the Great Khan felt this war was worthwhile, but later he discovered he hadn’t actually won. Because his tribe and people had suffered heavy losses in this war, yet after two hundred thousand of Yuexi’s five hundred thousand troops were destroyed, within a mere ten days they had assembled large forces again. He finally realized that what made Yuexi stronger than them wasn’t just fertile land and countless wealth, but also millions of subjects—and this last point was something he could never catch up to no matter what. So he began, like some surrounding small countries, to pay annual tribute to Yuexi. The tribute consisted of the grasslands’ finest horses, cattle, sheep, and furs. The Yuexi Emperor’s material compensation in return was also very generous, enough for them to get through the cold winters. The relationship between the two sides gradually improved. The Yuexi imperial family’s hunting location was also chosen on this vast grassland—the political significance of this was truly thought-provoking.

After several days of long journey, the Emperor finally arrived at these grasslands. The Great Khan, who had already assembled on the grasslands along with over ten Khans, all in high spirits and great cheer, welcomed them. After some pleasantries, the Emperor and the Great Khan discussed matters in a tent, while everyone else began setting up camp.

Li Weiyang dismounted from the carriage and stretched lazily. This time Madam Guo had not come along, but her three brothers and father had all come. On such an occasion, Duke Qi’s manor would never be absent under any circumstances. Raising her head to look, she saw several grass sparrows in the grass chirping and flying toward the sky. Li Weiyang’s gaze followed them, lost in thought. She had always lived in the city and had never seen such vast earth and spacious sky—that perfect combination of azure blue and verdant green stretching endlessly beyond sight, making one’s heart expansive and joyful.

Guo Cheng looked at her with a smile: “This time Mother talked for so long, yet you refused to stay home with her. What was the reason exactly?”

Li Weiyang blinked: “Such a good opportunity only comes once a year. What’s interesting about staying in that stuffy capital? Moreover, don’t all the households have many female family members accompanying them?”

Guo Cheng smiled and nodded: “That’s true. Hunts attract many heroic talents. I don’t know from when, but Yuexi’s noble ladies have liked choosing good husbands at such hunting grounds. I’ve already told Mother—if you fancy someone this time, I’ll help make the connection.” Before he finished speaking, he heard a cough from the side. It turned out Guo Dun had walked over. He glared at Guo Cheng: “Third Brother, you’re usually such a clever person—how can you be so dense? If you keep talking, Prince Xu will never let you off. Better cause less trouble.”

Hearing this, Guo Cheng laughed. For some reason he turned to look in Guo Dao’s direction. Guo Dao merely led a horse and walked silently beside them, head lowered, not knowing what he was thinking. Guo Cheng sighed softly: “Prince Xu isn’t as petty as you say.” Yet in his heart he vaguely felt Li Weiyang had followed them to the grasslands for another purpose—but what exactly had she come to do?

Just then, several young men came over to greet them. The one leading them was graceful and imposing—who else but Pei Hui? Pei Hui said with a smile: “Third Young Master Guo, let’s have a good competition at the hunting ground this time. What do you say?” His words were very amiable, but the coldness in his eyes couldn’t be ignored by anyone. Behind Pei Hui stood three other young men, all not very old. Their appearances somewhat resembled his—all handsome and upright, yet each distinctive, so no one would confuse them. These were Pei Hui’s three younger brothers: Pei Xian, Pei Bai, and Pei Yang.

Hearing Pei Hui say this, Pei Yang, the youngest, immediately looked toward the three Guo brothers, his gaze very provocative. With one glance, Li Weiyang saw that Pei Yang was only fifteen or sixteen years old. He looked extremely fierce, his finger hooked around a small, exquisite dagger. As he tossed it up and down, sunlight reflected onto Li Weiyang’s face, bringing a cold, sharp gleam.

Guo Cheng instinctively took a step forward, blocking in front of Li Weiyang. Pei Yang smiled slightly: “What? Is Third Young Master Guo afraid?”

Guo Cheng smiled faintly: “Who doesn’t know the four young masters of the Pei family are accomplished in both civil and martial arts? Especially Young Master Pei Yang—his specialty is archery, with a reputation for hitting a willow leaf from a hundred paces. Guo Cheng wouldn’t dare compete with you.” Though he said this, he blocked Pei Yang’s view of Li Weiyang.

