He Feng had previously said he would give Xie Chi a horse, but it had been delayed due to her physical condition. The stronghold raised quite a few good horses. He Feng selected three for her to choose from, but Xie Chi had her eyes set on He Feng’s Little Black.

He Feng had two horses—one black, one white.

Little Black was spirited and often accompanied him down the mountain, seeing blades and blood. Little White was gentle, only wandering around the mountains.

He Feng said: “If you can tame it, take it.”

Xie Chi’s riding skills weren’t refined, so Little Black was indeed a challenge for her.

Just as she was about to mount, He Feng reminded her: “It’s very wild, it only obeys me. Don’t cry when it throws you off.”

“I’ve already taken down someone as wild as you—what’s one horse?”

He Feng was delighted, “Alright, go for it.”

Xie Chi touched Little Black’s head, but it gave her no face, turning its head away and showing her its side.

Xie Chi walked around to continue petting it. Only when Little Black wasn’t as resistant as before did she mount its back and grip the reins.

Little Black didn’t move a muscle.

He Feng crossed his arms and laughed at her, “If you can make it run to that tree up ahead, I’ll let you ride me.”

“Really?”

He Feng raised an eyebrow slightly, “If you can’t make it run, you let me ride you.”

Seeing his smug expression, Xie Chi understood he was talking about that matter. No matter who rode whom, it seemed he’d be the one gaining advantage.

“Let’s change the bet. If I win, you’re not allowed to touch me anymore.”

He Feng nodded, “Fine.”

Xie Chi bent down to lie against the horse’s back, gently stroking Little Black’s mane and whispering something to it.

He Feng looked up at her, “What are you secretly telling my Little Black?”

“I’m not telling you.” She pulled up the reins, squeezed the horse’s belly, and after a “Giddyup,” Little Black leisurely walked forward a few steps.

He Feng laughed as he watched them from behind. Just as Little Black was about to start running, He Feng whistled, and Little Black immediately turned back, obediently walking to his side.

Xie Chi was displeased, “You’re cheating.”

He Feng mounted the horse’s back, gripped her hands and rubbed them, “Not touch you? Dream on.”

“Scoundrel.” Xie Chi angrily tried to dismount, but He Feng held her tight and wouldn’t let go, “Little lady, let me show you what real riding is.”

Before Xie Chi could react, Little Black shot forward like an arrow. Her back collided with his chest as she felt the thrilling speed and rushing wind.

She had never gone this fast before, especially on such steep mountain paths.

Suddenly, a white shadow darted out from the right front, running alongside them.

Xie Chi focused and recognized it clearly, “Bai Ge!”

He Feng smiled as he looked at the white wolf.

Ahead was a cliff edge. Xie Chi nervously gripped his wrist, “Stop, stop!”

Not only did He Feng not stop, he accelerated to catch up, as if treading on wind and clouds, driving Little Black to follow Bai Ge in a flying leap across, landing on the other side of the cliff.

Xie Chi’s soul had barely settled as she let out a long breath.

His mouth came close to her ear, two words that made her whole body tingle:

“Thrilling?”

…

He Feng took her wandering through the mountains for a round, finally stopping by the riverbank.

A thin, long waterfall hung on the distant mountain. Xie Chi had a deep impression of this place—when she first met him, this was where he had brought her.

That day, after He Feng jumped into the river, she had run down the mountain, only to fall into a deep pit and get caught again.

He Feng began undressing. Xie Chi thought he wanted to do that thing again and stepped back several paces.

“What are you hiding from? I won’t touch you.”

“Then what are you doing?”

“Going for a swim.”

“Isn’t it cold?”

“I’m burning up.”

“…”

“Oh, I’m very hot.”

“…”

He Feng jumped into the water. Xie Chi sat on a rock waiting for him.

Soon, He Feng swam back to her side, “Can you swim?”

“Mm.”

“Come down.”

“No, it’s too cold.”

“It’s not cold.”

“I’m afraid of cold.”

He Feng propped himself against the rock’s edge and looked up at her, “Want to know the fastest route down the mountain?”

“Hm?”

“It’s at the bottom of this river.” He Feng smiled as he wiped his face, “That day I gave you such an obvious hint, but I didn’t expect you to be so stupid. But fortunately you were so stupid, otherwise where would I find such an exciting wife?”

Xie Chi couldn’t remember what he had said and asked: “What’s at the bottom of the river?”

“You can’t see from above, you have to go underwater. This mountain in front of you has two waterways at its base. Swim to the left, find a gap, go through it and you’ll reach the other side of the mountain. Follow the water down and you’ll reach the waterfall. The waterfall conceals a very narrow stairway that leads straight down the mountain. After swimming to shore, find an old locust tree, and about ten li east is the town.”

“Why are you telling me this now?”

“Not many people know this route. In case of special circumstances, you can use it to escape, and you won’t be discovered.”

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll run away?”

“Go ahead and run. I’ll let you run, but when I catch you back I’ll make you cry in bed.”

Xie Chi was used to his lewd talk and didn’t mind, “Then aren’t you afraid I’ll inform on you and bring people up to wipe you all out?”

