"Is this... for ?"
"Of course not!" Tang Jiaojiao glanced at her, "It’s a gift for the Duke Yan Mansion! The Crown Prince sent soone to say that he was very pleased with the birthday gift we offered, so he rewarded us with a horse," she shook her head disdainfully, "and yet only one? How stingy!"
After saying this, Tang Jiaojiao suddenly felt soone was watching her. When she turned her head, all the servants were staring at the red horse, nothing unusual.
"Such a fine horse, having one is rare enough!" Tang Xiaobai, without any obsession for pairs, didn’t see anything wrong with having just one.
Although she couldn’t identify the breed, with such a shiny coat, it was surely not ordinary.
"That’s true," Tang Jiaojiao nodded, "This is a purebred Rouge Horse from Gaochang, reportedly just turned two, perfect for you to ride."
"It’s really for ?" Although Tang Xiaobai liked it, she didn’t really want it, "But I don’t know how to ride a horse, what use is there in having such a fine horse? Besides, such a beautiful horse suits you better, Ah Jie!"
Li Mu couldn’t help but pinched his fingertips.
Why isn’t she accepting it? Seems like next ti it has to be presented to her directly!
"Since it is for you, just take it, why be pretentious?" Fortunately, Miss Tang didn’t want it either, "Didn’t the Crown Prince say he was very satisfied with the birthday gift? Wasn’t the gift chosen by you?"
That’s true, Tang Xiaobai nodded.
So, does this an it’s rightfully hers?
"If you can’t ride a horse, hurry and learn, winter hunting is right after the Winter Solstice!" Tang Jiaojiao said.
"Ah Jie, didn’t you say you would teach to ride a horse?"
Tang Jiaojiao was recalling whether she had said such a thing, at this mont, a servant woman from the Gu Family ran over: "Miss, Mada is calling for you!" and she waved her hand saying, "I’ll teach you tomorrow!"
Tang Xiaobai sighed helplessly.
Tomorrow and tomorrow again...
"How about I teach the Second Miss?"
"You can?" Tang Xiaobai looked back at Ah Xiao, surprised.
Ah Xiao nodded: "I learned it while learning to drive a carriage."
"Learning incidentally..." Why does she find it so hard to believe?"
Ah Xiao didn’t say much more and entered the stable, leading the little red horse to her.
His hand casually stroked the horse’s neck, the horse was very gentle in temperant, just moving its neck slightly, its body steady as a mountain.
Grasping the reins, stepping on the stirrup, his body instantly rose up, then he steadily landed on the saddle.
Straightening the reins, turning his face, he looked down at her with his eyes flickering with subtle light.
"You really can!" Tang Xiaobai blinked in surprise, seeing his expectant look, she clapped her hands, "Ah Xiao, you are amazing!"
The young man’s fair face tinged with a slight blush, he swiftly dismounted, saying, "Does the Second Miss want to try?"
Tang Xiaobai was still hesitant.
"You just learned, how can you teach the Second Miss?" Tao Zi glared at him and turned to call over the horse servant.
That makes sense, Tang Xiaobai agreed with a nod.
However, when the horse servant approached, the little red horse suddenly got temperantal, letting out a low sound and turning its head away.
Tang Xiaobai paused, instinctively looking at Ah Xiao.
Ah Xiao gave her a slight smile: "Does the Second Miss want to try?" saying this, without waiting for her response, he took her hand, placing it on the horse’s neck.
It was quite strange, the horse’s irritable mood subsided, quietly allowing her to touch it, obediently like the Little Ancestor Qin after being petted.
"Shall I help the Second Miss mount?" his tone was slightly coaxing, his eyes were also full of encouragent.
Tang Xiaobai felt a bit tempted.
After hesitating for a mont, she looked around, her husky guards were all present, she should be safe to try, right?
She handed her right hand to Ah Xiao, guided to firmly grasp the reins with her left hand.
The little red horse wasn’t tall, the stirrup hung below its belly, she raised her foot, barely reaching it.
As she exerted force to step up, suddenly her waist received support, her body soaring up—
When she regained her senses, she was already seated on the horse’s back.
The little red horse moved a bit, startling her into gripping the reins tightly.
"It’s alright." Ah Xiao calmly stroked the horse’s neck two tis, the little horse quieted down, obedient as if recognizing its master.
Is this natural gift? Halo effect? Tang Xiaobai wondered gazing at him.
Li Mu t her gaze, smiling slightly, seeing she was already seated stably, he led the reins, taking her for a round.
This Rouge Horse and the Black Rouge still at the Crown Prince Mansion were both born there, very familiar with him.
If Miss Tang wants to use the Rouge Horse to learn riding, it’s best that he teaches her.
After a round, the little girl on the horse wasn’t as nervous, showing a few more smiles, she began talking to him.
"Ah Xiao, shall we give it a na?"
"Alright."
"How about calling it Little Red?"
"..."
"The people from the Crown Prince Mansion are really considerate, gifting a horse and including a full set of equipnt!" The little girl touched the exquisite and beautiful saddle, admiring it.
"It’s necessary." Li Mu’s lips curled slightly.
"It must have been suggested by that Mr. Cao there, he’s really a good person, last ti at the Crown Prince Mansion... he even shaded !"
"..."
"Ah Jie said there will be winter hunting after the Winter Solstice, still over a month, right? I should be able to learn horseback riding, right?"
"You will."
"Actually, I can’t hunt even if I go, but I heard there will be a parade, wonder if I can take you and Ah Yuan to watch." After all, it’s Royal Family hunting, the number of servants she can bring is limited.
"There will be opportunity in the future..."
...
Perhaps there will be opportunity in the future, but not this year.
In the eleventh year of Taixing, on November 18th, the Winter Solstice, sacrificial rites in the South Suburb.
The Crown Prince’s chariot departed from the South Gate of Yongfu Village, the axle broke, the Crown Prince was injured and returned.
Soon after, the Observatory urgently reported that clouds invaded Taiwei Palace, obscuring the Crown Prince’s star—
An ominous sign!
...
"An ominous sign... How ominous?" Tang Xiaobai asked softly.
Winter Solstice is a significant festival.
When the news arrived, the Duke Yan Mansion had just ended the ancestral ceremony and was preparing to change clothes for the palace prayers.
Upon hearing the news, Tang Xiaobai shivered.
The Gu Family and Zhou Xun were also very serious, too preoccupied to answer her question.
"I’m going to write a letter to the Duke!" Zhou Xun hurriedly left.
Tang Xiaobai sowhat understood now.
An ominous sign, it must be much worse than less good than bad.
If the celestial observations have seen the Crown Prince’s star disappear, that young Crown Prince, he might have died at this ti...
Recalling that fleeting glimpse at the Crown Prince Mansion of the young figure, and that gentle, beautiful little red horse, Tang Xiaobai felt a pang of sadness.
"Then... does it affect us?" Tang Jiaojiao asked cautiously.
The Gu Family smiled slightly: "The Crown Prince Mansion... what impact does it have on us?" His voice soft, but the smile was sowhat hurried.
What impact could it have?
Whether hidden or weak, he is still the Crown Prince.
If truly gone, it’s impossible for it not to affect the court layout.
In the midst, Tang Xiaobai was ready for the impact.
Yet she didn’t expect, before others were much affected, she was first on the forefront—
The next day, an edict from the Palace, the second daughter of Duke Yan was appointed Princess of Longevity, always favored by the Crown Prince, hence ordered to enter the mansion, accompany the Crown Prince’s chariot.
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