Gao Min said with a cold laugh, “First, congratulations—you’ll soon be flying up to the branches. Successfully taking the position of Third Prince’s consort in the future—now that would truly be remarkable.”

Li Weiyang looked at her coldly. “Cousin, apart from spouting nonsense, what else can you do?”

Gao Min’s smile vanished. She clenched her fists, glaring at her, saying through gritted teeth, “Don’t think I don’t know your intentions. Don’t forget, you’re just a lowly concubine-born daughter. Don’t dream of clinging to a prince and becoming a proper consort. At most you’d be a side consort, and then—”

Seeing her arrogant and domineering face, Li Weiyang felt disgusted. “What clinging to a prince? Don’t assume everyone is like you.”

Gao Min said furiously, “I clearly saw you with Third Highness, yet you still act so righteous, so matter-of-fact—you’re simply shameless!”

“Gao Min, why should I explain anything to you? What are you to me!” Li Weiyang looked directly at her, speaking word by word, unhurriedly. “Since you like Tuoba Zhen, just go find him. Why pester me? Don’t you feel embarrassed?”

Gao Min could hardly believe her ears—Li Weiyang had actually pointed out that she liked Tuoba Zhen! Did she really think people couldn’t tell from her constant “Third Highness this, Third Highness that”? Li Weiyang wasn’t a fool! But now, having her feelings exposed, she became even more furious. “Li Weiyang, how dare you speak to me like this?! Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Third Highness?!”

Li Weiyang laughed—laughed happily and sweetly. “If you want to go tell him, feel free. I’ve never hidden my temperament from him. Oh, and remember to tell him you like him, that you want to marry him. See if he’s willing to take you as his proper consort. Though, for the sake of our cousin relationship, I’ll remind you—Tuoba Zhen is a man with vision and ambition. I’m afraid your mere Marquis Bochang household won’t catch his eye!”

Gao Min gritted her teeth. “What did you say?!” Yet in her heart she knew Li Weiyang spoke the truth. The Duchess of Weiguo had once entered the palace to sound out Worthy Consort Wu, who hadn’t said much. But when it was mentioned to Tuoba Zhen, he had tactfully refused. Marquis Bochang had scolded the Duchess, saying she didn’t know her place, and that Tuoba Zhen was quite ambitious and looked down on the gradually declining Marquis Bochang household. But for Gao Min, a young lady with a budding heart, she simply didn’t believe Tuoba Zhen would value such worldly things. She wholeheartedly believed it was only because they had too little contact that Tuoba Zhen was so cold to her. That’s why she had insisted on coming this time. But unexpectedly, Tuoba Zhen had abandoned her the moment he saw Li Weiyang. She immediately concluded that Li Weiyang was a vixen who had stolen Tuoba Zhen’s attention! “Don’t be so arrogant! Third Highness belongs to me! No one can take him from me!”

“Who Tuoba Zhen belongs to is none of my business, and I don’t care! I’ve said everything I needed to say. Take your scrap metal and broken copper that you treasure so much—I don’t want it at all. If you like it, go ahead and fight for it. But I’ll say one last thing—take your Third Highness and stay far away from me. I don’t want to see a pack of mad dogs barking before me!” Li Weiyang’s voice grew louder with each word. She advanced step by step while Gao Min retreated step by step. The initial smugness and arrogance gradually faded, her face growing paler and paler.

“Work hard at it. I’m here wishing you success in becoming Third Prince’s consort soon!” With that, Li Weiyang snorted lightly, stopped looking at her, and turned to leave.

Gao Min trembled with rage. She suddenly walked to a patch of grass and pulled up the flowers and plants handful by handful, viciously trampling them into the ground.

“Miss, please calm down!” A maid watching from the side said fearfully, trying to soothe her.

Without thinking, Gao Min viciously slapped her. The maid covered her face aggrieved and hid to one side.

Gao Min’s face was twisted, trembling with hatred. She clenched her teeth, speaking word by word in a voice only she could hear: “Li Weiyang, I will never let you off!”

You’ve stolen Third Highness—are you pleased with yourself now? I won’t let this rest! I absolutely won’t sit and wait for death!

Thinking about it, she suddenly laughed, her voice shrill. That’s right—as long as Li Weiyang didn’t exist, Third Highness would naturally notice her.

