Chapter 56 Dust and Light (Fifteen) It fell onto those crimson lips…

The words had a teasing undertone. After a moment's thought, Zhi Rou chose Wei Yuanzhan over Song Qiyu.

She raised her hand respectfully and bowed to him, saying, "Please teach me, Prince Wei."

Xia Yang fell from the gap in the leaves. The girl had straight shoulders and a slender waist. She hadn't changed her clothes and was wearing a long peach-colored dress. Her long, butterfly-like eyelashes were pressed down, giving her a somewhat submissive air.

After a moment, those drooping eyelids lifted, their eyes shining brightly: "Young Master Wei?" she urged.

Wei Yuanzhan shifted his gaze from her and stepped forward: "You can owe me the tuition fee for now, I'll come and collect it later."

Before she could finish speaking, Zhi Rou raised an eyebrow in bewilderment: "Your family is wealthy, what do I have that you would want?"

These were his own words, spoken on the banks of the Yunliu River.

Wei Yuanzhan grimaced in dissatisfaction, unsure whether he was regretting his slip of the tongue that day or blaming her for bringing up the past.

"Who wants your gold and silver?" he said in a contemptuous tone.

Zhi Rou immediately stepped forward, glancing at Wei Yuanzhan with slight suspicion: "I won't do anything bad. I want to live a long and peaceful life."

Wei Yuanzhan chuckled: "Haven't you done enough bad things?"

Murder, arson, and taking lives—those are truly evil deeds. In Zhi Rou's mind, she was merely a little mischievous.

"How about I write you a written agreement, so we can both feel at ease?"

This is something that needs to be clearly written in an IOU. For no reason at all, Wei Yuanzhan savored a distinct sense of distinction.

He was displeased. He turned his head and stared at her for a moment, a mocking smile playing on his lips: "What, are you afraid you can't give me what I want?"

Zhi Rou said naturally, "Can something that isn't measured in silver be cheap?"

"You treat everyone like this?"

"What does it look like?" Zhi Rou flipped her eyelashes, her eyes pure.

Wei Yuanzhan fell silent. He gave a soft hum and walked out of the mansion.

The carriage was spacious, and as the doors opened and closed, the changing light and shadow shone on Wei Yuanzhan's face. Zhirou sat opposite him, her skirt fluttering, and asked, "Where are we going?"

"Wuhua Gate".

Wuhua Gate was the western gate of the outer city, a vital transportation route connecting the capital with the northwest. To facilitate the travel of merchants, a horse market was set up where horses could be rented or purchased.

"What are you going to Wuhua Gate for? To inspect horses?"

Zhi Rou was concerned about his Yue Ying, "Where's your horse?"

Mentioning this, Wei Yuanzhan smiled, a smile that reflected both delight and pride. His gaze casually swept over Zhi Rou: "You can't handle my horse."

Zhi Rou was too lazy to respond to him. She crossed her arms over her chest, leaned her head and shoulders against the car wall, and closed her eyes to rest.

The road outside the city is long, and she still needs to ride a horse to the training ground, so she needs to conserve her energy.

The car swayed gently, and sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the windowpanes, casting a hazy glow on Zhi Rou's cheeks.

Wei Yuanzhan gazed at her quietly.

My gaze started from her eyebrows and eyes, traced the curve of her nose, and landed on her bright red lips.

It's this mouth of hers that always gets her talking back to him.

Wei Yuanzhan's lips also tightened.

Unexpectedly, the person opposite her suddenly moved, as if they were uncomfortable. Wei Yuanzhan's pupils widened slightly, and he realized that he was looking at her. Fearing that he would give himself away, he immediately looked away.

As you drive out of Chengping Street, the noise gradually dissipates, and the sounds of the world fade away, leaving only a quiet place.

"Wei Yuanzhan, get down here!"

"Master, it's He Tingzhou." Lan Ye's voice rang out almost simultaneously with another.

Without him needing to report, Wei Yuanzhan could tell.

He slowly withdrew his hand, remaining silent and still.

