Yang Jiurong sneaked away to wander through the market, idly browsing the toys displayed at the stalls. She spotted her elder brother, Yang Shaoming, with about ten of his men, leading horses out of the town. They were dressed plainly, without any insignia to reveal their royal guard status, pretending to be merchants engaged in trade. Intrigued and seeking amusement, she decided to follow and discover where her brother was leading his entourage.

    "Brother, how much for this horse?"

    "What?"

    "I'd like to buy it," Yang Jiurong said, laying down ten taels of silver and swiftly grabbing the horse's reins before leaping onto its back, trailing her brother's group from a distance. They sped up, riding like the wind, and she struggled to keep pace. Eventually, she found herself near a dug canal after losing track of them. Having followed for most of the day, she grew tired as did her horse.

    Yang Jiurong stopped at a roadside tea house to rest her legs, intending to order noodles and tea to satiate her hunger before heading back to town. After securing her horse to a post equipped with water and hay for customers' horses, she noticed a magnificent black horse, much larger than a mare, its coat glossy and equipped with a fine saddle. Just a glance revealed it was a warhorse, leisurely eating expensive peaches, its ears flicking at the sound of her approach, eyes locking onto hers with intensity.

    "It's quite fierce; don't get too close," the tea house's waiter warned. Yang Jiurong kept her distance initially but couldn't resist circling the majestic animal with curiosity, slowly reaching out to stroke its flank, which nearly resulted in a bite. Provoked by the horse's irritation yet finding it a challenge — as she had already tamed her brother's fierce steeds. She returned to her mare, rubbed her arms and wrists on the horse to capture its scent, and approached the warhorse again. She succeeded it… The warhorse let her touch its cheek, though it remained wary. Out of nowhere, she used her ultimate trick, got on the horse’s back.

    The warhorse, unaccustomed to being ridden by others, started to rear and wave its front hooves. Though Yang Jiurong could ride, she wasn't adept, internally panicking while trying to soothe the beast.

    "Good boy... good boy..."

    Before she could say ‘good boy’ for the third time, a commotion erupted from the tea house's second floor. A group of people wielding swords burst upstairs, engaging in combat. The patrons, tea house owner, and waiters run for their life. The warhorse, trained to protect its master and fight, reacted to the distress signals, breaking its tether and ran.

    Yang Jiurong was startled, then almost stop breathing when a man leaped from the second-story window, landing adeptly on the horse's back. He scowled upon finding an unexpected rider, snatched the reins from her, and struck down an assailant with a swift blade motion.

    "Was this your plan, wild boar?"

    Wild boar?

    His blood-stained silver sword was terrified, Yang Jiurong got a hold of herself then whirled around to confront the fierce face up close. Her cheek pressed against his muscular chest, causing pain. After she was shrieking and trying to dismount in panic, the young man spurred the horse, surging forward like an arrow from a bow. She had never experienced such velocity on horseback; when she regained her senses, royal guards trailed closely behind.

    "Who are they?"

    "Likely the same group, Your Highness." she confused, striving to minimize her presence on the galloping steed. Soon realizing they were circling back.

    "Are we lost? Why have we returned here?"

    "Can you stay still and be quiet for now? "

    "But I..."

    "Silence! Or I'll throw you off."

    Yang Jiurong begrudgingly accepted the man's stoic demeanor, her frustration growing. Abruptly, he veered into dense woods, prompting her outcry, "Gaoshan is just ahead! Where are you taking me?"

    "If you weren't so naïve, you'd understand we're being followed. There'll be another ambush before we reach the city."

    "Where? I don't see anyone..." Her eyes widened as enemies slowly emerged one by one, two became four, and four became ten, flanking them on horseback. Zhao Chenfeng adeptly maneuvered his mount to dodge, then slowed slightly to lure them closer. Just then, an arrow zipped through the air, went into their face. However, a larger group pursued them closely.

    "Ah! I’m going to die! I’m going to die!"

    "If you don't want to die, keep your head down."

    Zhao Chenfeng commanded sternly, skillfully navigating the horse through the dense forest, making unpredictable turns. Yang Jiurong clung to the horse's neck, her eyes wide with fear as arrows flew everywhere, yet his face remained impassive… So calm that she thought he was used to being hunted.

    "Split into two groups and eliminate them all."

