Free Web NovelChapter 176: Chapter 175: Temperament
Du Yunluo had just entered Cining Palace when she encountered Princess Yunhua.
Princess Yunhua’s attire today was completely different from her usual clothing. She wasn’t wearing a skirt; instead, she was dressed in convenient riding and archery Hu clothing.
A narrow-sleeved, collared top, tight pants, a Guo Luo Belt around her waist, and a pair of leather boots on her feet. The attire was both fitting and crisp. Though Princess Yunhua wasn’t tall, she nevertheless exuded a heroic and valiant spirit, a feeling of a woman being equally matched with a man.
Du Yunluo bowed to pay her respects.
Princess Yunhua walked over quickly in her boots, her footsteps clattering. Upon reaching Du Yunluo, she suddenly yanked out a horsewhip from behind, and brandished it in her hand, "Yunluo, you’re here."
Despite Du Yunluo’s courage, she was startled by the princess’s unexpected action.
The horsewhip brushed past her nose without touching Du Yunluo in the slightest, yet it was enough to make her break out in cold sweat.
Du Yunluo secretly inhaled before speaking, "I came to pay respects to the Empress Dowager."
"You and Nanyan sure have a good relationship!" Princess Yunhua giggled, "I heard you were talking in the garden just a moment ago?"
Du Yunluo pursed her lips; she had indeed spoken quite a bit with Princess Nanyan and naturally understood Princess Yunhua’s personality somewhat.
Princess Nanyan had just been married yesterday, and Princess Yunhua was currently in a fit of anger. Du Yunluo didn’t want to add fuel to the fire, but she couldn’t speak recklessly either.
After thinking it over, Du Yunluo replied, "I should have come earlier to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, but she had guests, so I waited in the garden and chatted with the County Princess."
"What did you talk about?" Princess Yunhua asked, blinking.
Du Yunluo lowered her gaze, "About playing chess. Last time, I played two games with the County Princess, but we haven’t determined a winner yet."
Princess Yunhua’s expression darkened, a lump got stuck in her chest.
She previously had many ways to ruin Nanyan and Li Luan’s marriage, but she didn’t have absolute certainty, so she chose not to act hastily.
Things with the Empress Dowager had just begun to take form, and it would still take some time before anything was finalized. Princess Yunhua did not plan to act impulsively.
Little did she know, before she was ready, Mu Lianhui had ruined everything.
The whole incident in Guoning Temple, the Empress Dowager searching for Nanyan and even inquiring Li Luan personally—once Li Luan nodded, events unfolded rapidly like a prairie fire, leaving Princess Yunhua unprepared.
She wasn’t devoid of ruthless moves, but had her reservations. If the Empress Dowager and Empress discerned something amiss, Princess Yunhua would get into serious trouble.
She could only swallow her anger.
And now, brought up by Du Yunluo, the princess suddenly remembered the culprit was Mu Lianhui. If not for Mu Lianhui meddling, given another year or so, she believed she could achieve her aim.
Truly a despicable person!
The whip in Princess Yunhua’s hand struck heavily on the ground.
Aunt Ming emerged from the main hall and felt tense upon seeing the situation.
The princess had been temperamental lately, and everyone could see it. Aunt Ming feared if the princess couldn’t hold back and let the whip go awry, it’d be one thing to hit a palace maid or eunuch, but if it landed on Du Yunluo...
Aunt Ming discreetly uttered "Amitabha Buddha" and quickly put on a smiling face to invite Princess Yunhua and Du Yunluo inside.
Du Yunluo paid her respects to the Empress Dowager, Imperial Consort, and Crown Princess Consort.
The Empress Dowager was sitting on the Arhat Bed, pointing at Princess Yunhua, "You really can’t stay idle for a moment."
Princess Yunhua giggled, twirling in place, "Grand Empress Dowager, do I look good in this?"
"Off to the racetrack again?" The Empress Dowager pulled Princess Yunhua to sit beside her.
Princess Yunhua nodded, "Yes, it’s been a while since I rode a horse. After some days, isn’t Father going hunts? He promised to let me tag along, so I need to practice well, can’t let him look down on me."
The Empress Dowager understood, "Ah, it’s springtime."
Outside the Capital lies a hunting ground, most of the fierce creatures like tigers and leopards are gone, leaving primarily deer, yellow sheep, roe deer, and rabbits. Some years ago in autumn, the Holy Emperor went hunting there. Spring hunting hasn’t happened for five or six years.
The Imperial Consort smiled and asked Du Yunluo, "Can you ride a horse?"
Du Yunluo shook her head.
The Du Family is a cultured family. The men know how to ride but only for daily travel. Currently, the best rider is perhaps Du Yundi, who studies horseback riding diligently at Lishan Academy.
The Du Family’s women cannot ride horses; their understanding of horses is limited to the carriages they use for outings.
However, Du Yunluo has actually been on a horse before.
Mu Lianxiao used to teach her, but unfortunately, she wasn’t interested at all. He led her to ride briefly, yet afterward, she felt so shaken up that she never attempted it again.
Her skill amounts to merely sitting on a horse while someone leads it, letting the horse leisurely walk; she didn’t dare let the horse run, not even a trot.
She simply couldn’t claim she could ride a horse.
"Riding is so much fun." Princess Yunhua chimed in with a smile, "How about you join me at the racetrack? I can teach you."
Du Yunluo was slightly taken aback.
If the Crown Princess Consort or Princess Nanyan said this, Du Yunluo might have agreed, but it was Princess Yunhua, and Du Yunluo dared not.
Princess Yunhua is unpredictable, and being at a racetrack, anything could happen unexpectedly; Du Yunluo would never follow along.
Du Yunluo felt a bit troubled, contemplating how to decline, when the Crown Princess Consort suddenly chuckled.
"Dear sister-in-law, your riding style is too wild, even the Crown Prince can hardly keep up. If you teach Miss Du, aren’t you bound to scare the delicate young lady?" The Crown Princess Consort teased with a laugh.
Princess Yunhua pouted, and even the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but laugh, "Exactly! Whenever you ride, you leave everyone in fear until they’re weak-kneed! Your mother worries every time. If you’re accompanying this time, I won’t stop you, but you mustn’t be so reckless again."
The Empress Dowager had spoken; thus, Princess Yunhua had no choice but to yield, pouting to the Crown Princess Consort, "Sister-in-law, don’t tease me, your riding skills surpass mine."
"But I always ride gently," the Crown Princess Consort replied with a smile.
Princess Yunhua didn’t believe her; before marrying the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess Consort didn’t hold back, not just in riding but also was skilled in archery and hunting. Only after having the Imperial Grandson did she no longer ride so freely.
The Imperial Consort quietly spoke a few words to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager nodded, "Riding isn’t difficult, we’ll arrange someone to teach you."
Du Yunluo was surprised, wondering how in a few words this was decided—that she would learn riding skills?
The Crown Princess Consort covered her mouth with a laugh, "In Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, there isn’t a woman who doesn’t ride. Grand Empress Dowager, I’ve heard that Madam Wu was not only great at riding and shooting but even joined the Old Marquis in battles?"
"You seem to know a bit of everything," the Empress Dowager glanced at her, "Calling her Old Madam all the time, I almost forget she was truly exceptional in her youth."
Speaking of Madam Wu, Du Yunluo also knew a bit about her.
