Chapter 68

Shen Xiuci did not answer this question, only gazing at the azure sky and saying: "The emperor's will is hard to fathom, but His Majesty ordered you to accompany the princess in study; this is no child's play, you must take it seriously."

Shen Shuangning's tightly furrowed brows did not relax; she had thought she merely needed to accompany the princess for fun, but who knew she also bore such a heavy burden.

Elder brother is at the Hanlin Academy; he only received the news yesterday. Surely the emperor and the Grand Princess already knew, and the reason the news is only being released now is because they fear she would not dare to come.

If those noble ladies knew that accompanying the princess in study also meant striving for glory for the state, they would surely be frightened half to death and would no longer envy it.

Only then did Shen Shuangning recall the matter of the Nüzhen state.

Among the vassal states surrounding the Da Liang kingdom, the Nüzhen state is one of them.

Don't be misled by the fact that the Nüzhen are ruled by women; they were a tough bone for Da Liang to crack back then. Later the Nüzhen actively sought peace, also because they suffered a natural disaster; otherwise that war would likely have dragged on for another two years.

Although the Nüzhen state is now a vassal of Da Liang, it remains the most rebellious; moreover, as Northern Qi is at war with Da Liang, Emperor Xuanwen cannot help but worry that the Nüzhen will seize the opportunity to collude with Northern Qi and, riding on that momentum, avenge the humiliation of their former submission.

This time the Nüzhen state comes to Da Liang under the pretense of tribute, but in reality it is to probe strengths and weaknesses; if they find weakness they will strike, exploiting any opening to attack.

If the Nüzhen discover that Da Liang's national strength is waning and its ruler is gravely ill, they will surely take advantage of Northern Qi's war to launch an offensive.

No matter what the other side ultimately intends, as the host, Da Liang must display a strong national strength and cannot afford to lose face before its vassal states.

Princess Jingyu is the emperor's only daughter, and the other side is also sending a princess; naturally there will be a comparison.

One can imagine Emperor Xuanwen also knows the princess's capabilities; cramming for a month would hardly match the Nüzhen princess, so he arranged a study companion for her.

When the time comes, if Princess Jingyu cannot measure up, it would be reasonable for the study companion to take her place.

Shen Shuangning sighed.

She knew that accompanying the princess in study was no pleasant assignment.

In her previous life, when the Nüzhen princess came to Da Liang, Song Xizhi served as the princess's study companion; coincidentally, the Song family had incurred guilt and been exiled, so Song Xizhi left the capital, thereby escaping a calamity.

At that time Shen Shuangning had gone to her maternal grandparents' home; by the time she returned, the Nüzhen entourage had already departed, so her memory of that episode is indeed shallow.

She only vaguely recalls that the emperor flew into a rage, vomited blood from anger, and seemed to have grown even more ill.

Later, when Da Liang suffered a natural disaster, the Nüzhen state immediately took advantage of the vacancy and jointly launched troops with Northern Qi...

Thinking of this, a chill ran down Shen Shuangning's spine; she feared that even if they managed to regain the upper hand this time, the Nüzhen state would still seize a future opportunity to launch troops.

Shen Xiuci said: "It is said that the Nüzhen princess is valiant and skilled in battle, exceptionally adept at horsemanship and archery, but her literary ability is somewhat lacking."

Shen Xiuci then changed tone: "You previously studied horsemanship with the young marquis, didn't you?"

Shen Shuangning sighed: "I did study it, but only the basics; how could I compare to that princess?"

Earlier I had planned to study archery with Xie Lin, but he went to Dan Zhou, so that was put aside; and during this period I have been busy with various matters, so my horsemanship practice has been lax.

"As for archery skills, I only know how to play touhu; I have never touched a bow and arrow."

Shen Xiuci said: "Since you can play touhu, your aim is naturally not bad."

Shen Shuangning gave a wry smile: "Elder brother, don't try to comfort me; touhu and archery are two different matters, they cannot be the same."

Little did Shen Shuangning know that it was precisely her feat of blindfolded touhu at the residence of the Duke who Protects the State, which Princess Jingyu related to the Grand Princess, that led to her being appointed as the princess's study companion.

Seeing his sister's grim expression, Shen Xiuci placed his hand on her shoulder, gently pressed, and soothed: "Don't put too much pressure on yourself; you only need to do your best. Even if you lose, the emperor will not blame you. Moreover, archery and horsemanship will be personally instructed by Master Xiao, and with Ningning's keen intellect, you will surely learn well."

