"Miss Xing'er," the man fawned with a smile that couldn't conceal his worry and awkwardness. The eight-year-old girl stood on the hillside, wearing a snow-white fox fur vest, her bright sparkling eyes making her appear charming and adorable.
"Please choose a horse."
Chu Qiao glanced at the dozen or so horses before her, noticing they were all young foals without horseshoes, their coats clean - clearly raised indoors without ever stepping outside. The child staggered through the snow, swaying as she waved her small whip, deliberately acting spoiled as she said: "I don't want these, I want to ride a big horse."
The nearby guard stepped forward hesitantly, about to speak when Song Lian quickly intervened, bowing obsequiously: "If Miss Xing'er wants to ride a big horse, that's naturally a simple matter. You there, go bring some good horses, remember - big ones."
Song Lian deliberately emphasized the word "big." Two guards understood his meaning and hurried off to fetch horses. Soon after, five large horses were led out. With just one glance, Chu Qiao could tell they were elderly horses - it was questionable whether they could even run. Without exposing this, she turned to Song Lian and said: "These horses look strong and robust. I'm young and have never ridden such large horses. Why don't you demonstrate first, Guard Song, to give me an idea?"
Song Lian's brow immediately furrowed tightly, his face falling. Zhu Cheng urged curiously: "Go on, what are you waiting for? Don't tell me you don't know how to ride? Then why were you so eager to come earlier?"
Song Lian was suffering inwardly, thinking to himself that had he known he'd be serving this little ancestor, he'd rather die than come. Reluctantly approaching the old horse, he reached out to pat its drowsy head, gave it two pats, then carefully stepped into the stirrup as if the horse beneath him were made of paper, afraid that the slightest pressure might crush it.
Holding his breath, the horse surprisingly held up - though its four legs trembled, it didn't collapse. Song Lian sighed in relief and said with a smile: "The snow is heavy today, and Miss Xing'er is still young. Let's just practice mounting today, and learn to ride tomorrow."
Just as Zhu Cheng was about to nod in agreement, Chu Qiao suddenly stepped forward, slapped the horse's rump hard and laughed: "Enough talk, let's see it run a lap first!"
With a loud thud, the horse didn't run when slapped but instead its legs gave way and it collapsed to the ground. Song Lian was thrown head over heels, plunging headfirst into a snowbank with only his boots visible above the snow.
The guards immediately rushed forward in panic. Zhu Cheng frowned at the horse lying on the ground, barely breathing, and said displeased: "These are supposed to be the best horses? It seems you don't take the Fourth Young Master's orders seriously."
"I wouldn't dare," Song Lian scrambled up and quickly explained: "I absolutely don't mean that! It's just that Miss Xing'er is so young, we didn't dare bring out the prime warhorses!"
Zhu Cheng nodded: "That does make some sense. Xing'er, you're still young, why don't you ride the small horses for now, alright?"
"If Brother Zhu Cheng says to ride small horses, then Xing'er will ride small horses." The child lifted her head, her pink little face and curved eyes looking utterly adorable.
Zhu Cheng beamed with pleasure, but turned to glare angrily at Song Lian: "What are you waiting for? Go get the horses!"Song Lian limped over leading a horse and, amid Zhu Cheng's continuous stream of cautious warnings, helped Chu Qiao mount the horse. The child lowered her head and said with a smile, "Brother Guard, I don't know how to ride yet. Could you hold the reins and walk me around slowly?"
Song Lian was only too happy to oblige, nodding eagerly like garlic cloves being chopped. The small horse was very docile, following slowly behind Song Lian. In just a short while, they had covered over a hundred paces. Song Lian looked up with an ingratiating smile, "Miss Xing'er, this horse is quite good, isn't it? It was born not long ago. Even when the Seventh Young Miss asked me for it recently, I couldn't bear to part with it. If you like it, Miss, I'll give it to you."
"How could I take something the Seventh Young Miss likes? That wouldn't be proper."
Song Lian immediately grinned, "What are you saying, Miss? Although the Seventh Young Miss is the general's own daughter, her status is worlds apart from the Fourth Young Master's. You're the Fourth Young Master's favorite - in terms of status, you're much more distinguished than them."
