On the day of departure, the sky was overcast and the north wind was biting. Banners fluttered in the royal hunting grounds, horses neighed, and princes, relatives of the imperial family, and sons of nobles, dressed in close-fitting attire, gathered together. The atmosphere was lively yet tinged with a tense and solemn air.

Xin Jiuwei changed into a simple, light blue Hu-style outfit suitable for riding, which accentuated her tall and agile figure. She rode a gentle chestnut mare, following behind Xiao Xun. Xiao Xun, dressed in black riding attire, stood tall and straight, riding at the head of the group without glancing back at her. Several trusted generals and members of the imperial clan surrounded him, discussing the hunting grounds and routes in hushed tones.

Xin Jiuwei's gaze swept calmly across the crowd. She saw the Second Prince Xiao Zhuo, surrounded by the crowd, still smiling gently; she saw several unfamiliar young military officers, among whom a handsome young general in silver armor was particularly eye-catching. He rode his horse near Xiao Zhuo, occasionally exchanging a few words, his expression respectful yet distant.

"Who is that?" Xin Jiuwei asked Xin Kui beside her in a low voice.

Xin Kui had already memorized the portrait features of important figures, and immediately replied in a low voice: "The young general of the Pingxi General's Mansion, Qin Lang. His father, General Qin, has guarded the western border for many years and was only recently summoned back to the capital to report on his duties. General Qin has not been in the capital with his father for long. I heard that he is excellent in riding and archery, and seems to be quite upright, and has not yet shown any obvious bias towards any prince."

Xin Jiuwei nodded slightly and noted the name down.

The hunt began. Horns blared, and the thunderous sound of horses' hooves echoed across the hunting grounds. The riders scattered, chasing after the herds of deer and frightened hares that had been driven out.

Xin Jiuwei was a decent rider; she had learned in her previous life in Yingzhou to please Qi Huaiyu. While not top-notch, she was skilled enough to protect herself and keep up with the group. She didn't venture deep into the dense forest, but instead rode slowly along the relatively open area at the edge of the hunting grounds, maintaining a distance that was neither too close nor too far from Xiao Xun's large group. Xin Kui followed closely behind, vigilantly observing their surroundings.

Xiao Xun seemed completely absorbed in the hunt. His archery was precise, almost never missing a shot, and soon his guards brought the prey he had shot to his horse. His expression was focused and cold, and as he rode, he exuded a sharp and domineering aura, as if he had temporarily forgotten about the turmoil in the court.

Xin Jiuwei watched his retreating figure as he drew his bow and nocked an arrow. His fluid, powerful movements, his unwavering composure even amidst the galloping horse, stirred a slight unease within her. Setting aside the cold calculation and manipulation, this man undeniably possessed remarkable qualities. But this thought was fleeting, quickly replaced by a deeper sense of vigilance. The more charismatic, the more dangerous.

In the instant she was distracted, something unexpected happened!

A wild boar of unusually large size, with glossy black fur, inexplicably broke away from the hunting party and charged wildly out of the dense forest on the flank! Its eyes were bloodshot, its tusks were gleaming white, and it roared furiously, charging straight towards Xin Jiuwei's direction like a runaway chariot! The distance was too close, and the speed was too fast!

"Miss!" Xin Kui's exclamation was drowned out by the wild boar's roar!

Xin Jiuwei's pupils contracted sharply! The wild boar's ferocious behavior was extremely unusual! She suddenly tightened the reins, and the chestnut mare reared up in fright! Xin Jiuwei gripped the reins tightly, pressing her body against the horse's back, trying to control her mount to turn and avoid it!

However, the wild boar seemed to have identified her, and suddenly changed direction while running wildly. Its thick tusks gleamed coldly, and with a stench, it slammed into her horse's belly!

It’s over!

Xin Jiuwei's mind went blank; the shadow of death instantly loomed over her!

At this critical moment!

"call out--!"

A piercing sound tore through the air!

A jet-black iron arrow, like lightning from the deepest hell, with overwhelming force, pierced the wild boar's crimson left eye with unparalleled accuracy! The arrow's force was so great that it almost pierced through its skull!

"Awooo—!" The wild boar let out a deafening scream, its massive charge abruptly halted, its enormous body crashing to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust! It was only a few feet away from Xin Jiuwei's horse's hooves!

The chestnut mare was completely terrified by the sudden change and the smell of blood. She reared up again, neighing and kicking wildly!

Caught off guard, Xin Jiuwei lost her grip on the reins and was violently thrown away by the immense inertia!

The expected excruciating pain did not come.

A powerful force suddenly gripped her waist! In a dizzying moment, she fell into a hard and burning embrace! The strong scent of pine needles, carrying the smells of sweat and blood, instantly enveloped her!

Xiao Xun!

He had arrived like a ghost, and the moment Xin Jiuwei fell from her horse, he leaped off his own horse and caught her firmly in mid-air! The enormous impact caused the two of them to roll twice on the ground before coming to a stop.

Dust flew everywhere.

Xin Jiuwei was held tightly in Xiao Xun's arms. His broad chest heaved violently, and his heart pounded like a drum in her ears. She was still in shock, her mind blank. She could only feel the strength of his arms, like iron hoops, and the burning heat of his body that seeped through her clothes.

"Are you hurt?" Xiao Xun's deep, urgent voice sounded above her head, carrying a tension that Xin Jiuwei had never heard before and... a hint of barely perceptible hoarseness? He quickly released her, placed his hands on her shoulders, and his gaze swept over her body urgently like a searchlight, from her messy hair to her dusty cheeks, finally landing on her ankle that she might have twisted when she was startled by the wild boar and horse.

His gaze was sharp, almost piercing, his brows furrowed, and his thin lips pressed into a cold, straight line. Was it a pure assessment of potential threats and losses, or something else entirely? Xin Jiuwei couldn't tell; she only felt her heart pounding so hard, her cheeks burning, as he scrutinized her so closely and without any pretense.

"I...I'm fine..." she tried to break free from his grip, her voice trembling slightly with relief.

Xiao Xun seemed not to hear her, his gaze fixed on her slightly furrowed brow and her left ankle, which she instinctively protected. "What's wrong with your foot?" His voice suddenly turned stern, carrying an unquestionable commanding tone.

"It's just a slight twist, it's nothing serious..." Xin Jiuwei's heart tightened at his stern tone, and she subconsciously tried to pull her foot back.

"Don't move!" Xiao Xun shouted, his tone more forceful than ever before, even carrying a hint of anxiety that he himself was unaware of. Ignoring the dust on the ground, he knelt down on one knee and grabbed Xin Jiuwei's left ankle with one hand without saying a word.

His cool, rough palm pressed tightly against her slender ankle through her thin boots and socks. The sensation was like an electric current, instantly coursing through Xin Jiuwei's entire body! She stiffened, gasped, and tried to pull her foot back, but Xiao Xun's hand held it firmly in place.