Chapter 209: Can You Ride a Horse?

"As for urgent financial needs..."

Qin Yuan thought about it and said, "As the saying goes, ’One who fails to plan for the future will face worries closer at hand.’ Your plan is correct, but now that I’ve married into the Marquis Mansion, my parental family is stable, so why would there be any urgent financial needs? Even if the shop can’t operate anymore due to lack of silver, it can just close down. Besides, with Shen Changle involved, and no silver taken out from the shop, several old shopkeepers are managing it, so there’s no reason for concern."

Cui Ming and Hong Ye were stunned and then said, "Oh, truly confused."

Qin Yuan smiled with pursed lips and picked up another grape to eat.

Suddenly finding herself in a wealthy nest, those around her still need time to change their mindset.

Ultimately, it’s because she handled too little money back at the Qin Mansion; such a large expenditure in silver inevitably causes unease.

Cui Ming asked, "Is Miss thinking of influencing the pepper prices in the Capital City and thereby affecting the prices in surrounding State Mansions?"

Qin Yuan sat up straight and said with a smile, "Cui Ming knows me best. I dare not buy much pepper here in the Capital City but can buy more from neighboring state mansions. Furthermore, Shen Changle is shrewd and resourceful. See how, in such a short time, he managed to publish such a good collection of poems. I think handing this task to him might be worthwhile; he might have other ways, so let him handle it."

Hong Ye thought for a moment and said, "I understand, Miss just wants to stir the waters, secretly hoarding pepper for great profit."

Qin Yuan smiled and replied, "Mm."

In her previous life, Shen Changle worked as the gatekeeper at the government office, adept at handling all kinds of people.

With him around, she wasn’t worried at all.

Hong Ye couldn’t help but laugh and said, "Hehe, Sixth Madam bought so much pepper back then at a high price; she’ll surely regret it once the mansion opens."

Qin Yuan smiled with pursed lips, not responding.

Cui Ming also smiled.

Outside, Hong Mian reported, "Madam, Gu Shiliu has something to report."

"Let him in," Qin Yuan said, somewhat puzzled.

The person had just left not long ago and returned so quickly, she wondered what was the matter.

As soon as Gu Shiliu entered, he smiled and said, "Madam, the Marquis asked me to inquire if you would like to visit the training ground; he’s currently teaching Xiao Dong to ride a horse."

"Teaching Xiao Dong to ride a horse?"

Qin Yuan was taken aback.

Gu Shiliu nodded and said, "Xiao Dong goes to see Sixth Master every day to practice Five Animals Qigong. Whenever the Marquis has time, he also offers him pointers. Today, for some reason, the Marquis suggested taking him riding. The Marquis’s Snow-stepping Traceless Thousand-mile Horse is completely black, without a single stray hair, only a ring of white hair around each hoof, quite rare. Madam, why not change into riding clothes and enjoy the training ground?"

Qin Yuan hesitated.

Beside her, Hong Ye immediately said, "Sixteen, is the Marquis planning to teach Miss to ride a horse?"

Gu Shiliu quickly glanced at Qin Yuan and smiled, "I’m not sure. However, since the Marquis mentioned it, he certainly has the intention. With the mansion opening soon, the Marquis is in a good mood and might want to ride horses with Madam."

Hong Ye covertly laughed at Qin Yuan.

Cui Ming said, "Madam’s riding attire? I need to find it first."

The noblewomen in the Capital City all enjoy playing polo and soccer, but the Qin family is not wealthy, and as a concubine-born daughter, Qin Yuan never had the chance to learn horse riding or polo.

However, among her dowry clothes is a set of riding attire.

Cui Ming was secretly thankful.

Back then, Qin Yuan insisted on getting a set of riding clothes, and Mrs. Cui couldn’t refuse and had them made.

Qin Yuan nodded and said, "Alright, I know. I’ll come after changing clothes."

In recent days, fewer patients were visiting the mansion, and Doctor Li and Xiao Dong were more relaxed. She also hadn’t accompanied them to diagnose daily, so she had some spare time.

Gu Shiliu waited in the corridor.

Inside the room, Hong Ye and Cui Ming helped Qin Yuan change into bright red riding attire, then redid her hair and tied it tightly with a ribbon to prevent it from scattering.

"Miss looks extremely beautiful in bright red; her snow-white skin, inky hair, and fiery red lips are breathtaking."

Hong Ye couldn’t help but praise her again.

Qin Yuan said, "Alright, Sixteen is still waiting outside, save your words."

Hong Ye said, "I won’t praise anymore; later, let the Marquis do the praising."

Qin Yuan, "Ha ha."

Not sure what compliments Marquis Gu could come up with.

Gu Shiliu, waiting outside, couldn’t help but smile. After Qin Yuan came out with the others, he was taken aback by her radiance and didn’t dare to look up, quickly turning around to lead the way.

They soon arrived at the training ground, hearing the galloping of hooves and Xiao Dong’s cheerful screams from afar.

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but smile.

It seemed Xiao Dong was having a great time.

As they rounded the barriers and reached the platform, they saw a figure in dark attire racing like lightning. Gu Shiliu said, "That’s the Marquis holding Xiao Dong."

Perhaps spotting them, Marquis Gu slowed the horse, turned it, and galloped towards them.

Qin Yuan thought to herself that this Snow-stepping Thousand-mile Horse from Da Wan moved as fast as lightning, truly like it had wings.

Xiao Dong shouted from afar, "Madam, sister Madam."

Clearly, he’s enjoying himself greatly.

Qin Yuan chuckled lightly, "What’s all this calling Madam sister? This lad is truly having fun."

Gu Shiliu said, "The Marquis is very fond of children privately, and after all, what man doesn’t love a fine horse?"

While speaking, the horse had arrived near them, shaking its head with pride and snorting loudly at them.

Hong Ye couldn’t help but exclaim, "They say that heroes deserve legendary swords; I reckon it’s more fitting to pair them with fine horses."

Marquis Gu, dressed in dark attire, had a face as if sculpted from white jade, sharply cut and angular, with jet-black hair tied high and keen eyes like knife carvings.

Qin Yuan looked at him sitting high on horseback and thought, Marquis Gu’s face was indeed extraordinarily handsome.

Xiao Dong sat in his arms, his youthful, handsome face radiating with smiles.

At that moment, he truly resembled a boy of his age.

Carefree and joyous.

Qin Yuan enjoyed watching them together.

"Xiao Dong, do you enjoy riding with the Marquis?"

"Yes, it’s great! The Marquis is wonderful, the Marquis is amazing, and Ta Xue is incredible."

Xiao Dong grinned, eager to tell everyone how great the Marquis and his horse were.

Marquis Gu smiled as he dismounted, asking, "Xiao Dong, would you like to ride a bit more?"

Xiao Dong hesitated, looking at Qin Yuan and then at Marquis Gu, before finally asking, "Can I ride a little longer?"

Marquis Gu smiled and handed the reins to Gu Shiliu, saying, "Of course you can. Let Sixteen lead the horse for a while, and you get familiar. Later, Sixteen will help you pick a horse to learn slowly."

"Thank you, Marquis," Xiao Dong was overjoyed. He lowered his head and gently pressed against the horse’s head, whispering, "Ta Xue, I really like you. Please play with me a little longer."

Gu Shiliu wisely led Ta Xue away slowly, the occasional laughter from Xiao Dong echoing.

Marquis Gu then strode with his sturdy long legs, stepped to Qin Yuan, and with his eyes fixed on his fiery beautiful young wife, asked, "Madam, do you know how to ride a horse?"