lcionline Chapter 525 First Horse Riding Experience
Chapter 525 First Horse Riding Experience
Although her relationship with Gu Junze lacked the weighty implications of a relationship between an emperor and empress concerning the fate of the nation, it shared the same unbreakable trust and protection.
Just as the two were silently facing each other, each lost in their own thoughts, the curtain was gently lifted from the outside.
A eunuch dressed in a light gray palace attendant's robe bowed as he entered, his steps quiet and discreet.
"This servant greets Her Majesty the Empress and the Duchess."
Su Wan snapped out of her thoughts, regained her dignified composure as an empress, and asked calmly, "What is it?"
The eunuch lowered his head, took a tray from the young eunuch behind him, and respectfully held it above his head.
On the tray lay a brand-new lake-blue riding outfit, with a neat design and silver thread embroidered auspicious cloud patterns on the collar and cuffs, exuding both heroism and elegance.
"Your Majesty, this is His Majesty's decree." The eunuch's voice was clear and respectful.
"His Majesty said that the weather is fine today and the scenery in the forest is also beautiful. The Empress must be feeling bored staying in the palace for so long."
"I have specially ordered this servant to bring riding attire. I request that the Duchess accompany Her Highness to the hunting grounds for a stroll, to relax and have some fun."
Su Wan was startled, then turned to look at Chu Ruohan, her eyes almost overflowing with joy.
Just now she was envious and lamenting that she was trapped in such a small space.
In the blink of an eye, that high and mighty man responded to her unspoken desire in this way.
"His Majesty also said," the eunuch added, "that the horses outside have been prepared, all of them being the most docile mares raised in the palace. Please rest assured, Your Highness and Madam."
Chu Ruohan stood up, nodded slightly to the eunuch, and felt a clear mind.
This was no mere imperial edict; it was clearly a thoughtful gesture from the emperor to his wife, delivered without a word.
"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch." Chu Ruohan spoke up, replying on behalf of Su Wan, who was still somewhat dazed. "Please inform His Majesty that I will certainly protect Her Majesty the Empress."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The eunuch bowed and then quietly withdrew.
Inside the tent, only the brand-new riding outfit remained, lying quietly on the tray, seemingly still warm from the sun.
“Sister Ruohan,” Su Wan finally came to her senses. She took Chu Ruohan’s hand, her voice trembling slightly, “His Majesty…”
"His Majesty always keeps the Empress in his heart," Chu Ruohan gently interrupted her, patting her hand lightly.
Su Wan's eyes reddened, but she nodded vigorously, a genuine, radiant smile blooming on her face—a smile she hadn't seen in a long time.
It brightened her whole being.
"Quick, let's change our clothes!" She pulled Chu Ruohan, her voice filled with the eagerness and excitement of a little girl.
Chu Ruohan smiled and agreed. She first went outside the tent and handed Xuan Ge'er and Qing Chen over to the wet nurse. She carefully gave them a few instructions, telling them to play in the camp and not to run around.
Xuan-ge nodded sensibly: "I will take good care of my little sister!"
After settling the children in, Chu Ruohan returned to her tent.
The palace maids had already helped Su Wan change into that lake-blue riding outfit.
She turned around in front of the bronze mirror, her face full of novelty and joy.
Chu Ruohan quickly changed into her riding clothes.
The two walked out of the tent hand in hand and sure enough, they saw two magnificent mares waiting quietly to the side.
One horse was pure white with a lake-blue saddle, prepared specifically for Su Wan. The other was a gentle chestnut horse.
Several eunuchs and palace maids stood at a distance, not daring to approach and disturb them.
Su Wan took a deep breath of the air, which smelled of fresh grass, and felt all the pent-up frustration in her chest vanish.
She looked at the magnificent horse before her, and was at a loss.
"Sister Ruohan, I... I don't know how!"
An elderly eunuch quickly bowed and said with a fawning smile, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this old servant will lead your horse and ensure your safety."
"No need," Chu Ruohan waved her hand, signaling him to leave.
She walked over to the snow-white mare herself, gently stroking its soft mane to soothe it.
“Your Majesty, please look,” she said, turning to Su Wan, “this horse is extremely gentle and has very clear eyes. It will be fine.”
"You just need to sit still, relax, and gently hold the reins in your hand."
As she spoke, she demonstrated by skillfully mounting her chestnut horse.
"Please come up and try it out. I'll lead your horse, and we'll walk slowly."
Seeing Chu Ruohan's calm and composed demeanor, Su Wan's fear dissipated considerably.
She took a deep breath and, with the help of a palace maid, awkwardly stepped into the stirrups and sat on the horse.
Suddenly, her body rose higher, and her field of vision widened. Su Wan nervously gripped the small ring in front of the saddle, her body taut and straight.
Chu Ruohan took the reins from her horse, spurred it on, and slowly rode forward.
Two horses strolled leisurely along the grassy edge of the hunting grounds.
The autumn breeze was gentle, ruffling Su Wan's hair, and her tense body slowly relaxed.
The initial fear was gradually replaced by an unprecedented sense of novelty and excitement.
"So this is what it feels like to be on horseback," she murmured to herself, her eyes sparkling.
"Once Your Highness gets used to it, you'll love this feeling," Chu Ruohan said with a smile.
The two walked one after the other, chatting away, away from the hustle and bustle of the women's camp, towards an open area deep in the woods, enjoying this rare moment of freedom.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the hunting grounds.
Gu Junze did not follow the main group to chase the deer and wild boars.
Alone, he rode his horse through the relatively secluded mountain forest, his sharp eyes carefully searching among the grass and trees.
His target today is not those large prey.
Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, and he reined in his horse.
A snow-white shadow flashed past from behind the bushes not far away, as fast as lightning.
It's a silver fox.
A faint smile appeared on Gu Junze's lips.
This year's autumn seems unusually short, and the chill arrived early.
Han'er has a cold constitution, and her hands and feet are always cold in winter.
The silver fox's fur is thick and warm; if made into a hand warmer or wrapped around her neck, it would surely ward off a lot of the cold.
He did not draw his bow immediately, but patiently spurred his horse, following at a distance that was neither too close nor too far, waiting for the best opportunity.
Just as he was completely absorbed, a piercing scream from a woman shattered the tranquility of the forest.
"Ah - help!"
Gu Junze frowned and looked in the direction of the sound.
A frightened horse galloped out of the forest, and the woman on its back was pale with fright. She clung tightly to the reins, but she was completely unable to control her maddened mount.
The horse charged wildly, about to crash into the crowd and cause even greater chaos.
"It's Consort Rong!"
A gasp rang out from the crowd, and Zhao Yunci, who was chatting and laughing with several relatives nearby, changed his expression and his gaze instantly turned sharp.