Chapter 12: A Change of Events

Who dares!

Yao’s head stiffened, her anger choking her voice.

She tightened her grip on the reins, her face taut, and she refused to turn back. Not again!

She had just managed to control the horse, pulling it towards the maids, when she felt a tug from behind. She couldn’t let go of the reins at any time.

Yao didn’t turn around, her voice cold, “What is it?”

“Your Highness, let’s go horseback riding together,” Huaining urged, her horse restless.

Yao furrowed her brows. She hadn’t even realized he was back!

Moreover, the princess was eagerly waiting for Ling Xiao to join them, and staying here would be a real hindrance.

Just as she was about to politely decline, Ling Xiao said in a flat tone, “I still have things to attend to. The princess can play by herself.”

Huaining pouted, “Fine.”

Ling Xiao glanced at Yao, but he didn’t linger. He instructed a few guards to watch over them, then turned and left.

“Let’s continue learning to ride,” Huaining said, her fighting spirit reignited.

Yao nodded, “Okay.”

Huaining demonstrated twice, and then, following Ling Xiao’s instructions, Yao gradually gained control of the horse.

At first, she could only walk slowly, but later, she gained the courage to follow Huaining’s horse. It wasn’t as difficult as she thought. Perhaps the horse was gentle and indeed very well-behaved.

After practicing for half an hour, Yao had made significant progress and could control the horse with relative ease.

Yao followed Huaining in circles around the riding grounds. Huaining praised her, “You’re learning quite fast! It took me a long time to learn how to control a horse.”

Yao’s cheeks flushed, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on her forehead, but her eyes shone brightly, “Thank you for the compliment, Princess.”

They both dismounted, and Huaining excitedly discussed hunting rabbits with Yao.

Just as they were talking, a voice suddenly interrupted them, “Princess, is the Military Marquis’s wife learning to ride here?”

Huaining raised her head alertly, and Chen Shiyun appeared.

Yao wiped the sweat from her forehead and nodded slightly, “The princess is teaching me how to ride.”

Chen Shiyun smiled, “I heard that the princess is skilled in archery and horseback riding. The Military Marquis’s wife is learning from the princess, she will surely learn quickly.”

Huaining snorted, “Of course, she’ll learn quickly.”

Chen Shiyun looked at their sweaty and disheveled appearance, her brows furrowed. Of course, they would learn quickly.

A noble lady should be gentle and virtuous, how could they be so unrefined?

Moreover, she would be the future Military Marquis’s wife, how could she be so unladylike.

Chen Shiyun smiled, “I’m afraid she won’t learn even if she tries.”

Huaining laughed sarcastically, “I’m too busy to teach her anyway.”

Chen Shiyun’s smile faltered.

Yao was afraid that they would start arguing, so she quickly changed the subject, “Miss Chen, why are you here at the riding grounds?”

Chen Shiyun smiled, “I heard that the Military Marquis’s wife was here, so I came to say hello.”

“Welcome, Miss Chen.”

Chen Shiyun pursed her lips. In fact, she was here to inquire about Ling Xiao’s marriage. After the incident with Jiang Yao, she had realized that the Military Marquis’s wife was likely to be the one to choose.

However, there had been no movement from the Marquis’s Mansion for a while.

She couldn’t help but feel a little anxious.

“I’m sweating, I need to go back and bathe. We can talk later.”

Huaining had no patience for Chen Shiyun’s polite evasions. She directly pulled Yao away.

Yao could only apologize to Chen Shiyun, “I’ll come see you again, Miss Chen.”

Yao couldn’t afford to offend Chen Shiyun, but she couldn’t completely ignore her either. She had to make it clear.

This marriage was a hot mess, and she would eventually have to deal with it.

Chen Shiyun smiled indifferently, “Okay.”

Huaining pulled Yao away.

Chen Shiyun watched them leave, her face darkening slightly.

“Princess Huaining is so clingy to the Military Marquis, could it be that she wants to be the Military Marquis’s wife…” her maid, Lian, whispered.

Chen Shiyun laughed, “She really thinks she can decide the Military Marquis’s marriage. The princess has no power at all. If His Majesty wants the Military Marquis to marry the princess, he will issue an imperial decree. What’s the use of the princess flattering Jiang Yao?”

“But, the Military Marquis’s marriage has been silent for a while. It’s strange.” Lian was suspicious.

Chen Shiyun narrowed her eyes, “Could it be that Jiang Yao is trying to sabotage things to please the princess?”

“His Majesty wants the Military Marquis to marry a daughter of one of his old officials. Our Chen family, a prominent family of scholars, has served the court for generations. Our ancestors have held the positions of prime minister and empress. And Miss Chen is outstanding in every way. She is clearly the most suitable choice.”

