In Chapter 7, the startled horse wrapped its arms around her, pulling her completely into its embrace...
Shen Xi froze, all her previous emotions completely overshadowed by Xie Wenlang's voice, and she couldn't care less about being a little shrew for the time being.
She turned around abruptly, and through the veil, she saw that the person walking towards her in the distance, bathed in the warm sunlight, was indeed Xie Chengyan.
I shouldn't have taken any chances, but I actually encountered it.
As he approached, Xie Wenlang's muttered voice rang in his ears: "Why did you go back to the Duke's mansion, elder brother? Did Father need to see you? Your injuries haven't fully healed yet, and you're already busy with this and that again."
Shen Xi was puzzled. Xie Wenlang had just speculated that Xie Chengyan was resting at the General's Mansion, so the two should not have met yet. How could he be so sure that Xie Chengyan had returned to the Duke's Mansion?
"How did you know? Did a servant just come to deliver the message?"
Xie Wenlang shook his head and patiently explained, "No, I guessed from his clothes. You see, my elder brother always likes to wear all white when he comes back to the manor. The first time I took you to see him, he was wearing a white crane robe. I guess he had just come out of the house."
"This...is it a coincidence?"
"No, that's not true. I guessed perfectly, without exception."
During the conversation, Xie Chengyan had already approached.
His face no longer showed the haze of being drunk; instead, he looked as usual. His sharp gaze swept over Xie Wenlang's cronies, seemingly lingering a little longer on Gao Yinian.
The previously noisy crowd fell silent instantly, except for the little sparrow chirping twice more, unaware of what was happening.
"Why are you standing here? Weren't we talking about horse racing? Where's your horse?"
Xie Wenlang said calmly, "Ta Feng has already been brought out and is waiting for me over there."
Just as he finished speaking, Yan Ziqian, who had slipped away to relieve himself, emerged. He was unaware that Xie Chengyan had come, and only noticed that everyone was standing in one direction as if on a pilgrimage, which puzzled him greatly.
Without thinking twice, he shouted, "Wen Lang, what are you waiting for? Didn't you say we could start right away?"
Startled, everyone turned to look at him.
At this moment, Yan Ziqian noticed the person who was blocked by a row of heads. He was immediately at a loss for what to do and wished he could go back a moment and give himself a good whack.
Xie Chengyan glanced at him and said in a low voice, "Go ahead, I'll only lend you the horse farm this once."
Xie Wenlang got anxious when he heard this. He was determined to have a good time this once, so he turned around and tried to run away, but he stopped himself because he remembered that Shen Xi was still there.
Without thinking for more than a moment, in a flash, a brilliant idea popped into his head.
"Brother, I'm busy competing with them, why don't you teach Xi'er how to ride a horse?"
Learn to ride a horse from Xie Chengyan?
It's better to just stand there and let the cold wind blow on you!
Shen Xi turned to look at Xie Wenlang, trying to stop him from making this absurd decision.
Xie Wenlang was completely unaware of this, thinking it was a clever plan that would allow Xi'er to learn to ride a horse, bring her closer to her elder brother, and not interfere with his horseback riding and playing with his friends.
It's a win-win situation.
At this moment, Xie Chengyan seemed to realize that Shen Xi was present, and his gaze fell on her without much surprise.
It was neither said to be good nor bad.
Xie Wenlang, who couldn't wait any longer, waved to Xie Chengyan with a look of complete control on his face: "Big brother, you must teach Xi'er a good lesson, and don't be mean to her!"
After saying that, he couldn't wait to run away and go find his group of friends to ride horses.
After Xie Wenlang left, the two remained silent for a moment.
In fact, Shen Xi didn't think Xie Chengyan really wanted to teach her. He was busy with his own affairs, and even if he finally had some free time, he wouldn't teach someone who was completely unrelated to him and waste his time on her.
She didn't need to be afraid of things that were impossible.
Relieved, Shen Xi gave Xie Chengyan a slight bow and prepared to leave with Xie Wenlang.
After all, he is her fiancé's older brother. Regardless of whether she has those dreams at night, she should avoid suspicion.
They should not have too much contact in private.
Where to?
But he had only taken half a step when Xie Chengyan's cold voice came from behind him.
Shen Xi was puzzled and looked back.
He stood solemnly, his white robes reflecting the light and shadow around him, which inexplicably reminded Shen Xi of the scene of the sunset over Jinshan Mountain. Although she had never seen it in person, she had read about it in a book.
The setting sun melts into gold, and the evening clouds merge like jade.
He should look like this, soaring high and majestic, with an air of lofty spirit.
Instead of being as unrestrained and indulging in debauchery every night as she dreamt.
It was she who committed the desecration.
"The stables are over there. Let's go and choose a suitable horse first."
Seeing Shen Xi standing there in a daze, Xie Chengyan finally spoke again, raising his hand and pointing in the opposite direction.
Shen Xi was surprised: "Why are you choosing horses?"
Xie Chengyan paused for a moment: "I'll teach you how to ride a horse."
Does he really intend to teach me?
Shen Xi snapped out of his daze and quickly shook his head: "It was just a joke, General, you don't need to take it seriously. I'll just stand here and watch them ride."
Xie Chengyan replied, "Since I promised Wen Lang I would teach you, I can't go back on my word."
Let's go.
This time, he didn't give Shen Xi a chance to refuse, and turned to walk towards the stable after speaking.
Shen Xi had no choice but to follow Xie Chengyan's lead, who had condescended to personally teach her.
But after walking for a while, I realized something was wrong.