He Tingzhou sneered, "Now you know how to be a coward? Oh, no, you, Prince Wei, have always been a coward, always hiding behind others and acting like a king! You're just a dog relying on your master's power, nothing to brag about!"

The insults were so harsh that Zhi Rou clenched her fist, but her first reaction was to look at Wei Yuanzhan.

His long eyebrows were pressed down coldly, his lips were pursed into a thin line, and his gaze was irritable and he was suppressing his anger.

The cursing outside grew fiercer and fiercer. Lan Ye and He Tingzhou fought back for a few rounds, but seeing that Wei Yuanzhan did not show up for a long time, they assumed that he was afraid and became even more determined.

He Tingzhou provocatively said, "Wei Yuanzhan, you're spineless."

Several boys who were with him saw this and tried to persuade him.

"Let's not say too much. Maybe they're not even in the car. Tingzhou... let's go. Let's not make a scene, or things will get messy..."

"Yes, let's hurry up and go."

"Where are you going?" He Tingzhou brushed them aside and strode forward half a foot. "If you're so capable, then stay inside for the rest of your life and see..."

Lan Ye lashed out with his whip, startling He Tingzhou so much that he stumbled backward. Luckily, his companion caught him, preventing him from falling flat on his face.

Zhi Rou had long been unable to bear it any longer. She propped herself up on the edge of the seat, but before she could even touch the door, Wei Yuanzhan grabbed her wrist: "Don't go."

The commanding tone made Zhi Rou turn around to look at him, her gaze lingering on his face.

There was a pleading look in his eyes.

The area was sparsely populated, and He Tingzhou clearly didn't dare to make a scene; he was only doing this to vent his anger.

Whether Wei Yuanzhan acknowledges or not the phrase "abusing one's power to bully others," the Empress's actions have already made it clear.

Thinking of Wei Mingying, his clenched hand loosened slightly. In any case, he would never again give others the opportunity to do favors for the Wei family.

Zhi Rou was confused by the twists and turns of the situation, but she still followed his touch and sat back down, pouting somewhat listlessly. He glanced down, unable to see the expression in her eyes, but Wei Yuanzhan recognized that expression very well.

She got angry.

A moment later, Wei Yuanzhan turned to the outside and ordered, "Ask him if he's finished speaking. If he is, move aside; he's blocking the way."

It sounded like a question, but the tone was actually quite sharp, and there was no consultation with him.

Lan Ye had initially found his master's demeanor rather dull and was not used to it, but now that he had received instructions, a smile immediately appeared on his face. He didn't say anything more and drove straight ahead.

He Tingzhou and his group were so frightened that they broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly dodged, while the curses chased after them, but soon they could no longer be heard.

Inside the carriage, Wei Yuanzhan scrutinized Zhi Rou for a moment, then chuckled teasingly, "What are you angry about now?"

His voice was so deep and mellow, almost like a seductive whisper, yet it held a hidden interest.

Zhi Rou looked up and met his gaze. After a moment of silence, she said, "He Tingzhou is cursing you."

The words were still ringing in his ears when Wei Yuanzhan's lips tightened, his expression turning cold.

The carriage had barely resumed its journey when a commotion broke in from outside. Lan Ye stopped the carriage and said, "Master, we've arrived."

Zhi Rou crouched down and went out. Even after entering the stable, she was still lost in thought. Anyway, she didn't know anything about judging horses, so she left it all to Wei Yuanzhan.

After the start of the dog days of summer, it gets dark later and later, and it is still bright at dusk. The wind carries the faint fragrance of locust blossoms.

Wei Yuanzhan selected a relatively docile horse for Zhi Rou, placed it near the horse market, fitted it with a saddle, and then led the horse to ride alongside the carriage.

As they approached Tingsong Academy, he dismounted, and Zhirou jumped off the carriage, her face much brighter than before.

As the two were talking, Zhi Rou spotted a willow-like figure ahead, and her starry eyes flickered: "Luo Luo!"

Jiang Luoya saw her early in the morning and walked with Jiang Yun. Her response to her was far less enthusiastic than Jiang Yun's, but rather indifferent. When she saw Wei Yuanzhan was also there, she gave a slight bow.

