Chapter 22: The Horseback Riding Pact
As autumn deepens, the old ginkgo trees in the courtyard are already adorned in golden robes, and with a gust of wind, a carpet of vibrant petals falls to the ground. Xiao Mingxuan can't forget his experience riding a horse at the Imperial Estate that day. Almost every day after school, he pesters Su Wanrou to tell him about that gentle little white horse, his bright eyes filled with longing.
"Mother, Father said that when Xuan'er grows up a bit more and his riding skills improve, he will give me a real pony!" On this day, he lay on Su Wanrou's lap, looked up at her, and announced in a childish voice, his tone full of pride and anticipation.
Su Wanrou put down the shopping list she was checking, gently stroked his head, and smiled, "Our Xuan'er is so brave, he will definitely become an excellent rider in the future."
Mingxuan nodded vigorously, then, as if suddenly remembering something, he tugged at Su Wanrou's sleeve and asked curiously, "Mother, can you ride a horse? I don't think I've ever seen you ride a horse before."
The child's innocent question startled Su Wanrou slightly. Her memory was pulled back to that spring afternoon that changed her life: the runaway horse on the hunting ground, the whistling wind in her ears, and the strong, powerful embrace that had saved her from the brink of danger. A slight warmth involuntarily rose to her cheeks.
“Mother… wasn’t very good at it before,” she answered softly, omitting the dramatic part.
Mingxuan took it seriously, and a look of sympathy immediately appeared on his little face. He said earnestly, "Mother, don't be afraid! Riding a horse is a little scary at first, but you don't need to be afraid with Father here! Father is so amazing! He was so steady when he taught Xuan'er!" His dark, grape-like eyes rolled around, and an idea popped into his head. He excitedly grabbed Su Wanrou's hand, "Mother, why don't we let Father teach you to ride a horse too? That way, we can go on horseback rides together on picnics in the future!"
The child's words were filled with beautiful imaginations of the future, simple and direct. Su Wanrou's heart was gently touched. Riding horses together, going on outings... what a warm and carefree scene that would be. She thought of Gu Yangui's tall and straight figure on horseback, as firm as a mountain, and his steady and powerful arms as he held the reins. A faint sense of anticipation arose in her heart, but more than that, she hesitated. Gu Yangui was busy with military affairs, handling countless matters every day. How could he have the time to teach her such trivial things? Besides, deep down, she still harbored an unspeakable fear of horses.
"Xuan'er, Father is very busy. We shouldn't bother him with such trivial matters," Su Wanrou said softly, trying to dissuade her son.
“This is no trouble at all!” Mingxuan insisted, believing it to be an excellent thing from his limited understanding. “Father would be so happy if he knew that Mother also wanted to learn! I’ll go tell Father right now!” With that, the little guy slid off her lap and, like a nimble little rabbit, dashed out of Jinse Courtyard and headed towards the outer study.
"Xuan'er! Come back quickly!" Su Wanrou couldn't stop him in time. Watching her son's figure disappear in an instant, she felt both amused and helpless, yet a ripple of emotion stirred in her heart because of that tiny possibility. She subconsciously smoothed her sleeves, trying to calm her inexplicably rapid heartbeat.
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, footsteps sounded outside. Su Wanrou thought it was Mingxuan returning, but when she looked up, she saw Gu Qing, Gu Yangui's personal attendant. Gu Qing bowed respectfully and said, "Madam, the Duke requests your presence in the outer study."
Su Wanrou's heart skipped a beat, and she vaguely guessed the reason. She straightened her slightly wrinkled clothes, composed herself, and followed Gu Qing to the outer study.
This was Su Wanrou's second time entering Gu Yangui's important study. The room still carried the faint scent of ink and the unique, aged aroma of books, mixed with a hint of cool pine, mirroring Gu Yangui's own aura. Gu Yangui stood behind a massive rosewood desk, his eyes lowered as he looked at an open map. Mingxuan sat obediently in a large armchair beside him, swinging his short legs. Upon seeing Su Wanrou enter, he immediately winked at her, his face beaming with undisguised smugness.
"Husband, you wanted to see me?" Su Wanrou stepped forward and spoke softly.
Gu Yangui looked up at the sound, his deep gaze falling on her. Today he was dressed in a dark-colored casual robe, which made him appear less imposing than he did in court, but also made him look taller and more composed. He did not answer immediately, but said to Mingxuan beside him, "Xuan'er, you go back first. Your mother and I have something to say."
Mingxuan was very obedient. He slid off the chair and walked to Su Wanrou's side. He secretly squeezed her hand and whispered, "Mother, I told you, Father will definitely agree!" Then he skipped away with his wet nurse.
The study door closed gently, leaving only the two of them in the room. Autumn sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the polished gold-brick floor, while tiny dust particles floated slowly in the beams of light.
Gu Yangui walked around the desk and stood in front of Su Wanrou. He was very tall, and Su Wanrou had to tilt her head slightly to meet his gaze. His gaze was calm, with his usual scrutinizing quality, but he didn't seem to be displeased.
