Fortune Across the World

Chapter 153: Learning to Ride, Sparks Fly (Part 2)

Before Ding Qiyu could act, Le Zhuyi demonstrated the correct grip on the reins with a flawlessly executed motion: "Hold it like this."

"Got it." Ding Qiyu leaned closer, using her height advantage to easily observe Le Zhuyi's hand movements. She released her hold on Le Zhuyi's waist and attempted to grip the reins.

"Press with your thumb here, and use your ring and pinky fingers to hold it tight on the other side," Le Zhuyi instructed, adjusting Ding Qiyu's grip until it was perfect. She then withdrew her hand and continued, "This way, the reins are secure and won't slip. Understand?"

"Yes, I get it! I've got it memorized!" Ding Qiyu nodded eagerly, sounding like a diligent student in class.

Seeing her face so close, Le Zhuyi's smile deepened. She turned to face forward, saying, "Put your feet in the stirrups. Now, gently tap the horse's sides with your calves to get it moving. The harder you tap, the faster it will go." She ceded her stirrup to Ding Qiyu, adding reassuringly, "Chini is very smart, so don't worry."

Ding Qiyu chuckled, stepping into the stirrup, and mimicked Le Zhuyi's reassuring tone, "I've got you held tight; you won't fall, so don't worry." With Chini on a flat, open field and Yi Girl in charge, Ding Qiyu wasn't worried at all, responding playfully. Le Zhuyi had no stirrups to secure herself and no reins to hold, so if anyone should be worried, it was her. Ding Qiyu lightly tapped Chini's sides, and sure enough, the horse began to trot.

Le Zhuyi, unperturbed, leaned back lazily, resting her head against Ding Qiyu's uninjured shoulder as if she were a queen on her throne, murmuring, "I'm not worried."

The unexpected weight made Ding Qiyu freeze. It was meant to be a joke—she hadn't expected Yi Girl to actually do that! Peeking at the woman resting her head on her shoulder, she saw her eyes closed, lips curled in a contented smile, basking in the sunlight like she was on a lounge chair. Lost in thought, Ding Qiyu was jolted by the serene beauty's casual warning: "You're about to crash. If you don't steer, Chini will jump over it."

Startled, Ding Qiyu looked up to see a large rock directly ahead! With her limited riding skills, she knew Chini could jump it, but she doubted she'd stay on the horse afterward.

Attempting to steer, Ding Qiyu fumbled, lacking the technique. Chini, unfazed, charged straight at the rock, seemingly eager for the challenge. Just as Ding Qiyu braced for an inevitable tumble, she heard Yi Girl's leisurely voice instructing, "Shift your right leg back and squeeze Chini's side, move your left leg forward and squeeze the left shoulder, then pull the reins to the right."

The guidance was a godsend. Ding Qiyu hurriedly followed the instructions, and Chini neighed, darting past the rock without incident.

"Phew…" Ding Qiyu exhaled deeply in relief.

Le Zhuyi's smile widened, reaching her eyes as she continued, "That's how you turn the horse. To turn left, do the opposite." Her voice was light, finding Ding Qiyu's earnestness both endearing and charming. It was this honesty and charm that won her sisters' trust, she mused. Her thoughts drifted back to the memory of Ding Qiyu casually hugging Mengchun, a small smile curling her lips. Sitting upright, she adopted her commanding tone as the young palace master, "You're going too slow. Speed up!" Without waiting for Ding Qiyu's response, she tapped Chini's sides with her legs, prompting the horse to gallop.

"Ah?!" Ding Qiyu gasped, forcing herself to remain calm, gripping the reins tightly, and trying to stabilize herself on the galloping horse as instructed.