Chapter 184
After a period of busy work and adaptation, Shengxuan was no longer the novice who was overwhelmed by complicated military affairs and kept busy every day.
He was intelligent and quick to learn. With guidance from his elder brother Sheng Chi and his own hard work, he quickly grasped the workings of the West Camp, managed all affairs in an orderly manner, and became quite familiar with his officers.
The heavy burden on his shoulders gradually became easier to handle. He no longer needed to do everything himself and was overwhelmed with work. He was able to take a break from the endless paperwork and drills and catch his breath.
The most direct benefit of this ease and skill was that he finally had time to go to the mansion to see Su Zhelan, whom he had been longing for.
On this day, the sky was clear and the breeze was gentle. Sheng Xuan, who rarely had a day off, rode his magnificent black horse early in the morning, the sound of its hooves light and quick, to the Su residence. He was not in military uniform today, but wore a neat brocade robe with arrow-sleeved sleeves, which made him look even more upright and spirited.
He walked through the courtyard with familiarity and headed straight for Su Zhelan's yard, only to find it empty. After asking the servants, he learned that Su Zhelan had gone to help Su Yan.
I ran straight to the medicine shed, and sure enough, Su Zhelan was there with her sleeves rolled up, helping Mr. Su Yan sort and dry medicinal herbs, her expression focused and quiet.
"Su Zhelan!" Sheng Xuan's voice preceded her arrival, loud and clear, with his usual cheerful laugh. "Stop fiddling with these grass roots and tree bark. The weather is so nice today, it's so boring staying cooped up in the mansion! Come out and have some fun with me!"
Su Zhelan looked up at the sound of the voice and saw Sheng Xuan. A hint of barely perceptible joy flashed in his eyes. He put down the medicine sieve in his hand and smiled slightly: "General Sheng, what brings you here today?"
"Hey! What's with all this 'general' stuff? It sounds weird!" Sheng Xuan waved his hand dismissively and walked forward. He casually picked a goji berry from Su Zhelan's small basket, popped it into his mouth, and chewed it. His eyes sparkled as he looked at Su Zhelan. "Things in the camp are finally sorted out. Come on, I'll take you to a nice place to broaden your horizons!"
Mr. Su Yan glanced at him from the side and snorted irritably: "You brat, trying to seduce my apprentice again? These 'grass roots and tree bark' can save lives, they're much more valuable than your fighting and killing stuff."
"That's right! Sir is right!" Sheng Xuan nodded hurriedly, his smile becoming even brighter, with a touch of youthful smugness. "But just like before, a strong body is essential for saving lives! I'll take him out for some fresh air and make sure he's brought back to you safe and sound!"
Su Yan finally stopped what she was doing, glanced at him, and waved her hand impatiently: "Alright, alright, stop with the glib talk! Go and come back early, no fooling around, no causing trouble."
With tacit approval, Sheng Xuan's smile widened. He turned and grabbed Su Zhelan's wrist, pulling her outside: "Quick, quick, the horses are all ready! I'll take you to see the Xishan Grand Training Ground in the capital! That's the imperial training ground, much more impressive than the earthen fortress we saw in the border town! I guarantee you've never seen anything like it!"
Infected by his enthusiastic emotions, and hearing that it was to the training ground, Su Zhelan was indeed a little curious. She nodded and smiled slightly: "Okay."
Seeing that Su Zhelan agreed, Sheng Xuan's face lit up with joy. He grabbed Su Zhelan and ran outside, excitedly introducing the training ground as they ran: "The training ground is built against the mountain and covers a huge area. The horse track is flat and straight, and the targets in the archery range are all made of fine iron! There are also a martial arts arena and a fighting ring... Oh, and today we might even see the Shenji Battalion practicing with new firearms. The sound and the spectacle will be really exciting!"
The two quickly arrived outside the mansion gate, where they saw the magnificent black horse, already saddled, impatiently pawing at the ground. Sheng Xuan nimbly mounted the horse and then extended his hand to Su Zhelan: "Come here!"
