Que’er hurriedly hid behind a rock, but it was too late. Su Xi and Su Hui dismounted and walked towards us.
I quickly devised a plan, giving Que’er a meaningful look, and said dramatically, “My husband, how cruel you are! Go ahead, leave and never come back!”
Que’er recognized the cue and imitated An Jin’s voice, loudly declaring, “Unreasonable!”
Su Xi and Su Hui, hearing our exchange, looked confused. Que’er mounted her horse and quickly rode away. The entire sequence unfolded in an instant, and I stole a glance at Su Xi and Su Hui, who seemed perplexed.
Su Hui approached and asked, “Madam, what are you doing here? Why is Brother An so angry?”
I sighed, feigning dejection, “It’s a long story. I’ve made a spectacle of myself.”
Su Hui was about to ask more, but Su Xi interjected, “Sister, we should go. Madam, be careful in this forest; there are many wild beasts.”
I tearfully waved a handkerchief at them, “Thank you both.”
Su Xi and Su Hui mounted their horses and rode away. I breathed a sigh of relief and made a face at their retreating backs. Turning around, I found General Shen from Nanrui behind me. He cupped his hands in greeting and rode off.
I felt uneasy, but this general seemed straightforward and unlikely to interfere with our plans.
After waiting by the gray rock for a long time, Que’er returned on horseback with only two wild rabbits. Yuanxiao, however, had done much better, retrieving some game including a black fox, two pheasants, and a plump badger.
Proudly receiving my praise, Yuanxiao had finally demonstrated its true capabilities. Que’er, feeling embarrassed, insisted, “If I hadn’t been hiding from those people, my harvest would have been much better.”
Calculating the time, two hours had passed, and An Jin should be returning soon. I had Que’er take Yuanxiao and leave first while I watched over the pile of game.
An Jin returned much later, wearing a grave expression. The sun was now westward, and the day was growing late.
“How did it go?”
An Jin furrowed his brow and shook his head.
“Didn’t find the Fifth Princess?”
He shook his head again. “Found her, and brought her out.”
“So what’s the problem?”
He looked at me, his gaze complex. “She’s dead.”
