Qin Guan and the Empress Dowager exchanged a glance. Before Qin Guan could speak, the Empress Dowager smiled and asked, "Is Your Highness feeling unwell?"
Hearing this, Tuoba Wu chuckled, "It's not me who's unwell. You'll know when Ninth Miss arrives."
Tuoba Wu seemed intent on being mysterious. The Empress Dowager smiled, "Wan Yatou isn't a palace physician. Treating my illness wasn't part of her duties. If someone in your entourage has fallen ill, I'll summon the accompanying imperial physicians for you."
Upon hearing this, Tuoba Wu sighed, "I'm afraid even the best physicians couldn't save them. I only place my hopes in Ninth Miss." After a slight pause, Tuoba Wu continued, "There's a saying in Great Zhou: 'Saving one life is better than building a Seven-level Pagoda.' I hope Ninth Miss can lend her assistance, and I beg Your Majesty's permission. If Ninth Miss cures the illness, I will surely reward her handsomely."
Tuoba Wu spoke with such sincerity that the Empress Dowager hesitated. After all, Tuoba Wu was a princess of Northern Wei, and asking Qin Guan to help treat someone wasn't an unreasonable request. The Empress Dowager looked at Qin Guan, "Ninth girl?"
Since the Empress Dowager voiced the question, it meant she had already agreed in her heart. Qin Guan understood this clearly and smiled, "Then I'll give it a try."
The Empress Dowager smiled at this response, and Tuoba Wu also appeared quite satisfied. Seeing Tuoba Wu's reaction, Qin Guan grew even more suspicious.
This was the Great Zhou camp—Tuoba Wu wouldn't dare do anything excessive. That was why Qin Guan had agreed. If someone truly needed her medical help, she had no issue assisting. If there was some trickery involved, she wanted to see what exactly this princess was scheming.
"Thank you, Empress Dowager. Ninth Miss truly lives up to her reputation—a heart of mercy."
Tuoba Wu expressed her gratitude, and Qin Guan smiled, "When does Your Highness need me to treat the patient?"
Tuoba Wu stood up, "Now would be best, of course."
Qin Guan had nothing else to do and naturally didn't object. She glanced at the Empress Dowager, who curved her lips, "Very well, go ahead. Return quickly. Later, I'll need you to massage my shoulders and neck—I slept poorly again last night."
Since the Empress Dowager said so, Tuoba Wu smiled, "Your Majesty need not worry. It won't take much time."
The Empress Dowager took Tuoba Wu's words as a guarantee and nodded with satisfaction.
Qin Guan brought Baiying along and followed Tuoba Wu out. Once outside the main tent, Qin Guan was slightly surprised to find four horses waiting—Tuoba Wu had actually come on horseback. Tuoba Wu smiled at the horses, "I went for a ride at the pasture this morning. Say what you will, but the pastures in this camp are truly vast—it was quite exhilarating."
Qin Guan had seen Tuoba Wu's sword dance and knew she was martial-minded. Hearing this, she felt a touch of admiration—Yue Ning was also someone who never slacked off. Qin Guan asked, "Where is the person Your Highness wants me to treat?"
Tuoba Wu smiled and tilted her chin, "Can Ninth Miss ride? I've prepared a horse for you."
Qin Guan raised an eyebrow, "Ride? Is the person Your Highness wants me to treat at the pasture?"
Tuoba Wu had said she came here after riding—had she injured someone during her morning ride?
Tuoba Wu grinned, "Ninth Miss is indeed clever."
So the person she needed to treat was indeed at the pasture! Though Tuoba Wu hadn't elaborated, Qin Guan did know how to ride.
Thus, Qin Guan nodded, "I certainly know how to ride."Tuoba Wu's eyes lit up slightly, "Ninth Miss appears delicate and fragile, yet unexpectedly, you know how to ride a horse. As far as I know, most women in Great Zhou are so frail they can barely lift a hand—are you truly skilled in riding?"
There was a faint tone of condescension in Tuoba Wu's voice. Qin Guan frowned, "Women in Great Zhou adhere to poetry, literature, and etiquette, which may give the impression of being delicate and gentle, but that does not mean they are truly weak or easily bullied."
