Shen Qingzhi was being rather arrogant today.
“Brother Wang, look, aren’t my hands especially strong today?”
“Fourth Prince, see this scar on my hand? Right here, look here.”
“Brother Yin, Brother Yin, isn’t my archery posture especially handsome today? Look at this stance.”
“Brother Li, come, look, ah, look at my…”
At first, everyone was confused, unsure what he was trying to say. It wasn’t until they saw him repeatedly waving his fingers that they realized this guy was showing off his newly acquired jade thumb ring.
So everyone had no choice but to humor him with a question.
Shen Qingzhi: “This thumb ring? It was given by Rong’er. Such a fine item is most suitable for a gentleman of my refined and noble character.”
Everyone: …Oh.
Not surprising at all. This wasn’t the first time.
Every time the Grand Princess gave something to the Shen siblings, Shen Qingzhi practically wanted the whole world to know.
Due to the disparity in physical strength between men and women, the riding and archery class was divided into male and female sections.
While the male section was being stirred into awkwardness by Shen Qingzhi, the female section was already gearing up for action.
“Within the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, each of you must ride from here to the finish line and back twice, while trying to hit the targets along the way. Your final scores will be tallied by the palace attendants.”
Instructor Qin, who was overseeing the riding and archery assessment, reiterated the rules to everyone once more.
In truth, everyone was already quite familiar with them, and Instructor Qin usually couldn’t be bothered to repeat them so many times.
But this time, the Grand Princess had actually mounted Red Courser and was seriously participating, so Instructor Qin made a point of emphasizing the rules.
If the Grand Princess, who usually disliked practice, suddenly decided to compete in riding and archery and something happened, even losing his head wouldn’t be enough to make up for it.
“Begin!”
At the command, the horses surged forward.
Instructor Qin’s gaze closely followed Yun Chaorong.
Surprisingly, Yun Chaorong rode quite steadily. Moreover, Red Courser was an excellent horse to begin with, carrying its master to the forefront.
Instructor Qin wasn’t the only one surprised.
“The Grand Princess’s riding skills are actually this good!”
“I previously thought the Grand Princess wasn’t skilled in horsemanship.”
“Perhaps the Grand Princess has another renowned instructor?”
“…”
Seeing the considerable distance Yun Chaorong had pulled ahead, Yun Jingshan’s eyes turned fierce.
She forcefully spurred her horse, increasing its speed as she charged toward Yun Chaorong.
Shen Yazhi was considerably slower in this segment and couldn’t keep up with Yun Chaorong’s pace. However, she wasn’t in a hurry to catch up, maintaining her own rhythm instead.
The finish line was some distance from the starting point, with even a small patch of sparse woodland to pass through in between.
Yun Chaorong raced ahead alone, cutting through the wind, feeling exceptionally exhilarated.
Seeing hidden targets among the trees on both sides, she temporarily released the reins and drew her bow with both hands, nocking an arrow—
Whoosh—
Whoosh—
Whoosh—
Three consecutive hits.
Although slightly off the bullseye, the force was undeniable; the arrows pierced halfway through the targets.
Because of the archery, Yun Chaorong slowed down slightly. Yun Jingshan, galloping at full speed, caught up at that moment, drawing almost even with Yun Chaorong.
Yun Chaorong noticed the quiver on Yun Jingshan’s back was still full; she probably hadn’t fired a single arrow, solely focused on catching up.
This girl was likely brewing some big move.
A somewhat wicked smile suddenly curved Yun Chaorong’s red lips.
Bring it on. Let this lady see what tricks you’ve got.
“Sister!” Yun Jingshan urged her horse closer.
“What is it?” Yun Chaorong didn’t even turn her head.
“Sister, I heard you were ill before.”
“Yet you never came to see me.”
Yun Jingshan’s eyes reddened: “Does Sister blame me? I was worried about you all along. I knew it wasn’t a physical illness but a matter of the heart.”
Whoosh—!
Yun Chaorong shot another arrow, hitting the wooden target diagonally ahead.
This time, it struck the bullseye.
Yun Jingshan was surprised by Yun Chaorong’s archery skills, but also pleased that she had guessed Yun Chaorong’s inner turmoil. She continued:
“Sister, you’ve always cared deeply for General Xie… Now that General Xie has been captured and his fate is unknown, you must be heartbroken.”
Yun Chaorong remained silent.
Yun Jingshan pressed further:
“Earlier, Northern Qiang proposed a marriage alliance in exchange for prisoners of war. There was a chance to bring General Xie back. But now that the marriage alliance has fallen through, General Xie may not return to Da Yu anytime soon.