“Could you bear to see your man hurt?” He Feng gripped her foot, his hand moving upward, “A’Zhi, what do you think it feels like underwater?”

Xie Chi kicked him into the water, “Get lost.”

He Feng rubbed the spot where she had kicked him, smiling as he sank to the bottom.

…

It was He Zhan’s birthday. He didn’t like festivities—every year when He Feng wanted to throw him a banquet, he would make excuses and refuse. In the end, he would only invite a few close acquaintances to gather in his room.

In the afternoon, the small kitchen was bustling with activity.

A’Jin ran around everywhere with his little companions. He Feng sat in the courtyard carving wood, occasionally raising his knife to scare them for fun.

The children weren’t afraid of him; instead, they pestered him to make slingshots. He Feng was in a good mood, and having nothing else to do, he casually made them two. He liked children. While making slingshots, he watched them making noise nearby. If it were anyone else being so clamorous, he would have punched them away long ago.

After He Feng finished the third slingshot, he said to the two children crouching and waiting nearby, “I’m tired, this is the last one. Whoever grabs it gets it.”

He threw it out. The child in yellow pounced on it, grabbed it and ran, “Mine, mine! I got it!”

A’Jin stamped his feet anxiously. He was clearly the one who had brought several friends in, but he was the one who didn’t get one!

Seeing his eyes turn red, He Feng went into the room and took out a wooden sword he had carved before to give to him, “Take this to play with.”

A’Jin immediately smiled, his eyes lighting up, “Wow, this is so cool.”

“Young Master, all the dishes are ready.” Aunt Wang brought over bowls and chopsticks, “A’Jin, don’t bother the Young Master, hurry home.”

A’Jin hugged He Feng’s leg, “I don’t want to go back. Can I eat here? I heard there’s cake to eat.”

He Feng touched his bald head, “You little glutton, go on in.”

…

Xie Chi spent the entire afternoon helping in the kitchen, learning to cook some dishes along the way.

In the evening, with all the rich fish and meat served, they sent someone to call He Zhan over.

He Zhan wore new clothes today—a light blue long robe, still carrying the refined air of a scholarly young master. Xie Chi said to He Feng: “Suddenly I feel you two look quite alike.”

“Blood brothers, how could we not look alike?” He Feng glanced at her, “So who do you think is more handsome, me or him?”

Xie Chi walked away, not wanting to deal with him.

He Feng followed, “Who’s more handsome?”

“Him.”

“I don’t believe it.”

“You’re ugly.”

“If I’m ugly, why do you still hold me and kiss me?”

“…”

…

Since it was a good day, He Feng let Song Wan, Chen Zheng and others all come to the table, and opened several jugs of aged wine.

A’Jin sang folk songs for everyone; Aunt Wang told joke after joke, making everyone laugh heartily; Song Wan couldn’t hold her liquor—she was drunk after two cups, swaying as she danced and even broke a wine jug, then draped herself over He Zhan’s shoulder asking him, “Is your dad really Japanese?” before being covered by Chen Zheng’s hand and pulled into his arms with gentle reproach.

Xie Chi had a few extra cups. He Feng had always teased her into drinking for fun before, but when she actually started drinking, he kept trying to stop her. Xie Chi didn’t listen and drank until she was a bit tipsy, so He Feng pulled her outside to sit.

Xie Chi lay across He Feng’s lap, listening to Aunt Wang’s roof-shaking wild laughter, couldn’t help but be infected and smiled along.

“I told you to drink less, now you’re drunk.” He Feng tugged at her ear, “Do you need to vomit?”

“I’m not drunk,” Xie Chi brushed away his hand, “I can hold my liquor just fine.”

“The day after tomorrow is Old Pei’s grandmother’s birthday. I’ll take you down the mountain for a stroll.”

Xie Chi was stunned for a moment, then responded: “Alright.”

Xie Chi looked at the distant mountains, the moon atop the peaks, so close and bright, “I really miss Grandfather.”

He Feng touched her hair, “After we finish the birthday celebration, I’ll accompany you home.”

Xie Chi bit his knee, “Who needs you to accompany me? I’ll go back myself.”

He Feng gently tugged her ear, “Are you a dog? Why do you like biting me so much?”

Xie Chi bit down and wouldn’t let go.

He Feng lifted her horizontally, “Let’s go to the room, you can bite me slowly there.”

…

A red cloak lay on the bed. Xie Chi unfolded it, “It’s so beautiful.”

“Try it on.”

Xie Chi obediently put it on and even wore the hood, “Does it look good?”

“Beautiful, absolutely the flower of the stronghold.”

“Isn’t Song Qingtao the flower of the stronghold?”

“How much is she worth? She can’t compare to you.” He Feng wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, “Never mind the stronghold—you couldn’t find anyone prettier than my wife within hundreds of li.”

Xie Chi twisted her body and stepped back, “Who’s your wife?”

“You.” He Feng pulled her close again, “In a few days I’ll go to your house to propose.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“You’ll scare them.”

“I won’t scare them, I’m not scary-looking.”

“You’re not allowed to go.”

“What’s this? Don’t want to marry anymore?” He Feng’s hand went inside her clothes, “That’s not up to you.”

