That Imperial Concubine is both wicked and cunning! Your Majesty, wake up!

As the morning light shone on the horse racing field of the Deer Cry Hunting Ground, Xiao Yan led the princes and princesses on a leisurely horseback ride around the field.

Xiao Yan discovered that among the children of similar age, only the Third Prince Hong Cheng had a natural talent for horseback riding.

This innate understanding is rare.

So he kept only the third prince, personally adjusted his saddle, and held his hand to teach him how to hold the reins steadily.

The Empress and Consort Yun sat side by side on chairs not far away.

The Empress picked up her teacup and took a small sip. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Yun Zhaorong, who looked displeased, and a meaningful smile appeared on her face.

She spoke calmly, "His Majesty seems to value Hongcheng exceptionally."

Upon hearing this, Yun Zhaorong reluctantly replied, "Yes, the Third Prince is talented."

The third prince seemed to be exceptionally gifted, able to grasp the essence of anything he was interested in, while her second prince seemed to have no particular talent and was mediocre in everything he did.

But the resentment surging in her eyes was almost impossible to hide. She suddenly closed her eyes and took a deep breath to suppress the anger in her heart.

When she glanced to the side, she saw her son beside her, enjoying a plate of osmanthus cake with relish, his lips still covered in cake powder.

A surge of anger welled up inside her, and she patted his hand lightly, saying, "Eat less."

The second prince, holding the pastries, smiled and said, "Delicious! Mother, you can have some too."

Yun Zhaorong wanted nothing more than to beat him up, but the Empress was still sitting quietly beside her, sipping tea, so she forced herself to suppress her anger.

She then took the pastries from the Second Prince's hand and said gently, "Hongcheng, be good. These pastries can cause internal heat if you eat too much. Eat less."

The Empress continued to smile as she watched the Emperor and the Third Prince on the racecourse.

Yun Zhaorong suddenly had a wicked thought.

……

Song Shuangning didn't wake up until three quarters past midnight.

Last night, I don't know what triggered Xiao Yan... he was like a madman... from the table to the bed, he did it three times without hesitation.

She was so ashamed that she couldn't face anyone.

Song Shuangning buried her face in the brocade quilt.

After Tingyu came in, she said, "My lady? Before the Emperor left this morning, he said that after you woke up, you should go to the hunting grounds to find him."

Song Shuangning hummed in response, her voice hoarse: "What is Your Majesty doing right now?"

Tingyu said, "The Emperor is riding a horse with the Third Prince, and they seem to be in very high spirits."

Upon hearing this, Song Shuangning peeked out from under the covers, a faint smile playing on her lips.

She casually brushed a stray hair from her temple, as if asking offhand, "Only the Third Prince?"

Yes, that's right.

Yun Zhaorong desperately wanted the Second Prince to gain the Emperor's favor, but now that the Emperor is only teaching the Third Prince to ride a horse, Yun Zhaorong must be furious.

"Let's pack up and head over there," Song Shuangning said with a smile.

She changed into the light apricot-colored riding and archery outfit sent by the emperor, her long hair was tied high with a plain silver hairpin, and a few strands of hair fell lightly in front of her forehead, showing a touch of bravery amidst her gentle charm.

Without elaborate decorations, her slender figure and radiant charm were accentuated.

With her hands behind her back, she skipped and hopped her way to the enclosure.

Li Fuquan spoke up to remind him.

Xiao Yan raised his eyes and his gaze fell on her refreshing riding and archery outfit and her neatly tied hairpin. A smile instantly appeared in his eyes and the corners of his lips unconsciously turned up.

"This concubine greets Your Majesty." Song Shuangning hugged Xiao Yan's arm, her voice mischievous and lively.

Xiao Yan said in a light tone, "Ningning's outfit really makes the hunting grounds even more beautiful."

The Third Prince behaved with propriety, bowing slightly and saying, "Greetings, Consort Song."

"Third Prince." Song Shuangning liked obedient and sensible children, and couldn't help but reach out and pat his head.

Xiao Yan raised his hand to signal the eunuch behind him: "Bring the fine horse that I have chosen for Consort Song."

