Ever since Chang Le changed the teacup, Duan Changchuan hadn’t moved much. When the banquet was over, the older attendees returned to rest, while those around Duan Changchuan’s age, still full of energy, planned to do other activities together.

One suggested, “Why not take advantage of the blooming plum blossoms and go to South Plum Pavilion to appreciate the flowers? The flowering season will end in half a month.”

Another said, “But Empress Dowager has set up a stage in the Water Pavilion and invited the most famous theater troupe in Shengjing. They’re performing a new play, and I want to watch it…”

“Aiya, that theater troupe has a plot in Shengjing. The play they’re preparing is for the Emperor’s wedding, they will play it for a month in that plot after three days. Why don’t you go then?”

“I just can’t resist it…”

With various opinions, some wanted to watch the play, others wanted to appreciate the flowers, and some were interested in tea tasting. They couldn’t make up their minds.

Finally, they all looked towards Duan Changchuan and Bai Su.

“What does Your Majesty think?”

The young emperor had just stepped out of the palace gates and staggered upon hearing the question. Fortunately, he quickly regained his composure, but his expression still seemed a bit dazed. Obviously he hadn’t heard what these people were chattering about.

“Why don’t we do horseback archery!”

Suddenly, a girl jumped out of the crowd and arrived in front of Bai Su and Duan Changchuan in a few steps. Dressed in striking blue silk, she exuded a youthful and heroic aura.

Bai Su immediately recognized her as the girl who had clung to Duan Changchuan and said, “You smell nice” when she first entered.

It seemed she was the daughter of the Regent, called… Duan Qinxue? In terms of status, she should be a county Princess.

At this moment, the girl had already stood half a step away from Duan Changchuan, coquettishly saying, “Your Majesty, is it alright? I’ve always heard my uncle say that Your Majesty’s horseback archery is amazing. Qinxue has been in the border regions for many years and has always wanted to witness it.”

The young man hesitated, blinked his eyes, and after thinking for a while, slowly said, “Uh… sure.”

The girl immediately jumped in place, saying, “Hooray!” Then she quickly ran off.

The group headed toward the horseback archery field in a grand procession. Duan Changchuan and Bai Su walked at the forefront, while most of the others were female relatives.

Some who were straightforward complained in a low voice, “Why do we have to go horseback archery… I’m not interested in it.”

“I know right, I’ve never tried horseback archery before.”

“You speak as if any one of us has tried it before. Among the young ladies in the capital like us, except for her, who has learned horseback archery…”

Those who were a bit more knowledgeable warned quietly, “Shh… be careful with your words.”

Instantly, the whole team quieted down.

Bai Su who was observing the entire process…

She had a bold assumption. She felt that the reason Duan Changchuan agreed to horseback archery was that he didn’t hear the other options. But she thought it wouldn’t be appropriate to say that out loud.

Someone might get angry.

And so, they arrived at the horseback archery field. The servants, who received advance notice, had cleared the guards who usually trained here, leaving only eunuchs and maids to attend from the sidelines. They thoughtfully prepared clothes for horseback archery for these noble young ladies to change into.

As an Alpha, Bai Su had learned sports like shooting and fencing from a young age. She was also proficient in horse-riding skills. While she had some experience in archery, she mainly used a compound bow with a scoop for convenience and accuracy. She had never tried using a traditional bow before.

Hmm, she kind of wanted to give it a try.

Not long after, Duan Changchuan saw the woman wearing horseback archery attire, fiddling with the satin ribbons on her wrists, heading out.

Since the decision to practice horseback archery was made suddenly, the clothes were temporarily prepared by the Imperial Clothing Bureau. They were originally practicing attire for the guards, mainly in black and white colors.

Bai Su chose a full black outfit. The armor on the shoulders and elbows reflected light under the sunlight.

The captain of the guards held a bow with both hands, presented it to her, and respectfully said, “As Your Highness is a beginner, this official has chosen a relatively light one. Please try it.”

The woman took the bow and casually hooked the string, easily drawing it to the full moon.

The captain immediately said something to his assistant, who quickly ran off.

Duan Changchuan squinted and let out a lazy yawn.

The weather was excellent today, and in the afternoon sunlight, Duan Changchuan began to sweat after sitting for a short while. He simply took off his large cloak to cool down.

Chang Le hurriedly knelt before him, “Your Majesty, you can’t do this! It’s the lingering chill of late spring, be careful not to catch a cold!”

The young man lifted his eyelids, “I’m a grown man, I’m not that delicate.”

Besides, he had drunk a lot today, and with the surging blood and warmth, he felt the heat rushing to his cheeks.

“All those young ladies on the field are not wearing more than Me, aren’t perfectly fine.”

The little eunuch helplessly said, “Your Majesty, the young ladies are moving around now, of course they won’t feel cold. You can’t compare like this… Besides, don’t think this servant didn’t see it. You were dozing off earlier. If you catch a cold when sleeping like that, even if this servant had ten lives, this servant couldn’t afford it…”

Duan Changchuan:…

He stood up and walked towards the field; didn’t it only need to move around? Archery, horse-riding, he can do any of them.

The little eunuch hastily stood up, patting his knees, and followed with quick, small steps, “Ah, ah, Your Majesty, please wait for this servant!”

The young Emperor, dressed in dazzling yellow, was eye-catching wherever he went. As soon as he arrived on the field, he attracted everyone’s attention.