As long as she died!

Li Weiyang rarely left the Li household, so there had been no such opportunity. But now they were in the wilderness—there were plenty of ways to eliminate her!

The maid watching her sinister expression couldn’t help shivering.

Gao Min circled twice outside Worthy Consort Wu’s tent. Now that Third Highness’s attention was all on that slut, marrying her was only a matter of time. If she married Third Highness first, Gao Min herself would have no hope left! She, Gao Min, possessed both talent and beauty—how could she lose to such a lowborn thing! But now, how could she reverse this disadvantage? Thinking it over, she thought of Worthy Consort Wu. She was Tuoba Zhen’s foster mother with the merit of raising him. Tuoba Zhen had always listened to her. If she revealed everything before her, she would surely prevent Tuoba Zhen from marrying such a lowly woman! Having made up her mind, she walked toward the tent, but was stopped at the entrance by a palace maid. “Miss Gao, the Worthy Consort has been summoned by His Majesty and is not currently in the tent.” The palace maid said respectfully.

Gao Min’s expression stiffened. She clearly heard voices inside the tent—why wouldn’t the Worthy Consort see her?! How could she have imagined that without the marriage connection to Duke Jiangguo’s household and Prime Minister Li, who would give a mere Marquis Bochang household a second glance? It was just that the Duchess of Weiguo didn’t understand her place, and consequently raised a daughter equally ignorant of her station.

Gao Min bit her lip, cold light flashing in her eyes. If the Worthy Consort wouldn’t see her, what should she do?

She returned furiously to her family’s tent and immediately threw herself into the Duchess of Weiguo’s arms.

“Mother, this time you must help your daughter. As long as Mother helps your daughter this once, your daughter will surely succeed!”

The Duchess of Weiguo was frightened by her crazed expression and quickly dismissed the maids, helping her up. “Min’er, speak slowly. What exactly happened?!”

Gao Min bit her lip tightly, her face pale, her eyes frighteningly bright. “Mother, you must help me kill Li Weiyang!”

She then told the Duchess of Weiguo everything that had happened today. As the Duchess listened, her brow furrowed tighter and tighter.

“You’re saying Li Weiyang was with Seventh Highness at the time?” She keenly grasped the key point.

“Yes, chatting and laughing together—she’s truly shameless!” Gao Min said through gritted teeth.

The Duchess of Weiguo laughed instead. “Then Mother has a way.”

“What way? I originally wanted Worthy Consort to stop Third Highness and teach Li Weiyang a lesson, but she wouldn’t even see me! She clearly looks down on our family!” Gao Min cried aggrievedly.

The Duchess of Weiguo snorted coldly. “Ever since your elder brother died, who in the palace hasn’t been respectful on the surface while looking down on us behind our backs? Alas, too bad your second brother isn’t capable. However, if Worthy Consort won’t work, there’s still Virtuous Consort Zhang!”

Seventh Highness’s mother? Gao Min frowned in confusion.

The Duchess of Weiguo smiled. “Virtuous Consort Zhang has high hopes for Seventh Prince. Do you think she’d stand by and watch Seventh Highness fall for Li Weiyang?”

“But—”

“Silly girl, if we made the move ourselves, we’d inevitably bring trouble upon ourselves. But if Virtuous Consort makes the move, no one can blame us!” The Duchess of Weiguo reminded her, then quickly stood up. “Come, go with me to pay respects to Virtuous Consort.”

Two hours later, a small cat that came from who knows where jumped into the tent, startling Bai Zhi. Zhao Yue was about to draw her sword when Li Weiyang stopped her.

The cat was pure white with amber eyes—clearly a precious breed. Li Weiyang guessed which noble person it belonged to and was about to order it sent out when a very young palace maid entered from outside. “Oh, Zhui’er, you’re here! You had me searching everywhere!” She picked up the cat, then as if just noticing Li Weiyang and the others, said with a smile, “So it’s the County Princess. This is Virtuous Consort’s cat. She’s been searching for it for so long, and it turned out to be with the County Princess.”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly. “So it’s the Consort’s pet. Then take it away quickly.”

But the palace maid didn’t move. “Since the County Princess found the cat, please accompany this servant to return it.”

Li Weiyang’s brow furrowed imperceptibly. This cat had clearly been deliberately placed here—how had it become something she found? This meant Virtuous Consort wanted to see her.

