Xiao Yunchuan specifically glanced at Xiao Yunan, who was at the back of the line.
Xiao Yunchuan had heard his father mention that Xiao Yunan was afraid of horses.
During the archery practice just now, Xiao Yunan had managed to muddle his way through.
That wouldn't do!
Xiao Yunchuan's very intention was to make things difficult for Xiao Yunan.
Sure enough, as soon as his words fell, Xiao Yunan's face paled.
"Everyone, you must master archery first before learning to ride," the Master said, stealing a secret glance at the Emperor.
The Emperor sat in his chair, leisurely sipping tea, as if he were just there to casually observe the class.
Inside her sleeves, Noble Consort Li's hands involuntarily clenched into fists.
However, Xiao Yunchuan's suggestion gained the approval of many.
Boys naturally loved adventurous sports.
They had long been intrigued by the tall, sturdy horses before them. Now, hearing the Master say they couldn't ride, they immediately began to clamor.
"Master, that's right, we've already learned archery."
"Master, teach us how to ride!"
...
Seeing that the majority of the students agreed, Xiao Yunchuan immediately broke into a wide grin.
"Master, since everyone chose the horseback riding and archery class, what we definitely want most is to ride horses and shoot arrows."
"If anyone were afraid, they naturally wouldn't have chosen this course."
"Tell me, does what I say make sense?"
Everyone chimed in with their agreement.
Duoduo was no exception.
In Xianyang, she had ridden horses with Li Jin.
But since arriving in the capital, she hadn't ridden once.
Su Xian said that the noble ladies of the capital rarely wielded spears or staffs.
Furthermore, the manors in the capital were small; even if one had a horse, there was nowhere to gallop.
The Master saw that most of the students were looking at him with faces full of anticipation.
In front of the Emperor, it was hard for him to refuse.
"Since that is the case, then next, everyone will practice mounting and riding."
After the Master finished speaking, he led over a tall, jujube-red horse from the side.
Xiao Yunchuan was the first to step forward.
This was a docile mare.
Xiao Yunchuan was someone who rode frequently, so without waiting for the Master to finish, he vaulted smoothly onto the horse.
"Hyah!"
Xiao Yunchuan squeezed the horse's belly, and the horse darted forward.
This gave the Master, who was holding the reins, quite a start.
However, when he saw Xiao Yunchuan riding steadily, he felt relieved.
Xiao Yunchuan rode the horse around the field once, then jumped down.
Clap, clap, clap! Everyone applauded Xiao Yunchuan.
Feigning modesty, Xiao Yunchuan cupped his hands in a salute to the crowd and tossed the reins back to the Master.
The Master's expression instantly soured a bit.
The second student in line couldn't wait either; he grabbed the saddle and vaulted onto the horse.
The Master gave a few instructions and let go of the reins.
Just like that, several students in a row successfully rode the horse and returned smoothly.
The Master's constantly suspended heart finally relaxed a little.
Children of noble families all knew how to ride.
It seemed there were no problems with these students.
Soon, it was Xiao Yunan's turn.
Xiao Yunan suddenly asked to be excused to use the washroom, and the Master nodded in agreement.
By the time Xiao Yunan dawdled his way back, the line had just reached Duoduo.
As soon as the Master saw him, he hurriedly called Xiao Yunan over.
Xiao Yunan was filled with endless regret.
If he had known, he would have delayed a little longer before coming back.
Because the Emperor was present, Xiao Yunan did not dare to keep avoiding it.
He braced himself and stepped forward while the Master explained the essentials of horseback riding to him.
Xiao Yunan was so dizzy and overwhelmed that he didn't absorb a single word.
He felt that the horse beside him was like a fierce beast about to eat him alive.
"Come, grab the reins, put your foot in the stirrup. Right, hold onto the saddle and push up."
The Master gave Xiao Yunan a boost on his backside, and Xiao Yunan scrambled onto the horse.
"Hold the reins tight," the Master instructed, and let go of the ropes.
Suddenly, a sharp whistle rang out.
The horse, as if hearing a bugle call, bolted forward with a whoosh.
"Ah!" Xiao Yunan was scared to death.
He gripped the reins tightly; feeling the restriction, the horse ran even faster.
"Relax! Relax!"
Seeing Xiao Yunan's face turn deathly pale and his body stiffen, completely forgetting everything he had just been taught, the Master shouted anxiously.
Xiao Yunan couldn't hear anything. His mind was entirely filled with the terrifying memory of the last time he was thrown from a horse's back.
He only dared to hold onto the reins for dear life, terrified of being thrown off.
Xiao Yunan screamed incessantly, his cries echoing across the entire riding and archery field.
Xiao Yunchuan was secretly laughing his head off.
The horse sensed Xiao Yunan's extreme tension, and the tightly pulled ropes made it uncomfortable. The jujube-red horse began to buck and jump wildly.
The Master immediately chased after them.
Soon, the Master found an opening, grabbed the saddle, and vaulted onto the horse behind him.
Because Xiao Yunan wouldn't stop screaming, the Master struck the back of his neck with the edge of his hand.
Xiao Yunan fainted, and the riding field finally fell quiet.
The Master, riding the horse, loosened the reins, and the animal finally relaxed.
After running two more laps, the jujube-red horse finally came to a stop.
The Master dismounted, holding the unconscious Xiao Yunan.
An imperial physician standing by hurriedly stepped forward to examine him.
Seeing Xiao Yunan lying motionless on the ground, Noble Consort Li's tears instantly flowed.
"Your Majesty, will An'er be alright?"
The Emperor set down his teacup. "He merely suffered a fright. It certainly won't be anything serious."
The imperial physician finished checking his pulse. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, the heir simply suffered a severe fright."
"It was beneficial for him that the Master knocked him out."
"Later, when the heir wakes up, he can drink some soothing herbal medicine, and he will be perfectly fine."
Hearing this, the Emperor felt relieved.
But Noble Consort Li was furious upon hearing the physician's words.
"What? Fainting is a good thing?"
"What kind of physician are you? He is completely unconscious, and you call it a good thing? What use are you as an imperial physician!"
The frightened physician dropped to his knees with a heavy thud.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, the heir has fallen from a horse before, so it was already unsuitable to stimulate him by having him ride again."
"Although he fainted, it means he will forget the intense fear he just experienced."
"If he were awake right now, it would aggravate his mental state, which would likely make his physical condition even worse!"
The Emperor felt a trace of disappointment toward Xiao Yunan.
How could his own grandson be afraid to ride a horse!
With a darkened face, the Emperor commanded, "Enough. Take him away and treat him well!"
"Yes, this humble subject obeys your command!"
The physician hurriedly had the young eunuchs help carry Xiao Yunan away.
Noble Consort Li could not rest easy. She stood up. "Your Majesty, this concubine is too worried. I shall take my leave first."
The Emperor nodded.
Having no mind for anything else, Noble Consort Li left in a hurry.
Meanwhile, Duoduo stood in front of the jujube-red horse.
The jujube-red horse stared at Duoduo with its large, moist eyes.
Duoduo took a sugar cube from her pocket and offered it to the horse.
Li Jin had taught her this: you could use small treats to bribe a horse and build a closer bond.
Smelling the sweet scent, the jujube-red horse stuck out its long tongue and swept the sugar cube away without hesitation.
"Giggle!"
Feeling the tickle in her palm, Duoduo couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Princess, hurry and step away from the horse!"
Seeing Duoduo, who wasn't even as tall as the horse's legs, standing right in front of it, the Master shouted in absolute fright.
