Volume II, Big Summer Dynasty Chapter 20: Learning to ride
It was already late at night when Chu Qiao arrived at the Zhuge Yue household. The gatekeepers were startled when they saw her. Knowing that she was a favored servant of Castle Peak, they quickly handed her a lantern to light her way without causing any trouble.
The night was a bit cold at the Zhuge Yue household, and the atmosphere was as quiet as a dark cage during the day. However, with a few hummingbirds flying in the sky, the scenery became lively. Occasionally, a few fluttering crows would pass by, but as soon as the fourth young master took a hundred steps to don his bow and arrow, they were swiftly shot down.
The courtyard was expected to remain harmonious, especially when the fourth young master was sleeping—any noise was strictly forbidden.
From the blue mountains outside, high above the red wall, Chu Qiao heard faint sobs. It seemed that a little slave had been beaten and was crying, hiding at the base of the wall.
Suddenly, Chu Qiao heard footsteps. Under the radiant moonlight, a pale shadow cast a small figure on the red wall. She was somewhat confused as her gaze fixed on a tall, slender figure. She had seen similar scenes before in her life. Unknowingly, she reached out, inching closer, but her fingertips only touched the cold wind.
Her heart suddenly filled with sadness and emptiness. Perhaps, in that fleeting moment between sleep and consciousness, she felt as though everything was just a dream. Once she awoke, nothing would have happened—the fallen, the corpses, the bloodshed, the tears.
From the other side of the wall, the child's cry continued to linger, but what could she do? She was still a child herself. She turned her back to the wall and left. How could she comfort someone else when her own heart was cold? How could she warm others when she was like those buried in the snow, her pain to no avail?
As she passed by Castle Peak's courtyard, one of the doors was accidentally left open. Chu Qiao was surprised to find the Chai room unlocked. She thought perhaps a servant had forgotten to lock it, and it was timely since she planned to spend the night there. Zhuge Yue was a healthy person, not too concerned with luxury. In the courtyard, he would cut flowers, pour tea for himself, and burn incense before sleeping. His requirements for sleep were not as high as other masters, who demanded extravagant comforts and beautiful companions throughout the night.
Carefully entering the yard, a lantern quickly approached, and a voice urgently pulled Chu Qiao's hand, whispering, "Oh, my little one, where did you go? I've been waiting for you all day and night."
Chu Qiao blushed slightly and replied, "My horse ran off, and I got lost in the woods, but I made it back. How is the young master? Is the Xuan hall locked?"
"You're lucky in your chanting," said the white-skimmer servant with a smile. "The young master is in his room, reading as usual, most of the night. He didn't command to lock the hall, and he hasn't gone to sleep yet. He may be waiting for you."
Chu Qiao nodded. "We should go to Zhuge Yue's room," she suggested, but the servant quickly pulled her back, saying, "When the young master came back earlier, his mood was foul. No one knows what made him so angry. Perhaps it's best to wait until tomorrow. Since he didn't ask for you to return to the Xuan hall, you should go rest. I'll let him know you're sleeping."
Chu Qiao nodded again and turned to walk into her room.
The door was open, so she quickly ran into the Xuan hall. She saw taller maidservants leaving the hall. She approached the door but didn't open it. From a nearby room, she saw the lights flicker before going out.
Chu Qiao hesitated, her hand on the doorknob, before glancing back toward Zhuge Yue's room. She stared for a long time before finally entering her own room.
Her room was still lit, but soon the lights went out, and the entire Castle Peak courtyard fell silent.
The next morning, Chu Qiao went to see Zhuge Yue, but the fourth young master was not in his room. She knew she would have to explain the loss of the red horse. As she was about to ask around, she suddenly saw Zhuge Yue, dressed in a black and gold robe, holding a sword. His posture was neat, and his guards followed him into the courtyard. Chu Qiao had never seen him like this before. Zhu Cheng, draping a cloak over his arm, briskly followed his master.
The other maidservants rushed to Zhuge Yue's side with tea and incense as he dipped his feet in the water to bathe.
Chu Qiao approached the door, took a few steps closer, and said, "Fourth young master, I lost the red horse."
"Well noted," Zhuge Yue replied in a neutral tone. He took the tea prepared by the children, drank it, and then instructed a servant, "Go fetch what Mu sent yesterday from the kitchen, and bring two pots." Chu Qiao understood this as a sign that Zhuge Yue was no longer angry.
The servants quickly complied and retreated, leaving only Zhuge Yue and Chu Qiao. Seeing that he wasn't going to punish her, Chu Qiao began to quietly leave when Zhuge Yue put down his bowl and pointed to her, saying, "Star child, wait a moment."
Chu Qiao's heart raced, and she suddenly went speechless. She was concerned about what might come next, but Zhuge Yue snapped and said, "You will go with Zhu Cheng to find a proper horse-riding teacher and learn to ride properly."
"Ah?" Chu Qiao held her breath, surprised.
Zhu Cheng, equally shocked, was about to speak when Zhuge Yue raised an eyebrow, his expression impatient. "Is there a problem?"
"No problem, young master," Zhu Cheng quickly assured him. At seventeen, Zhu Cheng was familiar with the young master's temperament. He quickly added, "This slave here will take the star child."
Zhuge Yue looked up, frowning at Zhu Cheng. "The star child is only eight years old. Who is this 'star girl' you speak of?"
"Apologies, young master. Yes, not a star girl, but a star child…" Zhu Cheng stammered, almost slipping with his words. He still couldn't believe what had just happened.
Impatiently, Zhuge Yue waved them off. "That's enough. Straighten yourselves up. I don't want outsiders to think we keep unrefined slaves here."
"Yes, young master."
Chu Qiao, standing in place in her light yellow skirt and fox-fur vest, watched as Zhuge Yue moved through the ceremony. The servant echoed to all, "Star children, be grateful to the fourth young master."
Zhuge Yue didn't look up but waved dismissively.
As Chu Qiao and Zhu Cheng left the Xuan hall, Zhu Cheng suspiciously glanced at the child. "Star girl, let's go?" he asked, smiling.
Chu Qiao smiled but ignored him. It was the first time she had left the Aoyama courtyard.
"Star girl, I've chosen a fine ride for you. These horses are fit for good riders. Choose one from the lodge."
Standing in Happy Valley, the eight-year-old Chu Qiao raised her head slightly. She looked at the amateur horse riders ahead, noticing how the small slaves who usually cursed the Zhuge household were now joyful and respectful. It was a shift she had not expected.
As she walked past the men, her eyes caught someone's gaze. With a slight smile, she pointed to one of them, who looked back in panic. She laughed softly and said, "I'll have him."