The prospect of being defeated within five moves must have been a significant blow to Princess Ji Lan.
She caused no further trouble for the remainder of the welcoming banquet.
The real trouble arose after the palace banquet concluded, as Situ Yao was escorting me back. Princess Ji Lan boldly approached him, saying, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, this princess is unfamiliar with the capital. Might I trouble you to escort me back to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?"
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was the lodging for visiting foreign dignitaries.
The second prince and princess of the Northern Frontier Kingdom would certainly not be short of guides. In fact, Situ You had already prepared to lead his entourage out of the palace.
Unexpectedly, Princess Ji Lan had set her sights on the Crown Prince.
Quite ambitious, weren't we?
However, as a guest, and it being their first day, Situ Yao did not refuse her request and swapped duties with Situ You. Thus, it was Situ You who escorted me back. Situ You, on the other hand, was delighted to be free. It had been quite some time since he'd had a chance to chat with me, and this rare opportunity, openly obtained in front of his brother, made him ecstatic as he chattered all the way in the carriage.
I couldn't help but wonder, "Second Prince, are you not given opportunities to speak during your recent official duties?"
"I can speak, of course, but not idle chatter. I am to be a prince in the future, and thus must establish my authority. Look at my elder brother; he is always like this when we are out," he said, stretching his face into a stern expression. "Nannan, do I look like my elder brother?"
"No, he isn't like that with me."
Situ You paused for a moment. "I was wondering how that ice-cold demeanor of his managed to win you over. So, that face is only reserved for me. Nannan, I see that Northern Frontier princess has taken a liking to my elder brother. She'll likely cause you trouble later."
I found it puzzling. "Even if she likes him, it's no use, is it? Even without me, it wouldn't be her turn to become the Crown Princess of Da Yin."
Let alone the main consort, even a concubine was out of the question.
Situ You adopted a knowing air. "A woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea. When jealousy strikes, who knows what bizarre things they might do? Regardless, you be careful."
I replied indifferently, "I haven't even married into the royal family yet, so it's not my place to entertain guests. The welcoming banquet is over; surely there won't be any more opportunities to meet?"
Situ You considered this and agreed, so we quickly moved on from Princess Ji Lan and began discussing other topics.
But who could have imagined that Princess Ji Lan would propose a hunt?
The times had become more open in recent years, and the constraints on ordinary women were much looser than in the past. The trend of playing polo was popular among the young ladies in the capital, but archery was a bit lacking. After all, drawing a bow required strength, and pulling it too much would cause the muscles in one's arms to bulge, which would affect one's beauty.
Thus, I, the strong girl, naturally became the main force.
Situ You was filled with worry. "If she comes at us fair and square, I wouldn't worry about you. But what if she plays dirty? No, I must have Sui Sui follow you closely. Right, where is that girl?"
I sighed. "She's gone off with her childhood sweetheart."
Ever since Ouyang Yun returned to the capital, that girl hadn't had eyes for anyone but him. The phrase "prioritizing romance over friendship" was practically tailor-made for her.
When Situ You heard that his sister was being "kidnapped," he immediately grew restless and galloped off on his horse to find her.
It was rare to be out playing without the lively Sui Sui and Situ You following behind, and for a moment, I didn't know what to do. I led Zhong Ling Shu towards a secluded spot. However, before I had taken a few steps, Princess Ji Lan, riding her horse, found us. An arrow shaft peeked out from the quiver on her back, and she pointed her long bow at me, saying, "Miss Wang, let's have a competition. The loser forfeits the Crown Prince."
Situ You had worried about her playing dirty, but I hadn't expected her to be so direct. I chuckled, dumbfounded. "Princess Ji Lan is quite the businesswoman. What relationship do you have with the Crown Prince? Isn't this pure opportunism on your part, taking advantage of me?"
Ji Lan blinked. "If you win, this princess will bestow upon you ten thousand taels of gold."
"Princess, you may not know this, but the royal betrothal gifts are worth far more than ten thousand taels. Furthermore, His Highness the Crown Prince is the heir apparent of a nation. It's not just that we are not yet married; even if we were, I would have no right to use him as a wager. If Princess Ji Lan fancies His Highness the Crown Prince, I fear you will have to return disappointed."
Ji Lan gritted her teeth. "This princess knows, but I simply wish to compete with you."
"We can agree to a competition, but what shall be the stakes?"
"Twenty thousand taels of gold. If you lose, I won't demand your position as Crown Princess; you simply give me the royal betrothal gifts."
I was speechless. Was she determined to have some connection with Situ Yao, no matter what?
"I'm afraid I must disappoint you, Princess. Royal awards cannot be disposed of privately by me. However, I can afford the stakes of twenty thousand taels of gold."
Ji Lan was taken aback for a moment. She probably hadn't expected me to have so much money.
I curved my fingers and let out a whistle. Hong Wu, who had been grazing nearby, trotted over. As I mounted my horse, I took the bow and quiver from Zhong Ling Shu. I looked at Princess Ji Lan. "How shall we compete?"
"Shooting moving targets."
Hmph, I thought it would be a hunt.