She pondered briefly. “Very well, allow me to freshen up first.”

The palace maid smiled. “No need. Virtuous Consort is waiting.”

Li Weiyang stood up. “Then please lead the way.”

Standing before Virtuous Consort’s tent, Li Weiyang stopped. A female official stood at the entrance. Seeing Li Weiyang arrive, her cold and critical gaze lingered on her momentarily before she said, “The Consort is waiting. Please enter.”

This condescending tone was very uncomfortable. Virtuous Consort Zhang had always projected an image of virtue and grace—would she indulge attendants in displaying such arrogance? Li Weiyang couldn’t help suspecting the other party was giving her a show of power.

But why? Just because she’d spoken a few more words with her son? If so, what about all the young ladies in the Great Calendar who sent sachets and pouches or even offered themselves to princes—wouldn’t Virtuous Consort Zhang want to devour them all? Li Weiyang suppressed her complex feelings and walked straight in.

Inside the tent was arranged like an elegant room. Female officials lifted layer after layer of beaded curtains. Li Weiyang lowered her eyes and slowly walked in. Incense burned inside—solemn and fragrant. Li Weiyang disliked any incense scent and held her breath slightly, properly bowing. “Greetings to Virtuous Consort.”

Long silence filled the tent. Just as Li Weiyang was beginning to think no one was there, a voice spoke. “You’re the Li family’s third daughter?”

“Yes.” Li Weiyang answered softly.

“Raise your head!”

Li Weiyang slowly raised her head. Virtuous Consort reclined on a noble consort’s couch, her form graceful. Her blue skirt trailed down to the floor. She was very beautiful, her features delicate as if painted in ink, her eyes flowing with soul-stirring radiance. The light and shadow in the tent outlined her nearly perfect profile—long brows and lashes.

For some reason, she appeared so cool and distant, remarkably similar to Seventh Prince Tuoba Yu.

As Li Weiyang looked at her, she too was observing Li Weiyang.

Her glance held three parts surprise, two parts inquiry as she gazed at her, finally sighing long.

“Beautiful, like a water lotus.” She murmured softly, as if speaking to herself. Then Virtuous Consort smiled, the tassels at her temples rustling. “I’ve heard you’re a concubine-born daughter in your household, that your mother was a maid. Is that true?”

Li Weiyang’s expression didn’t change. “Yes.”

“To have reached where you are today, you must have expended considerable effort.” Virtuous Consort propped up her chin, gazing at Li Weiyang. “What is your relationship with Yu’er?”

Li Weiyang raised her face, looking directly at Virtuous Consort. “I have no relationship with Seventh Highness—merely ordinary friends.” Or perhaps, allies as well.

Virtuous Consort had originally assumed she was an ordinary social-climbing woman. But seeing her answer so quickly, so emphatically stressing the word “ordinary,” she couldn’t quite read her anymore. Confusion showed in her eyes, quickly concealed. Her voice calm, she said, “Has your temperament always been this direct?”

Li Weiyang said mildly, “Your Consort hoped for Weiyang to speak honestly, so Weiyang can only express her true feelings to you. I know my status doesn’t match Seventh Highness, so I harbor not the slightest improper thought.”

So decisive! Virtuous Consort was momentarily surprised. She stood and slowly approached, lifting Li Weiyang’s chin to examine her carefully, then said, “Yu’er likes you very much. He often unconsciously mentions you to me.”

He practically beamed with joy—when speaking of the Li family’s third daughter.

However, seeing Li Weiyang today, Virtuous Consort was somewhat disappointed. This girl didn’t possess celestial beauty—how had she captivated her son who had eyes higher than the heavens?

Li Weiyang’s heart skipped a beat. She then looked into Virtuous Consort’s eyes and answered, “His Highness merely appreciates me. It has nothing to do with romantic feelings between men and women.”

Virtuous Consort looked at her in surprise, unconsciously releasing her hand.

“So humble… hehe…” Virtuous Consort said, as if thinking of something amusing, her face full of smiles. “However, Yu’er’s future prospects are limitless. He needs many people’s support. Marriage alliances are the best method. You are Prime Minister Li’s daughter after all, and someone Yu’er loves. If you’re willing to be a side consort, I could arrange it.”

