Tao Ti was so focused on Qiong Qi who was being carried down that she did not notice the two words Pei Yan uttered in a deep voice.

Her brows were furrowed, and she looked worried.

Everyone else present was shocked and nervous. Even Emperor Zhaokang stood up and strode towards Qiong Qi. Tao Ti's reaction did not attract anyone else's attention.

She really wanted to move forward to take a look, but just as she took a step forward, she suddenly realized her identity and had to take it back.

Pei Yan hid his emotions very well. He raised his hand, gently touched her forehead, and asked gently, "Ati, you don't look well, are you feeling unwell?"

His fingers were cold, and when they first touched Taoti's forehead, she shuddered subconsciously.

Tao Ti looked at him, her dark eyes twinkling, and she forced a smile, "I'm fine."

She looked at Qiongqi with pretended curiosity, muttering, "How come Prince Rongdi fell off his horse? I don't know how badly he was injured."

Qing He also agreed, "It is said that the Rongdi people are very good at riding and shooting. How did the prince fall? Tsk, it looks like he fell pretty badly."

Tao Ti became even more worried. Looking at her friend's painful expression, she could only feel anxious.

Pei Yan lowered his eyes, his gaze silently swept across her tightly bitten lips, and a hint of coldness appeared in his eyes.

Are you that worried?

Suddenly, he reached out, grabbed Tao Ti's wrist, and pulled her into his arms.

Tao Ti was stunned and looked at him in confusion.

Pei Yan said calmly, "Don't worry, nothing should happen."

Only one leg was broken, at least he's still alive.

Hearing this, Tao Ti nodded, but her tone was unable to hide her worry, "I hope everything will be fine."

Qinghe, who was standing by, saw the Crown Prince hugging the Crown Princess like this, her face turned red, she slowed down her pace, and hurried away.

Emperor Zhaokang consoled Qiongqi and learned that the horse had suddenly become frightened and she had accidentally fallen off the horse. He was very sad and hurriedly asked someone to carry Qiongqi back to the tent to rest, and sent several doctors to treat her.

After Qiong Qi was carried away, the sons of the noble families who had gone hunting also returned, and the eunuchs methodically counted the prey.

Pei Yan hunted the most prey, Xu Guangji came in second, and Young Master Xie came in third...

Seeing that his beloved son won the first place, Emperor Zhaokang was in a very good mood. He personally presented the golden bow and arrow to Pei Yan and encouraged him like a loving father.

Pei Yan took the bow and arrow, but he did not feel happy at all.

He wanted to win the championship because he wanted to see Taoti cheering for him and being proud of him.

But at this moment, she was completely distracted, and her heart seemed to have already followed Ashina Qi.

The hand holding the bow and arrow exerted force, and veins bulged on the cold white back of his hand.

She had only met Ashina Qi a few times, but she already valued him so much. What about him, how much did he still hold in her heart?

While undercurrents were surging on this side, Xu Guangji bravely walked up to Qinghe on the other side.

In fact, he was not very brave. He took Xu Wenchan with him and let Xu Wenchan walk in front. He just "accompanied" him and walked behind.

"County Lord, my seventh brother is looking for you." Xu Wenchan acted as a tool seriously.

After she finished speaking, Xu Guangji stretched out his hand, holding a white fox in his palm, and handed it directly to Qinghe. He said seriously and sincerely, "County Lord, I just hunted a white fox. The fur is pretty. It should be very beautiful if I make it into a scarf in winter... I give it to you, please accept it."

Qinghe looked at the white fox that had been shot in the throat by an arrow, with an embarrassed look on his face. He wanted to take the arrow but didn't dare to.

Her face turned red, she bit her lip, and thought shyly: How can you give someone something like this, you rude man!

Seeing that she was slow to respond, Xu Guangji looked disappointed and said angrily, "Does the county lord not like it?"

No matter how stupid Xu Wenchan was, he understood his seventh brother's intentions.

So many noble ladies were flirting with him, but he ignored them and looked towards the stage as soon as he got off his horse. He saw the Qinghe County Lord standing below, picked up a fox, and pulled himself in front of Qinghe.

Xu Wenchan was helpless. He twisted his head and glared at Xu Guangji, "Seventh Brother, you are stupid. You gave away this bloody thing. How can the county lord take it?"