Using his momentum, Su Zhelan gracefully leaped onto the horse's back and sat down in front of him. Sheng Xuan's arms naturally wrapped around his sides, grasping the reins and holding him securely in his embrace. "Hold on tight!" Sheng Xuan chuckled softly in his ear, his voice trembling with pleasure, then flicked the reins, "Giddy up!"
With a neigh, the horse reared up and galloped off towards the west of the city.
The wind whistled in her ears, and Su Zhelan could clearly feel the warmth and steady heartbeat of Sheng Xuan's chest behind her back. She stiffened slightly for a moment, then relaxed and surrendered herself to this reassuring embrace.
"Hold on tight!" Sheng Xuan's voice, tinged with laughter, came from above, his breath brushing against Su Zhelan's ear. He deliberately made the horse run faster, feeling the person in front of him getting closer due to the slight swaying.
Horses hooves thundered across the wide streets of the capital, weaving through bustling crowds, heading west. About half an hour later, a vast and imposingly solemn area came into view.
In the distance, rolling mountains stretched out, while nearby, camps stretched as far as the eye could see, banners fluttering and watchtowers standing tall. The towering gate was magnificent, with armored soldiers holding halberds standing guard solemnly before it. From afar, one could hear the shouts of drills, the thunder of horses' hooves, and the occasional deep, resounding roar of firearms emanating from within.
Sheng Xuan reined in his horse at the gate and showed his identification badge. After the guards checked it, they immediately saluted and let him pass, their eyes filled with admiration for this young but highly decorated deputy commander, while also glancing with a hint of curiosity at Su Zhelan, who was being protected by him and had a delicate face.
Upon entering the training ground, Su Zhelan was immediately struck by the sight before her. It was several times larger than the training ground in the border town, with complete and sophisticated facilities, and divided into different areas.
On the vast racetrack, cavalrymen practiced charges, billowing dust; within the enormous archery range, the sound of arrows piercing the air was incessant; on the distant drill platform, generals appeared to be practicing formations; further in, squads of soldiers could be seen training with muskets, white smoke rising and deafening roars echoing. The air was thick with the mingled scents of dust, sweat, leather, and a faint smell of gunpowder, exuding a powerful and masculine energy.
"See? I wasn't lying to you, was I?" Sheng Xuan proudly raised his chin, his eyes shining. He jumped off his horse, helped Su Zhelan down, and enthusiastically became her guide.
He pulled Su Zhelan along, avoiding the area where training was in full swing, and walked familiarly along the path at the edge of the training ground, pointing out the distant scenery as they went, explaining things at length. Su Zhelan quietly followed beside him, listening to Sheng Xuan's enthusiastic explanation, her eyes curiously observing everything.
As they walked, Sheng Xuan suddenly stopped, his gaze sweeping over the crowd and landing on a group of generals discussing a massive piece of machinery in the distance. His eyes lit up, and he patted Su Zhelan on the shoulder: "Hey! Wait here for me, don't wander off! I saw the adjutant of the Divine Machine Battalion; I'll go ask him if there's any new firearms being demonstrated today! That's a rare find!"
Before Su Zhelan could answer, Sheng Xuan quickly ran towards the group of generals. Su Zhelan watched his tall figure disappear into the group of soldiers. She saw him greet one of the generals with a familiar fist and palm salute, and then they began to talk warmly, his face full of expectant smiles.
However, it wasn't long before Sheng Xuan's smile faded, replaced by a clear look of disappointment. He spoke a few more words with the general before turning away somewhat dejectedly.
He hurried back to Su Zhelan's side, scratched his head, and said with a hint of regret, "Ahem... I asked, but unfortunately, the new firearms are still being tested, so today's drills have been canceled. What a wasted trip. I was hoping to show you something." He looked at Su Zhelan apologetically.
