The carriage drove to the suburbs, and Shang Huai helped Pei Zhi get off the carriage.

Beside a tree stood two horses, and Pei Zhi could tell from their coats that they were two fine horses.

It's likely that Shang Huai genuinely doesn't understand what life is like for ordinary people.

Shang Huai fabricated the identity of a bodyguard for himself.

How could a mere guard obtain such a precious Malay?

Regardless of the era, warhorses have always been extremely scarce.

Although it is not a warhorse, its value is no less than that of a warhorse.

"I've brought you the bow."

Pei Zhi took the bow and arrow that Shang Huai handed her and pondered it in her heart.

Judging from Shang Huai's proficiency, she must have demonstrated that she could ride a horse and shoot arrows before.

But did Shang Huai have no doubts?

Is it possible for a young lady from a respectable family to be so skilled at horseback riding and archery?

"What are you looking at me for? If you don't hurry up and get on your horse, you won't be able to play for much longer today."

Pei Zhi weighed the bow in her hand, feigning confusion: "Is this the bow I used before? Something seems off about it."

"The one you chose before, you forgot? You said this bow is very similar to the one you used with your husband?"

Pei Zhi understood. She had lied to Shang Huai before, saying that she had learned riding and archery from her maternal family.

Shang Huai, on the other hand, is a carefree and easygoing person, unlike Xiao Chengci, he won't get to the bottom of things.

Since that's the case, Pei Zhi doesn't intend to restrain herself.

As a young lady from the Duke's mansion, she was still restrained; she had to greet people politely and speak in a low voice.

Pei Zhi mounted his horse, holding the reins in one hand and a bow in the other, and spurred it into the woods.

Upon seeing this, Shang Huai excitedly shouted, "You actually ran away?"

Pei Zhi admitted that this was the most comfortable moment she had ever experienced since she came into this world.

You don't have to worry about anything, just play.

Shang Huai spotted a little rabbit and was about to nock an arrow when Pei Zhi shot it first.

Shang Huai praised, "With your accuracy, you'd be number one in the army."

Although Pei Zhi had already guessed Shang Huai's identity, she couldn't help but laugh when Shang Huai said it so openly.

After Shang Huai finished speaking, he realized he had misspoke. He looked at Pei Zhi and saw that Pei Zhi had already ridden his horse forward, probably not listening carefully to what he had said.

Shang Huai was relieved and told himself that he must be more careful next time.

Having hunted quite a few prey, Pei Zhi was covered in sweat and was wondering what to do with them.

Shang Huai led Pei Zhi to a secluded courtyard with practiced ease.

Judging from Shang Huai's appearance, she must have come here with him before, so Pei Zhi didn't ask any more questions to avoid arousing Shang Huai's suspicion.

There was a hot spring in the villa. Pei Zhi brought a change of clothes and washed away the sweat.

Pei Zhi thought something was going to happen between her and Shang Huai.

The two of them sneaked out to play and even went to another courtyard to take a bath and change clothes. It's hard not to think things are going on.

No, Shang Huai and Pei Zhi washed their clothes separately.

After Pei Zhi finished washing up, she found Shang Huai cooking in the kitchen.

Shang Huai roasted the rabbit he had hunted and also picked a lot of melons and fruits.

Shang Huai's roasting of rabbits was very skillful, and he had a very good grasp of the heat, so he must have done it a lot before.

Pei Zhi lifted her skirt and stepped over the threshold. "It looks delicious."

"This is nothing. Next time we can go somewhere farther away, I'll bring a whole wild boar or a deer. The meat will taste better than this."

Pei Zhi immediately praised her, "You're really amazing."

"What's this? Back when I was on the battlefield..." Shang Huai paused halfway through his sentence.

Pei Zhi pretended not to understand: "What did you just say?"

“I said, I used to be one of the top fighters in the martial arts arena.”

"We guards used to work in the martial arts arena, and we enjoy sparring on a regular basis."

Pei Zhi suddenly realized, "I see, you must have had a really tough time before."

Shang Huai took the bowl, tore off a rabbit leg, and handed it to Pei Zhi.

"Eat up, try it and see how it is."

Pei Zhi took a bite; the meat was tender and the seasoning was just right.

"It's a pity, I probably won't be able to come out and play with you anymore."

Shang Huai hurriedly asked, "Why?"

Pei Zhi sighed, "My eldest sister is getting engaged, and my mother wants to keep me in check. She's probably planning to find me a husband too."

Based on Pei Zhi's observations today, she and Shang Huai should not have had excessive interaction.

Today, she and Shang Huai were alone together, and apart from holding hands, Shang Huai had no other thoughts.

Teenagers of this age, if something happened in the past, are unlikely to be so well-behaved now.

Take Xiao Chengci for example. Even in Mr. Yuan's mansion, he just pulled her aside and kissed her.

Now, in the villa, they had both taken a bath.

Shang Huai's mind was entirely focused on roasting the rabbit.

Shang Huai raised his voice slightly: "Looking at each other?"

Pei Zhi nodded, "My eldest sister is definitely going to be the best, and it's my turn too. I have younger brothers and sisters to take care of, so I can't let them suffer because of me, can I?"

Shang Huai looked at the rabbit in his hand, feeling inexplicably annoyed.

"Then you do your thing, and we'll do ours. It won't make any difference."

Pei Zhi sighed deeply. Just as she had thought, Shang Huai hadn't figured it out yet.

Shang Huai only treated her as an interesting playmate.

Pei Zhi guessed that Shang Huai must have joined the army at a very young age.

Having little experience interacting with girls, he didn't know why Shang Huai was at Mr. Yuan's house, but they must be related by marriage.

Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to command Mr. Yuan's carriage and servants.

Putting everything else aside, Pei Zhi is certain that Shang Huai is a novice.

If Shang Huai had any experience, he wouldn't have ended up like this with her.

In that case, Shanghuai is truly the best choice.

He's carefree, doesn't care about details, and doesn't seem to be very bright.

If she marries Shang Huai, with her methods, it shouldn't be difficult for her to ensure that Shang Huai never takes a concubine for the rest of his life.

"Do you see any woman who, after getting engaged, is still going out with other men?"

Shang Huai frowned; he had never been in contact with many women.

From a young age, as far back as Shang Huai can remember, he was always in the army.

After growing up and returning to the capital, Shang Huai didn't have many opportunities to spend time with women.

Pei Zhi was the first woman Shang Huai truly knew.

The thought that Pei Zhi, after getting married, would have to be just like her aunt, observing all the rules and etiquette...

Pei Zhi suddenly leaned forward and asked, "Why don't you marry me?"

Shang Huai was speechless: "What?"

Pei Zhi was completely unaware of what she had just said. "I said, if you marry me, we can be together forever."

Pei Zhi coaxed gently, "This way, if you want to invite me out hunting and horseback riding, you don't need so many excuses. Isn't that better?"

Shang Huai couldn't help but fantasize. Yes, Pei Zhi was right.

Shang Huai hesitated: "But I'm a guard, would you still be willing to marry me?"

Pei Zhi snorted softly and said coquettishly, "What does it matter? As long as I'm willing, I'll marry you even if you're a beggar, let alone a bodyguard."