Chapter 3
Xie Shi’an did not finish particularly late, yet he remained in the study all night.
The next day, we rode together in a carriage to the hunting grounds outside the capital.
I followed a palace eunuch to the women’s seating area. Xie Shi’an had already changed into riding clothes and arrived on horseback beside Lin Third.
They rode close together, heads bowed in murmured conversation.
I was staring at them in a daze when an arrow skimmed past my temple.
Though startled, I did not so much as flinch.
It was Lin Third’s arrow, and it had brought down a wild goose.
Somehow, the goose had landed beside me, which was why Lin Third had loosed her arrow in my direction.
She gave me a careless salute. “Don’t be afraid, Madam Xie. My aim is very precise!”
Xie Shi’an’s face darkened. He crossed the distance in a few long strides, shielding me in his arms as he snapped, “Yuzhi! That was outrageous!”
“Why are you so worked up? You know how good my archery is. I would never have hurt your wife.”
“You still mustn’t point an arrow at her!”
“Fine, I understand!” Lin Third rode away.
Xie Shi’an soothed me for a while, then mounted his horse and chased after her.
And just like that, the matter was dismissed.
Lin Third stole the limelight that day. She was strikingly beautiful and an excellent archer, and she generously distributed the heap of rabbits and foxes she hunted among the ladies.
Everyone sang her praises.
The women around me whispered inquiries about which family’s young master she was, their thoughts already turning to marriage alliances.
Xie Shi’an followed Lin Third on horseback. He concealed it well, but I still caught the flash of wonder in his eyes.
I watched him for a long time. Not once did he look my way.
Yet Xie Shi’an had once looked at me with that same rapt attention.
He had originally been a slave in my family.
He was far too delicate and handsome. The instant my third brother spotted him at the slave market, he bought him under the pretense of making him a personal attendant—though he harbored far filthier intentions.
Back then, I was an unfavored concubine-born daughter. Protecting Xie Shi’an was no easy thing.
My father was a general guarding the border, and everyone in our household, men and women alike, trained in martial arts.
To win my father’s favor as quickly as possible and bring Xie Shi’an under my protection, I practiced riding and archery day and night, hoping to take first place at the autumn hunt.
At that year’s hunt, I charged deep into the forest and came upon my third brother attempting to force himself on Xie Shi’an.
The arrow meant for my quarry struck my third brother instead.
It pierced straight through his left shoulder. That worthless sot was so terrified he fainted.
I reined in before Xie Shi’an, leaped from my horse, and asked, “Do you trust me?”
He looked up at me, unreadable shadows in his eyes. After a moment, he said, “I do.”
I beamed at him. “Then carry my third brother back and pretend you know nothing. Trust me. I promise I’ll save you!”
That day, I fought a white wolf king to the death and finally killed it with an arrow.
Covered in blood, I limped back to camp, skinned the wolf, and presented its pelt to my father.
He was delighted, for he too had killed a white wolf king in his youth.
He regarded me with satisfaction and promised to grant me one wish.
Head held high, I said proudly, “Riches are easily found, but a loyal servant is rare. I want that faithful servant by Third Brother’s side. I heard he carried my injured brother for several miles.”
My father roared with laughter and nodded. “That is exactly how a daughter of my Fu family should think!”
Later, when Xie Shi’an and I married, he told me, “From that moment on, I could never look away from you again.”
“I was orphaned young and have tasted every cruelty in this world. I have never believed in gods or Buddhas.”
“But if some deity sent you to my side, then from this day forward, I will be the most devout believer in all the world.”
I believed him.