Tuoba Wu raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Well then, let me see how skilled Ninth Miss is at riding."
With that, she mounted a chestnut-red horse herself, while her maid got on a black one. The remaining two horses—one snow-white and the other dark brown—stood nearby. The snow-white horse was not as tall or robust as the dark brown one. Seeing this, Baiying immediately stepped forward and took hold of the snow-white horse, saying, "Miss, please—"
Qin Guan understood Baiying's intention: she was worried about her riding skills and had thus chosen the smaller horse for her.
Qin Guan sighed inwardly—she truly did know how to ride.
With this thought, she mounted the snow-white horse anyway, while Baiying took the dark brown one.
Noticing that Qin Guan's mounting posture was quite adept, Tuoba Wu couldn't help but smile, "It seems Ninth Miss isn't as frail and delicate as she appears..."
Qin Guan sensed a hint of sarcasm in her words and replied calmly, "Where shall we go, Princess? Please lead the way."
Tuoba Wu grinned and immediately flicked her whip. However, since they were still within the camp, she didn't ride too fast. Meanwhile, Qin Guan patted her horse's head, finding it quite docile, and urged it to follow. Baiying brought up the rear, not daring to take her eyes off Qin Guan for even a moment.
The four of them crossed the square and followed the main Path through the camp toward the downstream riding grounds.
The hunting camp was enclosed by boundaries, but the riding grounds had no such restrictions. The stables were located at the farthest downstream point, with carriages parked nearby. An area of about five li had been enclosed, forming a vast, naturally green plain that stretched as far as the eye could see. Just as Tuoba Wu had said, it was indeed an excellent place for riding.
Qin Guan sat steadily on her horse. Truth be told, it had been nearly half a year since she last rode. However, her riding skills had been taught by her father. In her earlier years, before moving to the capital, she hadn't been constrained by the rules governing noble ladies, and her horsemanship was top-notch. Though she felt a bit rusty at first, she quickly adapted. Moreover, the horse beneath her was gentle and obedient, making the ride from the square eastward quite smooth.
Baiying had been somewhat worried initially, but seeing Qin Guan's calm and composed demeanor while riding put her mind at ease. Dressed in a snow-white, narrow-sleeved Ru skirt that day, Qin Guan looked exceptionally graceful and poised as she rode.
Tuoba Wu had been riding ahead but soon slowed her pace, as if wanting to speak with Qin Guan. "Ninth Miss, with your remarkable grace and the Empress Dowager's favor, have you ever thought about where you might marry in the future?"
Noticing Qin Guan's surprised expression, Tuoba Wu laughed, "I'm rather straightforward—please don't find me abrupt."
Qin Guan remained unfazed, "My three elder sisters have yet to marry. I haven't given it much thought."Tuoba Wu smiled. "Your three elder sisters—the oldest is already betrothed, while the other two—one likely has plans in place, and the other is already the designated Crown Princess candidate. They will surely marry within this year. By then, you’ll have a Crown Princess as an elder sister. I’m afraid it won’t be possible for you to marry another prince."
Qin Guan grew somewhat wary. If Tuoba Wu only wanted her help in treating an illness, why would she know so much about the Marquis’s household? Knowing about Qin Chaoyu was one thing, but she was even aware of Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang’s affairs.
"Even so, that’s a matter for next year."
Qin Guan spoke to herself, noticing the horse track was not far ahead. "Where is the person Your Highness wishes me to treat?"
Tuoba Wu smiled and suddenly quickened her horse’s pace. Qin Guan’s suspicions deepened, her beautiful eyes narrowing as she urged her horse to catch up. They galloped all the way until they entered the horse track.
It was still early, and no one was riding on the track yet. Only the stable in the distance was guarded by soldiers.
Given Tuoba Wu’s noble status, they passed through unimpeded. Qin Guan, being of considerable status herself, was likewise undisturbed.
Yet the absence of any carriage was truly peculiar. Qin Guan reined in her horse and frowned. "Your Highness, where is the person you wish me to treat?"