Zhi Roushun called out "Young Master Jiang," then turned her head and asked, "When did you return?"

During her leg injury, she asked Pei Cheng to go to the Jiang family to find Jiang Luoya. She learned that her maternal grandmother had passed away and her coffin had been sent back to her hometown. She had been waiting for her to return ever since.

Now that they have been reunited after so long, Zhi Rou is filled with joy, but she tries to restrain herself because the Jiang family has just held a funeral.

Jiang Luoya trimmed her eyelids: "Just two days ago."

As if he had nothing to say to Zhirou, she grabbed her skirt as if to leave as soon as they met: "My brother and I have something to do, we have to go."

Zhi Rou opened her mouth in surprise, but before she could speak, Jiang Luoya turned around, and Jiang Yunli said "Fourth Miss Song" before parting ways.

In June, the air was stuffy, and even when the wind blew, the feeling of not being able to breathe was hard to stop.

Zhi Rou didn't understand why Jiang Luoya treated her this way, and felt a pang of sadness. She withdrew her gaze from behind Li Ren, lowered her head, and squeezed out of the crowd.

Wei Yuanzhan glanced at them, said nothing, and moved to Zhi Rou's side.

After a moment's thought, he said to her, "Mount up."

Zhi Rou seemed not to hear him. Wei Yuanzhan repeated it, and seeing her confusion, he said again, "Didn't you want me to teach you?"

The damp breeze slowed Jiang Luoya's pace; she seemed to be walking slowly, as if deliberately waiting for someone.

During her two months back home, she sent letters to Song Zhirou but received no reply. When she was heartbroken and needed comfort, Song Zhirou didn't send her a single word.

Jiang Luoya realized that this wasn't the first time she had felt this way, having given her heart in vain.

She felt both resentful and reluctant to let go of this unbalanced friendship. For example, right now, she was still hoping that Song Zhirou would catch up with her and explain herself.

The greater the hope, the more indescribable the feeling when it is dashed.

Jiang Luoya turned back unwillingly.

A sky full of flowing clouds stretched out before their eyes, and the equally humid wind fluttered the hem of the girl's clothes on horseback as she rode forward with great elegance.

Jiang Luoya's expression tightened, and she turned around and went downstairs.

At this hour, there wasn't a single person to be seen in the training ground.

Zhi Rou staggered along the way, finding it somewhat amusing but ultimately embarrassing. Seeing that no one was around, she felt a surge of joy. Ignoring the redness on her palms, she forcefully pulled on the reins and strolled freely around the training ground.

After walking around, Zhi Rou returned to where Wei Yuanzhan had been standing, a slight smile playing on her lips: "Am I amazing?"

She looked down at him, her sharp eyes gleaming like lamps. Wei Yuanzhan stared at her for a moment, wanting to offer some praise, but seeing her leaning posture, he frowned and said, "Sit up straight, don't..."

As soon as the word was uttered, Zhi Rou fell off the horse, but fortunately he was quick-witted and caught her steadily.

The warm breath brushed against his neck, and Wei Yuanzhan subconsciously wanted to let go, but hesitated to move.

Zhi Rou was like a slippery fish; she gently pushed him, slid off his arms, stood up straight, and climbed back up on the stirrups.

This time she gradually became more composed. She had a talent for riding horses, and it wasn't her first time. Remembering what Wei Yuanzhan had taught her on the street, she became increasingly skilled.

Perhaps to protect herself, she didn't want to think about Jiang Luoya's sudden change, but her thoughts, as if they could grow, always veered off to that forbidden place.

Distracted for a moment, Zhi Rou seemed to be exhausted and fell off the horse again. Her body tumbled several times on the ground due to inertia. The violent impact made her dizzy for a moment. She slowly stood up and shook her dress.

Wei Yuanzhan's heart pounded. He rushed over and grabbed her arm. She trembled slightly, and he sensed it. But then he heard her say, "It's alright, let's try again." She pulled her hand away and mounted her horse from the left.

“You’re injured.” He looked up at her, his brows furrowing gently. “There’s no need to rush. Get down.”