After a long period of restlessness, the majestic horse, Mo Ping, finally began to calm down. You Yuji let out a gentle sigh of relief and dared to gradually loosen the reins wrapped around her hand, allowing the horse’s raised hooves to slowly come down.
The horse snorted impatiently and kicked the ground restlessly with its front hooves.
You Yuji glanced at the back of her hand. The horse’s strength was considerable; she had to wrap the reins around her hand once more to hold on tight. Her fair hand was reddened from the strain, and her delicate palm was a mess of raw flesh.
“Yaya! Yaya, why did you run out of the house!” The little girl’s family finally arrived, picking her up and gently patting her back. The father turned around and repeatedly thanked You Yuji.
“Sister, here, eat this!” The little girl stretched out from her father’s arms, offering You Yuji the candied hawthorn she was holding. The candy had been clutched in her small hand for so long that sticky syrup was dripping from her fingers.
You Yuji smiled gently at the little girl and took out a soft handkerchief to wrap the sticky bamboo skewer before handing it back to her.
As she bent down, her loosely bound hair finally came undone, cascading down like a raven’s tail. She was slightly surprised and glanced back at her hair that had fallen over her shoulder.
Her casual gesture unknowingly created an image of stunning beauty in the eyes of onlookers.
You Yuji was unaware and indifferent to the gazes of others. She turned her horse towards the Zhenxiu Restaurant.
She had just seen Chen Anzhi stroking the horse’s mane with great affection, guessing that this was a new acquisition of his.
She stopped at the entrance of Zhenxiu Restaurant, looking down at Chen Anzhi with a frown, and after a moment of silence, she spoke helplessly, “This is a bustling market. No matter how much you love horses, you shouldn’t bring an untrained one here.”
You Yuji expected Chen Anzhi to lose his temper, but to her surprise, although his face looked grim, he didn’t say a word. She dismounted, and Sun Guangliang’s servant hurriedly came over to take the reins despite his fear.
“Sister, are you alright?” Lin Yingying ran over.
Cuiyu also exclaimed, “Sister, you’re amazing! I didn’t know you had such skills!”
You Yuji smiled lightly, saying nothing. She didn’t move forward immediately but looked down at her leg with a puzzled expression before resuming her normal demeanor and walking forward.
Si Que, who had been sitting in a corner without joining the commotion, looked at You Yuji through the open redwood doors adorned with auspicious cloud patterns. He glanced at her dress, lifted his wine cup, and drank a cup of Nu’er Hong[1] in one gulp.
Unlike others who worried whether You Yuji could tame the frantic horse, he knew from the start that she could. He had seen her tame horses before, even ones wilder than this red horse. Her usual mount, a black horse with a fierce temperament, obeyed only her.
“Oh no, sister, your hand is injured!” Lin Yingying exclaimed.
Si Que looked up.
“It was chafed by the reins, it’s nothing,” You Yuji smiled, her eyes still filled with mirth, not taking it seriously. However, seeing her hand injured and without any medicine on hand, the group decided to return home immediately, even though they hadn’t finished their dinner.
The crowd continued to gaze at You Yuji until she and her companions boarded the departing carriage. They were still talking about her. Some praised her horsemanship, others her beauty, and soon, her identity was known.
Chen Anzhi listened grimly to the crowd discussing You Yuji.
The young gentlemen accompanying him also praised You Yuji’s riding skills and beauty, but Chen Anzhi felt no joy in his heart.
People who love excitement and admire excellent equestrians have always revered those skilled in horsemanship.
As a man, he had to admit that the sight of You Yuji on horseback, with her hair flowing like clouds, stirred his heart and aroused his desires, even giving rise to possessive thoughts.
But this person was his wife.
His wife should be dignified and proper, not exposing herself to let other men fantasize!
Complex emotions swirled in his heart, a mix of bitterness and sweetness.
The bustling street, disturbed by the horse, gradually returned to normal, though people still talked about it. No one knew that in a nearby carriage, the current Emperor had also witnessed the scene.
