Chapter 121 We're even now

Having dealt with her two enemies, Wang Yuru and Yan Wenkang, Jiang Zhi felt incredibly refreshed and had never felt so good before.

She closed her doors to visitors and began to recuperate at home.

She still remembered Dr. Xue's instructions from last time. If she didn't take good care of herself, she was afraid that she would really develop a chronic illness in the future.

Moreover, she had promised Xiao Yunheng that she would copy Buddhist scriptures for him.

Although she couldn't see through Xiao Yunheng's true intentions, he had indeed helped her a lot. After she finished copying the scriptures and repaid his kindness, she would settle things with him thereafter.

Moreover, she was about to marry Shen Ci'an. Although Qingxing had prepared her wedding dress long ago, she still planned to do the final needlework herself.

Soon after, news secretly came from the Ministry of Justice prison that Yan Wenkang had been found dead in his cell before his execution. Xiao Chengjin had pushed the prison warden out to take the blame that night. Since Yan Wenkang was already going to the execution ground, the Ministry of Justice was too lazy to investigate further and hastily closed the case.

With everything settled, Jiang Zhi spent about ten days leisurely in the mansion when someone from the palace came to deliver an imperial decree, ordering her to participate in the autumn hunt three days later.

The Great Qi Dynasty was established on horseback. Emperor Xuanzhao learned martial arts from a young age. The princes of the Xiao family, in addition to completing their daily studies, also had to learn martial arts and archery from the age of five.

Every year, Emperor Xuanzhao would hold an autumn hunt, firstly to test the martial skills of his princes and high-ranking officials, and secondly to promote military preparedness and deter neighboring countries.

Inside the hunting grounds, bright yellow dragon flags fluttered in the autumn wind, and rows of cavalrymen stood ready, their horses exceptionally fine.

Although Jiang Zhi was granted the title of county princess, she was only ranked last in the hunting grounds filled with noble ladies.

However, she didn't care about any of that. There were also many delicious snacks on the table that she didn't usually get to eat. She relaxed and treated it as an autumn outing.

But it's clear that someone doesn't want her to have it so easy.

"Your Majesty, I've heard that the Qinghe County Magistrate you recently appointed is quick-witted, intelligent, and exceptionally courageous. But I wonder how skilled she is at horsemanship?" Consort Chen, sitting beside Emperor Xuanzhao, suddenly spoke up.

When Emperor Xuanzhao heard her mention it, he became curious and summoned his personal eunuch, Xuan Jiangzhi, to ask her questions.

Jiang Zhi stepped forward and knelt down to greet everyone under the scrutinizing gazes of the crowd.

"Your Majesty, I have only learned needlework and calligraphy in my room since childhood, and I am not good at riding or archery. Your Majesty and Your Highnesses are wise and brave, riding horses like the wind, which I admire very much."

Her answer was perfectly tactful.

Consort Chen smiled, covering her face with her handkerchief. "Since you're not good at riding and archery, you should practice even more. Today is a rare opportunity; Princess Qinghe, wouldn't you like to ride a horse and run a couple of laps?"

On the other side, the Empress frowned in displeasure. "Consort Chen, Princess Qinghe has already said that she is not good at riding and archery. Why do you have to force her?"

"Your Majesty is mistaken. As a county princess personally appointed by His Majesty, if Miss Jiang cannot even ride and shoot, wouldn't that be a disgrace to His Majesty?"

Lady Qiuxian, who was also attending the event and was seated at the lower end, couldn't help but speak up, "Consort Chen, there are quite a few young ladies here who are not skilled in riding and archery, why are you only targeting Princess Qinghe?"

Consort Chen leaned against Emperor Xuanzhao, her voice charming, "Your Majesty, I am merely curious about just how capable the Qinghe County Princess, whom you favor, truly is. Yet the Empress and the Lady of Wuyi Marquis are so inclined to help her. You must stand up for me!"

Emperor Xuanzhao was in a good mood today, so he waved his hand and instructed the eunuch beside him, "Go and pick a horse with a gentle temperament, and let Princess Qinghe ride it for a couple of laps."