Li Weiyang’s heart startled. She parted her lips. “Your Consort, I’m unwilling!”

Virtuous Consort glanced at her. “What? Do you find the side consort position too low? Could you possibly want to be the proper consort?”

In that instant, the atmosphere in the tent nearly froze.

Li Weiyang shook her head. “No, I wouldn’t be a proper consort either. Your Consort speaks correctly—Seventh Highness has a special status. In the future he’ll like many people, and he must like them and favor them. But Weiyang’s husband can only like Weiyang alone in this life.”

Virtuous Consort Zhang was completely stunned. Half of Li Weiyang’s face was immersed in light, her features delicate as if carved from jade, her dark eyes containing flickering brilliance, yet carrying indescribable stubbornness and determination.

She absolutely wasn’t joking.

For a moment, Virtuous Consort could hardly speak.

“You actually dream of one lifetime, one pair—you foolish girl!” When Virtuous Consort reacted, she was nearly furious. Though she hadn’t favored Li Weiyang either, for her son’s sake she had truly considered letting her enter Seventh Prince’s household as a side consort. Yet she was so ungrateful!

“Your Consort!” Li Weiyang suddenly raised her voice. “I absolutely don’t look down on Seventh Highness. Quite the contrary—he’s not an ordinary imperial grandson or noble. Your Consort holds great expectations for him, so Your Consort would never tolerate someone as willful and domineering as me at his side! In Your Consort’s eyes, Seventh Highness is a treasure, naturally worthy of the rarest jade to match him. But I’m merely a roadside pebble. Please don’t worry, Your Consort. I won’t dream of social climbing! Rather than marrying Seventh Prince as a consort and falling into endless daily struggles, I might as well find an ordinary household, find an ordinary man who cherishes and loves me to live my life!”

Li Weiyang’s words pierced Virtuous Consort Zhang’s heart like needles, word by word. Looking at her, she felt momentarily flustered. She parted her lips slightly but made no sound, her eyes filled with shock and fury.

“You’re too naive. Which man doesn’t have three wives and four concubines? What do you think you are?!” Virtuous Consort finally found her voice.

Li Weiyang wasn’t naive—she had already walked the path Virtuous Consort had chosen. Imperial princes, soaring success—but what had she gained after struggling her whole life? Nothing but emptiness. Originally she truly hadn’t wanted to speak so bluntly, but if she didn’t make things clear, who could guarantee Virtuous Consort wouldn’t still harbor thoughts of marrying her to Seventh Prince as a side consort? Becoming Tuoba Yu’s side consort—how would that differ from marrying Tuoba Zhen originally? It would merely repeat the same path. True, Tuoba Yu currently had favorable feelings toward her, but hadn’t Tuoba Zhen also shown her tender love at times? Everything was fleeting clouds—who could guarantee he would favor her for a lifetime? Therefore, she absolutely couldn’t marry Tuoba Yu!

Having said this much, there was nothing more to discuss between them.

Li Weiyang had intended to withdraw, but Virtuous Consort said, “Can you play music?”

Li Weiyang said slowly, “I’m not proficient.”

“Play a piece for me.” Virtuous Consort suddenly said.

Music reveals the heart. She wanted to know what kind of person Li Weiyang truly was.

Unlike the gentle, graceful pieces ordinary young ladies played, Li Weiyang’s music sounded exceptionally cold. To listeners, it was like watching a lone boat entering the sea in a night scene of water and sky merging amid misty clouds—drifting and swaying. This was a piece that felt cold and desolate. Just listening made one feel the young woman’s heart was extraordinarily lonely and cold.

Virtuous Consort listened without making a sound.

A corner of the tent was suddenly lifted as a palace maid entered. The strings in Li Weiyang’s hands immediately broke. She quickly stood and said, “Weiyang has been discourteous. Please forgive me, Your Consort!”

Li Weiyang’s pupils seemed to always contain a mirror, isolating her inner self, only coldly reflecting back everything projected from outside. But in the instant of playing music, a crack split the mirror’s surface. Virtuous Consort clearly looked into the depths of her eyes—intense, deep darkness seething in those well-like eyes. She hadn’t lied. Virtuous Consort sighed. After a long while, her eyes held an expression that was either sorrow or pity. “Your heart is harder than stone, colder than ice.”

