Chapter 525: First Horseback Riding
Although the relationship between her and Gu Junze was not as heavy as that between the emperor and empress, which involved the country and the people, they had the same unbreakable trust and protection.
Just as the two of them were facing each other in silence, each thinking about their own things, the curtain was gently lifted from the outside.
A eunuch dressed in a blue-gray eunuch uniform walked in with his head bowed, his steps light and quiet, not daring to make any sound.
"Your servant pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress and the Duke's wife."
Su Wan withdrew her thoughts, regained her dignity as the mother of the country, and said calmly, "What's the matter?"
The eunuch lowered his head, took a tray from the young eunuch behind him, and raised it above his head respectfully.
On the tray, there was a brand new lake blue riding suit. The style was neat, and the collar and cuffs were embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns in silver thread. It was both heroic and elegant.
"In reply to your Majesty, this is His Majesty's oral order." The eunuch's voice was clear and respectful.
"His Majesty said that the weather today is perfect and the scenery in the forest is beautiful. Your Majesty must be feeling bored staying in the palace for so long."
"I have specially ordered my servant to bring you the riding clothes. Please ask the Duke's wife to accompany the Queen to the hunting grounds to relax and have some fun."
Su Wan was startled, then turned to look at Chu Ruohan, the joy in her eyes almost overflowing.
Just now she was still envious and lamenting that she was trapped in such a small space.
In the blink of an eye, the superior man responded to her unspoken desire in this way.
"Your Majesty also said," the eunuch added, "the horses outside are already prepared. They are all the most docile mares raised in the palace. Please rest assured, Your Majesty and Madam."
Chu Ruohan stood up and nodded slightly to the eunuch, her mind clear.
This was not an oral instruction at all; it was clearly a thoughtful gesture from the emperor to his wife without making any statement.
"Thank you, eunuch." Chu Ruohan spoke up, answering for the still dazed Su Wan. "Please tell His Majesty that I will protect the Empress."
"I obey your command." The eunuch bowed and retreated quietly.
Inside the tent, only the brand new riding clothes were left, lying quietly on the tray, as if carrying the warmth of the sun.
"Sister Ruohan," Su Wan finally came back to her senses. She held Chu Ruohan's hand, her voice trembling slightly, "His Majesty..."
"Your Majesty is always thinking about the Empress." Chu Ruohan gently interrupted her and patted the back of her hand lightly.
Su Wan's eyes turned red, but she nodded vigorously, and a bright smile from the heart that had not been seen for a long time bloomed on her face.
It made her whole body brighten up.
"Hurry, let's change our clothes!" She pulled Chu Ruohan, her tone full of the eagerness and excitement of a little girl.
Chu Ruohan agreed with a smile, and first walked out of the tent, handed Xuan Ge'er and Qingchen to the wet nurse, and gave them a few careful instructions, telling them to play in the camp and not to run around.
Xuan Ge'er nodded sensibly: "I will take good care of my sister!"
Only after settling the child did Chu Ruohan return to the tent.
The palace maids had already helped Su Wan change into the lake blue riding clothes.
She turned around in front of the bronze mirror, her face full of curiosity and joy.
Chu Ruohan also quickly changed into her riding clothes.
The two of them walked out of the tent together, and sure enough, they saw two majestic mares waiting quietly by the side.
One was a snow-white horse with a lake-blue saddle, and was prepared for Su Wan. The other was a docile bay horse.
Several eunuchs and palace maids stood at a distance, not daring to come forward to disturb them.
Su Wan took a deep breath of the air with the scent of grass, and felt the depression in his chest disappear.
She looked at the horse in front of her and was in a dilemma.
"Sister Ruohan, I, I don't know how!"
An elderly eunuch quickly bowed and said with a flattering smile, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will hold your horse and ensure your safety."
"No need." Chu Ruohan waved her hand, signaling him to leave.
She walked over to the snow-white mare herself, reached out and gently stroked the horse's soft mane to soothe it.
"Your Majesty," she turned to Su Wan and said, "This horse has a very gentle temperament and clear eyes. It will be fine."
"You just need to sit tight, relax and hold the reins lightly in your hands."
As she spoke, she demonstrated it herself and nimbly climbed onto her chestnut horse.
"Come up and try it first. I'll lead your horse and we'll walk slowly."
Looking at Chu Ruohan's calm demeanor, Su Wan's fear disappeared for the most part.
She took a deep breath, and with the help of the palace maid, she stepped clumsily into the stirrups and sat on the horse.
His body suddenly rose higher and his vision became wider. Su Wan nervously grasped the small ring in front of the saddle, his body stretched straight.
Chu Ruohan took her reins, urged her horse on, and slowly walked forward.
The two horses walked at a leisurely pace on the grass at the edge of the hunting ground.
The warm autumn wind blew Su Wan's hair, and her tense body slowly relaxed.
The initial fear was gradually replaced by an unprecedented novelty and excitement.
"So this is what it feels like to be on horseback," she murmured, her eyes twinkling.
"Once Your Majesty gets used to it, you will fall in love with this feeling." Chu Ruohan said with a smile.
The two walked one in front and the other behind, talking to each other, away from the hustle and bustle of the women's camp, towards an open area deep in the woods, enjoying this rare freedom.
At the same time, at the other end of the hunting ground.
Gu Junze did not follow the main group to chase the deer and wild boars.
He was alone, riding his horse through the relatively secluded mountain forest, searching carefully among the grass and trees with his sharp eyes.
His target today was not the big prey.
Suddenly, his eyes fixed and he reined in his horse.
Behind the bushes not far away, a snow-white shadow flashed by, as fast as lightning.
It's a silver fox.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Gu Junze's lips.
This year's autumn seems to be particularly short, and the cold comes early.
Han'er has a cold constitution, and her hands and feet are always cold in winter.
The silver fox's fur is thick and warm. If it is made into a hand warmer or wrapped around her neck, it will definitely help her dispel a lot of coldness.
He did not draw his bow immediately, but rode his horse patiently, following closely, waiting for the best opportunity.
Just as he was concentrating, a shrill female scream broke the tranquility of the forest.
"Ah—help!"
Gu Junze frowned and looked in the direction of the sound.
I saw a frightened horse galloping out of the forest. The woman on the horse was terrified and grabbed the reins tightly, but she couldn't control the mad mount at all.
The horse was charging recklessly and was about to crash into the crowd, causing even greater chaos.
"It's Concubine Rong!"
A cry of surprise came from the crowd. Zhao Yunci, who was chatting and laughing with several clan members nearby, suddenly changed his expression and his eyes became sharp in an instant.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
