In the blink of an eye, it was already the twentieth of April. The Astronomical Bureau’s predictions proved to have some genuine merit after all—the continuous spring rains had finally ceased. The sky was a clear, cloudless blue, washed clean as if by brush. After the rain, fresh flowers burst forth like spring bamboo shoots, truly making one exclaim that spring blossoms were flying everywhere throughout the city.
After seeing off Song Chuyi and Xiang Mingzi, Old Madam Song’s expression remained somewhat unhappy. The First Madam noticed something amiss. Although Old Madam Song maintained an outwardly calm and composed demeanor, it was impossible for her not to worry in her heart.
This time, the Eastern Ocean envoys would also participate in the spring hunt. If they formally raised the matter again at the spring hunt banquet, the marriage alliance would most likely be decided on the spot. Judging from the situation these past days, Emperor Jianzhang was very likely to agree to the Eastern Ocean envoys’ marriage proposal.
In her own heart, she felt as if a rabbit was trapped inside, jumping up and down chaotically, giving her no peace. Seeing Old Madam Song also reveal a worried appearance now made her even more unable to maintain her composure. Fortunately, she still retained some rationality. After collecting herself, she instead comforted Old Madam Song: “Father and Xiaoyi will surely think of a solution.” Remembering how a few years ago she had obstinately and presumptuously pushed Song Chuyi out to shield Consort Song and the Eleventh Princess from disaster, her heart filled with lingering fear. It was fortunate that Song Chuyi was uncommonly clever and hadn’t fallen for that trap, even dissolving the entire calamity into nothing. Otherwise, when Consort Song now faced difficulties, they wouldn’t even know where to look for help.
Old Madam Song said she wasn’t worried about the marriage alliance matter. These past few days, Old Master Song had also given her the inside information—she already knew that Cui Shaoting’s side was already helping to find ways to investigate matters concerning the Eastern Ocean. Moreover, Song Chuyi had also entrusted the Grand Prince to find Guo Huaiying. With Guo Huaiying and Cui Shaoting, two people who knew the Eastern Ocean in great detail, most of the intelligence would not go wrong. Since the information wouldn’t go wrong, implementing the subsequent plan would only become simpler.
What she worried about was that Song Chuyi and Xiang Mingzi would inevitably suffer losses right before their eyes—the Ninth Princess was not someone easy to get along with. Who knew what methods she would think up at the hunting grounds to torment them and get even.
Her worry soon became reality.
After several days of jolting travel, they finally arrived at the traveling palace. Everything was in chaotic confusion as people waited to be settled. Song Chuyi and Xiang Mingzi received news of the Ninth Princess summoning them. At that moment, they had just descended from their carriage, and Xiang Mingzi was already so weak she barely had the strength to speak.
But the head governess beside the Ninth Princess pressed them urgently. The Ninth Princess was sovereign and they were subjects—there was no reason not to obey. They could only wash up briefly before going to pay respects to this exceptionally arrogant Ninth Princess.
The Ninth Princess wore riding attire today. She appeared spirited and vigorous, her riding outfit making her look heroic and dashing. Her hair was braided into a bun. With head held high and surrounded by Chen Mingyu and others, she sat elevated on horseback, casting them a sidelong glance from her high position.
After all proprieties were observed, she flicked the riding crop in her hand, pointing it directly at Song Chuyi and Xiang Mingzi: “Come, race with this princess!”
Xiang Mingzi had always been physically weak. Although she had been pampered in every way at the Song manor these past two years, her constitution was still slightly inferior to ordinary people. Looking now at the horse that stood a good half-head taller than her, she couldn’t help but draw in a breath.
Song Chuyi was truly fed up with this Ninth Princess’s repeated provocations. She glanced meaningfully at Chen Mingyu beside the Ninth Princess, who smiled radiantly and appeared increasingly amiable, then revealed a troubled expression: “Unfortunately, this subject is not skilled at horsemanship.”
Chen Mingyu gripped her horse’s reins, soothing her tall steed. Her almond eyes widened in apparent surprise: “Sister, these words of yours are surely meant to deceive. Who doesn’t know that Earl Changning’s household rose through military merit? Moreover, among us girls in the capital, is there anyone who can’t ride? Riding and archery are also part of the Six Arts we must learn.”
Song Chuyi pretended not to understand her goading tactics. She spread both hands, tilting her head with a “what can you do about it” attitude: “This subject’s skills are lacking. I fear I cannot provide the Princess with enjoyment. Why doesn’t Your Highness select someone more capable?”
The Ninth Princess flicked her riding crop, stopping it precisely at the section of Song Chuyi’s exposed neck, which was as white as jade. Her tone was extremely impatient: “Don’t make me say it a second time! I told you to race with me!”
The riding crop hung limply at Song Chuyi’s neck. The Ninth Princess deliberately added force, raising the crop upward. Song Chuyi’s face, tender as a peeled egg, instantly gained a red welt.
Chen Mingyu wanted to laugh but also wanted to suppress it, yet ultimately failed to hold back, covering her lips with her hand to disguise it—the Ninth Princess’s behavior made it seem like she was teasing a dog.
Xiang Mingzi cried out in alarm, hurrying forward to shield Song Chuyi behind her. Though tears filled her eyes, she refused to yield: “How can Your Highness raise a hand to injure someone?!”
These nobles of Heaven’s bloodline never valued human lives as lives, let alone others’ dignity. Song Chuyi glanced around at the growing crowd of noble young ladies and onlookers gathering from all sides. She reached out to pull Xiang Mingzi back a step, meeting the Ninth Princess’s gaze with a cold laugh: “Very well, I’ll race Your Highness. I wonder what the wager is?”
The Ninth Princess frowned, pondering at length before knitting her brows and asking: “What do you say we should wager?”
Song Chuyi looked around the field in a sweeping gaze, her tone rigid yet resolute: “I’ve heard that in the past when men raced horses, the loser had to crawl beneath the horse’s belly. Why don’t we have whoever loses imitate this once before everyone’s eyes?”
The Ninth Princess stared at her for a long while, then suddenly laughed: “As you wish!”
She had always been very confident in her riding skills and absolutely did not believe she would lose to an obscure Miss Song the Sixth.
Ye Jingchuan suddenly appeared from somewhere, leading a tall steed, his eyes gleaming: “Song the Sixth, I’ll lend you my horse!”
This horse was one he had just acquired from Princess Rongcheng’s estate—four hooves marked with white, robust and powerful. One look was enough to know it was no ordinary beast.
The Ninth Princess gave a contemptuous laugh. The horse was indeed a good horse, but it was clearly more than half a head taller than Song Chuyi. She feared that instead of the person riding the horse, it would be the horse riding the person. Since Song Chuyi was as unskilled at horsemanship as she herself claimed, she should properly select another suitable horse rather than risk being thrown from it halfway through.
Immediately after, she discovered that Song Chuyi actually nodded in agreement, and moreover stepped into the stirrup and mounted the horse with fluid, efficient movements showing not the slightest hesitation. In moments, she sat steady on the horse’s back.
Where was there any resemblance to an amateur who had never touched a horse? She clearly appeared to be an expert. The Ninth Princess whipped her crop fiercely, shooting out like an arrow released from a bow.
She had confidence in her own riding skills. Even if Song Chuyi was an expert, she had nothing to fear.
Song Chuyi crouched on the horse’s back, following close behind. She steadily cleared the first earthen slope, maintaining a half-horse-length distance from the Ninth Princess. Her horse was indeed a fine beast, running both steadily and swiftly. At this rate, she would soon catch up to the Ninth Princess’s horse.