The wind rose on the second day, with heavy clouds on the horizon, and the sun veiled in dimness.
On the hillside, Yu Xinyi arrived on horseback wearing tight-sleeved military attire, saying to Yu Lingxi: “Sui Sui, the weather has suddenly changed today, and there may be heavy rain tonight. Let’s have one more hunt and then break camp to return home, otherwise getting caught in mountain rain is the easiest way to catch a cold.”
Yu Lingxi’s purpose for this trip was not primarily hunting, so after some thought, she replied: “Alright.”
Behind the camp, the tethered red horse Xuelie made low whinnying sounds.
This fine steed was usually sensitive to human emotions, but today for some unknown reason, it seemed agitated, not allowing strangers to approach, constantly pawing the ground with its front hooves.
“Shh—” Yu Lingxi stretched out her hand to stroke the red horse’s glossy mane, trying to calm it.
The red horse tossed its head and desperately tugged at the reins. Yu Lingxi quickly stepped back, just about to call guards for help when she saw a strong arm reach over, firmly grasping the reins and pulling down with force. The red horse snorted loudly, then obediently lowered its head and stood still.
Yu Lingxi watched Ning Yin’s profile as he tamed the horse, surprise flashing through her eyes.
The red horse was loyal to its master and had a fierce temperament. Besides herself and her father, Yu Lingxi had never seen it lower its head for a third person. Even when her sister touched it, it would still kick its hooves.
“Young Miss, it’s fine now.” Ning Yin turned his head, and as the wind gusted, a strand of hair at his temple brushed across his pale, thin lips.
The wind was strong today, with a biting spring chill. He was dressed quite thinly, and his knuckles, gripping the reins, were slightly reddened.
Just then, Hutao brought over a red cotton cloak for her mistress to wear against the wind.
Yu Lingxi shook out the bright red cloak but didn’t put it on herself. Instead, she casually draped it over Ning Yin’s shoulders.
While tying the cord for him, Yu Lingxi could sense the tension and stiffness in his body, but it was just for a moment before he submissively relaxed, with subtle confusion in his eyes.
Hutao also looked bewildered, glancing several times at the young man who was receiving such favor from her mistress, pouting sourly: “Then… this servant will fetch another one for Young Miss…”
Yu Lingxi looked Ning Yin up and down, thinking that Ning Yin indeed suited such bright colors, possessing a visually striking handsomeness.
“The cloak is a bit short; make do with it,” Yu Lingxi said as she grabbed the saddle and mounted her horse. “Since you’re someone I brought along, naturally you can’t dress too shabbily, lest you bring shame to the Yu family.”
Ning Yin still gazed at her, his eyes an unfathomable black, and he didn’t hand over the reins to her.
Yu Lingxi looked at her empty palm and frowned.
Hutao cleared her throat and scolded in a low voice: “You beggar, how disrespectful, staring directly at the Young Miss like that!”
Only then did Ning Yin slightly part his thin lips and call: “Young Miss.”
Yu Lingxi focused, expecting him to thank her for the cloak, but after waiting for a while, she heard the young man’s voice tinged with a smile: “It will rain today, not suitable for hunting.”
The cold wind swirled up, and the prolonged sound of horns came from the distance.
The hunt had already begun. Yu Xinyi was urging her with a wave of her whip from afar, so Yu Lingxi had no time for his cryptic remark. She flicked her whip, saying: “Before it rains, I shall return.”
Clouds obscured the sun, shadows enveloping the land.
Ning Yin watched Yu Lingxi’s distant figure, his eyes seemingly shadowed as well, sinking into a dark, indifferent coldness.
In the forest, hunting dogs barked wildly, and startled birds flew hastily.
Today, unexpectedly, it was the Zhao family’s inconspicuous adopted son who claimed the first prize.
Zhao Xu threw his hunted roe deer in front of everyone’s horses, planting an arrow bearing the Zhao family crest in the ground as a marker, but his gaze fell on Zhao Yuming standing at the outermost circle, with obvious intent to please.
Scattered congratulations came in succession, and Zhao Yuming finally showed a smile, her back straightening.
The young Prince of Nanyang, Ning Zizuo, threw down his carved bow in anger. Losing to Yu Xinyi the day before was one thing, as she came from an elite family and had exceptional skills.
But how could he lose today to an obscure adopted son of the Zhao family?
The prey was right in front of them, but their fine horses were listless and couldn’t run, so they could only watch helplessly as Zhao Xu galloped away, seizing the prey.
“Sui Sui.”
Yu Xinyi’s brows were tightly furrowed as she led her horse over, asking in a lowered voice, “How is your Xuelie?”
Yu Lingxi shook her head, patting the red horse that kept pacing beneath her: “Since early morning, it’s been somewhat agitated, not very obedient.”
Yu Xinyi looked around at the various families’ listless horses and said: “Strange, how did all our horses develop problems overnight?”
Before they could figure out what was wrong, a shrill neigh was heard.
Everyone turned around in alarm to see that Prince Ning Zizuo’s white horse suddenly bulged its eyes, foaming at the mouth, raising its hooves high, frantically trying to throw Ning Zizuo off its back!
Falling from such a high horse was no laughing matter!
“Stop! Stop!”
Ning Zizuo pulled hard on the reins, but it was in vain. He could only shout in panic, “What are you all standing there for? Help!”
Xue Cen reacted first, hurriedly riding forward to try to help.
But before he could get close to Ning Zizuo, his horse also began foaming at the mouth, charging wildly in all directions like a mad beast.
Then a second horse, a third horse…
Everyone’s horses went mad. The sound of hooves, neighing, and panicked shouts filled the forest, creating utter chaos.
Except for the Zhao family’s horses.
Yu Lingxi desperately tried to calm her frantically neighing red horse. When she quickly glanced up, she saw that Zhao Xu and Zhao Yuming’s horses stood calmly on the outskirts, appearing strikingly out of place among the group of mad horses.
Zhao Yuming’s face blanched, and she instinctively looked at Zhao Xu beside her.
“Impossible, impossible…” Zhao Xu mumbled, his face showing obvious guilt and panic.