Seeing his dejected look, like a big dog that hadn't gotten its favorite toy, Su Zhelan couldn't help but smile gently and shake her head: "It's alright. Being here today and seeing such a magnificent training ground and such elite troops training has broadened my horizons and broadened my knowledge considerably. Thank you for bringing me here."
Seeing that he wasn't disappointed and instead comforted her, Sheng Xuan's slight disappointment vanished instantly, and a smile returned to her face: "It's good that you don't feel disappointed!" He looked around, his eyes suddenly brightening as if he had thought of a good idea, and pointed to a more secluded area enclosed by a fence deeper into the training ground.
“Oh, right! That’s the edge of the fenced-off royal hunting grounds. Not many people go there usually, but the scenery is quite nice, much quieter than here, and you can see the distant mountains. Come on, I’ll take you there for a stroll; it’s better than sitting here gathering dust!” he said, naturally pulling Su Zhelan’s wrist again. “I’ll guarantee your safety. There are checkpoints over there; ordinary people can’t get in, but I have a pass!”
Su Zhelan looked in the direction he pointed and saw that the area was lush with trees and had undulating terrain, quite different from the dusty training ground here. He nodded: "I'll listen to you."
When Sheng Xuan saw that he agreed, he immediately beamed and said, "Okay! Wait for me here!" As he spoke, he quickly ran towards the stable not far away and said a few words to the soldier in charge of the horses.
A short while later, he returned leading a docile, well-proportioned chestnut mare, complete with a saddle and bridle.
“This ‘Crimson Cloud’ is the most docile and has a steady pace, perfect for you to ride.” Sheng Xuan handed the reins to Su Zhelan, his eyes sparkling with a hint of pride, as if showing off a treasure.
Su Zhelan took the reins and gently stroked the horse's neck. The horse obediently nuzzled his palm. He smiled and said, "Thank you."
"Why are you being so polite with me!" Sheng Xuan nimbly mounted his black horse and reached out to Su Zhelan, "Come on, let me help you up."
With his help, Su Zhelan gracefully mounted her horse. The two rode side by side, Sheng Xuan deliberately controlling the speed of his black horse to keep it alongside Su Zhelan's chestnut horse, slowly making their way towards the fenced-off area deep within the training ground.
The further they went, the deafening shouts and roars of training equipment gradually faded away, replaced by a deepening tranquility. They encountered fewer and fewer soldiers along the way, but the number of sentry posts increased, yet Sheng Xuan's badge allowed him unimpeded passage. The guards saluted him respectfully, and while their gazes showed a hint of curiosity when they saw Su Zhelan beside him, no one asked any further questions.
The path beneath our feet changed from the solid training ground to a slightly softer dirt road, with patches of trees appearing on both sides. The tall trees were lush and leafy, casting dappled shade that blocked out the somewhat scorching afternoon sun, leaving only a cool breeze that blew through the trees, bringing the fresh scent of grass and trees.
“It’s much quieter here, isn’t it?” Sheng Xuan slowed down his horse and rode alongside Su Zhelan on a slightly secluded path. His voice also softened unconsciously, as if afraid of disturbing the peace. “Ahead is the outer edge of the hunting grounds. Normally, you’re not allowed to go in. Occasionally, you’ll see free-range deer and gazelles inside. If you’re lucky, you might even run into them.”
Su Zhelan took a deep breath of the moist, clean air in the forest, feeling his heart expand. He nodded, turned to look at Sheng Xuan, and smiled easily: "Yes, it's very nice here. Much more comfortable than outside..."
Looking at his relaxed brows and unusually easygoing expression, Sheng Xuan felt a gentle, warm, and slightly ticklish feeling in her heart. She smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it! If you ever feel bored, I'll often bring you here to ride horses and relax! I know several scenic paths that you've definitely never seen before!"
