Chapter 51: Galloping Across the Training Ground
After receiving Gu Yangui's brief yet reassuring letter, Su Wanrou felt as if she had taken a weight off her shoulders, and the last trace of gloom caused by the rumors completely dissipated from her brow. She devoted all her attention to managing the household affairs and taking care of Mingxuan, and her days were fulfilling and peaceful. However, whenever the night was quiet and her fingertips traced the four powerful words "Rest assured" written on the letter, her longing for her husband would quietly wash over her like a tide.
The drills at the capital's military camp ended earlier than expected. Half a month later, one evening, Gu Yangui returned home, travel-worn. He hadn't sent anyone to inform him beforehand, so when his tall figure suddenly appeared at the main courtyard gate, Su Wanrou, who was sitting on the veranda teaching Mingxuan to identify flowers and plants, was so startled that she almost knocked over her teacup.
"Father!" Mingxuan cheered and rushed over like a little cannonball, grabbing Gu Yangui's leg.
Gu Yangui bent down and lifted his son high, making Mingxuan giggle. His gaze, however, went past his son's shoulders and landed on Su Wanrou, who was walking gracefully towards him. She seemed to have lost some weight in the half-month he hadn't seen her, but she looked radiant, and her eyes shone brightly in the twilight, gazing at him with obvious joy.
"My husband is back." Su Wanrou walked up and gave a proper bow, but her voice carried an undisguised lightness.
"Hmm." Gu Yangui put Mingxuan down, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment before saying, "I returned ahead of schedule after finishing my business at the camp." He paused, then added casually, "Is everything alright at the manor?"
Su Wanrou knew what he meant and nodded with a smile: "Everything is fine, husband, don't worry." The controversy about being "henpecked" had faded away in the unspoken understanding between the couple.
The atmosphere was exceptionally warm during dinner. Mingxuan chattered excitedly, telling everyone about the new words he had learned while his father was away and where his mother had taken him. Gu Yangui, though not very talkative, appeared relaxed and occasionally placed a piece of Su Wanrou's favorite dish on her plate. Su Wanrou blushed slightly, thanked him softly, and enjoyed the meal immensely.
After the meal, the wet nurse took the reluctant Mingxuan to rest. The couple strolled in the courtyard to digest their food. The early summer evening breeze carried the fragrance of flowers, refreshing and delightful. Su Wanrou remembered something and turned her head to ask, "Before my husband left the manor, he said that when you returned, he would teach me to ride a horse. Does that promise still stand?"
Gu Yangui paused slightly and looked at her. In the moonlight, she looked up, her eyes filled with expectation and tentative curiosity, like a child wanting candy. He recalled the busy days before leaving the capital, when he had indeed made this promise to comfort her. He thought she might have forgotten, or perhaps she was hesitant because of the rumors, but he hadn't expected her to remember and still be interested.
“It counts.” He nodded, his tone steady. “If there are no official duties tomorrow, go to the drill ground in the western suburbs.”
Su Wanrou immediately smiled radiantly: "Thank you, my husband!"
Seeing her undisguised happiness, Gu Yangui's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile. Perhaps, teaching her to ride a horse wasn't just about fulfilling a promise, but also... a nice time alone.
two
The next day, the weather was perfect, with clear skies. Gu Yangui, as promised, took a day off and left early in the morning with Su Wanrou. To avoid attracting attention, they only took two trusted attendants, Zhuiyun and Zhuyue, and rode in a carriage straight to the royal training ground in the western suburbs.
This training ground was mainly used for the Imperial Guards' drills. It was spacious, with a flat surface, and because it was royal property, unauthorized personnel were not allowed to enter, making it ideal for teaching. Gu Yangui had already made all the arrangements. When they arrived, the training ground was deserted, with only a few soldiers on duty saluting in the distance before quietly retreating.
Stepping off the carriage, Su Wanrou was immediately struck by the sight before her. The vast training ground stretched as far as the eye could see, the ground compacted yellow earth, the air thick with the mingled scents of sunlight and dust. In the distance stood targets and obstacles, creating an atmosphere of grim determination. This was completely different from the horseback riding scenes she had imagined for a leisurely outing, and a sense of trepidation crept into her heart.
