I Am This Type of Woman

Ban Heng had long known that his older sister, Ban Hua, had prepared a mountain of things for this autumn hunt — head ornaments, riding clothes, boots, and the like. He never quite understood it; it was just a hunt, why did his sister have to make such a fuss?

However, seeing his sister in fiery red, Ban Heng puffed out his chest with pride. In his eyes, throughout the entire capital, only his sister could carry off such a vibrant red. Having such a beautiful older sister had cultivated a good habit in him since childhood: regarding beauty as fleeting clouds. After all, no one was more beautiful than his sister.

The siblings arrived at the main courtyard where Lady Yin, their mother, was waiting for them. Seeing them emerge, she handed each of them a lucky pouch she had prayed for a few days prior. "Blades and arrows have no eyes; both of you must be careful."

"Don't worry, Mother, I will take good care of Hengdi," Ban Hua replied, accepting the pouch and hanging it around her neck, carefully tucking it inside her clothes. "Are you really not going?"

"You two go. I don't enjoy riding and archery. If I went, I would only be sitting idly in the camp. It's more comfortable being waited upon in the marquis' residence," Lady Yin said, smiling as she touched the golden leaf crown on Ban Hua's head. "This is beautiful, it suits you perfectly."

Ban Hua beamed at Lady Yin and gave her a man's bow. "Mother, I will hunt some fine pelts for you to use as a cushion."

"Winter is coming soon, and I do find the cushions at home not soft enough," Lady Yin laughed. "Go now, or you'll be late."

The siblings bid farewell to their mother and left with Ban Huai.

Interestingly enough, although Ban Huai was the descendant of a great general, he wasn't skilled in riding or archery. A gentle trot was fine, but drawing a bow and shooting an arrow was difficult for him. Fortunately, he was open-minded. No matter how others said he, as a general's son, disgraced his family name, he wouldn't try to show off. It was unclear whom he inherited such a good mentality from.

There was a large imperial hunting ground in the western suburbs of the capital, filled with all kinds of animals. Even prey that shouldn't inhabit the capital would obediently appear on the hunting grounds when the Emperor hunted.

"This year has seen favorable weather and thriving livestock, it will surely be a bountiful year," Emperor Yunqing turned to his two sons following behind him. "Do you know the current price of grain?"

The Crown Prince's cheeks flushed red. How could he know the price of grain? Recently, a concubine in the Eastern Palace had become pregnant. Having been childless for several years, he was overjoyed and hadn't thought about such matters.

"Father, you might as well ask the ministers about such matters instead of asking your son," the Second Prince said bluntly, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Even Elder Brother doesn't know, so I certainly wouldn't."

Ever since the Emperor had ordered him to marry the daughter of the Zhongping Bo household, there had been a rift between him and the Crown Prince. He had even become more unruly in front of the Emperor.

Seeing his two sons, one mediocre and the other rebellious, Emperor Yunqing felt like kicking them off their horses if he looked at them any longer.

"Junpo, tell me." With his two sons being so disappointing, the Emperor could only find some solace in his favored minister.

"Your Majesty, the current price of grain in the capital is six wen for a liter of polished rice and four wen for a liter of unpolished rice," Rong Xia urged his horse forward a few steps. "The prices are slightly lower than they were two months ago."

"Mm," Emperor Yunqing nodded in satisfaction. "Having a minister like Junpo brings comfort to my heart."

Hearing this, the Crown Prince's face turned even redder, while the Second Prince glared at Rong Xia with displeasure. Unfortunately, Rong Xia didn't even look at him, which angered him further.

Just then, the Zhongping Bo household arrived. The Second Prince glanced at Xie Wanyu on horseback, thinking with annoyance that such a mediocre woman was to marry him as his princess consort. It was truly unpleasant.

Xie Wanyu was unaware that her future husband was already annoyed with her. Thinking about meeting the Second Prince on the hunting grounds today, she hadn't slept well all night and relied on heavy makeup to conceal her fatigue. If she could have looked up at the Second Prince's expression at this moment, she would have known that the man she was about to spend her life with might not be her destined partner.

Shi Feixian, dressed in plain white riding attire and wearing a veiled hat, approached Xie Wanyu and lifted the veil, revealing her face. "Xie Meimei, you arrived even earlier than I."

Xie Wanyu bowed to her father, Zhongping Bo, then rode over to Shi Feixian, smiling. "I was worried you wouldn't come today."

Shi Feixian glanced in Rong Xia's direction. He was talking to the Emperor and hadn't noticed her arrival. Feeling a little disappointed, she turned to Xie Wanyu. "The Second Prince is truly handsome."

"There you go again!" Xie Wanyu blushed. "If you tease me again, I won't talk to you."

"Alright, alright, I'll stop." Shi Feixian's peripheral vision remained fixed on Rong Xia, but he only spoke to the Emperor and other ministers, never glancing her way.

"Dada da."

The sound of hooves approached from behind. Shi Feixian turned to see a snow-white steed carrying a woman in red galloping towards them. Although the woman was still some distance away, Shi Feixian had a feeling that she would attract everyone's attention.

As the horse drew closer, Shi Feixian recognized the rider.

Ban Hua, it was actually her. It really was her.

