The Grand Ceremony of Mounted Archery (3)

“Your Highness?” I hurried to bow, but Han Feiyue had already left with her maid.

“The Crown Princess…” I looked to Long Zhan, hoping he would give chase.

“No need,” Long Zhan replied coolly, his gaze drifting elsewhere, seemingly unconcerned with Han Feiyue’s feelings.

“But—”

He turned to me and said, “What is her standing now, and what is ours?”

Enlightened, I answered, “Yes, I failed to consider.”

“That day,” Long Zhan seemed to recall something, “she came to find me, likely after drinking. She spoke a few drunken words, and I answered her rather harshly. Since then, I have not seen her again. Though she was inebriated, I believe she took my words to heart and must have thought things through.”

Hearing this, I remembered what Xiao Dezi had recently told me—Jiang Yun had consummated his marriage with Han Feiyue. That must be related.

Long Zhan was right. Now that Han Feiyue had accepted Jiang Yun, any further attention from Long Zhan would only complicate matters.

“I was careless.”

“It’s no matter. By the way, I asked you last time if you wanted to learn to ride. It happens that tomorrow, before the archery festival begins, I need to inspect the hunting grounds—not only to arrange the guards but also to select horses and ensure everything will proceed smoothly. How about I take you?”

“I’ve caused trouble just now; I dare not sneak away again. Since you have official duties, I wouldn’t dare disturb you.”

“I never said you’d be a disturbance. Enough with that. You will come. Her Highness won’t blame you.”

Without another word, Long Zhan took my arm and pulled me along.

“Sir, sir!” I called anxiously; if anyone saw us now, it wouldn’t bode well.

Long Zhan ignored my protests and dragged me straight toward the hunting grounds.

“General, general!” Someone called out behind us, prompting Long Zhan to release me.

It was Di Xiao, who approached and bowed, “General, are you going to inspect the hunting grounds?”

“I am.”

“Is this steward going to assist?”

“Yes.”

“I noticed some disturbance at the hunting grounds. Perhaps you should go ahead, General; I’ll bring the steward along shortly.”

“Very well. Xiao Xiaozi, come quickly.”

“Sir, I—”

Long Zhan paid me no further mind and strode off.

“Steward Xiao, please, I must bring you along. The General is waiting.”

I thought, since Zhang Bitong was speaking with Jiang Xuan, and since I had intended to visit the hunting grounds anyway, I could simply claim to be helping. There was little reason for concern.

“Thank you for leading the way, Lord Di.”

“Walking is far too slow; why not ride?” Di Xiao said, fetching a horse nearby.

I felt a vague unease—if matters were urgent, why hadn’t Di Xiao offered this horse to Long Zhan earlier? Now, with neither of us in a hurry, we were to ride?

Perhaps I was overthinking. Maybe Long Zhan had his own mount nearby, and this one belonged to Di Xiao.

Di Xiao helped me up and we sped off.

At first, nothing seemed amiss, but after the time it takes incense to burn, I noticed Di Xiao was taking me farther and farther away. Glancing back, I could see the flags of the hunting ground fluttering in the wind, but they grew ever more distant. A sense of wrongness gnawed at me, and I called out loudly, “Lord Di, where are you taking me?”

“To the hunting grounds, of course. No need to worry, Steward Xiao,” Di Xiao replied, urging the horse on.

My unease grew. We were moving too fast—if I tried to jump off the horse, I’d surely break an arm or a leg.

Clinging to Di Xiao, I cried, “Lord Di, please let me down! Her Highness has tasks for me—I must return at once!”

Di Xiao turned and said, “I’m afraid you won’t be returning.”

Startled, I saw him suddenly shove me from the saddle. Pain shot through my body, and I heard the sickening sound of bone breaking in my leg.

“Lord Di!” I struggled to rise, confused and hurt. “I have no quarrel with you—why do you treat me so?”

Di Xiao, towering above me from his horse, replied, “You and I have no enmity. But you have infiltrated the General’s circle. I don’t know why he cares so much for you, but I know this: if things go on, not only will his prospects be ruined, but you may even cost him his life. He values you, so I must do something for him. Blame me if you must. We’re far from the hunting grounds, in untamed wilderness. I won’t kill you myself, but the wolves and vipers here are plentiful. Take care—if I have the chance, I’ll collect your remains. Go!”

