With Princess Duanwen’s casual toss, Yuwen Changqing was delighted. Coming out on this trip and getting a belt for free—beautifully embroidered and made by Yan’er at that!

“Thank you, Princess.”

Inside the carriage, Shen Guiyan heard the commotion outside but didn’t react. It didn’t matter who received it. In any case, she didn’t want to keep it anymore. If she gave it away, it would probably only cause heartache.

Yuwen Changqing was quite the show-off. Right there on horseback, he elegantly removed his belt and replaced it with Shen Guiyan’s, then rode his horse back and forth three times at the front of the convoy.

“What’s gotten into the General?” An attendant quietly asked someone nearby.

His trusted aide Luo Wei said calmly, “This morning before leaving, I brewed warming medicine for the General. Perhaps I brewed too much.”

He’d had too much medicine.

The attendant was bewildered and could only continue watching General Yuwen’s manic behavior.

“Your Majesty.”

They had planned to walk slowly at the rear, but unexpectedly when they reached this spot, they discovered the imperial procession was resting, with several carriages waiting in place.

Yuwen Changqing smiled like a blooming flower as he rode over to pay respects, then asked, “Does this subject look more dashing today?”

Gu Chaobei had set out tea implements to drink tea in this desolate wilderness precisely because he noticed the rear carriages hadn’t caught up. Looking at Yuwen Changqing’s thoroughly pleased expression, he was completely oblivious to the Emperor’s displeasure.

He swept a glance over his clothing—a lake-blue everyday robe with a blue lotus belt at the waist. It did look quite…

Wait, a blue lotus belt? Gu Chaobei narrowed his eyes. For several nights when he’d climbed over the wall to Yan’er’s room, he’d seen this item by her side. She’d embroidered it for so long—it must have been meant for him, right? Why was it in Yuwen Changqing’s hands?

It was like a pie falling from heaven toward your mouth, only to be intercepted by someone upstairs. A flame ignited in Gu Chaobei’s heart. He pressed his lips together, looking at Yuwen Changqing. “Does my beloved subject know that one cannot take things that don’t belong to oneself?”

Yuwen Changqing nodded with a smile. “This subject knows, but this was a gift from someone.”

Yan’er gave it to him? Gu Chaobei’s heart sank. After a moment of silence, he laughed lightly. “If it was a gift, then wear it well. Continue the procession.”

Beside him, Consort Zhuang drew in a soft breath of cold air. She stood with the Emperor and said gently, “Your Majesty, this concubine’s hand.”

Just now he’d gripped it with such force it nearly broke.

“My apologies.” Gu Chaobei released her and boarded the carriage with a dark expression.

Consort Zhuang sighed and glanced back at the gloating Yuwen Changqing before boarding the carriage as well.

Many of the Emperor’s confidants were around, and many knew the Emperor’s feelings, but the one in question didn’t know. The Emperor had never truly given his heart to anyone and didn’t know the preciousness of affection. It could easily wear away to nothing through such treatment, yet he didn’t know how to protect it properly.

Pressing her lips together, Consort Zhuang said nothing more and continued waiting to reach the hunting grounds.

Princess Duanwen rode her horse for a while, then worried Shen Guiyan was bored, so she joined her in the carriage.

“Don’t be too angry. Perhaps Imperial Brother bringing Consort Zhuang along has some other meaning—it’s not what you and I think.”

Shen Guiyan smiled slightly. “The Princess looks angry herself. How can you convince this concubine?”

Princess Duanwen puffed out her cheeks. She was indeed angry, but seeing Shen Guiyan like this, she felt heartache, as if aching for herself.

“Originally, this concubine’s wish was always to leave the Shen household, marry into a good family, and escape that sea of suffering.” Shen Guiyan shifted her gaze to look elsewhere. “But after my birth mother died, this concubine’s wish became to one day avenge her.”

Princess Duanwen frowned. “A life for a life is quite proper. Why can’t the murderer be caught?”

Shen Guiyan shook her head. “In large estates, it’s not as simple as outside. Without evidence, even if you know who it was, there’s no way to convict them.”

“Then how will you get revenge?” Princess Duanwen thought for a moment. “Why don’t this Princess simply issue an edict on your behalf and have the murderer executed?”

“It’s not that simple.” Shen Guiyan smiled. “Never mind that the Princess cannot arbitrarily decide life and death—even if you could, this concubine wouldn’t be satisfied with letting her off so easily.”

She’d thought about it for a long time and had probably come to understand some things. Now that her husband was Emperor, if she was fortunate enough to rise in the future and sit in the Empress’s position, then reinvestigating Concubine Qin’s death wouldn’t be difficult. She could even fix the murderer’s guilt and make her kneel before Concubine Qin’s grave in repentance.

After that, she would slowly, slowly take back everything owed to herself and Concubine Qin over all these years.

Only, this would probably take a very long time, and moreover, it seemed unlikely she could attain the Empress’s position.

After all, there were so many people around Gu Chaobei. Previously, she could still believe he surely had a place for her in his heart—she just needed to wait. But now, Shen Guiyan was suddenly uncertain.

When an act went on too long, she seemed about to be deceived by Gu Chaobei as well, completely unable to see his true heart.

Princess Duanwen looked at Shen Guiyan for a while, then said, “The Empress Mother once told me that the women of the imperial harem cannot depend on His Majesty for their lives.”

Shen Guiyan raised an eyebrow.

“The Emperor’s heart holds all under heaven, and all under heaven contains countless women. The Empress Mother said waiting is too difficult to endure—it’s better to think of other things, to climb step by step, not seeking to occupy much space in the Emperor’s heart, only seeking an unshakeable position in the harem so one can see him constantly.”

