Chapter 102 Entering the Mountains

After a while, someone murmured, "They're really fighting..."

Cheng Susu covered her burning cheek, tears streaming down her face from the pain and humiliation. Her eyes were red as she glared at the seemingly indifferent girl: "Qiu Heng, how dare you hit me!"

Qiu Heng was surprised: "Why do you say that, Miss Cheng? I was clearly collecting the prize money from the bet, how could I be hitting you? If the bet yesterday was in silver, then what I collected was gold and silver."

Cui Er nodded unconsciously: "That makes sense."

A companion glanced at him sideways.

Cui Er raised his voice to cover up his guilt: "Isn't that right?"

Cheng Susu looked at Cui Er with anger.

This spoiled brat actually sided with Qiu Liu!

Xue Han, the Imperial Envoy, also helped Qiu Liu!

And the heir of Prince Kang!

Cheng Susu lost the competition and was slapped in front of everyone. Feeling humiliated and angry, she sneered, "Sixth Miss Qiu is quite capable. When she was in danger while riding a horse, Lord Xue and the Prince of Kang's son risked their lives to save her, and Second Young Master Cui also helped her with his words."

That's a statement that leaves much to the imagination.

Cui Er, with her quick temper, jumped up and shouted, "Who spoke in my defense? Cheng Susu, don't talk nonsense!"

"You just said that Qiu Liu's words make sense, didn't you say that yourself?" Cheng Susu asked.

To be fair, her family and the Cui family had some connections, but this Cui Er was siding with Qiu Liu!

“I said it, because what Miss Qiu Liu said makes sense. If your bet with her was for gold and silver, you wouldn’t have to get slapped if you lost.” Cui Er concluded righteously, “I’m just helping the right side, not the family. Otherwise, given the relationship between our two families, I should have spoken up for you.”

Cheng Susu was so angry that her hands trembled as she looked at Xue Han.

Xue Han said calmly, "If it were Miss Cheng who were in danger, I, as the Imperial Envoy, would not stand idly by."

Cheng Susu opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything.

Qiu Heng curtsied to Xue Han: "Thank you, Lord Xue, for stepping forward."

Xue Han raised his lips: "I was unable to help Miss Qiu."

Cheng Susu's eyes flashed.

There's something wrong. Xue Han definitely has something wrong. The tone he used when he spoke to her just now wasn't like that at all.

"I am grateful to Lord Xue for saving my life." Under everyone's watchful eyes, Qiu Heng thanked him generously and walked towards Ling Yun.

The reckless run had left Ling Yun with a stray lock of hair at his temples, but it did nothing to diminish his otherworldly aura.

He watched the approaching girl with a smile, his gaze focused.

"Thank you very much, Brother Ling. But Brother Ling, please don't take such risks in the future. A frightened horse is not rational and can easily hurt people."

Ling Yun smiled and nodded: "Okay."

Xue Han: ?

Soon, several girls surrounded Qiu Heng, blocking Xue Han's view.

"Aheng, let's go back and study the new incense together."

"We can research new incense anytime. Since we're out and about, let's go hunting. Let's go hunt a couple of rabbits, and then Fangzhou can roast rabbit legs for us."

Feng Caiyue said helplessly, "Caixing, Aheng just finished her competition, and the horse was startled."

"If we don't ride horses, we can go into the woods and maybe even hunt a fox."

...

Hearing the girls' laughter and chatter, Xue Han silently turned and left.

Those rumors and gossip never seemed to bother Qiu Liu; only someone with a very firm heart would be like that.

Xue Han walked back and saw Xue Quan with a cold face.

Where did Han'er go?

"I heard that Miss Cheng and Miss Qiu are having a horse-riding contest, so I'm going to go and take a look."

Xue Quan's anger subsided slightly.

Although this kid has wild thoughts, at least I didn't lie to him.

"What are you watching while the little girls are having a playful competition? I've warned you before, that Miss Qiu Liu is no ordinary girl."

