Stealing the Alluring Heroine from the Battlefield [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 6

Perhaps because she was thinking about riding horses, Awu woke up unusually early the next day, feeling refreshed and at ease.

[The air outside the city is indeed better, ] she thought, speaking to the System as Fanghua helped her dress.

System: …

Perhaps so.

The view in daylight was completely different from the night before. Only now could Awu see the full scope of the estate: spacious and orderly, with servants moving about with their eyes fixed straight ahead. They greeted her respectfully, daring not to meet her gaze directly.

“Where is the stables?”

“This way, Miss,” Fanghua said with a smile, supporting her as they walked toward the back of the courtyard.

Awu immediately spotted Rong Yu, riding slowly on a horse. The tall, handsome, date-red steed complemented the rider’s jade-white face and ink-black eyes, creating an extraordinary presence. Awu rarely praised others’ appearances, but this scene was truly pleasing to the eye.

Behind the date-red horse trotted a small white pony, lazily swishing its tail as it ambled with elegant steps, occasionally lowering its head to nibble at the grass.

Awu walked up to Rong Yu and stood before her, tilting her head back to look up.

Rong Yu, already in the saddle, had already brought her horse to a halt. She looked down at Awu from her elevated position, creating an imposing scene. Yet the woman above, with her self-restraint and jade-like warmth, showed no sign of dominance. In the woman below, there wasn’t a trace of unease or fear.

“Awu is awake,” Rong Yu said.

“Mmm.”

“Did you sleep well?”

“Passably.” Awu stretched lazily and pointed a slender finger toward the Little White Horse trailing behind Rong Yu. “Is that my horse?”

Rong Yu asked gently, “Do you like it?”

As if hearing its name, the Little White Horse trotted forward, nudging its soft, large head against Awu. Its dewy eyes seemed to plead, “Pretty mistress, pet me! Pet me!”

Awu obliged, stroking the little horse twice. It snorted happily.

But Awu turned her gaze to the date-red steed. “I want to try yours.”

The eagerness and excitement in her starry eyes made her already radiant face glow even brighter.

Rong Yu smiled. “Very well.” She extended her hand from the saddle.

Host, this batch of date-red horses has long legs, a fiery temperament, and recognizes only one master. Approaching and attempting to control it without proper experience could be dangerous.

Fanghua, her face etched with concern, also tried to dissuade her. “Miss”

Awu ignored Rong Yu’s outstretched hand and walked to the date-red horse. She held out her palm, revealing the candy Fanghua had just given her.

The crowd watched the scene with bated breath, only Rong Yu observing Chasing Wind’s movements with calm amusement.

The date-red horse’s large eyes were full of intelligence as it met Awu’s gaze. The sight of the two, the woman and the horse, held an almost divine quality, causing everyone to hold their breath.

The Little White Horse, standing nearby, grew jealous and tried to push its way forward again. Chasing Wind flicked its tail at it, making the smaller horse agitated and hesitant.

Under everyone’s eyes, Chasing Wind slowly lowered its head and nudged Awu. Its rough tongue snatched the candy from her palm, and its large eyes gazed at her gently, as if saying thank you.

Awu beamed, patting Chasing Wind’s head. “Good boy,” she praised, her tone reminiscent of someone addressing a well-behaved dog.

Chasing Wind obediently nuzzled her, then slowly bent its legs, lowering itself to a more manageable height.

Awu and Rong Yu exchanged a look, raising their eyebrows in a shared, triumphant smile.

Rong Yu sighed, “It really likes you.”

“But since you’re just starting out, would you mind if I rode with you?”

This time, Awu lazily extended her hand. Rong Yu swept her up in her arms, settling them both in the air before sitting down. She resembled a soft, warm cat, snuggling against Awu’s front.

Having confirmed its rider was secure, Chasing Wind stood up, shook its hooves, and began to trot gracefully around the riding arena.

On horseback, Awu ran her fingers over Chasing Wind’s sleek, glossy coat. Leaning back comfortably, she used the Eldest Princess as a living cushion.

She had no sense of propriety, prioritizing her own comfort above all else.

Rong Yu subtly adjusted her position to make Awu more comfortable, her gaze resting on her face. “How do you feel, Awu?”

Awu replied lazily, “Faster.”

Rong Yu chuckled softly and patted Chasing Wind’s flank.

The horse immediately understood, breaking into a gallop.

A crisp, refreshing wind swept towards them, carrying the clean scent of the air, the sweet aroma of freshly cut grass, and a hint of the damp earthiness of horse manure—a wondrous blend of nature’s fragrance. The cool touch awakened her nostrils, seeping into her meridians, and every pore seemed to relax in blissful expansion.

Rong Yu guided Chasing Wind, allowing the horse to show off with its dazzling changes in gait and speed. She lowered her head to look at the person cradled in her arms, who was blissfully half-closing their eyes, their expression like a kitten that had just devoured a delicacy—utterly content and sated.

Rong Yu found this novel. The person in her arms was a type of delicate, fragile creature she rarely encountered—delicate and pampered, requiring the finest silk and the most exquisite delicacies for careful sustenance, and every touch had to be done with utmost caution. Yet this person possessed a proud, untamed soul, demanding satisfaction for their every whim with tooth and claw, bestowing a glance only when pleased, and swatting with a claw when annoyed, completely unbound by convention.

You could never command her from a position of superiority.

And yet, faced with overwhelming power, she was the one whose fate and very life could be so easily manipulated.

Was she not afraid?