Though Pei Yang was young, his temperament was quite fierce. He laughed coldly, his gaze becoming increasingly brazen. He had heard Pei Bao’er tearfully recount everything that happened that day. Knowing this girl was the Guo family’s daughter, he had long wanted to slash her face several times with his dagger to feel satisfied. Pei Bao’er was, by calculation, his elder sister, two years older than him, but since childhood their relationship had been very good. That day Pei Bao’er returned in tears and was severely reprimanded by her father and brothers. Not knowing what had happened, Pei Yang went to comfort her. Pei Bao’er told him everything, placing all the blame on Li Weiyang. How could he not hate her? Especially seeing that when Li Weiyang faced the Pei family, she showed not the slightest apologetic expression—his rage burned hotter and hotter.

Li Weiyang’s gaze fell on the several Pei sons, and she couldn’t help smiling coldly. Among the four, Pei Hui was the oldest and his expression was the most composed. Pei Xian’s appearance closely resembled Pei Hui’s—his handsome face was especially pleasing to women, but his eyes contained a white film. It was precisely this white film that made his entire person seem even more sinister, carrying an unfathomable air. Pei Bai had a grinning appearance, as if completely unaffected by the strange atmosphere around him, looking no different from an ordinary wastrel young master. Pei Yang was the most enraged, tossing his dagger up and down with a ready-to-strike posture.

Guo Dun laughed coldly: “Whatever scores we need to settle, we’ll settle them at the hunting ground.”

Pei Hui cupped his hands and smiled: “It’s settled then. Farewell.” With that, he led the other three away.

Guo Dun watched them leave coldly, then turned to glance at Guo Cheng: “I heard Pei Bao’er came this time too.”

Guo Cheng laughed coldly: “If I were her, I’d stay in my room for the rest of my life and never let anyone see me. Coming all this way here—I don’t know what her intentions are.”

Guo Dun was an honest person, but rarely spoke with sarcasm: “Maybe she’s just given up completely. Since she’s already thoroughly disgraced herself, she’s not afraid of anything. Might as well find some noble on this grassland to marry, to avoid being mocked when she returns.”

Li Weiyang merely smiled, neither confirming nor denying. At this moment Guo Dao led his horse over. His pair of bright eyes swept across Li Weiyang’s face, then looked toward the Pei family’s tent in the distance. His tone was calm: “I heard Pei Bao’er has a friend—the little princess of this grassland, the Great Khan’s most beloved daughter. So this time she didn’t just come to hunt, but also to meet her friend. In the past, the grassland heir Batu had taken a liking to Pei Bao’er and wanted to take her as his heir consort. The Pei family naturally refused, not only making various excuses, but later it was this Princess Ali who threw a tantrum that made Heir Batu give up and choose someone else.”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang glanced at Guo Dao. She had no idea this Fifth Brother’s information network was so well-informed. Seeing her gaze turn toward him, Guo Dao’s eyes instantly became even more profound. He looked into the distance, saying slowly: “In my view, the Pei family people are definitely not so simple. This hunt, everyone should be careful and not cause any trouble for Father.” The three Guo brothers exchanged glances.

Guo Cheng nodded: “Fine, I just won’t compete later and will stay to protect Jia’er.”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “I’ll be sitting perfectly fine on the viewing platform—what protection do I need? If Third Brother comes but doesn’t compete, it will only make the Pei family think we’re intimidated. That wouldn’t be good.”

Guo Cheng was startled, then looked at Li Weiyang somewhat hesitantly: “But Mother instructed…”

Li Weiyang shook her head: “I already have Zhao Yue with me. You should compete when you should compete. This rare opportunity to let the Pei family see our capabilities—that’s your purpose in coming.”

Guo Cheng hadn’t expected Li Weiyang to say this. Seeing her eyes, like a cold pool, carry three parts severity, Guo Cheng was even more surprised. In his impression, this younger sister rarely showed such an expression.

Guo Dun was quite pleased: “Good! We’ll all compete together. I don’t believe we’ll lose to those four Pei brats!” His speech was very crude, his voice quickly scattered by the wind across the grassland.

