Chapter 3: Riding
After Jun Zechen stepped out of Xiyan Palace, Miaoyun and Miaoxia entered the bedroom.
Su Jingyao stood up from the couch and moved to the dressing table. Miaoyun followed closely and began to wash and put on makeup for her gently and carefully.
After a busy period, the outfit was finally completed.
Today she was wearing a rose-scented bra made of gauze that was as thin as a cicada's wing. It was like the morning mist, emitting a faint fragrance.
She wore a soft, green silk skirt with scattered flowers tied around her waist, which outlined her waist in a slender and graceful manner.
The outer layer is covered with a floor-length white silk gauze, which flutters in the wind, making her look as ethereal as a fairy.
At this moment, the bright morning sunlight shines through the window lattice and falls on Su Jingyao's beautiful face.
She was facing the mirror, examining her face carefully.
Miaoxia, who had just made the bed for her master, walked quietly behind her with a slightly frown on her face.
"Master, you and His Highness did not..." Her voice was filled with concern and anxiety.
"Well, His Highness doesn't like me and doesn't want to consummate the marriage with me."
Su Jingyao's voice remained calm, as if this incident had no effect on her at all.
Her gaze remained on herself in the mirror, without the slightest wavering.
Miaoxia looked at Su Jingyao with heartache. She grew up with the young lady and came to the East Palace with the young lady.
When the young lady was in the Shangshu Mansion, she was a pampered young lady. Now that she has come to the East Palace, she is treated so coldly by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
"How could His Highness treat you like this? He..."
Before Miaoxia could finish her words, Su Jingyao slowly turned around, her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and interrupted her in a firm tone.
"Be careful with your words. This is the East Palace. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is the master of the East Palace. We cannot make any arbitrary judgments about his actions. Do you understand?"
"Yes, master." Miaoxia replied with her head down.
"Let's go and pay our respects to the Crown Princess."
Su Jingyao walked slowly and gracefully out of Xiyan Palace with lotus steps.
Outside the palace, the sky is as clear as jade and the clouds are as light as cotton.
There was always a sweet smile on her pretty face. She would stop from time to time, slightly looking up, and happily admire the blooming flowers along the way.
She is indeed an innocent girl who knows nothing about the world.
It was the first time for the palace maids and eunuchs of the Eastern Palace to see Concubine Su. They did not expect that she was so charming and beautiful, with an angelic appearance.
Moreover, there was always a friendly smile on his face, and he looked innocent, kind and approachable.
However, everyone couldn't help but reveal their regret. Ever since the Crown Princess entered the East Palace, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has doted on her alone and had a deep affection for her.
Now that Concubine Su has entered the Eastern Palace, she will probably be neglected and lonely in the future.
But they quietly raised their heads and observed Concubine Su, and they also had doubts in their hearts: Can His Royal Highness the Crown Prince really remain indifferent to such a beautiful woman?
When Su Jingyao was in the Shangshu Mansion, she was accustomed to the scene where maids would stare at her whenever she stepped out of the room.
Today, when she was walking on the corridor of the East Palace, many palace maids and eunuchs, whether they were cleaning or watering the flowers, looked at her intentionally or unintentionally, but she did not care much and took it for granted.
When they arrived at the Crown Princess's palace, Su Jingyao looked up and saw three large characters "Qiluan Palace" with flying dragons and dancing phoenixes coming into view.
Su Jingyao smiled. The name of the Crown Princess's palace was quite good. "Phoenix Perched on the Wutong Tree", "Luanfeng" and "Ming" all had beautiful meanings.
Afterwards, she walked gracefully into the hall, and as she walked slowly, she admired the exquisite decorations along the way.
Outside the Qiluan Hall, pavilions and towers are arranged in an orderly manner, and the rockery and pools complement each other.
In the water pavilion, the clear water reflects the blue sky and white clouds. The lotus flowers in the pond are graceful and beautiful, with clusters of flowers as dazzling as gorgeous clouds.
The entire building is gorgeous and elegant, with flying eaves, arches, carved beams and painted rafters, demonstrating its dignity and elegance.
After entering the hall, the Crown Princess was already sitting in the first seat with a dignified manner, her eyes calm and her face expressionless.
