Chapter 176 Yan Yan Leaves the Zhao Mansion
Ever since Zhao Yu took Zhao Xiao on a horse ride, Xiao Ge'er has been longing for horses.
Duke Zhao directly ordered people to select several horses from the Western Regions and transport them to the capital, so that his grandson could choose at his leisure.
The horse was only delivered late last night, and Zhao Xiao was extremely excited today. On the way to the stable, he kept whispering to Yan Yan.
"Yan Yan, you should choose a horse too, so we can ride together in the future."
The little girl was still a bit scared of the huge creature and dared not go any further.
"Auntie, I'm scared."
Xu Chumian patted Yan Yan's head.
"Don't be afraid, Yan Yan. What Xiao Ge'er's grandfather sent is a pony. How about Auntie takes you to see it?"
Yan Yan then nodded pitifully.
Zhao Xiao muttered, "Mother, I want to sign for it too."
Xu Chumian was both amused and exasperated, and led one of the boys towards the stable by the hand.
These batches of ponies were all carefully selected and sent over.
Zhao Xiao had a keen eye and immediately took a liking to a magnificent Akhal-Teke horse. As soon as Zhao Xiao touched the horse's head, its front hooves sank down, and its head rested in front of Zhao Xiao.
Invite Zhao Xiao up.
Zhao Xiao stared wide-eyed in amazement at his mother.
Xu Chumian asked Master Wu to help Zhao Xiao mount his horse.
Zhao Xiao: "Mother, the horse is very well-behaved."
Xu Chumian smiled and said, "Xiao-ge'er, give it a name."
Zhao Xiao tilted his head. "Let's call him Liuyun!"
Yan Yan chose a little white horse. The foal was very gentle, and when Yan Yan touched it, the little white horse affectionately rubbed against Yan Yan's hand.
Yan Yan let out a "Wow!"
Zhao Xiao, who was already mounted on his horse, was quite annoyed by Yan Yan's speed. "I'm going to ride a horse now."
Xu Chumian had the groom lead the horse out first, allowing Zhao Xiao to ride for a while.
That little foal truly lives up to its reputation as a descendant of the Akhal-Teke horse. Although it is small now, its gait is agile and graceful. It will surely grow into a fine steed.
"Liu Yun, stop."
The clouds truly remained motionless.
Later, Yan Yan also followed Zhao Xiao's example and rode on the little white horse.
The little white horse, carrying its new young master, smiled and said, "Auntie, Brother Zhao Xiao, look, I'm riding on it too."
Xu Chumian smiled and said, "Yan Yan is very brave."
Xu Chumian played with the two little ones for a while before deciding to go back.
When Zhao Xiao saw that his mother was about to leave, he dismounted and went forward to take her hand.
"Mother, I'm hungry."
Yan Yan followed from behind and took Xu Chumian's other hand.
"Auntie, I'm hungry too!"
Xu Chumian: "Then let's go back and have dinner first."
The two little boys chattered incessantly as they walked, and before they even got close to Heyun Courtyard, Zhao Yu could hear their commotion from his study.
Zhao Yu shook his head and smiled silently.
Xu Chumian saw the person at the door of the study and smiled.
Both children chose horses.
Zhao Yu hummed in agreement, "Are you tired?"
Choosing a horse is nothing to be tired of.
Zhao Xiao is still here.
Xu Chumian glared at him.
Xu Chumian is only in her early twenties and is now married. Her eyes sparkle with an indescribable charm, and every aspect of her is something Zhao Yu finds captivating.
Seeing that Zhao Yu was still staring at her, Xu Chumian gave him a light glare.
Zhao Yu bent down and hugged his son.
"Let's go have dinner."
Zhao Xiao hadn't been held by his father in a long time.
The little one wrapped his arms tightly around his father's neck, calling out, "Daddy."
"What's wrong?"
"Father."
Zhao Yu looked at him.
Zhao Xiao buried his face in Zhao Yu's shoulder, feeling embarrassed.
Zhao Yu felt helpless, wondering if he had been too harsh on Zhao Xiao.
That night, not long after dinner, Yan Yan's mother arrived.
Yan Yan's mother has already divorced, and Li Yang reluctantly signed the divorce papers.
Yan Yan's mother is now called Madam Yu.
Madam Yu was very grateful to Xu Chumian. "Thank you so much for taking care of Yan Yan these past few days, Madam Yu. This is a great kindness, and I am very grateful."
Madam Yu was only in her early twenties, about the same age as Xu Chumian, but the events of the past few days had left her looking haggard.
When Yan Yan saw her mother, she excitedly rushed into her mother's arms.
"Mother, can we go home now?"
Mrs. Yu nodded. "Yan Yan, let's go home."
Yan Yan thought they were going back to the Li family's house next door. After saying goodbye to Aunt Chu Mian, she hugged Brother Zhao Xiao and asked, "Mommy, didn't Daddy come to pick us up?"
Madam Yu's eyes immediately reddened.
"Yan Yan, we're going back to Grandpa's house. This isn't our home. Unless absolutely necessary, we won't be going back to Beijing."
Not returning to Beijing means I'll never see my grandparents, father again...
Yan Yan has no feelings for them.
But Yan Yan couldn't see her brother Zhao Xiao anymore, so she immediately hugged him and burst into tears.
"Waaaaah, Brother Zhao Xiao, I'll never see you again, and I'll have no one to play with anymore."
Xu Chumian: "Yan Yan, you can write letters to Brother Zhao Xiao in the future. When you have time, your aunt will invite you to visit the Duke's Mansion, okay?"
Yan Yan sniffed.
Madam Yu sighed softly to herself.
"Yan Yan, don't cry."
Zhao Xiao patted Yan Yan's little shoulder, "It's okay, you might come to the capital in winter, or I can go to Jiangnan to see you in the future."
The two boys were talking back and forth.
Xu Chumian also ordered someone to bring out Yan Yan's little pony.
Zhao Xiao: "Yan Yan, don't forget our promise, remember to write letters."
Yan Yan nodded emphatically.
Madam Yu left in a hurry, and Xu Chumian originally wanted to keep her for a meal before leaving, but she didn't have time.
Zhao Xiao's eyes were still red.
The two little ones had only known each other for a short time, yet they were already so reluctant to part.
Back in Heyun Courtyard, Zhao Xiao went into his study.
Xu Chumian didn't pay him any attention. Zhao Yu had been up late last night, and her back was still a little sore.
In the evening, Zhao Yu returned and heard about Yan Yan's situation.
His expression was indifferent, and he showed no other reaction as he went inside to check on Xu Chumian.
His wife was leaning against the soft couch, her eyes closed as she fell asleep. Her collar was slightly disheveled, revealing glimpses of her inner beauty.
Zhao Yu's eyes darkened slightly, and he immediately bowed his head and buried himself in the ground.
Xu Chumian was still half asleep when she gently pushed Zhao Yu away, her brows furrowed.
"He'an, stop fooling around, I'm sleepy."
A slight smile appeared on Zhao Yu's lips as he pulled the person into his arms to comfort him.
"Yan Yan is gone, but it's not like we can't see each other again."
The two children are still young. If they have ideas in the future, it's not impossible to arrange a marriage between them.
Xu Chumian understood the meaning in Zhao Yu's eyes, and she kissed his chin.
"There's still a long way to go. What if the two children are engaged early on, and our son has another woman he likes, or Yan Yan falls for another man?"
Zhou Daoxu played with her hair and gave a soft "hmm".
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