Princess Duanwen sighed. “Though this Princess dislikes watching harem struggles, within it, struggle is inevitable. Rather than always thinking of the Emperor like you do, it’s better to plan more for yourself.”

Shen Guiyan was stunned for a moment, then smiled with closed eyes. “Very well.”

Upon reaching the hunting grounds, everyone had to first pay respects to the Emperor. Shen Guiyan followed beside Princess Duanwen, walking over to bow together. “May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings.”

Gu Chaobei didn’t even lower his eyes. “Rise.”

Shen Guiyan stood and followed Princess Duanwen to step aside. Yuwen Changqing came up and said, “Since His Majesty hasn’t detained you, then this humble subject will escort the Princess and Noble Lady.”

“Detain?” Shen Guiyan looked at him curiously.

Yuwen Changqing said in a low voice, “According to past years’ custom, when His Majesty receives people’s obeisance, if he wishes to hunt with someone, he’ll speak to detain them. But today it seems he’s only bringing Consort Zhuang and guards—he hasn’t detained anyone else.”

“That’s fine too. Let’s go.” Princess Duanwen snorted, sweeping a glance at the Emperor and Consort Zhuang already mounted on horses, and asked, “Which direction are they going?”

“It looks like east.”

“Then we’ll go west!” Princess Duanwen also went to bring her own horse. Yuwen Changqing glanced at Shen Guiyan and had Luo Wei bring a docile small horse. “The Noble Lady probably isn’t very skilled at riding. Use this one—it’s called璞玉.”

Princess Duanwen looked back and smiled. “General Yuwen is quite thoughtful. This Princess hadn’t even thought of it.”

Luo Wei glanced around and said, “What the Princess hasn’t thought of, the General naturally must consider thoroughly on the Princess’s behalf. Otherwise, it would slight the Noble Lady, who is after all the Princess’s guest.”

With these words, Yuwen Changqing noticed the people all around. His trusted aide was clever—with one sentence he’d cleared any connection to Noble Lady Yan, treating it as if he and the Princess were together and Noble Lady Yan was merely a guest.

Shen Guiyan smiled her thanks, mounted the horse, and headed west with Princess Duanwen. Yuwen Changqing also rode after them, but as soon as Princess Duanwen spotted an animal, she became excited and completely forgot about the people behind her. She grabbed her bow from the saddle and gave chase.

“Princess!” Shen Guiyan called out. Princess Duanwen quickly waved to signal her not to call and ran off chasing a rabbit.

This left Yuwen Changqing and Shen Guiyan riding awkwardly side by side, with a group of guards following at a distance behind.

“Is the Noble Lady faring well in the palace?” Yuwen Changqing asked gently.

Shen Guiyan smiled. “Naturally well. The palace has fine clothes and fine food…”

“The Noble Lady doesn’t seem very happy.” Yuwen Changqing said, “This one doesn’t mean to pry, but the Noble Lady has shown this one kindness, so I’m concerned.”

Kindness? Shen Guiyan thought for a moment and laughed. “You mean that time with the dog hole?”

Yuwen Changqing coughed lightly twice and pressed his lips together. “It was still a life-saving grace.”

Shen Guiyan smiled and said nothing more. Because of her pregnancy she couldn’t ride a fast horse, so she walked slowly. Strangely, Yuwen Changqing simply stayed by her side with no intention of going to hunt.

“Didn’t they say today that the person who hunts the most would receive a reward?” Shen Guiyan said, “The reward seems to be the imperial wine ‘Spring Breeze for Ten Li.’ Doesn’t the General like drinking?”

Yuwen Changqing raised an eyebrow. “This one naturally likes wine, but…”

But spring breeze for ten li is not as good as you.

“My stomach hasn’t been well lately. I can’t drink wine. Better to let Princess Duanwen have it.” He smiled.

Shen Guiyan nodded and asked nothing more. The two walked leisurely along this way. Just as they entered the woods, a long arrow suddenly shot straight toward Yuwen Changqing.

“Watch out!” Shen Guiyan saw it and immediately called out in warning.

Hearing the sound cutting through air, Yuwen Changqing shifted his shoulder aside. The arrow passed by his side and struck a spotted deer in the forest.

Who was so blind? Shen Guiyan frowned and looked over, only to see the dark-faced Gu Chaobei with Consort Zhuang beside him.

She was slightly stunned. Hadn’t the Emperor gone east? Why had he come to this side?

“Is the General alright?”

“I’m fine.” Yuwen Changqing smiled as he dismounted, then reached out to help her down as well. Together they bowed to the Emperor. “Your Majesty.”

Gu Chaobei snorted coldly. Attendants had already carried the spotted deer away.

“Noble Lady Yan and the General truly have fine leisure—not hunting, but strolling here instead? A perfectly good spotted deer stood motionless right ahead, yet the General didn’t shoot. Where were your eyes looking?”

Yuwen Changqing smiled. “This subject didn’t notice. Princess Duanwen rode too far ahead. This subject and Noble Lady Yan were pursuing the Princess, but Noble Lady Yan is with child and shouldn’t ride a fast horse, so…”

“Since she’s with child, why come hunting at all?” Gu Chaobei looked at Shen Guiyan, pressing his lips together. “Wouldn’t it be better to go rest properly at the post station?”

Shen Guiyan was startled, then lowered her eyes. “This concubine obeys the decree.”

Gu Chaobei nearly bit his own tongue. Of course he should know why Shen Guiyan wanted to come hunting despite being pregnant. He’d just spoken too hastily. If she really went back, then…

“You could also wait in a tent nearby.” The Emperor hurriedly amended his words.

Consort Zhuang turned her head to glance at him, then smiled. “Why doesn’t Noble Lady Yan rest with this concubine? Hunting should really be left to the men.”