Chapter 16 – Trapped Beneath the Tent

Ning Zhaorou’s attention wasn’t on the racetrack at all. She kept her head lowered and noticed some mud on her embroidered shoes, quickly covering it with her skirt. Her head tilted slightly, almost involuntarily, as she cast a quick glance over her shoulder.

Her seat was just below and to the side—if Yin Mingyu had even the slightest intention of looking her way, he would spot her instantly.

But during that brief and subtle glance just now, she hadn’t managed to see whether the Emperor had looked at her or not.

Restless, Ning Zhaorou stared blankly at the teacup on the table in front of her.

Above, Yin Mingyu let out a soft chuckle. His moods had always been hard to read, but now that he seemed amused, Consort Li naturally became more talkative beside him.

“Did something amuse Your Majesty?” she asked with a coy smile. “Do tell us, won’t you?”

Yin Mingyu’s smile lingered as his gaze fell upon the racetrack. He shook his head slightly and replied, “What I find amusing… may not be so amusing to you.”

How could it not be amusing? In just a few days of ignoring her, she’d already sneaked several glances at him. That sneaky little look just now—seemed she’d finally figured things out.

Though he spoke vaguely, Consort Li stopped pressing. But Consort Shu, ever the nosy one, insisted on looking down toward the viewing stands to see what the Emperor had spotted. She searched carefully, but saw nothing, so she laughed lightly and said, “What Your Majesty finds amusing—we too would love to see and learn from.”

What was there to watch in horse racing anyway? Just dust flying as hooves pounded the ground. Her son wasn’t on the field either, so she wasn’t interested. Still, she couldn’t just say that. Finally catching the Emperor in good spirits, she tried to play along—but little did she know, she’d crossed a line.

Yin Mingyu’s smile faded, and his tone turned cool as he looked directly at her. “Everything I find amusing… you want to see?”

Consort Shu was never the sharpest, but even she knew she’d misspoken. Her face turned pale as she dropped to her knees, stammering apologies and begging forgiveness.

Yin Mingyu took a slow sip of tea, letting her remain kneeling for the duration of a cup before lazily allowing her to rise again.

An attendant stepped forward to refill his tea just as the sky, once bright, began to darken.

Consort Shu quietly returned to her seat, too scared to utter another word. Consort Liang, who had been silent all along, sneered in her heart and cast her a cold glance.

Ning Zhaorou also noticed the darkening sky. Lifting her head slightly, she saw storm clouds rolling in—it looked like rain was coming.

Just then, palace attendants came around with refreshments for the noble ladies. One of them, seemingly not paying attention, knocked over Ning Zhaorou’s teacup. The tea spilled down the side of the table, soaking her dress.

“Miss—” Shuangwu immediately stepped forward with a clean handkerchief to help wipe it off. The palace maid, panicked, dropped to her knees and apologized repeatedly.

Ning Zhaorou frowned at the tea stains spreading across her skirt. She was thoroughly frustrated but didn’t want to draw more attention. She waved it off and told the maid, “It’s fine. You may go.”

Still flustered, the maid offered, “Let this servant escort you to change, Miss. There are resting tents set up for the noble ladies.”

Ning Zhaorou couldn’t walk around in stained clothing. After a moment’s thought, she nodded and followed.

Shuangwu walked beside her, and they were led into a tent.

This was indeed a temporary tent set up for noble ladies to rest, but it was far from the racetrack and didn’t have any clean clothes prepared inside. Ning Zhaorou would need someone to fetch her garments herself.

She lowered her gaze to the soiled hem of her skirt, then to the mud on her shoes, and sighed. Quietly, she told Shuangwu, “Go quickly and come back soon. Just bring something simple.”

Shuangwu looked at her, then at the palace maid who had guided them.

“Don’t worry, Miss. I’ll wait just outside the tent,” the maid replied, albeit a beat too late.

Shuangwu nodded and left.

Not long after she departed, Ning Zhaorou heard the sound of raindrops hitting the tent. Soon, the rain intensified into a steady downpour.

It’s raining already?

She curled up on a chair, hugging herself. No wonder she was starting to feel chilly.

The tent was empty and sparse. There wasn’t even a cloak she could drape over her shoulders. She got up and moved past a screen to check outside.

A gust of wind blew open the tent flap, carrying rainwater in with it, which splashed across her clothes.

She hurriedly stepped back, taking shelter near the side of the tent. “Is anyone out there?” she called.

Logically, that palace maid should have come inside to escape the rain by now—but she saw and heard no one.

After calling out, the only reply was the ever-louder wind and rain.

Lifting the flap and peering out, she saw no one.

Something felt off.

But now she was stuck inside the tent and couldn’t leave. The rain was pouring, and who knew when Shuangwu would be back with clothes?

Just then, she heard a crack—the sharp, splintering snap of wood breaking. The sound made her blood run cold. She looked up and saw a section of the wooden frame had already broken. The tent, buffeted by wind, began swaying dangerously as if on the verge of collapse.

Trembling, Ning Zhaorou looked around the empty tent.

She couldn’t stay here any longer. The tent might collapse any moment. But she couldn’t run into the rain either. If her clothes were soaked and someone saw her in such a state, her reputation would be destroyed.

Rain lashed at her, making her shrink back. She barely managed to stay upright as she clung tightly to the heavy curtain.

The curtain’s fabric was thick and heavy, and now soaked with rain, it was nearly impossible to hold onto.

The sound of splintering wood grew louder—until finally, with a loud crack, the tent collapsed.

Ning Zhaorou had been gripping the curtain tightly. Now, she was pinned under the collapsed tent. The heavy fabric covered her, shielding her from the rain above, but the ground beneath her was muddy and soaked, leaving her in a thoroughly wretched state.

Thankfully, she had already stepped out of the tent’s center, avoiding the falling wooden beams.