At dawn the next day, the sky had only just begun to lighten.

The first chirp of birds rang out in the mountain forest.

Cui Yiyu opened his eyes, as if he had not slept at all, merely having acted out a night of husband-and-wife closeness in slumber; when the time came, he sat up.

His movements were careful, but as they shared the same quilt, the shifting inevitably let a trace of cool air slip into the warm bed.

Lin Yuanjin opened her eyes, just in time to see the boy’s slightly loosened snow-white inner robe, through which the lean, toned lines of his body could be faintly seen beneath the thin silk; even after a sleepless night, he still carried a sharp, vigorous edge.

Sensing the gaze at his side, Cui Yiyu turned his head, the strands of hair by his ear sliding along the motion of his neck and falling between his slightly exposed collarbones. One hand braced at the bedside, his dark eyes looked at Lin Yuanjin with focus. “You can sleep a while longer.”

Lin Yuanjin rubbed her eyes, still muddled in consciousness.

Perhaps it was the hazy illusion of early morning, but she actually had the feeling that the two of them had married young, that upon opening her eyes she could see her lover.

But her head felt heavy as if sinking downward, her vision flickering between white and black, unable to see anything clearly.

After last night’s brief heart-to-heart, the two of them ultimately had not slept, but ever since transmigrating, Lin Yuanjin had kept a very regular routine. Now, after a night of strain, her eyes were drowsy, extremely fatigued, and she could not even speak clearly.

“Hm?” Cui Yiyu leaned closer. Seeing Lin Yuanjin hazily close her eyes again, he thought she intended to continue sleeping, so he turned to get up and wash.

Suddenly, a hand reached out from behind.

Cui Yiyu was not used to leaving his back unguarded. Even knowing it was Lin Yuanjin behind him, his body still tensed instinctively, but the familiar warm fragrance came, catching the corner of his clothes.

The sudden force tugged his clothing downward, leaving most of his shoulder and back exposed to the air. He could not help but turn his head, seeing that the culprit was still not fully conscious, only clutching tightly with her hand, instinctively stopping him from leaving, as if uneasy.

“Crown Princess.” Cui Yiyu let out a light sigh, having no choice but to lean down closer to her, saying helplessly, “You may wait for the nanny to come call you, but I should go.”

Everything they needed to know from last night’s act had been learned. No one would blame a Crown Princess exhausted after a night of rain and dew.

Hearing the honorific she had not heard for a long time, Lin Yuanjin suddenly opened her eyes. It was as if a basin of icy water had been poured over her, laying bare the truth of their relationship in all its brutality.

Right, they were not husband and wife.

She woke up.

“I won’t sleep anymore.” Lin Yuanjin sat up. As her gaze shifted, she saw him quickly pulling his disheveled clothes back into place, and she could not help but pause.

Before she could even begin to reflect on herself, the people outside had already noticed the movement inside and spoke up at the right moment to ask for instructions.

Cui Yiyu immediately acted as if nothing had happened, pulling his clothes into order. “Come in.”

Nanny Zhang responded with an “Eh,” stepping in first, followed by a line of maids carrying clothes and washing items.

Seeing that the Crown Prince couple, who had been inseparable like glue just yesterday, were now one with his back turned and the other lowering her head, neither looking at the other, like shy, awkward youths, those older only felt both gratified and amused.

The clothes at the hunting grounds were not as elaborate as usual. Cui Yiyu was quickly dressed and neat, and said he would come find her later to Lin Yuanjin, who was still before the dressing mirror, before turning and leaving briskly.

Lin Yuanjin watched the boy’s retreating figure from the corner of her eye. When her gaze returned, she suddenly met Nanny Zhang’s meaningful look in the mirror. Feeling uneasy, she pressed her lips together. “What is it?”

“This old servant is happy seeing you and the Crown Prince newly married and affectionate,” Nanny Zhang said with a smile. Seeing the flush on her face, she said no more, only taking a round-collared top with clustered flower patterns from the lacquer tray and helping Lin Yuanjin put it on, completely covering the ambiguous marks on her body.

Newly married and affectionate…

Lin Yuanjin smiled, saying nothing.

