Chapter 514: Asking for a reward? This is really unlike his style!
In the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, Chu Ruohan had just finished dealing with a few affairs in the mansion when she heard the housekeeper hurriedly report that someone had come from the palace with rewards from His Majesty.
She walked to the front yard and was immediately attracted by the snow-white, spirited horse.
The horse had long and powerful hooves, a nimble body, and a king's bearing in its gaze. It was none other than the Ferghana horse sent as tribute from the Western Regions.
A chief eunuch came forward with a big smile on his face, unfolded the bright yellow imperial edict and read it aloud.
"The wife of the Duke of Zhenguo, Mrs. Chu, is a virtuous woman with a kind heart. She has assisted the Empress and has made great contributions... I hereby grant her a Ferghana horse from the Western Regions to honor her virtue. I decree this."
Chu Ruohan bowed and said in a steady voice, "Your Highness, I accept your command and thank you for your grace."
After sending off the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict, she walked to the white horse and gently stroked its smooth neck.
The horse rubbed her palm docilely, without any of the arrogance of a wild horse.
Her dark eyebrows unconsciously frowned slightly.
Why did the emperor suddenly think of rewarding her with a horse?
Although she and the Queen were the leaders in the case of Concubine Liu, the credit was apparently attributed to Gu Junze and His Majesty's thundering measures.
This reward given to her alone came a little unexpectedly, but also somewhat... intriguing.
She was just pondering the key when she heard the familiar sound of steady footsteps behind her.
"What are you thinking about?" Gu Junze had been standing behind her without her knowing when, still carrying the solemn air of a court.
Chu Ruohan turned around, pointed at the majestic white horse, and spoke bluntly.
"I'm wondering if my husband has done something again without telling me."
Gu Junze looked at her slightly frowned brows, a hint of smile appeared in his eyes, and his stern face softened.
He walked over to her, stood side by side with her, put his arm around her waist, and let her lean against him.
"I'm not hiding this from you," his deep voice rang in her ears, "I begged for this for you."
Chu Ruohan looked up at him in surprise: "You? You're going to ask His Majesty for a reward?"
This is really not his style.
"Um."
Gu Junze admitted it frankly. He held her hand that was stroking the horse and wrapped his big palm around her slightly cool fingertips.
"Your Majesty wanted to reward me, but I have reached the highest rank and rank, and gold and silver are of no use to me. That is why I thought of you."
His eyes were deep and focused, as if she was the only one he could see in the world.
"In two months, it will be the autumn hunt," he explained. "This horse has a gentle temperament and is most suitable for women to ride."
"These days are a good opportunity for you to practice your riding skills and get familiar with the nature of horses. When the time comes, I'll take you out for some fun."
The doubts in Chu Ruohan's heart disappeared in an instant, replaced by waves of warmth.
So this was his intention. He had even gone so far as to personally ask the Emperor for her to have a good time during the autumn hunt.
She leaned on his solid chest, feeling his steady and strong heartbeat, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but rise.
"Our Duke Zhenguo has even learned to use backdoors to make his wife happy." She teased softly, her tone full of sweetness.
"It's not a backdoor." Gu Junze corrected her seriously, but his big hands held her tighter.
"You have been instrumental in assisting the Queen. You deserve this reward."
He paused, then added, "Besides, I just want to see you riding your horse and whipping it in the hunting grounds. It must be...very beautiful."
Chu Ruohan's cheeks felt slightly hot at his rare and straightforward compliment, and she hit him lightly.
"Smooth talk."
Gu Junze let her hit him, but he didn't loosen his grip on her hand.
The afterglow of the setting sun shines through the branches and leaves in the courtyard, casting mottled light and shadows on him and her.
"You've worked hard in the palace these past few days." He lowered his head, his nose almost touching her forehead, and his voice was filled with pity.
"During the autumn hunting season, there's no one around, just the forest and you and me, let's relax and unwind."
Chu Ruohan raised her head, looked at the tenderness and determination in his eyes, and felt at peace in her heart.
The turmoil in the court and the intrigues in the harem seemed to be far away from them at this moment.
There is only a husband who wants to take his wife on a trip and a wife who is very happy.
"Okay," she replied softly, "Then I'll wait and see my husband hunt the fattest rabbit for me in the hunting ground."
Hearing this, Gu Junze laughed softly, and the vibration of his chest was transmitted to her through their pressed bodies.
"Okay, it's a deal." He agreed, leaning over and placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.
At the royal horse farm outside Beijing, the autumn grass turns slightly yellow.
Chu Ruohan was wearing a neat red riding outfit, which made her skin look whiter than snow and she looked heroic.
The white horse under her galloped with its four hooves, streaking across the grassland like a flash of white lightning.
Not far away, Gu Junze stood with his hands behind his back, his deep gaze always following the leaping red figure, with undisguised admiration and tenderness in his eyes.
Since getting this good horse, Chu Ruohan often comes here to practice riding and prepare for the upcoming autumn hunt.
“Whoa!”
Chu Ruohan shouted softly, pulled the reins, and the white horse neighed loudly and stopped steadily in front of Gu Junze.
A thin layer of sweat broke out on her forehead, her cheeks had a healthy blush from exercise, and her eyes were surprisingly bright.
she asked, raising her eyebrows, a hint of girlish pride in her tone.
Gu Junze stepped forward and took the reins naturally. With his other hand, he took out a handkerchief that he had prepared long ago and wiped the sweat from her forehead gently.
"She is beautiful, her horse is magnificent, and her riding skills are unparalleled in the capital."
Chu Ruohan was amused by his generous praise...
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