The youth showed no significant emotional fluctuation, yet seemed inexplicably devout.
His fingers slid down slightly, loosely gripping the youth’s fragile neck. Beneath his palm, vibrant blood vessels pulsed.
"Huo Dao, remember your words today."
The voice was cool and low, imbued with a lazy hoarseness.
—
In the peak of summer, the sun blazed high, the heavens bright.
An annual hunt was held during this period. The Emperor, a proponent of martial might, had all his princes striving to make a name for themselves.
Surrounded by a throng of accompanying guards, they proceeded in grand procession towards the hunting grounds.
Shen Yue was clad in a black, form-fitting outfit. The deep color accentuated her features, making them appear more striking and beautiful. Her waist was cinched tightly, slender and straight like a pine tree. Her ink-black hair was tied up high, revealing skin as delicate as fine porcelain. She was truly a picture of heroic spirit.
The slightly upturned corners of her eyes held a hint of pride.
In previous hunts, Shen Yue was the prize, and her winnings far surpassed those of others.
Unlike the princes who formed factions, Shen Yue rode her steed alone, exuding an aura of aloofness that kept most at bay. Yet, eyes often, subtly, drifted in her direction.
"Fourth Brother!"
A deep, cheerful voice, highly recognizable.
Shen Yue lifted her gaze, her brows noble, possessing an innate air of pride and detachment.
Shen Yao Jin rode his horse to Shen Yue’s side. His personality was exceedingly lively, resulting in excellent equestrian skills.
Shen Yao Jin held a long bow, a pure smile gracing his handsome face, devoid of any shadow. "Fourth Brother, shall we go together!"
Many people formed teams, rarely acting individually.
But Shen Yue was an exception; she preferred solitude over company.
Moreover, Shen Yao Jin was a liability. Shen Yue had no desire for a burden.
Without directly refusing, she said indifferently, "If you can keep up with me, then follow."
Shen Yao Jin's eyes brightened. He circled Shen Yue on his horse, like a large dog fixated on a bone. The Crown Prince beside them couldn't help but reveal a look of mockery.
The Crown Prince also wore a cold sneer.
Only this fool would associate with Shen Yue.
Shen Yue turned her head as if by chance and immediately spotted Cheng Qian Gong following behind the Crown Prince.
Cheng Qian Gong, as usual, was dressed in white. His features were like jade, his expression refined. As if sensing her gaze, he looked up, his eyes meeting hers.
He looked at her, his gaze very detached. His thin lips formed a subtle curve, radiating a cool aura.
Shen Yue smiled at Cheng Qian Gong, a faint, gentle smile, like the bright moon on a clear night. Her dimples were shallow, like the faint mist in the mountains, capable of captivating hearts time and again.
Before Cheng Qian Gong could react, Shen Yue had already turned her head.
Gongs and drums sounded in unison. Shen Yue raised her arm, flicked her horsewhip, and galloped away, leaving dust in her wake.
Dust billowed, horses galloped, and the sound of hooves echoed through the forest.
The elks fled swiftly, darting through the dense undergrowth.
Her long bow was drawn, taut like a full moon.
"Whoosh—"
The arrow shot out rapidly, too fast to even see a blur. An elk, still darting about erratically, was pierced by a single arrow and fell to the ground.
The guards following behind dismounted and picked up the deceased elk.
The horse beneath Shen Yue grew spirited, its hooves pacing restlessly.
The deeper one ventured into the forest, the more prey one found.
Two foxes were playing. Their small bodies, darting through the grass, were almost invisible. Shen Yue tightened the reins and approached quietly.
She drew her bow, taking aim.
"Fourth Brother!"
The arrow flew out with a "whoosh," but the foxes, having keenly heard the sound, vanished without a trace.
Shen Yue pursed her lips and turned to look.
Shen Yao Jin galloped over on his horse. He seemed unaware of any transgression, approaching Shen Yue with a joyous, silly smile. "Fourth Brother, I caught up to you! Fourth Brother runs so fast, Yao Jin almost couldn't keep up."
Shen Yue's face was cold. She tugged on the reins and, without warning, slapped Shen Yao Jin across the face, her voice cuttingly frigid. "Idiot, you scared away all my prey!"
Shen Yao Jin's head was knocked to the side by the force of the blow. It was quite heavy, and half of his face turned red. Shen Yue hadn't hit him for a long time, so the pain on his face left him momentarily stunned.
Feeling wronged and heartbroken, his eyes reddened. He wanted to cry but held back his tears. His voice, however, became choked with emotion as he whined his complaint, hoping for a shred of pity from the person before him. "Fourth Brother, my face… it hurts."
Shen Yue's temperament was notoriously unpredictable; she could be laughing one moment and stab someone without batting an eye the next.
A mere slap was considered relatively lenient. Had it been someone else, it would have been more than just a slap.
Shen Yao Jin was also somewhat simple-minded. For a grown man to cry so readily made Shen Yue even more displeased.
Shen Yue slightly raised her chin, her gaze calm and unperturbed. She warned him coldly, "Don't follow me."
With that, Shen Yue took up the reins, turned her horse, and prepared to leave. As she moved, Shen Yao Jin grabbed her arm and continued to call out "Fourth Brother."
Her arm was held, preventing her from moving. Shen Yue turned her head to look, her face as cold as ice. She raised her hand, about to slap him again, but then she saw Shen Yao Jin's swollen half-face. His clear eyes were filled with adoration and eagerness. Seeing Shen Yue raise her hand, he made no move to dodge, as if he bore no resentment, no matter how Shen Yue treated him.
After a few seconds of stalemate, Shen Yue eventually lowered her hand, the coldness in her eyes slightly dissipating.
Shen Yao Jin's cheek still stung fiercely, but when he saw Shen Yue's expression soften, the pain seemed to lessen.
He tightened his grip, drawing her slender arm closer into his palm, his eyes fixed on her. He affectionately called out, "Fourth Brother, please let Yao Jin follow you. I'll be very good."
Even though he had just been slapped and his face was still swollen, he looked at Shen Yue with anticipation, pulling her arm. His eyes reflected only Shen Yue, as if he feared being abandoned.
Shen Yue frowned slightly and shook off Shen Yao Jin's hand. Shen Yao Jin immediately became restless, calling out "Fourth Brother" pitifully. Shen Yue ignored him.
Shen Yue rode at a leisurely pace. She could clearly hear someone cautiously following behind her.
She turned her head, her eyebrows slightly raised, the tear mole on her face looking alluring. "If you get lost, I won't wait for you."
Shen Yao Jin was startled at first, then his face flushed with excitement. He happily followed.