“The Emperor also needs company.”
Prince Lin chuckled and asked, “Perfect timing. I’ll take you for a ride on the northern grassland.”
“Your Highness, wait for me a moment! I’ll change right away.”
Shen Lingshu sprang up from the bed like a carp leaping out of water, calling out, “Zhuxin, quickly, bring me my riding outfit.”
As Shen Lingshu busily changed her clothes, her joy and excitement seemed palpable even from behind the screen. Prince Lin smiled and said, “No need to rush. There’s still plenty of time.”
“Your Highness, you must have been waiting impatiently. We can go riding now!”
Shen Lingshu wore a mint-green riding outfit, different from her usual wide-sleeved robes. A matching wide belt accentuated her slender waist, which seemed as if it could be held in one hand.
Prince Lin’s eyes darkened slightly. He stretched out his long arm, pulling her directly into his embrace, and lowered his head to capture her rosy lips.
A long while later…
“Your Highness, once we return to the capital, I won’t have the chance to ride horses anymore.”
She tilted her head slightly, her flushed cheeks like crimson clouds at sunset. Her glistening red lips resembled ripe fruit, tempting to taste. Her sparkling, star-like eyes were filled with longing for horseback riding!
“Let’s go.”
Prince Lin lowered his head, took her hand, and led her out of the tent. Being in the hunting grounds was inconvenient. As soon as they stepped out, she spotted Side Consort Fang and, not far away, Hai Jiaren, whose face was twisted with jealousy.
“Side Consort.”
Shen Lingshu greeted her with a smile. After being led away by Prince Lin, she felt as though needles were pricking her back.
Never mind, they could never be friends anyway.
Shen Lingshu was soon captivated by horseback riding. When filming in the past, she had scenes involving horses, and for that, she had specifically learned to ride!
However, those gentle ponies were nothing compared to the majestic chestnut steed before her. Sitting atop the horse, Shen Lingshu felt her horizons broaden instantly.
“So high!”
Shen Lingshu gripped the reins tightly, her body stiff and unmoving.
Prince Lin mounted the horse, sitting behind Shen Lingshu, and whispered, “Don’t worry. With me here, nothing will happen to you.”
“I trust you, Your Highness.”
Shen Lingshu looked back at him with a smile, her eyes filled with complete trust in Prince Lin.
“Hold on tight. I’ll take you for a ride.”
Prince Lin’s voice sounded in her ear. Behind her was his warm body. As the speed increased, the wind rushed fiercely against her, and all she could hear was the howling of the wind.
“Your Highness, riding is so much fun!”
Shen Lingshu turned her head, her radiant eyes brimming with excitement and joy. So this was the exhilaration of riding freely—it was truly delightful!
Galloping across the flat, open grassland, Shen Lingshu felt as if she were a horse running freely.
Her bell-like laughter echoed in Prince Lin’s ears. Infected by her joy, the corners of his lips lifted imperceptibly. After completing a lap, Prince Lin began teaching her how to ride.
Shen Lingshu was clever and learned quickly. In just one afternoon, she had mastered the essentials of horseback riding. On their way back, she looked at him eagerly and asked, “Your Highness, will we come riding again tomorrow?”
Aside from the few days spent traveling to and fro, they would only stay at the hunting grounds for about seven or eight days. Shen Lingshu wanted to seize every opportunity to ride and enjoy herself.
“Hmm…”
Prince Lin deliberately drew out his response. Shen Lingshu tugged at the corner of his robe and gently swayed it. “Your Highness~”
The voice with its slight trailing tone was like a feather gently brushing against the heart, or a small hook that tickled and stirred one’s emotions.
Prince Lin’s eyes darkened slightly as he asked, “Does your knee hurt?”
“How did Your Highness know?” Shen Lingshu feigned surprise as she looked up.
Prince Lin held her hand, gently caressing it, and asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It’s just a small matter. How could I trouble Your Highness?”
Shen Lingshu tilted her head and smiled softly, as if being punished to kneel by Shen Lingyi was as ordinary as a daily routine.
Her understanding nature was heartbreaking.
