Seventeen thousand and seventeen

Chapter 17

The world stretched vast and boundless, mountains and rivers magnificent.

The racetrack lay at the foot of Nanping Mountain.

Distant peaks rose in layers, shrouded in mist and clouds.

Inside the racetrack, nobles accompanying the court had gradually taken their seats to watch today’s contest.

Once all was ready, the emperor ascended the high seat, and the crowd bowed in reverence.

With the sounding of drums and gongs, the mounted archery competition officially commenced.

Song Jinhe curiously leaned forward to watch the arena.

Cen Xiao drew close to her, eyes also fixed ahead, and eagerly whispered, “I heard this morning that Lord Sheng is participating this year. I’ve never seen his prowess on horseback; perhaps this time we’ll be treated to a fine show.”

Song Jinhe paused, her gaze suddenly catching a familiar figure leading a horse out from behind a pillar at the side.

Sheng Congyuan wore a dark red riding outfit, his black hair standing tall, revealing a resolute and handsome face.

His black boots stepped into the stirrups, and with a long-legged leap, he swung himself onto the horse with ease.

The black horse had a thick, glossy mane—a magnificent steed of excellent pedigree, even larger in stature than the others nearby. Yet now it stood obediently, lifting its head to enjoy Sheng Congyuan’s gentle strokes.

“Is he really that skilled?” Song Jinhe asked.

“Of course,” Cen Xiao replied. “Have you not heard the rumors since you returned to the capital? They say he was riding at ten, mastered archery at a hundred paces by twelve, and at thirteen went on a military campaign against bandits, shooting one dead from three hundred paces. Not only is his archery exceptional, but his swordsmanship and mastery of spear and shield are unmatched. And it’s not just martial skill—he’s remarkably talented. At fifteen, he submitted a memorial on river dam management that relieved the emperor’s urgent worries, earning him a high position in the capital. His career seems divinely assisted, rising to such heights at a young age.”

Song Jinhe opened her mouth in surprise. “You really know a lot about him.”

“What do you mean, I know? These things have long been the talk of the capital. Some parts might be exaggerated, but mostly true. Otherwise, how would people know of the illustrious Lord Sheng, rather than just calling him Lord Li’s son?”

If that were true, Song Jinhe could not deny that Sheng Congyuan was indeed exceptional.

But after a moment, she could only manage, “…Oh.”

Cen Xiao found her reaction strange and was about to say more when Sheng Congyuan suddenly turned his head in their direction.

“He’s looking this way!”

Song Jinhe quickly looked away, avoiding his gaze and changing the subject. “When does the contest begin?”

Squinting, Cen Xiao couldn’t tell exactly whom Sheng Congyuan was looking at.

She withdrew her gaze and suspiciously appraised Song Jinhe up and down before suddenly exclaiming, “You like Lord Sheng?!”

Song Jinhe immediately denied it. “I don’t!”

“Many girls fancy Lord Sheng. Why be shy?”

Speaking quickly, Song Jinhe explained, “I really don’t like him. He is outstanding, yes, but I don’t value those things. I prefer a man with a gentle face and soft nature, someone who can cheer me up and tolerate my moods—not someone like him.”

Her words were airtight, yet her heart suddenly fluttered with confusion.

Not because she feared Cen Xiao discovering a flaw, but because a contradiction had quietly arisen within her.

Cen Xiao believed her and muttered, “No wonder you were fooled by that hypocritical cousin.”

Song Jinhe frowned, about to retort.

But Cen Xiao changed the subject, “Still, I see why we’re sisters. Like me, you don’t need brilliance or noble birth—just someone you like.”

Her eyes shone brightly as if already seeing the person she described.

Song Jinhe was curious but was soon distracted by the rising noise as the competition officially began.

Hooves struck the sandy ground as Sheng Congyuan, mounted on his black steed, took the lead, galloping far ahead.

Opposite the stands, nearly a hundred paces away, a moving target shifted back and forth on a wheeled base.

If Cen Xiao’s tales were true, such a distance posed no challenge for Sheng Congyuan.

But as he circled the track, Song Jinhe instinctively held her breath.

She watched, unblinking, as he suddenly straightened, releasing the reins with both hands, reaching back to draw an arrow and bend his bowstring.

The black horse thundered on without pause. His posture resembled a soaring eagle, the bowstring twanged like a thunderclap, and with a sharp whistle through the air, the distant straw target quivered, struck dead center.

A perfect shot!

Cheers of awe erupted all around.