Gu Yangui had changed into a smart black riding outfit, which made his broad shoulders and narrow waist appear even more striking, exuding a commanding presence. He walked to a magnificent horse that was pure white except for its four black hooves, patted its neck, and the horse affectionately nuzzled his hand.
“This is ‘Snow Treader,’ a gentle horse with steady gait, suitable for beginners.” Gu Yangui led the horse over to Su Wanrou.
Su Wanrou looked at the large horse in front of her, which was taller than herself. Although its eyes were docile, the oppressive feeling of that large animal still made her subconsciously take half a step back.
Gu Yangui noticed her nervousness but didn't say much. He simply said, "Let's get used to the horse first." He took Su Wanrou's hand and gently placed it on Taxue's neck. "Gently stroke it and let it get used to your scent."
Su Wanrou did as instructed, feeling the horse's warm, strong pulse and smooth coat against her palm. Ta Xue snorted and stood obediently. Gradually, Su Wanrou's tension eased considerably.
"Before mounting, you must understand the horse's nature," Gu Yangui began explaining the most basic principles. "Do not stand behind the horse to avoid being kicked. When mounting, the movements should be swift and decisive; hesitation will frighten it. The reins are key to controlling direction and speed; the grip must be correct..."
He explained in detail and with patience, and Su Wanrou listened attentively, nodding from time to time. After explaining the theory, Gu Yangui demonstrated the standard mounting motion, his posture agile, leaping onto the horse and sitting firmly on its back, looking down at her: "You try it."
Su Wanrou took a deep breath, walked to the stirrups, recalled the key points from earlier, grabbed the saddle ring with one hand, and stepped into the stirrup with the other. But it was her first time trying, so she was inevitably clumsy, and her foot slipped, almost not getting on.
"Don't panic." Gu Yangui's deep voice sounded from behind her. He had dismounted and appeared behind her without her noticing. He didn't help her directly, but instead reached out and firmly supported her waist with both hands. "Lean forward and use the momentum to get up."
His hands were large and strong, and even through the thin summer shirt, they were burning hot. Su Wanrou stiffened, her cheeks flushed instantly, and her heart pounded like a drum. She could even feel the heat from his chest and his cool, refreshing scent as he approached.
"Concentrate." Gu Yangui's voice remained steady, as if this intimate contact was perfectly natural.
Su Wanrou steadied herself and, as instructed, exerted her strength. With his assistance, she finally managed to mount the horse successfully this time. Sitting high on the horse's back, her view opened up, and a sense of novelty and accomplishment welled up within her.
Gu Yangui adjusted the length of the stirrups so that her feet could stand comfortably, and then corrected her grip on the reins: "Relax, don't be too tense. You are its master, not the other way around."
three
After practicing basic sitting posture and rein control for a while, Gu Yangui mounted his own mount—a magnificent black warhorse named "Chasing the Wind." He held the reins of Ta Xue, controlling the speed, allowing Su Wanrou to gradually adapt to the feeling of being on horseback.
Initially, Su Wanrou was tense all over, each slight sway of the horse making her feel as if facing a formidable enemy. Gu Yangui didn't urge her, but simply led the horse, slowly circling it around the training ground, occasionally offering guidance: "Keep your back straight, eyes forward...feel its rhythm, rise and fall with it..."
Gradually, under Gu Yangui's steady guidance, Su Wanrou began to relax. She learned to adapt to the rhythmic swaying of the horse as it walked, the sunlight shining on her, the breeze caressing her face, and the expansive view giving her an unprecedented sense of freedom.
“My lord, may I… try to make it go a little faster?” she asked, mustering her courage.
Gu Yangui glanced at her and saw that although there was nervousness in her eyes, there was more eagerness than nervousness. He nodded and said, "Hold the reins tight and gently squeeze the horse's belly with your calves."