"Is that so?" The child smiled faintly, "I truly didn't know I held such high status, especially since not long ago, I was still at your mercy, Guard Song, subject to your beatings and scoldings."
Song Lian's face instantly turned pale. Chu Qiao's eyes turned cold as she swiftly pulled the sleeve dart from Song Lian's arm and, with lightning speed, stabbed it hard into the horse's hindquarters. The startled horse let out a long, mournful whinny, kicked free from Song Lian's restraint, and bolted forward at full speed!
The child immediately cried out in feigned panic, "Guard Song! What are you doing?"
Seeing the horse bolt in fright from afar, Zhu Cheng and the others were greatly alarmed. Shouting and yelling, they rushed forward, but how could they match the speed of the beast's four legs?
"Quick! Mount up and rescue Xing'er!"
Over ten fine horses swiftly gave chase. Chu Qiao pretended to be panicked while her eyes scanned the surroundings, looking for a safe place to land.
Just then, a yellow dapple horse seemed to descend from the heavens. The youth riding it had a pale complexion, eyes sharp as lightning, lips unusually crimson, and wore a deep purple robe with dark floral patterns and wide sleeves. Galloping at full speed, he drew his sword like lightning and stabbed between the small horse's eyes. Under attack, the horse screamed even more pitifully, immediately rearing up on its hind legs and shaking its head wildly!
Simultaneously, a soft whip shot forward, wrapping around the child's small waist and lifting her completely off the horse!
"Ha, that was close, very close." Yan Xun, dressed in a lake-green brocade robe with handsome features, smiled as he held Chu Qiao, his voice carrying a hint of knowing slyness.
Zhuge Yue pulled the sleeve dart from the horse's hindquarters and turned to coldly look at Song Lian, saying to the servants beside him, "Take him away to the steward's court and hand him over to Zhu Qi."
Two guards immediately rushed forward and quickly bound Song Lian. The man shouted, "Fourth Young Master, it wasn't..."
Instantly, with a thud, the leisurely-dressed Yan Xun flashed forward and kicked out, shattering Song Lian's yellow teeth and rendering him unable to speak. Zhuge Yue frowned slightly and turned to look sideways at Yan Xun.
"A slave like this would have been dragged out and beheaded long ago in Prince Yan's manor. How could he be given a chance to make excuses?" Yan Xun smiled and said, "The Fourth Young Master is too merciful. I overstepped my bounds - I hope the Fourth Young Master won't take offense."Zhuge Yue snorted lightly, "Not at all. Young Master Yan's skills are remarkable. I must have been blind back in the appointment hall."
Yan Xun waved his hand and smiled, "Just some flashy moves, hardly comparable to the Fourth Young Master's military prowess since youth."
Zhuge Yue gave an ambiguous, faint nod and waved his hand. His subordinates immediately dragged away Song Lian, whose mouth was streaming with blood.
"Young Master Yan, thank you for specially returning the lost horses to our residence today. However, such matters can be left to servants in the future—no need to trouble Your Highness personally. I had intended to invite you for a simple meal, but knowing how busy you are with important affairs, I won't impose. Zhu Cheng, escort Young Master Yan out."
Yan Xun smiled indifferently, exchanged pleasantries with Zhuge Yue, and turned to leave. As he passed by Chu Qiao, he suddenly leaned close and whispered in her ear, "Heartless little girl, you've harmed another person again."
Chu Qiao was taken aback and looked up, only to see Yan Xun walking away with a calm smile as if nothing had happened. His posture was upright, already carrying the demeanor of a grown adult, his expression composed—nothing like the frivolous, grinning rogue he appeared to be when facing her.
"Xing'er," a low voice suddenly sounded behind her. The child turned her head to see Zhuge Yue's unpleasant expression, his gaze sharp as a knife sweeping over her as he said slowly, "Come back with me."
Chu Qiao sighed softly. How unlucky—to be caught red-handed. Better think quickly of how to deal with this little fox.
The eight-year-old child trailed dejectedly behind Zhuge Yue, her mind rapidly fabricating tales of her tragic, bullied past. Unbeknownst to her, the look in Zhuge Yue's eyes ahead was gloomy yet tinged with a hint of childish triumph, though it was unclear what exactly he was so pleased about.
OpenNovel