Li Weiyang’s smile was warm. In her view, the Guo family’s policy of forbearance probably couldn’t be maintained much longer, because the Pei family people weren’t the type who would restrain themselves if you yielded to them. They would only intensify their efforts, finding ways to harass and provoke you. Since that was the case, if you didn’t show them some strength, they would think you were a soft persimmon. Just then, a horse’s long neigh came from somewhere, and immediately someone blew a horn. Guo Cheng’s eyes brightened, his spirits lifted, rubbing his hands together: “The hunt is about to start—today is the first session!”

Li Weiyang smiled: “You all go. Zhao Yue will accompany me to watch from the side.”

After that horn sounded, horns echoed from all directions, as if responding to it. Cavalry from all sides beat drums, fired cannons, waved flags and shouted. On these grasslands vast as wilderness hid countless deer, monkeys, roe deer, bears, tigers, leopards, wolves, eagles and so on. This horn cry greatly startled the fierce beasts lurking in the lush forest and thick grass. They took off on their hooves, running and soaring in all directions. Among the imperial princes, Prince Qin was clearly the most valiant. Leading his guards, they drew their bows and nocked arrows, killing until covered in blood. Countless prey were hacked by them into bloody pulp, rolling in the grass struggling and wailing. In no time, the horses behind Prince Qin were laden with prey. Seeing such spectacular hunting, people couldn’t help coming to their senses. Even more violent cheering erupted. Everyone raised their arms shouting: “Kill it! Kill it!” Their voices were deafening, their eyes and faces full of fanaticism, clearly very excited.

Looking into the distance, Li Weiyang saw that Prince Jin over there showed no movement whatsoever. In the past people spoke of leaving one side of the net open—he opened three sides of the net, letting wild beasts escape freely. Even so, there were still some beasts, driven to desperation and choosing paths indiscriminately, who ran into the net. He would capture these beasts alive but not shoot them. Such behavior—it was hard to say whether to call it merciful or careless and unconcerned about everything.

Watching this scene, Li Weiyang couldn’t help smiling slightly. Her gaze swept over Prince Qin and Prince Jin one by one, then turned toward the Crown Prince. Compared to the valiant Prince Qin, the Crown Prince’s riding and archery skills were clearly not very impressive. Fortunately the guards around him were all first-rate, helping him capture and kill quite a bit of prey. Before long he too had gained abundant harvest.

Prince Jing Yuan Ying had just entered the field not long ago when he was dragged by Prince Qin to compete. At this moment he followed behind Prince Qin with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, his horse also laden with battle achievements. Li Weiyang’s gaze finally turned toward Yuan Lie, seeing that he was the slowest-moving of all the princes. Sitting on his horse looking this way and that, not knowing what he was looking at. She looked in the direction Yuan Lie’s bow and arrow were aimed—it was a rabbit. Li Weiyang laughed: “Zhao Yue, look at your master today. Looking around like this—does he look like he’s hunting?”

Zhao Yue looked for a long time, also unable to understand what was happening, saying quietly: “Miss, this servant also doesn’t understand. What’s wrong with Prince Xu?”

Li Weiyang glanced at Yuan Lie again, seeing he had already abandoned the rabbit. His arrow turned instead toward a completely snow-white little fox. But before he could shoot, a little wolf with gray fur all over was driven over by the large cavalry. Yuan Lie’s eyes brightened, as if discovering some rare treasure, and immediately chased after that little wolf.

Seeing this, Li Weiyang couldn’t help laughing: “I think he’s trying to catch some kind of pet.”

Zhao Yue also saw the situation, smiling: “No wonder I heard Big Brother say Prince Xu wants to find Miss a plaything.”

Li Weiyang’s heart was touched by some indescribable emotion, but she only said lightly: “First it’s a rabbit, then a fox, then a wolf again—he really has no consistency.”

Zhao Yue smiled: “Since he wants to bring it back for Miss, he certainly can’t shoot it dead. But right now the scene is so chaotic and the animals are all frightened—trying to capture them alive is the most difficult.”

Li Weiyang nodded, watching Yuan Lie spur his horse to chase after the little wolf, then said with a light voice: “But if he really catches a little wolf and I bring it back, won’t that terrify Mother? Have you ever seen which young lady holds a wolf every day?”

