I Am This Type of Woman

“Lord Cheng’an, what do you mean by that?”

“I was just inspired after hearing Heir Shizi and Junzhu Kangning’s discussion about gentlemen,” Rong Xia turned and bowed towards Ban Hua. “A gentleman should be free from worry, free from fear, and free from delusion. I am but a commoner among the masses, unworthy of Junjun Ban’s praise.”

Rong Xia, who had received much acclaim, even being praised by His Majesty himself, claimed that he had not yet attained the way of a gentleman. While Heir Shizi of Prince Hui’s household, who had once shown disrespect to his elders, considered himself a gentleman. This was quite ironic.

Ban Hua understood that Lord Cheng’an was subtly mocking Jiang Yuchen. She covered her mouth, chuckling softly, then turned to meet Kangning’s furious, almost fire-breathing gaze. She rolled her eyes in response.

Rong Xia didn't intend to continue this pointless exchange with Jiang Yuchen. Seeing Jiang Yuchen’s face darken in speechless anger, he turned to Ban Hua and said, “Junjun Ban, Junzhu Kangning, please this way.”

“Thank you, Lord Cheng’an.” Kangning suppressed her anger and forced a smile at Rong Xia.

Rong Xia nodded slightly in acknowledgement.

Wang De glanced at Junzhu Kangning. This one had a completely different personality from Junjun Ban. If Lord Cheng’an had treated Junjun Ban’s younger brother with this attitude, with Junjun Ban’s fiery temper, she would have definitely exploded at Lord Cheng’an. There would be no way she could still smile.

Such a deep mind in such a young girl, how would she fare after marriage?

Seeing them approach, Emperor Yunqing didn't ask what had happened. He simply beckoned to Rong Xia and the Ban siblings. “You young people are always so playful. Come and have a look. Which of these archers do you think will win?”

As for Kangning and Jiang Yuchen, who had come along, they seemed to have been forgotten by His Majesty. He didn't even spare them a glance.

The current Emperor was rather petty and prone to taking out his frustrations on others. Therefore, the Prince Hui’s family always walked on eggshells around him. Ban Hua even suspected that if the late Emperor hadn't explicitly stated in his will that His Majesty should take good care of his younger brother, he would have eliminated this entire family long ago.

“Your Majesty, I can't tell,” Ban Hua said, shaking her head as she looked at the uniformly dressed riders in the field. “Aren’t you making things difficult for me?”

Emperor Yunqing enjoyed this straightforward nature of hers. “Then just pick one at random.”

A eunuch brought over a tray containing a row of name tags, each bearing the name of an archer.

Ban Hua looked them over and picked one.

“You chose so quickly?” Emperor Yunqing looked at Ban Hua in surprise. Hadn't she said she didn't know who to choose?

“His name is the most auspicious. Choosing him definitely won't be wrong.” Ban Hua smiled and showed Emperor Yunqing the name tag before tossing it into a nearby jade vase.

“Gao Wangsheng…” Emperor Yunqing laughed. The name was indeed rather common, but it was certainly auspicious.

“Junbo, Heng, you two should also pick one.” Emperor Yunqing, in high spirits, gestured for Ban Heng and Rong Xia to choose.

“Your Majesty, you know me. I’m not afraid of anything, except using my brain.” Ban Heng also chose Gao Wangsheng’s name tag and threw it into the vase.

“I trust Junjun Ban’s discerning eye.” Rong Xia smiled and picked up Gao Wangsheng’s name tag, placing it in the vase.

Emperor Yunqing was very pleased with this aspect of Rong Xia. He knew who Rong Xia liked and disliked. Every word and action, while graceful and refined, was never aloof or arrogant, only leaving people with a feeling of warmth and comfort. Thinking of those ministers in the court, whose abilities might not be great, but whose voices were louder than anyone else's, arguing endlessly over trivial matters, he wished that the entire court could be like Rong Xia, so he could have some peace and quiet.

Ban Hua turned to look at Rong Xia, and Rong Xia turned to look at her. She gave him a friendly smile.

This feeling, where even she didn't believe in her own judgment, but others did, was truly wonderful.

Kangning watched Rong Xia smile gently at Ban Hua, her heart aching as if cut by a knife. However, she dared not show any dissatisfaction on her face. Even if the Emperor treated her and her brother as if they were invisible, she could only stand aside, maintaining a smile.

“Meimei,” Jiang Yuchen walked up to her, guilt in his expression. “I’ve made you suffer.”

Kangning shook her head, biting her lip without speaking. What suffering had she endured? At least she had food and clothing. Her brother, on the other hand, had wandered outside for these years, who knew how much hardship he had endured.

Just then, applause and cheers erupted from the field. Kangning heard the bell of the target range eunuch.

“The archery competition is over! The winner is Gao Wangsheng!”

Kangning smiled bitterly. Some people were born lucky. Even a casual remark could come true.

But why? Why?

How unfair was Heaven?

“You are Gao Wangsheng?” Emperor Yunqing looked at the archer bowing before him. The man was short and thin, with unremarkable features. He even appeared timid standing before him. He didn't look like a master archer who could hit the bullseye from a hundred paces.