With that, Di Xiao turned his horse and rode away.

Dusk was settling, and we were far from the palace. The way back was thick with trees; finding the path would be no easy matter.

Di Xiao’s loyalty to Long Zhan was unquestionable; seeing Long Zhan’s frequent kindness toward me must have stirred his suspicions. If Di Xiao had noticed, perhaps others had as well—would I truly become Long Zhan’s burden?

I forced myself upright, finding my right leg useless. Sitting down, I rolled up my trouser leg and saw a mass of bruises.

I touched it lightly—agony lanced through me.

Seated on the ground, I looked around and sighed. In this state, how could I return? Worse still, Di Xiao had warned of wolves and vipers in these mountains. Alone and crippled, how could I possibly escape?

Worry pressed in. I braced myself against a tree, found a sturdy branch for support, and managed to stand.

Relying on memory, I tried to retrace my steps, but each move was a struggle.

Suddenly, the sky darkened and rain began to fall. The downpour grew heavier, soaking me through. In the mountain night, the temperature plummeted; I was shivering with cold.

Seeing no way forward, I searched for shelter. I spotted a small cave to the left and hurried toward it, but my weakened leg failed me, and I stumbled over a branch, sprawling across the ground. My face was scratched by twigs, stinging sharply.

I forced myself up—now, only I could save myself.

Having survived so much already, I couldn’t die unknown, alone in this wilderness.

I crawled toward the cave as the sky grew darker still. I thought I heard wolves howling.

It seemed Di Xiao had spoken truthfully. The will to survive drove me forward, and I finally dragged myself inside, utterly exhausted.

Leaning against the cave wall, I watched the rain intensify outside, helpless to do anything.

Gradually, I lost strength and closed my eyes, not knowing when I fell asleep. At some point, I awoke parched, my body roasting one moment, freezing the next—alternating heat and cold, unbearable. My mind was clouded; I wanted to open my eyes but could not, as if a weight pressed on my head.

“Xiao Xiaozi, Xiao Xiaozi…” I vaguely heard someone calling me, but I couldn’t make out who.

Perhaps it was a dream—who could possibly find me here?

“Water… water…” I muttered, thinking only of a sip to ease my thirst, heedless of whether I would survive.

Suddenly, I felt something moist at my lips and tried desperately to drink, but my throat seemed blocked; I half-sat up, coughing violently. After a few coughs, I slumped back against the wall, drained.

“Water… water…” Even unable to swallow, my desire for water overwhelmed me.

Suddenly, something soft pressed against my lips, and liquid trickled into my mouth. I tried to spit it out, but my mouth was sealed, air forced into me, compelling me to swallow the water. That breath, transferred mouth to mouth, made me inhale and drink.

A few sips brought relief, and my thirst eased.

But what was that softness against my lips—so tender, carrying a faint fragrance? I instinctively wanted to bite it.

I did, and then found myself wanting to lick it, as if it tasted good.

But the softness was abruptly withdrawn, and I cried out in protest, “More… I want more…”

“Enough!” Someone’s low voice admonished me, and I fell silent, chastened.

Feeling better, I drifted back into sleep. Time passed; warmth lingered beside me but failed to seep deeper, and my body continued to alternate between fever and chill.

Suddenly, more liquid was poured into my mouth—not tasteless water, but bitter medicine. I grimaced, determined to spit it out, but as before, my lips were sealed, and I was forced to swallow. The bitterness nearly drove me to tears, yet the medicine kept coming.

“Bitter…”

I frowned, eyes squeezed shut, almost weeping, but unable to speak or open my eyes.

Someone gently cradled me, laying me flat. I continued to complain, but soon my body grew feverish, at least no longer alternating hot and cold.

Time passed, and I fell asleep again. When I finally awoke, though my head was still heavy, my body felt much improved.

I could open my eyes at last and saw I was still in the cave. Beside me, the fire had not yet burned out, embers glowing faintly.

There must be someone else here, for the fire was burning.

I pushed myself upright and found that dawn had broken outside.

My leg still ached, but was much better than yesterday. Though weak, I felt lighter, and could manage a short walk.

Just as I reached the cave entrance, someone appeared, blocking the light from outside.

I looked up, bewildered—and it was him!