Zhao Yue stuck out her tongue: “That’s true. Prince Xu’s thoughts are truly unfathomable.”

In fact, Yuan Lie’s goal was to catch a little rabbit to bring back for Li Weiyang to play with. But then he saw a fox and thought Li Weiyang’s temperament really wasn’t suited to holding a weak rabbit. She was cunning as a fox—wouldn’t choosing a little fox be better? But before he could act, he saw that wolf with eyes gleaming with an eerie light. Those eyes immediately reminded him of Li Weiyang’s eyes when she was angry. He thought if he caught this wolf, when it grew up it could serve as Weiyang’s guard dog—why not? He immediately abandoned the fox and followed the wolf, but first, wolves were very fast, and second, being frightened, it ran straight toward the depths of the grassland.

Yuan Lie rode a white horse, crossing the grassland like white lightning. The guards around him pulled out huge nets to intercept that wolf. Just then, another group suddenly crossed from the opposite direction, blocking directly in front of them! Yuan Lie reined in his horse, his gaze coldly watching the other side.

“Don’t you dare make a move—this is my prey!” the opposing leader shouted loudly!

Yuan Lie narrowed his eyes. The approaching group all wore armor. The leader had over a dozen braids on his head, the braids wound full of golden bells. On his forehead he wore a headband, the headband inlaid with pigeon-egg-sized gems that shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight. By the looks of it, this person’s status was extraordinary, and he wasn’t from Yuexi.

“How dare you! To compete for our heir’s prey!” Guards beside that person loudly rebuked.

Heir? Yuan Lie narrowed his eyes. He finally thought of who the person opposite was. The young man across from him was precisely the grassland Great Khan’s most beloved eldest son, the fierce and valiant Heir Batu.

The bow and arrow in Batu’s hands was ready to fire. He looked at Yuan Lie with slanted eyes twice, saying proudly: “No matter who you are, I saw this prey first—you must yield it to me!” At this moment his guards had already surrounded that little wolf. Yuan Lie laughed coldly, his gaze blindingly bright: “Oh? Since when did the prey on this grassland become yours alone? The heir is truly quite domineering.”

Batu laughed proudly. The guards around him also laughed. The gem on his forehead refracted the sunlight, making one feel dazzled. He laughed coldly: “This entire grassland is mine, so naturally the prey on the grassland is also mine! And where did you crawl out from, you dog thing, daring to compete for my prey!”

In fact, Yuan Lie’s riding outfit looked no different from an ordinary Yuexi noble. Moreover, Batu had seen the Yuexi princes before. In his impression, among Yuexi’s first-tier nobility there was no such figure as Yuan Lie, so he didn’t take him seriously. That made sense—how would an ordinary Yuexi noble compete with the grassland Great Khan’s son for prey?

A trace of cold light flashed through Yuan Lie’s eyes. Raising his brow, he glanced at Batu coldly: “Batu, when I’m hunting I don’t want others disturbing my interest. Before I lose my temper, you should scram—do it quickly!”

“What did you say?” Batu couldn’t help changing expression. On this grassland, no one had ever dared speak to him like this. He said angrily: “You brat have truly eaten a bear’s heart and leopard’s gall!” Immediately he spurred his horse forward, abandoning his bow and arrow, raising his long whip to give Yuan Lie a lash. But Yuan Lie’s movements were clearly much faster than his. He spurred his horse forward, kicking aside the fierce horse beneath Batu. The horse neighed long, suddenly rearing back with a long cry, stamping continuously, constantly snorting through its nose, becoming agitated and restless. Batu was after all a warrior on horseback. He expended great effort before calming the horse down, glaring at Yuan Lie and saying sternly: “Where did you crawl out from, you bastard!?”

The two words “bastard” clearly displeased Yuan Lie. His eyes suddenly became sharp, riding his horse to slowly press forward: “How does the grassland Great Khan’s son not understand manners? Is ‘bastard’ something you can shout? Open your dog eyes and look carefully—see exactly who you’ve provoked!” As his words finished, he had already struck Batu with his palm. Batu, unprepared, tumbled embarrassingly from his horse, falling to the ground in disbelief, staring up at Yuan Lie in a daze. Yuan Lie looked down at him from horseback, laughing coldly: “Go tell your father it was Prince Xu Yuan Lie who bullied you. Have him petition the Emperor to punish me!”