Li Weiyang seemed not to hear. She curtsied and walked out.

Virtuous Consort didn’t stop her.

Lifting the tent flap, Li Weiyang walked out. Outside, the sunlight was warm. She found it glaring and squinted slightly.

“What’s wrong?”

She turned her head to see Tuoba Yu striding quickly from nearby.

Li Weiyang looked at him coldly, her clear eyes holding icy coldness.

Though her heart preferred to avoid trouble, Li Weiyang’s face bore a slight smile. “Your Highness, please remind Virtuous Consort that not everyone in this world wants to social climb.”

“You…” Tuoba Yu’s voice suddenly stopped.

She herself had never thought of marrying Seventh Prince. Sometimes even the misunderstandings had been brought about by this very person before her. Virtuous Consort wasn’t rash—she wouldn’t say such things just because she and Tuoba Yu had grown a bit closer. It must be that Tuoba Yu had said something before Virtuous Consort! Probably in these nobles’ eyes, she was just an object whose fate they could casually decide, and she should kowtow in gratitude! What wishful thinking! No matter how angry, Li Weiyang only curtsied coldly. “I take my leave.”

Tuoba Yu was slightly stunned. The gentle smile at his lips gradually faded.

That evening, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards Zuo Yuan received an order—one he could hardly believe. “What? Your Consort wants to kill her?”

The female official said quietly, “Hush! Walls have ears!”

Zuo Yuan paced back and forth with his hands behind his back. After a while, he stopped and looked at the seated, beautiful Virtuous Consort Zhang. “Your Consort, Anping County Princess is someone His Majesty favors greatly. The Empress Dowager also values her highly. Moreover, Seventh Highness recently with her…”

Virtuous Consort Zhang’s hair was adorned with exquisite six-petal palace flowers and delicate jade pearl ornaments. As she spoke, the slender pendants hung down, swaying slightly. “It’s precisely for Yu’er’s sake that I cannot keep her.”

Zuo Yuan looked at Virtuous Consort in confusion. However, this cousin of his only smiled quietly, like a dragonfly silently perched on a lotus tip, making it impossible to imagine that beneath her calm serenity lurked such sharp edges, stirring layer upon layer of waves. “Yu’er mentioned to me wanting to take her as his proper consort.”

Zuo Yuan was shocked, then showed disbelief. Though Li Weiyang was Anping County Princess, she was still concubine-born, inevitably inferior to legitimate daughters. If she were brought back, others would likely mock them. Seventh Highness held such noble status—Virtuous Consort would surely not favor such a daughter-in-law. But even if she didn’t favor her, just refusing would suffice. Why take such vicious action?

Virtuous Consort Zhang sighed. “If he’d only mentioned it casually, I might have agreed and let him take this woman as a side consort. But he was so solemn, insisting he must take her as his proper consort.”

Zuo Yuan still couldn’t understand why the usually benevolent Virtuous Consort had suddenly issued such an order—

A cool, chilling smile curved Virtuous Consort Zhang’s lips. “I know Yu’er well. On the surface he seems easygoing, but actually he’s more stubborn than anyone. If I refused outright, he definitely wouldn’t give up and would cause all sorts of problems. So I agreed, promising to find an opportunity to request His Majesty grant the marriage. But how could I let such a woman enter our household? Li Weiyang—I just met her today. His Majesty praises her intelligence and quick wit, but I find this sharp, aggressive young woman truly troublesome. Look at how she’s made things so tense with her legitimate mother since arriving at the Li household—everywhere people gossip about their discord. If she can’t even get along well with elders, think about the future—who knows how many women will be in Yu’er’s princely household. How could she help Yu’er manage the household properly? I don’t like her, so I absolutely won’t let Yu’er marry her. But I can’t refuse directly, so I can only wrong her.”

Zuo Yuan still had some concerns. “Your Consort needn’t concern herself with a young girl. A warning would suffice.”