He gave the reins a gentle tug, and both horses quickened their pace, turning from a walk to a trot. As the speed increased, the whistling of the wind in their ears became clearer, and Su Wanrou gasped softly, instinctively lowering her body and gripping the saddle rings tightly.
"It's alright, you'll get used to it." Gu Yangui controlled the horse, always keeping pace with her. His presence itself was a powerful source of stability.
After running for a short distance, Su Wanrou gradually found her rhythm. Her body was no longer stiff, and she began to enjoy the exhilarating feeling of riding the wind. She even dared to let go of one hand, tidied her wind-blown hair, and a bright smile bloomed on her face—a youthful vibrancy and radiance that Gu Yangui had never seen before.
Looking at her cheerful smile, Gu Yangui's gaze softened unconsciously. He recalled the jest in the letter from the Marquis of Jing'an, and suddenly felt that if he could often see her so happy, even if he were to be branded as "henpecked," it wouldn't seem so bad.
Four
After practicing for about an hour, the sun was getting higher. Gu Yangui saw that Su Wanrou's forehead was covered in sweat, so he said, "Let's rest for a while."
He dismounted nimbly first, then walked to Ta Xue's side and reached out his hand to Su Wanrou on horseback: "Get down."
Su Wanrou looked at his large, well-defined hands, hesitated for a moment, and then offered her her hand. Gu Yangui gently grasped it, and with his other hand, he gently supported her waist, steadily taking her down.
Perhaps it was from sitting on horseback for too long, or perhaps it was from the intense sunlight, but when Su Wanrou landed, her legs went weak, she let out a soft cry, and her whole body involuntarily leaned forward, bumping right into Gu Yangui's arms.
For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Su Wanrou's cheek was pressed against his firm, slightly damp chest. She could clearly hear his strong and steady heartbeat, and her nose was filled with his masculine scent, a mixture of sweat and sunshine, rich and aggressive. Her face flushed instantly, and she frantically tried to stand up straight.
Gu Yangui's arm tightened around her waist for a moment to prevent her from falling. He looked down at the woman in his arms, her ears flushed red with embarrassment. Her usually calm almond-shaped eyes were now filled with panic, like a startled fawn. His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, and his gaze deepened.
"Can't stand up?" His voice was a few decibels lower and hoarseer than usual.
"N-nothing..." Su Wan's voice was barely audible as she hurriedly pressed her hand against his chest, trying to create some distance. Beneath her palm was his warm and elastic skin; even through the fabric, she could feel the strength beneath. The sensation made her feel as if she had been burned, and she quickly withdrew her hand.
Gu Yangui took in her subtle reactions, finally releasing his arm to help her stand up, but his gaze never left her flushed cheeks.
Su Wanrou quickly took a step back, lowered her head, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her throat, and even breathing became difficult. The training ground was empty, with only the figures of Zhuiyun and Zhuyue standing with their backs to each other in the distance. It seemed as if only the two of them existed in the world. The intimacy and ambiguity of that brief embrace far surpassed any of their previous, more proper interactions.
"Let's rest under that shelter over there." Gu Yangui was the first to look away, turn around, lead his horse, and walk towards the makeshift shelter set up by the training ground. But if you looked closely, you could see that his steps were slightly more hurried than usual.
Su Wanrou secretly breathed a sigh of relief, yet felt a faint, inexplicable sense of loss. She patted her burning cheeks and quickly followed.
five
Clean water and simple snacks were prepared under the pergola. Gu Yangui handed Su Wanrou a water pouch and drank a few mouthfuls himself. The water slid down his sharply defined jawline and into his collar, carrying a wild and untamed quality.
Su Wanrou sipped her water, stealing glances at him. In the sunlight, his profile was sharp and perfect, his nose high and straight, his lips tightly pressed together. Even while resting, he exuded a restrained yet powerful aura. This was her husband, the Duke of Zhenguo of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a figure of awe and respect on both the court and the battlefield. Yet just now, he had patiently taught her to ride a horse, catching her steadily when she nearly fell…
A complex mix of adoration, dependence, and budding romance quietly took root and spread in her heart.
"Are you still afraid?" Gu Yangui suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.