Ling Yue was used to the free and unrestrained life outside the Great Wall. When she entered the palace, she just wanted to be with the prince for the rest of her life. She also believed the prince's promise to her.
But she didn't expect that he would have a concubine in just two years. However, she also knew that it was difficult to disobey the imperial edict.
Ling Yue's free and open-minded heart is now filled with a lot of melancholy.
"I come to see the Crown Princess and pay my respects to her." Su Jingyao's voice was clear and pleasant, as gentle and melodious as a nightingale, which was a pleasure to hear.
"Get up."
"Thank you, sister." Su Jingyao's voice was full of respect.
After she stood up, Ling Yue looked at her appearance carefully and was distracted for a moment.
Concubine Su was so devoted to the country!
Her facial features were exquisite and beautiful, and her slightly curled eyelashes fluttered gently like butterfly wings. What made people fall in love with her most was her eyes, which were as clear as morning dew, with distinct black and white, and so pure that it seemed as if there was not a trace of impurities.
Seeing Su Jingyao's beauty, Ling Yue's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible wariness.
Does Aze really not like Concubine Su?
She began to feel a little insecure about herself and had doubts about her husband.
No, Aze is not a man who cares about appearance. If Aze likes beautiful women, he would have many wives and concubines in the East Palace by now. How could he have only two maids-in-waiting who have no official status?
She should have believed Aze.
Ling Yue's eyes flashed with determination. She knew clearly how much pressure Aze had endured in order to enthrone her as the Crown Princess.
She also knew clearly how much pressure Aze had endured from her mother and court officials in the past two years because she had not become pregnant.
The palace maid beside her gently brought the tea to Su Jingyao. Su Jingyao lowered her head slightly, her eyes lightly fell on the teacup, and then she stretched out her slender hand and gently picked up the tea from the palace maid's tray.
Her movements were graceful and smooth, like flowing clouds and running water.
When he stood up, his body leaned forward slightly, as naturally as a breeze, then he took a few steps forward, bowed slightly, and handed the tea over respectfully.
This series of actions fully demonstrates the dignity and grace of the noble lady.
Ling Yue grew up outside the Great Wall. She only complied with the palace's red tape out of courtesy, but in her heart she was actually quite annoyed by these rules.
However, she had lived in the East Palace for two years, and the Queen did not like her as the daughter of a military commander. In order to please the Queen, she had to let the maids teach her etiquette.
I originally thought that her manners were comparable to the elegance and grace of the young ladies from the aristocratic families in the capital. Although her manners were not as dignified as those of the empress and other concubines in the palace, they could still be considered graceful.
But today, after seeing Su Jingyao, the role model of a noble lady from a noble family in the capital, I realized that under the strict etiquette, a woman can not only be elegant and graceful, but can also be graceful and charming.
It turns out that this is the demeanor of a noble lady from an aristocratic family.
Ling Yue took the tea, lowered her eyelashes slightly, took a sip, and said slowly: "Princess Su, please sit down."
"Thank you, sister."
The corners of Su Jingyao's mouth slightly raised, and the innocent smile on her still tender face was like a flower blooming in spring, fresh and natural, revealing an innocence of a child.
She raised her head and saw the face of the heroine of the novel so closely for the first time.
Although Ling Yue's appearance is not as exquisite as hers, it also has a different kind of charm.
Her skin is delicate and has a faint glow. Her eyebrows are like distant mountains, slightly raised, with a touch of boldness and heroism. Her eyes are as bright as stars, sparkling and shining, and there seems to be flowing light when they move. Her nose is straight and beautiful, adding a three-dimensional sense to her face.
The whole person is like a horse galloping freely in the frontier, exuding a unique charm and showing a bit of stubbornness and unruliness.
Perhaps, it was her unique and unrestrained temperament that attracted Jun Zechen, who had lived in the palace for many years.
The free girl outside the Great Wall did have a fatal attraction to the young Jun Zechen.
After all, Jun Zechen grew up in the imperial palace and has always hated scheming women.
During the year when Ling Yue went out to fight in the war, Jun Zecheng observed and tested her. In his heart, he had already determined that Ling Yue was a person with a pure mind.
