Yunxiao remained silent, his gaze fixed on the outer robe over her shoulders before he spoke suddenly: “Since it’s decided by lot, it all comes down to luck. If Miss Shen is worried about strangers, you might just draw someone you know.”
Shen Xi sneered inwardly. Someone she knew? Yunxiao’s words were clearly a hint that he had already arranged for her to be on his team. In her past life, she had been “lucky” enough to be grouped with him, setting the stage for that later farce of “the hero saving the damsel.”
Lowering her eyes to hide the cold glint in them, she suddenly looked up and curtsied to Yunxiao, her tone carrying just the right amount of warmth: “Your Highness the Crown Prince—since it’s all just for fun, the more the merrier. I saw the two Miss Yuans nearby just now—would it be alright if I invite them to join us? The Yuan sisters are so forthright—they’ll help steady my nerves.”
Since things had already changed, she would drag them into this too, just to add more variables to Yunxiao’s “arrangements.”
Amused by this, Yun Zilan fanned himself and said: “Miss Shen is quite enthusiastic. Though I’m not sure about the two Miss Yuans’ archery skills—we might end up having to look after them.”
“Very well,” Yunxiao finally nodded, his tone giving no clue to his feelings. “More people do make it livelier.”
Shen Xi smiled to herself while putting on a grateful expression: “Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness.”
With that, she turned and walked toward the flower pavilion where the Yuan sisters were, her steps as light as a bird breaking free from its cage.
“Shen Mo—your sister’s temperament is quite the opposite of yours,” Yun Zilan remarked, his tone playful as he continued fanning himself.
Shen Mo lowered his eyes and bowed respectfully, his voice steady as ever: “My sister is still young and acts without thinking—please forgive her forwardness, Fourth Highness.” Watching Shen Xi’s retreating figure, his brows furrowed slightly—it was unusual for her to take the initiative to engage with royalty and even bring the Yuan sisters along.
Before long, Shen Xi returned leading Yuan Zhilan and Yuan Jingxian, with Su Yao following behind.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, Fourth Highness, Your Highness the Prince,” Yuan Jingxian curtsied first, her eyes darting toward Yunxiao. “We heard about the hunting match and came with Miss Shen to join in the fun—we hope Your Highnesses won’t mind.”
Standing to the side, Shen Xi watched Yuan Jingxian’s excited demeanor and smiled even wider. Yunxiao—your “acquaintance” is here. Let’s see how you play out your hero-saving-damsel act now.
Yunxiao nodded: “Since you’re here, join us for the drawing.”
“Wait—Your Highness! We want to join too!” Gu Qianqian called out, pulling Lin Wan’er with her.
Everyone paused in surprise at this—Gu Qianqian and Lin Wan’er’s eyes were shining with genuine excitement.
Yun Zilan laughed heartily: “This just keeps getting better! If everyone’s keen, then all of you draw lots—more people make it a proper event.”
Shen Xi was delighted inwardly but feigned surprise on her face: “Qianqian and Wan’er are joining too? Wonderful! The more the merrier, and I won’t feel so bad if I’m clumsy and hold everyone back.” She emphasized the words “the more the merrier,” her gaze sweeping subtly over Yunxiao.
Yunxiao’s expression remained calm, though his fingertips tightened slightly inside his sleeve. What was supposed to be a small-scale match had been turned into a gathering of noble ladies by Shen Xi’s meddling.
Seeing more people join, Yuan Jingxian’s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, though she maintained her smile: “Since everyone’s interested, let’s draw lots quickly so we don’t waste time.” She was eager to be grouped—if she could somehow end up with Yunxiao, even with others around, she would find a way to stand out.
Yun Zhao stood to the side, taking in everyone’s expressions—especially Shen Xi’s “it’s none of my concern” demeanor. A faint smile touched his lips.
A eunuch stepped forward carrying the lot container. Yuan Zhilan, always the most impatient, reached in first and drew a slip. Unfolding it, she exclaimed excitedly: “It’s the character ‘Wind’!”
One by one, the others drew their lots.
When Shen Xi reached in, she deliberately avoided the smooth-looking bamboo slips, finally picking one with slightly rough edges. She remembered that in her past life, Yunxiao’s lot had been carefully polished—this unremarkable one could not be his.