Looking at the beautiful and exquisite golden leaf buyao crown in Ban Hua's hair, she instinctively turned to look at Rong Xia.

This glance pierced her heart like a needle, a subtle but persistent pain.

"Oh, the Ban family girl has arrived." Hearing the hooves, the Emperor wondered who was riding so recklessly. He looked up, and the smile on his face deepened. "I knew it; besides this girl, few would dare to do this in front of me."

Rong Xia followed Emperor Yunqing's gaze.

White clothes, red clothes, a beautiful face, and a golden crown—against the backdrop of the golden earth, she appeared exceptionally radiant.

"Hiya!" Seeing the Emperor and his entourage, Ban Hua whipped her horse, accelerating towards the Emperor. She dismounted gracefully and bowed. "This subject greets Your Majesty."

"Rise, quickly rise," Emperor Yunqing chuckled, glancing behind her. "Where are your father and younger brother?"

"Their riding skills are not as good as mine. I was eager to see Your Majesty, so I came ahead," Ban Hua grinned, taking a step forward. "It has only been a few days, but Your Majesty looks even more valiant."

"You girl, always speaking such nonsense," Emperor Yunqing's smile widened as he looked at the lively young woman. "I am old now, not like you young people."

"Your Majesty is the ruler of the world, a wise emperor. How can you compare yourself to a humble woman like me?" Ban Hua had mastered the art of flattering the Emperor since childhood. So, even though she was only the Emperor's niece by marriage, she was more favored in his presence than even some of the princesses.

The Emperor smiled at her more often than at the daughters born to his consorts.

"Hahahaha," the Emperor laughed heartily. "Good, good, good. I bestow this horsewhip upon you, young lady. May you hunt many fine things."

He looked at the vibrant and beautiful young woman, feeling a slight pang of regret. If she weren't his niece by marriage, he would definitely take such a beauty into the palace as a favored consort, showering her with the most beautiful jewels and the finest fabrics, keeping her well protected.

Fortunately, Emperor Yunqing's moral compass was still functioning, and his affection for Ban Hua remained within the boundaries of uncle and niece. Moreover, he was a clear-headed father. Although he favored Ban Hua, he would never allow his sons to marry such a woman.

Such a girl was fine to dote on as a younger generation, but marrying her into the family would be troublesome.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Ban Hua took the horsewhip and flicked it in her hand. "Your Majesty's whip is indeed better." She then disdainfully removed the whip from her own waist and tossed it aside, replacing it with the Emperor's gift. "When this subject hunts something good, I will present it to you."

Jiang Luo's gaze fell upon Ban Hua's delicate earlobes and wrists, then quickly averted his eyes, raising an eyebrow in disdain.

After so many years, Ban Hua's flattery was still so exaggerated and blatant, yet his father loved it. He would often reward her with things, spoiling her to become even more unruly and unrestrained.

Remembering how the woman he admired had also been mistreated by Ban Hua, Jiang Luo became even more critical of her.

No wonder no man dared to marry her, a woman like this…

His gaze swept across Ban Hua's smooth and delicate face. He wouldn't even want such a woman, with only beauty and no substance, even if she were offered to him!

"This minister greets Your Majesty," the Ban father and son finally caught up, panting. Ban Huai, without a word, immediately apologized to Emperor Yunqing. "My daughter is unrefined; this minister has failed in disciplining her. I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness."

"Forgive what?" The smile on Emperor Yunqing's face didn't fade. "I think your daughter is very good. Don't restrain her."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Ban Huai seized the opportunity, straightening up and tactfully blending into the crowd of ministers with his son.

"Your Majesty, then this subject will also take her leave." Ban Hua touched the horsewhip at her waist, looking eager to show it off.

"Go, go." Emperor Yunqing saw through her intentions and waved her off. As an elder, an emperor, and a man, seeing a charming younger generation appreciate his gift and excitedly wanting to show it off pleased him greatly.

With Ban Hua's interruption, the Emperor forgot his displeasure with the Crown Prince and the Second Prince. He glanced at the sky and addressed the crowd behind him. "Let us begin."

Before the hunt began, officials from the Ministry of Rites would set up an altar to offer sacrifices to heaven, praying for everyone's safety and a bountiful harvest.

This ancient tradition had become a formality before the royal hunt, but as it concerned the safety of the royal family and important court officials, no one dared to be careless.

"It's just a horsewhip, look at her arrogant manner," Xie Wanyu said, feeling disgusted as she saw some shallow noblewomen fawning over Ban Hua. Turning to Shi Feixian, she continued, "How could the Jingting Marquis Household raise such a daughter?"

Shi Feixian sneered. "An idiot is an idiot. To act like this in front of so many people, truly vulgar and unbearable."

Xie Wanyu looked at Shi Feixian in surprise. Although Feixian hadn't always approved of Ban Hua's behavior, she had never spoken about her in such a sharp tone before. This was the first time.

Shi Feixian also realized she had been a bit too harsh and forced a smile. "Let's go, we'll find a place to rest. No need to compete with those smelly men for prey."

"Mm, alright." Xie Wanyu nodded, not dwelling on Shi Feixian's unusual behavior.

Author's Note:

Second Prince: My cousin's flattery is simple, crude, and brainless. It's an eyesore!

Father Emperor likes simple, crude, and brainless flattery. So tiring!

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