—  .  ୨  ♡  ୧  .  —

The weather was gentle and bright, the autumn air crisp and refreshing.

Several fine horses galloped across the grassland together, the rhythm of hooves stirring a chorus of cheers.

“Your Majesty, look!” Eunuch Li shifted his gaze and immediately said with a beaming smile.

Only then did the Emperor’s attention move away from the horse race. He waved off the reporting official and followed the direction Eunuch Li indicated, just in time to see the pleasing sight of the young couple not far away.

Cui Yiyu wore a round-collared dark robe, holding the reins with one hand while guiding the Crown Princess with the other. His brows and eyes carried a smile, as if he was explaining the essentials of riding to her.

Unlike the horse he rode yesterday, the one Cui Yiyu led today was a gentle white horse. In addition to the saddle, there was a small iron handhold fitted onto its back, perfectly suited for a beginner.

Lin Yuanjin followed closely behind Cui Yiyu, step by step. Under the soft morning light, the way she looked at the young man beside her seemed to carry flecks of brightness.

If one said the Crown Prince kept his emotions hidden, then anyone could see Lin Yuanjin’s fondness.

The youth was sincere like imported glass, precious and fragile.

“Truly a match made in heaven personally chosen by Your Majesty, very well-suited indeed,” Eunuch Li said with a smile, seeing the satisfaction on the Emperor’s face.

At his words, the Emperor instead narrowed his eyes and gave a soft snort of laughter. “Who knows whether the Crown Prince is merely perfunctorily dealing with me—forget it.”

Though there was no blame in his tone, it was clear that after hearing Nanny Zhang’s detailed report that morning, the doubts in his heart had temporarily eased.

Soothing the Crown Princess was still a small matter. If the Crown Prince’s mind was not clear and he still leaned toward the Cui clan, that would be the real taboo.

In the blink of an eye, the two walked up to the Emperor and bowed together.

“Greetings, Father Emperor.”

“Enough, on such a fine day, there is no need for formalities.” The Emperor waved his hand, smiling like a kind father. “The Crown Princess spent her youth confined to the inner chambers. Now that she is married, it is rare for her to have the chance to come out—you must teach her well.”

“This son understands,” Cui Yiyu replied.

“Just now I saw Imperial Brother and Sister-in-law joking along the way. Did you encounter something amusing?” The Second Prince, who had been watching the horse race earlier, spoke in a teasing tone, his glance toward Lin Yuanjin carrying a hint of scrutiny.

“It was merely advice given to a beginner.” Cui Yiyu lifted his eyes, a smile in his gaze, and kindly explained to the Second Prince, “‘Do not walk behind the horse,’ and such reminders.”

The Second Prince’s expression stiffened slightly.

After all, ever since childhood, his competitive mother had arranged riding lessons for him. The horses he rode, even the smallest, were still much taller than him. With his short legs unable to keep up, a moment’s carelessness had once resulted in him being kicked over by a horse.

Very few people knew of this incident—yet the Crown Prince was one of them.

The Emperor laughed loudly upon hearing this, then turned to look at Lin Yuanjin, his usually stern expression softening considerably.

Lin Yuanjin wore a light cyan riding outfit, with a golden crown pinned in her hair. Her slender wrists and slight back made it clear she had not trained much, but fortunately her brows and eyes were clear, her gaze lively, and her every movement carried a bright, spirited charm.

“Though the Crown Prince often moves within the palace halls, he has been extraordinarily gifted since childhood, excelling in both riding and archery, never losing to others.” As he spoke, the Emperor’s eyes were filled with emotion and satisfaction, as if recalling the past when he praised the Crown Prince for surpassing his predecessors.

Time truly spared no one. Even if others flattered him, he was gradually aging, and his physique was no longer what it used to be.

“I am letting the Crown Prince personally teach you; it can be considered that you are learning under a master,” the Emperor said with a smile. “Do not disappoint my good intentions.”

“This daughter-in-law would not dare,” Lin Yuanjin replied with a smile and a bow.

The Emperor gave an “Mm.” “Very well, do not delay. There are many people at the hunting grounds—be careful not to get hurt. Just walk around.”