Batu immediately wanted to jump up. He didn’t care about any Prince Xu Yuan Lie or whatever ghost—he’d never even heard this name! He could no longer endure, loudly commanding his guards: “Seize him! Seize him!”

But at this moment, the guards beside Yuan Lie had already drawn the sword hilts from their saddles. Several long swords were pressed against Batu’s neck. Batu had never suffered such humiliation. The guards following beside him were also greatly shocked. Who didn’t know Batu would be this grassland’s heir? Who dared show such disrespect before him? Even the Yuexi Crown Prince, in order to gain the grassland Great Khan’s support, had repeatedly shown courtesy and preferential treatment. Yet this man calling himself Prince Xu clearly didn’t take the grassland people seriously at all.

Those guards looked at each other in panic. One of them immediately stepped forward, saying loudly: “Are you a Prince of Yuexi? This is our grassland Great Khan’s heir—you absolutely must not harm him, otherwise your Emperor won’t spare you either!”

But Yuan Lie suddenly laughed loudly. His long sword slashed diagonally downward toward the top of Batu’s head with a whistling sound. The guards beside shouted: “Stop!”

Batu fell backward sitting on the ground in terror. His guards didn’t even have time to save him. In this instant his gaze became increasingly terrified. He only felt a coolness on his head, almost thinking his head would be cut off. Immediately he held his breath, subconsciously reaching up to touch, only to discover the braids he’d carefully grown for many years had actually been cut off by half by the other. He had completely lost face. The veins on his forehead rapidly bulged. The next moment he was about to explode in rage.

Yuan Lie’s ice-cold sword edge patted flatly on his bare head top. His tone was indifferent: “Remember, next time don’t offend people you shouldn’t offend! Also, that little wolf…”

When Batu felt the killing intent bursting from Yuan Lie’s eyes, he realized the other was definitely not joking with him—he had truly developed murderous intent. Batu wasn’t stupid. He immediately suppressed his anger and changed his tone: “It’s yours, that little wolf is yours—I’m giving it to you!”

Yuan Lie smiled, a trace of mockery flashing through his eyes. He said coldly: “Scram.”

Batu immediately jumped up, covering his head and running away rapidly. His guards were stunned for a moment, then rode their horses to catch up, saying: “Heir, Heir, your horse!” Yuan Lie stood in place, his gaze coldly sweeping over Batu’s retreating back. Zhao Nan beside him rode up: “Your Highness, how should this matter be handled?”

Yuan Lie smiled faintly: “Just capture that little wolf. As for the rest, you needn’t concern yourself.”

Zhao Nan’s gaze held a trace of worry. This Batu was after all the grassland Great Khan’s son, but Yuan Lie clearly didn’t take the other seriously. Moreover, the master’s commands were everything—he could only obey unconditionally. Immediately, the guards formed a circle, surrounding that little wolf.

At this time on the hunting ground, the competition among the princes was secondary. Everyone’s gaze gradually fell on the Pei and Guo family people. Guo Cheng had been hunting well when suddenly a fierce horse galloped out, blocking before him. Guo Cheng raised his brows—the other was precisely the Pei family’s second young master, Pei Hui. Pei Hui said with a smile: “Young Master Guo, shall we compete? “

Guo Cheng coldly raised his brow, half-smiling: “Fine, no need to waste energy—one round determines victory!”

Pei Hui nodded, smiling like a refined young master: “Then let’s begin.”

At this time, both Guo brothers gathered over, while the other three from the Pei family also sat on their horses, faintly following Pei Hui. Pei Hui gave a long whistle, riding his horse swift as lightning, chasing a deer. This time, he and Guo Cheng’s goal was to compete who could shoot this deer first. Several people unknowingly had already formed a circle. That deer turned round and round as if performing a dance, but couldn’t escape. Every time Guo Cheng shot an arrow, Pei Hui intercepted it midway. When Guo Dun attempted to approach the deer, Pei Yang flashed past in an instant to block him.