On the high seat, the emperor nodded approvingly, clapping with appreciation.

All eyes followed the victorious, handsome figure as his horse gradually slowed.

He slightly turned his head, looking up toward the stands.

Song Jinhe’s heart skipped a beat. Before she could look away, their gazes unexpectedly met.

She saw his eyes brighten, a rare, unrestrained smile curve his lips, adding an unhidden warmth to his usually cold demeanor, as if a soft, radiant light enveloped him.

Her heartbeat stuttered, then faltered—though why, she couldn’t say.

Only when Sheng Congyuan shook the reins and rode back into the arena, disappearing from sight, did she slowly regain composure.

Cen Xiao called from beside her, “So? I told you I have a clear view! He’s really handsome!”

Song Jinhe instinctively replied, “He’s just okay…”

But in her heart, she admitted the undeniable truth—he was strikingly handsome, and she hadn’t been able to look away.

“What do you mean just okay! Your face is all flushed—you were clearly stunned!”

Song Jinhe quickly covered her face, feeling the heat, and protested, “I’m not blushing, you’re talking nonsense!”

“He’s just handsome! I was captivated! This trip was worth it!”

Her heartbeat still unsteady, Song Jinhe glanced around the arena nervously.

Fortunately, no one noticed the strange look Sheng Congyuan had cast her way, nor cared whose smile it was that had just bloomed so boldly.

* * *

The mounted archery contest lasted from day into evening.

Afterward, the emperor held a grand banquet in the Southern Garden to celebrate.

As Song Ning had said, the gathering was lively with singing and dancing.

Song Jinhe attended as a minor member of the entourage, seated quite far back in the hall.

Song Xiao, unable to resist Song Ning’s attempts to draw him into officialdom, had long since been mingling and toasting with others.

After exchanging a few words with Song Jinhe, Cen Xiao returned to her own seat.

Alone, Song Jinhe enjoyed the performances and delicacies. Except for catching sight of Sheng Congyuan mysteriously seated opposite her, she found some pleasure in the evening.

After several dances, the entertainment paused at its peak. The dancers withdrew, and the emperor and his ministers drank and chatted amiably.

The Fourteenth Prince Yuan Zong sat below the emperor, ready to toast.

The emperor’s eyes swept downward, and he suddenly asked, “Whose girl is that? She looks unfamiliar.”

Yuan Zong glanced and then back, casting a side glance at Sheng Congyuan, who sat stoically a few paces away. “Father, she is Miss Song of the Song family.”

“Oh?” The emperor pondered briefly, “Minister Song has just returned to the capital recently. Is she his younger sister?”

“Yes, Father.”

“I noticed you looked her way several times tonight. Is young Fourteen taking a liking?”

At this, Sheng Congyuan suddenly turned to look.

Sensing a sharp gaze piercing his back, Yuan Zong chuckled, “Father, you jest. I was only curious and glanced a few times. Your words make my spine stiff.”

The emperor frowned, “Why so?”

Yuan Zong slowly turned, glancing behind.

Sheng Congyuan had withdrawn his gaze as if never having looked or heard a word.

The emperor’s eyes flickered with understanding, and he laughed aloud, “I see now.”

He leaned closer to the empress, whispering excitedly, “Do you remember when Lord Sheng tried to have himself transferred to Yuxiang City, giving me a headache?”

The empress nodded gently, “I do. Given that, Your Majesty can rest assured. Bringing Minister Song back to the capital was truly wise.”

The emperor chuckled, recalling the past, “Those two—father and son—are truly alike, always causing me troubles.”

The couple whispered quietly for a while.

After a moment, a latecomer entered the hall.

Song Jinhe had just taken a bite of shrimp when a figure appeared nearby amid rising noise and respectful greetings.

As the figure passed before her eyes, she hesitated, turning to see him bowing before the emperor at the front.

“Rise, Zichuan. If you delay much longer, the banquet will be over.”

The man bowed again, then straightened. “Father, forgive me. I am late.”

His tall figure came into view—not fat or thin, neither tall nor short. His sapphire blue satin robe radiated luxury.

Song Jinhe’s heart trembled, her mind swirling with thoughts, the silhouette recalling the one in her recent dream alongside Zhu Mingxuan.

The emperor beckoned, “Take your seat.”

Only then did the man turn, revealing a completely unfamiliar face. His eyes were sharp blades, cold and stern as they swept the hall before he strode to his seat.

Many glanced toward him; Song Jinhe’s startled gaze blended in, unnoticed.