“This son obeys,” Cui Yiyu immediately understood. He turned slightly, leading Lin Yuanjin toward the grassy area by the edge of the woods, farther from the hunting and archery grounds, yet still within the Emperor’s line of sight.

The hunting grounds were spacious, with open land visible everywhere.

The Emperor intended for the couple to be alone, so naturally he would not allow unnecessary guards and grooms to follow and be an eyesore. Cui Yiyu thus chose a place where it would be difficult for hidden guards to conceal themselves.

He was skilled in concealment, and naturally knew which places were easy to hide in.

After walking some distance, Lin Yuanjin raised her sleeve to cover her lips and softly asked, “What Father Emperor said just now—was it the Crown Prince, or…”

Exceptionally gifted, skilled in riding and archery, never once defeated.

“It was me.” Cui Yiyu responded with a calm “Mm,” not taking it to heart at all, as if long accustomed to it. Once they reached the spot and stopped, he turned slightly to look back at Lin Yuanjin. “Mount the horse?”

The young man held the reins to keep the white horse from moving. His noble brows and eyes carried a trace of indifference, as if he cared nothing for fame or gain; even the gaze he cast upon her was unusually clear.

If not for having seen his unusual demeanor during last night’s act, if not for that accident… he would have continued as before, acting as a substitute who carried out killings, highly learned, yet without desire or pursuit—a mere tool.

His appearance, skills, and mind would all be used by the Crown Prince.

That was his duty, and also his fate.

Lin Yuanjin stopped, suppressing the faint confusion that had arisen from learning of his true experiences. She looked at the horse’s back, which was more than half a head taller than her, and the stirrup that nearly reached her chest, paused, and asked, “Just get on directly?”

In modern times, Lin Yuanjin had never seen a real horse face-to-face. Now that it stood right before her, she realized just how large a horse truly was.

With her height, even if she lifted her leg high, without support she could not get on.

“If you were at a riding ground in the capital, the groom would let you step on his back,” Cui Yiyu explained when he saw her hesitation. He stepped closer, murmured “Excuse me,” then wrapped one arm around her back and effortlessly lifted her up.

Lin Yuanjin let out a startled sound. Losing her balance, she could only hurriedly grab his firm shoulder to steady herself. In her nervousness, her strength faltered, and by inertia her forehead pressed against his, their breaths briefly intermingling.

“Don’t look at me. Look at the horse.” Cui Yiyu lifted his eyes, signaling for her to look toward the stirrup, while his right hand supported her lower back to give her leverage.

Unexpectedly, Lin Yuanjin’s whole body stiffened, a flush creeping up her neck.

She could feel the young man’s warm hand pressing firmly against her spine. Though there was no improper intent, the soft flesh at her waist and back was sensitive and ticklish, and in that moment she found herself with even less strength.

Sensing her excessive tension, Cui Yiyu spoke gently, “Don’t be afraid. Get on the horse and sit steady first.”

Lin Yuanjin gave a small “Mm.” Through the side of Cui Yiyu’s neck, she noticed figures in the distance, seemingly watching their movements. Suppressing her discomfort, she placed her foot into the stirrup. By her ear came a voice like a tutor’s instruction—“Step firmly”—and in the next instant, a push from behind sent most of her body onto the horse’s back.

Feeling the weight on its back, the horse stamped its hooves in place a few times.

Sensing the movement of the living creature beneath her, Lin Yuanjin instinctively tightened her legs, gripping the iron handhold on the saddle tightly, her whole body tense, afraid she might slide off.

“Press your foot forward, hold it down.” Cui Yiyu held the reins, one hand resting on the horse’s back as he looked at Lin Yuanjin. “Take it slow. Don’t be afraid.”

Lin Yuanjin stiffly turned her head and saw Cui Yiyu, while saying “Good,” reach out to stroke the horse’s long face, clearly quite familiar with handling horses. Under his guidance, the horse obediently stopped moving about.

She took a deep breath, supporting herself as she straightened her back. The unusual height made her feel slightly dizzy, but she still followed the patient voice by her ear, moving her legs.

“Good… now, straighten your waist, spread your legs.”