The night, originally meant for just Yang Ruoning and Han Danchun, now included a third person. Yang Ruoning felt an instinctive hostility towards this stranger, as Han Danchun had said he was a messenger from General Luo.
Deep down, Yang Ruoning still feared anyone connected to Luo Yuan.
She resented Luo Yuan for cruelly and heartlessly selling her off to this remote desert. The physical and emotional pain she had endured for months – how could she not resent him?
Yet, she understood his anger. What could be more heartbreaking than being betrayed by someone? His frantic actions were perhaps a result of extreme disappointment and despair.
But oh, Luo Yuan. Let everything between us, all these "hatreds" and "debts," be settled from this moment on. May we have no further ties.
However, what she couldn't understand was how she could still miss him, even after enduring hellish suffering.
***********************
Not far away, A Jing was teaching Han Danchun how to wield a spear. Han Danchun had clearly improved significantly; his movements were no longer awkward and clumsy but possessed a touch of heroic spirit.
Yang Ruoning called out loudly in their direction, "Han Danchun, what character is this? A small square and then the character 'yin', and another character..."
"I'll come over after I finish this move."
Yang Ruoning pouted, showing her displeasure. She was at the most exciting part, and she felt it was a very important word that she absolutely had to know.
"Let me see."
Yang Ruoning looked up to see A Jing approaching her. He sat down, picked up his water flask, and took a drink. Yang Ruoning held the book up to him, pointing to the character.
"'Cun', it means 'to kiss'," A Jing said.
Yang Ruoning nodded. "'Tightly holding and cun', does that mean 'tightly holding and kissing'?"
A Jing furrowed his brow slightly, curious about what she was reading. Yang Ruoning said it was "The Seduction of Handsome Men."
Upon hearing the title, A Jing choked on his water, coughing violently. While coughing, he said, "Miss Yang, how can you enjoy such storybooks?!"
"No, I think it's written very well," Yang Ruoning replied. "Ah, look here, Luo Yuan pulled Miss Li into his arms and kissed her. So manly, brimming with masculine hormones, ahhh~~~"
"Ah?!" A Jing was shocked.
Over there, Han Danchun turned his head and said to A Jing, "Don't pay attention to this woman. She's been reading novels lately and her head's a bit messed up." Han Danchun pointed to his temple as he spoke.
"You're the one with a messed-up head! I thought my melo cells had died long ago, but now I find they're still alive. I want to root for the love between Luo Yuan and Miss Li~~~"
A Jing let out a light chuckle. "I didn't realize the young lady had such hobbies. However, if you ever don't recognize any more characters in the future, please feel free to ask me."
A Jing was indeed a very patient person. With his help, Yang Ruoning finished "The Seduction of Handsome Men" in about a week.
"So, after Luo Yuan swore countless vows of love to Miss Li, he went to the capital to take the imperial examination, ranked second, and later entered the court as an official, leaving Miss Li alone to wait faithfully for her beloved to return. That's the ending?!" Yang Ruoning slammed the book shut after reading the last page. In just a few days, her infatuation had turned into anger. She felt indignant about Miss Li's fate.
"He's a real scumbag, a total scumbag," Yang Ruoning said to Han Danchun, clenching her fists. "Why do you admire someone like that?"
"Miss Yang, this is just a story concocted by idle people; it's not real at all." A Jing defended Luo Yuan from over there.
"How do you know? Are you well acquainted with Luo Yuan?"
A Jing paused for a moment, then said, "I've known Luo Yuan since childhood, and I personally don't believe he's that kind of person."
Han Danchun, on the other hand, said slowly, "A true man's ambition lies in all directions; he cannot be bound by romantic entanglements. Besides, Luo Yuan only recently went to the capital to take office. Perhaps once he settles down, he'll bring Miss Li's family to the capital."
Yang Ruoning felt that both of them had a point. Yes, although this was just a story written by idle people, she knew Luo Yuan's ambition better than anyone. Han Danchun was right; how could Luo Yuan let romance hinder his path to power? Look at herself, wasn't she the best proof?
The next day.
