Chapter 114 Amidst the Clouds (Part Four) That was the air of absolute certainty of victory. ...

Back in the city, as they approached the Song residence, Zhi Rou seized the reins, dismounted, and followed the old route through Qufei Lane into the mansion. The horse was tied to the outside wall, and its gait on the hard ground produced a slight tapping sound.

Inside the family school, Master Zhou was teaching. Zhi Rou wrapped her outer robe tightly around herself and covered her face completely. She slipped through the bamboo grove and the doorway into the small garden.

Her clothes were stained with blood, so she avoided the servants in the mansion, walking around and hiding. She had never felt that the Song family was so big, that every inch of their land seemed to be blocking her way.

When they reached a begonia-shaped door, Zhi Rou leaned against the wall and peeked out to see if the people on the corridor had left. Suddenly, she heard murmuring voices coming this way.

Left with no other choice, she slipped behind a tree, gripping the edge of her robe with her fingertips to conceal herself as much as possible.

The footsteps grew closer, then stopped abruptly about ten feet away from her. Someone exclaimed in surprise, "Fourth Miss?"

Zhi Rou closed her eyes, secretly cursing her bad luck. After calming down a bit, she opened her eyes and walked out from behind the tree. When she saw Xu Chengce standing in the courtyard, a few tremors flashed in her eyes.

"Young Master Xu?" How did he recognize her?

Xu Chengce was both surprised and delighted. His gaze swept over Zhi Rou's collar, and the joy on his jade-like face vanished without a trace. He stepped forward in a panic: "Are you injured?"

"I'm fine." Xu Chengce's sleeve, which had been slightly close, was subtly avoided by Zhi Rou. She looked up and asked, "You...Young Master Xu, could you please help me this once?"

"Please speak, Fourth Sister."

"Do not tell anyone else about our meeting today."

Even though Xu Chengce didn't understand, he readily agreed: "Okay."

"Thank you." Zhi Rou said, glanced around, and then walked away.

"Fourth Miss, please wait a moment."

She stood up and turned around, and saw him take out a sachet from his sleeve and hand it to her: "Please give this to my cousin, Fourth Miss."

It was clearly a woman's item. Zhi Rou raised an eyebrow and glanced at him for a moment. His hand, which had been hovering in the air, lowered slightly, and he hurriedly explained, "I found it. I've wanted to return it to her for a long time, but I haven't had the chance. I hope Fourth Miss can help me."

Her face was sincere and somewhat naive, unlike the boy who used to tease her at the Xu residence.

Zhi Rou had her own calculations in mind. Just as he was about to stop, she took half a step forward, and with a swift flick of her sleeve, the sachet was instantly in her hand.

"Besides me, has Young Master Xu asked anyone else to pass it on?" Zhi Rou stared at him with her bright eyes, which were so clear that Xu Chengce lowered his eyelashes.

"No, I don't trust anyone else.

Zhi Rou didn't say anything.

He added, "I will return to the Xu residence tomorrow, Fourth Miss..."

He felt a pang of sadness and a deep sense of regret.

"I don't know if we'll ever have the chance to meet again. I wish you, Fourth Miss, peace and tranquility throughout the year." He bowed to her, then quickly took his leave, fearing that staying any longer would be awkward.

Zhi Rou clutched the sachet, her face filled with doubt, but she didn't take it too seriously. She then set off to explore Longyue Pavilion.

Xinghui paced back and forth outside the door.

It was a chilly morning. Spring sunshine swirled in the courtyard, a few rays slanting onto the veranda, shrouded in a misty haze, offering no warmth.

She heard some noise coming from inside the room, and peeked through the door. She could vaguely make out that someone was rummaging through something inside.

She gently clenched her hands, slowly reached for the door, and as soon as she pushed it open, the Fourth Sister's face appeared through the crack, smiling at her: "Sister Xinghui."

After a moment of stunned silence, Xing quickly pushed the person back inside, then followed them into the room and closed the door.