Emperor Chen sighed, “Every land nurtures its people. The women of the grasslands are not only good at singing and dancing, but their riding skills also surpass those of Central Plains men.”
Prince Pinghuai carefully pondered his father’s words, unable to grasp his exact meaning, and so he echoed, “Father is right. Every land nurtures its people. We Chen people also have our strengths, incomparable to those of the grasslands.”
Emperor Chen frowned and said displeasedly, “Don’t use such terms for Chen land anymore, and don’t be arrogant. Only by learning from others and better integrating can we become a prosperous nation.”
“Yes!” Prince Pinghuai hurriedly replied.
Emperor Chen sighed again. On one hand, he was troubled by his advancing age and the fact that three kingdoms remained unconquered, making it hard for him to sleep or eat in peace. On the other hand, he feared becoming an emperor who could establish a kingdom but not defend it.
Among his sons, it was logical to establish the eldest as the heir. But as both a father and an emperor, he thought more deeply, hoping his son would carry on his legacy and expand the empire’s ambitions. He was somewhat dissatisfied with the Crown Prince, as he was the softest in character and not in good health.
He originally had high hopes for Prince Jinnan, who had once fought by his side, but now Prince Jinnan had become the least interested in political affairs.
Emperor Chen looked towards Chen Anzhi at the entrance of Zhenxiu Pavilion, frowning in displeasure. Not only had Prince Jinnan’s temperament changed significantly, but his son was also poorly raised. With a stern face, he ordered, “Deshun, have Prince Jinnan come to the palace.”
Chen Qi sat quietly, his gaze falling outside the carriage window.
Once again, he saw You Yuji on horseback, the scene from their first meeting not only reappeared but was vividly recaptured. The fascination and longing buried deep in his heart had never left and grew stronger with time.
At this moment, his indecision of the past few days suddenly resolved.
At dusk, You Yuji’s carriage returned to Prince Jinnan’s mansion.
Lin Yingying sweetly suggested getting a doctor to look at You Yuji’s hand injury, but You Yuji declined.
“It’s just a superficial wound. Applying some medicine at home will be fine,” You Yuji said softly.
The concubines didn’t follow to disturb the tranquility of Tanxiang Yingyue and returned to their respective quarters.
Baohe ran to the cabinet to fetch some medicine for external injuries, then hurried back to You Yuji. Just as she reached You Yuji’s side, the medicine in her hand was taken by Si Que.
“Go bring some warm water,” Si Que said.
Baohe nodded and quickly ran out.
You Yuji looked at Si Que with a smile, saying, “We strolled outside for so long today. You should go back and rest first…”
You Yuji didn’t finish her sentence because Si Que picked her up in his arms, leaving her speechless. She stared at Si Que in surprise, instinctively placing her hand on his shoulder.
“Big sister, don’t walk anymore; it will aggravate the wound on your leg,” Si Que said, carrying You Yuji inside and gently placing her on the beauty couch. He didn’t immediately straighten up, propping his hands on either side of her waist, and whispered, “I feel so distressed for you.”
You Yuji looked at him in surprise, astonished that he knew about the injury on her leg.
She was wearing a soft dress instead of her riding attire, and while controlling the wild horse, she had scraped the side of her leg.
Si Que lowered his gaze and pushed up the skirt on You Yuji’s leg, revealing a patch of her inner pants stained with blood. He frowned, clearly not expecting the injury to be so severe.
“It’s nothing,” You Yuji said, trying to push the skirt down to cover the wound at the root of her leg.
As she attempted to push it down again, Si Que held her hand.
Si Que gently grasped her slender fingers, spreading her hand open to look at the wound on her palm. He couldn’t help but lower his head and blew softly on it.
The cool sensation brushed over the wound, and You Yuji looked at Si Que, just about to speak, when she heard Baohe’s hurried footsteps outside. She pursed her lips and swallowed her words for the moment.
