Volume 1 Chapter 26
Leng Jiu didn’t forget to dodge; her former gangster life and countless assassinations had trained her to remain calm in the face of danger. Even if death was imminent, she wouldn’t bat an eyelid. When the arrow shot towards her, she knew before anyone else, yet she remained unfazed. It wasn’t blind confidence but rather self-assurance honed through countless encounters with death.
Despite the gasps of the crowd, she remained unperturbed. Just as the arrow was about to strike three inches from her nose, she prepared to dodge, only to be tackled by someone, sending them both tumbling to the ground. Falling from a horse to the ground, which was at least four feet, resulted in unimaginable pain. Fortunately, the person who tackled her showed some gentlemanly conduct by rolling them both and not letting her lie on the ground. But would she tolerate someone meddling in her affairs?
Just as she was about to raise her head, a furious roar sounded above her, “Are you stupid? Can’t you dodge?”
The voice was clearly that of a young man, filled with impatient anger, yet it instantly quelled her own fury. Lifting her head from his shoulder, the first thing she noticed was his attire—embroidered with auspicious beasts in crimson and gold. Looking up, her eyes brightened at his handsome appearance, with lips red as cherry and brows as clear as moonlight. If those words were used to describe a woman, they wouldn’t be out of place on him at all. He embodied those eight characters perfectly, yet he exuded none of the feminine aura. He was indeed a wealthy young master of eighteen, extraordinarily handsome and dignified, with a unique charm between boyhood and manhood that could captivate countless hearts.
She couldn’t help but smile, not caring about their current state of disarray or their positions. She simply found it amusing.
“Why are you laughing? Did you hit your head and become stupid?” The young man glared at her irritably, yet he found her laughter incredibly captivating, unable to look away.
“Young Master Hua!” The clattering of horse hooves approached as a group of neatly dressed yet still glamorous young ladies rode over. Seeing the scene on the ground, they all froze in astonishment. Each of them looked at the young man they admired, lying on the ground with a woman straddling his waist, and a myriad of emotions flashed through their minds—shock, mockery, and then deep-seated jealousy.
A woman with narrow phoenix eyes and an obviously cold demeanor in white robes disdainfully looked at Leng Jiu, “Which family’s young lady is this? So shameless, openly riding on a man’s body in broad daylight and refusing to get off?”
Another woman in green immediately chimed in, “Exactly! Does she even want to cling to Young Master Hua?”
It took Lu Chang a moment to regain his composure and angrily rebuke, “How dare you show disrespect to the Empress Dowager!”
The group of women, along with Hua Jin who was still lying on the ground, were all stunned, “Empress Dowager?” Although Leng Jiu attended the banquet yesterday, she sat next to the Emperor, far away from them. Even if they looked, they couldn’t see clearly. Moreover, Leng Jiu dressed elegantly and dexterously today, appearing as youthful as them. Who would have thought she was actually the Empress Dowager?
Leng Jiu smiled faintly, brushed off her sleeves, and stood up, “What? Do I not look like the Empress Dowager?”
The group of women quickly dismounted from their horses, the ones who spoke earlier wishing they could bury their heads in the ground, “We humbly greet the Empress Dowager!”
“What’s going on?” A stern voice rang out from the side of the road, and a majestic procession approached, led by Emperor Long Yi, followed by Long Yu Li, Gong Yu Wei, and some officials.
“Greetings, Your Majesty!” The group immediately bowed in respect. Hua Jin Zhi, who was on the ground, snapped out of his shock and quickly got up, kneeling on one knee. “Greetings, Your Majesty!”
Emperor Long Yi’s gaze fell on Leng Jiu, deep and complex. “Who will tell Us what happened exactly?”
Hua Jin Zhi stepped forward. “It was my fault. I accidentally shot an arrow that nearly hit the Empress Dowager, causing her distress. I plead guilty to Your Majesty.”
Emperor Long Yi glanced at him before returning his gaze to Leng Jiu. “Did… did the Empress Dowager get injured?”
Leng Jiu waved her hand dismissively. “It was just a false alarm, Your Majesty. I’m unharmed.”
At this moment, another group of people gathered, a group of young noblemen in fine attire, accompanied by several young ladies, including Hua Yu Xuan!
“Greetings, Your Majesty!”
“That’s enough!” Emperor Long Yi waved his hand without even looking and rode a few steps forward to Leng Jiu. “I’ll escort the Empress Dowager back to rest!”
With those words, the entire forest fell silent. Some were bewildered, not knowing how to react. Later arrivals were surprised to learn that this woman was the Empress Dowager. Of course, there were also courtiers who knew the ins and outs, their faces showing some disapproval. Finally, there was Long Yu Li, still wearing a fox-like smile on his face, though his expression hinted at annoyance.
Leng Jiu glanced at the hand extended by Emperor Long Yi, then turned and walked towards her horse. She grabbed the saddle and effortlessly leaped onto the horse, her graceful movements drawing attention. “I’m fine, but I’m not in the mood for hunting today. I’ll head back first. Your Majesty, please continue hunting. Don’t let my presence dampen everyone’s spirits!”
Emperor Long Yi’s face darkened, about to say something, but before he could speak, Hua Jin Zhi on the ground spoke up, cupping his fists. “It was my mistake that caused the Empress Dowager distress. I am willing to escort her back to the palace!”
Emperor Long Yi instinctively wanted to refuse, but Leng Jiu had already started riding away. “If you’re going to escort her, then hurry up!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Hua Jin Zhi mounted his horse and followed Leng Jiu and her party out of the forest. Everyone watched them leave, Emperor Long Yi gripping his bow and arrow tightly, fiddling with the feathers of his arrow, his expression inexplicable. As for Gong Yu Wei, she had maintained a certain expression throughout, not one of indifference but one of disbelief and suspicion. For her to make his perennially icy demeanor show emotion, it must have been something extraordinary!