The two rode their horses at a leisurely pace along the forest path. Sheng Xuan enthusiastically pointed out the scenery along the way to Su Zhelan, sometimes a peculiar tree, sometimes a hillside with a wide view overlooking the mountains. Su Zhelan listened quietly, occasionally nodding in agreement, her gaze lingering on the beautiful scenery around her, so different from the frontier.
The surroundings grew quieter, with only the rustling of horses' hooves on fallen leaves, birdsong in the woods, and the rustling of the wind through the treetops.
The two rode their horses at a leisurely pace along the forest path. Sheng Xuan enthusiastically pointed out the scenery along the way to Su Zhelan, sometimes a peculiar tree, sometimes a hillside with a wide view overlooking the mountains. Su Zhelan listened quietly, occasionally nodding in agreement, her gaze lingering on the beautiful scenery around her, so different from the frontier.
The surroundings grew increasingly quiet, with only the rustling of horses' hooves on fallen leaves, birdsong in the woods, and the rustling of the wind through the treetops. They walked for quite some time, encountering not a single stranger, except for the occasional passing patrolling guard.
“We’ve been traveling for a while,” Sheng Xuan reined in his horse, turned to look at Su Zhelan with concern in his eyes, “Why don’t you stop and rest for a bit, have some water? There’s a flat rock over here, perfect for sitting down.”
Su Zhelan nodded, indeed feeling a bit parched. The two dismounted one after the other, and Sheng Xuan took the reins from Su Zhelan, tying both horses to a large, leafy tree nearby so they could also graze on the grass.
Sheng Xuan took a leather water pouch from beside the saddle, uncorked it, tilted his head back and took a swig, then naturally handed the pouch to Su Zhelan: "Here, it's clean."
Su Zhelan took the water pouch, her fingertips inadvertently brushing against Sheng Xuan's warm hand. She paused slightly, then lowered her head and took a small sip. The clear, sweet spring water quenched her thirst, bringing a refreshing sensation.
Sheng Xuan watched him drink water, her gaze falling on his slightly bobbing Adam's apple and his lips, which were moistened with water. Her eyes darkened, and her Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.
He quickly looked away, turned and walked to a large, smooth blue stone shaded by trees, and casually brushed the fallen leaves and dust off it with his sleeve.
"Come on, sit here and rest for a while." He patted the stone, sat down first, and then patted the spot next to him.
Su Zhelan walked over and sat down beside him. The surface of the bluestone still retained the warmth of the sunlight, making it very comfortable to sit on.
A gentle breeze swept through the woods, carrying the fragrance of grass and trees and a touch of coolness, dispelling the slight heat from the horseback riding.
The two remained silent for a moment, quietly enjoying this rare tranquility and peace. Only the gentle breeze, birdsong, and the faint sound of horses chewing grass in the distance could be heard.
Sheng Xuan turned his head, looking at Su Zhelan's quiet profile, her expression unusually relaxed. A surge of indescribable satisfaction and protectiveness welled up within Sheng Xuan. He couldn't help but speak, his voice much lower and gentler than usual: "Do you like it here?"
Su Zhelan turned around at the sound of his voice, meeting Sheng Xuan's focused gaze, and nodded gently: "Yes, I like it very much. It's very quiet, and also... comfortable." He paused, then added, "Thank you for bringing me here."
Sheng Xuan laughed, his smile shining brightly in the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves: "I'm glad you like it. In the future... as long as you're willing, I'll bring you here often." His tone carried a hint of barely perceptible expectation and promise.
Su Zhelan looked at his bright smile, her heart stirred slightly, and she smiled faintly in return. She did not answer immediately, but instead turned her gaze back to the distant, layered mountain shadows.
Shengxuan stopped talking and simply stayed quietly by his side, enjoying the peaceful moment of sitting side by side.
He secretly and gradually moved his body closer to Su Zhelan until their arms were almost touching, and he could clearly feel the subtle body temperature emanating from her.
