Unable to contain himself any longer, Emperor Jingxuan left Sui in the care of Commander Wei, Jiang Fusheng, and the other palace attendants once he confirmed the boy had grasped the basics of riding. Mounting his horse, he rode off alone.
After circling halfway up the western hills, he unexpectedly appeared behind the two figures. Noticing how Lu Yuanduo had stepped closer to Yun Wan—likely due to something she had said—Emperor Jingxuan felt an itch in his hand gripping the riding crop.
"What are my beloved consort and my esteemed minister discussing?"
His voice, deceptively calm yet laced with a dark undertone, startled Yun Wan and Lu Yuanduo. They turned to find the imposing figure of Emperor Jingxuan astride his horse, his expression stern and unreadable.
Yun Wan blinked in surprise. "When did Your Majesty arrive?"
Hadn’t he been teaching Sui to ride?
Her gaze swept across the open field, but there was no sign of the boy. A flicker of worry crossed her face. "Where is Sui?"
Emperor Jingxuan tightened his grip on the reins, his tone edged. "Rest assured, my love. With Commander Wei and Jiang Fusheng watching over him, the boy won’t be lost."
Unlike her, who had been so engrossed in conversation with Lu Yuanduo that she hadn’t even noticed his approach.
From his elevated position, the emperor cast a cold, assessing glance at Lu Yuanduo, his silent dominance pressing down like an invisible weight.
Sensing the emperor’s displeasure, Lu Yuanduo tensed but maintained his composure. "Your Majesty, Her Grace and I were merely speaking of young Sui—how much livelier he’s become. Her Grace’s radiant complexion is proof of her contentment in the palace."
At this, Emperor Jingxuan’s lips curled slightly, his expression thawing. "Naturally. I would never restrict her or the boy. Nor would I ever allow my beloved consort to suffer."
The veiled jab did not escape Lu Yuanduo, whose eyes dimmed before he fell silent.
Dangling the reins idly by his side, Emperor Jingxuan shed his mocking air and softened his gaze, extending a hand toward Yun Wan with a faint smile.
"Didn’t my beloved consort express a desire to learn riding? Allow me to teach you."
Yun Wan: ?
When had she ever said such a thing?
"Beloved?" The emperor’s intense stare bore into her, jealousy unmistakable.
Realization dawned, and Yun Wan acquiesced with a demure smile. "Then I shall trouble Your Majesty. I hope you won’t find me a bother."
Emperor Jingxuan’s expression eased, his voice dripping with affection. "Between us, how could there ever be such a thing as 'bother'?"
He pulled her up effortlessly, settling her snugly against his chest before wrapping an arm securely around her waist. The shadows in his eyes vanished, replaced by unmistakable delight.
With a tug of the reins, his steed, Chifeng, pivoted sharply. Before riding off, Emperor Jingxuan cast a disdainful glance at Lu Yuanduo, still rooted to the spot below.
"The Cloud Consort and I have pressing matters to attend to. Lord Lu may seek other company."
With that, Chifeng reared and bolted toward the distant slopes, hooves kicking up dust in their wake.
Bathed in golden twilight, their figures—her robes fluttering, his dark attire stark against the red—blended into a mesmerizing tableau of motion and intimacy.
Watching his father stand alone in the field, Lu Changze approached with a sigh. "Father, His Majesty treats Third Aunt and Cousin so well..."
Before he could finish, Lu Yuanduo snapped, "Where are your manners? She is the Cloud Consort now."
Lu Changze: "Oh."
"His Majesty treats the Cloud Consort and Cousin so well—gifting horses and even personally teaching them to ride."
He stubbornly completed his earlier thought.
Lu Yuanduo shot him a glare. "Suddenly so eloquent, are we?"
Recognizing his father’s foul mood, Lu Changze wisely clamped his mouth shut.
Perhaps he shouldn’t have come at all.
———
"Your Majesty, slower!"
Across the vast, sun-browned grassland, Chifeng’s powerful legs churned the earth beneath them, his muscular frame a blur of speed.
Yun Wan, however, was rigid with fear, her face pale as she clung to Emperor Jingxuan’s arm. Pressed against the cold hardness of his armor, she felt every jolt of the horse’s gait, the wind roaring past her ears until the world seemed to spin.
Emperor Jingxuan: "Slower isn’t an option."
His hand splayed against her waist, his warm breath brushing her ear. "Look ahead. Relax your body. Don’t think—just feel. You’ll grow to love this."
Though his presence anchored her, Yun Wan struggled to unwind. Yet once she did, the world seemed to slow—even the wind gentled.
Her tension ebbed, replaced by a spark of exhilaration.
Noticing the shift, Emperor Jingxuan murmured, "Well?"
Yun Wan: "Better."
"The wind is fierce, the speed—overwhelming."
But the thrill of the ride? Not entirely unpleasant.
A low chuckle rumbled against her back as his arm tightened. "We can go faster still. Hold tight—lean into me."
With a crack of the whip—"Hyah!"—Chifeng surged forward like a shooting star.
———
Pei Qian, spitting dust, scratched his head. "Did something just fly past us?"
Sui shook his head.
Jiang Fusheng: "That was His Majesty and Her Grace."
The boys lit up. "Uncle!"
"Mother!"
"Wait for us!"
Kicking their stubby-legged ponies into action, they clattered after the distant streak of red.
———
By sunset, the party regrouped.
Lu Yuanduo had departed earlier. Commander Wei took his son home, while a drowsy Pei Qian was bundled into a carriage, snoring before it even rolled out.
Exhausted from the day’s excitement, Yun Wan and Sui dozed off the moment they boarded their own carriage.
Emperor Jingxuan clicked his tongue fondly, shifting Yun Wan against his shoulder to cushion her against the bumps. Then—thud—Sui’s head lolled onto his thigh, the boy dead to the world.
With a wry lift of his brow, the emperor hauled the limp child into his arms.
As the carriage reached the palace, Xiaoyingzi scurried up to Jiang Fusheng, whispering urgently.
After a nod, Jiang Fusheng approached the carriage. "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived."
Emperor Jingxuan acknowledged with a hum. Before stepping out, he murmured, "Escort them back—gently. Her Grace is still asleep."
On the palace steps, the Crown Prince, who had rushed out to greet his father, witnessed the scene. His eyes darkened.
———
That night, restless after her bath, Yun Wan paced, Lu Yuanduo’s words echoing in her mind.
Finding no answers, she moved toward the door for air—only to collide with Emperor Jingxuan as he entered.
He arched a brow. "Where to, my love?"
Yun Wan: "I slept too much earlier. Thought I’d take a walk."
"Allow me."
Taking her hand, he led her out.
Near Qiyun Palace stood a pavilion by the water, surrounded by winding paths, lush foliage, and the chirping of nightingales.
Wait—chirping?
They halted.
Amidst the rustling leaves came another sound—soft, breathless, unmistakable.
"Don't... not here..."
"Sweetheart, let me steal a kiss."
Are they having a secret affair?
Yun Wan instinctively glanced at the top of the man's head beside her.
