The Eastern Palace and I walked in opposite directions, each harboring our own schemes.
After passing a grove of trees, I looked around to ensure no one was following, then pulled out a white silk cloth and waved it toward a nearby hill.
A distant dog bark came from the hill, relieving me as I walked along the puddles toward it. Suddenly, the dog bark turned panicked and urgent.
I stopped, concerned something was wrong. A chaotic sound of hooves came from the forest, prompting me to turn back.
Princess Xia Zhiqian, dressed in red, rode a blue horse, looking down at me with a smile. She always smiled like a villain, which explained her unmarried status. Several maids followed her, breathless and pale, presumably from chasing her.
“It’s indeed you,” she said impatiently, as if waiting for me to bow.
Despite being in men’s clothing, she recognized me from a distance. Is this the telepathy of rivals?
I smiled politely and bowed. “This servant greets the princess.”
Xia Zhiqian struck at me with her silver-handled whip. I dodged back, and the whip hit the grass, sending leaves flying.
“You dare to dodge?” she frowned.
Ridiculous, wasn’t I supposed to dodge being whipped? I kept my hand behind my back, frantically waving the white silk toward the hill.
Que’er and Yuanxiao were hiding nearby, ready to find An Jin if they noticed I was in trouble. I just needed to stall for time and wait for reinforcements.
“How have I offended the princess?”
I set aside my worries. The white jade hairpin and coral waist buckle were things I bought myself, and the sandalwood beads do not exist. As for the vermilion ceremonial robe, An Jin never liked that color and had never worn it.
The poor Seventh Princess is likely feeling quite complicated, mostly speculating who this new rival could be.
Xia Zhiqian probably thought I was spineless, and bullying me offered no achievement. She glared at me and said, “Remember, don’t foolishly try to win An Lang’s affection!”
“I wouldn’t dare.”
She turned to mount her horse, and I sighed in relief. But then—
I hate “but then.”
An extremely familiar dog bark approached, heading my way. Xia Zhiqian froze as a white mass came charging from the grass.