Duan Qinxue happened to be leading a horse in, holding a whip and waving at him, “Your Majesty, want to compete with me?”

Bai Su had just prepared an arrow to try shooting, heard the voice, and instinctively turned her head. The arrow “whooshed” and left her hand…

The target wasn’t missed, but the shot didn’t hit the bullseye either.

Not only that, because the force wasn’t utilized, the arrow wobbled for a while, and before “snap” and fell to the ground.

Bai Su: …

The captain who was directing from the side: …

He quickly tried to smooth things over, “That’s okay. Girls usually have less strength. Missing the target or dropping the arrow is normal. Your Highness will improve as long as practice more in the future. When the guards under my command first came, some couldn’t even hit the target…”

Before the captain could finish his words, Duan Changchuan approached, “Eh? Your Majesty, this official humbly greets Your Majesty.”

Bai Su was originally holding the arrow and aiming, turned her head when she heard the greetings.

The next moment, the bow and arrow in her hand were taken away.

With three fingers casually flicking the feather, the young emperor smoothly strung the bow and nocked an arrow. With just a casual shot, there was a “snap,” hitting the bullseye.

“Your Majesty that’s a good shot.” The captain led the applause.

Others also praised, “His Majesty is amazing!”

“I had aimed for a long time just now, and always missed the target. His Majesty is amazing.”

“That’s right. I saw His Majesty didn’t aim much, but he hit the bullseye. It’s too amazing.”

However, accustomed to constant praise, the young Emperor remained unaffected, just tilting his head slightly towards Bai Su. His lips were tightly pursed, and he remained silent.

Bai Su: …

She quickly said, “Your Majesty is truly amazing. This concubine had practiced for a long time and still can’t shoot well. Yet Your Majesty hit the bullseye in one shot. As expected of the king who rules the world.”

Unexpectedly, with each sentence, the corners of the young emperor’s lips lifted slightly. Exceptionally pleased.

Bai Su: …

Understood, he just tired of hearing praises from others, and wanted something fresh, right?

Duan Changchuan, after enjoying Bai Su’s praises, returned the bow and arrow to her. Then he stood by her side and said, “Your turn.”

While speaking, a faint scent of alcohol emanated.

Bai Su took the bow and arrow and skilfully strung the bow.

The first arrow had enough force and hit the target, but the result was quite poor.

The second arrow showed no improvement.

Without the help of a scoop, her accuracy was indeed lacking.

Bai Su frowned, then drew another arrow from the side. The bow creaked open and the string stretched tightly.

Next to her ear, was the young emperor’s voice, said, “This is not right. The arrow feather, arrowhead, and bullseye should form a straight line. Stand a bit more to the side.”

After that, two slender fingers extended to her front, giving a slight adjustment. Below, a black boot pressed against her foot, causing her to move back half an inch. The young emperor had unknowingly stood behind her and was now physically guiding her movements.

“Align your shoulder with the bullseye; that’s how you get accuracy. Give it a try,” he said.

Bai Su released the string at the right moment, and the arrow whooshed out, steadily landing in the bullseye.

“Your Majesty you’re amazing.” She turned around with a smile, genuinely praising him.

To her surprise, Duan Changchuan, who had just given instructions, hadn’t left and for some reason, his cheeks were tinged with an unusual red. Especially when she turned around, and their eyes met, the young emperor’s face blushed more in an instant.

In those dark eyes, a light mist appeared, sparkling vividly when touched by the sunlight.

Duan Changchuan didn’t know what happened to him. When a gust of wind blew, he suddenly caught a whiff of a floral fragrance.

It was a faint scent, quickly dissipating in the air, but he found it delightful, and he inexplicably felt warmth spreading through him.

There was also a slight restlessness.

“What’s wrong with you? Why is your face so red?” The woman’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

Duan Changchuan subconsciously stepped back, only then realizing that his legs and body were turning weak.

“I… Uh…” He pursed his lips, silently turning his gaze away from her.

He remembered. The fragrance he smelled just now was the scent of peonies, the same fragrance he had noticed when he first met Bai Su. It was the fragrance from the incense she used.

So… he was actually enchanted by the incense on Bai Su’s body just now?

Duan Changchuan: !!!

“Ahem… I… I had… Uh… four cups of wine today…” He cleared his throat, pretending to be calm.

Bai Su: “And then?”

Duan Changchuan: …

#Did I speak too ambiguously? Can’t the Queen understand?#

He extended his fingers and gestured lightly, “Uh, four cups, a bit too much…”

This time, Bai Su couldn’t hold back, covered her lips with her wrist, and laughed, “Oh, you mean… you’re drunk, Duan Xiaochuan.”

Duan Changchuan:!

Only then he realized, he had been played.

This woman, she clearly understood what he meant!

Yet this woman, seeing him not speaking, continued to say, “Is it because you secretly drank an extra cup of wine and have been feeling guilty since noon? No wonder you behaved so well at noon, and your reactions were a bit slow.”

“Is that right, Duan Xiaochuan?”

Behaved well…? Slow reactions…??

He-Does-Not!

Duan Changchuan, born as an Emperor, had never been teased like this by anyone!

He wanted to get angry… really wanted to get angry!

However, what she said was true…

The stifled young emperor endured for a long time, his face turning red, finally uttering an embarrassed cry, “Bai Su, you’re teasing Me!”

The woman nodded indifferently, “Yes, that’s right.”

Duan Changchuan: ???

Ahhh!!! This woman!