Baohe soon brought in a basin of warm water and placed it on a small wooden table next to the beauty couch. She said, “Princess, let me apply the medicine.”
Si Que ignored her and soaked a cotton cloth in the warm water.
You Yuji glanced at him, knowing he was determined, and instructed Baohe, “Go boil some water; I will take a bath later.”
Baohe nodded and left.
A warm sensation spread in her palm as You Yuji looked down to see Si Que carefully wiping the blood from around the wound with the wrung-out cloth.
Si Que uncorked a bottle and gently sprinkled medicine powder on the wound in You Yuji’s palm.
“Does it hurt?”
Afraid she was in pain, Si Que quickly looked up at You Yuji, but unexpectedly met her gentle, smiling eyes. She shook her head, her raven hair cascading over her shoulders, with the slightly curled ends adding a layer of tenderness.
Only then did Si Que take the white gauze and wrap it around You Yuji’s right hand a few times, bandaging her hand. After dressing the wound on her right hand, he moved to apply medicine to her left hand. The injury on her left hand was much lighter.
When Si Que reached for the gauze, You Yuji stopped him, “The left hand is fine, no need to bandage it. Plus, I will be bathing soon, and the gauze will be inconvenient.”
Si Que still pulled her hand over and wrapped it up. He said, “I will attend to you during your bath.”
You Yuji was startled and looked up at him. She wanted to refuse, but watching him lower his head and carefully wipe her hand, she remained silent.
He meticulously wiped each of her fingers with the cloth.
The cloth fell into the warm water.
Si Que once again pushed up You Yuji’s skirt, his hand reaching under it to her waist, pulling at the ties of her inner pants.
“Si Que…” You Yuji placed her hand on his shoulder, frowning as she looked at him.
Si Que lifted his eyes, looking at You Yuji with clear, bright eyes. He slowly smiled and said, “Big sister, I’ve seen it before.”
He leaned closer, his breath brushing against her ear through her hanging raven hair, and whispered, “At first, everything else was covered, but that part was always in view, and later, I remembered it countless times.”
You Yuji’s hand slid off Si Que’s shoulder, her face turning away slightly. Suddenly, her chin was gently held by Si Que, who turned her face back to look into her eyes, speaking in the most innocent and sincere tone, “Big sister, you’re blushing.”
You Yuji lowered her eyes and murmured, “Baohe will come in soon…”
Her voice trailed off to an inaudible whisper.
“Alright, I’ll listen to you. I’ll be quick,” Si Que obediently smiled, pulling down You Yuji’s long inner pants. Then, he took the wrung-out cloth and carefully wiped the blood from the side of her leg, the damp cloth brushing against her exposed snowy-white undergarments, gradually wetting them.
When the medicine powder was sprinkled on the abrasion, the stinging pain made You Yuji let out a soft moan, and her snow-white leg trembled slightly.
Si Que turned his head and expressionlessly rinsed the cloth again. When he turned back to face You Yuji, his lips once again curved into a gentle smile. He used the cloth to carefully wipe away the excess medicine powder around the wound, the water from the cloth soaking further into her snowy-white undergarments.
A cool sensation spread.
Si Que’s long eyelashes lowered, and he couldn’t help but gaze a bit longer at the outlines revealed by the dampness.
Outside the door, Baohe and a few maidservants were carrying water to the cleansing room, their soft yet noisy chatter audible. Si Que, hearing the sounds from outside, leaned down and placed a kiss on the damp outline beneath the fabric. You Yuji stiffened instantly. She raised her hand to push Si Que away, but met his clear, sincere eyes. Unable to maintain eye contact, You Yuji turned her gaze away, her hand at her side gradually clenching the small quilt tightly.
[1] Nu’er Hong (女儿红) is a type of Chinese rice wine (Huangjiu, 黄酒) that has a unique tradition and cultural significance. The name translates to “Daughter’s Red” in English. Traditionally, when a daughter was born, a family would bury jars of this wine, often wrapped in red cloth, and unearth it years later to serve at the daughter’s wedding.
