Chapter 30

Late at night, in Prince Yi’s Estate.

At this hour, every household had gone dark. Only the lamp in Nianqing Studio was still lit.

Inside the room, after Zhao Shuheng finished the final stroke, he looked at the portrait before him and was not very satisfied.

On the painting paper, a breeze blew past, and fallen begonia blossoms scattered everywhere. Pink-white petals landed on the woman’s shoulders and in the girl’s black hair. At the center, the girl lowered her eyes and carefully read the scroll in her hands, her expression focused, as if she did not care for the beautiful scenery outside the book, and yet also as if she and those sacred begonias had originally belonged together.

Because of her existence, the fragrance of those begonias became even more refreshing, intoxicating the mind.

But when Chen Er entered, he saw his young prince repeatedly shaking his head at the lifelike image before him, faint sighs escaping his lips.

Zhao Shuheng did not turn around, yet he had already noticed his footsteps. “What do you think?”

Chen Er answered honestly, “Young Prince’s painting skills are naturally excellent. There are few in all of Great Zhou who can compare.”

Chen Er understood his young master and deliberately avoided mentioning the name of the person in the painting.

But Zhao Shuheng shook his head. “It doesn’t resemble her.”

He still could not paint Fourth Younger Sister’s spirit. That clean aura that made people unwilling to stain her in the slightest, as though even the smallest carelessness would sully that most sacred white.

In his heart, Fourth Younger Sister had always been the purest.

Always.

Zhao Shuheng reached out and brushed his fingers over the cheek of the woman in the painting, as if helping the person in the painting tidy the strands of black hair flying by her temple. His expression was obsessive and focused.

Usually, at times like this, others did not dare disturb him.

Chen Er knew best that his prince had an obsession in his heart, and that obsession was the Fourth Miss of the Shang family.

Back then, the young prince had expressed his feelings to the Old Princess Consort, saying that he wanted to marry Fourth Miss as his wife. But the Old Princess Consort had refused on the grounds that the young prince had no official achievement yet and that rashly proposing marriage would wrong Miss Shang. She said that one day, when the young prince could obtain an official position in court, she would personally go to the Shang family to present the betrothal gifts.

The young prince had been so excited at the time, but everyone in the family could tell that the Old Princess Consort was merely delaying him.

How could Prince Yi’s Estate marry a concubine-born daughter as the proper wife? Even if her surname was Shang, it would not do.

The Zhao family had imperial blood flowing in its bones. Even if their glory was no longer what it had once been, they were still noble princes of the blood. The princess consort had to have a presentable status.

Needless to say, she had to come from a famous family, and being a legitimate daughter was also indispensable.

Who would have thought that because of that one sentence, the young prince would truly begin working hard, and even take first place in the palace examination?

Only, heaven did not fulfill people’s wishes. When the young prince impatiently went to the Shang family, wanting to tell Miss Shang about this matter, what greeted him were the white lanterns at the gate.

From then on, the young prince seemed to become another person.

He was no longer as gentle and warm as before. His gaze gradually became sharp and ruthless. Though he had only entered the court for a month, he had already cut down no small number of deeply rooted aristocratic families in court, making many enemies.

The young prince did not seem to care. His actions became increasingly decisive. He even destroyed the largest pleasure house in Shengjing just because he said so.

Who did not know that Tianxiang Tower was a place where powerful families and noble clans discussed matters? Once Tianxiang Tower fell, the entire Shengjing trembled along with it.

“Young Prince.” Chen Er stepped forward and reported in a low voice, “General Gu said that she thanks you for your kindness. When the time comes, she will arrange for trusted subordinates to personally receive them.”

Zhao Shuheng’s fingertips, which had been gently brushing the portrait, paused. “Older Cousin isn’t coming? Did you not tell her that I would personally go when delivering the people?”

Chen Er quickly explained, “How would this subordinate dare not say it? This subordinate conveyed your message word for word according to your meaning. It is only that General Gu does not seem to want to see you.”

Older Cousin did not want to see him?

How could that be? Yesterday, the two of them had only just met in Furong City. It had only been one day. How could there be such a great change?

Seeing his young prince’s tightly furrowed brows, Chen Er took the initiative to suggest, “Your Highness, this subordinate does have a method.”

Zhao Shuheng: “?”

“If Noble Consort Rong is willing to assist from within and summon General Gu into the palace to talk privately, then wouldn’t you…”

At this moment, Shen Rong was greatly favored. If she asked the emperor, saying that she wanted to see this older female cousin of hers, it naturally would not be difficult. As long as Gu Wan entered the palace, it would be very easy for Zhao Shuheng to meet her.