She scrutinized Zhi Rou closely, her voice trembling with fear: "Where did you go last night, young lady? Why was it Young Master's men who delivered the letter to me? You and Young Master..."

"No." Zhi Rou felt inexplicably guilty, and not knowing what she was thinking, she asked first, "Is there anything unusual in the manor?"

"If you don't come back soon, I won't be able to keep it from Third Miss." Xinghui said as she reached out to tidy up Zhirou, who had changed into a moon-white dress, the sash not yet tied tightly.

"Did my third sister need something from me?"

"The Third Miss has come looking for you four times in total, seemingly about the Spring Festival search①, wanting to discuss something with you. To prevent her from coming into the house and seeing, I've truly used every trick in the book I can tell..."

"Where is Mother? Did Mother send someone to ask me about her?"

Xinghui nodded: "I came by in the evening and told you that your stomach was not feeling well after the meal and that you were resting in your room. Aunt Lin then sent someone to bring you licorice soup and a bowl of malt tea, which I drank for you."

Zhi Rou lowered her eyes and remained silent.

After a moment, he added, "I'm going to pay my respects to my mother."

After tidying himself up, he said to Xinghui before leaving, "Thank you for last night, Sister Xinghui."

Since the mother and daughter revealed their true identities, Ling Xi felt more at ease around Zhi Rou, but Zhi Rou became slightly taciturn and no longer confided in her as she had in childhood.

He came to pay his respects that day, and his appearance was the same as usual. Ling Xi asked, "Is your stomach feeling better?"

Zhi Rou sat below, her eyes lowered, only looking at the hand that was placed on her lap: "Much better, Mother, don't worry."

She had a smile on her face, but Ling Xi saw that she was too obedient, and the way she used to complain loudly in her room was gone.

She didn't ask any more questions or expose her, but only inquired about some everyday matters, saying gently, "Your brother was just like you when he was young, very active by nature, and often urged you to grow up quickly so that he could take you to climb trees and fight. Now that you're both grown up, you should be more disciplined when you're playing outside and come home early."

Zhi Rou was startled by her instructions, looked up at her, and remained silent for a long time.

"Okay, Mother, don't worry."

It was almost noon when Zhi Rou accompanied Ling Xi to eat a bowl of fish porridge. After sitting for a while, she got up and left.

The day was warm, and dense flower shadows were cast on the streets outside the city. Birds chirped in the treetops. It was the perfect time to enjoy spring. However, Song Hanjin asked Zhirou to accompany her to the hunting grounds on the outskirts of the city to learn archery, which was the most unfamiliar thing to her.

The emperor moved the hunting to springtime, planning to hold it at the beginning of next month.

Song Hanjin never inquired about Zhi Rou's archery and horsemanship skills, but she guessed that after spending three years in the north, even if she only knew the basics, she should be far better than herself.

As she was choosing a bow, she saw Zhi Rou casually pick one up, aim it at an empty space, then lift the quiver and sling it over her shoulder, heading to grab the horse beside her. In between, she turned back and asked, "Do you want me to help you choose, sister?"

Song Hanjin quickly shook her head: "I don't have Fourth Sister's superhuman strength to be able to draw a two-stone bow." After a pause, she said happily, "Fourth Sister must be exceptional in riding and archery. Why don't we ask Fourth Sister to help me win the first victory this year?"

In the annual autumn hunt, the one who wins the first victory is rewarded by the emperor.

Song Hanjin was a noblewoman from a high-ranking family, surrounded by servants and living a life of luxury. Naturally, she did not covet anything outside of that. However, she could not bear missing her brother and wanted to continue this old habit.

“Father won’t let me go,” Zhi Rou said, turning her face away. She glanced at another tent and noticed that it also had the character “Song” hanging in front of it, which made her slightly suspicious.

"On what grounds?" Song Hanjin frowned. "His Majesty never said that women were not allowed to participate. What reason does Father have to stop us?"

