Chapter 51

Chapter 51

"Seeing you in riding attire all day, I thought you were an expert rider. I didn't expect you can't even ride a horse," Zhou Yanzhi laughed, surprised that Miss Xiao couldn't ride. In the Zhou family, almost everyone grew up riding horses, with everyone skilled in horsemanship. The Lei family guards and the Tuo Ba clan members serving his uncle were also first-rate riders.

Qingxue's face turned red with anger, and she glared fiercely at Zhou Shiliulang, retorting, "What does it matter to you if I can't ride a horse? Besides, Lord Zhou has already promised to teach me when we reach Langge."

Hearing his uncle mentioned, Zhou Shiliulang's smile faded slightly, and he coughed lightly, "Do you want me to teach you first?"

"In your dreams!" Qingxue snapped back unceremoniously, "I don’t want you teaching me."

The Lu family's younger generation, present at the scene, surrounded the quarreling pair, exchanging glances but remaining silent.

If Miss Xiao and the young master of the Zhou family had a conflict, they wouldn't need to think twice about supporting the young master, even if they were in the wrong. But now, the conflict was with Zhou Shiliulang.

The nephews of Lord Zhou, Lu Tongyong and Lu Tongli, found themselves in a tricky situation.

Miss Xiao was the beloved daughter of Madame Xiao, who in turn was Lord Zhou's woman.

It was not easy for the Lu family to intervene. This time, accompanying their cousin on the hunting trip were members from the fifth branch of the Lu family, twin brothers who were two years older than Zhou Shenzhi, both known for their exceptional bravery. Lu Tongyong glanced at the Zhou family guards, pretending not to hear, and thought to himself. Zhou Shiliulang was from the Zhou family's main line, the youngest and most favored son of Lord Zhou's brother, but Miss Xiao's status was also significant. In a conflict between the two, whom would the Governor favor?

"If you can't ride, how will you hunt later? Do you expect the prey to stand still for your archery?" Zhou Shiliulang said coolly.

Qingxue tilted her chin up, her hair held up by a jade hairpin, revealing a bright and delicate face. She retorted, "Who says I can't?"

Zhou Shiliulang suddenly remembered the incident on the pleasure boat's deck, his face darkened, and he turned away in anger. Qingxue laughed at his reaction, happily patting the pink sachet and the blue whip hanging at her waist, her hands behind her back as she looked towards the deer park ahead.

The Lu family's deer park was a small hill surrounded by flat woodlands, leading to rolling hills. In the summer, the vegetation was lush, and the forest undulated with the constant chirping of birds.

She watched for a while, waiting for Zhou Shenzhi to arrive.

As soon as they entered the deer park, Zhou Shenzhi led some Zhou family guards to select horses. Qingxue had forgotten to tell him she couldn’t ride yet, a fact overheard by the annoying Zhou Shiliulang.

Qingxue chose to stand under a shady tree, with Fangyun following close behind, fanning her.

Qingxue took out a jade hook from her firestone bag and fitted it on herself.

"Miss Xiao," Zhou Shenzhi came over, leading a mare, while the rest of the guards distributed the horses to everyone.

Before Zhou Shenzhi could say more, Qingxue shyly admitted, "Lord Zhou, I can't ride a horse yet."

Zhou Shenzhi paused, then laughed, "No problem, you get on the horse, and I'll lead it."

"Come, let me teach you how to mount."

Qingxue looked at Zhou Shenzhi, finding him much better than Shiliulang. Tall and valiant, he didn't tease her for not knowing how to ride but instead patiently taught her.

"Thank you, big brother," Qingxue said with a smile that reached her eyes.

Hearing Miss Xiao's sweet thanks, Zhou Shenzhi's smile deepened, "Stand on the left side, step your left foot into the stirrup, then grip the saddle horn, which is the front part of the saddle. Try not to touch the horse's hindquarters."