Xu Guangji was stunned.

Xu Wenchan said to Qinghe, "County Lord, my seventh brother is reckless, don't take it to heart. Let the palace maids take care of it later, and we will send it to you."

Qing He's embarrassment eased a little. She quickly glanced at Xu Guangji, then smiled at Xu Wenchan, "Then I won't be polite. Thank you."

Xu Wenchan smiled. Seeing that his seventh brother was still in a daze, he quickly nudged him with his elbow and said, "The county lord said she accepted it."

Xu Guangji came back to his senses, his dull eyes brightened up again, and he looked straight at Qinghe, "You are welcome, County Lord. You have fair skin, and you will look good in white fox fur."

These enthusiastic words made Qinghe's face even redder.

Xu Wenchan: I’m just speechless.

They say that Brother Qi is a reckless man, but he is also quite good at flirting. Well, forget it, let them be.

At the same time, Princess Jingyang, who was sitting in the upper seat, noticed this scene not far away. She narrowed her beautiful eyes and asked Young Master Xie slowly, "Whose son is talking to your sister?"

Young Master Xie looked up and replied, "Oh, it's Qilang from the Dingbei Marquis family."

Princess Jingyang raised her eyebrows and asked, "Marquis Dingbei, Xu family?"

Young Master Xie said, "Yes, this Xu family's Qilang is a pretty good guy. Last time at the Bamboo Garden Gathering, Qinghe was almost hit by a polo ball, but Xu Qilang was quick-witted and helped Qinghe block it. And a few days ago, I took Qinghe to the outside of the palace to watch the Rongdi envoys enter the capital, and I also met the Xu family brothers and sisters..."

Young Master Xie had a very good impression of Xu Guangji, so he praised him in front of the eldest princess.

Princess Jingyang held the teacup and listened quietly for a long while before she said, "If I remember correctly, the Dingbei Marquis family has seven sons..."

With seven sons, his family is quite large.

Since Xu Qilang has six older brothers, the Xu family doesn't have to worry about having no one to carry on the family line.

Princess Jingyang once again looked at the handsome young man not far away, as if she was thinking about something.

………

After the archery competition, everyone returned to their tents to rest and recuperate, as there would be a lively bonfire dinner in the evening.

Tao Ti was not in a position to visit Qiong Qi in person, so she asked the eunuch to inquire about her.

"My Lady, Prince Ashina Qi is not in danger of losing his life."

Tao Ti breathed a sigh of relief.

"However, my right leg seems to be broken. Doctor Yu said I will have to stay in bed for at least three months."

Tao Ti took a deep breath and asked, "Broken leg?"

Although according to Qiong Qi, she would not stay in this era for too long, but it was too tragic that she broke her leg just a few days after coming here.

After sending the little eunuch away, Tao Ti sat in the tent and wondered how she could go and visit Qiong Qi.

My best friends are all bedridden, and I feel sad if I don’t go to see them.

Especially since we were only a few tents away from each other, but it felt like there were thousands of mountains and rivers between us. Those messy rules in ancient times were really annoying!

She held her chin with her hand, her face full of worry, and sighed.

Seeing her own Crown Princess like this, Linglong asked with concern, "Crown Princess, what are you worried about?"

Taoti said listlessly, "Nothing."

Seeing that she didn't say anything, Linglong didn't dare to ask any more questions. She just handed over the milk respectfully and took out the snack box, thinking that food could make the Crown Princess feel better.

Tao Ti was in no mood to eat at the moment. After Linglong put the food down, she said she wanted to be quiet for a while and asked Linglong to go down first.

Linglong bowed respectfully and backed out slowly. As soon as she let down the felt curtain and came out, she saw the prince, who had changed into a bamboo green brocade robe, walking towards her leisurely.

Linglong was about to salute, but Pei Yan signaled her to be silent. He glanced at the lowered felt curtain with an obscure look and said in a low voice, "Follow me."

Linglong followed Pei Yan and moved away from the tent.

"What did the Crown Princess do after returning from the hunting grounds?" Pei Yan stood straight, like the breeze and the bright moon.