General Xie is a man of honor, yet he is now humiliated in enemy territory. Sister’s heart must ache…”
Yun Chaorong: So you’re here to twist the knife?
Given the original owner’s unwavering devotion to Xie Nanzhu, she’d probably be drowning in guilt and shame by now.
“Sister, do you truly not care about General Xie’s fate?”
Seeing Yun Chaorong still unresponsive, seemingly lost in thought, Yun Jingshan raised her hand and slapped it against the flank of the Red Courser. Hidden in her palm was a broken arrowhead.
Just as her hand descended, Yun Chaorong suddenly urged her horse forward a few steps.
The arrowhead missed its mark, merely grazing the horse’s flank.
Neigh—!
Even so, the Red Courser was startled, leaping sideways several steps before calming down under Yun Chaorong’s soothing touch.
“I never realized Shan’er could be so mischievous,” Yun Chaorong said, turning her head with a chilling tone.
“Ah! Help, Sister, don’t—!”
Yun Jingshan suddenly raised her voice, her face pale with fear, and then she fell from her horse.
Yun Chaorong, who hadn’t even moved, watched as Yun Jingshan staged this entire scene alone, screaming as she tumbled from the saddle.
Yun Chaorong: Hey… Could you at least make it look convincing? Your horse was standing perfectly still—how did you manage to fall?
Perfectly timed, the others caught up from behind.
They arrived just in time to witness this bizarre scene.
Yun Jingshan sat in a patch of weeds, her skirt stained with mud, tears streaming down her face as she pleaded:
“Sister, Sister, no, Your Highness, I was wrong. I’ll never do it again.”
She looked pitiful, like a little white rabbit facing the butcher’s blade.
Meanwhile, Yun Chaorong remained seated high on the back of the Red Courser, looking down imperiously at the figure on the ground as if gazing upon mere dust.
Her tone was mocking: “So that’s how it is.”
So this was all about provoking her and then framing her.
“Your Highness, Princess, what happened here?” Liu Ruixin was the first to ask.
As the eldest daughter of the Minister of Justice, she often sneaked into her father’s study to read casebooks, finding them thrilling and dreaming of solving cases herself one day.
Thus, she loved mediating disputes at home—whether it was fights between half-sisters, a maid hiding extra provisions, a servant spreading rumors, or a young man being… Her household was as tightly managed as an iron barrel.
Liu Ruixin: “If there’s any misunderstanding, I can help investigate.”
Yun Jingshan said nothing, lowering her head to cry first.
No matter what Yun Chaorong said, she could make everyone believe that Yun Chaorong had pushed her off the horse, causing her to sprain her ankle.
Today’s incident was bound to spread, and everyone would learn of Yun Chaorong’s notorious reputation for being unreasonable and domineering.
What did it matter if the Emperor protected her? How could gossip and criticism ever be suppressed?
When Xie Nanzhu returned, he would surely despise Yun Chaorong even more because of this!
What right did she have to be a glorious princess? She only deserved to be the subject of idle gossip and mockery!
“Your Highness, don’t be anxious. Tell me what happened,” Shen Yazhi also caught up, riding her horse to Yun Chaorong’s side.
There were many people present today, and she feared Yun Chaorong might fall into someone else’s trap in her agitation.
“Sister Shan is crying so sorrowfully. Why not let her explain what grave mistake she has committed?”
Compared to Yun Jingshan’s agitation, Yun Chaorong appeared remarkably composed.
Seeing Yun Chaorong’s reaction, Shen Yazhi knew she already had a plan in mind. Relieved for the moment, she stayed by Yun Chaorong’s side to observe how the situation unfolded.
Yun Jingshan paused, genuinely surprised that Yun Chaorong offered no defense at all.
Liu Ruixin had also instinctively assumed Yun Jingshan had been wronged, but seeing Yun Chaorong’s calm demeanor, she began to suspect that Yun Jingshan might have truly committed some offense.
“County Princess, what offense did you commit to provoke Her Royal Highness?”
Yun Jingshan sobbed, “…I saw that my sister was in low spirits and wanted to speak with her, but I ended up offending her instead.”
Liu Ruixin put on a serious expression, as if holding a magistrate’s gavel: “Offending a princess is punishable under Da Yu law. In severe cases, it can warrant execution!”
Yun Jingshan: …
Yun Chaorong: Hah, such talent exists?
“I… I didn’t mean to offend. I merely mentioned General Xie unintentionally, touching upon my sister’s sorrow…” Yun Jingshan trailed off, leaving the rest to the imagination.
Many had indeed heard rumors that Princess Rongyang admired Xie Nanzhu, but no one dared to ask about it.