"Use your body to jump up, and then swing your right leg over. Be sure to grip the front part of the saddle tightly throughout the process."

Qingxue looked at the mare, following Zhou Shenzhi's instructions awkwardly stepping onto the stirrup, then slowly mounting the horse. Sitting atop, she felt her vision suddenly broaden.

Aware of her limitations, she gripped the front part of the saddle tightly with both hands.

Zhou Shenzhi held the horse's reins, as an attendant brought another horse. He effortlessly mounted his horse, holding Qingxue's reins in one hand and his own in the other, lightly pressing the horse's sides to start walking.

"Don't be nervous, Miss Xiao," Zhou Shenzhi said. "We'll just walk slowly. Once you get used to sitting, I'll teach you how to hold the reins."

The two led the way on horseback, with attendants riding on either side. Zhou Shiliulang, watching his cousin's smiling face, rode off towards another area.

After he left, Tuo Bamu gave Qingxue a proper look. After pondering for a moment, he rode into the woods in the opposite direction of Zhou Shiliulang.

Inside the deer park, Qingxue tried to control the reins, but the mare seemed unresponsive. Zhou Shenzhi chuckled, offering her guidance.

"Lord Zhou, you should go hunting," Qingxue said, feeling bad for taking up more of Zhou Shenzhi's time. Just learning to ride was an unexpected bonus.

Zhou Shenzhi replied, "No rush, we'll go together once you've learned."

Lu Tongyong laughed, "Cousin is right. We can't just leave Miss Xiao here alone. That wouldn't be gentlemanly."

Lu Tongli added, "Miss Xiao, cousin has already sent cavalry to scout the southwest. Later, we just need to gradually encircle them."

"There are no dangerous animals in the southwest part of the deer park, Miss Xiao can enjoy herself without worry."

Qingxue, listening to their conversation, also laughed and thanked them.

After about half an hour, Qingxue finally managed to control the horse, albeit limited to the more docile ones.

"Let's go hunting," Qingxue said enthusiastically.

Zhou Shenzhi, already informed about the conflict between Zhou Shiliulang and Miss Xiao, had instructed some cavalry to herd a few dazed rabbits towards her, perhaps giving her a chance to hit one.

Maybe she could hit one.

As evening approached, the sunset cast fiery hues, the summer heat subsided, and a cool breeze rustled through the woods. Qingxue, bow and arrow in hand, earnestly searched for prey.

Zhou Shenzhi had already shot several rabbits, pheasants, and a spotted deer, while the young men of the Lu family also bagged some game.

Zhou Shenzhi guessed that Miss Xiao might be new to archery and not yet precise enough with moving targets. She had had a few chances but missed. Still, more practice was good.

Suddenly, a rustling noise came from the forest. Qingxue perked up, looking into the depths of the woods. She spotted a small deer, somewhat panicked, running through the bushes nearby, its figure mostly hidden. Upon seeing people, it hopped and tried to escape.

Qingxue tightened her grip on her bow and arrow, her breathing irregular. She steadied her mind, squinted, and aimed at the deer.

The surrounding attendants and the Lu brothers remained still.

Qingxue's palms were sweaty, and as the deer's figure grew more distant, she finally released the arrow, her heart pounding.

Zhou Shenzhi waved for his attendants to bring the injured deer. He dismounted and first looked at the steel-tipped arrow stuck near the deer's neck, slightly off target.

Qingxue clumsily dismounted, looking at her prey with flushed excitement, "I really hit it!"

As Miss Xiao prepared to hunt again on horseback, Zhou Shenzhi crouched down to feel the deer's right leg bone, confirming it was broken. The person who had manipulated the bones did it so well it was imperceptible from the outside. Miss Xiao's shorter height on the horse and the deer's location in the bushes made it difficult to notice.

Lu Tongyong and Lu Tongli also sensed something and looked at Zhou Shenzhi.

Zhou Shenzhi stood up, "Let's go."