It was because of this that Ling Yue entered his heart.
Su Jingyao looked at Ling Yue openly, but her eyes were pure and showed only kindness.
She didn't look at it for long, and then slowly sat down on the chair next to it.
When Su Jingyao sat down gracefully, a barely perceptible hesitation revealed itself between her brows, and her expression seemed a little unnatural, as if she had some unspeakable words in her heart that she was hesitant to speak.
Ling Yue took in all of this and asked softly, "Does Concubine Su have anything to say?"
"I do have some things that I want to talk to you about, but... I don't know if it's convenient..."
Su Jingyao's eyes flickered slightly, revealing a hint of hesitation.
As she spoke, she lowered her head slightly, her eyes wandering around the ground, sometimes biting her lower lip, sometimes frowning.
Ling Yue was a little confused. It was only the first time she and Su Jingyao met. Could they have anything to talk about privately?
Although she didn't understand, she still waved her hand and said, "All of you leave."
Su Jingyao breathed a sigh of relief. If she had said it in front of the palace maids, she really couldn't have said it.
Her hands moved unconsciously and her fingers trembled slightly, clearly revealing her inner hesitation.
When she raised her head again, her gaze met Ling Yue's.
Su Jingyao bit her lower lip lightly, mustered up great courage, and spoke in a soft and trembling voice.
"Sister, although His Royal Highness the Crown Prince stayed in Xiyan Palace yesterday, he did not do anything to me."
As she finished speaking, a blush quickly appeared on her pretty face, like a ripe cherry, and the blush gradually spread to the tips of her ears.
At this moment, her head was slightly lowered, full of shyness.
Ling Yue showed a look of surprise on his face.