A warning? Even if she warned Li Weiyang, what about her own son? In Virtuous Consort Zhang’s heart, there was actually another hidden reason—seeing the rare expression on Tuoba Yu’s face when mentioning Li Weiyang, his very eyes smiling, as a mother, Virtuous Consort immediately understood her son was serious, unprecedentedly serious. Yet it was precisely this seriousness that filled her with genuine fear. So she had specially summoned Li Weiyang, wanting to see what kind of woman she truly was. If she had been gentle, obedient, and understanding, she might have considered keeping her. But she was so stubborn and unyielding, even demanding one lifetime with one person—what good would such a woman bring if married in! Yet if Li Weiyang didn’t die, Tuoba Yu would surely marry her. Better to be decisive and eliminate her completely.

She raised her head, looking at Zuo Yuan, saying coldly, “Hunting is inherently extremely dangerous. Every year people die from stray arrows or wild beasts. This year Li Weiyang will also be on the list of accidental deaths.”

Zuo Yuan’s face was rigid and pale. He had always supported Seventh Prince, knowing his personality was resolute. If he ever learned that Zuo Yuan had killed his beloved, how would he answer to him? His very life would likely be forfeit. Moreover, he now held high rank and rich salary—why take such a risk?

What kind of person was Virtuous Consort Zhang? How could she not guess his thoughts?

“Don’t forget—many things involve mutual prosperity and mutual destruction.”

Zuo Yuan was shocked. He knew that someone of his qualifications could be found by the handful in the imperial city. Without background, capability alone couldn’t advance you. But a single word from Virtuous Consort had easily accomplished it. Though merely a consort, she wielded such power. If her son became Emperor in the future, boundless wealth would be within reach. He wouldn’t be limited to his current achievements… For a man, what could be more enticing than fame and fortune? A small heart makes no gentleman; without poison, no true man. He finally made up his mind.

In the evening, Li Xiaoran specially came to see Li Weiyang. Seeing she was well, he finally relaxed and instructed, “Don’t run around during the hunt—it’s very dangerous.”

Li Weiyang smiled and nodded. “Father should also be careful.”

Li Xiaoran looked at her and somehow sighed before striding away.

The next day, the hunt officially began.

The Emperor shot the first arrow. The sharp, resonant sound pierced the silent curtain. Following the sudden sound of countless sharp arrows, dozens of raptors burst from the treetops on all sides. The ceremonial official loudly chanted blessings for a bountiful year. Princes and high ministers all drew their bows and nocked arrows, Tuoba Yu among them. The female family members all sat in distant viewing stands. Tuoba Yu suddenly turned back, hurriedly casting a glance toward Li Weiyang in the crowd. His gaze lingered on her face momentarily, then shifted slightly to the side. As if looking at her, yet perhaps not.

Li Weiyang sighed. Truth be told, Tuoba Yu hadn’t done anything terribly wrong. Her actions in helping him might have misled him into thinking she had feelings for him.

This was quite normal. No one would help someone for no reason. Not knowing the previous circumstances, Tuoba Yu naturally wouldn’t guess her true reasons for helping him.

However, Li Weiyang also felt too embarrassed to tell him outright: You’re really being presumptuous. Since she had already explained things clearly to Virtuous Consort, given the woman’s status and position, she wouldn’t force the issue. So yesterday’s treatment of Tuoba Yu had been somewhat misdirected anger. Perhaps in the future when interacting with him, she should maintain distance. Li Weiyang couldn’t help thinking—she always felt she was quite old, but to others she was just a young girl. This feeling was truly complex.

Just then, Gao Min, sitting among the other young ladies, looked coldly at Li Weiyang, her lips curving in an icy smile. She stood up. “Let’s go to the horse grounds too. Who wants to come with me?”

All the young ladies were eager. The grounds here housed the Great Calendar’s finest horses. Learning to ride was a rare opportunity for these daughters of noble families, and they wouldn’t face strict reprimands. So the viewing stand quickly emptied by half as everyone followed Gao Min to the horse grounds.

Li Weiyang sat where she was without moving. She didn’t want to join that commotion with Gao Min.

Just then, a pretty little head suddenly popped up before her. Zhao Yue immediately placed her sword at the girl’s head. Li Weiyang quickly said, “Don’t be rude!”

Zhao Yue withdrew her sword. The Ninth Princess seemed very excited. “Wow, your sword is so beautiful!”

She clearly hadn’t realized that had she made any move harmful to Li Weiyang just now, blood might have been spilled on the spot.