Guo Dao laughed coldly. He raised his bow and arrow again, shooting fiercely. Just as the arrow was only ten meters from the deer, it was violently struck by an arrow Pei Yang shot, immediately deflecting direction and stabbing diagonally into the ground.

“Third Brother, you take it!” Guo Dun shouted loudly.

The black horse beneath Guo Cheng caught up to the deer at an impossible-to-intercept speed. He had already nocked his arrow, ready to fire! People in the distance, seeing Guo Cheng appearing certain of victory, couldn’t help loudly cheering. But at this moment Guo Cheng felt his back turn cold. Suddenly feeling a sharp wind pursuing him, he jerked his head back and was immediately startled. In that brief instant his thoughts raced. He leaned his entire body backward on the horse, narrowly avoiding this arrow. And the one who shot this arrow—who else but Pei Hui?

The Guo brothers’ faces darkened. This wasn’t hunting at all—it was a death battle. Pei Hui had clearly just aimed for Guo Cheng’s life. Guo Dun said angrily: “What exactly do you want to do!”

Pei Hui laughed coldly: “On the hunting ground, blades and arrows show no mercy. You’d better keep your eyes sharp and don’t block my path, otherwise this arrow won’t spare you.” He said such cruel words, yet his face bore a smile. People in the distance couldn’t hear what they were saying, only assuming Pei Hui’s arrow had been aimed at the deer. But only Guo Cheng knew how close death had just come to him.

“You’re truly vicious!” Guo Dun shouted loudly.

“Whether vicious or not, what does it matter? As long as we win, isn’t that enough?” Pei Xian spurred his horse forward, his smile very sinister.

Guo Dun’s face filled with rage, about to explode, but was patted on the shoulder by Guo Dao. Guo Dao said coldly from the side: “If they can do this, why can’t we? This was never a hunting ground—it’s a life-and-death struggle.” The two brothers exchanged a look. Just then, they saw Pei Hui’s horse had already caught up to the deer. Just as he was about to shoot an arrow, Guo Dun automatically spurred his horse forward, blocking Pei Yang. Guo Dao fought one against two, blocking Pei Xian and Pei Bai. Only Pei Hui remained alone, galloping toward that deer. Guo Cheng laughed coldly, riding his horse close behind. At this time, that deer had already taken advantage of their moment of struggle to gallop toward the grassland depths. Pei Hui laughed coldly, raising his long bow to shoot. Who knew in a split second, his bow suddenly sprang up. Somehow in an instant, only the arrow remained in his hand—the bow was gone. He immediately tightened the reins. The horse reared up high. Only then did he discover his bow had been nailed into the ground by Guo Cheng’s arrow in an instant, escaping his palm like lightning. His palm center was already dripping with blood. If he hadn’t dodged quickly, that arrow would have shot straight toward his waist and abdomen!

“How treacherous you are!” Pei Hui said sternly.

This statement made Guo Cheng laugh. Guo Cheng smiled: “I learned this from your Pei family too.”

In fact, Guo Cheng and Pei Hui’s skills were evenly matched. Both had been taught by famous riding and archery masters and had both been tempered on battlefields—they were unparalleled archery experts of this era. At this hunting ground, naturally they were well-matched opponents, difficult to determine superiority. Just now Guo Cheng had been outmaneuvered by Pei Hui—at this moment naturally he had to turn the tables.

Pei Hui laughed coldly, glancing at his bow and arrow, throwing it viciously to the ground. From behind his horse’s flank, he drew out another long bow, laughing loudly: “The deer has already run away. Third Young Master Guo, go chase it.”

Guo Cheng was startled, looking Pei Hui up and down. Pei Hui smiled, his smile gentle, as if with an appraising gaze. Guo Cheng thought to himself: worthy of being Pei Hui—even being humiliated like this, he didn’t lose composure on the spot. He smiled coldly: “If someone else were on this field, they wouldn’t qualify as my opponent. You come.” With that, he had already casually whipped the horse, rapidly galloping forward.

Pei Xian and Pei Bai had just been blocked by Guo Dao—no matter what they couldn’t break through. At this moment seeing Pei Hui continue pursuing forward, Pei Bai glared fiercely at Guo Dao, turned his horse’s head, and galloped forward. Pei Xian looked at Guo Dao, half-smiling as he reined in his horse: “Junior martial brother, it’s been a long time.”