Su Zhelan seemed to notice his cautious, approaching movement, her body pausing slightly, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she suddenly turned her head, her clear eyes looking directly at Sheng Xuan, a faint, knowing, and playful smile curving her lips, her voice soft, carrying a hint of feigned ignorance:
"What...do you want to do?"
Sheng Xuan was taken aback by his sudden, direct question, then a burning light flashed in his eyes, and the embarrassment of being seen through was instantly replaced by a stronger impulse. He chuckled, his voice suddenly becoming lower and hoarse: "I want to do this."
Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly wrapped his arm around Su Zhelan and pulled her into his embrace, then lowered his head and precisely kissed her lips, which were filled with a playful smile.
Caught off guard, Su Zhelan let out a short sob and instinctively raised her hand to press against Sheng Xuan's chest. Her fingertips curled slightly, but she did not push him away forcefully.
Shengxuan's arms tightened around him, as if he wanted to meld him into his very bones. His tongue forcefully pried open Shengxuan's teeth, greedily drawing in his breath with an air of plunder that left no room for refusal.
The surroundings were silent, except for the rustling of leaves in the forest, the intimate sounds of their lips entwined, and their increasingly heavy breathing.
Su Zhelan was initially a little stiff, but under Sheng Xuan's ardent and focused offensive, her body gradually softened. Her hand, which was pressed against Sheng Xuan's chest, unconsciously changed to clutching his shirt. Her eyelashes trembled slightly as she slowly closed her eyes, awkwardly but obediently responding to this sudden, somewhat wild kiss.
After an unknown amount of time, Sheng Xuan reluctantly pulled back slightly, his forehead still pressed against Su Zhelan's, their noses touching, their breaths mingling in a hot, intertwined. His deep eyes churned with lingering passion and the satisfied satisfaction of his desire. His thumb gently caressed Su Zhelan's slightly swollen, glistening lips, his voice low and husky:
"Now... do you know what I want to do?"
Su Zhelan was slightly out of breath, his cheeks flushed, his eyelashes moist, and his usually clear and calm eyes were now veiled with a captivating watery and dreamy quality. He looked at Sheng Xuan, who was standing close by with a smug smile, pursed his slightly numb lips, and finally just glared at him lightly, his voice trembling slightly: "...Overbearing."
The light rebuke had no power; instead, it sounded like tacit approval and indulgence. Upon hearing this, Sheng Xuan's smile deepened, and he couldn't help but lean forward again to lightly peck at the corner of the reddened lips. Only then did he contentedly pull the other person into a tight embrace, resting his chin on the top of the other's head and letting out a low, pleasant sigh.
The two nestled together quietly for a moment, feeling each other's rapid heartbeats gradually calm down. Suddenly, Sheng Xuan released his embrace, placed his hands on Su Zhelan's shoulders, and looked at him intently, his eyes sparkling with excitement: "Want to... experience how I feel right now?"
Su Zhelan was touched by the undisguised, almost overflowing ecstasy and excitement in his eyes. Her heart stirred slightly, and she subconsciously nodded: "...Mm."
"Okay!" Sheng Xuan immediately smiled, a smile so bright it almost dazzled. He stood up abruptly, pulling Su Zhelan up with him and gripping his hand tightly. "Come with me!"
He pulled Su Zhelan along quickly toward the two horses tied to the tree, but instead of untying Su Zhelan's docile "Red Glow," he led him directly to his own tall and magnificent black horse, "Wind Chaser."
"Mount up!" Sheng Xuan's voice was filled with undeniable excitement. He supported Su Zhelan's waist with both hands and easily lifted him onto the horse's back, leaving him still in the seat in front of him. Then, he nimbly mounted the horse himself, his arms once again encircling Su Zhelan's sides, firmly gripping the reins, and protecting Su Zhelan completely in his embrace.
Su Zhelan had barely settled into her seat and hadn't even had a chance to adjust her posture when Sheng Xuan suddenly jerked the reins, squeezed the horse's flanks with his legs, and shouted, "Giddy up!"
