After being reborn, I went on a killing spree in the imperial court.

In late autumn, the endless forests of the autumn hunting grounds are all dyed the color of maple leaves.

This is always the time for princes and ministers to show their skills.

Each official wanted to take advantage of this day to bring glory to his family, make a name for himself before the emperor, and gain a reputation.

Cao Yuan changed into riding attire, her jet-black hair standing up high, and the red riding outfit looked bright and beautiful in the autumn wind, making her particularly eye-catching.

"Is this Princess Huayang, who has been to the battlefield?"

"I thought she would be more mature and sophisticated than the other princesses in the military camp, but I didn't expect her to be such a delicate and tender young girl!"

She went to the stable to choose a suitable horse, and Xue Xinian took the opportunity to walk over, saying, "A-Yuan is injured, so don't get on the horse!"

“Yes, this is all thanks to my sixth sister.” Cao Yuan said deliberately.

"Xi Nian originally planned to use today's autumn hunt to please Father Emperor so that I could pass the imperial examination and help you get the position of Vice Minister. Unfortunately, I was injured! That's why Lord Chu intervened!"

Xue Xinian's facial muscles twitched, presumably extremely annoyed that Cao Shang had ruined his plans. "It's alright! A-Yuan, I can manage on my own."

Cao Yuan had a sudden inspiration. "Xi Nian, I'd like to ride a horse for a few laps. Could you help me lead the horse?"

"With pleasure!" Xue Xinian paused, a happy smile spreading across his face.

Cao Yuan mounted her horse, and Xue Xinian led the reins to the competition venue.

The princesses and young ladies who had come to watch the spectacle were sitting quietly enjoying their tea when Xue Xinian's arrival finally caused a commotion.

"Wow! It's Lord Xue!"

"Lord Xue actually led the horse himself! Princess Huayang and Lord Xue are such a perfect match!"

Cao Yuan squeezed the horse's belly hard with her foot, and the horse was startled and its front legs jumped up.

Xue Xinian was so frightened that he loosened the reins and fell to the ground.

Cao Yuan watched Xue Xinian rolling on the ground and burst into laughter. How could she have ever fallen for such an incompetent civil official when he was in such a sorry state?

Several officials in the crowd were also mocking Xue Xinian.

"Look at the pathetic state he's in! And he's supposed to be a prince consort!"

"useless!"

"Shut up! Your constant chatter is disturbing this princess!" Cao Shang stormed over, furious. "None of you hold any official positions and yet you dare to laugh at others!"

"Princess Shang, you've arrived!" The ministers rushed to follow Princess Cao Shang.

"Get out of the way, let me have some peace and quiet!" Cao Shang said impatiently as he quickly sat down.

The maidservants beside them blocked them.

Cao Shang was the center of attention from a young age, always surrounded by a group of men wherever he went.

Cao Yuan dismounted and met Cao Shang's gaze. Cao Shang smiled smugly at her; she had been released by the emperor in less than half a month.

Cao Shang felt that her father was biased, even entrusting her with such an important item as the Tiger Tally. But in reality, her father loved Cao Shang more than Cao Yuan. It was just that Cao Shang herself did not think so.

Xuanfeng pushed Chu Yan to his seat.

"Is this the legendary Minister of the Court of Judicial Review? He's really handsome, but it's a pity he's crippled."

"Yes, Lord Xue is the best; he's not only handsome but also has excellent character!"

Cao Yuan casually picked up a pebble from the ground and flicked it at them, splashing tea from the teacups on the table onto their skirts.

"Ah! What happened! Who did this?!"

"Your skirt is all dirty!"

Cao Yuan walked up to Chu Yan and asked, "Lord Chu, don't you never attend these kinds of occasions?"

“Princess Huayang, you know me so well, I think it’s time to change your husband!” Chu Yan narrowed his eyes as if he were staring at prey.

“Okay, I’ll divorce him and replace you!” Cao Yuan smiled at him.

Chu Yan looked away and said seriously, "I hope that once the scientific expedition is over and you have achieved your goal, we will never have anything to do with each other again!"

"So heartless! Fine then!" Anyway, you're due to die soon! You short-lived wretch~

"The Emperor has arrived!"

The emperor brought several concubines with him.

Everyone stood up and bowed.

"Kowtow to the emperor, long live my emperor!"

"Please rise and take a seat!"

Everyone took their seats.

"Gentlemen, the autumn hunt is about to begin. Please choose your preferred horses and bows and arrows to enter the hunting competition!" the eunuch announced.

The eunuchs began reading out the list of participants for the autumn hunt.

When Cao Yuan was not on the list, Consort Xian began to get restless.

"Your Majesty, I have heard that Princess Huayang is an excellent archer and horsewoman, and I would like to have the opportunity to see her in person."

Consort Xian was the emperor's most favored concubine at the time, and she was already six months pregnant. Unfortunately, she should have gained favor through her son, but after the emperor's death, she was so heartbroken that she accidentally fell into the water.

"Why isn't Princess Huayang participating in the autumn hunt? I heard she was shot and wounded by the Tenth Prince in the palace a few days ago. Could it be true?"

The news of the injury was deliberately spread in the palace by Cao Yuan!

It would be a laughing stock if word got out that Cao Yuan, a princess with military merit, was injured by the tenth prince, a mere child.

"You flatter me, Your Highness. I have been on the battlefield; how could I possibly be injured by a child!"

So they also assumed Cao Yuan was injured, but they were too embarrassed to say it.

"In that case, Your Majesty, why don't we have another match here? I'd also like to see the princess's archery skills!"

That's strange, the virtuous concubine in her previous life did not have these kinds of contacts with Cao Yuan!

Was it because she didn't enter the paddock that she changed the original trajectory?

The emperor nodded in agreement.

Eunuch Wang had someone find a target, saying, "Princess, please!"

Xue Xinian quickly went to Cao Yuan's side and whispered, "Yuan, is your hand alright?"

"Xi Nian, since they've said that, I can only go along with them," Cao Yuan said, feeling wronged.

Xue Xinian glanced at Cao Shang with relief, confirming that Cao Yuan's hand was indeed injured.

Cao Yuan picked up the bow and arrow that the eunuch handed her.

He steadied himself on his horse, drew his bow, and his hands didn't look injured at all.

Consort Xian began to suspect Cao Yuan's hand. Suddenly, with a whoosh, the arrow hit the target, but missed the center of the eyebrow.