Chapter 142: The Other Shoe Drops

Chapter 142: The Other Shoe Drops

"What? Single since birth, what?" Qi Chengyun didn't catch it and quickly asked.

"Nothing. The days are long and boring—why not start a romance?" Xi Qianyue suddenly flashed a brilliant smile.

Qi Chengyun was taken aback, unable to quite figure out what Xi Qianyue was thinking.

But he couldn't deny that her mention of "having a romance" made his heart bloom with happiness again.

"Since we're going to have a romance, we should find a spot for a date."

"A date?" Qi Chengyun's face turned red and hot. "Miss Xi, you're really bold. That word... it's just..."

Xi Qianyue burst out laughing. "Maybe we could go riding? I don't even know how to."

Since she'd been transported to this ancient time, she might as well pick up a skill.

With such a great riding coach, it'd be a waste not to use him.

Qi Chengyun felt a surge of anticipation. "How about tomorrow? We can head to the estate together to see Bai Zhining. You should wear riding clothes—it'll be easier and more practical."

Xi Qianyue nodded. Tomorrow's going to be a great day!

Qi Chengyun called for his personal maid. "Bring out that red riding outfit."

"Why do you have a woman's riding outfit? Who was it meant for?" Xi Qianyue was a little miffed.

Seeing her pout, which was rare for her, Qi Chengyun felt a strange, indescribable thrill.

"I always meant to give it to you, but... I never found the chance. I didn't think you'd bring it up yourself!"

The maid brought out the fiery red riding outfit, and Xi Qianyue was immediately drawn to it.

"So beautiful! I'll definitely blow you away tomorrow."

The next day, Xi Qianyue, dressed in the fiery red riding attire, ran into Qi Jing, who'd come over to tutor Xun Geer.

At the sight of Xi Qianyue, radiant as a blazing flame, Qi Jing was struck speechless.

"Sworn big brother." Xi Qianyue quickly greeted him. "I'm heading out—I've got plans to go learn horseback riding."

Xi Qianyue was all smiles, completely genuine.

Qi Jing knew she must be going riding with the man she liked. So this day had finally arrived, huh?

Maybe because he'd been let down so many times, this time he didn't feel all that bad. Instead, there was a sense of "the other shoe dropping."

The other shoe had finally landed—no more tossing and turning, no more lying awake at night.

"Go have fun." Qi Jing smiled gently.

Though he knew Xi Qianyue was beautiful, Qi Chengyun was still completely blown away.

In this dull, gray winter, Xi Qianyue came gliding over, like a fiery rose in full bloom.

"Cat got your tongue? Never seen anyone this pretty?" Xi Qianyue teased him.

Qi Chengyun realized that since she had said "having a romance," she was more relaxed and playful with him.

This felt refreshingly new to him—he'd apparently never met such a bold woman.

"Let's take the carriage first. Once we're out of the city, I'll teach you to ride."

Xi Qianyue got into the carriage as told, bringing only two maidservants this time: Qing Rong and Ye Ling.

Qi Chengyun rode his prized steed, Treading Snow, beside the carriage—a true knight in shining armor.

But at the city gate, they were stopped.

"Your Highness, I'm checking for spies. Please let me inspect the carriage." A city gate captain clasped his hands in salute.

Qi Chengyun was a bit annoyed, but Xi Qianyue had Qing Rong open the carriage door and lift the curtain.

"Oh, it's you! I still owe you thanks for saving me so bravely last time."

Xi Qianyue hopped down from the carriage and looked at the officer—it was the big guy who'd killed the runaway horse with his saber last time.

"I told you, no need to thank him. If anyone deserves thanks, it's me."

A clear, ringing voice sounded—it was Third Prince Qi Chengguang.

"Third brother." Qi Chengyun greeted Qi Chengguang.

Qi Chengguang merely curled his lips and turned his gaze to Xi Qianyue, as fiery as a rose.

"Who would have thought Miss Xi could have such a blazing moment—truly stunning."

Qi Chengyun frowned slightly. He didn't like other men looking at Xi Qianyue like that.

"Of course—after all, by Sixth Prince's side, I can't let him lose face."

Xi Qianyue smiled and, in front of everyone, gazed sweetly at Qi Chengyun.

Qi Chengyun's heart stirred, and he returned her gaze with tender affection.

"Hey, don't you two think you should tone it down a bit? It's broad daylight."

Qi Chengguang declared he couldn't take it anymore.

Despite the banter, the city gate captain dutifully inspected the carriage.

There was nothing amiss, and the two naturally took their leave.

"Those two seem quite fond of each other. It makes me want to take my princess out for a ride in the countryside."

Qi Chengguang remarked with a sigh.

"Who knew you could be so tender-hearted despite your iron exterior, Your Highness!"

The men teased the Third Prince.

Though the Sixth Prince's maternal uncle was the Commander of the Nine Gates, the Third Prince had earned his military merits through countless battles and was now the Military Commissioner—a glory he had won with his own blade and blood.

Among the adult princes, the Third Prince had always been the most favored. Now that the Fifth Prince had fallen and the Sixth Prince had no interest in the throne, it seemed the Third Prince was the steady choice.

However, the Emperor, now past forty, had grown increasingly erratic and was especially wary of his adult sons.

Thus, the Third Prince dared not overstep even an inch, remaining cautious and prudent in all his words and deeds.

Arriving at the outskirts, with the wide-open countryside before her, Xi Qianyue felt refreshed and utterly free.

Qi Chengyun walked a gentle mare over to her.

Xi Qianyue tried to stroke the mare's head, and the mare didn't just take to her—it even licked her palm.

She was thrilled: "You got a name? If not, I'll name you. Let's call you Honey."

"What's Honey supposed to mean?" Qi Chengyun was baffled.

"You don't need to know—just me and Honey will." Xi Qianyue called out again, "Honey."

Honey seemed to get it and licked her hand again.

Xi Qianyue was over the moon: "Looks like you like that name."

Qi Chengyun handed over a soybean cake for the horse, and Xi Qianyue took it to feed Honey.

In just one morning, Xi Qianyue was already trotting around on Honey.

"Qian Yue, you're a natural at this."

With the white horse and red outfit, Xi Qianyue and Honey made a striking sight.

They spent the time riding and playing, and after two hours, they reached the estate.

Sure enough, the moment the estate steward saw Qi Chengyun, he dropped to his knees in a panic.

"Please forgive me, my lord. That Miss Bai ran off again... it was just yesterday. I figured I'd search for her first, but after a full day and night with no luck, I was just about to head to the capital to report to you."

Qi Chengyun was so mad he kicked the steward to the ground: "What good are you? With all these people, you can't even keep an eye on one woman!"

Xi Qianyue was at a loss for words too—why did everything have to go sideways at the worst possible time!

The steward was about to explode from frustration. For a solid two or three months, Miss Bai had seemed to have given up hope, working with them from sunrise to sunset, behaving perfectly.

No sign of anything unusual.

Who could have predicted this?

The steward's wife knelt on the ground, sobbing: "I truly thought Miss Bai had given up. She worked with us every day; how was I to know she hadn't let it go? If I'd known... if I'd known, I would have broken her legs so she couldn't move, and then she wouldn't have been able to run."