Chapter Sixteen: Encircled, Encircled, Encircled

After several days of training, Song Qingcheng managed to reach the threshold. With the help of something tall, she could leap a bit higher. Though she couldn’t get onto the roof, she barely managed to climb over the wall without looking too clumsy.

On one such jump, Song Qingcheng turned back excitedly. “Peach Red, did you see? I didn’t even need to use my hands just now.”

Song Qingcheng was thrilled. With her physical limitations, every time Tao Xi led their escape, she worried that her slow pace would hold Tao Xi back.

But now, it was different—she could keep up without dragging anyone down.

Peach Red, leaning over the wall from a ladder, said, “Miss, you’re amazing. You learned it in just a few days.”

Unable to hide her joy, Song Qingcheng stepped back two paces, then jumped onto the wall and said to Peach Red, “Do you want to learn too? It’s simple and not difficult.”

Peach Red shook her head vigorously. “No, no, no. Reading those books makes my head dizzy. I’m better off cooking.”

“Cooking can be a form of self-defense too. Pulling out two knives is also protective,” Peach Red said. She had disliked reading since childhood; it always made her sleepy.

When they were in the Medicine Valley, Song Qingcheng had wanted her to learn a bit, but Peach Red fell asleep as soon as she started reading and couldn’t be woken up.

“Alright then, you can carry more medicine to protect yourself,” Song Qingcheng agreed.

She disliked imposing her own ideas of ‘what’s best’ on others or forcing them to learn things they didn’t enjoy. They were no longer children; the paths they took were their own choices.

On the day of the hunt, Song Qingcheng wore a practical outfit and tied her hair into a simple ponytail. She rode in a carriage, accompanying the daughter of a noble family to the hunting grounds.

Sharing the carriage was Miss Wang Meng, dressed in pale yellow with a simple hair ornament. She looked at Song Qingcheng in surprise. “I thought my outfit was simple, but Song sister, yours is even simpler.”

Apart from a single hairpin, Song Qingcheng wore nothing else.

She didn’t find it odd. “For hunting, convenience is key. I just threw this on.”

Wang Meng hesitated, biting her lip. “Song sister, will you become the Crown Princess? I don’t mean anything by it; it’s just that rumors are everywhere, so I have to ask.”

The Crown Prince was handsome and heroic. After that day, she had fallen for him at first sight and couldn’t help but overthink... Ah, she didn’t even know why she was asking.

Her heart was a mess, and her words came out without reason.

“No,” Song Qingcheng replied.

Wang Meng’s tense expression softened. “Why? The Crown Prince is so good. If you became Crown Princess, wouldn’t you... wouldn’t you be in that place?”

Song Qingcheng smiled wryly. Whether she liked the Crown Prince or not, she wouldn’t go around praising him on someone else’s behalf.

“Miss Wang, everyone has different pursuits. I’m used to life in the wild and long for that kind of existence. The formalities of the palace don’t suit someone like me.”

She made her stance clear to avoid misunderstandings, which only bring trouble.

Wang Meng made some apologetic sounds, touching her flushed face. “Sorry, Song sister. I’m not trying to be jealous or anything. It’s just my heart is so confused. I don’t mean anything else.”

“Oh, this is so troublesome. I hope Song sister doesn’t think I’m hostile... oh dear, oh dear...” she fretted.

“It’s fine. You...” Before Song Qingcheng could finish, the Crown Prince’s voice sounded outside, and a hand reached in. “Qingcheng, let me help you down.”

Song Qingcheng met Wang Meng’s disappointed gaze and smiled awkwardly, thinking of how to handle the situation when Shen Runzhi’s voice rang out.

“The Crown Prince is so kind to Miss Wang Meng, personally coming to help her down. General Wang must be very pleased,” Shen Runzhi said quietly, loud enough for those nearby to hear.

The Crown Prince wanted to secure his position, and General Wang held military power—he was someone the prince had to win over.

The Crown Prince was caught on the spot. Even if he didn’t acknowledge it, he had to. “Miss Wang, please get down.”

Wang Meng covered her mouth in excitement, regretting not dressing better. Not wanting to keep the prince waiting, she blushed as she placed her hand in his and shyly stepped down.

After alighting, she maintained the grace expected of a noble lady and bowed. “Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Inside the carriage, Song Qingcheng lifted the curtain and jumped out, looking down to see Shen Runzhi holding out his hand. She considered for a moment, then took out a pouch from her waist and handed it to him. “Sweet, not sour.”

Shen Runzhi tightened his fingers around the sunflower-embroidered pouch. “The camp is set up. I’ll take Yaoyao over there.”

He turned to the Crown Prince, nodding and bowing slightly. “Your Highness, please enjoy your chat with Miss Wang. I’ll take Yaoyao to rest.”

“Shen Shaosi, have you forgotten the task Father assigned you? Leaving your post like this, I fear you’ll be reprimanded,” the Crown Prince called after him, a flash of violence in his eyes.

Shen Runzhi stopped, his clear eyes faintly darkening. “Your Majesty’s orders have been fulfilled. I trust the Crown Prince has also handled the recent disturbances.”

The Crown Prince’s face darkened, his sharp gaze locking onto him. The affair had been a serious mess, and their father had scolded him. The hunting grounds assignment, originally his, had been given to Shen Runzhi.

Who truly was the son? An outsider could never compare to a natural-born child.

“I have dealt with it myself.”

“Good. I shall take my leave and not disturb Your Highness and Miss Wang.”

Shen Runzhi turned and pulled Song Qingcheng away.

She glanced once more before lowering her head to follow him, feeling an uncomfortable chill from the Crown Prince’s presence.

Rumors in her past life painted the Crown Prince as violent and brutal in punishing criminals. She had thought it exaggerated, but now it seemed he was simply adept at hiding it.

Song Qingcheng went to the camp where Peach Red tidied the bedding. Shen Runzhi, burdened with many tasks, left after escorting her.

Song Qingcheng cradled a teacup. In her previous life, she had fallen off a cliff because the horse beneath her was startled. No one else reacted in time; only the Crown Prince galloped over and fell with her.

After being rescued, they learned the horse had been sick and sensitive, frightened by a sudden rabbit, which caused it to lose control.

She took out a herbal pouch to prevent accidents this time, prepared in advance so the horse wouldn’t be startled again.

Though if it happened, it wouldn’t be a big deal—just a quick injection.

After resting briefly, a servant came to summon her. “Miss Song, the hunt has begun. Please proceed to the front to observe.”

“I understand. I’ll tidy up and head out,” Song Qingcheng replied through the tent flap.

Outside, the servant dispersed. Song Qingcheng packed her things and glanced at the sunflower pouch on the table, picking it up and hanging it at her side.

Each pouch contained different items, embroidered with distinct patterns for easy identification. Sunflowers held dried fruit and sweets.

She stepped out, and others had already gathered. Song Qingcheng lingered at the back, secretly relaxing when her eyes met Shen Runzhi’s.

He stood by the emperor, dressed sharply in dark clothes that accentuated his figure with a unique allure. She looked at him a few more times when a voice whispered in her ear, “The beauty fancies that sickly Shen. Such a pity—he’s young and talented, but his eyes are damaged.”