Tuoba Wu halted about four or five zhang ahead, turning back with a laugh. "Who said the one I want you to treat is a person?"
Qin Guan raised her brows at this. Tuoba Wu continued, smiling, "The one I want you to treat is right beneath you—"
Frowning, Qin Guan looked down and immediately saw the little white horse’s head, feeling a surge of displeasure. "You want me to treat a horse?"
Tuoba Wu nodded cheerfully. "Indeed. All living beings are equal. Since Ninth Miss can heal people, why not a horse?"
Qin Guan was annoyed. Had Tuoba Wu concealed the truth merely to mock her?
Taking a deep breath, she suppressed her irritation. Tuoba Wu was a Northern Wei princess; even if she intended to tease, as long as it wasn’t excessive, there was little Qin Guan could say. So, she lowered her head and patted the white horse’s head. "It seems so well-behaved. What ailment does it have?"
Qin Guan was no veterinarian and unfamiliar with animal ailments, so she couldn’t spot any issues at a glance. As she spoke, Tuoba Wu gave an enigmatic smile. "This horse, though usually docile, has one flaw—it suddenly goes wild when it encounters someone it dislikes—"
Qin Guan frowned, instinctively sensing trouble. Before she could speak, a sharp whistle pierced the air—from Tuoba Wu! The moment the whistle sounded, the previously calm and obedient white horse beneath Qin Guan abruptly reared up, kicking its hooves high!
The horse stood upright, hooves flailing. Baiying, watching from behind, was horrified and rushed forward, but Tuoba Wu’s maidservant suddenly blocked her path. Baiying gritted her teeth—Tuoba Wu had done this on purpose!
The sudden upheaval caught Qin Guan off guard. She tightened the reins, yet she was nearly thrown off! In the urgency of the moment, Qin Guan glanced back and saw Baiying being restrained. Lifting her gaze, she found Tuoba Wu watching the scene with leisurely composure. Clearly, the whistle had been deliberate, and inciting the horse’s agitation was intentional!Qin Guan had initially thought this was merely Tuoba Wu's mischief, but she never expected it was only the beginning. The horse beneath her seemed to suddenly transform—after bucking its hooves, it charged forward violently. Qin Guan pressed low against the horse's back, exerting all her strength to rein it in, yet the more she pulled, the more wildly the horse galloped. She was nearly thrown from the saddle, acutely aware that falling now could mean anything from injury to being trampled or killed! Tuoba Wu! What was she doing?!
As Qin Guan tugged the reins, the sound of approaching hoofbeats reached her ears. Tuoba Wu cheered gleefully twice, and the horse, as if spurred on, accelerated even faster. Qin Guan felt her body jolted to the point of falling apart, her legs aching from the friction. If her feet slipped from the stirrups, she would be flung off instantly!
"Miss—"
Behind her, Baiying's voice was hoarse with desperation. To make matters worse, Tuoba Wu's maid knew martial arts—though not as skilled as Baiying, she managed to entangle her in combat. In those brief moments, the white horse had already carried Qin Guan far away!
The scenery on both sides blurred past. Qin Guan had never encountered such a violent and frenzied horse and had no idea how to break free. She was no expert in taming horses, nor did she possess the strength for it. Clearly, Tuoba Wu was targeting her—luring her into this trap under the pretense of needing help, then assigning her a seemingly docile horse that obeyed her commands to go mad. This deceitful scheme was unmistakably designed to leave her severely injured or dead!
Qin Guan could not fathom why Tuoba Wu would do this, as she believed they had no grudges between them.
After much thought, only one possibility came to mind: Yan Chi!
At this realization, Qin Guan grew even more furious. Whatever the reason, how dare Tuoba Wu set such a trap?! This was a life-threatening plot! That Tuoba Wu was utterly despicable!
Frowning deeply, Qin Guan tightened her grip on the reins with one hand and slightly loosened the other. A cold glint flashed at her fingertips, and in the next moment, she raised her hand forcefully and plunged Cold Moon deep into the white horse's neck!
