Font Size:
Zhao Sui: “…I know. I didn’t misunderstand you.”
Yao Huang looked over.
Zhao Sui saw the lingering sadness in her expression, but in his mind, he was still recalling another time with the Princess.
He lowered his gaze and said, “Eat, we still need to ride later.”
Thinking of riding, it softened Yao Huang’s heart that a prince who had lost his legs was willing to accompany her. In return, she also picked up a pan-fried dumpling for him.
Zhao Sui didn’t dip it in vinegar.
Yao Huang, forgetting about last night, asked, “Does Your Highness not like vinegar?”
Zhao Sui: “It’s optional.”
Yao Huang decided to observe his food preferences slowly; over time, they would surely reveal themselves.
After rinsing her mouth, Yao Huang pushed the wheelchair outside, with Qing Ai and Fei Quan following behind.
Zhao Sui watched the shadows of the two on the ground beside him. Her willingness to help push the wheelchair indicated that the morning’s slight discomfort had finally passed.
At the entrance of the back garden, Guo Shu and the guard Zhang Yue were each holding a horse—Jingwu and the newly named Neon.
After handing the wheelchair to Qing Ai, Yao Huang first went to affectionately greet her steed, stroking its face and smiling: “I asked the Prince to name you Neon, as beautiful and vibrant as a rainbow. Do you like it?”
Neon nuzzled her hand, either showing its affection or perhaps not understanding.
Yao Huang made the decision for it and turned around, only to see Jingwu had knelt down in front of the wheelchair, obediently drawing admiration from everyone.
Zhao Sui looked at the steed that had once fought alongside him, his gaze settling on the Princess’s red skirt.
He had been seen mounting and dismounting by indifferent onlookers, but she had never witnessed it.
Yao Huang suddenly noticed that Guo Shu, Zhang Yue, Fei Quan, and Qing Ai all had nearly identical solemn expressions, as if they were about to undertake an extremely important task that allowed for no mistakes. The Prince remained as calm as ever, only turning his head to observe Qing Ai and the others, who appeared almost lifeless.
In fact, it wasn’t just now; every time the Prince mounted or dismounted, these individuals displayed the same deadpan demeanor.
But if the Prince truly minded being watched, would he agree to go out and ride?
Yao Huang released Neon and cheerfully walked over, instructing Guo Shu and the others: “Step aside and watch.”
Her tone was too casual and familiar, prompting all four to look at the Prince.
Zhao Sui gave a glance, and only then did they step back a few paces.
Yao Huang measured the distance between the front of the wheelchair and Jingwu’s back, ensuring the wheelchair was secure and wouldn’t move. She knelt on one knee, facing away from Prince Hui, and said, “Your Highness, please lean onto my back and hold my shoulders steady.”
The Prince could not move his legs, but his upper body was still capable, making this action not difficult for him.
Zhao Sui understood that if he refused, she would lose face in front of Guo Shu and the others.
So he straightened up and leaned onto her shoulder.
Yao Huang wrapped her arms around his waist, gradually standing upright.
Zhao Sui’s legs lacked strength, but his hands firmly held onto Yao Huang’s shoulders, maintaining balance.
When Yao Huang was younger, she often played rock-paper-scissors with her brother, and the loser had to carry the other for twenty steps.
As they grew older, the weight difference increased, but even when her brother weighed around 170 to 180 pounds, Yao Huang could still manage those twenty steps.
The Prince, having been ill for a year, was lighter than her brother, and Yao Huang found the three or four steps relatively easy.
Standing next to Jingwu, Yao Huang instructed the attendant: “Lift the Prince’s right leg onto Jingwu’s back.”
The attendant had never done this before and didn’t know how to assist someone onto a horse. In her moment of hesitation, Qing Ai quickly moved in, skillfully completing the task.
Once they got the Prince onto the horse, the rest was much simpler. Yao Huang and Qing Ai positioned the Prince’s feet into the stirrups, and the Prince naturally held onto the reins to maintain balance. Jingwu was a spirited steed, fully aware of how to care for its rider.
Once finished, Yao Huang looked at Zhao Sui, who was now seated high on the horse, and said to Qing Ai and Fei Quan: “From now on, this is how we help the Prince onto the horse; it’s quite simple, isn’t it?”