Su Wanrou snapped out of her daze, shook her head, and answered honestly, "I was a little scared at first, but now I find it... very interesting." She paused, mustered her courage, looked at him, and said with genuine gratitude in her eyes, "Thank you, my husband, for taking the time to teach me."
Her eyes were crystal clear, revealing all her emotions. Gu Yangui's heart stirred slightly, and he suddenly asked, "Did you regret giving me the umbrella in the rain that day? If not, you wouldn't have attracted all that gossip."
Su Wanrou was taken aback by his sudden question, then shook her head firmly: "I don't regret it. At that time, I was only thinking about keeping my husband from getting wet in the rain, and I didn't consider anything else. If I could do it all over again, I would still go and bring him an umbrella."
Her answer was unwavering, tinged with a stubborn sincerity. Gu Yangui gazed at her for a long while before letting out a soft "hmm," then turned his head away, looking towards the distant horizon, and said nothing more. Only the slight upturn of his lips betrayed the turmoil in his heart.
After the break, Gu Yangui led Su Wanrou in practicing jogging and turning for a while. With the foundation laid in the morning, Su Wanrou made rapid progress and was able to control Ta Xue to jog slowly on the training ground on her own. Although her movements were still a bit clumsy, she was already showing promise.
The sun was setting, and practice was over. On the carriage ride home, Su Wanrou, exhausted and excited, leaned against the side of the carriage, dozing off. The carriage jolted, and her head gently rested on Gu Yangui's shoulder.
Gu Yangui stiffened slightly, turning his head to look at the fluffy head on his shoulder. She was breathing evenly, her long eyelashes casting shadows beneath her eyes, sleeping soundly and without any guard. He didn't push her away in the end; instead, he adjusted his posture to make her more comfortable. The afterglow of the setting sun passing through the car window cast a warm and tranquil glow inside the carriage.
six
Back at the Duke's mansion, the city lights were already on. Su Wanrou was so tired she could barely move, but her spirits were incredibly high. During dinner, she couldn't help but share her fun horseback riding lessons with Mingxuan, who was eagerly waiting for her, ignoring the occasional, slightly helpless yet indulgent glances from Gu Yangui.
After bathing and changing, Su Wanrou sat in front of her dressing table combing her long hair, still feeling sore all over, especially her inner thighs, which burned with pain. She took a deep breath, thinking to herself that riding a horse looked so dashing, but it was actually so tiring.
Gu Yangui entered the inner room and saw her rubbing her legs with a furrowed brow. He paused, turned and left for a moment, then returned with a small white porcelain jar in his hand.
"This is a commonly used blood-activating and stasis-removing ointment in the army. If it still hurts tomorrow, have the maid rub it in for you." He placed the ointment on the dressing table, his tone still calm.
Su Wanrou felt a warmth in her heart again. She picked up the ointment and smiled sweetly, "Thank you, husband."
Gu Yangui said nothing more and began to undress. Once the two were lying side by side on the bed, Su Wanrou's heart was pounding like a deer's due to the intimate contact during the day and the closeness of sharing a bed now, making her too nervous to sleep.
In the darkness, she felt Gu Yangui turn over and face her. She held her breath nervously.
However, the anticipated intimacy did not occur. Gu Yangui simply reached out, across the blanket between them, and gently took her hand at her side. His palm was warm and dry, enveloping her slightly cool fingers.
"Go to sleep." His deep voice was exceptionally clear in the night.
Su Wanrou was taken aback for a moment, then a huge sense of relief and sweetness welled up in her heart. She gently squeezed his hand back and responded softly, "Mmm."
The two held hands, neither speaking a word. Weariness gradually crept in, and Su Wanrou drifted off to sleep in the comforting presence of her husband. A faint smile lingered on her lips.
On this day, galloping across the training ground, it wasn't just the horses that galloped, but also two hearts that had been separated by distance. Their intimate interaction, their silent yet profound care, bridged the gap between them more powerfully than any words. Su Wanrou knew that something between her and her Duke husband had changed.
End of Chapter 51
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