Cold Moon could slice through iron like mud. With all her might, Qin Guan drove the dagger so deep that the hilt nearly disappeared into the horse's neck. Everyone knew she could save lives, but no one had witnessed her lethal intent. In such a dire moment, she feared neither killing nor slaying a mad horse! Rage boiled within Qin Guan; every part of her body ached from the violent jolting, and her hands felt as if they were being torn apart by the horse's movements. Yet, as the blade struck, she knew she had succeeded!
The white horse, dealt a fatal blow, did not stop immediately. In its agony, it surged forward even more fiercely for a few strides. However, within moments, blood gushed from its neck like a torrent, and its speed rapidly declined. After a few more stumbling steps, it finally collapsed unsteadily to the ground. Just before it fell, Qin Guan mustered her last ounce of strength and rolled off its back first.
Lying on her back in the green grass, Qin Guan watched as the white horse beside her let out a mournful whinny before bleeding profusely and breathing its last.
Qin Guan turned her head to glance at it, her eyes faintly reddened. Since her rebirth, even when faced with cold treatment or life-and-death situations, this was the first time the perpetrator had acted so brazenly and audaciously!Qin Guan's hair was disheveled from the jolting, her dress wrinkled beyond recognition. The medicine sachets from her sleeves had all spilled out when she tumbled from the horse. Trembling in both hands and legs, she lacked even the strength to stand. Though her appearance was utterly disheveled, her clear, intelligent eyes burned with fury. Tuoba Wu! What a fine Tuoba Wu!
Gasping for breath, Qin Guan looked up to see the white horse had left Tuoba Wu and her companions far behind. Witnessing both the horse and herself collapse, Tuoba Wu rode over in disbelief, while Baiying finally broke free from the maidservant and rushed toward her. Squinting her eyes, Qin Guan took several deep breaths, gradually recovering slightly from her exhaustion.
"Young mistress! Are you alright!"
Baiying rushed over in panic. Qin Guan squeezed her hand and shook her head.
Baiying’s eyes reddened, on the verge of tears. Only after confirming Qin Guan had no serious visible injuries did she relax, then abruptly turned to glare hatefully at the approaching Tuoba Wu.
But Qin Guan pulled Baiying back. Her hand, strained from exertion, was also wounded by Cold Moon, now bleeding from a cut. A cold glint flashed in her eyes as she reached for her medicine sachet.
Meanwhile, Tuoba Wu reined in her horse in disbelief, glancing between Qin Guan and the fallen white horse. She erupted in anger, "You actually killed my horse! How dare you! Do you realize this was my most beloved steed?"
Though still weak and drained, Qin Guan gripped her dagger and signaled Baiying to help her up.
Rising slowly, she stepped one by one toward Tuoba Wu. Seeing Qin Guan’s expression drastically changed—the usually gentle woman now bearing a fierce aura—Tuoba Wu felt a twinge of fear. "What... what are you doing?!"
Qin Guan held a dagger, blood from the white horse still dripping from it. Her white skirt was stained with large patches of blood from her fall. This version of Qin Guan was utterly different from her usual elegant and refined self—disheveled yet wild and enchanting, with a chilling, ruthless air!
Tuoba Wu instinctively tightened her grip on the reins, wanting to retreat but unwilling to show weakness. She puffed out her chest. "What are you doing?!"
Qin Guan approached until she stood before Tuoba Wu’s horse. She raised her hand, swaying the bloodied blade before the horse. The sight of blood startled the animal, causing it to shrink back. Tuoba Wu glared, steering her horse aside and retreating two steps. Qin Guan cast a cold glance at her. "Your Highness, was it fun?"
Tuoba Wu, feeling guilty, insisted forcefully, "I was only joking with you! Didn’t you claim you could ride?" Then she added coldly, "I was teasing you, yet you killed my horse! I will demand an explanation from the Emperor!"
Qin Guan’s lips curved slightly. "Since Your Highness finds it amusing, shall I play a joke on you as well?"
Tuoba Wu raised an eyebrow, momentarily confused by Qin Guan’s meaning. But before she could ponder further, her own perfectly calm horse suddenly reared and bolted wildly...
Qin Guan stood her ground, tightly clutching the still-dripping Cold Moon.
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