The soul residing within left Rong Yu feeling puzzled.

She carefully reached out and tucked the strands of hair that had blown across Awu’s face behind her ear, carefully arranging them behind her.

As expected, this drew Awu’s curious gaze. Rong Yu steadied her neck to prevent her from twisting it.

“You’re quite good at attending to people,” Awu remarked approvingly.

If the servants of the Princess Manor were to hear this, they would likely immediately prostrate themselves. How could they ever refer to the Eldest Princess’s noble person as “attending to others”?

But the speaker spoke naturally, and the listener, hearing such praise for the first time, felt a tremor of amusement in her chest.

“As long as you like it, Awu,” Rong Yu murmured, lowering her head close to her ear.

“This horse is called Chasing Wind. What about that little white horse?”

“White Rabbit.”

“Pfft! You’ve got quite the knack for naming things.”

“White Rabbit is playful yet gentle. You should try riding her next time.”

The two women and their horses circled the paddock again and again. By the time they dismounted, Fanghua had already prepared lunch with the maids. The sky was azure, the breeze clear, and their spirits soared. The meal consisted of fish and wild game from the estate, offering a unique charm. Awu found herself with a voracious appetite, eating more than usual.

“No wonder you come here to play so often. This is definitely more fun than the Princess Manor.”

Though the Princess Manor was filled with rare treasures and the servants were always compliant, Awu grew bored easily. It was then she’d pester the maids to play games with her.

Rong Yu sliced the meat with her dagger and placed it on Awu’s plate. When Awu focused on her task, the icy coldness in her eyes and the domineering aura of a superior vanished completely, revealing the exquisite delicacy of her features. If one were to replace the dagger in her hand with a brush and paper, she would look perfectly at home.

“If you like it, I’ll bring you out to play more often.”

“The Emperor doesn’t allow me to leave the manor freely,” Awu replied, idly playing with the jade pendant at her waist.

Despite her words, her expression and tone betrayed no fear or concern.

Rong Yu smirked. “Ignore him. If you want to go out, there’s always a way.”

Awu’s eyes widened. “Wow, you’re defying the Emperor!”

Rong Yu continued her unhurried movements. “Is that so?”

Awu covered her mouth and giggled. “I think I’m starting to like you.”

Rong Yu accepted her compliment. “Thank you, Awu.”

“I don’t want to go back today. Can I stay?” Awu propped her chin on her hand, ready to test Rong Yu immediately.

Rong Yu’s expression remained unchanged. “Of course.”

“Wow!” Delighted, Awu immediately ate two more slices of the roasted meat.

At Phoenix Palace, after the Imperial Physician finished taking the Empress’s pulse and emerged, Rong Teng couldn’t wait and urgently asked, “How is the Empress?”

The Imperial Physician bowed respectfully and said slowly, “The Empress experienced a fright during her dreams last night. Evil qi entered her body, and she also caught a chill. Two doses of the prescribed medicine will improve her condition, but given her frail constitution, she must rest well.”

Rong Teng naturally understood why Lu Yuanzhi was frail. He waved the Imperial Physician away, signaling for him to leave.

He had left Phoenix Palace after dinner last night and had planned to find an opportunity to visit Awu in the palace today. Unexpectedly, Lu Yuanzhi had suddenly fallen ill with fright. As the Empress, her condition naturally required his attention, but now was not the right time. Though he intended to move against the Prime Minister’s faction, it was not yet the moment to act.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Rong Teng’s expression changed. His usually affectionate face couldn’t conceal his worry as he entered the inner chambers.

“Azhi, are you still feeling unwell?”

Lu Yuanzhi was curled up under the covers, her lips pale, a fragile yet resilient figure. With difficulty, she spoke, and tears began to roll down her cheeks. “Emperor, last night I dreamt of our Lin’er.”

Lin’er had been their first child, but he hadn’t survived the succession struggles. He had been fully formed when he was stillborn, and Lu Yuanzhi had never fully recovered from the physical toll.

Rong Teng’s eyes reddened as he pulled her into his arms. “Azhi, we are still young. We will have many more children. Don’t be afraid, don’t be sad.” In his deep affection, even the Emperor’s voice choked with emotion.

“Emperor” Lu Yuanzhi leaned her head softly against his chest, right over his heart.

But she could no longer hear the steady beat from within.

As promised, Rong Yu truly stayed the night at the estate.

Awu finally got to ride White Rabbit, the pony she had been eyeing all morning. The little horse lived up to her expectations, lively and affectionate, galloping around the courtyard with Awu on its back, no reins needed—its service spirit was off the charts.

It even made a point of trotting proudly past Chasing Wind.

Chasing Wind: =_=

They returned by carriage. The streets were bustling with activity, filled with a variety of sounds that piqued Awu’s interest.

As Awu was fiddling with the small chessboard Rong Yu had set up to keep her entertained, she suddenly heard the sound of a woman weeping bitterly outside.

“Husband—please, I beg you—Cui’er is still so young”

Awu’s senses immediately sharpened, and she dropped the chess pieces.

Rong Yu, noticing her curiosity, gently tapped the carriage wall to signal the driver to slow down.

Awu had already quietly lifted a corner of the curtain and followed the sound.

The weeping woman was disheveled, her face obscured by tangled hair, but she appeared young. At her feet knelt a little girl, clinging tightly to her mother’s leg, her tender face expressionless.

As Awu watched intently, she failed to notice someone steal a fleeting glance in their direction, immediately losing their composure.

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