Guo Dao looked distantly toward the direction his brother had departed, not turning back to look at Pei Xian. His voice was flat and emotionless: “Senior martial brother, it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen you. Is your illness better?”

Pei Xian had always had an eye disease—this matter was also well-known by everyone. But Guo Dao knew because they were fellow disciples, both studying under a famous master’s instruction.

Pei Xian smiled faintly: “Still alive anyway—I’m afraid I must disappoint junior brother.”

Guo Dao’s smile remained as usual, showing no angry expression. In fact, he and Pei Xian were not only not enemies—when they studied martial arts together as children, they were actually very close friends. At that time Pei Xian was in poor health, not material for learning martial arts, so he was always bullied by other martial brothers. Guo Dao had a stubborn nature and didn’t heed instruction. The two ended up playing together, becoming very good friends. One night, Guo Dao made another mistake and was driven down the mountain overnight by his master. Alone he got lost in the mountains, curled up in a stone cave, nearly starving to death, thinking he would never see his Guo family parents again. But when he woke up, he saw Pei Xian’s face and couldn’t help being greatly shocked. Pei Xian had actually chased him all the way down from the mountain. When Pei Xian found Guo Dao, Guo Dao had only half a life left, nearly dead from thirst and dehydration.

Pei Xian helped him down from the mountain, but they encountered a wolf pack. Pei Xian was only ten years old at the time, with weak martial skills and poor health. Bitten by a wolf, he nearly died. Originally he told Guo Dao to leave him and escape alone, but Guo Dao carried him on his back all the way down the mountain. Until the master on the mountain regretted his decision and sent martial brothers to find them, the two barely survived. From that time on, Guo Dao considered Pei Xian his best friend. Because Pei Xian was in poor health and had a cold personality, he was always treated coldly among the martial brothers. So Guo Dao gave him his own dagger and told everyone that if anyone dared bully him, they were his enemy. To protect Pei Xian, he fought countless battles with those martial brothers, seriously injured many times. Precisely because of this, these two youths formed a very deep friendship.

But when they came down from the mountain, they suddenly understood that the Pei and Guo families had such deep connections—not as friends, but as mortal enemies. From that day on, the two, as if by tacit agreement, pretended not to know each other. For Guo Dao, he hadn’t forgotten that time Pei Xian risked his life to save him. For Pei Xian, he couldn’t possibly forget those years Guo Dao protected him. But what of it? Friends were friends, mortal enemies were mortal enemies—this was hatred between two families. So they could only be enemies, not possibly brothers, even less possibly friends.

This point was already confirmed when Pei Xian saw Guo Dao again. Pei Xian said coldly: “My second brother is determined to kill your younger sister.”

Guo Dao suddenly fell silent. After a long while, a trace of smile appeared on his lips. He said slowly: “I won’t let anyone harm her.”

Pei Xian looked at Guo Dao with an icy gaze: “What if even I want to kill her?” Guo Dao’s smile was very calm. He glanced at Pei Xian: “Then I can only kill you along with her.” Pei Xian just smiled. From descending the mountain he knew their mutual affection would have this day sooner or later. Pei Xian laughed coldly, spurring his horse and raising his whip: “Then let each rely on his own abilities.”

Guo Dao watched his departing back for a long time without moving, until Guo Dun patted his shoulder from behind, loudly saying: “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and chase!”

Guo Dao smiled slightly, looking distantly toward Li Weiyang’s direction. His tone was very indifferent: “You go. There’s no one protecting younger sister—I’m not at ease. I’m going back.” With that, he no longer looked at Guo Dun but turned his horse around toward outside the field. Guo Dun watched him, feeling quite strange.

Here the Guo and Pei families fought intensely. Li Weiyang saw it all with her own eyes. She knew the Guo and Pei families had fought for so many years—whether in court or on the hunting ground, they were evenly matched. No one could do anything to the other. But Yuan Lie’s behavior last time had completely enraged the Pei family. She guessed the other side would make a move soon. Only, what exactly would they do? Just then, suddenly a young girl walked before Li Weiyang, saying haughtily: “Are you Guo Jia?”

