An Outing
"Mm, since you have time, spend more of it with Wanning. You've only recently married, so you should spend more time together and grow closer as husband and wife." The old princess consort watched him take Yan Wanning's hand and spoke with a broad smile.
Ah! One of the young couple wore a cold face all day and couldn't speak sweet words; the other was good in every way, but was too thin-skinned and easily embarrassed. The only way for them to grow closer was to spend more time together.
Yan Wanning stole a glance at him. She had thought he would remain silent, but to her surprise, he said, "I understand, Grandmother."
"All right, you may both go back after lunch."
After they left Cian Court, Si Yunqi asked, "Do you have anything to do today?"
Yan Wanning didn't know why he was asking, but after a moment's thought, she shook her head. "No."
"Mm." Si Yunqi took his hand and led her out of the prince's residence, where a young servant was holding a bay horse.
Si Yunqi swung into the saddle, then lifted Yan Wanning up and settled her in front of him. He held the reins in one hand and wrapped the other around her waist.
Startled at being suddenly pulled onto the horse, Yan Wanning instinctively gripped Si Yunqi's sleeves with both hands. Only when she realized he had her securely in his arms did she carefully let go.
The man behind her reassured her. "Don't be afraid. I'm here; I won't let you fall."
Yan Wanning nodded and asked, "Husband, where are we going?"
"I'm taking you out for a while. We'll return to the residence later."
Si Yunqi tugged the reins and rode off. The climate in the Northern Borderlands was dry and cold, especially at this time of year, with winter drawing near.
Yan Wanning was sensitive to the cold, so Si Yunqi wrapped her completely in his broad cloak, shielding her from the biting wind. They galloped along until they finally stopped beside a small river.
Both banks were covered in little white flowers found only in the Northern Borderlands. Even in the bitter cold, they still bloomed brightly, and people called them "Cold Winter Flowers." There were also a few dead trees, thick and sturdy. The river's flow was neither great nor small, and its water was clear enough in places to see the bottom. Many large rocks lay along the bank.
Si Yunqi lifted her off the horse, spread the cloak over a flat rock, and set her down on it. Then he smoothed the stray strands of hair the wind had tousled.
His thoughtfulness made her heart feel warm.
Yan Wanning looked around curiously. The scenery here was pleasant enough. Puzzled, she asked, "Husband, what are we doing here?"
Si Yunqi didn't answer her question. He only said, "Stay here for now. I'll be back very soon, all right?"
At his words, Yan Wanning gripped his forearm with both small hands. "Where are you going, Husband?"
Sensing her alarm, he rubbed her head reassuringly and said, "I'm going to hunt some game. I'll be back soon."
Once she nodded, he slung a large bow over his back and headed up the mountain. Yan Wanning watched until he disappeared from sight, then rose from the rock.
With small, graceful steps, she carefully approached the bay horse nearby. When it saw her coming, it seemed almost to understand, reaching its head out and lowering itself so she could stroke it.
"What a clever horse," Yan Wanning exclaimed.
She gently stroked its head. With no one else around, she was afraid and could only talk to the horse. "Do you think Husband will be back soon?"
The horse nuzzled her hand as if in answer. Yan Wanning smiled gently and said in a soft voice, "I'm quite afraid, but I can't go with him."
About half an hour later, Si Yunqi returned carrying a rabbit and two chickens. Yan Wanning, who had been nestled against the horse, felt relieved when she saw him.
Si Yunqi came up to her and placed the rabbit in his hands into her arms.
Yan Wanning's eyes lit up in delight. Stroking its soft white fur, she said softly, "What a cute little rabbit."
The rabbit was a little ball of snowy white fluff, its red eyes like rubies. It was soft in her arms and utterly adorable. Yan Wanning held the little rabbit, unable to bear putting it down.
The rabbit seemed to like her too, burrowing into her arms again and again.
Yan Wanning looked at Si Yunqi, her eyes seeming to shine. "Are you giving it to me, Husband?"
Si Yunqi saw the sweet smile on her face and her sparkling eyes, and found her very endearing. He said gently, "If you like it, take it home and keep it."
"I do. Thank you, Husband."
Holding the little rabbit, Yan Wanning sat on a large rock and watched Si Yunqi deftly prepare the two pheasants he had brought back, then set them above the fire he had lit to roast.
Yan Wanning lifted her skirt and sat beside him, nestling against him. Her soft voice rang out. "Husband, did you bring me here for an outing?"
"Mm. I've been busy with official business lately and haven't had time to spend with you, so I took the chance to bring you out for a change of scenery today."
He reached out and drew her into his arms. Her pretty face was radiant with a smile, and he felt pleased too.
"Was it because of what Grandmother said, Husband? It's all right, really. You have a lot to attend to; I understand."
She rested her head on his shoulder. For the past few nights, he had held her in his arms as they slept, and her initial shyness had given way to habit.
Since he was willing for them to live harmoniously as husband and wife, why should she be affected about it?
"Mm."
He admitted that was part of the reason, but there was another: she was his lawfully wedded wife and still young. As her husband, he really ought to spend more time with her.
That was provided his wife was pleasing to his eye. Otherwise, he would give her the respect due to the Princess Consort of Anbei, but he would not have much patience for her.
As things stood, the young princess consort beside him was very pleasing to his eye.
So he set aside his former feeling that it didn't matter whom he married. He was willing to patiently try to understand her, pay attention to her, and spend time with her.