Li Weiyang held her forehead. She had thought that after last time she’d thoroughly frightened the Ninth Princess, who wouldn’t come looking for her again. Who knew she’d be this persistent? Did this child have masochistic tendencies? She didn’t know that the Ninth Princess, usually so high and mighty, rarely had people dare speak truthfully to her. She felt afraid when she saw Li Weiyang, but when she couldn’t see her, she’d automatically seek her out—the same problem certain spiritual small animals had.

“Come play outside with me.” The Ninth Princess kicked at pebbles while sneakily lifting her eyes to look at Li Weiyang.

Few could refuse such a gaze. Li Weiyang sighed. Looking at the half-empty viewing stand, continuing to stay here would only draw more attention. Since everyone else had left, shouldn’t she try to fit in a bit?

Thinking this, she stood up. The Ninth Princess happily walked ahead, occasionally complaining, “You’re walking too slowly!”

Who would disregard decorum like you? Li Weiyang smiled helplessly. The Ninth Princess being so innocent and lively—the Emperor must have contributed greatly. However, this temperament might not be good for her.

Walking out of the camp area, she saw the boundless grassland. Li Weiyang suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of freedom. Because of this freedom, she began to like this place.

“Look! Look!” The Ninth Princess suddenly ran over, gathering her skirt to show her.

Li Weiyang looked down to see a cluster of plump mushrooms like a group of chubby children gathered in a pile, lying quietly in the Ninth Princess’s wide skirt hem. “There are lots more over there!” The Ninth Princess pulled Li Weiyang, pointing to show her. She accidentally dropped all the mushrooms. She quickly crouched down and picked them up one by one. The accompanying palace maids looked at each other. Li Weiyang also helped her gather mushrooms, and seeing this, the others all helped too.

These palace maids were all quite young. Rather than being the Princess’s servants, they were more like her playmates. Usually distinctions of rank were maintained—they didn’t dare be too familiar or truly treat the Princess as a friend. But now seeing the Princess gather her hem to frantically stuff mushrooms, accidentally falling and causing mushrooms to roll everywhere in complete disarray, and Li Weiyang laughing at her, the others, infected by this simple, intimate atmosphere, relaxed completely. The mood became cheerful. One palace maid unconsciously began singing a folk song from her hometown. Li Weiyang listened, instinctively finding the song melodious and pleasing, and unconsciously smiled.

Just then, the Ninth Princess suddenly dropped her mushrooms and jumped up. “Look!”

Li Weiyang looked toward the sky. An eagle spread its wings across the pristine sky. The Ninth Princess laughed. “I want to ask Seventh Brother to catch me one!”

Li Weiyang’s expression grew serious. The Ninth Princess shrank back. “What’s wrong?”

“If someone thought you were cute and wanted to catch and keep you, what would you do?” Li Weiyang reminded her.

The Ninth Princess pouted unhappily. “Fine, fine, I won’t catch it. Why are you so fierce! You’re scarier than Mother Consort!”

Li Weiyang pressed her lips together without speaking.

The Ninth Princess’s attention had already shifted elsewhere. She pointed at Gao Min in the distance. “She rides really well!”

Li Weiyang glanced over briefly. “Average.”

The Ninth Princess was shocked. “But her riding skills are truly the best among women in our Great Calendar.”

Gao Min was usually arrogant, but at this moment, wielding her riding crop, free and uninhibited, bold and spirited, she looked completely different from usual. Li Weiyang thought perhaps this was the real Gao Min. Unfortunately, she didn’t appreciate her own beauty and insisted on imitating Li Changle’s refined lady demeanor, ending up like a clumsy imitator. Li Weiyang shook her head.

The Ninth Princess grew excited. “I want to learn horse riding too!”

The palace maids were startled, suddenly realizing, and hurried to dissuade her. “Princess, please don’t! His Majesty said you mustn’t do dangerous things!”

The Ninth Princess’s temper flared. “Aren’t you all here?! Bring me a horse immediately!”

Li Weiyang frowned. “If you want to learn riding, I’ll have your Seventh Brother teach you.” She gave a palace maid a meaningful look, and the maid immediately ran off.

But now all the men were out hunting—finding Seventh Prince quickly would be difficult. If not, finding Gentle Consort Rou would work too. Li Weiyang thought this.