Zhi Rou didn't answer her, but glanced lightly towards the dense forest before turning her gaze back: "Sister, what do you like? I'll hunt it for you."

Before she could finish speaking, she raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why is she here?"

Zhi Rou glanced behind her. After three years apart, it took her a while to recognize Ling Hewei.

Song Hanjin said, "Her paintings are hard to come by in the capital. Princess Rongqing treats her as an honored guest, but she doesn't seem to appreciate it. Everyone says it's because of her surname. She's very arrogant... In my opinion, if she hadn't been hiding her skill, Sheng Xingyun's paintings would be even better."

Unexpectedly, her sister, who had always disliked Sheng Xingyun's frivolous ways, would praise him. Zhi Rou was a little surprised, paused for a moment, and then asked curiously, "Does sister know her?"

"Not really." Song Hanjin's face was mostly obscured by the shadow of the canopy above her head, but her eyes flashed with undisguised admiration. "I'd like to get to know her."

Zhi Rou could understand her feelings.

Ling Hewei is straightforward and talented, and it's hard for anyone who comes into contact with her not to be attracted to her.

Song Hanjin picked up the longbow again, recalling Zhi Rou's question, and turned to ask, "If I want a deer, can Fourth Sister hunt it?"

Zhi Rou raised the corners of her mouth, speaking modestly but with a hint of pride in her tone: "Let's give it a try."

As she prepared to mount her horse, Song Hanjin suddenly said, "By the way, I saw you outside the mansion sending a message. Who was it for?"

“Wei Yuanzhan,” Zhi Rou said frankly.

She had yet to fulfill her bet with Wei Yuanzhan, and today's hunt would be a perfect opportunity to invite him here and settle their differences.

"It's him again." For some reason, Song Hanjin vaguely guessed who it was, but hearing her say it made her feel inexplicably uncomfortable.

She paused for a moment, then stared at Zhirou suspiciously. "Fourth sister, you don't... have taken a liking to him, do you?"

Zhi Rou's smile brightened even more: "Yes."

Before she could make any judgment, a sachet was presented to her.

"Here, give this back to your sister."

With just a glance, Song Hanjin's expression changed slightly, and Zhi Rou continued, "Xu Chengce found it. He was afraid that others would talk nonsense, so he asked me to pass it on."

Song Hanjin was stunned. The sachet in her hand suddenly felt heavy for no reason. Her eyelashes fluttered, and a strange sense of loss fermented in her heart.

Zhi Rou spurred her horse, tightened the reins, and said to her with her head bowed, "I'll clear the way for you, sister. I'll wait for you in the hunting grounds." With that, she turned her horse around and rode off into the distance.

Servants and dogs followed behind, the spring breeze rustling.

Zhi Rou loved the feeling of speeding through the wind, carefree and exhilarating. The servants in the hunting grounds couldn't catch up with her and called after her, but she paid no heed.

Upon reaching the besieged area, the shadows of wild rabbits suddenly increased, darting out of the grass like bullets, and then disappearing into another hiding place, appearing and disappearing intermittently.

Zhi Rou had hunted on the grasslands with En He. He enjoyed the killing, and she often tripped him up. Whenever En He drew his bow, Zhi Rou's arrow would fly towards him. The two arrows would collide and fall, so that onlookers who saw him miss would think that the nineteenth prince's archery skills had not improved at all.

Right now, Zhi Rouce entered the forest, where a stream shimmered and strange beasts came to a stop and run.

She slowed her horse, focused her attention on her surroundings, and the moment the sound of footsteps echoed again in the forest, she took an arrow from behind her, nocked it, drew the bowstring taut, and released the arrow.

But it missed.

The deer leaped in fright and quickly disappeared into the dense forest.

Zhi Rou let her arms hang loosely, feeling a pang of regret. She then shook the reins and spurred her horse westward.

The wind howled through the forest, the banners fluttered, and occasionally a bird of prey flapped its wings and let out a clear, sharp cry.

