Seeing that the grape had calmed down, Nan Zhiyun's nervous emotions gradually subsided.
"Didn't you say you weren't scared?" Yu Jingchen looked at her with amusement, deliberately teasing.
"Your Majesty clearly scared me on purpose." Although Nan Zhiyun's voice was soft, she sounded quite resentful.
"That's because I wanted to see if Yun'er's courage was really that great? But I didn't expect you to still be afraid." Yu Jingchen pinched Nan Zhiyun's waist.
"Shall I take you for a few rides?" Yu Jingchen asked.
Nan Zhiyun frowned. If it was like just now, she was afraid she wouldn't be able to handle it. Yu Jingchen saw her hesitation, so he added, "I'll go slow, don't be afraid. I'm here, I won't let you fall, okay? Trust me."
Nan Zhiyun was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "Okay," she agreed.
Upon hearing this, Yu Jingchen indulged her with affection, then pulled the reins, clamped his legs on the horse, and galloped across the field. Nan Zhiyun closed her eyes in fear, not daring to scream.
"If Yun'er is scared, just shout it out. No one will laugh at you, and don't worry too much about formalities. Comfort is most important," Yu Jingchen advised. However, Nan Zhiyun still couldn't do it; she had been suppressed for too long and was still a bit inhibited.
Yu Jingchen saw this and felt a pang of pain in his heart. He brought Nan Zhiyun to ride horses partly to help her release her emotions and relax. But it was clear that Nan Zhiyun couldn't do it yet, and it was all because of him.
It's alright... there will be such a day. He would turn Nan Zhiyun back into the carefree and unrestrained person she used to be.
After a few laps, the horse's speed gradually slowed down. Nan Zhiyun, held tightly in Yu Jingchen's arms, dared not move.
"Are you satisfied?" Yu Jingchen asked her softly.
"Mmm," Nan Zhiyun nodded, turned to look at Yu Jingchen, "It was very fun."
Yu Jingchen looked down at the girl in his arms, so delicate and soft. Perhaps it was because she had been eating grapes lately, but Nan Zhiyun's eyes were exceptionally beautiful. Under her long, dark eyelashes, her eyes twinkled like black grapes.
Yu Jingchen gently rested his forehead against hers, their faces close, their noses touching, their breaths mingling. The next moment, Yu Jingchen kissed Nan Zhiyun's lips.
In the sunset, warm light beams fell on them, exuding gentleness. As the afterglow of the setting sun, I return for you... Nan Zhiyun had waited for the person in her heart, and Yu Jingchen also longed for the carefree and noble young girl he once knew to return to his side.
"Your Highness, this servant will accompany you back. It's windy here," Si Ying said, supporting Yan Qing beside her, her face full of concern. The noble consort had been busy with state affairs these past few days and had rarely thought of going out for a walk. She had just mentioned not having ridden a horse in a long time, and unexpectedly witnessed this scene.
"So His Majesty also has such a side," Yan Qing said lightly, her tone so soft it seemed it could dissipate with a gust of wind.
"His Majesty only favors the Consort Shu a bit more now. Perhaps it will be fine in a few days," Si Ying comforted.
Yan Qing, however, shook her head: "His Majesty has never favored anyone. How could a person like him dote on someone? Falling in love with him is a person's sorrow, but being loved by him... this consort envies it." She knew clearly that Yu Jingchen's feelings for Nan Zhiyun now were not favor, but love.