“I won’t marry.” With the alcohol hitting her, three parts drunk, her eyes misty in just the right way, Xie Chi poked his brow with her finger, “If you have the guts, kill me.”

“Oh, threatening me?”

“Death is a small matter, losing chastity is grave.”

“So you’re still a chaste and virtuous woman after all this.” He Feng held her as they lay down, “Don’t give me that act. When you’re writhing beneath me, I don’t see you being very chaste.” He reminisced, “You sound so good.”

Xie Chi stared at his bobbing Adam’s apple, “Why do men have this thing?”

He Feng gave a soft laugh, his voice growing tender: “Which thing?”

Xie Chi touched his Adam’s apple, “This one.”

He Feng felt his mouth go dry. He undid her cloak and casually tossed it aside, his hand reaching into her pants.

Xie Chi grabbed that hand, “What are you doing?”

“What do you think?”

“…” Xie Chi pressed her legs together, “There are so many people outside.”

“Don’t worry about them.”

“No.” Xie Chi turned over and hid toward the inside of the bed.

He Feng pulled her back and held her tightly in his arms.

But then he heard her suddenly say: “You’re my first man.”

“Hm? How many more are you planning to have?”

Xie Chi spread her hands, “This many.”

“Just you?” He Feng chuckled softly, “I alone make your legs go weak, and you still want that many more.”

Xie Chi disagreed and fought back with fists and feet.

He Feng held her tightly, “Be good, don’t move.”

She quieted down.

“If you don’t behave, I’ll bring back a whole bunch of women and make you die of anger.”

“Go find them, the more the better. Best to fill the courtyard—no, the entire stronghold. That many would definitely be enough for you to vent on.”

He Feng looked at her opening and closing mouth, smiled and kissed it, ignoring her resistance as he stripped her clean in just a few moves.

He lifted her waist with one hand, smiling as he looked at her eyes and brows, “I don’t find anyone else attractive.”

Just as He Feng was about to undo his pants, the door suddenly opened. Song Wan, drunk, stumbled in, “A’Zhi, I just—”

“Get out!”

He Feng’s roar scared Song Wan into a daze, staring blankly at the two of them. Chen Zheng frowned and quickly came to pull her out, “Sorry, you two continue, continue.”

The person retreated and the door closed, restoring quiet to the room.

“Why so fierce?”

“Fierce?” He Feng turned to look at her.

“Mm, fierce and menacing.”

“Kiss me and I’ll be gentler.”

“Go away.”

“You know I won’t go.” He Feng continued undoing his pants, “If I left now, would I still be human?”

“Be gentler with women.”

“In my eyes, among everything that flies in the sky, crawls on the ground, swims in the water, with two legs, three legs, or four legs, only you are female.”

Xie Chi pulled the blanket over to cover her upper body.

“What are you covering? Acting all coy, it’s not the first time.” He Feng roughly pulled away the blanket and threw it straight to the floor. He openly examined her body, “This is much better.”

…

For Old Lady Pei’s birthday, early in the morning, Xie Chi followed He Feng on horseback down the mountain.

This was something she had longed for day and night during the two months of being trapped on the mountain. Now that her wish was truly fulfilled, her heart didn’t feel the anticipated joy.

The mountain path was long. Usually when He Feng went alone, riding hard, he could reach town in less than two hours. This time, bringing Xie Chi along, their progress was much slower. When they reached the Pei house, it was already full of guests.

Pei Lanyan’s father, Pei Kezhou, personally came out to greet them, exchanging pleasantries.

“And this is?” Pei Kezhou looked at Xie Chi behind He Feng.

“My wife.” He Feng pulled her to his side, “Not yet married.”

Xie Chi said: “Hello.”

“Pleased to meet you, pleased to meet you.” Pei Kezhou welcomed them inside, “Please sit inside. Lanyan went to the town entrance to receive guests, he’ll be back shortly.”

After congratulating the old lady on her birthday, He Feng seated Xie Chi at the women’s table and asked the other ladies to look after her.

Before leaving, he bent down close to Xie Chi’s ear, “You sit here and eat slowly. When you’re full, have someone take you to the guest room to rest. I’ll go drink a little now. If anything happens, just send a servant to call me.”

“Alright. Don’t drink too much.”

“Afraid I’ll get drunk?” He Feng’s mouth brushed her earlobe, “Don’t worry, your man can hold his liquor. They can’t easily drink me under the table.”

In broad daylight! Under everyone’s gaze! Xie Chi blushed with embarrassment and quickly pushed him away, “Just go.”

He Feng didn’t move, “I’ll take you for a stroll outside later.”

“Hurry up and go.”

He Feng straightened up, smiled, and walked away.

Outside, firecrackers crackled as the feast began, but only Xie Chi’s table remained untouched.

Seeing that they weren’t eating, Xie Chi felt too embarrassed to be the first to pick up chopsticks. The whole table just sat there, looking at each other.

After a long while, Xie Chi asked the woman beside her, “Why aren’t you eating?”

How could they dare?

The woman trembled as she lowered her face, “Third Madam, please go first.”

“…”

…