Standing a little ways off, Yun Zhao finally turned from the pond. His gaze swept casually over the crowd before resting on the white fox curled in Shen Xi’s arms, its fluffy tail brushing against her crimson skirt.
No sooner had Shen Xi stepped forward than a flash of white suddenly darted out from the bushes to her right—a white fox, its fur gleaming like snow in the sunlight. Its amber eyes fixed on them warily, one paw lifted as if ready to flee.
Yun Zhao’s hand had already moved to his bow when Shen Xi suddenly reached out to stop him. “Don’t shoot,” she said softly, her voice carrying a note of urgency. “It’s injured.”
Sure enough, as the fox paused to look at them, they saw its left hind leg was stained dark red with blood, its movements unsteady as it limped forward.
“Looks like it won’t get far,” Yun Zhao said, already drawing his bowstring.
But Shen Xi moved faster, stepping forward with quick, light steps. “It’s hurt—let me handle this.”
Before Yun Zhao could respond, she had already nocked an arrow, her movements flowing like water as she drew the bowstring taut. The fox tensed, its ears flattening back—but instead of shooting, she tossed a small cloth bundle onto the grass before it.
The fox froze, its amber eyes fixed on the bundle. After a moment’s hesitation, it crept forward cautiously, sniffing at the cloth before carefully pulling at it with its teeth.
Shen Xi let out a soft laugh, straightening up as she looked at Yun Zhao with bright eyes. “See? Even wild creatures know how to accept kindness.”
Yun Zhao lowered his bow, his gaze lingering on the fox eating contentedly in her arms. “You’re rather bold to stop me like that.”
“Bold? I just don’t like unnecessary killing,” she retorted, lifting the fox carefully to check its leg. “It’s just a small wound—with some care, it’ll be fine in a few days.”
As she spoke, she gently stroked the fox’s fur, and it leaned into her touch with a soft purr. Yun Zhao watched quietly, then turned to walk toward the forest path without a word.
Shen Xi hurried to follow, the fox still nestled in her arms. When they reached the edge of the woods, she paused to look back at the hunting grounds spreading out below—where Yunxiao and the others were still standing by the bushes, Yuan Jingxian’s pale face stark against the greenery.
Yun Zhao’s steps slowed as he looked at her, then turned to continue on. “Your brother’s looking for you—we should head back.”
Shen Xi nodded, but as she followed, her foot caught on a root and she stumbled slightly. Before she could fall, Yun Zhao’s arm steadied her, his voice cool: “Watch your step.”
She looked up at him, then at the fox curled in her arms, and smiled. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
He glanced at her briefly before looking ahead again. “It’s getting late—we should return before your brother comes looking.”
As they walked back along the path, Shen Xi looked at the white fox sleeping soundly in her arms, then at Yun Zhao’s tall figure ahead. She had thought he was cold and unfeeling, but today she saw another side of him—and found herself strangely at ease in his presence.
When they reached the clearing where others were gathered, she paused to watch as Yunxiao spoke with Yuan Jingxian, the latter’s face pale as she forced a smile. Shen Xi’s gaze turned cold as she watched—so this is how it starts.
Yun Zhao walked steadily beside her, his voice calm: “You’re distracted.”
“Am not,” she shot back, then paused as she saw movement in the bushes ahead. “Look—there’s more game there.”
Before she could move, an arrow flew past her ear, embedding itself in a tree trunk just ahead. Yun Zhao’s bowstring sang out, and another arrow shot past her to strike the target.
“Got it!” she said proudly, but he only raised an eyebrow. “You missed by three inches.”
“I did not!” she protested, but her next arrow went wide as she stumbled. He caught her easily, setting her on her feet as he said calmly, “You’re shaking—sit down.”
She sat on a stone, the fox curled in her lap as she looked up at him. “Thank you. Though I still think I’m a better shot than you.”
He looked down at her, then at the fox, his voice cool: “Better at what—missing targets?”
She laughed, then gasped as she swayed slightly. He steadied her, his voice quiet: “You’re pale—sit still.”
As he spoke, he reached for his bow again, but paused as he saw her ankle twist. Before she could fall, he had scooped her up in his arms, her surprised cry cut short as he held her steady.
“Put me down!” she protested, but he only looked at her ankle. “You’re hurt—stop squirming.”
She glared at him, then sighed as she relaxed in his arms. “Fine—but if you drop me, I’ll never forgive you.”
He looked down at her, then at the fox now sitting calmly at her feet. “It’s fine now,” he said, setting her down carefully. “Can you walk?”
She nodded, then swayed as she stood. He steadied her, his voice low: “Lean on me—no arguments.”
She leaned against him, the fox still curled in her arms, and looked up at him as he led her slowly back along the path. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
He glanced at her, then ahead as voices approached—Shen Mo calling her name as he hurried over, followed by Yun Zilan and Yunxiao.
“Xiao Xi! There you are—we’ve been looking everywhere!” Shen Mo said, then paused at the sight of Yun Zhao beside her. “Your Highness—thank you for looking after her.”
Yun Zhao nodded slightly, his gaze on the fox in her arms. “It’s fine. She can walk now.”
As they walked back together, Shen Xi looked at the fox asleep in her arms, then at Yun Zhao’s steady stride beside her. She had thought him cold and distant, but today she saw another side—and found herself strangely comforted as he walked quietly beside her, the fox’s soft fur warm against her hands.
When they reached the gathering, she looked at Yunxiao speaking with Yuan Jingxian, then at Yun Zhao standing calmly nearby. She held the fox tighter, looking at him as he spoke quietly to the Crown Prince—his words sharp and direct, leaving no room for pretense.