"I heard from Xuan'er that you want to learn to ride a horse?" he asked, his voice low and steady, revealing no emotion.
Su Wanrou's cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her eyelashes somewhat embarrassedly, saying softly, "It was Xuan'er who was being silly. I was just... listening to him talk about the joy of riding horses, and I just said it casually. My husband is busy with military affairs, how could I dare to trouble him with such a trivial matter?"
She had barely finished speaking when she heard a very soft chuckle from above her. The chuckle was so brief that Su Wanrou almost thought it was her imagination. She looked up in surprise and met Gu Yangui's eyes with a fleeting, almost elusive, gentle smile.
“It’s alright,” Gu Yangui said. “Several months have passed since the horse incident, we can’t let a bad incident stop us from learning to ride. It will be cheaper to travel in the future.”
He actually brought up the incident of the startled horse at the hunting grounds, his tone calm, as if discussing routine business. But these calm words, like a pebble thrown into a lake, created ripples in Su Wanrou's heart. Was he... trying to comfort her?
“But…” Su Wanrou still hesitated. She was not confident in her athletic talent and was afraid of embarrassing herself in front of him. “I am stupid and afraid that I will not be able to learn and will waste my husband’s time.”
Looking at her slightly furrowed brows and timid eyes, Gu Yangui softened his tone, his voice carrying an undeniable composure: "With me here, there's nothing to be afraid of. Tomorrow afternoon, I can set aside half an hour to start by getting to know the horse's nature."
His words were concise, yet carried a reassuring power, as if all difficulties were insignificant before him. Su Wanrou looked into his deep eyes, where there was no impatience, only a calm promise. The faint expectation in her heart finally sprouted and grew rapidly. She mustered her courage, met his gaze, and gently nodded: "Then... I'll trouble you, my husband."
Seeing that she agreed, Gu Yangui nodded almost imperceptibly, his gaze sweeping over her slender figure, and said, "Tomorrow, change into a neat outfit, and the skirt should not be too big."
"Yes, I've got it." Su Wanrou replied softly.
And so the matter was settled. On her way back to Jinse Courtyard from the outer study, Su Wanrou's heart was still racing, and the heat on her cheeks hadn't completely subsided. She couldn't tell whether she felt more nervous or more expectant. Learning to ride a horse was already a challenge, but the person instructing her was Gu Yangui… This realization made this ordinary little thing inexplicably different.
The next day, after breakfast and finishing the necessary chores, Su Wanrou felt somewhat restless. She changed into a short, narrow-sleeved, cross-collared blouse in begonia red, paired with a matching long skirt with a cinched waist, which made movement much easier. Yun Que styled her hair into a simple single bun, adorned with only a pearl hairpin, looking neat and tidy.
The afternoon sun was just right, warm and pleasant, dispelling the chill of late autumn. Gu Yangui returned to the manor on time as expected. He had changed out of his court robes and was now wearing a dark blue martial arts outfit, which made him appear even more broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, exuding a commanding presence.
"Is everything ready?" He walked into Jinse Courtyard, his gaze lingering on Su Wanrou for a moment, seemingly quite satisfied with her attire.
"Hmm." Su Wanrou stood up, her palms slightly sweaty from nervousness.
"Let's go." Gu Yangui said succinctly, turning and walking ahead. Su Wanrou took a deep breath, following him with a mix of anticipation and trepidation.
The Duke's mansion's horse ranch was located on the west side of the residence, covering a considerable area. Although it was late autumn and the pastures had turned yellow, they remained flat and open. Beside the stables, a groom was already waiting with a pure white, well-proportioned, and agile steed. The horse had a glossy coat, long limbs, and an exceptionally spirited appearance, yet its eyes were remarkably gentle. It remained calm and composed even upon seeing strangers, merely snorting and flicking its beautiful tail.
“This is ‘Zhaoyebai’. It has a very gentle and steady temperament, but excellent stamina, making it suitable for beginners like you.” Gu Yangui walked to the horse’s side, reached out and stroked the horse’s neck. The horse affectionately rubbed against his palm, showing great familiarity.
Looking at the tall and magnificent white horse, Su Wanrou, despite having received Gu Yangui's assurance, still instinctively took a half step back due to a woman's natural fear of large animals, her heart racing.
Gu Yangui saw her timidity but didn't say much. He simply said, "Come here first and let it get used to your scent."
Su Wanrou followed his instructions and cautiously approached. Zhao Yebai looked at her with its warm, large eyes, its breath carrying the scent of grass as it brushed against the back of her hand. She imitated Gu Yangui, tentatively reaching out to gently touch the horse's neck. Its fur was smooth and soft, radiating a life-giving warmth. Zhao Yebai seemed to enjoy the gentle touch, letting out a comfortable purr from its throat.