Both Qing Ai and Fei Quan agreed, though they felt a bitterness they couldn’t express. They were used to lifting the wheelchair and accustomed to moving the Prince in their habitual manner without him ever requesting otherwise. If the Prince didn’t ask them to carry him, they wouldn’t dare to suggest it.
Yao Huang took her place on Neon, instructing the five to stay here while she rode into the garden with the Prince.
In the garden, some paths were wide enough for the couple to ride side by side, while in narrower sections, they adjusted to one in front of the other.
However, while riding side by side, Yao Huang felt slightly unaccustomed to being able to see the Prince’s handsome face so easily outside of mealtime. Even though it was the same face, from the horse’s back, the Prince appeared no different from an ordinary person. Yet, that face was increasingly handsome and distinguished, making it clear he was someone of nobility, far beyond the reach of an ordinary woman.
Yao Huang once again realized she had really struck gold. Despite his disability, the Prince was still a favored son, a prince, only a step away from the Eastern Palace.
But who would not be pleased to have such a fortune?
She, Yao Huang, had been fortunate enough to marry such a handsome prince, signifying she was born with good fortune.
Zhao Sui: “…What are you laughing about?”
The Princess occasionally tilted her head to sneak glances at him, which Zhao Sui found hard to overlook.
Yao Huang feigned mystery: “Guess!”
Zhao Sui couldn’t figure it out, only knowing it had something to do with him.
Yao Huang thought for a moment and pointed to her own face, asking: “What do you think of my looks, Your Highness?”
Zhao Sui: “…You live up to your name.”
Just ahead was a peony garden, and the royal mansion naturally had famous varieties like Yao Huang and Wei Zi.
The newly bloomed Yao Huang peony had pale yellow petals that turned golden when fully open, with rich and luxurious blooms that shone brightly in the sun, earning it the title of “King of Flowers.”
Yao Huang felt pleased and quietly said: “No wonder you’re the Prince; your compliments are better than others’.”
Zhao Sui silently stared ahead.
Yao Huang: “With my looks, does Your Highness like me?”
Zhao Sui simply replied with a “Mm.”
Yao Huang smiled again: “Your Highness likes me, but you hide your emotions well. I’m different; when my husband is handsome, I can’t help but smile.”
Her words were somewhat bold, and after speaking, Yao Huang blushed, not wanting the Prince to see her embarrassment, so she urged her horse forward.
Zhao Sui could only watch her back, observing the red jade pendant swaying at her ear, the shine of her fair neck, her waist gently swaying with the horse’s movements, and her legs positioned on either side of the horse’s belly.
Zhao Sui halted his horse.
With the sound of hoofbeats gone, Yao Huang turned back in confusion.
Zhao Sui: “Come here.”
Unable to read his emotions, Yao Huang turned her horse around. The closer she got, the more nervous she felt under his unwavering gaze.
Zhao Sui: “Dismount.”
The more authoritative his tone, the less Yao Huang dared to disobey. As she stood on the ground, reflecting on whether she had said something wrong, she heard him say, “Get on.”
Yao Huang was startled, even more so when Jingwu knelt down!
As Jingwu steadied itself, Zhao Sui grasped Yao Huang’s wrist and directly pulled her onto the horse.
Yao Huang hurriedly sat in front of the Prince, trying to avoid any awkwardness that might cause both of them to fall.
Jingwu rose back up and began to walk forward slowly.
Zhao Sui handed Yao Huang the reins, wrapping his arms around her waist. He leaned down and asked above her head: “Why do you hide after speaking?”
Yao Huang, blushing, did not reply.
Zhao Sui: “Are you afraid I wouldn’t like what you said?”
Yao Huang hurried to clarify: “I don’t say such things to everyone. You are my husband; I dare to speak to you, and what I said is the truth. I smiled because you’re handsome.”
Zhao Sui: “Mm, I wouldn’t dislike that.”
Yao Huang felt relieved.
Zhao Sui: “Including what you said last night; I didn’t dislike it either.”
Yao Huang’s heart raced, and warmth flooded her cheeks.
Ahead lay a bamboo grove, and at that moment, the Bamboo Courtyard was empty.
Zhao Sui glanced a couple of times but ultimately continued to lead her forward.