The prince had already sent someone to inform her of this yesterday, but she never expected that Su Jingyao would confess it to her in person.
"Why are you telling me this?"
There was a complex light in Ling Yue's eyes. She tilted her head slightly and her gaze fell on Su Jingyao.
Even she, the daughter of a bold and uninhibited military commander, found it hard to speak such words. How could Su Jingyao, a noble lady from an aristocratic family, be willing to bring such words up on her own initiative?
畢竟哪有女子願意承認自己不受夫君喜愛呢。
“妾深知姐姐與殿下情比金堅，是天造地設的佳偶。妾的出現實屬無奈，聖命難違，妾不得不嫁入東宮。”
蘇婧瑤的聲音愈發輕柔，卻又堅定異常。
“昨日妾讓殿下留宿夕顏殿，只為保全蘇家的聲譽。妾亦向殿下承諾，會親自向姐姐解開這個誤會。妾實在不想姐姐與殿下之間，因妾而有任何的芥蒂。”
蘇婧瑤水潤的眼眸中，滿是真摯與誠懇，其間的光芒純淨而熾熱，令人難以抗拒。
淩悅雙眸凝視着蘇婧瑤，眼神中流轉着複雜的情感。
因着蘇婧瑤的這番話，她心中不禁湧起一絲愧疚，眉頭微微皺起，嘴唇輕抿。
她深知，都是因為自己無法生育，母後才讓父皇下旨為蘇靖瑤和阿澤賜婚。
回想方才自己的狹隘心思，她面露愧色，臉頰微微泛紅。
原本，以蘇婧瑤蘇家大小姐的身份，本可嫁與心儀之人，幸福美滿，如今卻只能在這東宮獨守一生。
淩悅心中的愧意如潮水般愈發洶湧。
蘇婧瑤見淩悅許久未曾說話，以為淩悅不相信她所言，黛眉輕皺，貝齒輕咬下唇，眸中閃過一絲憂慮。
“姐姐，雖說妾已嫁入東宮，但妾絕不會将太子殿下視為妾的夫君，殿下永遠都是姐姐的。”
她的聲音輕柔而堅定，微微顫抖的嘴唇透露出內心的不安。
淩悅的嘴唇輕顫着，沉默片刻後，緩緩開口：“妹妹，是本宮對不住你，若不是本宮不能生，妹妹也不必嫁入東宮。”
她的目光中流露出真誠的歉意。
蘇婧瑤聽到淩悅改喚她“妹妹”，心中了然，知道淩悅已經相信了她。
她垂下眼簾，掩住眼中的一絲狡黠，心中暗自輕笑，嘴角微微上揚。
真是好騙，不愧是單純善良的女主。
随後，她迅速收斂起笑容，換上了純然無辜的眼神，還夾雜着一絲不易察覺的落寞。
“世上身不由己的人太多了，妾是，殿下也是，妾不會怪任何人。只是，在這東宮，妾沒有相熟之人，不知以後，妾可否來找姐姐喝茶聊天。”
說罷，她稍稍一頓，又趕忙補充道：“妾會挑殿下不在的時候來的。”
“妹妹随時可來找本宮喝茶聊天，栖鸾殿永遠歡迎妹妹。”
淩悅臉上揚起一抹溫和的笑容，眼神中充滿了善意。
蘇婧瑤的笑容愈發甜美醉人，只是心中又是另一番想法。
她壓根就不信所謂的命運。
命運，不過是失敗者無聊的自慰。
她早就清楚自己會因聖旨而踏入東宮，這是她自主的抉擇。
在現代，她就厭煩極了小時候無助又可憐的人生，所以她自成年後，就不斷的往上爬。
來到古代，她本就是尊崇的世家女，然而皇權威懾，哪怕貴為一品大臣也難以逃脫皇帝的一句賜死。
既然如此，她自然要做一個掌權的人，身為女子即便無法掌控天下，也要将掌控天下的男人玩弄于股掌之中。
她要肆意妄為，她要志得意滿。
彼時，君澤辰身姿筆挺地站立在門口，将屋內二人的對話清晰地收入耳中。
昨晚她曾說會親自與淩悅解釋，他當時只當這是她的托詞罷了。
今早，她甚至還肆意地勾引他，在他看來，這更讓他難以相信蘇婧瑤是單純善良之人。
然而，她方才所言的那些話語，無論是親口解釋他昨晚并未碰她，還是堅定地表明不會破壞他與淩悅之間的感情，都如驚濤駭浪般沖擊着君澤辰的內心，令他震驚不已。
他清楚地知道世家貴女們最為看重的是何物，朝中大臣的夫人們，即便不得夫君的寵愛，也決然不可能将此宣之于口。
可是蘇婧瑤她……心思竟是如此豁達開闊。