Could that wild girl from the countryside have really captured Han'er's heart?

Xue Han replied frankly, "Although it's a competition between young girls, many people have come to watch, and they are all young masters and noble ladies from various families. I'm worried that with so many people, things might get messy. If anyone gets hurt, it will inevitably spoil His Majesty's enjoyment of the autumn hunt if it gets back to him..."

"You're quite thoughtful." Although Xue Quan felt that Xue Han's words were impeccable, he was still uneasy. "Han'er, let me remind you one more time: don't get too close to that Miss Qiu Liu."

His adopted son, Xue Quan, who will carry on his family name, must not have his marriage arranged hastily.

"I understand."

"Today there will be a hunt for large beasts. Go and participate. If you gain anything, it will earn you some favor from His Majesty."

The Crown Prince would not participate in hunting those ferocious beasts, and Xue Quan was naturally pleased to see his adopted son excel.

"yes."

Qiu Meiren, who is unable to go out, is also waiting for news.

Zheng Yu rushed back from the horse-riding competition: "Reporting to my beauty, the Sixth Miss has won!"

Qiu Meiren gave Zheng Yu a deep look.

It's good that Sixth Sister won, but isn't Zheng Yu being a little too excited?

"Tell me the specifics." Qiu Meiren couldn't help but be curious, remembering that Qiu Heng had said she only knew how to ride a donkey.

Zheng Yu excitedly described the scene he had witnessed: "...I didn't see the beauty, it was incredibly dangerous! The Sixth Miss was hanging on the side of the horse, about to fall off at any moment..."

Qiu Meiren became increasingly alarmed as she listened.

If Sixth Sister really falls, she will be injured at best, and killed at worst...

"Sixth Miss actually returned to horseback riding, and she didn't lose a single flag, winning beautifully against Miss Cheng." Zheng Yu couldn't help but feel proud as she finished speaking.

Qiu Meiren's throat tightened: "Sixth Sister is really—"

"Heaven has blessed us!" Zheng Yu replied instinctively, noticing Qiu Meiren's surprise, and quickly added, "It was Sixth Miss who said it, and Miss Cheng was so angry when she heard it that her mouth twisted in disbelief."

"And after we win—"

"Sixth Miss slapped Cheng Miss twice."

Mentioning this made Zheng Yu even more excited. In this harem, he had only ever seen the Imperial Concubine beat people so swiftly.

"Go down."

Alone in her room, Qiu Meiren sat there for a while, then shook her head with a smile.

She looked down on her younger sister.

But the Cheng family is not to be trifled with; I'm afraid they'll cause trouble for Sixth Sister again in the future.

Thinking about these things, Qiu Meiren couldn't help but feel worried again.

At this moment, Qiu Heng and her group were in the best mood.

This forest area isn't very large, and the Imperial Guards have already driven away the large wild animals, making it perfect for the noble ladies to have some fun.

Qiu Heng followed Feng Caixing into the forest, occasionally encountering other people, including Princess Rongning.

"Would the princess like to come with us?" Feng Caixing asked, seeing that Princess Rongning had no companions and only two guards with her.

Princess Rongning glanced at Qiu Heng and shook her head coldly: "No need, I don't plan to hunt rabbits."

"Alright then, Princess, please be careful."

Princess Rongning nodded and went deeper into the mountains and forests.

Feng Caixing murmured as she watched Princess Rongning's retreating figure, "The princess wouldn't really want to hunt foxes, would she? Foxes are cunning by nature, and with so many people entering the forest, there will be too much noise, and they won't be able to find any trace of the foxes."

Hunting rabbits for meat is still the most economical option.

Just then, a gray rabbit flashed by and disappeared into the bushes, and Feng Caixing hurriedly chased after it.

Qiu Heng's mind was not on this; she simply followed silently. Not long after they had walked forward, she suddenly heard a scream.

(End of this chapter)