Su Yunmo crawled out of his embrace, her small mouth gasping for air.
Her father's temperament was unpredictable, fluctuating from one moment to the next.
She patted Su Qingtian's back with her small hands, half-hugging his neck. "Daddy, don't be sad. Momo never planned to get married. Momo wants to stay with Daddy and Mommy forever."
Given her current status, if she were to marry in the future, it would have to be to someone of equal standing, meaning she would have to choose from the young noblemen in the capital.
However, based on what happened at the hunting grounds that day.
Regardless of who the other party was, the Emperor would definitely not agree. To control the General's Mansion, he would surely force her to marry a prince.
As for Ye Jingcheng's brothers, she could only think about them, but she had no real interest.
So, rather than fret over it, she'd rather not marry anyone.
"You truly are Daddy's good girl!" General Su hugged the little dumpling tightly and kissed her fiercely.
He had made up his mind!
From now on, no matter what trouble his precious daughter caused, he would never lay a finger on her again!
Zhou Wanyou watched the father and daughter, shaking her head helplessly. "Alright Yi Ge, didn't we agree to go to the horse farm with Zhengping? We'll be late."
Su Qingtian rubbed the little dumpling's face, feeling the soft, tender skin, and let out a satisfied sigh. "Momo, do you want to go to the horse farm with Daddy?"
Su Yunmo thought she had nothing else to do today, so she nodded emphatically. "Momo wants to learn to ride a horse."
Learning more things might be useful later.
"Alright, let's take my daughter to ride a big horse!" Su Qingtian hoisted the little dumpling onto his shoulders and turned to leave.
Zhou Wanyou had no choice but to send A Cai to get Su Yunmo's shoes and coat.
The carriage was parked at the entrance.
Su Yunmo was lifted into the carriage, and Zhou Wanyou followed to help her put on her clothes and shoes.
The horse farm was located in the eastern district of the city, a popular spot for the wealthy and idle. It was divided into a hunting area and a practice area.
The latter offered archery, horse riding, and pitch-pot, all popular games among the capital's nobles.
At this moment, Xie Zhengping, dressed in a long robe over armor, held a long bow and stood fifty meters away from the target.
With a swift draw, he released the arrow, which struck the bullseye.
A round of cheers erupted from the spectators, all from young ladies and noblewomen.
"Godfather is so handsome!" Su Yunmo couldn't help but shout along.
Xie Zhengping turned and saw the family of three, his expression gentle. "Momo's praise will make Godfather soar to the heavens."
Su Yunmo opened her small arms and threw herself into his embrace, affectionately nuzzling his shoulder. "Even without Momo, there are plenty of people praising you, Godfather."
She glanced at the women in the stands, thinking that if it weren't for the railings, they would have rushed over to devour Godfather.
Su Qingtian saw the little dumpling, who had been on his neck moments ago, forget her own father upon seeing her godfather, and his face immediately lengthened.
To make matters worse, Zhou Wanyou walked up to Xie Zhengping as if no one else was there and asked, "Ling Yin isn't here today?"
"Don't you know her? If she were here, there would be no room for me to perform," Xie Zhengping said with a hint of helplessness, but with a touch of indulgence in his eyes.
Everyone in the capital knew that Madam Xie came from a martial family and her skills were no less than a man's. She was proficient in all eighteen weapons, and whenever she came to the practice grounds, the young ladies would shout themselves hoarse.
When Su Qingtian heard that Zhang Lingyin was not coming, his face grew even longer. He snatched the bow from Xie Zhengping's hand, drew an arrow, glanced at the target, and shot.
The arrow flew true, hitting the bullseye, piercing through the target, and embedding itself in another target fifty meters behind.
This display caused even more screams from the audience, and all eyes turned to Su Qingtian.
Among them, one gaze was particularly intense.
Ye Yuanlin tightly gripped the bow in her hand and rose from her seat.
Su Qingtian put down his bow and gave Xie Zhengping a challenging look. "Since she's not here, you can go down now."
Don't try to show off in front of my wife and daughter!
Xie Zhengping's eyelids twitched.
This man had been bothering him for so many years; he really wasn't tired.
"General Su is a victorious general on the battlefield; his martial arts and archery skills are beyond compare," Ye Yuanlin said as she descended from the stands, heading directly towards Su Qingtian.
Her eyes were fixed on Su Qingtian, her gaze so fiery it seemed as if she wanted to burn him to ashes.
General Su's face immediately darkened.
Su Yunmo also frowned.
This Princess really never learned her lesson.
Ye Yuanlin stopped about two meters away, her eyes now only on Su Qingtian. "Recently, this princess has also taken a liking to archery. Since General Su is such a master, could you perhaps offer some guidance?"
In reality, she hated these things the most, but for him, she was willing to learn.
After that day, she had intended to give up, but every night she couldn't help but think of him. How could years of love be forgotten so easily?
But she had also realized that blindly using those methods was counterproductive. It was better to enrich herself and show him a different side of herself.
As long as he could understand that she was more outstanding than Zhou Wanyou, he would surely change his mind.
Su Qingtian pursed his lips in annoyance and then cautiously glanced at Zhou Wanyou.
Zhou Wanyou had not spoken the entire time. When he looked over, she met his gaze and smiled sweetly.
General Su immediately became flustered. He straightened his face and sternly refused, "This general does not compete with women. Princess, please find someone else."
With that, he shoved the bow back into Xie Zhengping's hand, snatched the little dumpling back into his arms, and deliberately moved closer to Zhou Wanyou.
He clearly declared his allegiance to everyone.
A hint of satisfaction flickered in Zhou Wanyou's eyes.
Xie Zhengping glanced at the bow in his hand, a curve forming at the corner of his eye. "Directly refusing the Princess's invitation is a bit ungentlemanly, isn't it?"
He wanted to divert the trouble for his wife, but he couldn't explain it back home.
He wanted him to take the blame? No way!
The little dumpling in Su Qingtian's arms was returned to him, and the bow was stuffed back into his arms. He was so angry his teeth itched, and he glared fiercely at Xie Zhengping, calling him disloyal.
Xie Zhengping felt that good brothers were meant to be stabbed in the back.
Su Yunmo had no good feelings for this princess. She pouted her small lips and said, "Auntie, you're so annoying. Daddy already said he doesn't want to compete with you, and you're still lingering here."
Ye Yuanlin's expression froze, and her eyes immediately welled up with tears.
After all, she was a dignified princess, a noble member of the royal family. How could she tolerate their repeated rejections and blatant dismissals?
But she was unwilling!
To compete with him, she had practiced for two full months, her hands even developing calluses, and her skin had been tanned.
If she couldn't let him know how excellent she was, then all her efforts would have been in vain.
Ye Yuanlin clenched the bow in her hand and turned her gaze to Zhou Wanyou. "Since General Su is unwilling to compete with this princess, then the General's wife wouldn't refuse, would she?"
No matter what, she had to make Su Qingtian realize that she was a more suitable person for him than Zhou Wanyou!
Zhou Wanyou lowered her eyes and smiled faintly. "This concubine does not know these things and fears she would dampen the Princess's spirits. Princess, with your spirit and vigor, why not try the hunting area?"
Someone in the stands heard this and let out a burst of mocking laughter.
Ye Yuanlin's face immediately turned grim.
The hunting area was for men. Her words were a jab at her, implying she was ill-bred and not like a woman.