Whispers soon spread—he was the eldest prince, Yuan Yi, a person Zhu Mingxuan could never hope to approach.

At nearly forty, Yuan Yi was the emperor’s first son and the uncontested heir before Yuan Zong had shown promise.

Such a figure was hardly linked to a minor character like Zhu Mingxuan.

Song Jinhe withdrew her gaze in time, thoughts racing.

She wasn’t sure if the silhouette in her dream was truly Yuan Yi, but the glimpse she had just caught looked strangely familiar.

She wanted to look again but found the emperor’s attendants standing nearby, obscuring her view.

The silhouette in the dream, neither fat nor thin, neither tall nor short, had no striking features and appeared fleetingly just once.

Looking now, any of the others might match that figure.

After pondering, Song Jinhe decided she was overthinking.

Having broken her engagement with Zhu Mingxuan, she would no longer be used as before.

The eldest prince was old enough to be her father, a man of high rank—reckless conjecture was a grave sin.

She steadied her thoughts, and when she looked up again, the banquet was nearly over.

* * *

The empty table had been cleared by maidservants, and her still-hungry stomach quietly protested after she relaxed her mind.

Another round of singing and dancing began, but Song Jinhe barely cared to watch.

She peeked around, but Cen Xiao was nowhere to be found.

As a minor figure at this banquet, leaving early would likely go unnoticed.

With this thought, she quietly slipped away.

Lifting her skirts, she sneaked out from an unnoticed corner of the hall.

Because of the banquet, most of the Southern Garden’s people were gathered here, and the area was brightly lit.

Following the route the maidservants took to bring in wine, Song Jinhe guessed the location of the kitchen and headed that way.

Soon, she spotted the kitchen at the back of the hall, with only a few people coming and going.

She hid behind a tree by a small path, unsure if her sudden approach was against the rules or if the maids would linger outside.

She was simply still hungry and wanted to find something to eat.

If it wasn’t against the rules, she would just go inside.

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice footsteps approaching from behind.

Suddenly, someone tapped her shoulder lightly.

The unexpected touch startled her, scattering her thoughts. Nervously, she turned, about to cry out.

Before she could, a shadow covered her view. A large hand suddenly clamped over her mouth, and a low, tense voice whispered, “It’s me. Don’t scream.”

Song Jinhe’s startled cry was muffled beneath the palm.

She looked up, wide-eyed, and met Sheng Congyuan’s deep, serious gaze.

You’re the one who should be screaming!

What do you want?

She slapped his hand away sharply.

He hadn’t pressed hard, barely touching the soft flesh of her cheek, yet warmth spread there instantly.

Seeing him again, words slipped out before thought: “Are you following me?”

The moment she spoke, she bit her lip, feeling guilty.

After all, she was the one sneaking around.

Awkward, she pointed to the nearby kitchen, trying to explain, “I came to…”

But before she finished, her stomach grumbled loudly.

Her face flushed redder; she lowered her eyes, covering her belly, hoping the rebellious stomach would keep quiet.

Surprised, Sheng Congyuan said unexpectedly, “You came here looking for food?”

Song Jinhe frowned. If not for that, why else come to the kitchen? To poison someone?

But she only managed a weak, “Mm.”

She heard him seem relieved. Before she could react, he stepped out from behind the tree, unbothered by the maids nearby.

She watched as he quietly spoke to them, then waved them away.

Turning to the tree, he said, “Come out. They’ve all left.”

Confused, Song Jinhe stepped out and asked, “I thought this was against the rules. So it’s okay to come to the kitchen for food?”

“Not really rules. It’s just food.”

“Then why did you cover my mouth like that earlier? If it’s okay to show up, it wouldn’t hurt if I screamed, right?”

Sheng Congyuan lowered his eyes awkwardly and led her toward the kitchen. “I didn’t know you were coming for food. I was afraid you’d reveal your presence.”

She followed, glancing oddly at his back. “Then what did you think I was coming here for?”

He said nothing, pushing open the kitchen door.

Suddenly, she had a thought: “Did you follow me thinking I planned something bad, so you came to hide my tracks?”

The words sounded absurd even to her.

Did he really think she came to poison someone?

If so, why didn’t he arrest her? Why would he even help?

Unexpectedly, Sheng Congyuan’s ears flushed pink. Hiding his expression behind his back, he whispered, “If it’s not serious… yes.”

After all, she had looked strange through the latter half of the banquet and left suspiciously.

She was clumsy all the way here. If she really intended harm, he’d have to help clean up the mess.