Seeing Yun Shu looking at them, Princess Ning De stopped speaking, and Zhen Lin also naturally refrained from saying more.
Sometimes, doing too much can be counterproductive.
It can even be detrimental.
A few thoughts flashed through Yun Shu's mind, but her expression remained unchanged. She calmly continued her breakfast.
She said it suited her taste, and it truly did. It was light and refreshing, perfect for a healthy morning meal, and wouldn't burden her stomach.
After breakfast, following the arrangements of the manor's staff, everyone orderly proceeded to the back mountain.
That vast expanse of continuous mountain range belonged to the royal family.
Yun Shu followed the Zhen Lin siblings.
Behind them were Zhen Xu and Yun Yueyin.
Yun Yueyin had been angry the previous night, fueled by that vixen Ning Ruan. Then, in an unfamiliar place, Zhen Xu had been so disruptive that she had barely slept.
Consequently, dark circles appeared under her eyes. Staring at the backs of the three figures ahead, her gaze was deep and somber.
"Such a little physician!"
She lowered her voice and asked Zhen Xu, "Has my husband really arranged everything?"
"Of course! Don't worry, my husband has arranged everything. There won't be any mistakes." Zhen Xu's eyes sparkled with confidence. Getting rid of a frail woman discreetly was as easy as flipping a hand.
Such a trivial matter didn't even require much thought.
Upon hearing this, Yun Yueyin felt relieved. Thinking of the upcoming hunt, she softly instructed, "Today, you must give it your all and strive for first place. Let everyone know that you are the future hope of Prince Pingyang's mansion. Husband, do you remember?"
Zhen Xu certainly remembered. "Zhenzhen, just watch! This time, I will definitely be noticed by the Emperor. Zhen Lin, that sickly wretch, shouldn't hog the position of Prince Pingyang's heir."
"Hush, husband, there are many eyes and ears here. Don't say such things." Yun Yueyin glanced around nervously, only relaxing when she saw no one nearby.
However, she then realized that their voices were so low that others couldn't possibly hear them.
But it was still better to be cautious.
After walking for a while, they reached the back mountain.
Tables and chairs had already been set up at the foot of the mountain.
Many people were already seated.
Horses and bows and arrows were neatly arranged.
Palace servants bustled about, attending to everyone.
As Zhen Lin sat down, his eyes shone as he looked at the lush mountains, the magnificent horses, and the intricately crafted bows and arrows.
For a long time...
No, ever since he could remember, he had only been able to watch other men on horseback, while he had to remain seated throughout.
Today, he could finally move.
"Brother, we'll go together later." Princess Ning De was very skilled in archery. Although her martial arts were not as strong, she had practiced riding and archery since childhood, far surpassing ordinary young ladies.
Zhen Lin nodded, knowing Ning De cared about him. He softly reassured her, "Don't worry, I've been practicing these past few days."
Princess Ning De smiled and nodded, "Good."
Then, as if remembering something, she turned to Yun Shu, "Miss Ning, could you please check my brother's pulse now and see if he is fit for such a strenuous riding and archery competition?"
Yun Shu's heart stirred, and she replied with a faint smile, "I examined his pulse yesterday. He is fine. I will accompany you into the mountains."
"It would be best if Miss Ning could join us in the mountains! I would be completely at ease, without any worry for my brother." Princess Ning De's eyes lit up. She had actually wanted to suggest that Ning Ruan join them, but she feared the request might be too abrupt. Unexpectedly, Ning Ruan had proactively offered to join them.
Zhen Lin was a little concerned. Seeing Ning Ruan's delicate and frail appearance, he worried she might not be able to ride. "Miss Ning, can you..."
"I am somewhat familiar with riding and archery," Yun Shu said calmly.
Hearing this, Zhen Lin's heart settled. It seemed he had worried too much. He would just take good care of her once they entered the mountains.
At that moment, someone whispered, "Look, Prince Jin has arrived!"
"This... Will Prince Jin be carrying that Snow Spirit Snake?"
"The Snow Spirit Snake is truly terrifying..."
The Snow Spirit Snake was indeed terrifying.
Some people, initially unfamiliar with the Snow Spirit Snake, had inquired later and discovered how incredibly venomous its poison was!
For a moment, many women looked at Zhan Tianye with a complex mix of admiration and fear.
Yun Shu looked at Zhan Tianye impassively.
Today, he was dressed in fitted attire that accentuated his tall and powerful physique, exuding a sense of strength.
Suddenly, she recalled a scene from the previous night.
Yun Shu's heart trembled faintly.
"How is Prince Jin's riding and archery?" Zhen Lin asked softly, with a hint of curiosity.
Princess Ning De lowered her head, sipping her tea to conceal the uncontrollable tremor she felt upon seeing Zhan Tianye. Her voice sounded quite normal as she replied, "It should be excellent."
Suddenly, she caught sight of Qin Linglong not far away out of the corner of her eye.
Qin Linglong's eyes were shining, gazing at Zhan Tianye with such infatuation.
Her undisguised love was so profound that her cheeks even turned slightly red.
She pursed her red lips, and a distinct coldness flickered in her eyes.
Yun Shu followed Zhan Tianye's gaze to another direction and saw the Emperor of Western Xia.
For some reason, unlike their previous meeting in the palace, this time the Emperor's gaze towards Zhan Tianye held a hint of complexity.
It wasn't suspicion, but rather a sense of something left unsaid.
Why had the Emperor of Western Xia acknowledged Zhan Tianye as his son?
At what point had things gone wrong for such an old fox to unilaterally believe Zhan Tianye was his son?
Yun Shu had pondered this question for a long time, unable to unravel the key to it.
"Jin'er, you..."
After Zhan Tianye sat down beside the Emperor, the Emperor looked at him with a complex expression and called out his name, then seemed to hesitate.
"Does Father Emperor have something to say?" Zhan Tianye turned his head to look at the Emperor of Western Xia and inquired.
The Emperor glanced at Zhan Tianye's sleeve cuff and coughed lightly. "Last night, I heard you kept a Snow Spirit Snake as a pet?"
"Yes, it's a Snow Spirit Snake." Zhan Tianye's eyes softened slightly as he mentioned the Snow Spirit Snake.
Seeing the tenderness in Zhan Tianye's eyes, the Emperor's expression became even more complex. As an Emperor, he had made many foolish decisions in his youth, things that seemed utterly inexplicable to elders.
However, he had never considered keeping a Snow Spirit Snake.
Nevertheless, the Emperor showed no outward change in his expression and continued to ask gently, "What made you decide to keep a Snow Spirit Snake?"
It was the first time in his life he had seen someone keep a Snow Spirit Snake as a pet, and that person was his son.
This question echoed the thoughts of many.
Almost everyone's gaze turned towards Zhan Tianye.