T/N: Second update of the day! Enjoy~
Following the neigh, Gu Sui’er saw a groom leading a white horse out of the surrounding grove.
“This…?” She had a guess, but she didn’t dare to believe it.
“I’ll be teaching you how to ride a horse.” Xiao Heng led her over to the white horse.
He had promised to teach her how to ride a horse before, but after she gave birth, various things came up and it was delayed. Now that they finally had their own residence, he specially set up a stable and found a top-quality horse for her.
This horse was docile and of average size, so it was suitable for her.
“Teach me how to ride a horse?” Gu Sui’er recalled how Xiao Jin rode a horse before. Could she really ride a horse too? Would she be able to?
Xiao Heng didn’t say much. He took the reins from the groom’s hand, gently patted the horse’s back, and said to Gu Sui’er: “As a beginner, when you decide to mount a horse, remember to stand on the horse’s left side with your face diagonal from the back, and hold the reins and the horse’s mane with your left hand together. Remember to grip tightly.”
As he spoke, he demonstrated: “When mounting, you must remember to raise your left foot onto the stirrup and turn your body onto the horse. Since you’re not tall enough, remember to jump a few times on your right foot and use that force to help you get onto the horse’s back.”
After Xiao Heng finished explaining, mounting and dismounting the horse, he handed the reins to Gu Sui’er. “Why don’t you give it a try?”
She had been thinking about how to invite the ladies she had met today but as soon as she stepped into the stable and heard that he was going to teach her horseback riding, she was a little dazed.
Now that she heard Xiao Heng wanted her to try, she tried to recall his actions just now. She took the reins, and tentatively grasped it with the horse’s mane, nervously lifting her leg to mount the horse.
Seeing her apprehension, Xiao Heng frowned slightly. “This won’t do. You don’t have enough strength, and you’re not tall enough. You must remember to exert more force and use the impact to mount the horse.”
Force? Impact? Gu Sui’er felt powerless just listening to it. How could she use force…
She asked in a low voice: “Your Highness, can I take my time?”
He looked down at her and saw her gorgeous court attire enveloping her slender waist and voluptuous body. With intricate accessories around her waist, it was indeed not very easy for her to lift a leg.
He said calmly: “You should have gone back and changed your clothes.”
As he spoke, he suddenly placed his hands on her body.
Gu Sui’er’s body flew up, leaving her confused and disoriented.
When she came to her senses, she was already on the horse’s back. Sitting behind her was the man who was like a solid wall.
The man’s strong arms were tightly hooked around her waist, and the ornate and magnificent robe clung to her waist firmly.
She instinctively grasped his hand.
“It’s okay, don’t be afraid.” The man pressed close against her. His warm breath sprayed in her ear as he spoke in a steady voice: “Sit up, don’t slouch. Keep your back straight, look ahead, and relax your body.”
Gu Sui’er took a deep breath and tried her best to follow Xiao Heng’s instructions.
“Here, lift it.”
Xiao Heng put his hand on her waist and commanded softly.
Gu Sui’er unexpectedly blushed.
After all, it was broad daylight.
She secretly glanced at the groom, but found that he had disappeared at some point.
“Okay…” She replied faintly.
With everything ready, Xiao Heng held the reins in one hand and embraced her with the other before urging the horse forward.
The horse trotted forward hesitantly, causing Gu Sui’er’s body to sway. She collapsed onto Xiao Heng’s chest.
“Straighten up.” Xiao Heng hoarsely ordered.
“En…” Helpless, Gu Sui’er gritted her teeth and straightened her body, trying hard to lift herself from the solid and warm support.
“Now, you hold the reins.” Xiao Heng handed the reins to Gu Sui’er.
With the coarse and sturdy reins in her hands, Gu Sui’er panicked for a moment, but the warmth coming from behind quickly calmed her down.
She gritted her teeth and tightly held onto the reins, trying to follow Xiao Heng’s guidance and control the speed.
Seeing this, he protected her with an arm while using his legs to urge the horse forward.
The white horse began galloping.
“Ah——” She screamed loudly, as if her soul had left her body.
“Grip the reins!” Xiao Heng’s deep and low order echoed.
“Ah ah ah ah!” The horse was running too fast, and Xiao Heng wasn’t holding tightly her like last time. Gu Sui’er was nearly scared out of her wits and desperately clung to his waist. “I won’t!”
“Let go, ride by yourself.” Xiao Heng commanded.
However, his words had no effect on Gu Sui’er. She dared not let go and continued to cling tightly to his waist, shouting loudly and burying her head in his embrace. “I’m scared!”
Xiao Heng had no choice but to hold her.
After being embraced by him, Gu Sui’er felt more at ease and opened her tearful eyes to look at the way ahead.
She tried to grip the reins again, straightened her waist as he had instructed, and pressed firmly on the stirrup.
With Xiao Heng’s protection, she felt much better this time.
He had no choice but to hold her for a few more laps.
“I think I’ve learned how to ride a horse,” she mumbled, sitting on the horse’s back.
