Chapter 85 Horse Farm
Not long after Dai Cheng left, someone from the Princess's residence suddenly came with a message, inviting Xiao Yuxuan to see her little Western Region colt.
"His Highness said that the foal has adapted to the climate and water of the capital and has grown much stronger. Although Miss Xiao goes there to have breakfast with His Highness every day, she has never gone to see the foal even once!"
Lan Xin explained with a smile, and Xiao Yuxuan was also somewhat tempted.
In her previous life, she never learned to ride a horse because she was afraid of heights. Now that she has the opportunity in this life, of course she has to learn. If she encounters anything important in the future, riding a horse is much faster than a carriage, so she won't be too passive.
"Please inform the Princess that I will be there shortly." After she finished speaking, she turned her head slightly to look at Bihui, who was drying her hair, and asked, "Good Bihui, how much longer?"
Bi Sui's injuries had almost healed, so she could no longer lie in bed and came to take care of her. Xiao Yuxuan usually only did simple and light work.
Today, she volunteered again, saying that she always dried hair during her days off, and today should be no exception.
"The girl's hair is thick and long, it will probably take a while to dry it, at least fifteen minutes."
Qin Yuan and Cheng Yan were told to do other things, so Bi Sui was moving around a bit slower on her own.
Lanxin nodded, but the next second, she rolled up her sleeves and went to wash her hands in the copper basin next to her.
“Miss Xiao, it will be faster if I go with Bihui.”
Xiao Yuxuan was a little surprised, but after thinking about it again, she realized that it would indeed be much faster, so she agreed somewhat embarrassedly.
Lanxin had served the princess during her bath before, and had done things like wringing out her hair, and she did it more steadily and quickly than Bihui.
Bi Sui was secretly alarmed, her eyes and hands constantly watching and imitating, trying to memorize Lan Xin's movements.
Lanxin also noticed this and deliberately slowed down several steps.
Before long, Xiao Yuxuan's long hair was completely dry.
Fearing further delay, she refused Bihui's offer to apply hair oil to her hair, and instead dressed and changed her clothes before leaving with Lanxin.
The carriage wheels had been modified by craftsmen from the Princess's residence, with added shock absorption, making it both fast and stable. After traveling for a while, it still hadn't stopped. Xiao Yuxuan lifted the curtain and realized that they had already passed the Princess's residence.
"Lanxin, aren't we going to the Princess's residence to see Xiao Ma?"
She was somewhat puzzled.
"Oh dear, I forgot to mention!" Lanxin slapped her forehead, annoyed.
“The horse is usually kept at the Princess’s residence, but since Miss Xiao wants to learn to ride a horse today, the Princess’s residence is not big enough, so we will take you directly to the Royal Horse Ranch.”
"By the way, His Highness also specially hired a horse riding instructor for you. Princess Min-young should go if she has time."
Min-young will be there too? Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I've seen Qi Min-young.
Now that she is a princess and has returned to the palace halfway through her life, she has to learn etiquette, rules, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, which are no less demanding than those required of noble ladies.
Thinking of Minying, Xiao Yuxuan subconsciously forgot to ask who the equestrian instructor Lanxin mentioned was. She figured he was just an experienced master or a female teacher skilled in riding and archery.
The Royal Horse Ranch is located next to the Royal Palace. It is a vast area with heavy guards to protect the safety of the dignitaries.
Xiao Yuxuan arrived dressed in a light blue riding outfit, and as soon as she entered the drab arena, she attracted the attention of everyone there.
Qi Huan spurred his horse forward a few steps, and when he was only a few feet away from her, he dismounted with a nimble and handsome flip, his clothes fluttering in the wind. He thought he was incredibly dashing and would surely win Xiao Yuxuan's heart.
After standing still for a long time, he still didn't hear Xiao Yuxuan's surprised voice, so he could only raise his eyebrows and look over.
Someone was faster than him—
Qi Minying knew that Xiao Yuxuan was coming, so she waited at the door early. As soon as Xiao Yuxuan appeared, she ran over and pulled her inside.
"Sister Yuxuan! Come quickly, let's learn to ride horses together! I'll show you my chestnut pony, its four legs are white, so I named it Tayue (Stepping on the Moon). What do you think? Isn't it a nice name? And..."
Qi Minying chattered on, her innocent and cheerful little face showing that she already looked like a ten-year-old girl.
Xiao Yuxuan smiled and nodded repeatedly as she was pulled inside. When they passed Qi Huan, she didn't forget to quickly bow and greet him.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Fourth Prince—"
Before she could finish speaking, Qi Minying pulled her away, leaving her with only an apologetic smile.
Qi Huan stood there, feeling his temples throbbing. That Qi Minying! She's always ruining his plans!
"Your Highness, would you like to mount your horse?"
The young eunuch acting as the stirrup cautiously approached and asked a question, only to be kicked in the gut by Qi Huan:
"Get lost, don't bother me!"
The pony given by the eldest princess was a pure white mare with a very obedient temperament. Beneath her long, thick eyelashes were a pair of bright, moist eyes, and Xiao Yuxuan fell in love with her at first sight.
"What a beautiful horse! Does she have a name?"
She asked the coachman who was attending her, and he smiled憨厚ly, "We're just waiting for Miss Xiao to bestow a name upon us."
"Then... I'll call you Xueyun?"
She touched Xueyun's warm, downy skin, and the horse nuzzled against her palm, clearly sensing her kindness and affection.
"Clouds and snow cover the green mountains at dusk, smoke accompanies the setting sun and green trees are dim... The imagery is beautiful, but the words 'snow and clouds' could be better changed to 'clouds and snow' for a more catchy phrase."
Qi Huan appeared in the stable at some point, brandishing a folding fan with a self-proclaimed dashing air, his expression affected and strange.
Qi Minying looked over and gave her a disgusted expression.
She had never liked this half-brother. He often bullied her when they were young, and after she was kidnapped, he continued to bully Qi You. At such a young age, she had heard that he had many female confidantes in the capital. She would never allow such a person with improper conduct to associate with Sister Yu Xuan.
"Sister Yuxuan, let's try horseback riding! Let's go, let's go!"
Qi Minying hurriedly pulled Xiao Yuxuan away, not even glancing at Qi Huan.
Xiao Yuxuan found it somewhat amusing. If she still couldn't understand Qi Minying's meaning after all this, then she would have been wasting her eyes.
Xueyun and Tayue were also led out by the groom and sniffed the half-baked ground.
"Sister Yuxuan, do you not know how to ride a horse? Let me teach you!"
Qi Minying already knew that Xiao Yuxuan had come to learn horse riding, so she volunteered to teach her before the riding instructor arrived.
"OK."
Xiao Yuxuan had long forgotten about her master. Now, looking at Qi Minying, who was just as lively and lovely as any other young girl, she felt genuinely happy.
How wonderful! Qi Minying didn't have to endure as much hardship as she did in her previous life, and can now be a happy princess.
She took Qi Minying's hand and led her towards the two ponies, not noticing the faint blush creeping onto the little girl's cheeks.
“Miss Xiao wants to learn to ride a horse? Perfect, I’m free anyway. I gained some experience on the imperial road when I was at the academy, so I can give Miss Xiao some pointers.”
Qi Huan was not discouraged and continued to display his peacock-like plumage.
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