    He ordered decisively, despite being outnumbered. When they separated from the guards, the enemy only targeted him. Releasing the reins, he shot a series of precise bolts, hitting every target. Yang Jiurong looking ahead, saw the leading enemy aiming an arrow at them. Startled, she tried to warn him, but Zhao Chenfeng held her waist for her to stay still, focused forward.

    "Don't worry."

    As he finished speaking, that very enemy was shot down by a bolt from a guard who had split off. Yang Jiurong realized Zhao Chenfeng had acted as a bait, allowing the other guard to reach a higher position for sniping. But life’s not always straightforward—another assailant appeared ahead. Zhao Chenfeng halted the horse in time but lost a bow in the struggle.

    "This is bad."

    Without a bow and arrow, they had nothing. Yang Jiurong impulsively turned the horse around without consulting him. Zhao Chenfeng was infuriated. "What are you doing?!"

    "Silence! Turn back. I'll retrieve the bow."

    With five enemies in hot pursuit, they could not waste time to argue. And what madness for her, a mere slip of a girl, to silence him! Yet, as Zhao Chenfeng charged back for the dropped bow, confusing the pursuers, Yang Jiurong reached down, then deftly snatched the bow up from the ground.

    "Pass it to me."

    "It's too late. Just control the horse," she insisted, aiming swiftly at the nearest target, and releasing a bolt, the first enemy fell off the horse, followed by the second and third. While not fatal shots, her skill was commendable. When the fourth closed in, preparing to fire from the left, but she was dealing with the one on the right.

    "Duck down," he commanded.

    "No need," she dodged the incoming arrow by a hair's breadth, returning fire without aiming, striking the assailant's shoulder.

    "Where were you aiming? There are vital spots all over; why not hit one?"

    "I didn't want to kill anyone," she replied. His bow was heavy, launching string was uniquely made, if not the owner who was familiar with it, one’s must use enormous force to pull. Zhao Chenfeng snatched it back, efficiently handling the remaining threats. Shortly, the two guards rejoined them.

    "You never said you could shoot."

    "You didn't ask," she retorted lightly. "The Yang clan has a military background for three generations. Shooting a bow is nothing challenging."

    "The string cut your finger, yet still defiant," he noted, offering her quick clotting powder. She looked confused, did not know how to use, so he snatched back, pulled out the bottle plug with his lips, then sprinkled the powder on her finger without saying a word.

    "You're well-prepared. I guess you often chase and kill people.

    "Not often, but typically I'd eliminate the short and only good at talking one first," he glanced down, causing her heart to skip a beat.

    "Such insolence probably got you targeted in the first place."

    He snorted dismissively, his dark eyes scrutinizing her with a mix of emotions. For a moment, there seemed to be a flicker of concern, but he deemed it nonsensical and quickly dismissed it. Although they had dealt with the first group of assassins, it was highly likely that another group lay in ambush along their return path to Gaoshan.

    "Where are we heading?"

    "Back to Gaoshan, and we need to make it before nightfall."

    "But this isn't the way back to the city." Yang Jiurong grew more puzzled as he led the horse on a less traveled path, his gaze vigilant. Her unease grew as the trail became increasingly overgrown.

    "What does a lady from such an influential family like you doing at a teahouse outside the city?" He started to investigate her with a stern voice. "Think carefully before you answer."

    "I was bored, so I went out."

    "How coincidental that when you decided to have an outing, assassins appeared."

    "So what? You are being hunted has nothing to do with me," Yang Jiurong retorted sharply. "Are you asking for a beating? Speak kindly, will you? If you're picking a fight, use your brain for once. Think, sir, think, I'm just a small woman who stopped at a teahouse because I was tired. What's wrong with that? I like horses; I saw yours and wanted to try riding it. Who knew riding a black horse would bring such bad luck? Why is today so unlucky! So unlucky!"

    The beautiful lady tirade was fierce, emphasizing 'unlucky' distinctly, drawing two guards to look at each other. They knew Taizi would be irked. One dared to glance at the young man's face, confirming his simmering anger, it was obvious… Even his favored horse seemed terrified that its ears perked up.

    "More are tracking us," reported one of his guards.

    "Head to the lake," Zhao Chenfeng commanded. Yang Jiurong wanted to ask why but met his fierce gaze, implying any further questions would lead to her metaphorical beheading. She shrank back, silently fuming.

    "Wild horses spotted."

    The Royal Guard shouted. They charged toward the horses that stopped to drink water from the lake, causing chaos. The horses scattered, Yang Jiurong then realized this was a plan that allowing them to blend in and causing the opponent to lose the track of the horse’s footprint. Zhao Chenfeng opted for a detour around the mountain to approach the city from the south, instead of the north, which was closer, causing them to barely make it before the city gates closed.

