Chapter 13: Spring Outing

As Jiang Wu was about to step forward, her hand was caught by someone.

Her body stiffened for a moment. More than anything, she felt irritation.

Chu Ling’s mind was always inscrutable. Even as he entertained thoughts of taking a new wife, he still felt compelled to put on a show of affection for her in front of the children, acting as if he truly cared. If he really were to cast her aside later, the children would only think it was her fault.

Jiang Wu was deeply annoyed, yet she understood the reality. Compared to her, a birth mother who would hardly see them in the future, it was more practical for them to cultivate a good relationship with Chu Ling. Thus, she could only let the man hold her hand.

Chu Ye and Nianyin walked up and bowed to them in turn: "Mother, Father."

Hearing this polite yet distant greeting, Jiang Wu could not help but feel a pang of sadness. Her gaze remained fixed on her daughter. The child was only fourteen or fifteen, yet she had already blossomed into a lovely young woman.

Chu Ye was, after all, the eldest grandson of the Chu family; whether under her own care or at the Duke’s mansion, no one would dare neglect him. But Nianyin was a girl, introverted and simple-minded. Without her mother by her side, she feared the girl would suffer in silence.

Nianyin looked over as well. When their eyes met, Jiang Wu caught a flicker of longing and affection in her daughter’s gaze. Jiang Wu was stunned, followed immediately by a surge of joy. Indeed, even if they had spent little time together, they were mother and daughter; how could the child have no feelings for her? Before she could deepen her smile, she heard Chu Ling’s voice: "Chu Ye, have you been diligently keeping up with your studies?"

At the sound of his father's voice, the boy’s rabbit-like eyes shifted away as if startled, clearly terrified of his father. Jiang Wu gnashed her teeth inwardly; this old demon was more frightening than the King of Hell. Chu Ye answered his father’s questions dutifully, but without warmth, his replies stiff and formal, unwilling to say a single word more than necessary.

Seeing her children was a rare treat, and Jiang Wu did not care what Chu Ling was talking about; in any case, she could not understand those academic matters. She scanned the children from head to toe, noting that at least the Duke’s mansion had not been stingy with their food and clothing.

As she was lost in thought, her hand was suddenly squeezed tighter. She snapped back to reality and looked at Chu Ling, whose cold face bore a trace of displeasure.

Beside them, Chu Ye gave a light cough, reminding her: "Father said we should go sit in the pavilion over there."

Jiang Wu had not been listening closely. She wondered if it was her imagination, but she felt there was a hint of a smile in her son’s voice. Jiang Wu leaned against Chu Ling with a docile, wifely air: "I shall follow your lead." Only then did she see the man’s expression soften slightly.

*This family would be complete without him,* Jiang Wu thought resentfully.

As the family moved toward the pavilion, a wave of commotion erupted nearby. Jiang Wu looked over and saw a group of young gentlemen gathering, riding various horses and looking eager to compete.

"There is a horse race today," Chu Ye explained on the side. "Usually, it’s held at the racecourse, but this year they wanted something new, so they chose the outskirts. We start from here, circle Mount Yuheng, and return. The terrain is more complex, which tests one’s horsemanship."

The boy who had been so stiff with his father explained this to Jiang Wu in great detail. Jiang Wu listened intently, her eyes curving into a smile. Just then, she saw a white horse being led past and could not help but gasp in admiration.

"What a beautiful horse."

The horse was truly magnificent, snow-white from head to toe, appearing as if it were glowing in the sunlight.

Chu Ye said, "That is the 'Night-Shining Jade Lion,' the prize for this race."

Chu Ling glanced at Jiang Wu. Thinking he was mocking her lack of sophistication, she quickly composed herself. Sure enough, she heard him start to speak: "You—"

Before he could finish, her son’s voice cut in.

"Mother, please forgive me for taking my leave. I have been studying at home lately and it is rare to get out, so I would like to join the race. I will come to keep you company once it is over."

Chu Ling was interrupted. Jiang Wu snuck a glance at his expression, fearing he would be angry with his son, as no one else would dare do such a thing. Seeing that the man only pressed his lips together without speaking further, she breathed a sigh of relief and waved her hand.

"Go, go ahead, but be careful."

Young people should be active; it made them look vibrant. Clearly, Chu Ye was well-known, for as soon as he approached, everyone greeted him. Those who were closer to him joked, "Didn't you say you weren't coming? Why are you here now?"

Chu Ye did not answer, only asking, "When does it start?" A rare touch of anxiety showed in his fine-featured face.

"Soon, soon," his friend laughed. "Look how impatient you are."

