Chapter 48: Turn Around and Look at the Diagonal Behind You

Not far from the camp, in a small clearing, Jiang Huaiyue sat upright on her horse, with Fuyao gently leading the horse at a slow pace.

Su Xiangwan was sitting under a nearby tree; she had sent someone to get some ice and made a pot of fruit tea.

Jiang Huaiyue tested it and found it okay, then said to Fuyao, “Fuyao, let go of me. I want to try riding on my own.”

Fuyao hesitated for a moment before releasing her: “Princess, be careful, don’t ride too fast.”

Having been by the princess’s side for so long, Fuyao had found that she was very smart and resilient.

She learned things quickly and could apply knowledge flexibly.

“I know,” Jiang Huaiyue smiled and replied; she certainly wouldn’t gamble with her life.

After Fuyao let go, Jiang Huaiyue pulled the reins and softly called, “Giddy-up!”

The chestnut-colored horse lifted its hooves and started running. The wind brushed her cheeks, lifting her hair. A carefree smile spread across Jiang Huaiyue’s face.

Su Xiangwan, seeing how quickly she was getting the hang of it, felt happy for her.

Jiang Huaiyue rode a few laps, becoming more skilled, and slightly increased her speed. But at that moment, a child suddenly dashed out near the camp.

Her eyes narrowed, she quickly tightened the reins to control the horse. The horse let out a neigh and veered to the side. The sudden movement threw Jiang Huaiyue off balance, and she was thrown off the horse.

Before hitting the ground, Jiang Huaiyue thought, “I’m done for.”

But the expected pain didn’t come; instead, she landed in someone’s arms. She opened her eyes and softly called out,

“Brother?”

Jiang Jingchen set her down gently, saying calmly, “Why so careless?”

“I’m fine, thank you, Brother.” Jiang Huaiyue stepped back and smiled to thank him.

She hadn’t expected Jiang Jingchen to save her—it was like the sun rising from the west.

“Your Majesty, forgive me, it was my fault for not watching the child properly, causing a collision with the princess,” a woman dressed in luxurious clothes knelt before Jiang Jingchen, holding the child.

“What does Yunhe think?” Jiang Jingchen said nothing, instead fixing his gaze on Jiang Huaiyue.

Jiang Huaiyue pressed her lips: “It was my fault for not thinking it through. I shouldn’t have been riding here. Brother, please don’t blame them.”

“Shouldn’t you thank the princess?” Jiang Jingchen said sternly.

The woman lowered her head gratefully: “Thank you, Princess, thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Get up.” Jiang Huaiyue looked at the people kneeling before her and instinctively moved aside a little—she didn’t want to shorten her lifespan.

Jiang Jingchen glanced sideways at Jiang Huaiyue’s face, then suddenly reached out his hand.

Jiang Huaiyue was startled and tried to step back, but he said, “Don’t move, your hair is messy.”

He reached for her hair and tucked a stray strand back in place.

“Thank you, Brother.” Jiang Huaiyue was a bit confused about what his intentions were.

“Mm, keep playing. I have business and will leave first.” Jiang Jingchen glanced meaningfully toward a certain spot, a faint smile flickering in his eyes before turning and leaving.

Jiang Huaiyue bowed slightly, watching his figure, feeling something was strange.

Su Xiangwan ran over and anxiously asked, “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, but don’t you think Jiang Jingchen is acting kind of weird?” Jiang Huaiyue shared her suspicion.

Su Xiangwan hesitated for a moment, then leaned close and said, “Turn around and look diagonally behind you.”

“What?”

Jiang Huaiyue turned around confusedly and saw Pei Ji sitting not far away on horseback, looking down at her from above. His gaze seemed as if he wanted to tear her apart alive.

“When did he get here?” she asked in a trembling voice.

He must have come just now, Jiang Huaiyue thought with a hint of luck.

“He’s been here since you fell just now,” Su Xiangwan said from under the tree, clearly having a full view of the situation and everyone involved.

When Pei Ji saw Jiang Huaiyue being saved by Jiang Jingchen, his expression turned fierce and dark, like a wolf king guarding his territory on the grasslands, almost wanting to rush over and kill Jiang Jingchen.

Jiang Huaiyue bit her lip: “I won’t talk to you now, I’m going to act.”

With that, a mixture of fear and sadness appeared on her face. She lifted her skirt and ran toward Pei Ji.

“Husband, you finally came! You scared me just now.”

She stood beneath the horse, looking up at Pei Ji, tears streaming down from the corners of her eyes.

The beauty cried with rain-like tears, a heart-wrenching sight. Suddenly, cold sharp glints flashed in Pei Ji’s eyes: “The Emperor saved the duke, what is there to fear?”

Seeing his expressionless face, Jiang Huaiyue knew he was angry.

“I almost fell off the horse, and my husband doesn’t even care about me,” she said, clutching her palms, voice choked with emotion.

Inwardly she grumbled: Dog man, if you’d come earlier you wouldn’t have had to watch me almost fall, then get angry because someone else saved me—what a crazy man.

Pei Ji’s eyes darkened. Recalling what he just saw, rage surged inside him. He reached out, pulled her up from under the horse, circled her into his arms, and spurred the horse away.

Jiang Huaiyue’s tears still hung on her face. In a blink, she was on the horse, frightened, grabbing him: “Husband, where are you taking me?”

“Don’t you like riding? I’ll take you riding until you’ve had enough,” he said coldly, pulling the reins tight and riding Jiang Huaiyue deep into the forest.

He Lan watched their figures and shook his head in secret, commenting, “So much for not liking it.”

With the aura he just showed, He Lan was almost afraid Pei Ji would go and chop Jiang Jingchen down.

On another high platform, Jiang Jingchen saw Pei Ji taking Jiang Huaiyue away and smirked mockingly. “Pei Ji, Pei Ji, you finally have a soft spot.”

Jiang Huaiyue, caught on the horse, had a puzzled look. Was it necessary to be so wild?

If people are crazy it’s one thing, but the horse was wild too, making her bottom hurt.

Even at a time like this, she didn’t forget to act, leaning into Pei Ji’s arms and calling out, “Husband, I’m scared, please stop.”

“Husband~”

The moment Jiang Huaiyue opened her mouth, the wind blew right in, messing up her hair, making her very annoyed.

Pei Ji’s fury was so full, but hearing her calls made him feel strangely warm.

He held Jiang Huaiyue’s waist, used light energy to lift her, and stood on a sturdy tree trunk.

Standing so high suddenly, Jiang Huaiyue looked down and clutched Pei Ji tightly, afraid he might throw her off.

“Husband, this is too high, let’s get down.”

She hugged him tightly with both hands, not daring to move.

Compared to her nervousness, Pei Ji seemed completely at ease. He lowered his eyes, reached out to pinch her chin and lifted it, covering her lips with his.

“No~” Jiang Huaiyue bit her lip, not wanting him to kiss her.

Pei Ji’s gaze grew colder. He pressed a bit harder, forcing her to open her mouth.

His lips squeezed hers fiercely. Jiang Huaiyue felt like her lips were about to be bitten to bits.

She didn’t know what madness had possessed him—could it be because he hated Jiang Jingchen?