After flying the kite, Xiao Huayong took Shen Xihe hunting. Though it was the sunny spring of March and the game wasn't particularly plump, the revived wildlife meant frolicking wild rabbits were common. Before their arrival, Xiao Huayong had already sent Luling and his men to clear the area of any large beasts.
"When drawing the bow, tilt your head toward the target. Your drawing arm should be level with your eyes, and the height of the raised bow should align with your gaze..." Xiao Huayong, mounted on his horse, personally instructed Shen Xihe in archery.
This was Shen Xihe's first time drawing a bow. Xiao Huayong had prepared in advance, bringing a lighter bow suitable for a young woman.
As Xiao Huayong drew his own bow, his ears suddenly twitched. Shen Xihe only heard a faint rustling in the grass, as if brushed by a gentle breeze, before a blur shot out from the corner of her eye—it was Xiao Huayong's arrow.
Tianyuan immediately rushed into the grass to retrieve the arrow, returning with a gray rabbit whose leg was bleeding.
Such precise archery! Shen Xihe's shimmering eyes gazed at Xiao Huayong with admiration. She hadn't even sensed the prey, yet Xiao Huayong had already captured it.
Being looked at with such admiration by the one he cherished, Xiao Huayong felt as accomplished as if he had shot a tiger instead of a mere rabbit.
"Your Highness, what should we do with this rabbit?" Tianyuan asked, holding up the rabbit.
On one side was the struggling rabbit, and on the other was Shen Xihe's admiring gaze. Xiao Huayong suddenly felt that the little rabbit was unworthy of such praise from her, and his smile instantly vanished. "Give it to Miss Ziyu. Let her decide what to do with it."
Tianyuan clearly sensed that his master was being peculiar again. He lowered his head and hurried off with the rabbit to find Ziyu.
Unaware that under the princess's gaze, the Crown Prince's male vanity had soared to the point where he felt equivalent to having hunted a tiger, Tianyuan, lacking perception, had shattered the Crown Prince's fantasy by bringing over the rabbit.
This made him acutely aware that Shen Xihe's admiring gaze wasn't due to his exceptional skill but rather her complete unfamiliarity with archery.
Shen Xihe, though usually unconcerned, couldn't help but notice Xiao Huayong's change in demeanor. Puzzled, she asked, "What's wrong, Your Highness?"
Xiao Huayong then realized his abrupt shift in attitude and worried that Shen Xihe might misunderstand. He quickly resumed his carefree smile. "Why would I smile at Tianyuan, a subordinate? I only show my joy to you."
Shen Xihe took a slow, deep breath and ignored him. She nudged her horse's flank, urging it forward into the woods. She wanted to experience the joy of hunting herself, but having never trained her arm strength or accuracy, her initial shots fell short.
Once she mastered the force needed to shoot, she struggled with aim. This sparked her competitive spirit, and she was determined to bag a prey. Xiao Huayong followed behind her, occasionally spotting prey and using his arrows to drive them toward her.
Alas, Shen Xihe truly lacked talent in this area—or perhaps it was just inexperience. After riding for over an hour, she had yet to catch anything, while Xiao Huayong inadvertently shot a few more while assisting her.
Shen Xihe remained in high spirits, though her stomach was growling. "Let's go back for some food and then return."Rarely was she in such high spirits. Despite not having caught any prey, she remained full of fighting spirit and showed no signs of discouragement. Xiao Huayong naturally accompanied her to the end: "Alright. I'll set up a martial arts training ground in the Eastern Palace. After we marry, I'll teach you horseback riding and archery."
"Good." Shen Xihe nodded in agreement.
The two urged their horses back. Passing by a small lake, they unexpectedly spotted a sika deer drinking water with its head lowered and ears perked up. Its slender body was reflected alongside the blue sky on the mirror-like lake surface, flanked by emerald and tender green trees and grass.
The scene appeared tranquil and harmonious. Shen Xihe couldn't help but smile with heartfelt delight. Just then, Xiao Huayong drew his bow and aimed toward the deer. Before Shen Xihe could speak, a swift arrow shot out and pinned a venomous snake to the ground beside the deer's feet.
The startled deer leaped aside while the snake writhed incessantly. Only then did Shen Xihe notice the creature.
Its coloration blended with the earth tones, and Shen Xihe, focused solely on the deer, had completely missed its presence.
"It might not necessarily have bitten the deer," Xiao Huayong put away his bow, "but if it had struck, this little deer would surely have died. Since you favor this young deer, I naturally had to protect it."
Shen Xihe turned to look at Xiao Huayong, silent and contemplative.
Xiao Huayong gave her a gentle smile: "What you care about is what I safeguard."
How clever was Shen Xihe? How could she fail to grasp Xiao Huayong's implied meaning? He was telling her that because of her connection to the northwest, he would also strive to protect it.
"Your Highness's words, I have taken to heart." Shen Xihe's pink, soft lips curved into a smile.
Xiao Huayong smiled as well. She hadn't rejected him, nor had she questioned him, nor had she repeated her earlier statement about believing his sincerity in the moment. This indicated her willingness to give him a chance to prove his words today.
With a faint smile, Shen Xihe rode ahead first, Xiao Huayong following behind her.
When they returned, the aroma of prepared food filled the air—Ziyu's culinary skills. Outings and excursions always involved dining alfresco. It wasn't convenient for too many people to leave the Eastern Palace at once, so Shen Xihe had mentioned earlier she would bring Ziyu along.
Roasted rabbit, fish soup, fish stew, grilled chicken, and exquisite pastries brought from the mansion—Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong dined together while Zhenzhu and the others had their own spot. Shen Xihe noticed Zhenzhu and Sui Axi had gathered numerous medicinal herbs.
After the meal, Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong strolled along the stream to aid digestion before resuming their hunt.
That day, Shen Xihe caught nothing but enjoyed herself immensely. Throughout the following spring, Xiao Huayong frequently invited her out for excursions and hunting, which she gladly accepted. She also began practicing archery at her residence. After a month of training and with Xiao Huayong's assistance, she finally managed to shoot a passing turtledove over the lake.
As it had little meat but Ziyu wanted to please Shen Xihe, she deboned and minced it to prepare a bowl of meat congee.
"Give this to His Highness. We've enjoyed much of his game these past days. Today, we return the favor," Shen Xihe instructed Ziyu.
Ziyu immediately felt displeased. Had she known it was for His Highness, she would have simply roasted it casually instead of going through so much trouble.Xiao Huayong noticed that Shen Xihe's maids held varying attitudes toward him. Hongyu was exceedingly attentive to him, though this attentiveness fell slightly short of that shown to Shen Xihe. Zhenzhu and Biyu treated him with nothing but respect. Only Ziyu seemed to hold him in utter disdain.
Were she not a maid, Xiao Huayong might have suspected the way she looked at him was no different from how one would regard a rival in love—as if he had stolen her beloved.
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