With a long neigh, "Chasing the Wind" shot off like an arrow released from a bow!
The immense inertia caught Su Zhelan off guard, and he crashed heavily backward into Sheng Xuan's arms. He instinctively cried out in surprise, his hand grabbing Sheng Xuan's arm that was wrapped around his waist, his fingertips turning slightly white from the shock.
The wind suddenly howled in her ears, and the trees on both sides rushed past, blurring into a blur of green light and shadow. A strong sense of weightlessness and speed washed over her, and Su Zhelan's heart pounded wildly, almost leaping out of her chest.
"Don't be afraid!" Sheng Xuan's deep, amused voice immediately came from behind his ear, his warm breath brushing against his sensitive earlobe, carrying a reassuring calmness, "I'm here, I won't let you fall."
Su Zhelan's tense body gradually relaxed under his words and embrace. He took a deep breath and tried to open his eyes, which had been closed due to tension.
The scenery before him rushed past at an astonishing speed, the wind whipping fiercely against his cheeks, carrying the fresh scent of the forest, making his clothes flutter and his hair fly wildly. An unprecedented, almost out-of-control sense of speed swept through his body, stimulating every nerve and bringing a thrill that was a mixture of fear and extreme excitement.
"Can you feel it?" Sheng Xuan's voice rang out again, filled with undisguised joy and exhilaration, as if he wanted to share the surging joy in his heart with him through this extreme speed. "Lightning speed! This is what you call exhilarating! Isn't it great?!"
Su Zhelan was overwhelmed by the intense sensory impact. His heart pounded in his chest, and an unprecedented sense of freedom and exhilaration welled up within him, dispelling the last trace of fear. He couldn't help but nod, his voice slightly broken by the wind, yet carrying a hint of excitement he himself was unaware of: "...Mmm!"
Upon hearing his response, Sheng Xuan laughed even more heartily. He urged his horse on again, and the horse's speed increased even further, galloping like a black lightning bolt along the forest path.
The wind whistled in his ears, the scenery rushed past, and Su Zhelan felt his heart pounding wildly in his chest. An unprecedented sense of freedom and exhilaration surged through his body, almost making him intoxicated by the extreme speed and passion.
However, after galloping for a while, Sheng Xuan seemed to notice that Su Zhelan's body was slightly stiff from the violent jolting, and her breathing had become rapid. He had a thought, worried that Su Zhelan might be uncomfortable experiencing such speed for the first time, so he slowly tightened the reins, gradually slowing down the "Chasing the Wind" until it became a steady trot.
The wind suddenly stopped, and the world seemed to quiet down instantly, with only the rustling of horses' hooves on fallen leaves and the still-panting breaths of the two people.
Sheng Xuan lowered his head, gently resting his chin on Su Zhelan's shoulder. His warm breath brushed against Su Zhelan's reddened earlobe, and his voice carried a hint of barely perceptible concern as he asked softly, "How are you? Are you feeling uncomfortable from the bumpy ride? Is anything bothering you?"
Su Zhelan was slightly out of breath. He shook his head, his voice still trembling slightly from the excitement he had just felt: "...I didn't feel uncomfortable." He paused, then added, his tone even carrying a hint of lingering satisfaction, "...It was... very...pleasant."
Upon hearing this, Sheng Xuan chuckled softly, a laugh filled with pure joy and satisfaction, his trembling chest pressed against Su Zhelan's back. He tightened his arms around Su Zhelan's waist, his nose almost brushing against her neck.
"It's good that you're not feeling unwell..." he murmured, his voice suddenly lowering a few decibels, carrying a hint of cunning and...malice. His warm breath deliberately brushed against Su Zhelan's sensitive earlobe. "Then...shall we play something even more exciting?"
Before he could finish speaking, he pulled hard on the reins before Su Zhelan could answer! "Chasing Wind" let out a long neigh, raised its front hooves, and suddenly stopped in place.
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