The weather was clear, the sky a perfect Prussian blue. Yang Ruoning led Blake to the river to bathe. The weather was getting warmer day by day, and Blake was shedding his winter coat more intensely.
Gently brushing Blake's glossy black fur with an iron brush, Blake contentedly pawed the ground and nibbled on the grass, occasionally lifting his head to nuzzle Yang Ruoning, dampening her clothes.
Halfway through the bath, A Jing arrived with his horse, seemingly feeling that today was a good day for washing horses as well. Yang Ruoning smiled at him and greeted him. They then began washing their horses while chatting about the weather and other topics.
After washing the horses, they sat side-by-side on the grass by the river to rest and dry their damp clothes. The early summer breeze was filled with the sweet scent of flowers, blowing gently, and the sun shone warmly. Han Danchun was right; this was the most beautiful season here.
Yang Ruoning took a deep breath of the flower-scented air, relaxed her body, and leaned back, sprawling out on the grass. She closed her eyes, enjoying the moment of tranquility.
She accidentally fell asleep.
When she woke up, the sun was already setting in the sky, and A Jing had not left; he was still sitting beside her. Seeing her awake, he smiled slightly at her and said softly, "You're awake."
Yang Ruoning got up a little sheepishly. She brushed off some fallen petals and asked, "Did I sleep for a long time?"
A Jing replied, "Not long, only about an hour."
Wow, that's quite a long time, two hours, Yang Ruoning thought.
A Jing then asked, "Your horse is truly a rare and fine steed, young lady."
"Oh, is it? Blake is very stubborn, though. No one can tame him."
"Can you ride a horse, Miss?" A Jing asked.
"I can't ride a horse."
"Would you like to learn? I can teach you."
"Really?" Yang Ruoning was tempted. She had always thought riding a horse was a very cool and practical skill in this era, but she had never had the opportunity to learn.
"Come, I'll teach you now," A Jing said, standing up and extending his hand to her.
But as Yang Ruoning stood before the horse, ready to step into the stirrup and mount, she realized the saddle was quite high. She felt a little scared.
A Jing noticed her apprehension and said, "Don't be afraid. Although my horse isn't the best, its temperament is excellent. Besides, I'll be holding the reins the whole time."
For some reason, his gentle reassurance gave Yang Ruoning a sense of peace. But just as she was about to step into the stirrup, Blake, nearby, grew agitated. It neighed, pawed the ground with its front hooves, and tried to nudge Yang Ruoning away with its head, seemingly unwilling to let her ride Luo Yuan's horse.
"Why is it doing this?" Yang Ruoning wondered. She walked over to comfort Blake. She asked A Jing, who was beside her.
"Your horse certainly has character." A Jing laughed heartily. He patted Blake forcefully and said to Yang Ruoning, "It's jealous that you're about to ride another horse; it wants you to ride it."
"Really? But Blake doesn't like being ridden," Yang Ruoning asked.
"It just doesn't like being ridden by just anyone. It's clear that it trusts you the most," A Jing said.
Yang Ruoning stroked Blake's forehead. "Blake, are you sure?"
Blake snorted, its head bobbing up and down as if to say yes.
So A Jing placed the saddle on Blake's back. He helped Yang Ruoning onto the saddle, then took the reins and led Blake forward, and Blake displayed the calmness and stability expected of a good horse.
Only Yang Ruoning, high on the horse's back, was terrified. It was her first time riding a horse, and she realized how high the saddle could be, triggering her fear of heights. She was so nervous she broke out in a cold sweat, gripping the saddle tightly, wishing she could lie down and hug the horse's neck.
From beside her came A Jing's husky yet gentle voice, "Sit up straight, don't look down at Blake; animals sense your nervousness, so relax..."
After practicing for a while, Yang Ruoning dismounted. In that short time, she felt like she had found a feel for riding. She untied Blake's reins and let it roam freely on the meadow.
She said to A Jing excitedly, "Thank you today. I think riding is really interesting."
"With more practice, you'll become an excellent rider."
"Yes, yes," Yang Ruoning looked back at Blake. "They all say Blake is an untamable wild horse, but..."
Before she could finish, Yang Ruoning's face contorted in horror. "OMG..."