It was indeed soon. Shortly after Chu Ye left, the race began. Jiang Wu watched as everyone rode off and disappeared from sight, then turned to Nianyin, who was seated one spot away.

"Nianyin, come sit here," she said, pointing to the empty seat beside her.

The poor girl glanced at her father first before sitting next to Jiang Wu. She always seemed so timid, forever trailing behind her brother. Jiang Wu’s heart was filled with pity; she leaned toward her daughter and spoke in a low voice.

"Has anyone bullied you while staying at your grandmother’s house?"

Nianyin shook her head. "No."

"This bracelet," Jiang Wu said, holding her hand, "it was the birthday gift I gave you two years ago, wasn't it?"

Nianyin’s eyes brightened as she nodded. Jiang Wu’s heart softened even more; her child truly loved her, as she had kept wearing the gift she had given her. However, as soon as she said this, she felt a cold gaze sweep over from beside her. Recalling her earlier habit of "giving the same gift for three consecutive years," she feared he would think her careless again, so she quickly covered Nianyin’s bracelet and changed the subject.

There were few opportunities for mother and daughter to speak like this, so despite the presence of the person beside her, Jiang Wu was in high spirits.

Until she heard someone shout, "The racers are coming back!"

Her gaze instinctively turned toward the distance. Others were debating, "Can you see who is in the lead?"

"I can't quite tell."

Someone interjected, "Do we need to see clearly? It must be the Prime Minister’s son."

Nianyin smiled, clearly agreeing, and whispered to her mother, "It must be brother. His horsemanship is one of the best in the capital."

Jiang Wu knew this too, and she watched with great anticipation. However, no one expected that the first person to appear in their view would be a stranger.

Jiang Wu and Nianyin both looked shocked. Nianyin was surprised that her brother could lose, while Jiang Wu was shocked because the face was not unfamiliar to her. Though dressed in men’s clothing, was that not Mingzhu?

Jiang Wu covered her mouth with a handkerchief to hide her surprise. The girl was dressed in white male attire, riding a black horse, her hair tied in a simple high ponytail—heroic, dashing, and impossible to pin down by gender. After a crisp "Whoa," she pulled the reins tight, and the horse’s front legs rose high from the sudden stop before landing steadily.

For a moment, everyone present was stunned. Even Nianyin froze, forgetting to wonder how her brother had lost.

Chu Ling’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

After her initial surprise, Jiang Wu could not help but beam. She had not seen Mingzhu for some time, as meeting Yang Zhou required such caution that she rarely had the chance to see her. She had not expected to see her here.

The girl on the horse glanced toward their direction, and Jiang Wu felt as if she were locking eyes with her; her mood improved even further.

After a long while, Chu Ye appeared in the back, and the onlookers seemed to snap out of their daze, with murmurs of discussion erupting everywhere.

Chu Ye, who had unexpectedly taken second place, did not look too embarrassed. He understood that there were people beyond people and mountains beyond mountains, and he was not a sore loser. Besides, he had clearly seen the young man riding ahead of him; no matter the terrain, he had navigated it with ease. He was truly skilled.

Chu Ye bowed in defeat, but his eyes lingered on the Jade Lion with a look of hesitation. A moment later, he finally walked toward the young man.

"This brother looks unfamiliar," he said with a cupped-hand salute. "May I ask your name?"

Mo Mingzhu was stroking her beloved horse. Upon hearing this, she glanced at him with long, narrow phoenix eyes but did not answer.

Chu Ye had rarely been treated with such coldness and wanted to walk away, but remembering his mother’s look of wonder earlier, he restrained himself.

"Sir, I have a request. I wonder if you would be willing to part with the prize from today’s race? As for the price, you may name it."

*Name your price—ha, what a bold claim.*

Mo Mingzhu finally turned to look at him. "I already have a beloved horse, so there is no question of parting with it. But why is the young master so fixated on this one?"

As soon as she spoke, Chu Ye was stunned. Although the voice was crisp, it was clearly a woman’s. He had not expected a woman to have such exceptional horsemanship.

"To be honest," Chu Ye set aside his momentary surprise, and upon hearing her speak, he realized there was hope, so he told the truth. "My mother is very fond of this horse, so I wished to give it to her."

A flash of emotion crossed Mo Mingzhu’s eyes, and then she laughed—a smile without warmth. "So that’s it. A gentleman should help others achieve their goals. But since you want me to part with it, I would like to see the future owner of this fine steed. How about it?"

A moment ago, she hadn't wanted to part with it, and now she was willing. However, knowing she was a woman, Chu Ye felt less wary; surely she could not have any ill intentions toward his mother. After a moment of contemplation, he agreed.

"That can certainly be arranged."