Yuan Jingxian’s face was pale as she spoke softly to Yunxiao, but Shen Xi saw the calculation in her eyes. She’s been plotting against me since before I even entered the palace, she thought coldly.
Yun Zhao’s gaze shifted to her, then to the fox. “It’s late—we should head back.”
She nodded, following him as he walked steadily ahead, the fox now curled peacefully in her arms. As they reached the edge of the woods, she looked back at the setting sun painting the sky red and gold, then at Yun Zhao’s tall figure beside her—and felt a strange sense of calm settle over her.
Translation:
Pulling No Punches
From a little way off, Yun Zhao turned and stepped out from the corridor. Leading the group were two young ladies of striking presence and bearing—the daughters of Grand Tutor Yuan, Yuan Jingxian and Yuan Zhilan.
Yuan Jingxian wore a deep purple robe embroidered with subtle branch patterns, her dark hair pinned up simply with a mutton-fat jade hairpin. Her demeanor was calm and composed, her movements more measured than most as she walked with steady steps. Her younger sister Yuan Zhilan wore a sky-blue dress, her expression more approachable than her elder sister’s.
Behind them followed a maid with hair styled in twin buns, carrying a lacquered box—likely bearing gifts from the palace. Further back walked another young lady in moon-white robes: Su Yao, daughter of Vice Minister Su.
“Aren’t you Miss Lin and Miss Gu?” Yuan Jingxian was the first to spot the group under the corridor, calling out with a smile as she paused.
Yuan Zhilan followed her gaze, her eyes lingering on Lin Wan’er and Gu Qianqian before settling on Shen Xi.
“Who is this?”
Su Yao stepped forward quickly with an eager smile, addressing Yuan Zhilan first: “Sister Zhilan—this is the General’s daughter, Miss Shen Xi.”
She turned to Shen Xi with an overly familiar smile, her voice carrying false warmth: “When you fell into the water earlier, I was so worried! I’ve been thinking of you every day—I’m so glad you’ve recovered so quickly!”
Shen Xi met her gaze calmly, her voice even: “Mm.”
Su Yao’s smile faltered for a moment before she recovered with practiced ease. Shen Xi found it amusing—she tried to drown me, then acts like we’re old friends.
Looking at the Yuan sisters, their eyes sharp as they sized up her ruby and gold bracelet—they’re weighing up whether the General’s household is worth targeting.
Yuan Jingxian’s expression remained unchanged as she spoke gently: “Miss Shen—long have I heard the General’s daughter has a straightforward nature. Seeing you today, your bearing is truly impressive.”
Shen Xi met her gaze evenly, her voice neither humble nor arrogant: “My father always says military families need not play at subtlety—honesty is best. Unlike you, Miss Yuan, from a scholarly family—every gesture befitting your station.”
Her words sounded polite, yet carried an undercurrent that pushed back against the implied judgment. Yuan Jingxian’s smile remained steady as her fingers brushed her sleeve: “You’re too kind—I could never compare to your family’s military prestige.”
The words were polite, but Shen Xi saw through them—she’s testing how much power the General’s household holds.
Yuan Jingxian’s eyes stayed calm as they rested on Shen Xi’s bracelet—that crimson gold and ruby piece is rare indeed. She paused before adding, “Your bracelet is exquisite—such rich color is seldom seen.”
Shen Xi looked at her calmly: “Thank you—my father gave it to me. He says martial families should not be overly ornate, yet I find such pieces pleasing.”
Gu Qianqian and Lin Wan’er did not catch the undercurrents as they admired the bracelet. Shen Xi’s eyes were calm, but a sharp glint flickered beneath as she thought of the poison in her past life—they act like gentle ladies while plotting in the shadows.
Yuan Jingxian smiled slightly: “You’re too modest. Coming from a military family, you have a natural grace.”
Shen Xi’s eyes were calm as she replied evenly: “You’re too kind. As a military family, we value straightforwardness over pretense. Unlike scholarly families, who carry elegance in every word.”
Her words sounded like praise, yet subtly emphasized her point—you call me straightforward, but your praise carries hidden scrutiny.
Yuan Jingxian’s fingers brushed her sleeve as she replied smoothly: “You flatter me—I could never match your family’s valor.”
Shen Xi’s eyes remained calm as she looked at Yuan Jingxian’s measured demeanor, then at Su Yao’s overly warm smile—she’ll betray me without hesitation when the time comes.
Yun Zhao watched from the corridor, his gaze passing over the group as he tapped his fan against his palm. “The Grand Tutor’s daughter presents herself well—but her heart is calculating.”
Yun Zilan laughed: “You noticed too? She acts so straightforward, yet her eyes hold sharp purpose.”
Yunxiao looked at them, then at Shen Xi below—she’s like a wild rose among delicate flowers.
Yun Zhao’s eyes were calm as he looked at the fox in Shen Xi’s arms. “She has spirit.”
Yun Zilan grinned: “Spirit indeed—she stood up to Yuan Jingxian without flinching. Reminds me of you—sharp and unyielding.”
Yunxiao smiled slightly: “A thorny rose can still draw blood.”
Yun Zhao looked at the fox in Shen Xi’s arms, then at her determined face. When she looked up at him, he saw not fear but quiet resolve in her eyes.
“Does she remind you of someone?” Yun Zilan asked, but Yun Zhao did not turn as he walked on.
Shen Xi followed slowly, the fox warm in her arms as she looked at Yun Zhao’s back—he carries himself like a blade hidden in silk.
When they reached the clearing, she paused to look at the setting sun painting the sky red and gold, the fox curled peacefully in her arms.