Because of Seven's surprise appearance, you're not in the mood to hunt, especially alone with the Sixth Prince. So you start looking for an excuse to get out of it.
Xiu Ying: I guess nobody else is coming. This is boring.
6th Prince: I invited you so it's my fault. How about I teach you archery, then?
Xiu Ying: I'm actually more interested in seeing others hunt than doing it myself.
6th Prince: Hunting preys yourself is very fun. You sure you don't want to give it a try?
You're running out of things to say. You didn't expect him to have a counter to every possible excuse.
Xiu Ying: Fine, I'll try it.
You reach for the bows and arrows from a servant only to be halted by Sixth Prince.
6th Prince: Let me demonstrate first so you won't hurt yourself.
Xiu Ying: It's okay. I learned a thing or two about it.
6th Prince: [Eyes widen] You did? Did Four teach you? He's a skilled archer and knows how to hit his target.
That seems to hint at the relationship between you and Yin Zhen.
Xiu Ying: Not the Fourth Prince. I was taught by Lord Fu Heng.
6th Prince: I see. My mistake.
He cranes his neck to look behind you and grins.
6th Prince: Speak of the devil... There's Four.
You turn and see Yin Zhen on horseback with a carriage alongside. It stops and Hu Ling hops out.
Hu Ling: Sorry, got held up by some urgent stuff. By chance, the Crown Prince was reviewing reports with His Majesty, so we came together.
6th Prince: [Grins] About time you're here! I didn't know what to do and bored the lady!
Xiu Ying: I never said you're boring, Sixth Prince.
6th Prince: Still, it's my fault you felt bored.
You're surprised he did invite Yin Zhen and at the latter's presence. You lower your head in silence, feeling Zhen's gaze on you all the while.
Yin Zhen: What were you chatting about?
6th Prince: She said she's not proficient with horseback archery. I offered to teach her the basics but Fu Heng apparently already beat me to it, so I decided to not embarrass myself.
Your eyes twitch and you feel a bad vibe coming.
Yin Zhen: Oh, Fu Heng taught her before? When was this?
Sure enough, Yin Zhen turns hostile at the mention of Fu Heng. You wonder what grudge it is between them. Looks like you have to respond carefully to not widen the chasm, but what should you do?
Xiu Ying: [Clears throat] That was a long time ago.
Yin Zhen: Then you must have forgotten quite a bit, so I'll give you a refresher.
Hu Ling: [Whispers] Didn't you promise to teach me archery today, Crown Prince?
Yin Zhen: No, I didn't. Get Sixth Prince to teach you if you want to learn. I don't have the patience.
Yin Zhen takes the bow and arrows from his retinue, then turns to you with raised brows.
Yin Zhen: Don't just stand there, let's go.
You're compelled by Yin Zhen to ride into the deep forest with him.
Yin Zhen: Give me your hand.
Xiu Ying: Huh? Why?
He doesn't say a word. You put your hand out and he pulls you up to the saddle by the wrist.
Xiu Ying: [Blushing] What are you doing, Yin Zhen?
Yin Zhen: Teaching you archery.
He really is teaching you archery as promised, explaining posture, drawing bowstring, aiming, etc., step by step in detail. You slowly immerse yourself, even forgetting how close you are to him, until...
Yin Zhen: Is this how Fu Heng taught you too?
His warm breath on your ear rattles you. Your hand slips and the errant arrow lands on the grass.
Xiu Ying: All right, what happened between you and Fu Heng?
Yin Zhen: Nothing at all.
Xiu Ying: Then why are you so aggressive every time he's around or brought up?
Yin Zhen: Don't ever refute me when I call you a fool again, because you really are a fool.
Xiu Ying: [Incensed] Why I ought to... I was just trying to find out why!
Yin Zhen: You couldn't tell I was obviously jealous? How do you get to live so long being so dense?
Him, jealous? You pause and get the sudden urge to dismount and find a hole to hide in.
Yin Zhen: Speechless, are we?
MC: Well I...
Your voice is as quiet as a mosquito. Even though Yin Zhen can't see you blushing, you still bury your head as much as you can.
Yin Zhen: Never mind, guess I have to take it slow with you.
You're at a total loss for a respons. After the atrocity of your previous life, all you think about in this life is revenge and protecting your family. But now, how do you face such unadulterated passion and affection?
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