An hour later, the group finally arrived at the grassland.
The sky was clear and the grass was lush and green. Cattle, horses, and sheep each "occupied" their own green spaces and leisurely grazed on the grass.
The Sanbao family knew Yanran's identity, so they dared not neglect her.
Of course, they were also very thoughtful, only arranging for about twenty servants to attend to her, and not bringing the master, for fear of affecting Yanran's mood.
Sanbao is an honest and kind person, and he is also very enthusiastic as the owner, including towards Cui Xiaoqiu.
Hearing that Cui Xiaoqiu was a good student, Sanbao looked on with envy, scratched his head, and said, "How can she be so good? I can't do it!"
Yanran patted his shoulder and said, "Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, right?"
Mingzhu couldn't help but chuckle.
So, are capable people capable of everything, and incapable people incapable of anything?
This consolation felt like a knife to the heart.
Cui Xiaoqiu seemed not to have noticed, and looked at Yanran with a smile.
Sanbao scratched his head again. "The way you said that sounds a bit off. Never mind, shall we eat something first, or ride horses?"
He was used to following Yanran's instructions.
Yanran said, "I'm not eating anymore, let's ride horses first. Cui Xiaoqiu, you and your aunt wait here, Sanbao and I will set an example for you!"
To teach others, one must first have excellent skills oneself.
She just wants to show off and prove that she can be a teacher.
Mingzhu and Cui Xiaoqiu both nodded.
Yanran chose a white pony, Sanbao chose a chestnut one. They both mounted their horses with clean and swift movements.
"Giddy up—" Yanran gripped the reins tightly, squeezed the horse's flanks with her legs, and the foal immediately shot off like an arrow.
Sanbao was not to be outdone and followed closely behind.
The two little figures are chasing each other, looking quite harmonious.
Cui Run glanced at Cui Xiaoqiu, whose expression was indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger.
He then looked at Mingzhu and saw that she was also standing still. He said softly, "Miss Huo, the sun is strong here. There's a thatched hut over there. Why don't you go and rest for a while? I'll look after things here."
Mingzhu appreciated his kindness and said with a smile, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Young Master Cui."
After saying that, she led her maid toward the thatched hut.
Cui Run stole a glance at her back, then quickly looked away, feeling a pang of guilt as he silently recited, "Don't look at what you shouldn't."
Yanran ran back after a lap and called out, "Bring me my bow and arrows!"
The servants immediately presented the golden bow and feathered arrows that had been prepared beforehand with both hands.
Yanran took it and said to Cui Xiaoqiu with a smile, "Whether we can add an extra dish at lunchtime depends on me!"
Cui Xiaoqiu said, "There will definitely be no problem."
Yanran was beaming with joy at being praised.
She slung her quiver over her back, held her golden bow in her hand, waved, and charged out again. Her movements were nimble and agile, the golden bow gleaming in the bright sun, and her whole being was so radiant and captivating that it was hard to look away.
Meanwhile, Sanbao skillfully and deftly lassoed the horse with the prepared rope.
The young boy, bathed in sunlight, seemed to be coated with a golden glow, making him quite eye-catching.
Cui Run suddenly felt a little worried and couldn't help but look at Cui Xiaoqiu again.
Cui Xiaoqiu smiled faintly, "Why is Brother Run staring at me all day?"
Cui Run said, "How about we rest in that thatched hut over there? But it doesn't seem like a good place, Miss Huo is inside."
Cui Xiaoqiu said, "No need, I'll wait for Yanran here."
A quarter of an hour later, Yanran returned excitedly, carrying an arrow with two wild rabbits pierced through it.
She casually tossed the rabbit to a servant and held out her hand to Cui Xiaoqiu: "Come on, get on the horse. I'll teach you how to ride."
Cui Xiaoqiu looked at her right arm, smiled, and shook her head. "No, you guys play. I'm happy just watching from here."
Although Yanran is generally carefree, she can also be incredibly thoughtful at times.
Especially when she was speaking, she was very good at reading people's expressions, so she didn't miss Cui Xiaoqiu's gaze.
She jumped off her horse, came over, and grabbed his right sleeve. "Cui Xiaoqiu, is your arm still injured from sitting?"
Cui Xiaoqiu pulled back slightly and laughed, "No."
"Then why don't you come and ride a horse?"
"I'm too timid, I wouldn't dare."
Yanran, however, was skeptical, saying, "If you're sick, you can't hide your illness and avoid seeking medical help! Let my mother examine you; the medicine will cure you quickly. If you delay any longer, a small illness will become a big one, and a big one will become a terminal illness..."
Seeing her Lovely appearance, Cui Xiaoqiu couldn't help but laugh and said, "If you keep talking, are you just sending me away? To be separated by life and death?"
Seeing that he could still joke around and didn't seem to be in any trouble, Yanran asked uncertainly, "Are you really alright?"
"It's okay, I'll just rely on you if anything happens."
"I'm not afraid of you blaming me, I'm just glad you're alright."
As they were talking, Sanbao rode over.
He was an enthusiastic person and said to Cui Xiaoqiu, "Let's ride horses together! I can teach you how to ride and lasso a horse..."
"I'm not going to study anymore," Yanran said. "He's a scholar; he might break his hand."
She suspected that Cui Xiaoqiu's arm was not good, but she knew that he was very proud, so she covered it up for him, but in her heart she was thinking that no matter what, she would go back and ask her mother to take a look at it.
Sanbao scratched his head, "Then shall we not ride?"
"Let's ride our own, I still need to teach Auntie!" Yanran said. "Cui Xiaoqiu, have someone find you a gentle horse, and lead it around a couple of times?"
Cui Xiaoqiu smiled and agreed, "I'll do as you say."
"Smart, I'll definitely arrange everything for you." Yanran whistled, and immediately a servant stepped forward.
Oh dear, she's out there, no one's watching her, she can whistle whenever she wants.
After giving the instructions, Yanran asked Mingzhu to come out and ride a horse.
Mingzhu was genuinely interested in learning to ride a horse, and had even dressed in riding attire, so she came out without hesitation.
Sanbao said, "Let me help Auntie choose a horse."
Cui Xiaoqiu, who was standing next to him, glanced at him, but quickly looked away as if nothing had happened.
The others didn't think there was anything wrong with the title.
Mingzhu smiled and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you."
Her smile was almost too alluring, making Cui Run too embarrassed to look directly at her.
A moment later, Sanbao picked out a white horse for Mingzhu, saying, "This horse is timid and doesn't dare to run fast, making it perfect for a novice like you, Aunt."
Mingzhu smiled and thanked him, then was helped onto her horse by her maid.
But she was a little nervous at first, her whole body stiffened, and she didn't dare to move.
Yanran walked alongside her, teaching her the basics of horseback riding. "Auntie, relax..."
Sanbao was right there, grinning foolishly as he helped protect Mingzhu.
After they had gone some distance, Cui Run held the reins and whispered, "Shall we go too?"
Let's walk around a couple of times.
"Good."
Cui Run led the horse, walking and stopping intermittently, the two talking slowly.
"Young master, you could have shown us your skills just now. Your horsemanship is quite good!" Cui Run always maintained a humble attitude in front of Cui Xiaoqiu.
Cui Xiaoqiu said calmly, "I am indeed Shang Ke at riding horses, but can I compare to Sanbao?"
"Of course..."
It's incomparable.
Sanbao grew up on horseback.
"Since we can't compete, why make a fool of ourselves?" Cui Xiaoqiu said.
Even if you achieve one point or nine points, you're still a loser when faced with a perfect score.