Chapter 13: A chance encounter

The Lee family estate was abuzz with excitement. General Lee, having returned from the borderlands, had been invited to join a royal hunting party—a prestigious affair attended by nobles, generals, and even members of the imperial family. As a gesture of goodwill and acknowledgment of her growing influence, General Lee extended the invitation to his daughter, Silla.

The invitation was unexpected, and though Silla felt little desire to participate in what she considered a frivolous activity, she knew it was an opportunity to strengthen her position. The hunting grounds were not just a place for sport—they were a stage for alliances, rivalries, and displays of power.

The Hunting Terrain

The imperial hunting grounds sprawled across a vast forest, filled with dense trees, open meadows, and winding streams. Noblemen and their entourages gathered in their finest hunting attire, their bows, spears, and hunting falcons on full display.

Silla, dressed in practical but elegant riding clothes, stood out among the crowd. While many of the noble ladies who attended treated the hunt as a social gathering, Silla approached it with quiet determination. Her presence, poised yet unyielding, caught the attention of many.

"Stay close," General Lee said as he mounted his horse. His tone was gruff, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes.

Silla nodded, mounting her own horse with practiced ease. She had learned to ride in her youth, and though she rarely had the chance to practice in recent years, the skill came back to her naturally.

The hunting party set off, the sound of hooves echoing through the forest.

The Crown Prince in Trouble

As the party dispersed to track game, Silla found herself riding along a narrow trail through the woods. The sounds of the hunt grew distant, replaced by the rustle of leaves and the chirping of birds. She relished the solitude, preferring it to the posturing of the nobles.

But her peace was soon interrupted by the sound of a commotion nearby—a horse neighing in distress, followed by a man’s sharp cry.

Silla urged her horse forward, following the noise. She soon came upon a startling sight: a young man struggling to fend off a wild boar. His horse had thrown him, and the boar, massive and enraged, charged at him with its tusks.

It only took a moment for Silla to recognize the man—it was Crown Prince Wei Cheng.

The prince held a broken spear, using it to keep the boar at bay, but he was clearly at a disadvantage. His breathing was labored, and blood seeped from a gash on his arm.

Silla didn’t hesitate. She slid off her horse and reached for the small crossbow she had brought with her. Steadying her aim, she waited for the right moment. As the boar lunged again, she released the bolt. It struck the beast square in the neck, and it collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.

Wei Cheng staggered back, his chest heaving. He looked up at Silla, his eyes wide with a mix of relief and astonishment.

"You..." he began, struggling to find his words.

Silla approached him cautiously, her gaze sharp but calm. "Are you injured, Your Highness?"

Wei Cheng nodded, wincing as he held his injured arm. "It’s just a scratch," he said, though the wound looked deep.

Silla frowned. "Sit down. Let me take a look."

A Tense Exchange

Despite his princely pride, Wei Cheng complied, sitting on a fallen log as Silla retrieved a small medical kit from her saddlebag—a gift from her storage chip. She worked quickly and efficiently, cleaning and bandaging the wound.

"You’re quite prepared for someone attending a hunt," Wei Cheng remarked, his tone tinged with curiosity.

"I’ve learned to rely on myself," Silla replied simply.

The prince studied her, noting the confidence in her movements and the lack of deference in her demeanor. "You’re General Lee’s daughter, aren’t you? The one who turned her family’s estate into a business empire?"

Silla’s lips twitched into a faint smile. "I see my reputation precedes me."

"It does," Wei Cheng admitted. "Pei Tian speaks of you often. He admires your... ingenuity."

Silla finished tying the bandage and stepped back, meeting his gaze directly. "I appreciate the compliment, but you shouldn’t be distracted during a hunt. It’s dangerous."

Wei Cheng chuckled, though the sound was tinged with embarrassment. "You’re right about that. I owe you my life, Lady Lee."

"I’ll settle for a promise to be more careful," Silla said lightly, though her tone carried an edge of seriousness.

The prince inclined his head, a spark of admiration flickering in his eyes. "You have my word."

The Return

By the time Silla and Wei Cheng returned to the main hunting party, the Crown Prince’s absence had already caused a stir. When the nobles saw him, injured but alive, with Silla riding at his side, whispers erupted among the crowd.

General Lee, who had been anxiously searching for his daughter, approached them with a mixture of relief and suspicion.

"What happened?" he demanded, his eyes darting between Silla and the prince.

Wei Cheng spoke before Silla could. "A wild boar caught me off guard. If it weren’t for Lady Lee’s quick thinking and skill, I might not be standing here."

The crowd murmured in astonishment. It was rare for a woman to be praised for her bravery during a hunt, let alone by the Crown Prince himself.

General Lee’s expression softened, though he masked it with a gruff nod. "You did well, Silla."

Wei Cheng turned to the gathering nobles, his voice carrying authority. "Lady Lee’s actions today are a testament to her courage and resourcefulness. Such qualities should be celebrated, not overlooked."

The nobles exchanged glances, and Silla could feel their opinions shifting. Where once they had dismissed her as an upstart merchant, they now saw her as someone worthy of respect.

A Quiet Moment

Later that evening, as the hunting party gathered around a grand bonfire to celebrate the day’s successes, Silla found herself sitting apart from the crowd, preferring the quiet of the stars.

Wei Cheng approached her, a cup of wine in hand. "Avoiding the festivities?"

"I’ve had enough attention for one day," she replied, glancing at him.

He smiled, taking a seat beside her. "You intrigue me, Lady Lee. You’re not like the others."

"And what makes you say that?"

"You’re not chasing titles or power. You stand apart, focused on your own path. It’s... refreshing."

Silla’s expression softened, but she said nothing, letting the silence stretch between them.

Wei Cheng studied her for a moment longer before rising to his feet. "You saved my life today. I won’t forget that."

As he walked away, Silla felt a flicker of something unfamiliar—an awareness of the Crown Prince that went beyond his rank. But she quickly pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the road ahead.

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