Without a word, Prince Lin led her back to the tent. Shen Lingshu was somewhat puzzled—why did it seem like he was angry?
Once inside the tent, Shen Lingshu’s vision darkened. The Prince, who had just been lecturing her on propriety, now pressed her against the table, his tender and pitying kiss seeming to soothe her.
“Your Highness, the Emperor has returned from hunting a white fox and is very pleased. He requests Your Highness to come and admire it.” Qingwu’s voice sounded from outside the tent.
“Wait.”
Prince Lin bit her as if punishing her, then straightened up, adjusted his clothes, and the desire in his eyes faded, returning to the cold and aloof demeanor of a prince.
Only after Prince Lin left did Shen Lingshu smile softly: she had guessed correctly—not complaining would earn her more of the Prince’s pity and affection.
After bathing and changing clothes, Zhuxin said, “Mistress, Caolv from the Side Consort’s side came earlier to deliver a message. She said there will be a bonfire banquet tonight. It seems the Emperor is very pleased after hunting the white fox.”
“Hmm.”
After grooming and dressing, Shen Lingshu changed into a pink outfit. When she arrived at the banquet, the Emperor had not yet arrived. Prince Lin, the Crown Prince, and Prince Heng were seated on the lower left side, while the positions for concubines like her were at the very end.
Just as Shen Lingshu found her seat, she encountered the Crown Prince’s Side Consort, Shen Lingyi, who was surrounded and escorted like a star. Dressed in gold-woven brocade with intertwined gold and silver threads, and adorned with pearls in her hair, she looked incomparably noble.
Standing beside her was Consort Gao from Prince Heng’s mansion, who had been promoted to Side Consort after giving birth to a son.
After exchanging greetings and paying respects, Shen Lingshu heard Consort Gao’s voice.
“Side Consort Shen, I heard this Concubine Shen from Prince Lin’s mansion is your sister?”
“Half-sister.”
Shen Lingyi corrected her, casting a disdainful glance at Shen Lingshu: a daughter born to a lowly concubine was hardly worthy of being called her sister.
Without looking sideways, Shen Lingyi walked to the seat behind the Crown Prince.
“A half-sister isn’t even fit to polish Side Consort Shen’s shoes.”
Someone, perhaps a lady from another household, remarked. Shen Lingshu lowered her eyes—these people were experts at flattering the powerful and trampling on the weak.
Hai Jiaren, who witnessed this scene, naturally wouldn’t miss the chance to step on her. She sneered, “Same surname, different fate. Your elder sister is the Crown Prince’s Side Consort, while you’re just a concubine.”
“Dogs are better—they wag their tails at me when I help them!” Shen Lingshu insinuated, causing Hai Jiaren’s face to darken. “How dare you call me a dog?”
“So, Concubine Hai is also someone who repays kindness with ingratitude?” Shen Lingshu raised an eyebrow.
“…”
Hai Jiaren’s chest heaved with anger. After a long while, she tightly clutched her handkerchief and glared at Shen Lingshu, saying, “The Prince is only interested in you because you’re new.”
“You can’t even attract that much interest.” Shen Lingshu looked Hai Jiaren up and down.
“You…”
Hai Jiaren listened to her sarcastic words and was about to speak when Side Consort Fang walked over, scolding in a low voice, “If it weren’t for the hunting in the South Garden, you wouldn’t even have the chance to attend such a banquet. If any of you are dissatisfied, get out immediately.”
“If anyone brings shame to the Lin Prince’s Mansion, I will have you beaten to death on the spot.”
Side Consort Fang warned them, mocking their status as concubines. Recalling the scene from the afternoon when Shen Lingshu went horseback riding with the Prince, Side Consort Fang’s gaze lingered on Shen Lingshu’s stomach.
The Emperor had even summoned both of them, promising that whoever gave birth to a child would be promoted to a secondary consort. Lady Shen, don’t even think about giving birth to a child!
Side Consort Fang walked toward the position behind Prince Lin at the front—the place reserved for the concubine.
Hai Jiaren glared fiercely at Shen Lingshu before finally sitting down, not daring to speak again.