Prince Shu and Prince Duan were both astonished as they looked at this extraordinarily beautiful woman. It was the first time they had noticed her. They seemed to have hardly seen her before, as if she did not often appear at the gatherings of the young ladies and madams.
The Empress's appraising gaze also finally turned to Gu Ying. The Gu family did not have a high status, but there was Gu Second Master who held military power, which was not a bad choice for a daughter-in-law. It was a pity that this beautiful flower already had an owner - Gu Ying was already betrothed to the Su family's son.
Prince Shu Li Yang looked thoughtfully at the way Zhao Changdu was looking at Gu Ying, and muttered to himself, "How interesting."
...
By now, no one in the entire hunting ground dared to look down on Gu Ying anymore.
Those people who had declared her useless were slapped in the face. They all looked at her with different expressions as they secretly observed her.
Gu Ying returned to her seat after showcasing her skills. Looking at Gu Jia's face that was furious like pig's liver, she smiled and said, "What did elder sister say earlier?"
Gu Jia gritted her teeth and said, "Gu Ying, don't be complacent!"
Gu Ying's expression was calm. "I have to admit, elder sister is indeed a first-class expert at making threats."
Gu Jia was rendered speechless by her retort. She was angry but did not know how to react after being humiliated.
Gu Ying no longer had the patience to keep her company. Now that the winter hunt had started, it was time for everyone to form teams and hunt.
She had to hurry and warn Huo Qiyan first, and then get to know her fiancé.
After Gu Ying revealed her skills, she received great attention from the princes.
Unfortunately, it was always the ladies who had the priority in choosing teammates.
Many princes looked at Gu Ying, who was as beautiful as a fairy, and also skilled in riding and archery. They crowded around her one after another, enthusiastically promoting themselves.
"Miss Gu, pick me, pick me!"
"I'm skilled in archery and horsemanship. If you choose me, we will definitely win big!"
"Miss Gu won't even look at me! Passersby, don't miss out!"
Gu Ying was not used to receiving so much attention. Her cheeks flushed slightly. "I'm sorry, gentlemen, but I already have someone in mind..."
In the past, her beauty had been obscured by her timidness. Now that she acted generously, her beauty was amplified countless times.
She was born exceptionally beautiful, with skin like snow and delicate features. Wearing a light green gauze dress, her entire being glowed like a fairy in the clouds and mist. Blushing now, she was bewitching like a seductive demoness.
Su Huanfeng, standing next door, raised his eyebrows when he heard this. He hurriedly drove away the crazy bees and butterflies surrounding his fiancée, placing his hands on his hips to declare his ownership. "Gu Ying, you can only choose me, do you hear me?!"
Gu Ying was astonished. She said helplessly, "Young Master, don't joke around-"
She did not have any feelings for Su Huanfeng, let alone marry him.
She thought carefully, pulled him aside, and said solemnly, "Young Master, I'm not a suitable match for you. So after careful consideration, I've decided to return our betrothal personally to the Su family after the winter hunt, and break off the engagement..."
Su Huanfeng's heart sank heavily. His eyebrows flew up in anger as he yelled, "What did you say?"
Gu Ying sighed. "I said we should break off the engagement."
Su Huanfeng could not believe his ears. He glared furiously at Jiang Yin and said, "You've fallen for someone else?"
Gu Ying: "No."
Su Huanfeng: "Who is it? I'll kill him! Is it that Jiang fellow?!"
Gu Ying quickly stopped him and placated, "Young Master, I'll explain it to you after the hunt... For now, we're about to form teams. I have to go first."
Without looking at Su Huanfeng's dejected and disappointed expression, Gu Ying hurried away without turning back.
On this side, the young ladies had already lined up.
Gu Ying kept apologizing as she squeezed into the crowd and went to Huo Qiyan's side.
Having her spotlight stolen by Gu Ying, Huo Qiyan looked rather uncomfortable now. The moment she saw Gu Ying, her face was a little unpleasant. "What do you want from me? Came here to show off?"
Gu Ying smiled. "Miss Huo thinks too much. I just want to give you a reminder."
Huo Qiyan scoffed. "Remind me of what? Given our different status, what can you possibly remind me of? I'm the Huo family's daughter. What mistakes can I make?"
Huo Qiyan was arrogant by nature and seemed to be prejudiced against her, making it difficult for her to listen.
Gu Ying pursed her lips and said patiently, thinking of her future status as Empress, "Later when Miss Huo teams up with the Crown Prince for the hunt, remember not to drink the water prepared by the attendants. No matter what."
Huo Qiyan frowned. "What do you mean?"
Gu Ying did not want to state it so clearly, but at this point, she and Huo Qiyan were not close at all. She could only emphasize again, "Miss Huo excels in everything and is more beautiful than anyone else. If Miss Huo does not want anything to happen during the winter hunt, you'd better listen to me."
Hearing her praise of Huo Qiyan's beauty, even her temper could not flare up.
She glared at Gu Ying, then thought to herself that she had never felt Gu Ying was more beautiful than her before. But somehow today, even her plain clothes looked better than her own silks and satins.
She did not like Gu Ying very much, partly because of her attire and styling that resembled someone too much... And that person had occupied Changdu cousin's heart for ten years...
"Why should I listen to you? Who do you think you are?" She bit her lips awkwardly. Though her words expressed disbelief, her expression showed some approval of Gu Ying. After all, every word and action of hers during the winter hunt was watched by people with ulterior motives. If anything really happened, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Huo Qiyan did not dare to be careless. She changed her tone and said, "However, what you just said about me teaming up with the Crown Prince is true?"
Gu Ying smiled gently, knowing she was an arrogant child. But she was not a bad person, so Gu Ying decided not to argue with a teenage girl. "Miss Huo and the Crown Prince... are a match made in heaven. Of course you will be paired up."
Hearing this, Huo Qiyan felt much better. She also looked on Gu Ying more favorably.
"You're right about that." She pointed with her chin at Princess Yueyan in front. Smiling arrogantly like a young girl, she said, "See that, Princess Yueyan also wants to choose Cousin Changdu, but unfortunately, he would never agree to team up with her."
On the other side, the gentlemen were already prepared to be picked.
Zhao Changdu stood out from the rest with an aloof air like a cold crescent moon.
He was also the emperor's new favorite now.
Which young lady did not want to team up with him?
Gu Ying retracted her uneasy gaze, her cheeks hot. She took a deep breath to calm herself down, and whispered to Huo Qiyan behind her, "Yeah."
Huo Qiyan said, "What about you? Who do you want to pick?"
Gu Ying answered seriously, "I choose Young Master Fu."