Now that Yun Jingshan had spoken of it, could the rumors be true? And had Yun Chaorong, in a fit of anger, pushed Yun Jingshan off her horse?
Liu Ruixin looked at Yun Chaorong, her eyes probing: “Your Royal Highness, is what the County Princess said true?”
Yun Chaorong nodded: “What she said is largely correct.”
“Ah—”
Everyone gasped, but before they could finish, Yun Chaorong continued:
“Who doesn’t know that before the war with Northern Qiang, Da Yu suffered consecutive defeats? Xie Nanzhu lost battle after battle! Eager for victory, he recklessly advanced deep into enemy territory, not only getting himself captured but also costing the lives of many Da Yu warriors.
Such a criminal is not only a wound in my heart but a wound to all of Da Yu!”
Yun Jingshan was so shocked she forgot to cry: “Sister, you…”
“Silence!” Yun Chaorong’s playful expression vanished.
“My royal brother recently led troops into battle. Tens of thousands of soldiers endured harsh conditions, fighting on the battlefield, each struggling to survive. Yet, the County Princess speaks only of Xie Nanzhu suffering in enemy captivity, without considering how his incompetence has caused immense hardship for Da Yu’s thousands of soldiers.
How dare you even mention exchanging a marriage alliance for prisoners, boosting Northern Qiang’s prestige?
Do you have any regard for my father, who has exhausted himself with worry, or for my royal brother, who has shed blood on the battlefield?
Are you truly a County Princess of Da Yu or a Northern Qiang sympathizer!”
Yun Chaorong’s words left the group of young noblewomen utterly speechless.
Their fathers and brothers never discussed state or military affairs with them. They had only heard of General Xie’s talent and appearance and had lamented his capture.
Today, the princess’s words stirred waves of emotion within their hearts.
Yun Jingshan’s face was deathly pale. With such a grave accusation leveled against her, she dared not accept it even if beaten to death:
“No, no, that’s not what I meant… I was just concerned about my sister.”
Liu Ruixin also seemed to sigh with emotion: “The princess indeed spoke out of turn. Given this, it’s no wonder the Grand Princess administered a slight punishment.”
Yun Chaorong: “Who said I punished her?”
Liu Ruixin hurriedly apologized: “It was my misunderstanding about the princess’s foot injury.”
Yun Jingshan bit her pale lips: “It was Shan’er’s fault. Shan’er carelessly fell from the horse and sprained her foot. It wasn’t my sister who pushed me. It has nothing to do with my sister.”
As she spoke, she looked at Yun Chaorong, her eyes and tone filled with grievance.
The onlookers were utterly confused.
Yun Chaorong turned her neck and flexed her wrist.
She dismounted from her horse and walked unhurriedly to Yun Jingshan.
The sun was about to set in the west, its rays piercing through the forest.
Yun Chaorong’s figure blocked the light, leaving Yun Jingshan cowering in the shadows.
“You all, why do you think of this princess as so kind and soft-hearted?”
She crouched down and picked up one of Yun Jingshan’s arrows that had fallen to the ground.
“If the princess has violated the taboos of His Majesty and this princess, and if I were to personally administer punishment, would it be something as trivial as falling from a horse?”
Yun Chaorong spoke slowly, her tone gentle, which was unusual for her.
Yun Jingshan felt her scalp tingle, a chill running to the very marrow of her bones, as if she no longer recognized the person before her.
An instinctive fear rose within her. The gentler Yun Chaorong smiled, the more terrified she became. Her body wanted to shrink back, but she couldn’t move—
Yun Chaorong firmly pressed down on her leg.
“Sister, I… I was wrong.”
“Shan’er, since you are not skilled at riding, you should refrain from doing so for some time.”
Yun Chaorong then turned her head, looking back at Shen Yazhi against the light.
The evening glow cast a bewitching allure on the princess’s face.
Shen Yazhi was momentarily dazed when she heard the princess say to her: “Yazhi, close your eyes.”
She didn’t know why, but she obediently closed her eyes.
The next moment, Yun Chaorong raised the arrow and brought it down, driving the tip forcefully into Yun Jingshan’s ankle.
The force was so great that it shattered the bone, the arrowhead completely lodged in the fractured flesh, blood gushing out.
“Ah—!”
A piercing scream nearly shattered eardrums.
Yun Jingshan’s face contorted in agony.
Her foot! Her foot…
The smile Yun Chaorong wore before her eyes was like that of a vengeful ghost.
The ghost leaned close to her ear, breathing softly:
“Rather than proving my innocence, I prefer to solidify the evidence of guilt.”