Qin Yining had long been confined to the inner residence. Though Shuoren Studio was situated beside the marquis manor’s back garden, where she could lean against the railings and view the artificial lake with its plants and rockery, no matter how beautiful the artificially crafted scenery might be, it could not compare to the natural landscape before her eyes in opening one’s heart and mind.
This place was already outside the city. In the south, spring came early, and by the fourth month, what met the eye was already a scene of grass growing tall with orioles flying about, fresh green stretching endlessly.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with Pang Xiao, Qin Yining gazed around in all directions. The broad grassland was occasionally dotted with scattered seasonal wildflowers, distant mountains layered in verdant peaks, and a not-too-wide creek nearby reflected the azure sky like freshly washed silk. The sound of flowing water murmured gently, while gray and white rabbits occasionally bounded joyfully across the grass, and white butterflies danced and fluttered over nameless wildflowers.
Each breath was filled with the unique fragrance of spring grass. Several horses nearby lowered their heads to graze, making Qin Yining momentarily feel as if she had returned to those years in the mountains—harsh yet free and unrestrained.
“How is it? Do you like it?” Pang Xiao asked with hands clasped behind his back, looking down at her. His eyes held a trace of cautiousness, like a child eager for praise.
Qin Yining laughed softly and nodded: “I like it very much. How did you find this place?”
Seeing that she was no longer maintaining a stern expression or emphasizing propriety and status like an old pedant, Pang Xiao felt quite delighted and smiled: “I’m accustomed to freedom. When I have nothing to do, I like to ride out for a gallop. I discovered this place by chance and thought to bring you to see it too.”
His large hand grasped hers as they walked toward several horses nearby.
Qin Yining’s face flushed crimson. She struggled twice, but he gripped her hand even tighter. Looking around, she saw that all of Pang Xiao’s men were looking down with composed expressions, showing no emotion. Only then did Qin Yining feel slightly more at ease.
Pang Xiao pointed to a tall white horse not far away and smiled: “This is White Cloud, a gift for you. Do you like it?”
Qin Yining was immediately captivated by the extraordinarily magnificent white horse before her with just one glance. Its coat was a brilliant silvery white without the slightest trace of other colors, gleaming like silver-white satin shimmering in sunlight. Its large, fluffy eyes were moist and gentle. Upon seeing Qin Yining approach, it actually broke free from the attendant holding its reins and happily trotted to Qin Yining, lowering its head to gently nuzzle her cheek and neck with intimate affection, as if they had grown up together.
Qin Yining laughed with delight, extending her arms to embrace the white horse’s neck: “Your name is White Cloud? Do you like me?”
The horse gently nuzzled Qin Yining’s neck and cheek.
“You’re so beautiful! I like you so much!” Qin Yining held White Cloud without letting go.
Pang Xiao had never seen Qin Yining so joyful, never heard such clear, crisp laughter from her, and never heard her speak in such a tender, soft tone like coaxing a child. The Qin Yining in his memory was always cautious and self-controlled, intelligent and decisive. She was rational and strong, not at all like an unmarried woman, but rather like an adult who had experienced countless trials.
Only now, so lively and joyful, was she truly a fifteen-year-old girl.
Her voice was like a fluffy little brush, brushing against Pang Xiao’s heartstrings.
Actually, he too wanted very much to embrace her neck and tell her, “You’re so beautiful, I like you so much!”
Qin Yining embraced White Cloud’s neck and turned to ask Pang Xiao: “Does Your Highness truly intend to give it to me?” Her radiant smile still graced her face, the dimples in both cheeks utterly adorable.
Pang Xiao’s gaze was incredibly tender, and he smiled: “Of course it’s true. White Cloud is also a thoroughbred horse. It’s a distant relative of Dark Cloud—you could say it’s his younger brother. If you miss me in the future, let it carry you out for walks.”