Li Weiyang raised her head for a glance. That girl seemed to stand in the sunlight, making one feel dazzled. The girl wore a bright red riding dress with a white sash tied at her waist. Below was a wide skirt hem. On her feet she wore a pair of small deerskin boots. The upper body was very neat and simple, while the lower skirt was very wide, convenient for large leaps and horseback riding—clearly grassland girl’s attire. Her skin was like sun-reddened soft jade, her eyes large and very clear, her brows carrying liveliness. Unlike Yuexi’s young ladies, she wore her black hair loose, with small golden bells tied at the hair ends. As she walked, the golden bells tinkled lightly.

Li Weiyang didn’t answer her, just swept her gaze lightly across the other’s eyes, then looked toward the distant hunting ground. This girl couldn’t help clapping her hands: “Didn’t you hear what I said?”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang’s dark eyes turned slightly: “I heard, but I have no interest in people without manners.”

Li Weiyang wore a soft silk dress that under the sunlight had its own faint radiance, as if a layer of pale golden misty sunlight attached to her body, looking somewhat dazzling. Hearing this, the girl immediately jumped up, her face flushing red with anger: “Who are you saying has no manners!”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “Before calling someone’s name, shouldn’t you introduce yourself first?”

That girl put her hands on her hips, her face angry: “I am Princess Ali. You should bow to me.”

Li Weiyang’s lips curved slightly with a cold smile, her tone very indifferent: “Princess is only the grassland’s princess, not our Yuexi’s imperial family. When you someday marry into Yuexi and become some prince’s consort, then you can bring up bowing to you—that won’t be too late.”

Ali immediately became agitated. She hated most when people brought up marriage alliances. Li Weiyang clearly knew her pain point and hit it precisely. She said furiously: “How dare you speak to me like this! Who do you think you are!”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly, saying slowly: “Then, who do you think you are?” Just as Ali was about to scold, she heard a pleasant voice from the side, seemingly carrying inexplicable sarcasm: “Princess Ali, I told you long ago—this Miss of the Guo family is someone no one can afford to provoke.”

Li Weiyang looked toward the voice’s direction. That beauty had a slender waist and exquisite appearance—who else but Pei Bao’er? Li Weiyang’s gaze slowly became mocking: “Miss Pei has such good interest, also running to this grassland. Are you here to hunt, or for a marriage alliance? Ah, could it be the Pei family wants to marry you off to the grassland to be a princess consort?” These words were very harsh. Pei Bao’er immediately raged: “Guo Jia, don’t speak recklessly! Do you think this is just anywhere! Is it a place where you can run wild as you please!”

Li Weiyang sighed: “I don’t provoke people, yet people come to provoke me. Princess Ali, take your mad dog home.”

Ali was startled. She looked at Li Weiyang, then at Pei Bao’er, unable to distinguish what the other meant. She was straightforward, merely having been instigated by Pei Bao’er to see what Prince Jing Yuan Ying’s beloved looked like.

If Li Weiyang were a great beauty like Pei Bao’er, Princess Ali would feel it was nothing. But now seeing Li Weiyang had delicate features and a cold gaze—clearly an ice cave. She really couldn’t understand how the warm and cheerful Prince Jing Yuan Ying would fancy Li Weiyang. Could it really be as Pei Bao’er said—merely because of her Guo family birth? Yes, the Guo family was Prince Jing’s maternal clan. It wouldn’t be strange for him to seek a princess consort from his maternal clan. But ever since three years ago when Princess Ali saw Prince Jing Yuan Ying, she fell in love at first sight, determined she must marry him. Suddenly some Li Weiyang appeared from nowhere—how could she be willing? So she waved her whip pointing at Li Weiyang: “Stand up! Let’s compete. If you win, I’ll yield Prince Jing to you. If you lose, you obediently leave him and never again covet the position of Prince Jing’s consort.”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang was startled, then looked at Ali half-smiling: “Prince Jing’s consort? Me? Has Princess Ali misunderstood something? Prince Jing is merely my cousin.”

Ali said impatiently: “I don’t care about all that! Quickly stand up! Compete with me—whether it’s horseback riding, hunting, or tree climbing, I’ll beat you. Even your Yuexi ladies’ music, chess, calligraphy and painting—I know them all and absolutely won’t lose to you!”