Chapter 22: Madam Jiang is Pregnant

Speaking, Jiang Chuyue turned her head and instructed the two guards she had brought:
“You stay at the edge of the racetrack and keep watch, in case someone tries to shoot a hidden arrow to injure my horse.”

The guards responded in unison:
“Yes.”

Shangguan Yun’s face flushed red, and she shouted angrily:
“Jiang Chuyue, you’re judging a gentleman’s heart with a petty mind! I would win against you fair and square—why would I stoop to such clumsy tricks?”

Jiang Chuyue mounted her horse, repeating the same words:
“One must always guard against others.”

The horn sounded.

Jiang Chuyue and Shangguan Yun each rode their own horse toward the distant finish line. Although she was a sheltered young lady, Jiang Chuyue’s riding skills were no less than a man’s.

In her youth, Xiao Ji had taught Jiang Chuyue to ride hand-in-hand. He was the best horse-riding instructor, and under his careful guidance, Jiang Chuyue had mastered superb horsemanship.

She urged her horse toward the finish, easily overtaking Shangguan Yun and claiming victory.

Shangguan Yun naturally refused to accept it:
“Rest a moment—then we’ll race again!”

Jiang Chuyue:
“Alright.”

She dismounted, handed the black stallion she had ridden to the stable vet, and instructed:
“Keep an eye on this horse—no outsiders are to come near it. I’m afraid someone might deliberately poison it.”

The vet replied respectfully:
“Second Young Miss, rest assured. I will watch over it closely.”

Shangguan Yun was so angry she could hardly speak.

The outside world said the Second Young Miss of the General’s Mansion was gentle and obedient, but Shangguan Yun felt the rumors must be wrong—this Jiang Chuyue was sharp as a tack.

By the racetrack there was a shaded pavilion for rest. Jiang Chuyue sat down to wipe her sweat and took a sip of tea to quench her thirst.

Of course, the tea was brought from home. She dared not drink the tea provided at the racetrack—who knew if Shangguan Yun would slip something into it?

This scene fell into Shangguan Yun’s eyes, making her snap:
“Jiang Chuyue! This tea is the finest Emei Cloud Peak—you don’t know a good thing when you see it!”

Jiang Chuyue drank calmly:
“One must always guard against others.”

Shangguan Yun nearly crushed her teacup in rage.

The sun grew hotter. After drinking two cups of tea, Jiang Chuyue glanced casually to the side—and suddenly saw a tall, familiar figure.

It was Xiao Ji!

Only then did she remember that next to the racetrack was the training ground for the Xuanwu Army. Since Xiao Ji had the day off, he must have come here to train.

But before she could feel pleased, she spotted Madam Jiang beside him. Dressed in simple elegance, holding a silver round fan, Madam Jiang followed with a smile, occasionally fanning Xiao Ji.

The two looked close and harmonious.

Xiao Ji walked over, his gaze lingering on Jiang Chuyue for a moment before he said:
“I heard you were here, so I came to take a look.”

Jiang Chuyue:
“Brother, please sit.”

Xiao Ji and Madam Jiang entered the pavilion, and the space that had felt roomy suddenly seemed a little crowded. Jiang Chuyue shifted toward the corner, giving up space for Xiao Ji.

She was just about to sit when a cold voice came from behind:
“What’s this? Not going to invite this king to sit?”

Startled, Jiang Chuyue looked up.

Her attention had been entirely on Xiao Ji just now—she hadn’t even noticed the pitch-black Regent, Xie Linyuan, standing beside him.

Such a tall man, and she’d completely missed him.

Quickly adjusting her demeanor, she said with calm courtesy:
“This humble girl greets Your Highness. The pavilion is rather cramped—perhaps Your Highness might sit in the one next door?”

Xie Linyuan’s black eyes were as deep as an abyss, as if they could swallow her whole. He said coldly:
“This king only likes this pavilion.”

Jiang Chuyue:
“…”

The atmosphere was awkward.

Finally, Xiao Ji smiled and broke the tension:
“Regent, don’t bully my little sister. If you like this pavilion, I’ll give it to you.”

Xie Linyuan gave Jiang Chuyue a deep look, flicked his sleeve, and went to the next pavilion instead, sitting down in a broad and imposing manner, his presence radiating a chilling air.

The stable boys nearby all retreated in fear, keeping their distance from this terrifying “living King of Hell.”

Rest time ended. Shangguan Yun rode over to challenge Jiang Chuyue again. Jiang Chuyue mounted her horse and pointed toward the pavilion where Xie Linyuan sat:
“Miss Shangguan, the Regent is here to watch today. You’d better not have any crooked ideas.”

Shangguan Yun was livid:
“Jiang Chuyue! I’m going to beat you fair and square! I won’t touch your horse!”

Jiang Chuyue answered with an “Oh”:
“One must always guard against others.”

Shangguan Yun nearly died of frustration.

The horn sounded again.

Jiang Chuyue gripped her whip, pressed her legs to the horse’s flanks, and the black stallion shot forward like lightning. Its speed was fierce, her hair at her temples flew in the wind—bright, lively, and strikingly valiant.

In the pavilion, Xiao Ji sipped his spring tea, his handsome eyes locked on Jiang Chuyue on the racetrack. For a moment, he was lost in memories of years ago, when he had taught her to ride.

Time had flown.

The innocent little girl of the past had grown into a radiant young woman. She was like a butterfly—one day, she would fly away from the Xiao household.

“General.” Madam Jiang called him several times, but he didn’t respond.

She noticed that Xiao Ji had been watching Jiang Chuyue the whole time.

Her heart dimmed.

Today’s weather was fine, and Madam Jiang had asked Xiao Ji to take her out for a walk. He had indulged her request and brought her to the training ground.

Who would have thought they would run into Jiang Chuyue here?

Madam Jiang was not skilled at riding. She watched Jiang Chuyue gallop across the field, lively and beautiful—impossible to look away from.

A sourness welled up in her heart. She knew she still couldn’t compare to Jiang Chuyue.

Another match ended, and Jiang Chuyue won again. Shangguan Yun, having lost twice in a row, sat in the pavilion gulping tea in anger.

“Xiaoyue, your riding is becoming more and more superb,” Xiao Ji praised.

Jiang Chuyue sat beside him on the bench:
“It’s all thanks to Brother’s teaching.”

As the day grew hotter, Baozhu brought over chilled rice cake she had prepared earlier, placing it on the table. Jiang Chuyue had just taken a bite when she noticed Madam Jiang covering her mouth and nose, looking like she was about to retch.

Xiao Ji asked:
“You don’t like chilled rice cake?”

Madam Jiang’s eyes shone softly as she told him:
“General, I am one month pregnant—I cannot eat such sweet and cloying things.”

Xiao Ji, who had been inattentive moments before, jerked his head up at her words, asking in disbelief:
“You… you’re truly pregnant?”

A blush spread across Madam Jiang’s cheeks. Glancing toward Jiang Chuyue nearby, she answered gently:
“I had the household doctor examine me last night. I am indeed pregnant—I wouldn’t dare to lie.”