No need to think; the horsemanship and archery contest will certainly be hers to compete in, for Princess Jingyu's current physique makes even mounting a horse difficult.

Shen Shuangning wore a sullen face and slowly nodded.

When they sat back in their original places, Shen Shuangning suddenly realized something, and her expression changed.

Just now, elder brother said what? The one teaching them horseback archery is the Xiao heir? Xiao Jingyuan?!

Shen Shuangning felt utterly unwell.

After leaving Shu Zhai, Jingyu and Shen Shuangning changed into riding attire and then went to the training ground.

Xiao Jingyuan was already waiting there.

He wore a dark‑blue fitted outfit, cinched with a silver waistband; the brocade glimmered coldly, lending his aloof air a touch of aristocracy.

Beside him stood a man in a python robe—none other than the Crown Prince!

Shen Shuangning's eyes flickered, and she couldn't help recalling the recent private talk between the Crown Prince and Xiao Jingyuan.

Back then the Crown Prince vowed to take on the Song family; now the Song Grand Secretary is in jail, apparently the perfect moment to strike, yet the Crown Prince has made no further move—what is he waiting for?

Lost in thought, Jingyu had already run up to the Crown Prince, beaming, 'Crown Prince brother!'

The Crown Prince, clad in a moon‑white python robe, his bearing noble and dignified, smiled warmly at Jingyu: 'I've never seen you in riding gear before—you look so heroic and spry, almost like a female general.'

Although they are not blood siblings and Jingyu's older brother has long coveted the heir's position, to the Crown Prince this is irrelevant to Jingyu.

With outsiders around, Jingyu felt a little shy from the praise.

Shen Shuangning stepped before the Crown Prince, bowed her head, and said, 'Your servant girl greets Your Highness the Crown Prince.'

She then slightly turned her head to Xiao Jingyuan and said, 'May the heir enjoy myriad blessings.'

'Miss Shen, no need for excessive courtesy,' the Crown Prince said, lightly supporting her arm with a gentle smile.

'Why did you come too, Crown Prince brother?' Jingyu asked.

The Crown Prince said gently, 'I heard our little princess wants to learn horseback archery; I happen to be idle, so I came to watch. Incidentally, I'll keep an eye on you to see if you're studying seriously.'

Jingyu puffed out her cheeks, clenched her pink fists, and declared, 'I will study seriously!'

Xiao Jingyuan stayed cool and aloof, saying nothing.

When he saw them arrive earlier, he merely gave them a brief glance, keeping everyone at arm's length—quite unlike the approachable Crown Prince.

Shen Shuangning knows he's always like that, so she doesn't mind; it's just that Jingyu is rather afraid of him.

Xiao Jingyuan had two gentle horses brought over, and the four of them waited in place.

Jingyu glanced at Xiao Jingyuan, shrank her neck, and whispered to Shen Shuangning, 'Father Emperor knows I'm afraid of him, so he deliberately had him teach me.'

Xiao Jingyuan's hearing is superb, and standing so close he heard the girl's mutter, yet his face remained expressionless.

This was the first time Shen Shuangning learned that Jingyu fears Xiao Jingyuan, and she felt a bit surprised.

Upon reflection, it makes sense: Xiao Jingyuan has a handsome face that women admire, but he is a decisive warrior on the battlefield, and when he doesn't smile he is indeed rather intimidating.

It seems Emperor Xuwen truly wants the princess to learn horseback archery properly; otherwise he wouldn't have sent Xiao Jingyuan to teach, though perhaps it's a bit of overkill.

Being forced to take on the task of teaching the young lady to ride, Xiao Jingyuan must be rather unhappy, right?

Shen Shuangning couldn't help but glance at him.

Who would have thought he was also looking at her!

Suddenly meeting Xiao Jingyuan's icy gaze, Shen Shuangning's heart trembled.

What is he staring at me for again?

Shen Shuangning realized she had nothing to feel guilty about, so she looked back.

Xiao Jingyuan, however, averted his gaze.

Shen Shuangning thought he was truly bewildering.

The Crown Prince has always been mild-mannered and unpretentious, an extremely gentle heir apparent, bearing a resemblance to Emperor Xuanwen.

The Crown Prince smiled and said to Shen Shuangning, "Miss Shen Fourth, your riding attire has more heroic spirit than last time; you look quite different."

When a man praises a woman's appearance, it usually means he's somewhat interested, but the Crown Prince's praise was frank, his eyes holding only admiration, no affection.

"Your Highness overpraises me," Shen Shuangning replied politely.