On the way back, Zhou Shenzhi scanned the crowd. Apart from the few cavalry he had instructed, the other attendants couldn't have done it. Zhou Shiliulang, sitting on his horse, hands behind his head, swayed and talked with Miss Xiao, who remained unimpressed. Yet, he kept moving closer, both of them bickering. Tuo Bamu, following Zhou Shiliulang, kept his head down like a silent guard.

Zhou Shenzhi glanced at Zhou Shiliulang and Tuo Bamu, then led the group back.

On the pleasure boat.

"Well done!" Zhou Xu, sitting at the head of the hall, praised with a smile, "Miss Xiao caught a deer on her first hunt, quite impressive."

Qingxue, blushing from the praise, replied, "Lord Zhou's game is even more plentiful."

The hall was filled with the day’s catch.

"Both of you did very well," Zhou Xu, seeing that Shenzhi and Qingxue got along, commented, "Tonight, we'll have grilled venison."

After meeting Lord Zhou, Qingxue went back to her room for a bath and changed clothes before going to find her mother.

Xiaoluo Lan, hearing her daughter’s footsteps, looked up to see her slightly flushed face.

Qingxue sat next to her mother, sharing the afternoon's hunting experiences. Xiaoluo Lan was both surprised and delighted to hear her daughter had shot a deer.

"You really hit a deer?"

"Of course!" Qingxue propped her chin in her hands, looking pleased with herself, "I shot it, so we have venison for dinner." She then talked about how Zhou Shenzhi helped her with horseback riding.

"He even told me to call him 'big brother', and he’s been really nice to me. It seems like he already sees me as his sister." Qingxue looked at her mother and asked, "Mother, how are things going with Lord Zhou?"

Xiaoluo Lan pondered for a moment before replying, "It's going well."

"Once we get to Langge, don't wander off, okay?" Xiaoluo Lan continued, "Lord Zhou is going to war, and we will stay quietly in our courtyard."

"Going to war? Where?" Qingxue looked at her mother.

"I'll tell you, but don't share it with others," Xiaoluo Lan cautioned, unsure if it was a military secret.

Qingxue nodded in agreement.

She repeated Zhou Zhu's words from the afternoon to Xia Qingxue.

Xia Qingxue felt uneasy upon hearing them, realizing Zhou Zhu intended to execute many people.

The next day.

After Leader Zhou left, Xiao Luolan gazed at herself in the bronze mirror with a slight frown, putting down the partially embroidered amulet in her hand.

She felt the reflection in the mirror was somewhat unfamiliar and stopped looking.

Granny Cui, attending to Lady Xiao's hair, asked, "Would the lady like to wear the pearl wide-sleeve robe sent by the military governor last night?"

Xiao Luolan shook her head, "No, thank you."

In the afternoon, the ship set sail again.

Xiao Luolan watched the vast river waters, knowing that passing Nanning would bring them to Langge.

The place where she and her daughter would live together.

What would Langge be like?

Zhou Shiliulang, with a worried frown, leaned on the railing. He was to disembark at Nanning, and he was sure his family knew what had happened here. If he hadn't made progress in his studies at Nanji Academy, he faced his parents' punishment upon returning home for the New Year.

Despite his reluctance, seven days later, Zhou Shiliulang disembarked at the Nanning ferry, alone except for Tabo Amu.

There were attendants arranged by his father on the shore, all strong and watchful. One of them handed him a family letter, including a thousand taels of silver notes.

Zhou Shiliulang briefly read the family letter, learning that Master Shangguan had been dismissed from Nanji Academy. He distributed the silver notes to the musicians and dancers, asking them to leave.

Zhou Shiliulang said to Tabo Amu, "You're really unlucky to be following me."

Tabo Amu remained silent. His elder brother had already informed him that the Tabo cavalry had returned to Aqimu town near Langge, planning to take him there when the opportunity arose.

This meant he might see Miss Xiao again, wondering if she liked the deer he had sent her that day.