Since Emperor Xuanzhao had personally spoken, Jiang Zhi naturally dared not refuse.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

She thought for a moment and then said, "But I am filled with fear and would like to ask the Third Prince's Consort to accompany me. I beg Your Majesty's permission."

Whatever they want to do to me, they will do it in secret and it won't affect me personally.

If Yan Liqin were to accompany him, and something were to happen to her, the Third Prince would certainly not escape responsibility.

Emperor Xuanzhao naturally agreed as well.

Jiang Zhi changed into her riding clothes and was led away by a eunuch to fetch her horse. Yan Liqin came to her side.

"Princess Qinghe has blood on her hands, I wonder if she can still sleep at night?" Her voice was sinister, suppressing intense emotions.

She originally had an outstanding background, a distinguished family, and an accomplished elder brother.

But not long ago, all of that was ruined by the woman in front of him.

Now she has gone so far as to kill her beloved younger brother, whom she has cherished since childhood, and has yet to face any punishment.

She hated Jiang Zhi to the core. If the Third Prince hadn't repeatedly warned her not to act impulsively, she would have rushed up and strangled her right now.

Jiang Zhi simply curled the corners of her lips, "Thank you for your concern, Third Prince's Consort. Having avenged my great grudge, I feel refreshed and invigorated. Not only can I not sleep soundly, but I've also been eating much more each day."

"You!" Yan Liqin's dark pupils seemed to spit fire.

But when she thought about what the Third Prince was going to do today, she managed to restrain herself.

She's in for a rough time.

Jiang Zhi changed into a crimson riding outfit, her hair neatly tied up, and she wore deerskin boots. Her slender waist was cinched, giving her a graceful yet heroic air.

Her riding skills are quite good now, but others don't know it.

She pretended to be unskilled in riding and archery, and carefully mounted the horse with the help of the eunuch, then let the horse roam freely.

A mocking laugh came from the side, "You can't even mount a horse properly, it's utterly shameful, and you still dare to ask me to accompany you."

Jiang Zhi didn't even bother to give her a glance.

At this moment, a gentle and graceful voice came again, "Princess Qinghe, you don't need to hold the reins too tightly. Relax your body and don't be stiff. If you want the horse to speed up, try gently squeezing its belly."

Jiang Zhi turned her head to look and found that it was actually Li Jinyan, the second daughter of Prime Minister Li, who was about to become the Crown Princess.

She was dressed in a pale yellow riding outfit, and her face had a touch of dashing spirit.

"Thank you, Crown Princess." Jiang Zhi wanted to dismount and bow, but Li Jinyan stopped her by raising her hand.

"There's no need for formalities today. I'm quite skilled in horsemanship. If Princess Qinghe wishes to learn, I can teach you."

Yan Liqin sneered, "She hasn't even become the Crown Princess yet, and she's already in a hurry to make friends and curry favor everywhere. Miss Li is being far too eager for quick success and instant benefits."

Li Jinyan's expression was indifferent. "The Third Prince's Consort is now free of worries and carefree, so I am naturally not as leisurely as you."

One sentence struck Yan Liqin's sore spot.

Since the downfall of the Earl of Zhongqin's mansion, she lost the support of her maternal family. Xiao Chengjin never came to her room again. He either slept directly in the study or stayed overnight at Consort Liu's place.

Li Jinyan's words were now loaded with meaning, and Yan Liqin's face twisted with anger, but she had really lost her confidence.

“Princess Qinghe, I’ll take you for a couple of laps around the side. Once you’ve been on horseback long enough, it will understand your thoughts,” Li Jinyan said to Jiang Zhi.

Jiang Zhi couldn't refuse her kindness, so she gently spurred her horse and followed her.

Unexpectedly, the accident happened at this moment.

The horse, which was originally docile, began to pant heavily for some reason, its head shaking restlessly.

Then, in the next instant, it suddenly stood up on its hind legs, let out a long hiss, and for some unknown reason, it started to run wildly!