“Well? Are we competing or not?”
Kang Rui froze instantly.
It felt as if time had reversed, as if oceans were flowing backward. She appeared before him again, radiant and ethereal, melting away the years and blooming with brilliance—his wife, the source of his helplessness and headaches.
Kang Rui’s expression softened unconsciously, and he was just about to speak.
Jiang Huaiming and Yan Shizi had already stepped forward respectfully, forcing smiles as they said, “Greetings, Princess. You jest—how could we dare compete with you?”
Only then did Kang Rui realize An An wasn’t speaking to him, and it wasn’t appropriate for him to speak up at this moment.
But An An had come because of him, hadn’t she?
In his previous life, he hadn’t attended the Autumn Frost Banquet. This time, he had reluctantly come only because Elder Yi had repeatedly invited him.
Had she heard about it?
Ah, she was still so bold in love and hate. When she liked someone, she would fight for everything to be right in front of them.
Kang Rui regained his composure, embodying the grace of a gentleman.
In this life, he would wait for his girl to fearlessly walk toward him once again.
Cao Zhao wanted to run.
Lin Qingyuan immediately straightened up, blocking his path, and discreetly smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothes.
She hadn’t yet said for whom she was standing up—after all, she had mentioned him too.
Yan Shizi stepped forward with a smile, moving closer to Anguo County Princess in a familiar manner. Among those present, he was the most acquainted with the Princess. He said softly, “Are you really angry? We were just teasing the new Number One Scholar, not giving him a hard time. If you don’t like it, we won’t say anything more. It’s not worth getting upset over—”
How could she not be angry! With Lin Qingyuan’s frail and sickly physique, could he even mount a horse? What if he got jostled and something happened? Who among you would atone for it with your lives?
Yan Qing hooked his fingers onto Song Chuyu’s sleeve. “My mistake, alright? There are so many people here—it’s awkward. Give me a way out.”
Lin Qingyuan and Kang Rui’s gazes instantly fell on Yan Shizi’s fingers.
Kang Rui’s expression darkened. Before An An married him, she had been far too casual with these good-for-nothings in Shangjing City.
Lin Qingyuan scoffed self-deprecatingly and released the edge of his clothes he had been smoothing. With so many people here, there was no way he would be the one she noticed.
Song Chuyu shot him a reproachful look. “If there’s a next time, I’ll tell your father.”
Yan Qing brightened up. “Yes, yes! Thank you for your mercy, Grand Aunt.”
“What are you still standing around for? Get on your horse—I’ll race you!” With that, she swung onto her horse, her red attire and majestic steed exuding heroic grace. “Hurry up! If you can’t catch up, I’ll break your horse’s legs!”
Yan Qing sighed helplessly, mounted his horse, and galloped after her. “Princess, that’s a Northern Domain Tribute horse!”
Song Chuyu turned her head, the wind whipping past her ears, her smile dazzling. “I’ll give you a head start!”
“You said it! Giddy up!”
Seeing this, Jiang Huaiming quickly followed suit.
Many others gradually joined in!
Who still remembered who Kang Rui was? Or whether he could even ride a horse?
Lin Qingyuan was itching to join, but he only knew how to ride a cow. He had never felt so foolish, having arrogantly believed that horsemanship was unimportant.
Nearby, Kang Rui watched the figures on the field and led his horse out. Since she wanted to ride, he would accompany her. “Giddy up—”
“Whoa! The Number One Scholar can ride! Qingyuan, you must know how to ride too, right?” Are scholars from humble backgrounds this full of surprises nowadays?
Lin Qingyuan’s face darkened. “I can’t!”
No need to be so loud about it.
“Are Yan Shizi and the Princess very close?”
“Pretty much. Yan Shizi is good friends with the heir of Anguo Duke Mansion, so naturally, he’s familiar with the Princess.”
Lin Qingyuan stared intently at the horses galloping across the field. When he saw her draw her bow, his body tensed.
The arrow in her hand had already pierced the bullseye, landing firmly on the red center. “Well done!”
Cao Zhao glanced at him, then turned his gaze back to the horse track.
The riding grounds now held more than just the Princess among the women, and she wasn't the only one who had just shot an arrow, yet he was certain Lin Qingyuan had been watching the Princess.
On the field, Kang Rui's gaze closely followed her movements. Drawing the bow and nocking the arrow flowed seamlessly, the fletching still trembling faintly in the air.
Song Chuyu's expression tightened.
At this stage, Kang Rui shouldn't have mastered equestrian skills!
Moreover, that arrow just now—its precision and power—could only be achieved through decades of practice!
Besides, she knew Kang Rui's archery skills at different stages all too well.
Yet he had executed it now.
Could it be—
He was like her!
Song Chuyu was momentarily startled, but her hands never faltered as arrows flew one after another.
She quickly steadied herself from the panic, shot her final arrow, and made a sharp turn at full speed.
There was nothing to be surprised about.
If either of them were favored by heaven's fortune, it should be Kang Rui, who had achieved more. There was no reason she could start over, but he couldn't.
However.
She would never let him know she was the same!
Song Chuyu returned to the rest area, the wind whipping around her.
Jiang Zheng immediately handed her a towel: "Sister, you were amazing."
"It's Yan Qing who needs more practice." His skills were too lacking—good at brawling but useless in proper matters. Yet compared to her own two disappointing brothers, though Yan Qing was also arrogant and unruly, at least he dared to go to the battlefield when the Northern frontier invaded and ultimately died in combat.
Yan Qing reined in his horse, fearless of win or loss, his youthful spirit undimmed: "The Princess has truly inherited the Duke's legacy. Yan Qing admires you."
"You're not bad either."
Yan Qing was taken aback. Was the Princess praising him? Not mocking him?
Song Chuyu glanced at Cao Zhao in the distance: "His calligraphy is quite good too."
Cao Zhao could hardly believe his eyes. Had the Princess looked at him? She must have looked at him.
Lin Qingyuan stood dazed, yet he couldn't fathom why she would glance his way.
Yan Qing felt somewhat elated: "Does the Princess really think my riding is good?"
Didn't he know his own level? Missing the target six times—even a beginner could do better. If General Yan hadn't died of frustration, it must be because he had a broad heart: "You've improved greatly. Let's compete again next time."
"Deal! It's settled."