People in the stands rose to their feet one after another, exclamations rising and falling.

Li Zhaoying couldn’t help but become anxious: “How can there be such underhanded tactics! That horse is so tall, if he falls…”

Ruyi watched quietly, seeing Shen Qiyuan tightly gripping the reins, his spine almost parallel to the ground, the corners of his red-edged riding outfit flying as they rolled. Autumn sunlight shone from his side, light and shadow like a painting, youthful spirit rivaling heaven itself.

As the horse’s hooves landed, Shen Qiyuan turned back to glance at He Zeyou. His face showed no panic or fear, even carrying a trace of mockery, as if saying: Just this little trick?

He Zeyou originally wasn’t certain what this man had come down to compete for, but with this one exchange of looks, anger rose in his heart.

Setting aside official position and status, since he had entered the field, there was no reason he should lose to this pampered young master.

He quickly placed the sachets and galloped in pursuit.

When Shen Qiyuan reached the base of the Heaven-Reaching Pillar, the second tier had three or four people. He glanced once, then stepped on his horse’s back and mounted the pillar.

The Heaven-Reaching Pillar had inch-long wooden protrusions every foot apart, barely enough for one person to stand on, so those walking in front were actually in danger—those behind could pull them down with just a tug.

However, every time He Zeyou felt he could reach Shen Qiyuan, the man would dodge just in time.

Climbing higher and higher, the hearts of all spectators lifted.

Just as He Zeyou watched him about to pluck the red jade, he suddenly spoke: “Do you know what’s most unforgettable in a woman’s lifetime?”

Shen Qiyuan’s movements paused.

He Zeyou smiled triumphantly: “She will always remember the man who made her heart flutter at first sight. No matter how much I betray her, no matter how wonderful the people she meets later, she will always remember the scene of our first encounter.”

Such childish attacks were beneath Shen Qiyuan’s notice. Ruyi was Ruyi, and she had never been moved by that worthless man.

But he thought of another person.

“Your appearance reminds me of someone from the past.” Between the rolling red curtains, she seemed thoughtful.

His fingers slowly tightened. Shen Qiyuan closed his eyes, his voice low: “So what? She is mine.”

“If my lord truly has such confidence, why would you care?” He Zeyou climbed up a few inches and suddenly reached out to grab his robe hem. “Get down!”

The boot sole slipped against the wooden protrusion, and Shen Qiyuan suddenly fell.

Ruyi in the stands rose to her feet.

His eyes turned, and in the moment of falling, he grabbed He Zeyou’s shoulder, saying in a low voice: “Together then.”

“Master Shen—”

“Marquis—”

Though there were cushions below the Heaven-Reaching Pillar, these two had climbed too high. Such a fall was shocking to witness. Many people instinctively ran toward the field.

Zhaoying also anxiously rose, just about to ask Ruyi what to do, only to find no one beside her.

She looked toward the field in amazement.

The red long dress was like a crabapple flower swept by the wind, torn and blooming. In the blink of an eye, she had reached the field. She stepped up the Heaven-Reaching Pillar in a few strides, used the pillar body to leap up, caught the falling red and white figure, cushioned the impact, and rolled down onto the soft mats with him.

The bright red hem of her dress merged with the red trim of his riding robe into one color. Shen Qiyuan opened his eyes and saw the beautiful face hanging above him, eyes like summer creek forests, lighting up with points of firefly light.

A heavy, muffled thud sounded beside them, shaking even the soft cushions beneath them.

Ruyi wanted to turn her head, but he grasped her chin.

“You’ve already saved me.” He slightly raised his chin, the tear mole at his eye corner, both gentle and proud. “You can’t look at him anymore.”

This domineering attitude truly pleased Ruyi’s heart.

She licked the corner of her mouth, thinking that if the situation weren’t inappropriate, she wanted to kiss him and thoroughly tease him.

A group of palace attendants ran over, exclaiming, discovered He Zeyou had been knocked unconscious, and hurriedly called for the imperial physicians.

As Ruyi and Shen Qiyuan stood up, they saw that another person had already plucked the blue tassel red jade.

Holding the red jade, he came down and stopped as he passed by, bowing to Shen Qiyuan: “Thank you, my lord.”

“You obtained it by your ability. Why thank me?” Shen Qiyuan snorted with laughter. “Are you trying to annoy me, Zhenshan?”

Song Zhenshan raised his head, his distant and cool expression as usual, but there was light in his eyes: “If my lord truly wanted to take it, it would have been just a matter of raising your hand earlier.”

Shen Qiyuan waved his hand: “Enough, go see the Central Palace Empress.”

Song Zhenshan nodded, then bowed to Ruyi before striding toward the main pavilion.

Ruyi watched his retreating figure and clicked her tongue: “This young gentleman appears to have severed all worldly ties. How does he also have a marriage to seek?”

“He’s cherished someone for many years. That person doesn’t know. If he doesn’t seize this opportunity, he’ll probably only be able to watch helplessly as she discusses marriage arrangements.”

Being fond of someone is ardent and obvious. How obtuse must that person be not to know?

Ruyi returned to the pavilion, just thinking to complain to Zhaoying, when she saw a palace attendant approach and respectfully bow to Zhaoying: “Princess, Her Majesty requests your presence.”

Zhaoying’s small face fell as she looked at her pitifully: “Ruyi, what should I do?”

Ruyi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “The person he cherishes is you?”

“Who knows why she’s summoning me?” Kicking a low stool as if venting frustration, Zhaoying muttered, “He doesn’t like me anyway. He just wants to see me make a fool of myself.”

“How do you know he doesn’t like you?”

“Isn’t that obvious? You haven’t seen Song Zhenshan’s face—it’s like he’s attending a funeral. I’ve never seen him smile. Even when we played together with Brother Qiyuan in childhood, he would always just stand motionless, only watching us.”

Ruyi understood, then asked: “Do you dislike him then?”

“I can’t say I dislike him, but if we married, how would we live?” Zhaoying’s eyes reddened. “It would be the same whoever he married. Why must he choose me?”

Though she said this, imperial commands couldn’t be disobeyed. She still had to stand up and follow the palace attendant toward the main pavilion with drooping spirits.

Shen Qiyuan walked over generously and sat beside Ruyi.

Ruyi instantly felt gazes from all directions looking their way.

“Master Shen.” She scratched the corner of her eye. “If this little woman is ambushed at the traveling palace, what will my lord compensate me with?”

Shen Qiyuan sat properly, separated from her by a table: “As long as you don’t wish it, no one can ambush you.”

He was in an excellent mood, even the contours of his profile had softened somewhat, his eyes brimming with radiance like brocade clouds.

Since this person didn’t care, Ruyi also generously appreciated his appearance, saying with a smile, “Seeing how badly Ningyuan Marquis fell, I also saved my lord once. Does my lord have any reward?”

“What do you want?”

“Anything is fine?” She supported her chin with both hands, blinking meaningfully.

Shen Qiyuan understood, his voice suddenly somewhat hoarse: “Ruyi, don’t speak carelessly in this kind of place.”

“What’s wrong with this kind of place?” She looked left and right. “No one can hear anyway.”

The person across from her said nothing, only closed his eyes, as if restraining something.

Ruyi belatedly realized, glanced toward his lower abdomen, and suddenly burst into laughter: “The Pure God of the mortal realm, how can you not withstand even one sentence?”