The palace maids had no choice but to order someone to bring the smallest horse. The Ninth Princess stood before the horse, her face showing some hesitation. Just then, Gao Min galloped past on horseback. As if provoked, the Ninth Princess grabbed the horse’s reins and tried to mount. Who knew that though the horse was small and usually docile, that was only toward adults—for a little girl like the Ninth Princess, it was completely different. Not only wouldn’t the horse let her mount, it threw a tantrum on the spot, frantically stomping its hooves. The Ninth Princess jumped up. “Ah! It’s kicking me!”

Li Weiyang smiled helplessly. Such a small horse shouldn’t cause any problems. Even just sitting still on horseback wasn’t easy—the Ninth Princess probably wouldn’t even manage to mount before Tuoba Yu arrived.

A nearby palace maid immediately rushed to support the Ninth Princess. But she was too nervous. After much fussing, the Princess finally got on the horse, but because her legs clamped too tightly, she suddenly tumbled straight off the horse’s back. The palace maid cushioned her fall beneath, so she wasn’t injured.

The Ninth Princess stubbornly climbed up, brushed dust from her clothes, and suddenly vaulted back onto the horse. However, the horse’s back was swaying. Though saddled, it still made the Ninth Princess feel unsteady beneath her, her heart frightened, feeling she would fall off at any moment. Thinking about it, she really felt she was about to fall, and unconsciously leaned forward gripping the reins tightly. But she glanced at Li Weiyang, remembering her earlier willfulness. Retreating now might invite mockery, so she hastily straightened up again with courage. Who knew after the horse walked just a few steps, its hoof struck a stone and its front legs suddenly buckled. She flew right off. The palace maids couldn’t catch her in time. She fell hard, this time wailing loudly.

Just then, a hand suddenly reached out and helped her up. “If you want to learn riding, you must start from mounting. The mounting posture must be correct.”

Li Weiyang wiped away the Ninth Princess’s tears. After finishing this sentence, she ordered the horse brought over, then helped her mount, patting her waist. “Keep it straight. Don’t be afraid of it. If you’re afraid, it will bully you too.”

The Ninth Princess could finally sit steadily on the horse’s back. Sitting atop the horse, she gazed up at the blue sky, seeing eagles passing through white clouds, actually feeling as if she were among the clouds herself. She couldn’t help laughing. “This is so fun!”

After a while, the Ninth Princess could control this horse. Li Weiyang released the reins and let it wander. The Ninth Princess laughed while pulling the reins, her cheeks rosy, looking healthy and adorable. Li Weiyang breathed a sigh of relief. A nearby palace maid said, “Oh my, Princess, don’t run too far! It’s very dangerous!”

Li Weiyang instructed, “Prepare a horse for me.”

The palace maid quickly led over a tall, sturdy horse. “All the other horses were taken by the young ladies. Only this one remains.”

Li Weiyang glanced at the unruly steed snorting loudly, and nodded. “This one will do.”

The Ninth Princess had already run quite far. However, Li Weiyang mounted the horse simply and efficiently, catching up to her in moments. Before the Ninth Princess could react, Li Weiyang had already grabbed her and forced her horse to stop. “That’s enough for today. If it goes on too long, the Princess’s thighs will chafe.”

“I don’t want to stop! Let go!” The Ninth Princess was quite addicted and clearly didn’t want to stop.

Li Weiyang’s expression grew stern. “You’ve had your fun, but they’ll be punished for violating Gentle Consort’s orders. Then no one will be willing to play with you anymore.” She looked toward the anxious palace maids in the distance.

Seeing Li Weiyang’s stern face, the Ninth Princess immediately became frightened. “Fine, fine, I’ll listen to you!”

But just then, for some unknown reason, the eagle circling overhead suddenly dove down. The Ninth Princess was caught off guard and instinctively twisted on her horse. The eagle swooped right before her horse, snatching a rabbit from the grass. The rabbit struggled, making the grass rustle loudly. This sound startled the Ninth Princess’s horse into a wild gallop. She felt she was about to be thrown off and unconsciously leaned forward, simultaneously yanking hard on the reins. When jerked, the horse bucked violently. The Ninth Princess was about to be thrown off. Li Weiyang grabbed the Ninth Princess’s wrist first. Zhao Yue leaped up in a few bounds. By now Li Weiyang’s horse had also completely lost control, frantically racing forward. Li Weiyang shouted, “Catch the Princess!”