Chapter 473 Riding a Horse

Several days passed in this peaceful and tranquil manner.

Today, a letter from home in the frontier arrived at Weiyang Palace.

Jiang Huan unfolded Xu Zhiyuan's letter, which detailed the prosperity of the border trade, the successful trial planting of new crops, the harmonious relationship between Han people and herdsmen, and the peace and tranquility of the border.

"Inspection complete, all good news." Jiang Huan smiled and handed the letter to Huo Lin.

Huo Lin quickly glanced at the document, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Sending Xu Zhiyuan to the border was indeed the right decision.

The trade was successful, the people are at peace, and I am very pleased!

He had just put down the letter when a message came from outside the palace that Princess Ayina of the Carefree Kingdom was requesting an audience.

Jiang Huan was somewhat surprised and exchanged a glance with Huo Lin.

It has been some time since Ayina accompanied Prince Huo Yunxing to take up her post as the Governor of Border Trade.

Soon, a dashing figure in red strode in.

Ayina's neat, northern-style riding outfit accentuated her upright posture, and her bright, emerald-green eyes made her look like a leaping flame.

"Your Majesty, Jiang Huan!" She bowed crisply, her voice clear and cheerful, carrying the unique straightforwardness of the people of the grasslands.

"Why are you back? Tell me quickly, how's the environment over there? How's life? Are you doing alright?"

Jiang Huan stood up to greet her, smiling as she took her hand.

“Very good!” Ayina grinned and poured herself a cup of tea, drinking it all in one gulp.

"The border is bustling right now, there's so much business that we can't keep up, and the grasslands are lush. Huo Yunxing is over there keeping an eye on the stalls. I came back with the caravan to take a look, and by the way..." She changed the subject, her blue eyes flashing with cunning, and looked at Jiang Huan, "to check on someone's homework."

"Homework?" Jiang Huan didn't react for a moment.

She graduated many years ago, and the days of racking her brains to do homework and prepare for exams are long gone.

And she's already transmigrated, so why would any homework assignments still be chasing after her?!

“Horse riding!” Ayina said, hands on her hips and chin slightly raised.

"Have you forgotten? I was the one who taught you. Although there was a little accident later, we people of the northern desert don't give up halfway when teaching students. How about it, do you dare to go to the horse farm again and see how much of what you learned back then is left?"

"Oh oh oh!"

When horseback riding was mentioned, Jiang Huan suddenly realized what it meant, and her eyes lit up.

She had actually been thinking about this for a while, but she put it aside because of her leg injury and various other things.

"Okay, okay." Jiang Huan nodded repeatedly, eager to try.

"I was just about to stretch my muscles, but..."

She touched her chin, a little embarrassed, "I might be a bit rusty, Teacher Ayina, you'll have to be patient."

"What I have most in common is patience!" Ayina clapped her hands in satisfaction and looked at Huo Lin.

"Your Majesty, would you mind if I borrowed your Empress for half a day? I promise to return her in perfect condition."

Huo Lin put down his teacup and glanced indifferently at the two of them.

[Patient? The most patient? I think Ayina is most shameless.]

[Why are you bringing up how badly she fell off her horse last time?]

No, I disagree...

But she seems to really want to go.

"Okay." Finally, he slowly stood up, his tone natural, as if he had just mentioned it casually.

"On the condition that I go with you."

Although Ayina kept glancing sideways, her eyes were full of dissatisfaction with Huo Linxian's meddling in other people's business.

But she also knew that if she refused, this stubborn emperor would definitely not let go.

So the group headed to the Royal Horse Ranch in a grand procession.

Somehow, the news seemed to have wings and quickly reached Mingzhu's ears.

Upon hearing this, the little girl couldn't sit still any longer and excitedly chased after him.

As soon as they arrived at Jiang Huan's carriage, they jumped on her arm and chattered away.

"Waaah, Your Majesty, you're not being a good friend! I haven't ridden a horse in ages!"

Mingzhu's eyes sparkled as she leaned close to Jiang Huan's ear, complaining slightly, "My father said the other day that I've been eating snacks in the room every day and my face has gotten a bit rounder. This is a good opportunity to get some exercise and digest my food."

Huo Lin glanced at the excited Mingzhu, said nothing, and only ordered that several more docile horses be prepared.

The grass at the horse ranch was already turning slightly yellow in autumn, the sky was high and the clouds were light, and the mountains rose and fell in the distance, making it a perfect day for riding horses.

As soon as Ayina arrived at the horse farm, she felt like a fish returning to the sea. She moved briskly between the rows of stables, her sharp eyes sweeping over each horse, occasionally patting its neck and pinching its hooves.

Before long, she led out a chestnut mare with a glossy coat and snow-white hooves.

"Here, this Flying Cloud is just the right age. It's gentle, intelligent, and has a steady gait. Try riding it to get a feel for it and get used to it."

Jiang Huan took a deep breath and, with the help of the horse trainer, mounted the horse.

Touching the saddle and grasping the reins, a long-lost feeling welled up in my heart.

She adjusted her posture according to her memory, squeezed the horse's belly, and gently shook the reins.

Feiyun was indeed docile, and slowly began to walk.

At first, she was a little awkward, but soon her muscle memory was awakened, and Jiang Huan gradually found her rhythm, going from a slow walk to a jog. Although the speed was not fast, her posture was obviously much more relaxed, and a cheerful smile appeared on her face.

"Not bad, you haven't forgotten everything."

Ayina, riding a magnificent chestnut horse, followed beside them. Seeing this, she raised an eyebrow and praised, then added, "But just trotting won't do. Come on, follow me, let's run a couple of laps!"

With that, she spurred the horse, and the chestnut horse shot off like an arrow.

Mingzhu's riding skills were slightly inferior, but she tried her best to urge her horse forward, shouting, "Wait for me!"

As Jiang Huan watched their retreating figures disappear into the distance, her competitive spirit was stirred up.

She tried to urge Feiyun to speed up, and the mare obediently quickened her pace; the feeling of the wind brushing past her ears was exhilarating.

However, ideals are often grand, while reality is often harsh.

Jiang Huan soon discovered that after giving birth, during her postpartum period, and spending most of her years working at a desk, her physical strength... seemed to be really starting to give out.

At first, I could barely make out Ayina's fiery red back and Mingzhu's pale yellow riding outfit, but gradually, the distance between us grew further and further.

My chest felt tight, my legs started to ache, and my palms were slightly sweaty as I gripped the reins.

Feiyun seemed to sense its master's lack of strength, and its speed slowed down to a leisurely trot.

Jiang Huan looked at the few figures in front of her that were almost reduced to tiny dots, and then at Fei Yun who was moving at a steady pace as if taking a stroll. She was both amused and exasperated.

"Sigh..." She sighed, loosened the reins slightly, and let the horse graze at a more comfortable pace.

Forget it, let's just do what we can. We can't catch up with them anyway.

Huo Lin stood with his hands behind his back on a high slope by the horse farm, his gaze following the small chestnut-colored dot.

Seeing that Jiang Huan was able to keep up at first, but gradually fell behind and eventually it almost turned into a stroll, a smile flashed across his eyes.

My chance has come.

[Ayina and Mingzhu are so engrossed in riding that they certainly won't disturb my private time with them.]

However, seeing her dejected look, my heart also feels empty.

[I'll definitely take her out more often to help her regain her strength!]

He raised his hand to signal the guards beside him not to follow, and slowly walked down the slope towards Jiang Huan, who was gradually falling behind.