Chapter 210: Li Nu
Under the sun, the two figures—black as cold, hard rocks and red as vibrant flowers—stood side by side.
This scene could capture anyone’s gaze.
Hong Ye couldn’t help but bite her lower lip gently, suppressing the smile that threatened to surface.
The young lady and the Marquis together truly made a beautiful sight.
How she wished this moment could last forever.
At this moment, Gu Jinghui lowered his head toward Qin Yuan, his sharp yet expectant gaze filled with indescribable tenderness.
It seemed as though she was the only one in his eyes at that moment.
Qin Yuan’s face suddenly felt hot.
Perhaps the sun was too harsh, burning her skin.
She thought for a moment, shook her head, and said, "I can’t."
In her past life, she had learned to ride horses, but that was only after following Lin Ziqi to Jiangsu and Zhejiang; upon returning to the capital, her polo skills among the noblewomen were rather exceptional.
However, in her previous life at this time, she didn’t even know how to mount a horse; it was only after going to Jiangxi that she learned to play donkey polo.
The small County Magistrate’s Wife often gathered with other wives of local gentry to play, but the county was too poor for horse polo, so they played donkey polo instead.
Qin Yuan’s first donkey-riding lesson caused quite a few laughs.
It wasn’t until Lin Ziqi’s promotion that she had the chance to play horse polo.
Gu Jinghui chuckled, took her hand, and said, "Don’t worry, your husband will teach you."
Qin Yuan felt inexplicably shy, not daring to look at him.
Recently, Marquis Gu had been finding ways to move back to rest, and they spent days and nights together, getting closer.
As the day to open the mansion drew near, Marquis Gu’s gaze grew increasingly heated.
Qin Yuan lowered her head, responding softly like a mosquito.
But that muted response was clearly heard by the keen Marquis Gu, who took Qin Yuan’s hand and headed toward the stables.
The stables at the Marquis Mansion were meticulously clean, carrying only the scent of bean cakes and hay.
The horses reserved for the masters were each cared for by a dedicated coachman.
"How do you like this one?"
Marquis Gu held onto Qin Yuan with one hand and pointed at a sturdy chestnut filly lying lazily in the stable, her black tail swaying idly to ward off horseflies.
This was a proudly contented short pony.
Short-statured, with sturdy limbs, a short neck, rounded hindquarters, broad chest, and wide back.
Its speed wasn’t fast, but it was very reliable.
A perfect mount for ladies.
Qin Yuan smiled and nodded, saying, "Whatever my husband chooses is naturally good."
The corners of Gu Jinghui’s lips lifted high as he feigned indifference and said, "Gu Baoshu has been clamoring for some horses, waiting to join the polo tournament once she’s out of confinement. I’ve found one for you as well. As her sister-in-law, you mustn’t fall short; that girl loves to compete. If she knows you can’t play polo, who knows how she’d tease you."
Qin Yuan held back her laughter and said languidly, "So that’s it; it seems I’m benefitting from Seventh Sister’s favor."
Gu Jinghui: "..."
Qin Yuan continued, "Then I’ll have to thank Seventh Sister properly once she’s out of confinement."
Gu Jinghui: "..."
He felt strangely frustrated.
Why does she want to thank Gu Baoshu instead of him?
Despite his careful selection for her.
He had inspected this horse while at Dazao Temple, praying, and it had been trained in the mansion before being presented.
Hmph!
Gu Jinghui couldn’t help but feel a chill radiating outward again.
But then Qin Yuan’s gentle voice came, filled with joy and excitement: "Husband, what is the horse’s name? Can I ride it now?"
The vexed Marquis Gu laughed again: "This horse doesn’t have a name yet; why don’t you name it?"
He gestured for the coachman to come over, took a piece of candy from the coachman’s hand, and placed it in Qin Yuan’s palm, saying, "Yuan’er, once you’ve decided on a name, call it over and feed it the candy; it’ll like you then."
Qin Yuan knew this was Marquis Gu’s lesson in horse training for her.
She was aware that this horse was well-trained.
Bred to be gentle, it had been housed in the mansion long before it was familiar with the environment. Now it needed to get acquainted with her as its master.
But since Gu Jinghui didn’t mention this, she pretended not to know.
Qin Yuan pondered for a moment, "How about calling it Li Nu?"
Gu Jinghui didn’t ask why and simply said, "Okay."
Following Marquis Gu’s cue, Qin Yuan extended her delicate hand with a piece of sugar in her palm, calling softly, "Li Nu, come, come, come, come have some sugar."
Qin Yuan’s voice was soft and tender, and the filly’s nose twitched as if catching a whiff of sweetness. It stood up and sauntered over, pausing to tentatively turn its head toward her.
Qin Yuan smiled and extended her hand further: "Li Nu, Li Nu, come, come have some sugar."
The filly lowered its head, tentatively licking Qin Yuan’s palm.
Qin Yuan felt a tickle but didn’t withdraw her hand. The pony licked again before leisurely eating the candy.
Such a gentle and affectionate horse; Qin Yuan was quite satisfied. She reached out with her other hand, gently brushing the mane on the filly’s head while whispering its name softly.
Gu Jinghui watched quietly beside her, observing her bond with the filly, ready to intervene if the pony acted out.
Only after Qin Yuan had led the horse out of the stable with the reins did he finally relax.
Qin Yuan led the horse to the training ground, where Xiao Dong had already exhausted himself but wasn’t willing to leave Ta Xue’s saddle. He clung onto it, asking, "Sixteen Brother, can I ride it alone for a while?"
Gu Shiliu answered, "No."
"Why not?"
"This is the Marquis’s horse, and people are generally not allowed to ride it. You being able to ride it was only because the Marquis took you along. I can only lead it for you to enjoy a short ride."
The implied meaning was that, to ride it again, he would need to wait for Marquis Gu to return and take him along.
Xiao Dong, being smart and obedient, lay down, hugging the horse’s neck, and whispered, "The Marquis is teaching the madam to ride now. Ah, I’m already thrilled to sit on Ta Xue’s back. If only I could be Ta Xue’s coachman, I’d happily groom it every day and clean its manure."
Gu Shiliu laughed heartily and said, "Then you’d likely get beaten by Doctor Li every day."
Xiao Dong laughed out loud continuously.
"Indeed, I have to inherit my master’s Renhe Hall; I can’t take care of Ta Xue. Sixteen Brother, can I visit the stables to see Ta Xue in the future?"
"Sure, but you must inform the coachman first. Ta Xue’s nature is wild; if you aren’t familiar, you can’t approach. You’re still young and might not withstand a hoof. At the Northern Border, Ta Xue once stomped an enemy general to death."
"Wow, the Marquis’s horses are all amazing."
Xiao Dong’s eyes sparkled.
Filled with admiration for Marquis Gu.
Meanwhile, Gu Jinghui assisted Qin Yuan in mounting the horse. Qin Yuan pretended not to know, and after several attempts, she finally shakily stepped into the stirrup and mounted the horse.
Riding on the horse, Qin Yuan exhaled.
Pretending not to know was more challenging than knowing.
Gu Jinghui smiled and said, "Yuan’er, rest assured, I’ll lead the horse slowly. Don’t be afraid; you won’t fall off."
Qin Yuan: "Hmm."
But in her heart, she longed to gallop freely and release her pent-up feelings.
Gu Jinghui was worried about her fear, walking painstakingly slow while finding topics to chat about.
Qin Yuan was contemplating how to convince Gu Jinghui to let her try a trot when Marquis Gu suddenly halted, glanced at the shade of a nearby tree, and said, "Sixth Elder, what are you doing sitting there?"