The white-maned steed was led in; it was pure white without a single blemish, its mane was combed smooth and shiny, and it swished its tail obediently.

Xiao Yan stepped forward, gently stroking the horse's head with his palm, his fingertips caressing the fine horsehair.

"Don't be afraid, its name is Snowsleeper. It has a very gentle nature, which is suitable for you women."

"Shall I take you for a run?"

"Okay!" Song Shuangning nodded quickly, her voice filled with undisguised joy.

Xiao Yan said to the Third Prince, "Hong Cheng, wait for me for a moment."

The third prince obediently agreed.

Xiao Yan lightly touched the ground with his toes, nimbly flipped onto the horse, and sat steadily on the saddle. Then, he leaned down, stretched out his long arm, gently embraced Song Shuangning, and with a little effort lifted her onto the horse's back, placing her in front of him.

His warm palm pressed against her waist. "Hold the reins tight and press your body close to mine."

Song Shuangning did as she was told, gripping the reins tightly in front of her, her back gently resting against the Emperor's firm chest, where she could clearly feel his steady heartbeat.

Xiao Yan gently squeezed the horse's flanks with his legs and whispered, "Hold on tight."

The snow cat slowly began to run, the wind whistling past its ears. Song Shuangning looked up at the azure sky, feeling nothing but excitement. After a moment, she turned to him and said, "Your Majesty, go faster!"

Xiao Yan sensed her excitement and quickened his pace.

After two laps, Xiao Yan dismounted. "Try it yourself."

Song Shuangning raised her chin, looking somewhat like a female general.

"Your Majesty, please don't underestimate me."

She tried to squeeze the horse's belly, and Xue Mian, who had started out walking leisurely, ran faster and faster.

Xiao Yan was worried and kept watching Song Shuangning.

Li Fuquan was adept at reading people's expressions. Seeing that the emperor looked pleased, he praised him at the right moment: "Consort Song is indeed very intelligent."

"Yes." A hint of pride unconsciously crept into Xiao Yan's eyes.

"Your Majesty, why don't you go over there and have a cup of tea?"

"Alright."

The Third Prince was extremely interested in horseback riding. He stood aside, staring intently at Song Shuangning and Xue Mian.

After running around, Song Shuangning noticed that the eunuch who had been leading her horse was now standing beside the Third Prince.

The little eunuch had his head down, looking somewhat suspicious.

Before she could think, Xue Mian suddenly reared up, let out a long neigh, her eyes turned bloodshot, and she was no longer as docile as before, charging forward like a madwoman.

Directly facing the direction of the Third Prince!

The third prince was so frightened that his face turned deathly pale, and he froze on the spot, forgetting even to cry. The little eunuch beside him also stood there blankly, unmoved.

Yun Zhaorong made her move so quickly!

The Third Prince must not be harmed!

Song Shuangning gritted her teeth, gripped the reins tightly, and forcefully pulled the horse's head to the other side.

Xuemian, in pain, hissed and turned around.

Xiao Yan's face darkened, and without saying a word, he mounted his horse, cracked his whip, and galloped after Song Shuangning.

"Hold on tight to the reins, don't be afraid."

The distance between the two horses closed rapidly.

Xiao Yan seized the opportunity, suddenly leaned forward, stretched out his long arm, and firmly grabbed Xue Tuan's reins. At the same time, he used the momentum to flip over and land behind Song Shuangning, wrapping his arms tightly around the horse's neck and forcefully stopping the runaway Xue Mian.

Song Shuangning was panting heavily.

She was truly terrified. She hadn't expected Yun Zhaorong to act so quickly.

If I hadn't taken equestrian lessons in my past life, I would have died in the paddock.

Xiao Yan lifted her off the horse, gently patting her back with his palm, his voice soft and tender, filled with undisguised heartache: "It's alright, it's alright."

He tightened his arms, holding her even closer. "With me here, everything will be alright."

Li Fuquan arrived in a hurry with his guards. Xiao Yan gave him a wink, and Li Fuquan led his men away to investigate the matter.