    "This horse is amazing, strong and swift. If you tire of your grumpy owner, come find me."

    Yang Jiurong flooded the warhorse with compliments throughout the journey. Now, it allowed her to stroke its head and even responded with soft whinnies. Zhao Chenfeng tugged the reins lightly, urging the horse to focus.  This time the night fell, and front house lanterns glowed along the streets. He ‘dropped’ her at the Yang Manor, quite literally, since he pulled her collar and lifted her up, then dropped on the ground.

    "Go home, miss wild boar. Playtime's over. Next time, don't cause trouble for yourself."

    Yang Jiurong stamped her foot. "Stop calling me a wild boar! My name is Jiu Rong. You should address me as Miss Jiu Rong."

    "Alright," Zhao Chenfeng nodded, seemingly agreeing, then whispered, "You little one, short body, short legs. Next time, don't dare climb upon my horse again."

    With that, he spurred his horse away.

    "You... You..." Yang Jiurong’s jaw dropped, overwhelmed with anger of unable to articulate her retort in time, he was already far off. She wanted to scream but composed herself, maintaining her dignity. Sima Xiang was informed by a servant that Miss Jiu Rong had returned, she then stormed out with a wooden cane in her hand. Sawing her daughter stomping outside the residence, disgracing her noble upbringing, Sima Xiang beat her with the cane vigorously.

    "You're a lady, not yet wed! How can you roam till dark? I'll break your back with this beating!"

    "Ow, ow, Mother! I was wrong. I won't sneak out again, ow, ow, Mother, it hurts!"

    "If you don't want to get hurt, then why don't you ever listen? Don't run away, I'll beat you to death," Sima Xiang relentlessly struck her daughter, paying no heed to Yang Jiurong's cries and pleas. While the mother was in the midst of her scolding and hitting, a servant rushed in to report that Yang Shaoming had been injured. Sima Xiang was so shocked that she dropped her cane and rushed to see her son.

    "Son, are you badly hurt? Who did this to you? Has anyone notified the Lord? physician? Where is the physician? My son is injured!"

    "Mother, I am alright. I was just practicing in the palace and had a minor accident, nothing serious. Please don't blow this out of proportion."

    Yang Shaoming’s shoulder got shotted by a bow, the two uncles, including Yang Jiancheng and Yang Gong all came to see Yang Shaoming's condition. Yang Jiurong also came to check on her brother. He said that he had accidentally approached the archery practice stand and got hit by an arrow. The wound was not deep, and he had already received initial treatment. However, Sima Xiang kept crying, hence she was eventually asked to leave.

    "Mother... Brother Shaoming..."

    Following her brother outside the city, Yang Jiurong was puzzled why he told others that he was in the palace. Inside, she noticed the worried and tense expressions of her father and grandfather, as if they were wary of something. Despite her curiosity, her father closed the doors and windows and ordered everyone to leave, intervention was not allowed.

    "The mission failed," Yang Shaoming reported to Yang Gong in a whisper.

    "He really got his luck.  You need to be cautious and act normally. Make sure no one knows about your injury."

    "Yes, Grandfather."

    "Jiancheng, my son, go to Yixian Palace and observe if Taizi suspects anything. Remember, don't initiate any inquiries. If possible, shift the blame to Prince Zhao Lu."

    "Yes, Father."

    "If we can get the two tigers to fight each other until they're tire, we'll finish them off. Between them, Prince Zhao Lu has the Empress Dowager's backing and genuine royal blood, so he's inherently superior to Taizi."

    "Father, also be wary of the empress and the Shen family."

    "I'm not concerned about them. They might have money, but no troops like us. Why should we fear them?" Yang Gong laughed off, his attention then turning to his beautiful granddaughter, becoming increasingly hard to control. "Before we present her to Prince Zhao Lu, her reputation must remain untarnished. Her body must bear no signs of harm or degradation. From now on, until the day of the event, do not let her step a foot outside her room."

    "Understood."

    That night, Yang Jiurong had to kneel before the ancestral shrine. Yang Gong ordered a three-meal fast, forbade anyone from seeing her, and demanded she reflect on her wrongdoing until her parents decided to forgive her. Reminded of the real culprit behind her predicament, her heart ached even more, vowing to seek revenge and settle the score!