"The Crown Princess..." Linglong hesitated, but the Crown Prince's gaze was too cold, so she had to bite the bullet and said, "The Crown Princess sent someone to inquire about Prince Rongdi's injury."

Pei Yan was not surprised at all. He lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes casting a shadow. "What was her reaction after hearing this?"

Linglong: "Crown Princess, seems very worried and sighing."

Pei Yan's mind instantly flashed with the image of Tao Ti holding her chin and sighing, and his thin lips twitched.

After pondering for a moment, he closed his eyes and gave Linglong a few instructions in a deep voice.

After hearing this, Linglong raised her eyes in surprise, "Your Highness, this, this..."

It was sunset at this time, and the orange afterglow was quietly falling on Pei Yan's body. His handsome face no longer had any of his usual calmness and gentleness. The lines of his jaw were sharp, the corners of his mouth were straightened, and the aura between his brows was stern and majestic.

He said coldly, "Just do as I say."

Linglong's face turned pale at the tone that did not allow for arguments. She bowed and said, "I obey your command."

Pei Yan glanced at the tent indifferently.

Arti, this is your last chance.

………

The sky was dark and the fields were vast. A huge bonfire in the middle of the flat ground illuminated the entire enclosure.

It was a bit chilly at night in the enclosure, but because of the bonfire, it didn't feel particularly cold. The various roasted rabbits, roasted venison, and roasted lamb didn't need to be processed in any elaborate way. They were coated with sesame oil and sprinkled with salt, cumin, pepper and other spices. Each piece of meat was roasted to a sizzling oil, with crispy and tender skin and a fragrant aroma.

Emperor Zhaokang sat in the upper seat, enjoying the singing and dancing, drinking and chatting with everyone else. The atmosphere was very harmonious.

Tao Ti looked at the delicious barbecue in front of her, but she had no appetite.

The Rongdi delegation was sitting opposite, except for Qiongqi - she was still recuperating in the tent. Shouldn't she be lying on the bed, moaning and crying in pain?

Tao Ti was absent-minded, poking the barbecue in front of her with chopsticks.

She has been friends with Qiong Qi since she was able to transform. Over the years, one has been traveling the world looking for delicious food, while the other has been traveling the world looking for love.

In the eyes of their elders, they were both unlearned brats. Not only could they not compare to the Phoenix and Qilin families, but even the brats from the neighboring Pixiu family were more motivated than them.

They don't care about whether each other is ambitious or not. They have been laughing and joking together for so many years. They are not blood sisters, but they are better than sisters.

So when he ate the poisonous mushroom braid that Qiongqi gave him, he just complained about it at most and didn't hold a grudge or get angry.

And after Qiongqi has her hair braided, she will travel back to ancient times to accompany him regardless of everything.

Tao Ti cherishes this friendship very much.

At this moment, although she was sitting quietly, she could hear two quarreling little people in her ears——

A little man said, "Tao Ti, Tao Ti, Qiong Qi has fallen off her horse, and you didn't even go to see her. Do you have any conscience? You are fake sisters, and you are really a fool."

Another little man said, "You can't go. You are the Crown Princess now, and she is a foreign prince. If someone sees you, you won't be able to clear yourself even if you jump into the Yellow River!"

A little man said, "Are you just going to ignore it? You are here eating barbecue and watching performances, leaving Qiongqi alone in bed? She came to Dayuan Dynasty for you!"

The other little man wanted to refute.

Tao Ti put down the chopsticks in her hand with a "pop", and the two little figures disappeared immediately.

Pei Yan's eyebrows twitched slightly, and he turned his head and said in a slow voice, "Ati?"

Tao Ti gave him an embarrassed smile, "Your Highness, my head suddenly hurts..."

"Is it serious? I'll ask Doctor Yu to come over and take a look at you."

"No, no, no, don't bother." Tao Ti shook her head and said, "Maybe I'm tired after a day of hard work. Well, I want to go back and rest first."

Pei Yan held her hand and said softly, "Okay, you take a rest first. Once this is over, I will go back to accompany you."

Having said that, he raised his chin slightly and glanced at Linglong, "Help the Crown Princess go back and take good care of her."

Tao Ti was helped up by Linglong and left the scene silently.

Pei Yan didn't notice at all that his eyes were gradually darkening as he stared at her back.