Zhi Rou circled around Cewei District, waiting for Song Hanjin.

Horse hooves crunched on the withered leaves, and slowly, someone approached.

Judging from the figure, it was a man, but his face was hidden behind the leaves, so it was not clear what he looked like.

A short while later, he raised his sleeve to brush aside the branches, revealing a face that Zhi Rou did not want to see.

Without thinking, he gently pulled on the reins and turned the horse around.

The person behind him shouted, "Hey, don't rush off! How about we make a bet? Who can hunt more? If you win, I'll call you 'Grandma'; if you lose, you'll have to go back and be my foot-washing maid. How about that?"

A faint smile played on Song Peiyu's lips as he gazed at the girl's back.

Upon hearing this, Zhi Rou stopped her horse and glanced back at him. His hand holding the bow appeared particularly stiff, and there was no thumb ring between his fingers. Even if he could draw the bow, his skill was only mediocre.

Song Peiyu was waiting for her answer.

Her fine hairs swayed, a hazy light filtering through her eyes. All that could be heard was her steady voice, tinged with a hint of disdainful laughter: "Overestimating yourself."

Song Peiyu bit her cheek: "What did you say? Say it again."

She maintained that same indifferent expression, like still water, and remained silent.

He had seen this expression on her face long ago at the Song family school; she was like a fox, subtly instigating him.

Song Peiyu, unable to bear it any longer, spurred his horse to catch up: "So, tell me whether you dare or not?"

Zhi Rou smiled gently: "Whatever."

In front of the camp tent.

Song Hanjin and Ling Hewei had already struck up a conversation.

The two hit it off and chatted happily until a tall, broad figure appeared, blocking the sunlight and creating a slight breeze.

Ling Hewei called him "Ninth Brother".

Song Hanjin glanced at him without changing her expression, feeling that he looked somewhat familiar.

She had no intention of interfering in the conversation between the brother and sister. Before Ling Hewei could introduce her, she spoke first, saying, "Miss Ling, I'm going to find my sister now. Farewell."

"Song Zhirou, I will settle this with you today!"

Under the sunlight, a group of people surrounded Song Peiyu, who had been shot in the arm with an arrow. Blood had seeped into half of his sleeve and flowed into his armpit. The servants in the hunting grounds hesitated to help him up, because he would cry out loudly whenever they touched him.

Zhi Rou walked behind, her shoulder also stained with blood. Judging by appearances, her injuries were more severe than his; her arm looked as if it had just been pulled out of the crimson water, yet she moved much less noticeably than him.

She frowned slightly, pursed her lips. She was indeed injured, but not seriously. She even had the mind to imitate his groan a couple of times, putting on a pained and timid appearance.

Seeing her feigned posture, Song Peiyu was so angry that her intact sleeve trembled.

"You, you..."

In his eyes, filled with insatiable resentment, she subtly raised an eyebrow, a gesture brimming with mockery.

Zhi Rou did not hear Song Peiyu's angry words.

Her gaze fell on something not far in front of her and stopped.

The sky was bright, and Wei Yuanzhan's eyes were deep and swirling with mixed emotions as he looked at her with doubt and worry.

This morning I received a letter from Zhi Rou. Wei Yuanzhan had already mounted his horse and intended to take advantage of his holiday to return to the mansion. He also wanted to inform Zhi Rou that Su Du was now able to walk and could return to the Feng family.

Upon receiving her invitation in her letter, he postponed his return to the manor and rode straight to Yunxiang Hunting Ground.

Unexpectedly, she was in such a disheveled state as soon as she entered the garden.

When Zhi Rou saw Wei Yuanzhan's expression, she suddenly panicked. As he approached, he lifted her chin with two fingers and gently scraped away a line of blood from her cheek. Then he lowered his gaze to her shoulder and asked her in a voice that only the two of them could hear.

"Zhirou, is this for real this time?"

The author's note: ① "搜" means the same as "搜". "春搜" means to search for wild animals that are not pregnant in spring to hunt.