After this wolf-slaying rescue operation, The Eldest Princess had developed an unexpectedly favorable impression of Lin Pianran and her companions.
Seeing Lin Pianran, Feng Pan, Lu Xueyan, and Xue Yunci standing together conversing, she approached and warmly invited everyone to travel together.
“Let’s return to camp together!”
“Your performances were truly outstanding this time. I shall certainly report to His Majesty and ensure you receive due rewards!”
“Moreover, your heroic deeds shall be made known to every household, widely celebrated in songs and stories.”
With The Eldest Princess taking the initiative to show goodwill, the group naturally accepted with pleasure.
Having fought side by side against enemies, they had grown familiar with one another, establishing remarkably cordial relationships.
Lin Chuyan, observing The Eldest Princess treating Lin Pianran with apparent special regard, burned with jealousy.
She had been diligently currying favor with Princess Huai’an and Princess Minghua, hoping to leverage their connections to climb into royal circles and marry into the imperial family.
Over the years, she had achieved some success—becoming Princess Huai’an’s study companion, frequently entering the palace, regularly encountering several dashing and heroic princes, and earning praise from each of them.
Yet before Her Highness The Eldest Princess, who enjoyed Qin Wudi’s particular affection, her efforts yielded minimal results.
She had been attempting indirect approaches, vainly hoping to use The Eldest Princess to get closer to that godlike, handsome man who occupied her daydreams.
But he remained utterly unattainable.
She could never get even half a step closer.
Her dreams were filled entirely with his peerlessly handsome, elegant figure.
He haunted her thoughts, occupying her mind day and night.
Never did she expect that Lin Pianran would accidentally save The Eldest Princess today and receive such courteous treatment—something she absolutely could not tolerate.
Finally unable to contain her burning envy, she approached Lin Pianran and The Eldest Princess. “Your subject Lin Chuyan pays respects to Your Highness. I am Lin Pianran’s third elder sister.”
The Eldest Princess glanced at her, giving a polite slight nod without speaking.
Then turning back, she affectionately cuddled the little white rabbit, smiling at Lin Pianran. “This little rabbit is truly adorable. Do you really mean to gift it to me?”
“Of course. If Your Highness likes it, having it keep you company would be its great fortune.”
“I observe this rabbit seems quite spiritually attuned. It will surely know how to delight Your Highness.”
Lin Pianran had previously fed the little white rabbit copious amounts of spiritual spring water. Given a few more opportunities to feed it, she was certain it would develop spiritual intelligence, becoming more clever than ordinary small animals and better at winning affection.
“Very well, I shall raise this rabbit carefully—keep it plump and adorable, clever and alert.”
The two young women conversed intimately, heads close together like long-time friends.
Lin Chuyan stood beside them, expression deeply awkward, yet unable to interject.
Later, the conversation shifted to archery, with Lu Xueyan, Feng Pan, and Xue Yunci enthusiastically joining in.
The group chatted animatedly and merrily, frequently bursting into cheerful laughter.
“Lin Pianran, your archery is truly magnificent! I’ve never seen anyone more skilled! Rivaling even someone like me who’s practiced since childhood—truly admirable!” Lu Xueyan’s face shone with worship.
“Indeed! Such archery is truly enviable. When free, we should properly compete.” Feng Pan grinned with unrestrained delight.
“Count me in! I want to compete in archery with you all too. Even if I lose, I still want to have a good match with you.” Xue Yunci, usually known for his aloof and elegant demeanor, now revealed his love for joining in the fun, appearing completely different from his usual cold and detached image.
Seeing how lively the conversation had become, The Eldest Princess quickly spoke up, “I’d like to join your activity too. Since we’ve picked the time, why not set it for two days from now? Let’s go to the camp’s shooting range and have a thrilling competition to determine the best among us…”
Everyone was delighted by The Eldest Princess’s suggestion and nodded in agreement.
At that moment, Lin Chuyan seized the opportunity to approach, smiling obsequiously as she said, “Your Highness, The Eldest Princess, may I join your archery competition too?”
Lin Pianran let out a scornful laugh and retorted bluntly, “Third Sister, don’t you always say you dislike martial arts and only enjoy composing poetry, playing the zither, and painting?”
“You often tell other noble ladies that women who practice martial arts are crude and vulgar, behaving like common soldiers, lacking any elegance or gentleness, and that they’ll never find a husband.”
“Besides, I recall that you’ve never studied archery. Why bother joining in? You’ll only end up embarrassing yourself in front of everyone.”
As soon as Lu Xueyan heard that Lin Chuyan had no archery skills, her expression stiffened, and she immediately refused, “Exactly. You don’t know archery—wouldn’t it be ridiculous for you to participate in our competition?”
Feng Pan had no fondness for Lin Chuyan either and spoke even more harshly, “Since you don’t know archery, you shouldn’t barge in where you don’t belong! We don’t need a mere decoration to make up the numbers.”
Lu Xueyan shot a glance, her face expressionless, making her refusal perfectly clear.
The Eldest Princess smiled gently and said softly, “All of us here are skilled in archery and are participating to exchange knowledge and learn from one another. We share common interests. Since you know nothing of archery, there’s no need for you to join. You simply wouldn’t be able to fit into our activity.”
Lin Chuyan hadn’t expected such a cold rejection despite her proactive efforts.
How infuriating!
How despicable!
She turned to Lin Pianran, her face showing a pitiful and pleading expression. “Sixth Sister, after seeing how skilled all of you are in archery today, I’ve become truly fascinated by it.”
“Moreover, in critical moments, I’ve come to realize the importance of archery. I genuinely want to learn from all of you. Could you please put in a good word for me and let me join?”
Lin Pianran scoffed lightly and ignored her.
If she thought she could win her over with persistence, she was mistaken—such tactics might work on others, but not on her.
Still unwilling to give up, Lin Chuyan continued to plead, “Your Highness, The Eldest Princess, if I go to watch you shoot, I promise not to disturb anyone. I only wish to humbly observe and learn from your archery skills. I beg Your Highness to permit me!”
Unexpectedly, The Eldest Princess remained firm and unyielding, refusing to relent. “You should start by learning the basics of archery first. Without any foundational knowledge, what could you possibly grasp? Your presence would only dampen everyone’s competitive spirit!”
“Perhaps you can join another time when the opportunity arises!”
With The Eldest Princess’s words leaving no room for negotiation, Lin Chuyan’s expression turned sour and deeply awkward.
She had no choice but to temporarily back down, not daring to press further.
Yet, in her heart, she hadn’t completely given up hope.
Having finally obtained an opportunity to approach The Eldest Princess, how could she possibly give up so easily?
Only by getting closer to Her Highness could she have more chances to encounter that sacred, noble, and handsome man.
He was her obsession.
Lin Pianran glanced at the unwillingness in Lin Chuyan’s eyes and guessed that she definitely wouldn’t give up so easily. Most likely, after returning to the camp, she would continue to pester her incessantly.
This was Lin Chuyan’s usual tactic – first crying, then making a scene, and finally threatening suicide, all while relentlessly clinging on.
In the end, people would always become unable to withstand her pestering and would obediently raise their hands in surrender.
And every time, she would achieve her goal.
Just thinking about it gave people headaches and made them utterly disgusted.