Youthful Glory

What one fears most is bound to happen. Shen Yu dreaded nothing more than the Sixth Princess bringing up the accidental embrace during yesterday's rescue. Previously, the princess hadn't seemed to notice or mention it, but now she'd clearly remembered.

His face flushed crimson as he opened and closed his mouth without managing to say anything.

The understanding Sixth Princess said, "I'm not forcing you. If you'd rather not answer now, how about we compete later? If I win, you'll tell me then."

Shen Yu turned red from neck to forehead, stammering, "I-it wouldn't be honorable to compete against a woman."

"Young General Shen shouldn't underestimate women," the princess declared proudly, lifting her round little face. "My riding and archery are excellent! I insist on competing with you!"

"If that's the case... then this humble general will concede three arrows to you."

The princess didn't argue further, simply testing her bowstring before clasping her hands behind her back cheerfully. "Deal!"

Soon, the competition began.

Ming Tan sat beside Jiang Xu, maintaining the dignified poise befitting a consort. She actually found these archery contests rather dull—unless the participants were handsome, even perfect marksmanship held little appeal.

After sitting quietly for some time, Ming Tan finally perked up when she saw the Sixth Princess and Shen Yu take the field together.

After some exchange of words, Shen Yu gestured for the princess to proceed. Gripping her bow, the princess straightened her petite frame, aimed at the target, and began shooting.

Previously, Ming Tan had only heard the young princess boast about her skills—like when she'd shot rabbits in the woods, only noticing the animals after they'd been pinned. Today marked the first time Ming Tan witnessed the princess's actual archery prowess, and it turned out her bragging wasn't entirely unfounded.

With her round face tense in concentration, the princess drew arrow after arrow from her quiver, releasing ten consecutive shots that all struck the bullseye.

When Shen Yu took his turn, though he also hit the bullseye with every shot, he stopped after only seven arrows.

Ming Tan leaned toward Jiang Xu and whispered, "Husband, don't you think the Nanlu Sixth Princess and Cousin Shen make quite a matching pair?"

Jiang Xu gave a rare nod.

After leaving Shen Yu's tent last night, he'd had his shadow guards investigate and realized he'd overthought things—his young consort's interest in Shen Yu was clearly about this Nanlu princess.

The competition soon concluded. Watching the little princess beam with pride, her round face radiant as she puffed out her small chest, Ming Tan happily sipped her fruit wine.

After today's archery contest, they would break camp and return to the capital. The Nanlu delegation, having been in the capital for several days, was scheduled to depart the day after tomorrow.

But during the return journey, the Sixth Princess suddenly boarded Ming Tan's carriage looking despondent.

Noticing her sudden gloom, Ming Tan asked cautiously, "What's wrong?"

"Before the competition, Young General Shen and I agreed that if I won, he'd answer whether he currently likes anyone," the princess explained, resting her chin in her hands with a troubled expression. "I just asked him, and he said no."

Ming Tan sighed in relief. "Isn't that good news?"

"Then I asked if he'd be willing to become my consort," the princess continued mournfully. "He said he's a Daxian soldier sworn to defend his homeland until death—how could he become another country's consort? I told him he misunderstood—I didn't mean for him to leave Daxian! I could marry into his family instead! Then he said we only met yesterday, how could we discuss marriage? That such decisions require mutual understanding. But I return to Nanlu the day after tomorrow—when would we have time to understand each other?"

At this point, the princess's entire round face collapsed in dejection."Do you think he keeps refusing because he dislikes me? Are weddings in Daxian always this troublesome? Though I could petition your Emperor Chengkang to force the matter, wouldn't that make him resent me more if he's unwilling?"

Ming Tan considered carefully before replying, "I believe he's not making excuses to refuse you. You've truly known each other for too short a time. Matters of marriage require his prudence—and yours even more so."

"Really?" The Sixth Princess looked at her with pitiful eyes.

Ming Tan nodded, then beckoned for her to come closer.

The princess hesitated before leaning in.

Ming Tan whispered, "During your competition earlier, I asked my husband. He said Young General Shen's horsemanship and archery skills are unmatched in the Dingbei Army. Had he wished, he could have struck the bullseye while simultaneously shooting down your arrow."

The Sixth Princess froze momentarily before slowly asking, "So he was letting me win?"

Ming Tan tacitly agreed.

The princess immediately grasped her hands. "Then if he doesn't dislike me, how can we get to know each other? We only have two days left! And... and my father has already chosen a consort for me back in Nanlü..." Her voice trailed off guiltily.

An idea occurred to Ming Tan, but she suddenly remembered the white fox fur the young princess had taken back earlier. The suggestion on her lips was swallowed down.

She deliberately coughed twice before saying leisurely, "There is naturally a way... if the princess truly wishes to know."

The Sixth Princess looked confused. "I'm completely sincere."

Without looking at her, Ming Tan smoothed the folds of her dress while murmuring to herself, "Winter approaches, yet this year's winter garments remain unmade. Last year I went without new clothes too. Ah, such frugality for a proper princess consort..."