The wind, carrying the scent of horse dung and grass, blew past her ears, splattering strands of her black and shiny hair on Xiao Heng’s handsome and rigid face.
“Fool.” He whispered: “Silly, timid.”
That was his conclusion about her.
Gu Sui’er blushed and hummed softly.
“Should I get off and let you ride by yourself?” Xiao Heng whispered in her ear.
“No!” She knew he was teasing her but she reacted quickly and clutched his arms.
He didn’t say anything more and continued to hold her.
She leaned back slightly, completely leaning on him.
Her soft and fragrant body dug into his embrace as she clung to him. The white horse trotted on the field, making them sway with its movements.
The rhythm of their intertwined bodies reminded Gu Sui’er of something that made her heart race and her face redden at night.
She rested her head on his shoulder, opened her eyes and looked up, only to see his deep eyes staring at her.
“Your Highness…” Her face was burning, but she had nowhere to hide, so she could only call out in a soft, low voice.
“Sui’er.” Xiao Heng’s slender fingers gently rubbed her lips. He said hoarsely: “Don’t call me ‘Your Highness’.”
“En?” Her face moved away from his chest in confusion. If not ‘Your Highness’, what should she call him? Should she call him ‘third Master’ like before?
“Call me Ah Heng.” Xiao Heng’s deep voice reached her ears.
“Ah?” Gu Sui’er blinked.
“Call me.” The man commanded solemnly.
“…Ah Heng.” Gu Sui’er’s voice was soft, lacking confidence.
To her, he was a person so noble and unattainable that even though they were so intimate now, she still felt that he ought to be high above.
She never thought about calling him by his name.
Ah Heng.
These two words, spoken from her lips, made her lips tingle with heat.
The old steward mentioned by Xiao Heng came to the residence soon after. He was an old man with the surname Zhuge and a goatee.
Steward Zhuge was not tall. He looked thin and weak, but his eyes were quite sharp. He treated Xiao Heng with utmost esteem while also showing great respect to Gu Sui’er.
She first explained the duties and matters of the household and then asked for Steward Zhuge’s opinion. Steward Zhuge took a look and started talking everything over one by one, about the rules that should be set for the maids inside the courtyard, how the servants outside should be managed, how the kitchen and warehouse should be handled, and what to prepare for inviting the madams for a banquet. His words were filled with great insight.
Delighted, Gu Sui’er put him in charge of all the internal and external affairs of the residence.
And indeed, this Steward Zhuge had some abilities. After he took over the duties, everything in the residence shortly became organized.
When Nanny An saw this, she felt a little upset. Originally, she was Gu Sui’er’s most capable helper, but unexpectedly, this old man Zhuge came and somehow stole the limelight.
She secretly complained to Gu Sui’er, “This old steward Zhuge is too full of himself. Look at how he manages everything inside and out. Those who don’t know would think he is the master!”
But Gu Sui’er didn’t think much of it. “Isn’t he managing everything well?”
Nanny An: “But he’s managing everything. In the future, will My Lady still have any standing? Who would listen to you then?”
This is a power struggle ah!
Gu Sui’er was a little confused: “Nanny An, he is the steward. Isn’t it good that he is managing the duties around the residence? I am His Highness’ concubine; my role is to serve him well and take care of little Ah Chen. Why must I insist on competing with a steward? If he can handle things well, wouldn’t that make my life easier?”
Nanny An was rendered speechless. After a long time of silence, she let out a long sigh: “My Lady is right.”
When she stepped outside the room, she stomped her foot and lamented: “Aaiii, My Lady is too easy-going. Look at how she spoils that short old fellow to no end!”
Little did she know that as soon as she finished speaking, she heard Guizhi whisper: “Nanny An, be careful!”
Nanny An snorted: “He’s just a short old fellow, alright? Did I say something wrong? Look at his height, even shorter than me, with a goatee, short old fellow, short old fellow, short-“
Before she could finish saying it the third time, she noticed the same ‘short old fellow’ standing right in front of her.
Nanny An immediately shut up. She let out a dry laugh as her face turned red.
The ‘short old fellow’, Steward Zhuge, didn’t say a word, but stood there, stroking his goatee.
Nanny An covered her face and fled.
Gu Sui’er had no idea that her trusted nanny had such an awkward encounter with Steward Zhuge. She was relieved to have such a capable steward and decided to start preparing for inviting the women from the Marquis residence for the housewarming.
Steward Zhuge naturally obeyed her orders and quickly started the preparations. After Gu Sui’er sent out the invitations to Marquis Ruiding’s residence, the second Young Madam came over and talked with her, after which, they decided to invite a few other acquaintances from Yanjing City to come together and bring some emphasis on the princely residence.
Gu Sui’er discussed this matter with Xiao Heng, and he naturally had no objections. So she started sending out invitations and preparing for the first banquet at the Fifth Prince’s residence.
Thanks for reading ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶! If you found any typo or want to suggest some corrections, feel free to do so in the comment section or on our discord server. And if you like my translation, please consider rating it on NU and supporting me on:
