Shang Changge didn't understand why Changsun Yanheng would take the initiative to speak to her, but that didn't stop her from smiling slightly and politely saying:

"Second Prince."

Changsun Yanheng: "Why didn't the princess go hunting today?"

The two weren't familiar with each other, so this sounded like they were just making small talk.

Instead of answering, Shang Changge asked a question, engaging in a back-and-forth tug-of-war: "Didn't the Second Prince also not participate?"

The two of them standing there talking had already attracted the attention of many people around them.

Changsun Yanheng acted as if he hadn't seen her, and continued talking to Shang Changge about answering her questions:

"To be honest, five years ago I suddenly fell ill with a strange disease."

Although he was fortunate enough to be cured by a good doctor, his body was fundamentally damaged, leaving him weak and unfit to participate in hunting.

Shang Changge ignored the stares directed at her and patiently, albeit perfunctorily, chatted with Changsun Yanheng:

"Really? That's a real shame."

Because of her perfunctory attitude, their conversation became somewhat awkward.

Logically, the awkward conversation should have ended here, but Changsun Yanheng had no intention of ending it, and sighed:

"yes."

Looking into the distance as if recalling something, she turned her gaze back to Shang Changge and smiled:

"I used to live as freely and unrestrainedly as a princess, but since I got sick, I've become like a useless person."

Fortunately, he recovered, but his body became weak and could never return to its former state.

Shang Changge remained silent, her long, beautiful phoenix eyes slightly narrowed as she quietly looked at Changsun Yanheng opposite her.

She felt that Changsun Yanheng's words had a hidden meaning, as if he was playing a riddle with her.

Changsun Yanheng: "Look at me, why are you saying all this?"

It seems like putting away memories, no longer dwelling on the past, and wanting to live well in the present.

A relieved smile appeared on Changsun Yanheng's face as he asked:

"This is my first time in Qingyan. I felt a bit bored staying at the post station for the first two days."

"I wonder if there are any places in this capital city worth visiting to relieve boredom?"

A smile appeared on Shang Changge's strikingly beautiful face. Guessing the smirk in her eyes, she parted her red lips slightly and said, "A lot."

Shang Changge named five or six places in one breath, all of which were well-known in the capital city.

After finishing their conversation, the two exchanged a few more trivial words before parting ways and returning to their respective places.

Everything they said and talked about could be heard by those nearby.

A foreign prince with nothing better to do was exchanging a few words with a princess from his own country who was equally bored.

There is no word that should not be said, cannot be said, or cannot be heard by outsiders; this is perfectly normal.

Not long after the two separated,

Shang Changge was summoned by someone sent by the Empress and, as expected, was questioned with a cold face.

The Empress sat gracefully in a golden nanmu chair, with teacups, fruits, and snacks beside her.

Standing behind her was Rong Momo, who frowned and asked with a sullen face when she saw Shang Changge:

"What did you just say to the Second Prince of Southern Liang? You are currently engaged."

Besides, he's a member of the Southern Liang royal family. Don't you know you should avoid suspicion?

Shang Changge remained completely calm, pulled out a chair, and sat down with a smug look on his back.

She took the tea offered by the palace maid, sipped it to moisten her throat, and then answered slowly and deliberately:

"He didn't say anything. He just asked where the Queen Dowager could relieve her boredom. As for avoiding suspicion..."

Shang Changge looked at the Empress and found her motherly demeanor irritating and unpleasant no matter how she looked at her.

"You know he's a member of the Southern Liang royal family, so why would he speak to me on his own initiative?"

Should I pretend I didn't hear him and ignore him? Do you think that's the right thing to do?

The Empress frowned, wanting to refute out of habit but unable to find a reasonable rebuttal, and was speechless for a moment.

Shang Changge felt much better after that. She finished the tea in the teacup in two gulps and placed the empty teacup on the table.

He raised his eyes, carefully observing the Empress's face for a while, and just as the Empress frowned again, about to open her mouth to reprimand him,

He feigned concern, then slowly uttered words that were both sincere and infuriating:

"Mother, please don't get angry over such trivial matters."

"Getting angry is bad for your health. Look, it's only been a few days since your mother and I last saw you, and you've got even more fine lines on your face. Sigh."

The Empress subconsciously reached out and touched her face. No woman is indifferent to her appearance, especially the women in the harem.

Shang Changge stood up and, before the Empress could speak, offered her heartfelt words of concern as a daughter:

"My daughter still has some beauty and skin-nourishing creams in her household; I will personally deliver them to you at the palace when I return."

"Use it more and get angry less; you must never let the Imperial Concubine surpass you in beauty."

Was the Empress beautiful? Of course the Empress was beautiful.

Otherwise, how could they have given birth to Shang Changge, who enjoys the title of "Qingyan's Number One Beauty," and the gentle and handsome Shang Changze?

In terms of appearance, the Empress was far more beautiful than the Consort. In terms of family background, the Empress was also far superior to the Consort.

What could be done? The emperor's true love was still the Imperial Concubine.

If the Imperial Concubine hadn't caught a cold and missed the autumn hunt, it probably wouldn't have been the Empress accompanying Emperor Mingde these past two days.

After saying her goodbye, Shang Changge patted her behind and left without looking back. She had no interest in poking people's sore spots.

But who could blame her? Every time she saw her, her stepmother would put on that sour face and constantly utter unpleasant scoldings.

It's not unreasonable for her to cause some trouble for her stepmother in return, is it? It's only fair, Shang Changge doesn't think it's excessive at all.

On the other side, in the mountains and forests.

Today's prize is a promise from the emperor, and many people want to win it.

But Shang Rui is definitely not among these people, because whether it was yesterday, today, or tomorrow...

His purpose in hunting was not to win prey for prizes, but to win the heart of a beautiful woman.

"call out--"

An arrow flew out and struck a goat hiding in the bushes.

However, the arrow didn't strike hard enough, and the goat didn't fall. It looked like it was about to escape...

Shang Rui pulled Yun Xiangrong's hand and fired another arrow, this time hitting the goat in the belly. The goat finally collapsed after running a few steps.

The goat is still alive, but at least it can't run away.

Yun Xiangrong and Shang Rui rode together on the same horse, and at this moment, a surprised smile appeared on her dignified and serene face.

Turning to look at Shang Rui, her tone revealed a hint of excitement: "Cousin, we caught the prey!"

Shang Rui flicked Yun Xiangrong's nose, feigning helplessness as he sighed:

"You, it's just a goat you hunted, why are you so happy? You haven't changed at all since you were a child."

A blush crept onto Yun Xiangrong's face. She lowered her eyes slightly, not daring to look Shang Rui in the eye, and murmured softly:

"I haven't changed. Whether it's these things or my feelings for you, cousin... I've never changed."

She had liked her cousin since she was a child, even after he had been away from the capital for a long time.

Even though her cousin brought back a close female friend who stayed by her side every day, her feelings never wavered or changed.

It's just that... I get upset and sad sometimes.

Shang Rui certainly heard Yun Xiangrong's words and noticed that the beauty in his arms was in a strange mood.

A thought immediately told me why the beauty was so saddened; I looked around...

Not seeing anyone nearby, he lowered his head and kissed Yun Xiangrong's pink lips.

"Hmm..."

In her panic, Yun Xiangrong grabbed Shang Rui's collar, looking at Shang Rui who had closed his eyes.

Yu Guang couldn't help but glance around, his heart pounding with indescribable tension and fear.

She was afraid that other hunters might suddenly appear and see her being intimate with her cousin during the hunt.