I overheard Xie Wenlang chatting earlier, and it seems that the stables here are located south of the horse farm, which is the closest one to where they were standing just now.
As Shen Xi passed by, he vaguely heard a few neighs of horses coming from within.
However, Xie Chengyan drove straight past her, taking her on a long detour before finally stopping at a more secluded spot.
Although Shen Xi didn't understand, he didn't ask any further questions.
Knowing that she wasn't very familiar with horses, Xie Chengyan didn't insist and simply led out a gentle chestnut horse.
Seeing this, Shen Xi asked, "Does it have a name?"
"Chasing the Clouds".
"Chasing Clouds?" Shen Xi asked, remembering something. "Did the general give it that name?"
Xie Chengyan glanced at her but didn't say anything, which was taken as tacit agreement.
Chasing the clouds, riding the wind.
They really do use the same naming methods.
Shen Xi chuckled: "Zhuiyun, so your name is Zhuiyun."
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhuiyun obediently rubbed his head against her palm.
"This horse can even recognize its own name; it's truly intelligent, which shows how well its owner takes care of it."
As she moved, the horse's mane brushed against the corner of Shen Xi's hat veil, just enough to reveal her delicate and graceful chin, and even more striking was the slight smile that appeared on her lips.
Xie Chengyan turned his eyes away.
Admittedly, he could have avoided coming to the horse farm today, and he didn't need to take on the job of teaching people to ride, but he still had many doubts in his mind.
He rarely dreamed, perhaps because he was exhausted from his daily work in the military camp and had no energy left for nightmares, or perhaps he was simply too boring for even the Duke of Zhou (the god of sleep) to give him a second thought.
Only Chen Xi.
The first time he dreamed of her was a month before he returned to Beijing. At that time, the two had never met before, and Xie Chengyan had no idea that she was his future sister-in-law.
People who are clearly unrelated to me have intruded into my dream.
Every night, people jumped off the cliff to their deaths.
Except for last night.
After getting up this morning, he kept thinking about why this was happening, and couldn't help but be lost in thought. By the time he realized that he had inexplicably come to the horse farm, Xie Wenlang had already seen him, and it was too late to leave.
Only then did Xie Chengyan realize that this dream could so easily stir his heart.
This is not normal.
It specifies what undiscovered secrets or tricks there are.
Xie Chengyan suppressed his doubts and said to the person in charge of "Guanqiao", "Take off the veil, it's inconvenient to wear it."
Shen Xi touched the brim of the hat, only then remembering who the veil was originally meant to protect. After hesitating for a moment, she finally shook her head.
"Since everyone here is a man, we should avoid any appearance of impropriety. Taking it off would be inconvenient."
Xie Chengyan stopped pressuring her and stood beside her, patiently teaching her how to mount the horse, starting with how to step on the stirrups.
He was a very good teacher. His voice was gentle and persuasive, unexpectedly drawing people's attention. Chen Xi's wandering thoughts were dispelled, and it was rare to be able to calm down and learn seriously when she was with him.
Once she had a feel for it, Xie Chengyan handed her the reins.
"Give it a try."
"I don't know how yet."
"You'll never know until you try it yourself."
Shen Xi was in a dilemma, biting her lower lip and hesitating.
The early winter air was already chilly, and a north wind swept by, gently lifting the veil of a hat to reveal a gap.
Xie Chengyan happened to look over and saw that her already rosy lips were bitten so much that they became even more vibrant, like ripe red cherries.
He looked away, but softened his tone: "Don't worry, since you've been entrusted to me, I will definitely not let you get hurt."
Having said all that, there was no room for refusal. Shen Xi followed the key points step by step and cautiously mounted the horse.
Unexpectedly, Zhuiyun, who had been obedient and docile under Xie Chengyan's command, suddenly paced back and forth a few steps, startling Shen Xi.
Xie Chengyan reacted quickly and caught Shen Xi, steadying her.
"Concentrate."
Her breath sprayed on her neck, and Shen Xi blushed instantly. Fortunately, her veil concealed her face, so no one could tell. She quickly straightened up and sat back down on her horse.
Xie Chengyan first led Zhuiyun around that small open space a few times, while also paying attention to correcting her movements.
After circling around for what seemed like the hundredth time, he finally let go.
"Try it yourself."
Shen Xi gained some confidence and tried to get the horse to trot, but he still couldn't get it right, which made Zhui Yun a little anxious.
She was trying to comfort him, but accidentally kicked the horse in the belly. The already uneasy Zhuiyun was startled and suddenly its front hooves left the ground. After a neigh, the horse suddenly accelerated forward.
Shen Xi lost her balance and failed to hold onto the reins. Her veil was thrown off in the chaos, and she herself was about to fall backward.
Suddenly, a strong hand swept across her waist, stopping her from falling backward. Then, her back bumped against a hot chest, catching her steadily.
Surrounded by a familiar aura, Shen Xi knew who it was without even turning around. Xie Chengyan leaped up, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Chasing the Clouds!"
Xie Chengyan shouted sharply, took the reins and pulled them tight. The restless horse beneath him was pulled in a different direction, but gradually calmed down and obeyed his commands.
However, with a simple pull and a shout, the frightened horse was immediately calmed down.
Behind him, his chest trembled, his voice fell calmly, and there was not even the panting that should have followed his rapid movements.
"Horses can sense human emotions; if you are afraid, they will only be afraid along with you."
He didn't smell of alcohol from a hangover; instead, he carried a faint scent of ebony, like the sudden rain that fell when we first met—heavy, as if something was weighing on my heart.
However, we were too close.
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