Over half a month later, the weather turned increasingly hot, fully entering the high temperature season.

Xiaoluo Lan heard from Lord Zhou that they were approaching Langge.

They had left the pleasure boat ten days ago, traveling by horse. Since leaving Nanning, their entourage had grown considerably. Xiaoluo Lan parted the carriage curtains to see the large troop behind them, consisting of many Lei family cavalry.

The Zhou family guards, clearly distinct, followed before and after them.

"It's really hot," Qingxue complained, sipping water and feeling the ancient summer's discomfort.

Seeing her daughter getting thinner these hot days, Xiaoluo Lan felt pained and fanned her with a hand fan, wiping sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.

Zhou Xu rode over, saying, "We'll reach Langge by evening. Hang in there a little longer, Miss Xiao."

Qingxue settled herself, "I'm fine, Lord Zhou." While they rode in a carriage, Lord Zhou and others rode on horses. Qingxue felt grateful for his care, recalling the ice they had bought in Nanning, which was now used up.

Zhou Xu, observing Madame Xiao's sweaty appearance but noting her good spirits, felt relieved.

However, before evening, they were already met by a welcoming party on the road.

Through the bamboo curtain, Xiaoluo Lan saw a cavalry unit that was clearly from a different ethnic group.

"They are from the Tuo Ba tribe," Qingxue noted. "They have blue eyes and like to braid their hair."

Tuo Ba A'gu, fist over his heart, greeted, "I am honored to meet my foster father." Behind him, the Tuo Ba cavalry exuded a formidable and warlike aura.

Zhou Xu joked, "Didn't my letter ask you not to come?"

Tuo Ba A'gu, with one good eye and the other covered with a black eyepatch, replied, "How could I not personally welcome my foster father's return?"

"I arrived first, but two of my uncles' troops are following," he added, turning to Zhou Shenzhi, "Twelfth brother, I sent a gift for you, placed outside your study by my servant."

Zhou Shenzhi thanked him, "Thank you, Brother A'gu."

Tuo Ba A'gu's thin face broke into a smile, his nose prominent.

"It's hot in summer, so I also brought some ice blocks for father."

Zhou Xu laughed, "You're thoughtful."

Zhou Shenzhi looked at Tuo Ba A'gu and smiled, but remained silent.

Xiaoluo Lan's carriage was nearby, and she heard the entire conversation.

Qingxue watched them with the curiosity of a family drama spectator.

Tuo Ba A'gu, appearance aside, seemed quite adept at playing his part, gifting his brother and knowing how to foster relationships here.

As the journey continued, the carriage was cooled with ice blocks, and Qingxue finally felt less hot.

Xiaoluo Lan later met other members of the Zhou family, presumably Lord Zhou's two brothers, though their exact order in the family was unknown. Both middle-aged, one tall and thin, the other short and stout, their faces stern.

Different from Lord Zhou.

Lord Zhou was more prone to smiling.

Xiaoluo Lan watched them through the bamboo curtain.

Langge City was much larger than Xiaoluo Lan had imagined, with black stones mottled with the marks of time. The city walls, entirely black, were imposing and oppressive, exuding an indescribable sense of majesty.

Entering the city, they found wide, clean streets bustling with people. The city was divided into an outer and inner city, passing through twelve gates before reaching the main part of Langge.

Qingxue watched in amazement, thinking this was not just a city, but almost like a small country.

The outer area of the city had twelve districts, each with eight main streets, not to mention numerous smaller alleys. The main roads were nearly seventy meters wide, with the twelve city gates leading progressively to the Zhou family's residence.

The size of the Lu family's property was insignificant compared to the Zhou family's.

A crowd of people stood densely packed in front of the gate.

Xiaoluo Lan felt nervous, and so did Qingxue, overwhelmed by the sheer number of people.

"Lord Zhou," dozens of people bowed in unison.

Zhou Xu dismounted, "No need for such formalities."