這一生恐怕是他虧欠了她吧。
君澤辰不由地嘆息一聲，心中湧起一絲愧疚之情，但是他定會給予她一生的榮華富貴，以作補償。
主意既定，君澤辰邁開腳步，踏入屋內。
蘇婧瑤見太子進來，嬌美的面龐之上，驚色浮現，眼眸之中，更閃過一絲慌亂。
她趕忙起身，恭敬施禮：“妾參見太子殿下。”
“起來吧。”
君澤辰的嗓音不高不低，語氣平緩，其目光，亦是随意地掃過她。
“阿澤，你怎的來啦。”
淩悅美眸之中，閃過喜悅的光芒，嘴角揚起歡快的弧度，滿臉皆是開心之色。
“你不是說想騎馬，今日馬場新到了一匹汗血寶馬，孤帶你去。”
君澤辰的嘴角微微上揚，聲音之中，帶着一絲溫柔。
昨日他與蘇靖瑤大婚，以免她傷心，今日才想着帶她去最喜歡的馬場，讓她不要傷懷。
淩悅聽得能去騎馬，興奮之情，溢于言表，整張臉，都散發着激動的光彩。
“阿澤，你真好！”她的聲音中，喜悅難掩。
自入宮之後，淩悅每日皆在心中，默默懷念着在塞外自由賽馬的日子，這兩年礙于規矩，加上皇後對她本就不喜，她也只去過幾次馬場。
以前與阿澤在不打仗的閑暇之時，于塞外無拘無束地馳騁，縱情狂奔，是她生命中，最為幸福愉悅的時光。
君澤辰的目光似不經意般輕輕掃過蘇婧瑤，小女子微微低垂着頭，眉眼間悄然流露出淡淡的失落。
他心中不禁泛起一絲難以言喻的不忍，她終究也是無辜受累，深居東宮，難免孤寂，或許一同去騎馬能讓她稍展歡顏。
君澤辰剛想開口詢問，蘇婧瑤微微擡起頭，臉上艱難地擠出一抹笑容。
“殿下，姐姐，你們去騎馬吧，妾回夕顏殿了。”
淩悅此時興奮異常，竟然完全忘記了蘇婧瑤的存在。
“那個，妹妹，若你無事，不妨和我們一起去。” 淩悅轉過頭，微笑着對蘇婧瑤說道。
君澤辰聽到淩悅的邀請，眼神中閃過一絲欣慰，悅兒還是那般善良如初。
蘇婧瑤的眼中瞬間迸發出驚喜的光芒，仿佛黑暗中突然燃起的燭火，她的身子不由微微一顫。
輕聲問道：“真的嗎？妾也可以去？”
随即她将目光急切地轉向君澤辰，滿含期待地凝視着他。
君澤辰微微颔首。
随後淩悅也柔聲道：“自然可以，馬場遼闊，一起騎馬最能放松心情了。”
君澤辰看着淩悅，眼中滿是寵溺。
淩悅生性活潑好動，尤愛騎馬射箭，只可惜這皇宮的諸多規矩，終究還是對她有所桎梏。
待她們來到馬場，自幼便常伴太子左右的安順公公身後緊跟着三位馬場的奴才，分別牽着三匹馬緩緩走來。
“殿下，左邊這匹是這幾日才送來的烈馬，專門給太子妃準備的；中間這匹是您慣常的坐騎；右邊這匹是奴才特意為蘇側妃挑揀的一匹性情溫馴的馬。”安順公公恭敬地介紹着。
蘇婧瑤聞聽，面露欣喜之色，感激地看向安順公公。
“多謝安順公公，此馬我着實喜愛。”
淩悅的目光直直落在那匹俊俏的黑色烈馬上，眼神中難掩激動之情，身子微微前傾，躍躍欲試，已經迫不及待要登上馬背了。
“阿澤，那我開始了。”淩悅巧笑嫣然，美眸中閃爍着興奮的光芒。
君澤辰嘴角微微上揚，微笑着回應道：“去吧，玩盡興。”
淩悅一個利落的動作潇灑地翻身上馬，坐穩之後，揚起手中的馬鞭，用力一揮，駿馬便如離弦之箭般疾馳而去。
君澤辰的笑容漸漸收斂，目光轉向蘇婧瑤，看似随意地問道：“你可會騎馬？”
蘇婧瑤心中一喜，有些受寵若驚，沒想到他竟會過問自己此事，忙低下頭，輕聲回答：“妾會……只是騎術略欠罷了。”
“你先上馬吧。”君澤辰的聲音平靜如水。
“好。”
蘇婧瑤不怎麽會騎馬，在現代小時候她沒有錢學，長大了也沒時間去學。
到了古代，她作為閨閣小姐，父親還是文官之首，她又向來嬌養自己的肌膚，也不曾學過。
她會一點，還是以前和某任男友出去玩的時候騎過。
蘇婧瑤小心翼翼地踩上了馬镫，雙手緊緊抓住缰繩，略顯吃力地爬上馬背。
君澤辰看着她晃晃悠悠的樣子，心中已然明了，這女子根本就不會騎馬。
他無奈地搖了搖頭，暗自嘆息。
是啊，她是蘇尚書的掌上明珠，自幼嬌生慣養，又哪裏會有機會接觸這等事物。
待君澤辰也上了馬，他伸手将馬上歪歪扭扭的蘇婧瑤扶正，眉頭微微皺起，聲音略帶質疑。
“你确定你騎過馬？”
蘇婧瑤的臉“唰”地一下紅了，似熟透的櫻桃，她低垂雙眸，聲如蚊蠅。
“殿下恕罪，妾貪玩，方才謊稱會騎。”
君澤辰倒也并未計較，二人悠然地在馬場上緩緩前行，而此刻的淩悅早已縱馬奔騰了好幾圈。
“殿下不去陪姐姐賽馬嗎？”
蘇婧瑤偷偷擡眼，瞄了一眼君澤辰。
“孤來馬場只是為了帶太子妃來此游玩，她玩得開心便好。”
Jun Zechen's gaze was gentle and focused on Ling Yue.
