After giving her contraceptives, she went mad, criticizing the prince for turning white-haired overn

She will find a way to expose those hands hiding in the shadows.

"Sister, what should we do?" Shen Wan's voice trembled.

"My elder sister, like me, grew up secluded in her chambers and knew nothing of riding or archery..."

Shen Ning remained calm as her gaze slowly swept over the noble ladies seated around her.

The noble ladies wore expressions of relief and smug satisfaction.

Clearly, they were all afraid of drawing that wooden plaque.

This is a part of the spring hunt every year.

One young lady from a noble family is chosen to compete against men in an archery contest on the testing field, vying for the prize.

Last year, the tribute was Arctic red foxes from the Arctic; this year, it's pearls from the South China Sea.

It is said that the pearl is priceless and extremely rare, attracting many young men eager to try their luck.

"Wan'er, this is a hurdle we must overcome eventually," Shen Ning said softly.

"Instead of backing down, it's better to muster up the courage and move forward."

"We are the daughters of the General's Mansion."

"But sister..." Shen Wan's eyes reddened with anxiety.

Shen Ning has been raised in seclusion since childhood. If she can't even ride a horse, wouldn't she become the laughing stock of the whole room?

Moreover, she, a frail woman, was to compete against three men who had won first place.

Don't worry about me.

As Shen Ning spoke, she slowly lowered her head and gripped the wooden plaque in her hand.

In the instant he lowered his eyes, he saw Yu Shi and Shen Rou casting ambiguous glances at him.

They're just waiting to see her make a fool of herself.

Before long, the sound of drums resounded through the sky.

Scholar Gao went up on the stage and glanced at the female guests.

"I wonder which young lady will draw the 'shooting' fortune stick this year?"

The room fell silent.

Shen Ning took a deep breath, gripped the wooden sign tightly, and stood up.

"She was originally General Shen's daughter."

Emperor Wuzong spoke, and seeing the little girl's pale face, he said gently:

"One of Miss Shen's paintings just now really caught my eye."

"I think, like father, like daughter, General Shen's daughter will certainly not disappoint me."

Shen Ning quickly bowed in greeting.

In the instant he raised his eyes, his gaze inadvertently swept over Xie Linyuan, who was dressed in black, standing beside Emperor Wuzong.

She breathed softly, "Your Majesty, I would never dare to disappoint you."

"Alright! Let's go on stage then."

Emperor Wuzong laughed and said, "Perhaps the Eastern Pearl will be yours this year."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After Shen Ning left the women's section, she was led by a palace maid step by step towards the testing ground.

Several fine horses and bows and arrows have been prepared on the south side of the testing ground.

On the other side, all three men who won the top prize in men's equestrian archery this year have arrived.

They are Prince Chen, Marquis Su Mingfeng, and Prince Xiao Ce of Huainan.

They were all familiar faces.

Upon seeing Shen Ning, Su Mingfeng's lips curled into a slightly unruly smile.

He pulled on the reins and walked towards Shen Ning.

"Little girl, do you want a pearl? I'll get it for you."

Shen Ning smiled and said, "I appreciate your kindness, Young Marquis, but I'll take the pearl myself."

"You really know how to ride a horse?" Su Mingfeng raised an eyebrow.

"If you don't know how to ride and shoot, just say so. There's no need to be stubborn."

"It's not about showing off." Shen Ning raised her eyes, her gaze clear.

"I definitely will."

Su Mingfeng scoffed.

"Very well, today I will open my eyes wide and take a good look at Miss Shen's heroic figure."

Shen Ning didn't say much and walked directly to the front of the horse.

He bowed to Prince Chen and Xiao Ce.

The Prince of Chen's gaze fell upon her, his tone icy.

"I had no idea that Miss Shen was skilled in riding and archery."

"However, you are just a woman, competing with the three of us for the Eastern Pearl. If word gets out, people will probably say that we are bullying you."

"If you really want that pearl, just ask me, and I might just give it to you."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness." Shen Ning's expression remained unchanged.

"Your Highness, you should take care of yourself first."

After saying that, Shen Ning reached out and firmly grasped the reins.

The moment she touched the reins, she thought of her past life.

In my previous life, I learned horseback riding and archery at the Regent's Palace.

She remembered perfectly how to mount the horse, how to control the reins, and how to use leverage.

Her gaze sharpened, she gripped the saddle with her left hand, stepped firmly into the stirrup with her right foot, and with a powerful thrust of her waist, she deftly mounted the horse.

The horse was extremely spirited. As soon as Shen Ning got on, it suddenly reared up, neighed, and tried to throw her off.

Several low gasps were heard from the audience.

Shen Ning bit her lip tightly, pulled hard on the reins, squeezed her legs tightly around the horse's belly, and sat firmly on the ground.

A cold wind swept by, causing her skirt to flutter wildly.

The hair ornaments at her temples swayed precariously.

A snow-white fox fur coat embraced her porcelain-white face, and beneath her thick eyelashes, her eyes were surprisingly calm.

"She can actually ride a horse!" Yu Shi exclaimed in disbelief from the women's section.

Of all the members of the Shen family, only Shen Rou had learned horseback riding. When did Shen Ning learn it?

Shen Yan, sitting in the men's section, narrowed his eyes slightly and looked in Shen Ning's direction.

His younger sister has been raised in seclusion since childhood. When did she acquire this skill?

"Shen Ning, you didn't lie to me!" Su Mingfeng rode up to Shen Ning's side.

"Wait, I'm going to steal the pearl today and make you a really beautiful headdress."

"With so many people here, Young Master, please be careful what you say," Shen Ning said in a low voice.

"So what? I keep my word." Su Mingfeng raised an eyebrow and lowered his voice.

Shen Ning's ears burned, and she felt completely lost.

In her previous life, she had no connection with Su Mingfeng.

All that is known is that after her death, Su Mingfeng exhumed her and Xie Linyuan's remains and buried them together.

That's how she was reborn.

Why is Su Mingfeng like this in this life...?

"Young Master, please be careful with your words." Shen Ning avoided his gaze.

"You and I... are not a good match."

As Shen Ning spoke, she suddenly pulled on the reins, whipped her horse, and charged into the shooting range like an arrow.

A cold wind blew in, whipping her hair and cloak.

The girl, dressed in a striking red cloak, drew attention.

"Are you embarrassed already?" Su Mingfeng curled his lips slightly.

However, they did not notice at all that Xie Linyuan, dressed in black, had eyes as dark as ink in the stands.

He gripped his teacup tightly, his gaze icy as he looked at the three people on the field.

When the gaze fell upon Su Mingfeng, a murderous intent surged in his eyes.

Prince Chen pulled on the reins and rode his horse to Su Mingfeng's side.

"Young Master Su is only concerned with pleasing Miss Shen, so don't forget the Su family's current predicament."

"A marriage alliance with the Shen family would probably not be a wise move from the perspective of the court."

How could Su Mingfeng not understand the deeper meaning in his words?

The Su family is a noble family with titles and real power, but they do not command troops. The Shen family, on the other hand, has both troops and titles.

A marriage alliance with the military family of Shen is indeed inappropriate.

He recalled the rumors circulating in the capital these past few days.

"Your Highness, I do not understand what you are saying."

Su Mingfeng sneered, his gaze unwavering.

"Shen Ning, I'm determined to marry you."

Prince Chen's expression darkened: "Then we'll see if Father Emperor grants permission."