Chapter 130: Ye Chutang’s Test

When Ye Chutang arrived at the city gate, it was just the time of the mao hour.

The city gate opened.

Having run all the way from the Minister’s Residence, she had already gotten used to the feeling of riding a horse.

Song Jingning and everyone else had already arrived.

In addition to the four young masters who drank with her last night, there were also two women.

Song Jingning noticed Ye Chutang’s impressive horsemanship and suddenly became interested in today’s hunt.

Only when the competition is even, the hunt becomes truly exciting.

He smiled and said to Ye Chutang as she dismounted, “Miss Ye, you’re right on time. Let me introduce you to everyone.”

“Su Yu and his younger sister, Su Nian; Wei Zeyu; Tang Xiuyu and his second sister, Tang Zhirong.”

These people were all from scholarly families.

After Ye Chutang greeted everyone, she introduced herself.

“Ye Chutang.”

As soon as she finished, she sensed hostility.

It came from Su Nian.

Su Nian liked Song Jingning.

Ever since she learned that the Song family intended to arrange a marriage with the Ye family, she had been restless.

Upon hearing from her brother last night that Song Jingning might have an interest in Ye Chutang, her heart almost shattered.

So, even though her horsemanship wasn’t great, she still came shamelessly.

When Su Nian saw Ye Chutang looking at her, she immediately forced a faint smile.

“Miss Ye, your name is well known in the capital. It is such an honor to meet you.”

Ye Chutang could tell the source of Su Nian’s hostility but didn’t mind. She responded with a slight smile.

“Fate brings us together. It’s a pleasure.”

Su Nian was momentarily distracted by Ye Chutang’s smile. She could feel the goodwill and composure in it, and her hostility instantly faded.

Song Jingning said, “It will take us half an hour to reach Meishan, let’s set off!”

After speaking, he led the group out of the city gate.

Once they were out of the city, he immediately mounted his horse, cracked the whip, and galloped away.

Everyone followed closely.

The sky was slightly light and cool during the mao hour.

After they left the imperial city, mist surrounded them, and small droplets of water formed on their hair.

When the early sun rose, the water droplets sparkled.

Su Nian, the delicate daughter of a scholarly family, had only ridden on the family’s horse track. She had never traveled such a long distance.

After half the journey, she could barely endure it anymore.

“Brother, I want to rest for a moment.”

The inside of her thighs had been chafed, and she couldn’t hold on any longer.

“Alright.”

Su Yu caught up with Song Jingning, who was ahead.

“Jingning, let’s find a place to rest, eat some dry food, and then continue.”

Song Jingning knew that bringing Su Nian and Tang Zhirong along had been a reluctant decision, so he immediately agreed.

“There’s a river ahead. Let’s rest there.”

“Alright.”

The group stopped by the river, each finding a rock to sit on.

Ye Chutang took out some fruit and snacks she had prepared earlier.

“Please, everyone, feel free to help yourselves.”

These were all high-quality items she had taken from the imperial kitchen when it was emptied.

Since she had spoken, no one dared to refuse, and each person took a piece.

Ye Chutang noticed that Su Nian’s walking posture was off.

She turned to Song Jingning and said, “Young Master Song, after eating, it’s not advisable to ride too roughly. Can we ride slowly afterward?”

Song Jingning also noticed that Su Nian’s legs might have been chafed.

“You’re absolutely right, Miss Ye.”

After taking a bite of an apple, Ye Chutang walked to the riverbank.

The water was clear and slow-flowing, with small fish swimming at the bottom.

The early sun shone on the river, causing the surface to sparkle and reflecting the light, making it slightly dazzling.

Song Jingning looked at Ye Chutang, almost blending into the beautiful scenery, and he felt a desire to get closer.

Unconsciously, he walked over and asked, “Miss Ye, don’t you have riding gear?”

“Last night it got too late, and I didn’t have time to buy it. Is this outfit unsuitable?”

“The trees on Meishan are dense, and a gauzy outfit is easy to get caught. There’s riding gear available at Meizhuang. You could buy a set.”

Ye Chutang smiled slightly. “Thank you for the reminder.”

Then, she asked, “It seems like your relationship with your family is very good, Young Master Song?”

The topic switched so abruptly that Song Jingning was a bit confused.

“Why do you say that, Miss Ye?”

“I’m just a bit sentimental. We are around the same age, but our circumstances are worlds apart. My Ye family treats me like an outsider. I was sent to the countryside since I was little. If it weren’t for my usefulness, my father would never have called me back.”

Hearing this, Song Jingning felt even more confused.

It’s said that family shame should not be exposed. What did Miss Ye mean by telling him this?

He paused for a moment and then comforted her, “Miss Ye, all the experiences of the past are part of growth and learning. It’s only through that journey that you’ve become who you are today.”

Although his words weren’t wrong, they had no connection to Ye Chutang’s past or her present.

She smiled and said, “Young Master Song, you’re right. I’ve learned a lot.”

Then, she got straight to the point. “We are the same age. Who’s older?”

Song Jingning found Ye Chutang’s question a bit strange.

But he still answered truthfully, “My birthdate is the fifteenth of the twelfth month.”

“Really? I’m also born in the twelfth month, but on the third day.”

Although the exact birthdates were different, being born in the same month still seemed like a coincidence.

So, Ye Chutang continued to probe.

“I heard that it was very cold in the capital that year, with ice everywhere, which caused my mother to fall and give birth prematurely. If it weren’t for the help of the divine doctor Xue, I wouldn’t have survived.”

When Song Jingning heard this, a discomfort settled in his heart.

“Those who survive great calamities are bound to have blessings afterward.”

Finally, Song Jingning understood why Ye Chutang had said these things.

It seemed that they both had the same doubts.

So, he responded to her probe.

“I’m from Liangzhou, which is even farther north than the capital. We get heavy snow every winter, and there are often snow disasters. After my mother gave birth to me, she named me ‘Ning,’ hoping that the country and its people would be peaceful and safe.”

After hearing Song Jingning’s story, Ye Chutang realized she had overthought things.

Their birthdates were different, and even their places of birth were different. He definitely wasn’t the original Ye Chutang’s brother.

“Young Master Song, your name is very well chosen.”

Song Jingning chuckled.

“Although the name is nice, unfortunately, my mother’s wish didn’t come true.”

The emperor is incompetent, eunuchs are in power, loyal ministers are wronged, the people are poor, and the country is on the verge of collapse!

“It will come true.”

Ye Chutang said, then glanced at the others, who were looking at them from afar. “Young Master Song, everyone must be ready. Let’s go.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

When the group reached Meishan, Prince An was kneeling in the Golden Luan Hall, taking the blame for the emperor’s plot against Ye Chutang.