Yanzhi sneakily lifted the curtain and hopped in like a rabbit, blinking her bright eyes. "Miss, now that this is taken care of, what should we do next?"
A faint smile played on Gu Ying's rosy lips as she put away the dagger in her sleeve. "Since the stage is almost set up, it's time to invite the audience."
Yanzhi sidled up to her. "Miss, this dagger looks unfamiliar. I've never seen it before. Where did you get it?"
Gu Ying's smile faded slightly and she uncomfortably averted her gaze. "I picked it up. It felt handy so I kept it... I'll have to return it later."
Yanzhi felt something was off but couldn't pinpoint what.
Nevertheless, the young miss always had her reasons these days, so Yanzhi just obeyed her.
With this thought, Yanzhi hurried off, continuing to pretend to be a pitiful abandoned servant.
...
That afternoon when Gu Ying went hunting, she brought the silver beads given by Qin.
Although she was somewhat trusting of the people Qin sent, she had been hurt in her past life. Apart from Yanzhi, she couldn't fully trust anyone.
To test Yin Zhu's abilities, Gu Ying first took her around the hunting grounds, using memories from her past life to be the first to hunt a fairy deer.
When she dragged the deer out of the black forest at dusk, she was surrounded by many curious people.
Yin Zhu promptly shielded Gu Ying, adopting a protective stance. "Don't come closer. Hunting the fairy deer relies on one's own ability. If any of you dare snatch my miss's catch, you'll have to step over my dead body!"
Gu Ying looked steadily at Yin Zhu's back, inexplicably softened. She smiled, "It's fine, Yin Zhu. They don't have ill intentions."
Yin Zhu looked back at her. "Miss, I overreacted."
Gu Ying shook her head. "You meant well."
"So that's the famous second miss Gu who took first pick. She's really outstanding this time, being the first to hunt a fairy deer. She'll surely get a big reward from His Majesty this winter hunt."
"I didn't expect Second Miss Gu to be so beautiful as well. I heard the Su family wants to break off the engagement. I must hurry to propose marriage!"
"You? With your capabilities? How dare you snatch my woman!"
Gu Ying said nothing, secretly relieved to see Su Huanfeng's handsome face emerge from the crowd, fury etched on it.
He angrily drove away the gentlemen and princes, possessively shielding Gu Ying.
But she then noticed Zhao Changdu not far behind Su Huanfeng.
Tall and straight like jade, still in his customary black robes. His nose was high and eyes heavily lashed like crow feathers.
His features were as elegant as a painting, his hair bunned with a light dusting of snow. He looked coldly at her through the swirling snow.
She didn't know why, but the dagger in her sleeve grew hot against the person's warmth and her heart raced uncontrollably...
"Gu Ying, I heard you fell off a cliff yesterday. I was so worried I couldn't sleep. Are you okay? Did you get hurt?" Su Huanfeng frowned worriedly. His tall frame shielded Gu Ying as he inspected her for injuries. "Tell me, why didn't you choose me? If you had, I could've protected you. That Fu Xun is nothing. How dare he let you get hurt! I'll have him thrown into the river tomorrow as turtle feed!"
Gu Ying's mind blanked...
"Gu Ying, are you listening? What are you doing? Are you even listening to me?"
"..."
"Gu Ying, what exactly happened last night? How did you survive under that cliff alone?"
The man's angry words rang in her ears, but she couldn't hear him. She could only recall the sole warmth from last night's cave fire, the man's towering silhouette against the flickering light, his hot breath and broad hands.
She remembered being so cold she couldn't endure anymore before fainting...
Yet when she awoke, she felt as warm as a spring day.
She didn't know what he did, but Zhao Changdu had saved her...
"Gu Ying, if you continue ignoring me, I'll get angry!"
The man's voice sounded no older than a 3-year-old throwing a tantrum.
Gu Ying lightly fluttered her long lashes and glanced up, regaining her senses. She beamed at Su Huanfeng, "Heaven protected me and I found a cave, so I survived the blizzard."
Saying so, she guiltily glanced at Zhao Changdu behind Su Huanfeng.
The man remained silent, thin lips curved into an aloof arc, as if he didn't know her.
She couldn't describe her feelings. The Crown Prince's eyes were too deep and dark to look into, so she returned her attention to Su Huanfeng. "Thank you for caring. It's a pity I lost my good bow..."
Mentioning the bow reminded Su Huanfeng. "Gu Ying, where's the LiWang Bow? Why don't you have it?"
Hunting the first fairy deer with the LiWang Bow would make her even more outstanding among Bianjing's ladies.
Seeing he had finally asked the key question, Gu Ying silently cheered him on.
She knitted her delicate brows helplessly and forced a smile. "The LiWang Bow is in my tent... I didn't dare take out something so precious... I was afraid of failing your kindness..."
Seeing her hesitant expression, Su Huanfeng knew something was off. He cautiously glanced at Zhao Changdu and said lightly, "Since it's in your tent, take me to see it."
"Ah? This..." Gu Ying bit her lip nervously, lowering her brows. "My lord, why not wait until we return... I'll show you then..."
"We'll go now." The words came from Zhao Changdu who had approached unnoticed.
Gu Ying turned to him puzzledly.
The man's eyes and brows were as sharp as a blade, emitting a faint chill that made people shrink back.
Her heart clenched. Why did he want to go too?
Were he and the young lord close?
But Su Huanfeng looked far more nervous than her. He forced a relaxed laugh, "Since Adu wants to see it, let's go... see it together?"
Zhao Changdu's expression was stern, brows knitted tightly.
Gu Ying lowered her eyes in thought. Anyway, one more person didn't matter... as long as the young lord was present.