No woman, no matter what her status, is allowed to enter the horse ranch without his guidance.
Jun Zechen usually handles many government affairs, including inspecting the army. Riding a horse is a common thing for him, so he is not too interested in it.
Except for the first time he accompanied Ling Yue to the racecourse and raced with her, he always watched her ride afterwards.
Ling Yue ran another lap and caught a glimpse of the two of them strolling leisurely on the racecourse, which made him feel playful.
She raised a sly smile, raised the whip in her hand, and without hesitation, she whipped Su Jingyao's horse's butt hard.
Su Jingyao's horse seemed to be suddenly awakened and immediately started to gallop.
She was completely unprepared and could only grab the reins tightly in panic. Her face turned pale in an instant and her eyes were filled with fear and helplessness.
Jun Zechen was really frightened by Ling Yue's whip. His face changed slightly and his brows were tightly wrinkled.
"Aze, you two are not riding horses at all, let me help you haha."
There was a hint of pride in Ling's joyful laughter.
"Yue'er! She doesn't know how to ride a horse." Jun Zechen's voice revealed anxiety.
Having said that, Jun Zechen squeezed the horse's belly with his legs and galloped away, chasing after Su Jingyao.
Soon he caught up with her and the two horses were riding side by side.
However, Su Jingyao's horse was completely out of control and galloping wildly. Jun Zechen was extremely anxious, but he didn't know how to save her for a while.
Su Jingyao's body was shaking violently on the horse's back. Her strength was almost exhausted, and her legs were weak, as if she might fall off the horse at any time.
At this thrilling moment, Jun Zechen stretched out his big hands, held her waist tightly, lifted her up, and carefully placed her in front of him.
Su Jingyao sat sideways on the horse, and the fear in her heart could not be calmed for a long time.
She hugged the man's waist tightly with trembling hands, leaned her head tightly on his broad arms, and tears flowed down involuntarily like a flood breaking through a dam.
Jun Zechen felt the wetness on his chest and was filled with worry. He asked softly, "Are you okay?" There was a hint of concern in his voice.
Su Jingyao's lips trembled slightly and she shook her head silently.
When the horse gradually calmed down, Jun Zechen got off the horse carefully, then gently held Su Jingyao's waist and carried her off the horse safely.
After Su Jingyao landed, her body was shaking slightly, and her legs were swaying like leaves in the wind.
The horse's wild galloping just now caused her inner thighs to feel a sharp pain. Her eyebrows were tightly furrowed, her face was as pale as paper, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
Jun Zechen was quick to support her in an instant and asked softly, "What's wrong?" There was a hint of concern in his tone.
"My thighs must be rubbed raw..." Su Jingyao's voice was as soft as a mosquito, and her slightly trembling lips revealed her pain at the moment.
Her body has been carefully cared for by various rare flower dews and nourished by specially made medicinal soups since she was a child, making her body unusually delicate and tender.
Su Jingyao bit her red lips tightly. The speed just now was so fast that the friction on her thighs must be serious and abnormal.
Jun Zechen didn't say anything and just picked her up horizontally.
Ling Yue also came galloping over on his horse at this time.
"Sister, I thought you could ride a horse, so I asked you to ride the horse as a joke and race with you. I didn't expect that I hurt you. Please don't mind."
There was a look of guilt in Ling Yue's eyes, and her hands holding the reins tightened slightly, obviously regretting her behavior.
Su Jingyao endured the pain, forced a smile on her face, and said softly: "Sister, it's okay, don't feel guilty, I just wanted to have fun and wanted to ride a horse. I'm sorry for disturbing your interest today..."
"Yue'er, her legs are rubbed raw. I will take her back to the palace for treatment. Anshun will stay at the racecourse. You can return to the palace after you have had enough fun."
Jun Zechen's gaze was always on Su Jingyao, with a barely perceptible hint of heartache in his eyes.
Before Ling Yue could answer, Jun Zechen hugged Su Jingyao and left in a hurry.
Ling Yue watched the two people's backs gradually disappearing into the distance. The regret in his heart grew stronger, and his originally high spirits receded like the tide. He instantly lost all interest in riding.