Chapter Twelve: An Unexpected Incident

For three days in a row, she had indulged herself madly at the riding grounds. Even someone made of iron would have found it hard to endure, let alone the delicate Princess Danqing, pampered and precious as she was. On the fourth day, therefore, Gu Li stayed in her quarters to recuperate, not intending to go out.

But after a day of rest, Princess Danqing’s restless spirit could not be contained. She changed into her riding attire, gathered her maids, and once again made her way to the stables. Having now tasted the joy of riding and grown deft and confident in such a short time, she brimmed with pride. Danqing was determined to enjoy herself to the fullest, for who knew if she’d have such freedom once she returned to the palace.

This time, Gu Li did not summon Wei Shu. She reasoned that her brother had already accompanied her for two days, both mind and body surely weary, and thought it best he take his rest. Yet when she arrived at the riding grounds, she did not see Wei Shu; instead, she was surprised to encounter young Princess Chenhe, only five years old.

Previously, Princess Chenhe had accompanied her brother to the stables and had been enamored with a little chestnut foal. This foal was the offspring of the white mare Gu Li had ridden—still not yet grown, but spirited and strong. Each time the foal watched its mother gallop freely outside, it would prance about excitedly in the stall, whinnying non-stop.

Both Princess Chenhe and the foal were in a playful mood, and so, child and foal found themselves together.

Gu Li was quite taken aback to see Princess Chenhe at the stables; after all, this was hardly a place for a five-year-old child. Princess Chenhe, however, greeted her with a sweet, clear voice, calling out, “Elder Sister, the Princess.” Gu Li approached and inquired after her, only to discover that it was not Wei Shu who had brought the princess here, but rather, she was accompanied by her own retinue of maids and elderly attendants.

Indeed, Princess Chenhe would never ask her brother to bring her here. If she had expressed the wish, her brother would have surely refused, claiming she was too young. So instead, she had turned to her mother.

Consort Shu, devoted to her daughter, had been concerned about the risks of the stables. Yet, learning that her daughter wished only to ride the young foal—which was no taller than her waist—and seeing that trusted attendants would be present, she finally relented under the child’s persistent entreaties.

Hearing that Consort Shu had already given her consent, Gu Li said nothing more. After all, her own mother and Consort Shu were not on the best of terms; it was better to keep her distance. She merely instructed the attendants and the lady-in-waiting in charge of the horses, then made her way toward the white mare who had accompanied her these past days.

A beautiful, spirited woman rode the white steed across the grounds, her laughter bright and free as the wind.

Nearby, a darling little girl sat atop the chestnut foal, clapping her hands and giggling with delight.

For a time, all was calm and harmonious. But the foal, catching sight of its mother frolicking at a distance, was suddenly overcome with excitement. Whinnying loudly, it arched its neck and dashed off after its mother, heedless of the child still upon its back.

“Ah! Princess!”

The lady-in-waiting cried out in alarm. There was no time to restrain the foal—already it was carrying the clapping, laughing Princess Chenhe away at a mad gallop.

“Princess!”

The maids and attendants were thrown into terror, their eyes wide as they watched the princess bounce precariously atop the rushing foal. Startled and jostled, the child burst into tears.

“Nanny, help me! Nanny, save me!”

Uncomprehending, Princess Chenhe only felt her head spinning from the jolting ride. Instinctively, she clung tightly to the foal’s neck, her face as pale as death, sobbing her heart out.

“Save the princess! Quickly, save the princess!”

The nursemaids, trembling with fright, shouted with all their might. In an instant, the peaceful scene was thrown into chaos.