By early afternoon, all the invited families’ children had arrived for the hunt, each finding flat, windless spots at the foot of the mountain to set up camp.
“Young Miss, I’ve asked Guard Qingxiao for clarification.”
Hutao entered the tent with a basin of clear water, helping Yu Lingxi roll up her sleeves, saying, “The grooms who were supposed to accompany us all had upset stomachs last night, vomiting and having diarrhea, too sick to get up. The steward couldn’t find any other helpers but happened to see that the beggar was skilled with horses, so called him to substitute. He’s only allowed to look after the horses and is forbidden from approaching you for close service, so there shouldn’t be any problem.”
Yu Lingxi soaked her hands in the clear water, but her mind was on another question.
Even though Ning Yin had been neglected with little presence in the palace, he was still once a prince. Among the aristocratic children at this hunt were many imperial relatives—wasn’t he afraid of being recognized?
The more she thought about it, the more she felt Ning Yin’s past was a mystery she had never truly understood.
“Sui Sui, come out quickly! Everyone is ready and preparing to start the hunt,” Tang Buli’s voice came from outside the tent, interrupting Yu Lingxi’s thoughts.
The afternoon sunlight was just right, warming everyone’s pores to open.
Indeed, the young lords and ladies had already gathered at the edge of the forest with fine bows in hand. Those from families concerned with appearances even brought falconers and hunting dogs, creating a lively scene of bird calls and barking.
Yu Lingxi had changed into a crimson Hu-style outfit suitable for riding and archery. Holding a small gold-twisted whip, she came forward at a leisurely pace on the red horse from the Western Regions that her father had acquired at great expense.
The horse was precious, and she was a beauty. In her crimson attire, she was incomparably bright in the sunlight, even more eye-catching than her usual appearance with jade hairpins and green skirts.
At once, the gazes of the young lords turned to her with obvious admiration, probably never expecting that the Yu family’s sickly daughter, raised in seclusion, would be such a stunning beauty.
Xue Cen was the first to ride over, circling her once before reining in his horse, saying gently: “Second Sister, the terrain in the forest is complex. Please stay with the group later, and don’t wander off.”
“Alright.” Yu Lingxi nodded, joining the hunting party alongside him and positioning herself beside Yu Xinyi.
At the sound of the horn, a hundred riders surged over the long slope, racing off in a cloud of dust, startling countless birds from the forest.
The young man’s figure looked somewhat familiar, possibly someone she had seen at a banquet in her previous life.
Yu Lingxi made a mental note and rode forward to ask Tang Buli: “Ah Li, who is that young man at the front with the gold-carved bow?”
Tang Buli shaded her eyes and looked ahead, then responded with an “Oh”: “Prince Ning Zizuo of Nanyang, the current Emperor’s nephew.”
She then narrowed her eyes and lightly tapped Yu Lingxi’s shoulder with her riding crop, whispering mysteriously, “Though the young prince is of imperial blood, he’s just a spoiled young wastrel. Don’t set your sights on him! Stay with your Xue the Second—among all the unmarried aristocratic sons here, only his looks and scholarship match yours…”
As the topic drifted further away, Yu Lingxi cut it short: “I was just asking casually. Where are your thoughts wandering?”
Just then, a familiar female voice came from behind, softly calling: “Cousin Lingxi.”
Yu Lingxi turned to see Zhao Yuming sitting stiffly on horseback.
She unconsciously gripped the reins tighter as memories of her experiences at the Zhao household in her previous life flashed through her mind, finally freezing on Zhao Yuming’s face, slashed into a bloody mess.
Perhaps she should feel resentful.
But when she recalled Zhao Yuming’s cold statement—”Cousin, you must accept your fate”—before she was forced into the sedan chair to the Regent Prince’s manor in her previous life, all her resentment vanished, leaving only endless emptiness.
Yu Lingxi straightened on her horse and responded coolly: “Cousin.”
Behind Zhao Yuming stood a young man with slender eyes and gaunt cheeks, appearing quite effeminate and silent—the adopted son of the Zhao family.
Zhao Yuming was not skilled in riding or archery, riding unfamiliarly and slowly. It took her quite a while to reach Yu Lingxi. Her gaze swept over the pearl flowers in Yu Lingxi’s hair, and she smiled: “Cousin, those pearl hairpins are quite beautiful. May I ask which shop you bought them from?”
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows in Yu Lingxi’s eyes.
People often said Zhao Yuming resembled her somewhat, but looking now, they didn’t look alike at all.
Zhao Yuming’s features were much weaker and paler, her eyes seemingly covered with mist—delicately charming but lacking brightness.
Yu Lingxi naturally wouldn’t tell the truth, so she casually replied: “It’s last year’s old style, nothing special.”
Zhao Yuming’s smile faltered, her face quickly turning red, then pale.
She lowered her eyes, looking down at her clothes.
Her family background was not as good as Yu Lingxi’s, without a reliable father and brothers to support her, and she was wearing last year’s old clothes.
Cheers from the distance broke the forest’s silence.
Tang Buli’s eyes brightened: “It seems someone has claimed the first prize already, so quickly!”
“Let’s go see.” Yu Lingxi didn’t bother with Zhao Yuming anymore, flicking her whip and riding through the forest.
Yu Xinyi had hunted a male deer, winning the first prize, and had impressively planted the flag bearing the Yu family crest in the forest.
Nearby, the Prince of Nanyang, having lost the competition, sat on his horse with a flushed face, panting heavily, glaring at Yu Xinyi with dissatisfaction.
“I just now realized you were a woman, so I went easy on you. Next time, this prince will show no mercy!”
Ning Zizuo threw an arrow at Yu Xinyi’s feet, proudly declaring war: “Again!”
Yu Xinyi raised an eyebrow and smiled, swinging onto her horse: “Young Prince, if you lose face again later, don’t cry!”
The crowd whooped, and Ning Zizuo, as if humiliated, blushed even more furiously, shouting angrily: “Whoever cries is a dog!”
With that, he flicked his whip and chased after Yu Xinyi, leaving his guards far behind.
The Prince of Nanyang had a childish temperament. Yu Lingxi found it amusing but was certain that he couldn’t be her family’s political enemy.
Tang Buli ordered the stag to be carried back to the camp, and the spectators dispersed to hunt on their own.
The crowd had already run far ahead. Yu Lingxi’s archery skills and stamina were not as good as her sister’s. After circling the forest a few times, she returned to the camp with Tang Buli and the other noble ladies.
The setting sun was lush, and the stream reflected golden, warm light like fish scales.
Yu Lingxi had two gray rabbits hanging from her saddle as she rode toward the simple stables behind the camp.