As she brushed, she muttered softly, “I heard you never let anyone touch you. Where did you learn this bad temper? Could it be from your master? Hmm, he does seem very difficult to get along with. You two are a perfect match… Oh, are you angry? Don’t be angry, I’m just joking with you…

By the way, why do you live alone in such a big stable? Don’t you feel lonely? Should I ask the master to find you a beautiful mare? You two can have offspring and give birth to cute little foals…

What? You don’t want to? Why? You’re so handsome, it would be a waste if you don’t have a beautiful mate. It’s like the saying, ‘A hero deserves a beauty.’ Is it also your master who taught you this? He doesn’t get married, and you have to be single too…

Don’t think I’m nagging, I’m doing this for your own good… Hey, don’t splash water with your tail, you splashed me… Ah!”

Zhu Yanyu was splashed in the face by the horse’s tail, feeling both angry and amused. Flowstar looked at her provocatively, making a smug low hum. She put her hands on her hips, remembering when she was a child in her previous life, she used to play water fights and water balloon games with the horses. She didn’t mind reliving that childhood happiness.

“You naughty one, let me punish you on behalf of the moon…” She made a pose like a Sailor Moon, scooping a ladle of water and splashing it forward.

“Neigh—” Flowstar was not happy and kicked its leg, knocking over the water bucket.

Zhu Yanyu was startled. “Hey! That’s cheating!” She bent down to pick up the overturned bucket, slipped, and her body tilted backward.

Damn! She exclaimed, thinking she was doomed and would definitely fall and get hurt. But the expected pain did not come; she did not fall to the ground but landed in a firm and warm embrace.

Someone had saved her.

She sighed in relief, her heart still pounding from the fright. Looking up, she saw a handsome and masculine face.

It was a very handsome face, with features as sharp as if carved by a knife, angular and full of vigor, especially those narrow and deep eyes, like an ancient cold pond, seeming to draw one into endless darkness with just a glance.

This was… the military god! The man who was decisive and ruthless.

Zhu Yanyu suddenly realized their posture was quite intimate. He had one arm around her waist, and her hips were almost pressed against his thigh. She could smell a faint bamboo leaf fragrance from him, light but alluring.

She panicked, hurriedly trying to leave the man’s embrace, but she was unsteady and had to grab his arm to regain her balance. By the time she finally managed to step back, she was already disheveled and sweating.

“My lord,” she bowed gracefully, her movements as smooth as flowing clouds and water, her demeanor respectful and submissive.

Fu Yuncheng silently stared at her, his large hand unconsciously tightening slightly, as if still feeling the unusually soft touch of her body.

If he hadn’t stood at the stable door for a moment, he would never have believed that the elegant and refined woman in front of him had such a playful and mischievous side.

He quietly observed her, noticing her hair tied into two braids, wearing a dark green jacket, but instead of a skirt, she wore wide-legged pants, obviously for ease of movement.

Although her face was marred by spots, her appearance could not be considered beautiful, but just now, when she was smiling and scolding Flowstar, her features were extremely lively, her expressions vivid, and her large eyes bright, like a shining pearl in the dark night.

What kind of girl was she, after all?

Fu Yuncheng discovered that he was curious about a woman for the first time, recalling the report from his subordinate who had visited her yesterday about her identity and background—her surname was Gu, her given name was Yanyu, and her father had raised horses in the borderlands when he was young, which was why she had learned how to care for horses.

But was that enough to make Flowstar take a liking to her? And could such elegant and dignified manners really be taught to an ordinary commoner?

Fu Yuncheng pondered silently, his expression indifferent. This silence made Zhu Yanyu somewhat uneasy.

She secretly observed the tall and straight figure of the man in front of her. He was wearing a simple dark blue round-collared robe, with a low-key design, only adorned with silver bamboo patterns embroidered on the cuffs and hem. Under the warm afternoon sun, it shimmered faintly.

Such a simple and plain robe, when worn by him, lost some of the sternness of his military uniform and gained a touch of calm and gentleness.

“My lord…” The man’s prolonged silence made her very anxious, so she cleared her throat and took the initiative to speak.

“Did you come to the stable to ride a horse?”

“Yes,” he replied calmly.

“Then wait a moment, I’ll dry Flowstar’s body, and it will be ready soon.” After speaking, she took a few steps back and bowed respectfully again before turning around to wipe the water off Flowstar’s body with a dry cloth.

Flowstar seemed to sense her suppressed fear and stopped teasing her, nudging her with its nose as if to comfort her, standing obediently and letting her work on its body.

In less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Zhu Yanyu had cleaned Flowstar’s body and put on a simple set of horse bells. Just as she was about to put on the saddle, Fu Yuncheng waved his hand.

“No need for the saddle.”

“Yes.” Zhu Yanyu put down the saddle and opened the gate.

Fu Yuncheng led his beloved horse out and elegantly mounted it, looking down at Zhu Yanyu from above.

“That story is quite interesting,” he suddenly said, his voice deep and clear.

She was startled and instinctively looked up. “What?”

“The story about your and your brother’s background.” He spoke slowly.

Her breath caught in her throat.

He looked at her meaningfully, the sunlight shining from behind him, making his handsome face difficult to see clearly, adding a mysterious and authoritative aura.

“If you know me well enough, you would understand that I do not allow anyone to lie to me.”

How could he be so sure that it was a fabricated lie?

Her heartbeat quickened, pounding in her ears. She forced herself to remain calm and did not avoid the man’s gaze.

If she showed any sign of evasion, it would be admitting that she had lied, and now was not the time to admit it.

“My lord…”

Fu Yuncheng raised his hand to stop her from speaking, his entire demeanor pressing down on her, making it difficult for Zhu Yanyu to breathe.

It seemed like only a moment, yet also an eternity, before his cold and cruel voice fell again. “You are very lucky that Flowstar likes you.”

She stiffened, fully understanding the implication of his words.

Fortunately, Flowstar liked her, otherwise, he would have killed her long ago…

“Behave yourself, you won’t have a second chance for me to save you.”

Each word was a clear warning and threat.

After saying this, the man rode away on his horse, disappearing completely from Zhu Yanyu’s sight. Only then did she allow herself to relax her legs and sit down on the ground.

She touched her forehead and, as expected, felt cold sweat.

She smiled bitterly, feeling helpless.