Chu Yu felt somewhat guilty.
After all, he had just been thinking those thoughts in his heart.
"How do we get the horse to stop?" Yun Jinnian raised his voice but remained gentle and warm.
Towards Chu Yu, Yun Jinnian was truly sincere, filled with joy and pity.
Chu Yu extended his hand to cover Yun Jinnian’s, tugging on the reins, "Whoa..."
The horse clopped a few times and came to a halt.
Chu Yu’s hand was large and warm, tightly enclosing Yun Jinnian’s delicate and soft hand.
From his big hand to her small one, the warmth spread, tingling and numbing.
From skin to flesh to heart, and to the soul, Yun Jinnian immediately felt extremely shy, wanting to pull her hand away, but Chu Yu held on tightly.
Her voice trembled, unable to articulate a complete sentence.
Yun Jinnian lowered her head, gazing at the snow-white horse.
Chu Yu’s heart was also filled with joy.
What could be more joyful than liking someone who just so happens to like you back?
"Jinnian, there’s no one here!"
Yun Jinnian turned even shyer, unable to withdraw her hand, so she let Chu Yu hold onto it, her heart though, was thumping wildly.
Chu Yu gently nudged the horse’s belly, letting it walk at a leisurely pace.
The two nestled close together.
They both knew that once back in the Capital City, they would never have this kind of tranquil ease again.
So they cherished it all the more.
Chu Yu relaxed gradually, not thinking about the mess, and just feeling the happiness and peace of the moment.
"You’re thirteen this year, can I ask my aunt to propose to your family on my behalf?" Chu Yu asked cautiously.
Yun Jinnian was utterly astonished.
"We could get married first, rest assured, I won’t do anything untoward before you come of age!" Chu Yu said carefully, his heart filled with nervousness.
Yun Jinnian was beautiful and talented, and once her fame spread, he feared the suitors would come like fish swimming across the river; he had to plan ahead.
Yun Jinnian remained silent.
She wanted to ask Chu Yu if he could be wholeheartedly devoted, never to have a change of heart in this lifetime?
This question was hurtful to ask.
But with her parents in mind, she wasn’t particularly eager to marry.
Moreover, she had other considerations.
It wasn’t until much later that Yun Jinnian spoke softly, "Let me think about it, okay?"
To say he wasn’t disappointed would be a lie.
After all, he couldn’t bear to pressure Yun Jinnian.
Both were somewhat distracted.
"Let’s go catch up to Tianci and the others!" Yun Jinnian suggested.
Once again, the horse took off at a gallop, and Yun Jinnian was much more at ease this time, also deciding that after returning, she needed to find time to learn at least the basics, perhaps study with Tianci.
By the time Yun Jinnian and Chu Yu returned on horseback, Han Tianci and the others were already resting in a small grove near a stream, where Han Tianci was catching fish.
Next to them, a large pot was filled with fish soup.
Steaming white with an enticing aroma.
Chu Yu dismounted first, then picked up Yun Jinnian off the horse, patted the horse’s rump, and let it graze on its own.
He walked with Yun Jinnian towards the stream.
Madam Qian glanced surreptitiously, hesitating inwardly whether she should mention to the Emperor upon returning. Was Prince Rui’s relationship with the Fourth Miss out of the ordinary?
"Sister, look at the fish I caught!" Han Tianci called out to Yun Jinnian with a smile, showing her his catch.
"How many have you caught?" Yun Jinnian asked.
"Five so far, I’ll grill them for you to eat later!" said Han Tianci.
"Keep it up!" Yun Jinnian squatted down and dipped her hands into the cool water of the stream, washing away the worries in her heart.
She gradually settled down.
Her and Chu Yu’s matters, it seemed, would be difficult to come true.