Only, when it came to Shen Rong, Zhao Shuheng’s heart was filled with mixed feelings.

It was not that he had not known Shen Rong’s feelings. He had also clearly told her that he only regarded her as a younger sister. Unfortunately, this younger sister’s obsession was too deep. During the palace banquet, she took the initiative to offer a dance, drawing His Majesty’s attention.

The current emperor was already over fifty, but Shen Rong was not yet twenty. The rest of her life would be imprisoned within the red walls.

He had thought this matter would end there. Because he still carried a trace of guilt toward this younger female cousin, when Zhao Shuheng entered the palace to give thanks, he specially visited Noble Consort Rong.

But Shen Rong seemed to have calculated that he would definitely go. She had prepared his favorite tea in advance and had even sewn him a purse.

At the time, Zhao Shuheng had a strange feeling: could it be that Noble Consort Rong’s miscarriage and the toppling of the Zheng family were truly accidents?

It seemed this Noble Consort Rong was not as simple as she appeared.

Then Fourth Younger Sister…

Did Shen Rong know about Fourth Younger Sister’s matter? Could Fourth Younger Sister be connected to Shen Rong?

Zhao Shuheng withdrew his thoughts and rejected Chen Er’s suggestion. “Send someone to contact her again. Just say that I have important matters to discuss with Older Cousin and deeply hope she can come out to meet me.”

His gaze returned to the painting. The darkness that had originally spilled from his eyes instantly dispersed by quite a bit. After mounting the painting, Zhao Shuheng brought it into the inner room and placed it together with the other paintings.

On all these paintings, without exception, was Fourth Younger Sister’s appearance.

Shang Rongyue did not take Shen Sanniang’s plan to teach her horseback riding seriously.

The injuries from the day before had only just improved. No matter what, she would have to rest for ten days or half a month. She never could have imagined that the next day, Ziying would bring her a newly made riding outfit.

“This set of clothes was ordered by the chief overnight. The chief said that after breakfast, she will wait for you at the back mountain.”

Shang Rongyue opened the box and lifted out the outfit. The material was not as soft as the ruqun she usually wore, and the style was also much simpler and neater.

But this was far too urgent.

However, after thinking carefully, learning to ride a horse was not a bad thing. One day, Shang Rongyue would leave. If she did not want to measure the road step by step, riding a horse was indeed the best method.

Calculating it like this, it was not a loss.

Following the other woman’s instructions, Shang Rongyue and Ziying arrived at the back mountain. Gu Wan was holding the reins of a fine horse while it grazed at the mountainside.

After safely bringing her over, Ziying withdrew and went down the mountain to wait alone.

Shang Rongyue jogged toward Gu Wan, then spun once in front of her. “Sister, do I look good wearing this?”

It was an emerald riding outfit paired with a blue-green cloak. Her long black hair had been neatly tied up, giving her a little of Shen Sanniang’s usual heroic bearing.

Gu Wan looked her up and down but [unauthorized copy]did not answer. Instead, she took the initiative to shift the topic to the horse.

“Its name is Taxue,” Gu Wan said while handing the reins to Shang Rongyue. “Come greet it.”

Greet a horse? Shang Rongyue was somewhat at a loss.

Gu Wan saw her uncertainty and pulled her forward. She held the girl’s fair wrist and guided her hand toward the horse’s forehead.

This was a horse that was completely black, with only the area above its hooves being white. Presumably, that was where the name Taxue, Treading Snow, came from.

At first, Shang Rongyue was a little afraid, especially at the very first touch. The horse suddenly snorted, scaring Shang Rongyue into subconsciously withdrawing her hand.

“Don’t be afraid. It’s very gentle.” Gu Wan placed her other hand on Shang Rongyue’s shoulder. Shang Rongyue’s back pressed against the other woman’s chest, and for a moment, she had the illusion that Shen Sanniang had become the support behind her.

Gu Wan held Shang Rongyue’s hand again. This time, the horse did not resist and even seemed to like her very much.

It really was very gentle.

Gu Wan introduced it. “Among all the horses, its temperament is the mildest. It is not like other fierce horses, which are difficult to tame.”

As Shang Rongyue’s palm stroked Taxue’s forehead, the fine horse cooperatively lowered its neck, as if wanting Shang Rongyue to pet it a few more times.

“It likes you very much,” Gu Wan said in a low voice when she saw the girl and Taxue gradually becoming closer.

Shang Rongyue’s expression relaxed bit by bit [Read on BaiLianTales]and was no longer as tense as at the beginning. “Of course. I’m so likable. Aside from you, everyone likes me very much.”

Gu Wan did not respond to this.

After the person and horse became familiar with each other, she helped Shang Rongyue onto the horse’s back.