Finally understanding, the princess exclaimed, "I'll give you the white fox fur!"

"Yesterday that was the price when you offered sincerely. But since you took it back, today's price is different."

"Then... then whatever you want, I'll give it!"

"Come roast me a lamb leg at the prince's residence before you leave."

"Done!"

Satisfied, Ming Tan smiled and gestured for the princess to lean closer, whispering a few words in her ear.

The princess's round face immediately brightened. "Two lamb legs! This princess will roast you two!"

Two days later, the Nanlü envoy prepared for their return journey. Emperor Chengkang prepared over a dozen carts of gifts along with a diplomatic letter to express Daxian's goodwill.

Ming Tan rose early to dress and took the prince's carriage specifically to see them off at the city gates.

Recognizing Ming Tan, the Sixth Princess quickly dismounted, beaming. "I thought you weren't coming!"

"How could I not? I promised to see you off."

Lǜ'e timely presented an embroidered box, which Ming Tan handed over.

"For me?" The princess accepted it curiously. "May I open it now?"

Ming Tan nodded. "Of course."

Eagerly opening it, she found an exquisitely crafted sachet inside. "How beautiful!" she marveled, unable to look away. "Did you embroider this?"

Before alighting from the carriage that day, the princess had casually asked Ming Tan where Prince Dingbei obtained the beautifully embroidered sachet at his waist. Ming Tan had remembered this and embroidered one specially for the young princess upon returning home.The Sixth Princess couldn't put it down, carefully examining it for a while before pointing at the discreetly embroidered character "Chun" inside and exclaiming in delight, "You even embroidered my maiden name!"

Ming Tan smiled and nodded.

"But what's this? Is this a steamed bun?" The Sixth Princess looked at the embroidery on the sachet, somewhat puzzled. No matter how she looked at it, it resembled a steamed bun, but why would anyone embroider a steamed bun on a sachet?

Ming Tan couldn't help but pinch her cheek. "It is a steamed bun!"

...!

"Alright, if this matter succeeds, you'll have to return to the capital sooner or later anyway, so I won't see you off for long."

The Sixth Princess had initially felt reluctant, but hearing this, she nodded in agreement. Glancing at Shen Yu, who sat tall and straight as a young pine on his horse, she happily hugged Ming Tan and whispered in her ear, "Just wait for me to become your little cousin-in-law!"

Ming Tan: "..." This Sixth Princess, though young, seemed determined to elevate her own seniority.

Shen Yu inexplicably sneezed and instinctively turned to look at the Sixth Princess, who was whispering with Cousin Tan. A vague sense of foreboding settled in his heart. Being assigned the task of escorting gifts back to Nanlu for no apparent reason suggested this journey wouldn't be peaceful.

Sure enough, not long after they left the city, the Sixth Princess deliberately slowed her pace until she was riding alongside Shen Yu. Smiling brightly, she said, "Young General Shen, the journey back is long—now we have plenty of time to get to know each other properly!"

Shen Yu: "..."

So it was her doing...

After seeing off the Sixth Princess, Ming Tan spent several lazy days resting at home without venturing out.

With matters in Lingzhou now concluded, the recapture of Rongzhou seemed to be back on the agenda. These days, Jiang Xu was frequently receiving guests in the Wanxuan Study, so Ming Tan didn’t disturb him. As winter approached and the year drew to a close, she also had many tasks to attend to.

Surprisingly, Madam Pei paid a rare visit to Prince Dingbei's Manor.

As Ming Tan's mother, her visit shouldn’t have been unusual. However, considering she wasn’t Ming Tan’s birth mother, she felt it inappropriate to treat the manor like her own backyard, coming and going as she pleased. Usually, it was Ming Tan who returned to Jing'an Marquis Manor.

"Mother, what brings you here today?" Ming Tan quickly helped Madam Pei take the seat of honor in the flower hall and instructed Suxin to serve her favorite tea and pastries.

Madam Pei lifted the teacup lid gently and smiled warmly. "Nothing urgent. Today, I went to Duke Changguo's residence to watch the new play by the Fuchun Troupe and thought I’d drop by to see you on the way."

Duke Changguo's residence and Prince Dingbei's Manor—this "on the way" could have taken her back to Jing'an Marquis Manor twice over. Understanding the hint, Ming Tan signaled the unfamiliar maids of the manor to withdraw.

Once they were alone, Ming Tan asked, "Mother, what’s really the matter?"

Madam Pei didn’t beat around the bush. After a moment’s thought, she cautiously inquired, "Recently... has His Highness mentioned anything to you about court affairs?"

"Not at all."

Madam Pei pondered for a while before continuing, "It’s nothing major, but these past few days, I’ve noticed your father seems preoccupied. When I ask him, he won’t say anything."

She sighed. "You know how things are between your father and me. In the past, it was one thing, but now..." She hesitated, seeming embarrassed, before finally whispering something into Ming Tan’s ear.

Upon hearing it, Ming Tan’s eyes widened in shock.