Pang Xiao took the reins that Huzi handed him and patted his own warhorse with its gleaming jet-black coat.
Qin Yining nodded repeatedly: “Dark Cloud, White Cloud—just from their names, they sound like relatives.” She took the reins and nimbly mounted the horse, her skirt hem fluttering lightly, creating a graceful arc against the horse’s body.
Seeing her elegant mounting posture and her straight-backed, heroic bearing as she sat upright on the horse, Pang Xiao’s heart actually pounded like drums several times.
Having campaigned on battlefields and lived a military life, he naturally wouldn’t appreciate delicate, weak women, nor did he like those who only possessed external beauty while knowing only how to be affected and artificial. Though he was attracted to Qin Yining partly due to her appearance, it was more because of her character and conduct.
But today, just Qin Yining’s single action of mounting a horse had truly struck his heart.
Pang Xiao seemed to hear the sound of fireworks shooting into the sky and exploding. She was indeed meant to be his—capable in both literature and martial arts, combining strength and gentleness…
Where did Qin Yining have time to notice Pang Xiao’s reaction? She gave the reins a shake, and White Cloud immediately galloped off excitedly with all four hooves. She crouched low, her long hair flying behind her head, her dress billowing in the wind. In her ears was the whooshing sound of wind, the wind striking her face and body. The refreshing air carried the fragrance of grass and flowers. She felt that all the depression and stuffiness accumulated in her heart was now dissolving into nothingness in this vast heaven and earth.
Seeing that Qin Yining had actually galloped off immediately upon mounting, Huzi and several elite Tiger Guards originally rushed nervously to pursue her. What a joke—if Miss Qin came to harm under their noses, the prince would surely devour them alive.
But in just a few breaths, White Cloud had already shot several zhang away. Though their horses could also run fast, they simply couldn’t keep up with White Cloud’s speed.
Fortunately, upon closer observation, Qin Yining’s horsemanship was quite accomplished, which made them all breathe sighs of relief.
Huzi turned his horse around and galloped back to Pang Xiao’s side.
Seeing that Pang Xiao was actually standing beside Dark Cloud holding the reins in a daze, his eyes unfocused as if deep in thought, Huzi couldn’t help but worry: “Master, Fourth Miss has galloped far away. Aren’t you going to chase after her to take a look?”
Only then did Pang Xiao come back to his senses. Steadying his composure, he also mounted his horse. Looking into the distance, Qin Yining’s figure had already become a small dot.
Pang Xiao chuckled: “With White Cloud’s speed, just chasing like this won’t catch up. Don’t worry, she’ll be back in a while.”
Huzi said: “Who would have thought Fourth Miss’s horsemanship was so accomplished! And White Cloud is usually so proud—I can’t even pet it twice, yet upon seeing Fourth Miss, it immediately became so affectionate. It truly lost all dignity as a thoroughbred. Could it be that even horses nowadays know to appreciate beauties?”
As soon as Huzi finished speaking, he felt a chill down his spine. Turning around, he met Pang Xiao’s half-smiling gaze.
Huzi’s heart jumped, and he carefully recalled what he had just said, immediately breaking out in a cold sweat.
He swore to heaven that he absolutely had no intention of mocking his prince!
“Hey, Master, I’ll go check on Bingtang!” Huzi yanked his reins and fled in panic, chasing after Bingtang who was riding happily on a bay horse nearby.
Pang Xiao found it somewhat amusing. He spurred his horse toward Qin Yining’s direction, but his mind was occupied with another problem.
Shouldn’t he have given Qin Yining a stallion?
He should have selected a mare to give her!
Thinking of how Qin Yining had embraced White Cloud, praising its beauty and saying she liked it, Pang Xiao couldn’t help feeling somewhat gloomy.
Qin Yining had never embraced him, never praised his looks, and never said she liked him!
He couldn’t even compare to a horse!
Author’s Note: There will be an additional update tonight! The time is 8:30 PM.