With both feet firmly stepping into the stirrups, and without Shen Sanniang behind her this time, Shang Rongyue’s whole body tightened. She was so flustered she did not know where to put her hands.

“Hold the reins.” The reins were placed into her soft white palm. Only after Shang Rongyue had fully steadied herself did Gu Wan return to the front of the horse. “Let’s try walking a little.”

As the horse began to walk, Shang Rongyue’s body swayed with Taxue’s steps. Gradually, she found some enjoyment in it.

It was just that whenever she looked down, she would still break out in a thin layer of sweat in her palms because of the height.

“Don’t look down.” Gu Wan slowed her pace and turned back to look at her.

“As long as you are sitting on a horse, the things passing by around you no longer matter. Your eyes must always look forward.”

“If you lower your head timidly all the time, then even a branch as thick as a little finger would be enough to knock you off the horse. When the time comes, falling from the horse will not be a small matter like spraining your ankle.”

Listening to Shen Sanniang’s words, Shang Rongyue always felt the other woman was implying something. But she could not figure out the reason, so she could only nod blankly in agreement.

After a long while, Shang Rongyue asked in a low voice, “Sister, have you ever led a horse like this for anyone else?”

Gu Wan stopped and looked back at her, answering in a low voice, “No.”

Oh? She was the first!

Shang Rongyue was happy for a moment, and her movements gradually became bolder. She lowered herself on the horse’s back, moving her face closer to the other woman.

“What about that younger female cousin who gave you the sachet? Have you ever taught her like this too?”

At this time, the sun had risen higher and higher. The blazing sunlight spilled behind her, and the girl’s eyes seemed to become somewhat scorching.

It seemed she really was no longer afraid.

Gu Wan silently mounted the horse and sat directly behind her.

“If you don’t want to rub your legs raw like last time, sit steady and don’t grip the horse’s belly.”

The moment her voice fell, the horsewhip behind them lifted. The originally steady horse instantly galloped forward, swift as wind and lightning, racing ahead all the way.

Gu Wan swung the horsewhip with one hand and, with the other, took Shang Rongyue’s chin and turned her face forward. “Don’t look at me. Look ahead!”

The jolting of her body gradually matched Taxue’s steps, forming a rhythm that answered each movement. Shang Rongyue’s fear gradually vanished completely. The free wind blew the stray hair by her temples, and waves of coolness wrapped around her body.

No wonder ancient people were so enthusiastic about riding horses, and young ladies from aristocratic families also used polo as a pastime after tea. Riding on horseback truly was this comfortable.

Last time, when Shen Sanniang had ridden with her at night, Shang Rongyue had only felt that everything [Read on BaiLianTales]before her was dark. But this time was different.

After crossing that small mountain, what appeared before them was a vast grassland. It was late spring, and everything was lush and green, stretching endlessly before her eyes, as if between heaven and earth, only she, Shen Sanniang, and Taxue beneath them remained, carrying them as they ran freely.

The deep blue sky was filled with drifting white clouds. Waves of green grass were lifted by the wind, blending into the emerald riding outfit on her body.

The excitement of riding made Shang Rongyue temporarily forget the question from earlier. When Taxue stopped, Shang Rongyue still felt unsatisfied. Even though the wind had loosened her hair while they rode, she did not care. Her cheeks were flushed red, and her eyes were filled with indescribable joy.

At this moment, the two of them were pressed extremely close. Shen Sanniang’s hand, which had been holding her body, still rested at her waist.

Perhaps because of riding the horse, Gu Wan’s breathing was intense. Her chest pressed against Shang Rongyue’s back, and her beating heart struck against Shang Rongyue’s body again and again.

Her face was like an unmoving iceberg, but her heartbeat was deafening.

“Sister’s heart is beating so fast.”

Shang Rongyue twisted around to look at the person behind her. During the movement, her vermilion lips intentionally or unintentionally brushed past Shen Sanniang’s jaw.

It was only for the slightest instant, and then she deliberately pulled away.

Like a feather lightly sweeping over Gu Wan’s soft heart, gentle and infinitely ticklish.

Seeing Shen Sanniang’s gaze tremble slightly, Shang Rongyue curved her lips.

Although this bandit leader’s personality was hard to predict, sometimes, she was the easiest to handle.

Especially in these matters.

In any case, it was not the first time. Shang Rongyue moved with familiar ease, holding the other woman’s cheek as her red lips pressed closer.

Just as they were about to touch, an icy index finger blocked the distance between their lips.

Gu Wan forced her to turn back around, leaned beside her ear, and murmured in a low voice, “Miss Li is still young. Having such heavy desires is not good.”