The Zhou family members then rose, and from Qingxue's perspective, the older ones appeared stoic, and the younger ones weren’t much livelier. Qingxue whimsically thought Zhou Shiliulang’s favoritism might be due to his smiling nature.

"Madame Xiao, please step out of the carriage," Zhou Xu approached the carriage with a smile.

The Zhou family members exchanged covert glances.

A hand as delicate as jade and snow lifted the carriage curtain, revealing the face of a beautiful woman, her cheeks flushed with the summer heat, exuding a breathtaking allure, her lips more vibrant than blooming flowers.

Everyone from the Zhou family was momentarily stunned.

Near the northern lands, Langge had a rough climate, making it hard to imagine how such a delicate woman could have been raised in such a place.

Beside the lady, Miss Xiao was also delicate and beautiful, her features exquisite.

Xiaoluo Lan, under so many gazes, felt a tremble in her eyelashes.

"Madame Xiao, welcome."

The younger members of the Zhou family bowed, while the elders nodded slightly as a form of greeting.

Xiaoluo Lan, accompanied by her daughter, performed a deep bow, "Greetings to everyone."

After the introductions, Zhou Xu said, "You may all leave. We're tired from the journey. We will have a family banquet tomorrow."

Once the Zhou family members left, Qingxue realized belatedly that the large residence was solely Lord Zhou's.

So, not all family members lived together; they resided elsewhere.

Xiaoluo Lan also felt a bit relieved.

In the evening, at the Orchid Garden of the Zhou residence.

Xiaoluo Lan was sleeping on the bed when she suddenly felt someone watching her. She woke up startled, exhausted from the long journey. After ensuring her daughter was settled in, she had fallen into a deep sleep.

Seeing the figure of a man, Xiaoluo Lan sighed inwardly, having anticipated this.

During the carriage ride, Lord Zhou had restrained himself from any intimate advances. But upon arriving at the Zhou residence, she had a premonition he would come to her at night.

"Lord Zhou, why don't you light the lamp?" In the dim moonlight, Xiaoluo Lan could only see the tall silhouette sitting beside her bed. Sitting up, she felt a bit panicked seeing the figure remain still.

Her voice, tinged with panic, stirred Zhou Xu's desire. He slowly approached Madame Xiao, his good eyesight allowing him to see her shrinking back.

"Is it Lord Zhou?" Xiaoluo Lan clutched the brocade quilt tightly, her fear growing in the absence of the usual scent of mugwort.

Zhou Xu, amused, responded in a low voice, "No, it isn't."

"Just a rogue."

Upon recognizing Lord Zhou's voice, Xiaoluo Lan relaxed, realizing she was drenched in cold sweat and her heart racing. She couldn't help but glare at the man in the darkness. If he was going to come, why extinguish the lamp and deliberately scare her?

"Why isn't Madame's husband at home tonight?" Zhou Xu moved closer to Madame Xiao.

Xiaoluo Lan's face turned red, "Lord Zhou, stop it."

Zhou Xu grasped Madame Xiao's ankle, gently caressing it.

Xiaoluo Lan pulled her foot back, but Lord Zhou grasped it again, asking earnestly as if addicted.

"It's late at night, why hasn't your husband returned yet?"

Xiaoluo Lan bit her lip tightly, seemingly understanding something, but unable to voice it.

"Madame, the night is long. Are you lonely in your spring boudoir?" Zhou Xu, seeing Madame Xiao's shameful tears brimming, the spring waters in her eyes wavering, asked again.

Faced with Lord Zhou's persistent questioning, a tremulous and blushing Xiaoluo Lan answered, "No, I'm not lonely."

Zhou Xu's laughter became more evident, a sweet scent enveloping the entire bed. He kissed Madame Xiao with immense pleasure, his voice hoarse, "If you're not lonely, why are you moved, Madame?"

Zhou Xu kissed Madame Xiao again, fervently resolving his yearning.