“Princess, you are of noble status. For you to call me sister is like shortening my lifespan.” Chang Lili knew that Xiao Shuer was up to no good, so she pretended to be flattered and pulled her hand away.

But the next moment, Xiao Shuer affectionately took her hand and pulled her aside to talk.

Chang Lili knew she must have some kind of scheme. Why would Xiao Shuer be so kind? That would be a miracle.

Although Chang Lili fed her strange pills and frightened her, Xiao Shuer, who had been pampered and spoiled since childhood and had always been the one bullying others, would not give Chang Lili a kind look.

Offering unsolicited favors is either a sign of malice or theft.

The more Chang Lili struggled and refused, the more enthusiastic Xiao Shu'er became. The commotion grew louder and louder, attracting the attention of hundreds of eyes in the hunting grounds. If Chang Lili continued to refuse, she would be ungrateful.

Meng Yuxiu shouldn't have interfered in the affairs of the women, but considering Chang Lili's comfort, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and speak up.

“Your Highness, she is just a lowly maidservant and does not deserve your favor. It would be beneath Your Highness’s dignity.” Meng Yuxiu was unusually humble and polite, and spoke tactfully.

Although these words were subtly protecting Chang Lili, Xiao Shuer found them very comforting.

"What are you saying, Brother Meng? She's one of your people, of course I have to treat her well." Xiao Shu'er smiled sweetly and innocently, perfectly demonstrating her obedience and good manners.

But who knows what she's really up to?

People around had started whispering and pointing, talking amongst themselves.

Chang Lili continued to decline, saying, "Your Highness, I really cannot bear such a burden."

She thought to herself, who knows what might happen if she goes there? Her life is more important, and she doesn't want to leave Meng Yuxiu's side.

While she was still being pestered by Xiao Shu'er and hoping that Meng Yuxiu could lend a helping hand, someone went to talk to Meng Yuxiu.

This person was none other than Hu Pin, Xiao Shu'er's cousin. Chang Lili immediately realized that this was a conspiracy.

"I have long heard that General Meng is skilled in riding and archery, and has never met his match. Today, I, Hu Ping, dare to invite the general to a contest. I hope the general will do me the honor." Hu Ping seemed like a different person. He spoke politely and with great tact, completely different from the way he had stopped the two men with his sword that day.

His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but it reached everyone's ears, even the emperor heard it.

Meng Yuxiu was highly skilled in archery and horsemanship, and had always been the undisputed champion in hunting. Therefore, everyone on the hunting grounds tacitly agreed not to challenge Meng Yuxiu to a contest.

Hu Pin was an unexpected turn of events; he insisted on challenging Meng Yuxiu to a duel.

This is going to be quite a show! Everyone was eager to see what would happen, clapping and cheering in approval. Even the Emperor himself agreed.

Meng Yuxiu could only watch helplessly as Chang Lili was pulled away by Xiao Shuer. He wanted to speak up and stop her, but he was powerless to do so. He couldn't refuse this competition.

However, this obvious tactic of luring the tiger away from the mountain would not be noticed by others.

Seeing Meng Yuxiu entangled, Xiao Shuer's smile gradually turned malicious. She affectionately took Chang Lili's arm and said to herself, "Sister Chang, why don't you go hunting with me? It's not proper for you to go hunting with a man."

She deliberately spoke these words loudly, so that if Chang Lili insisted on traveling with Meng Yuxiu, it would only damage her reputation.

Chang Lili touched the hidden arrow in her pocket, her heart sinking. She made up her mind to deal with whatever came her way. She wanted to see what tricks Xiao Shu'er was up to this time.

Although she had little experience with bows and arrows, she prided herself on being self-taught in many weapons. Watching others shoot arrows, she followed suit, holding a bow and arrow and saying, "Alright, Your Highness is so enthusiastic, I can't resist. Let's go hunting together."

Xiao Shu'er rolled her eyes inwardly, but a gentle and gratified smile appeared on her face as she rode alongside Chang Lili through the hunting grounds.

The scenery of West Mountain was indeed stunning, but when Xiao Shu'er looked at the people around her, she felt they were a complete spoilsport, and their attempts to get close to her and curry favor made her want to vomit.

Similarly, Chang Lili also found Xiao Shuer extremely displeasing at this moment.

She deliberately pretended to be a poor rider and lagged behind Xiao Shu'er by a distance, but in reality, she just wanted to be the one to observe Xiao Shu'er's every move and see what kind of tricks she was up to.

Xiao Shuer was completely oblivious. She looked ahead, listened to the hoofbeats of Chang Lili's horse behind her, and heard her cries of pain. Her eyes were full of disdain and contempt.

"Princess, wait for me! Don't run so fast!" Chang Lili said, deliberately panting.

Having successfully led Chang Lili away from the crowd, Xiao Shu'er's tone became arrogant: "With your riding skills, you dare to participate in the hunt?"

Chang Lili sensed the suppressed anger in her words, smiled slyly, and pretended to be oblivious as she continued to complain.

Xiao Shuer had been leading the way. They had now reached the depths of the woods, where they were the only two people. Chang Lili's nerves tightened.

She was a little scared at this moment. If a group of assassins suddenly jumped out, she was afraid that she would be in grave danger.

However, hunting in the forest involves a large number of people, and the chances of encountering other people are extremely high.

Xiao Shu'er was very cautious. She looked at a narrow and dark path in front of her and asked curiously, "Oh my, what is that place? There must be a lot of prey hiding inside. Let's go in and take a look."

Chang Lili naturally refused to go in, and Xiao Shuer stopped by the path and wouldn't go in, but kept urging her to come in. She must have been out of her mind to go in.

“Princess, this place looks eerie and terrifying. We shouldn’t go in. You are of noble birth; it would be bad if you encountered any ferocious beasts,” Chang Lili said with a frown and concern.

Xiao Shu'er was an impatient person, and it was already quite an achievement that she could keep up the act until now. At this moment, she could no longer contain her emotions and said impatiently, "What kind of ferocious beasts could there be! I didn't expect you to have such courage. If you're afraid of jackals ahead, I'll go first!"

As she spoke, she pulled on the reins and turned the horse around.

Chang Lili had been waiting for this moment for a long time. She knew there must be a trap waiting for her in this path, and she had already made up her mind not to go in.

She saw a burlap sack hanging on the horse's back, probably used to carry prey. Having made up her mind, she instantly gripped the hidden dart in her hand.

She was waiting for the moment when Xiao Shuer turned her back to her. With lightning speed, she aimed her hidden arrow at the horse's rump, shouted "Who's there?" and shot the arrow without hesitation.

Startled, the horse reared up with a neigh, and Xiao Shu'er, caught off guard, tumbled off its back, feeling dizzy and disoriented.