Unfolding it, she saw the character “Frost.”
She had just relaxed when Yuan Jingxian said: “Mine is ‘Rain’!”
Yunxiao slowly unfolded his slip—clearly the character “Water.”
Shen Xi was just smiling to herself that they had been separated when Yun Zilan announced loudly: “I almost forgot the rules—‘Wind’ and ‘Frost’ are one team, ‘Rain’ and ‘Water’ are another, and ‘Cold’ and ‘Dew’ make the third.”
Her smile froze instantly—this damned coincidence!
Her fingers tightened around the “Frost” slip until her knuckles turned white.
Wind and Frost on the same team? Did that mean she would be grouped with Yuan Zhilan?
Yuan Zhilan clearly realized this too, her excitement fading a little as she shot Shen Xi a reluctant glance.
Shen Xi nudged Shen Mo’s elbow, lowering her voice: “Brother—what did you draw?”
Shen Mo calmly opened his palm to reveal the character “Cold.”
Her eyes lit up—she had caught a glimpse of Gu Qianqian’s slip also being “Cold.” That meant her brother would be on the same team as Qianqian.
Only then did Yun Zhao draw his slip slowly. Unfolding it, he said quietly: “Mine is also ‘Frost’.”
In the end, the teams were:
Team 1: Yun Zhao, Shen Xi, Yuan Zhilan
Team 2: Yunxiao, Yuan Jingxian, Yun Zilan
Team 3: Shen Mo, Gu Qianqian, Lin Wan’er
Shen Xi felt her temples throbbing. Being grouped with Yuan Zhilan was bad enough—now she had to add Yun Zhao to the mix? She had perfectly avoided Yunxiao, only to forget about this formidable character.
Yun Zhao’s gaze fell on her tense profile, his expression and tone giving nothing away: “Looks like we’ll be traveling together.”
Taking a deep breath to steady her racing thoughts, Shen Xi managed a smile that looked more like a grimace: “It’s an honor to be on the same team as Your Highness.”
Clutching her slip tightly, she thought Well—we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Yun Zhao is easier to handle than Yunxiao anyway. Looking at Yuan Zhilan and Yun Zhao, she forced her lips to curve: “Shall we set off?”
Yuan Zhilan let out a sharp huff, clearly displeased to be grouped with Shen Xi, but did not dare object. She mounted her horse with exaggerated force, pulling the reins so sharply that the white steed pawed the ground restlessly.
Meanwhile, Yunxiao’s team had already ridden into the woods.
Yuan Jingxian deliberately slowed her pace to ride alongside Yunxiao, her voice soft and sweet: “Your Highness—I hear there are reindeer in this forest. I’ve never seen one before.”
Yunxiao’s eyes were fixed on the crisscrossing branches ahead as he replied calmly: “Reindeer are shy and not easily spotted.” His mind was clearly not on the game—his fingertips rubbed absently at his arrow shaft, lost in thought.
Yun Zilan followed behind them, fanning himself as he watched with clear understanding. Suddenly he laughed: “If you want to see reindeer, Miss Yuan—why not ask the Crown Prince to show off his skills? His Highness never misses a shot.” Though his words seemed to praise Yunxiao, they were meant to distract him.
As for Shen Mo’s team, their atmosphere was far more harmonious.
Gu Qianqian, with her straightforward nature, challenged Lin Wan’er to an archery contest as soon as they entered the woods. She shot a pheasant in the distance and lifted her chin proudly: “Master Shen—what do you think of my aim?”
Shen Mo’s gaze fell on the fallen bird as he nodded in approval: “Impressive.”
Flushed with pride, Gu Qianqian patted her horse’s neck: “That’s nothing! I’ll hunt a fox for you next to really show you what I can do!”
Lin Wan’er laughed beside her: “Don’t boast, Qianqian—that pheasant was sitting still on a branch. Even I could have hit it.”
“You’re just jealous!” Gu Qianqian raised her bow. “If you’re so confident, let’s compete with moving targets—those sparrows flying up ahead. Let’s see who hits more!”
Without waiting for a response, she spurred her horse forward, shooting arrow after arrow. Though she hit few birds, she sent flocks of forest birds fluttering into the air, filling the woods with lively commotion.