But he had won against all the others, becoming the final victor.

“Your Majesty, that is indeed me.”

“Girl Ban, your eyesight is truly good. Out of so many people, you picked him,” Emperor Yunqing pointed to Rong Xia and Ban Heng. “It seems you all have discerning eyes.”

“Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty,” Ban Heng beamed. “This year is almost over, and Your Majesty is the first person to praise me.”

Emperor Yunqing was immediately amused by Ban Heng's words. He had long heard of how prodigal his nephew was. However, although the boy was prodigal, he wasn't completely unreasonable. So as long as he didn't cause any major trouble, he would turn a blind eye and pretend he didn't know anything.

Ban Heng's words not only amused Emperor Yunqing, but also the Empress and several princesses.

To others, it seemed like Ban Heng was deliberately trying to amuse Emperor Yunqing. However, Ban Hua knew in her heart that her brother was sincerely grateful to His Majesty.

While the target range was lively, the campsite seemed rather quiet. Li Xiaoru sat on her bed, hugging a blanket and staring blankly. She didn't even notice Shi Feixian walk in.

“Xiaoru,” Shi Feixian waved a hand in front of her. “I just heard from your attendants that you fainted. What happened?”

Li Xiaoru wanted to tell her what had just happened. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but then she thought of Ban Hua’s difficult personality and swallowed them back down. Shaking her head, she said, “I’m fine, just a little dizzy.”

Shi Feixian’s gaze swept over her face, then she smiled. “Then you must be more careful. Don't ride horses anymore.”

Listening to Shi Feixian’s thoughtful advice, Li Xiaoru felt a pang of guilt. “By the way, Junzhu Kangning and Ban Hua had an argument just now, and Lord Cheng’an went over to mediate.”

“Why would Lord Cheng’an get involved in such a matter?” The smile on Shi Feixian’s face stiffened slightly, then she gently tucked the blanket around Li Xiaoru. “Lie down for a while. My guard hunted two pheasants. I’ve already had someone stew one, and I’ll send it over to you later.”

“It’s too much trouble…”

“Although we are not sisters by blood, we are sisters in heart. If you say such things again, you’ll be treating me like a stranger.” Shi Feixian said seemingly casually, “Even Lord Cheng’an could mediate between two women he’s not familiar with, can’t I care for my good sister?”

“That’s different. Lord Cheng’an was also with His Majesty’s attendant, Wang De, at the time,” Li Xiaoru said with a hint of disdain. “If it wasn’t His Majesty’s intention, how could Lord Cheng’an have intervened in a matter between two women?”

“Perhaps Lord Cheng’an was captivated by Ban Hua’s beauty and played the hero saving the damsel,” Shi Feixian’s smile deepened, her tone light and teasing. “As the saying goes, a fair lady and a gentleman are a perfect match.”

“She’s no fair lady…” Thinking of Ban Hua’s sharp tongue, Li Xiaoru swallowed the rest of her sentence and instead complimented Shi Feixian. “You’re more deserving of the title ‘fair lady.’”

Shi Feixian blushed at her words and hurried out of the tent.

At the end of the day’s hunting activities, Ban Heng accompanied Ban Hua back to her tent. “Jiejie, why do I feel like Lord Cheng’an was helping us today?”

Although he didn't read much, he wasn't stupid. Lord Cheng’an was clearly taking sides.

“Of course he would help us,” Ban Hua held up three fingers. “I gave him two pheasants and a fat rabbit.”

Speaking of this, Ban Hua felt quite pleased with her foresight, lifting her chin proudly.

Ban Heng thought to himself, this Lord Cheng’an was really easy to bribe. Two pheasants and a wild rabbit were all it took.

“Heir Shizi Ban, Junjun Ban.” Two guards dressed in blue approached, each holding a tray containing venison and deer blood.

“We are guards from Lord Cheng’an’s residence. These are gifts from our Lord. We hope you will accept them.”

Ban Heng paused for a moment, then had the guard standing by the tent accept the trays. “Thank you both. Please convey our gratitude to Lord Cheng’an.”

“You are too kind, Heir Shizi.” The two guards bowed and retreated. It was evident that Lord Cheng’an managed his household well, with strict discipline.

“Jiejie,” Ban Heng pointed at the venison. “Is this a return gift?”

Venison was much more valuable than rabbit or pheasant meat. Had they made a profit?

After the two guards returned, they reported everything to Rong Xia, including the conversation between the Ban siblings that they happened to overhear.

“Because she gave me some game, she thinks I would help her?” Rong Xia chuckled softly, his laughter carrying a hint of deeper meaning.

He lifted the lid of the soup bowl in front of him. A puff of steam escaped, and the rich aroma of pheasant soup quickly filled the entire tent.

The pheasant meat was tender and chewy, neither too fatty nor too lean. The soup was delicious, and the meat was equally enjoyable.

Author's Note: Guard: Lord, eating too much at night is not good for your health.

ʕ◉ᴥ◉ʔ

Love what you read?