"It...it doesn't seem to dislike me." Su Wanrou looked up at Gu Yangui with some surprise.
Gu Yangui stood beside her, his gaze falling on her face, which glowed slightly with surprise. In the sunlight, her delicate skin resembled fine white porcelain, radiating a soft sheen. He hummed in response, his tone still calm, but the cold, hard aura around him softened imperceptibly. "Horses are intelligent; if you treat them kindly, they will naturally sense it."
Next, Gu Yangui began to teach her the most basic skills: how to stand correctly in a safe position to the side and in front of the horse, how to hold the reins, and where to place the stirrups. His explanations were clear and concise, without any unnecessary words, yet every sentence hit the nail on the head. Su Wanrou listened attentively, trying her best to remember every detail.
“Now, I’ll help you up,” Gu Yangui said.
Looking at the high horse's back, Su Wanrou's heart, which had just calmed down a little, jumped again. She bit her lip and obediently placed her left foot in Gu Yangui's outstretched palm. His palm was large, warm, and dry, with thin calluses from years of martial arts training and holding the reins. When it touched the skin of her ankle, it brought a strange and reliable sensation.
"Don't be afraid, relax." Gu Yangui's deep voice rang in my ears, carrying a calming power. "Hold onto the saddle bridge and use it to get up."
Su Wanrou did as he instructed, and with his help, she struggled to lift her leg and mount the horse. However, it was her first time, and her movements were inevitably clumsy. Her skirt was caught, and she nearly lost her balance.
"Ah!" she gasped softly, instinctively closing her eyes tightly.
The anticipated fall didn't happen; a strong arm caught her waist in time, steadily lifting her back to her upright position. Through her thin autumn clothes, she could clearly feel the strength and heat of his arm. Su Wanrou's face instantly turned bright red, even her ears flushed crimson, and her heart pounded like a drum, almost bursting out of her chest.
"Open your eyes." Gu Yangui's voice was close at hand, his breath brushing against her ear. "Sit still and look straight ahead."
He didn't immediately release her arm, but waited until she was fully seated in the saddle and her body was no longer stiff before slowly withdrawing it. But the burning sensation and sense of security left by that brief contact lingered for a long time.
Su Wanrou took several deep breaths to calm her racing heart, then obediently opened her eyes and adjusted her posture. Her vision suddenly widened; the scenery from horseback was completely different from that on flat ground. An autumn breeze caressed her face, carrying a sense of freedom.
"Hold the reins firmly, relax, and let your body rise and fall naturally with the horse's movements. Don't resist it." Gu Yangui led the horse and began to walk slowly around the small training ground.
At first, Su Wanrou was tense all over, her hands gripping the saddle and the reins tightly, every slight jolt making her heart pound. But Gu Yangui's steps were steady, and the pulling force was just right. Zhao Yebai was even more obedient and docile, its steps as steady as walking on flat ground.
Gradually, under Gu Yangui's deep and concise commands and steady guidance, Su Wanrou began to relax her body and feel the rhythm of the horse's gait. The warm sunlight shone on her body, the gentle breeze was soft, and although the tall back of the horse still made her a little dizzy, the initial fear seemed to be gradually replaced by this novel and unique experience.
Gu Yangui would occasionally glance at her and see her gradually straighten her back, from her initial pale face and stiff body. Although she was still nervous, her eyes had become more focused and courageous, and the corners of her firm lips twitched almost imperceptibly.
Half an hour of practice passed quickly. When Gu Yangui helped Su Wanrou down from the horse, her legs were a little weak due to the long period of tension and the unfamiliar riding posture. She almost lost her balance and subconsciously grabbed his arm.
"Be careful." Gu Yangui instinctively supported her elbow.
"Thank you, my husband." After regaining her balance, Su Wanrou quickly withdrew her hand, her cheeks still flushed, whether from the exercise or from the close contact just now, it was hard to tell. But her eyes were bright, filled with the excitement and radiance of overcoming fear and trying something new. "I... I think I'm starting to feel something."
Looking at her face, which appeared particularly vivid and radiant in the afterglow of the setting sun, Gu Yangui nodded: "For your first time on horseback, you've done quite well. If you're free tomorrow, you can practice again."
This was a promise of further instruction. A warm feeling and indescribable joy welled up in Su Wanrou's heart, and she curtsied, saying, "Yes, thank you, my husband."
On the way back, the setting sun cast long shadows of the two of them. Su Wanrou followed half a step behind Gu Yangui, looking at his tall and straight back. Recalling his strong arms and steady guidance on horseback, the sense of estrangement and unease in her heart caused by the difference in their status and age seemed to melt away a little in this moment by the afternoon sun and breeze of autumn.
As Gu Yangui walked ahead, his peripheral vision caught the woman beside him's light steps and her still flushed cheeks. His usually cold and hard heart rippled gently, as if a warm jade had been thrown into it. Instructing someone on horseback riding... didn't seem to be all trouble.
End of Chapter 22
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com