The Crown Prince added, "The cooking method you sent last time was quite good; the Crown Princess loved it, but I, having to face a table of pumpkins every day, have started having nightmares, dreaming of pumpkins chasing me."

The Crown Prince's words were so vivid that Shen Shuangning couldn't help but laugh.

"I didn't expect the Crown Princess to like it so much."

"Yes, it's just been hard on me." The Crown Prince shook his head and sighed, appearing to complain, yet his eyes were full of indulgence.

Shen Shuangning could see that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess had a wonderful relationship, and she couldn't help feeling envious, with a touch of sentiment.

Although the Crown Prince once also liked Song Xizhi, after marrying Miss Gongsun he treats his wife extremely well, and they are very affectionate, unlike her...

Seeing the two chatting happily, Xiao Jingyuan's face grew colder, and the hand clasped behind his back unconsciously tightened.

Though they stood together, it was as if an invisible chasm separated them.

Soon after, palace attendants led two fine horses over, one white and one brown.

Considering the two young ladies would be riding, they specially chose a horse with a smaller head, and the brown one was the shortest.

Knowing that Jingyu had never ridden a horse, the Crown Prince turned to Shen Shuangning and asked, "Miss Fourth, have you ever learned to ride?"

Shen Shuangning answered truthfully, "I've learned a bit." As for who she learned from, she didn't say.

The Crown Prince then relaxed, turned to Jingyu, and said, "First learn how to mount."

Jingyu looked at the brown horse before her; for someone who had never ridden, taking that first step required great courage.

She hesitated for a long time; even with the Crown Prince and Xiao Jingyuan guarding her side, she still dared not mount, as if the horse before her were some fearsome flood beast.

"I, I'm afraid..." Jingyu shook her head, involuntarily stepping back two paces, her face full of resistance.

"Why not let's not learn today, and try again tomorrow,"

Meanwhile, Shen Shuangning had already mounted alone, her wrist lightly holding the reins like a spring scallion, and she said to Jingyu, "Your Highness the Princess, riding isn't that scary—look—"

She led the horse around in two circles on purpose.

The young lady's waist was slender, not even a handful, her skirt swaying lightly with the horse's movements, exceedingly lovely.

Especially her composed and unhurried bearing, which had a unique charm.

Even the Crown Prince couldn't help but glance at her twice more.

Xiao Jingyuan gazed at Shen Shuangning with deep, heavy eyes, saying nothing.

It seems Xie Lin taught her well.

And Xiao Jingyuan didn't know that in his previous life, he had once refused her suggestion to learn riding.

Shen Shuangning's reason for wanting him to teach her also included a desire to get closer to him, but men are too oblivious to romance and too busy, having no time to pay her any heed.

Shen Shuangning reined in her horse, stopped before Jingyu, and encouraged, "Riding isn't scary; what men can do, women can too. Your Highness the Princess, you are the paragon of the Great Liang's female ruler, the most radiant pearl; everyone ought to look up to you, even the horse beneath you should submit to you. Such modest horsemanship—what is there to fear?"

"Look, I can do it; Your Highness, you surely can as well—don't be afraid, I'm here with you."

These words rang like metal striking stone.

Jingyu stared blankly at the person before her, feeling her heartbeat pound like a war drum, even her fingertips trembling slightly.

No one had ever spoken to her in such a way before.

Although she was a princess by rank, she was neither beautiful nor slender; many people flattered and respected her to her face, yet behind her back they mocked her as stupid as a pig, clumsily overweight.

These harsh jeers, like clinging bone maggots, drove her to self-destruction and uncontrollable binge eating, plunging her into a mire.

Until not long ago, her father told her that the princess of the Jurchen State would come to Great Liang.

Her father's gaze toward her was no longer filled with the former tolerance and indulgence.

She knew she could no longer avoid it, so she put on a brave front and declared she would learn archery and riding well.

But when she actually reached this point, she seemed to hear again many mocking voices from around her—

"Look quick, the princess actually wants to learn to ride—she'll probably kill the horse as soon as she gets on!"

"Look at her timid appearance; just managing to climb up would be good enough."

"Hahahaha, truly laughable!"

"Why is she, of all people, our princess? Ugly and incompetent, she's utterly unworthy of Great Liang."

"........"

These malicious voices, now far, now near, like bone‑eating maggots, made Jingyu once again want to retreat, yet Shen Shuangning's words were like a sword cutting through the mist, showing her a ray of light.

She said she was a pearl, and everyone ought to look up to her.

She said even a fine horse must submit to her.

She said there's no need to fear, with me here...