The entire afternoon, Shen Chuan and Yue Ling leaned against the railing, watching the boundless energy of the girl and the horse.
The scene could only be described as intense.
Fu Yan'an had already left, while Sima Qing stood watching from the side.
After countless charges up the slope, the black horse finally began to visibly slow, its hooves growing heavier with each step.
Yet Jiu Yue’s strength remained astonishing. By now, the black horse could no longer resist her. With a single tug of the reins, it was forced to turn, its exhausted demeanor a far cry from the arrogant, unruly beast it had been earlier in the day.
But Jiu Yue didn’t let her guard down.
This horse was cunning—a seasoned actor.
She kept a firm grip on the reins and tilted her head to peer into the horse’s eyes.
It seemed too tired to even lift its gaze, its dark eyes brimming with exhaustion, indifferent to Jiu Yue’s teasing.
“So even you get tired?” Jiu Yue couldn’t help but laugh, patting the horse’s neck.
With practiced ease, she dismounted and walked alongside the horse down the slope.
“We’ll continue tomorrow,” she said, leading it gently. “Eat well tonight and get some rest.”
The black horse flicked its tail and plodded forward, head bobbing.
As the pair returned at dusk, the stablemaster nervously approached to take the reins… only to find the usually troublesome horse eerily docile. It didn’t even wait for fresh hay to be laid out before burying its head in the trough, devouring its meal with gusto.
The stablemaster gaped.
Her Highness was nothing short of a horse-taming deity!
By the fence, Jiu Yue watched the horse retreat to its stall, her eyes still bright.
“General Shen,” she turned to Shen Chuan, who had been unusually quiet, and offered earnest advice, “Next time you encounter a wild horse that misbehaves despite its talent, try the brute-force method.”
Shen Chuan: “…This humble subject will take note.”
Yue Ling, eager to make his presence known, chimed in, “Your Highness, it’s almost dark. We should return to the palace.”
While Jiu Yue had been unconscious from poisoning, Emperor Yan had placed everyone under house arrest, including the envoys who were detained in the palace. After she awoke, the envoys gradually departed—but Yue Ling had stayed behind and remained in the palace.
Just as Jiu Yue was about to reply, Sima Qing spoke first.
“We still have matters to attend to and won’t delay His Highness the Crown Prince any further.”
As he spoke, he casually pulled out a soft handkerchief and wiped the sweat from Jiu Yue’s forehead, as if no one else were present.
All three froze.
“You two may go ahead,” Sima Qing nodded slightly at them, then took Jiu Yue’s wrist and led her away.
Since both had attendants following, Jiu Yue wasn’t worried about their safety. After waving hastily at the other two, she turned back, puzzled.
“What matters do we still have to handle?” She thought for a moment. “Did my cousin ask for me?”
“No, there’s no need to worry about him. Once we make our move, he’ll coordinate accordingly.”
“Then what—”
Before she could finish, Sima Qing had already guided her into a room.
Spotting the bandages on the table, Jiu Yue stiffened slightly, her captured hand trembling.
Sima Qing sat her down and asked casually, “Did it start hurting as soon as you dismounted?”
After gripping the reins all afternoon while wrestling with the black horse, Jiu Yue’s palms were raw from friction.
Though not as severe as a direct cut, the widespread abrasions stung fiercely.
Pain was nothing new to her—these superficial wounds would heal within hours. Normally, she wouldn’t have given them a second thought.
But today, the injuries felt more noticeable than usual.
After staring at green-tinted blurs for so long, seeing the wounds in their true, vivid form took some adjustment.
As he spread her palm open, Sima Qing meticulously cleaned around the abrasions.
Jiu Yue glanced at him, then down at her hand.
The reddened marks stood out starkly once cleaned.
“Going back tomorrow?” Sima Qing seemed hesitant.
“It’s fine.” Jiu Yue quickly perked up, pulling out a small vial and liberally sprinkling its contents over her palm. “With Dan Ruo’s miracle medicine, I’ll be good as new by tomorrow!”
Skeptical but obliging, Sima Qing bandaged her hand.
“Don’t believe me? Check for yourself tomorrow.” Jiu Yue stood, urging him to follow. “I’m taming that horse no matter what!”
Sima Qing lingered half a step behind, watching her light-footed stride before asking, “Do you like it that much?”
Jiu Yue turned and walked backward to face him.
“It’s got so much personality! Once it’s mine, no one else will get close to it.” She grinned, lifting her chin. “That’s what I call one-of-a-kind!”
Then, magnanimously, she added, “Don’t worry—when I’ve tamed it, you’ll be the first one I take for a ride.”
Sima Qing: “…”
He changed the subject. “Thought of a name yet?”
“How about ‘Precious Horse’? What do you think?” Jiu Yue looked at him expectantly.
Sima Qing, instantly reminded of the “Doghead Gang” incident: “…”
He gave her a long-suffering look before suggesting, “What about… ‘A-Bao’?”
Jiu Yue wrinkled her nose. “That’s not fierce enough.”
Unfazed, Sima Qing said, “It sounds more endearing. Since it’ll be your horse, a friendly name suits it better.”
Jiu Yue agonized over it all the way back to the palace.
“Fine.”
“A-Bao it is.”
She sighed dramatically, as if making a great concession.
Sima Qing: “…”
He pretended not to notice.
The next day, just before setting out, Jiu Yue decided to knock on Sima Qing’s door.
He seemed sleep-deprived, his posture loose and lazy.
Standing outside, she asked, “Are you coming to the stables with me?”
Sima Qing’s heavy-lidded gaze dropped to her now-unbandaged hand.
“No.” He took her hand, examining it closely. True to her word, the wounds had healed completely, without a trace.
When he looked up, Jiu Yue met his eyes with undisguised pride.
“Told you the medicine was amazing!” She raised an eyebrow.
Sima Qing released her hand and handed her two cloth straps. “Wrap these around your palms… I’ll find you this evening.”
“Alright.” Jiu Yue studied the straps, then asked, “Where are you going?”
“Hunting grounds with our cousin.” He paused, then bent slightly to meet her eyes. “Would Your Highness care to join?”
After a brief internal struggle, Jiu Yue chose A-Bao.
Sima Qing wasn’t surprised. Leaning against the doorframe, he drawled, “Then Your Highness should be careful.”
“Of what?”
“Other men.”
He sighed theatrically, his tone mournful. “You wouldn’t go back on your word, would you?”
Jiu Yue: “…”
Without a word, she stomped on his foot.
Sima Qing’s face contorted in pain—and just like that, he was wide awake.
Jiu Yue grabbed him by the collar and pulled him close, their faces now inches apart. She could clearly see the flicker of surprise and tension in his eyes.
With a satisfied smile, she said, "You're much more likable like this."
Sima Qing: "..."