“Logically, it should have been decided already.”

“Maybe the Military Marquis is just giving his brother’s wife some face by letting her stay at the Marquis’s Mansion. She really thinks she’s the mistress of the house. She’s delusional.” Lian’s tone was disdainful.

Chen Shiyun’s face darkened slightly, “Of course, she’s trying to obstruct things. If she dares to sabotage things, once I enter the mansion, I will make her regret it!”

“For now, we’ll give Jiang Yao some face, and we’ll also give the Military Marquis some face. Once I enter the mansion, I will be the true Military Marquis’s wife. Jiang Yao will have to bow down to me.”

This time.

With the sound of a horn, the hunt officially began.

The hunting grounds were packed with people, ready to set off. The armored imperial guards guarded the perimeter, creating a solemn atmosphere.

The emperor rode a magnificent red-blooded horse, leading the procession. The prince, Ling Xiao, followed closely behind.

The emperor was in a good mood today, his face flushed with excitement. He issued a command, “This is the first hunt since I ascended the throne. Whoever wins will be rewarded by me!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” The soldiers and nobles who were ready to hunt shouted in unison, their voices echoing across the grounds.

“Good!” The emperor laughed heartily, then turned his horse and led the charge into the hunting grounds.

Prince Ling Xiao followed closely behind, and the armored imperial guards followed in their wake, disappearing into the distance.

Then, the other soldiers and nobles who were participating in the hunt charged into the hunting grounds.

Yao followed Huaining into the hunting grounds.

It was called a hunt, but it was actually more like a leisurely stroll. They were allowed to enter, but they couldn’t go too far. Princess Huaining was the emperor’s most beloved daughter, and although she was usually allowed to be willful, she still had her limits. The emperor had specifically ordered guards to watch over her and prevent her from going too far.

There were no wild bears or wolves in the hunting grounds, only rabbits and wild sheep.

Yao was wearing riding attire today, her hair was completely tied up, and she didn’t use any hairpins, only a silk ribbon to secure her hair. It was a rare sight to see her so practical.

“You don’t have to hunt, just follow me. If we hunt a rabbit, we’ll roast it!” Huaining was excited.

Yao smiled, “Okay.”

They rode their horses leisurely into the hunting grounds, followed by a group of guards. Although they were only hunting within the perimeter, the princess’s safety was paramount, so they couldn’t be careless.

Not long after, Yao saw a wild rabbit hiding in the bushes.

“Princess.” She whispered, her voice low.

Huaining immediately pulled on the reins, then held her breath, drew her bow, and aimed.

With a whoosh, the feathered arrow flew through the air.

Then, it landed in the bushes next to the rabbit.

Yao turned her head in disbelief, looking at Huaining. Huaining immediately defended herself, “This rabbit is too clever! Let’s try again!”

Huaining drew her bow and shot again, but she missed again.

Yao wondered why Princess Huaining was allowed to enter the hunting grounds.

Huaining felt embarrassed, her face flushed with anger, “I’m going to hunt a rabbit today, no matter what! I’m going to hunt one in the hunting grounds!”

Yao nodded, “Princess, you haven’t shot an arrow in a long time, so it’s normal to miss. You just need to get used to it again.”

“Yes! That’s right!”

Huaining regained her confidence and became even more enthusiastic. She took Yao to continue searching for a target.

Finally, they found a wild sheep. This time, Huaining was determined to get it. She drew her bow, aimed, and held her breath.

Yao was also nervously watching the sheep, but then, she saw something flash out of the corner of her eye.

She quickly raised her head and saw a figure in the bushes in the distance. He had already drawn his bow and arrow and was aiming at Princess Huaining.

“Princess, watch out!”

In a flash, Yao raised her riding whip and whipped Huaining’s brown horse. The horse was startled and ran forward for several meters. Huaining stumbled and fell off the horse’s back.

The arrow flew through the air, narrowly missing Huaining’s back. The horse, with Huaining on its back, was already running, and in an instant, it was out of the assassin’s encirclement.

The guards immediately became alert, shouting, “Protect the princess!”

The assassins who had been hiding in the bushes charged forward, and the guards immediately engaged in a fight.

Yao quickly rode away.

The assassins who had failed to assassinate the princess were furious. They aimed their bows at Jiang Yao, taking advantage of the chaos.

With a series of whooshing sounds, arrows flew through the air.

“Ah!” Yao screamed in pain, falling off the horse’s back.

The assassins were still fighting with the guards, so their arrows were not accurate. However, because they had fired several arrows at once, one of them hit Yao in the back shoulder.

The horse was startled by the flying arrows and immediately whinnied, its gentle nature turning into a frenzy as it ran wildly.