Two carriages carried Qian Jiaoniang, Qingya, and the Tian family’s womenfolk, followed by Xing Muzheng, Xing Pingchun, Tian Yongzhang, Ah Da, Wang Yong, and other escorting guards. The entourage left the city in grand fashion. The carriages didn’t move quickly—it felt more like a leisurely countryside outing than a journey.
Qingya sat beside Qian Jiaoniang and reached to open a hidden compartment in the corner. As expected, inside was a luminous pearl about the size of a chicken egg.
“This carriage of the Marquis is really something. Nice style, spacious and bright, and it doesn’t jostle you around. What I hate most are those flashy carriages that look pretty but feel like they’re falling apart when they move—you get shaken half to death.”
Qian Jiaoniang said, “What’s so good about it? It’s stuffy. I’m opening the door to let some air in.”
“Ah—there’s dust!”
“What dust…” Qian Jiaoniang leaned out to open the door. Just as she hooked the latch, a cloud of dust rose by the carriage, and the gleeful laughter of a child rang out like spring water. “Yo-ho!”
Qingya quickly covered her nose and mouth with a handkerchief. Qian Jiaoniang recognized Xing Pingchun’s voice and stuck her head out to look. That little rascal was riding his little black horse, being led by Wang Yong, waving a small whip overhead in big circles, utterly pleased with himself. Qian Jiaoniang couldn’t help but laugh.
Wang Yong jogged along while holding the reins, then slowed to a walk, chatting with Xing Pingchun along the way. At one point, he simply let go of the reins. Xing Pingchun rode on his own, wobbling this way and that, while Wang Yong followed behind like a nervous mother hen, arms outstretched, constantly calling out for him to sit straight, terrified he’d fall off. But although Xing Pingchun looked shaky, he always managed to stay on.
After a while, his posture straightened up, and he seemed to be getting the hang of it. Before long, he was lightly flicking his whip, urging the foal into a trot. Wang Yong hurriedly took a horse from Wu Shunzi, leapt on, and rode after him shouting instructions.
Tian Linwen, riding beside Xing Muzheng, witnessed the scene and chuckled, “Pingchun truly is the son of a general. He’s barely started learning and already looks the part.”
Xing Muzheng, who had been sneaking glances at Qian Jiaoniang’s profile, snapped out of it and looked toward his son galloping ahead. He gave a neutral “Mm.” Having known how to ride since mounting his first horse, he never thought of it as something difficult or worthy of pride. So he felt no particular emotion over Pingchun learning.
Tian Linwen saw he’d finally gotten the usually aloof nephew to say something and quickly tried to keep the conversation going. But no matter how eloquently he spoke, Xing Muzheng only responded with a few perfunctory words before falling silent again.
Tian Linwen then had an idea—after all, Xing Muzheng might be a marquis, but he was only in his mid-twenties, closer in age to Tian Yongzhang. Maybe they’d get along better. He turned to call his son forward, only to see him at the rear, still needing help with the reins, flailing in panic—not much better than Pingchun earlier. It would be too embarrassing to bring him up front, so he gave up on the idea.
Xing Pingchun rode his horse back and forth several times, becoming more and more confident. He galloped wildly for a stretch, then circled back to the group, then ran off again—completely tireless.
At some point, Qian Jiaoniang had stepped out of her carriage and leaned against the side, watching her son with a grin so wide her eyes squinted. Though Xing Muzheng found Pingchun’s antics noisy, when he saw Jiaoniang smiling, his own mood lifted as well. He didn’t show it on his face, nor did he scold the child anymore.
Liu Ying poked her head out and said dotingly to Pingchun, “My dear boy, you must be tired from all that running. Come inside and rest. Great Aunt has sweets for you!”
Xing Pingchun was still full of excitement. “Thank you, Great Aunt, but I’m not tired!”
He’s not tired, but her head was about to split! Liu Ying still smiled sweetly and said, “Even if you’re not tired, the little horse should have a rest too.”
Hearing that, Xing Pingchun thought it made sense. Without another word, he hopped off the horse. Liu Ying thought he was going to get into the carriage, but instead, Xing Pingchun zipped off, leading his horse up front to ask Wang Yong for some snacks to feed it. Wang Yong said, “We’re almost at the village. We’ll feed it together then!”
The village Wang Yong referred to was Niuxi Village, just outside Yuzhou City, also part of Xing Muzheng’s fief. However, he only allowed people to borrow homes there occasionally. This time, they found a household with a more spacious courtyard to rest. Servants had already borrowed pots and dishes and cooked food. After practicing martial arts and riding, Xing Pingchun wolfed down several bowls in a hurry. Liu Ying watched with heartache and kept piling meat into his bowl.
After the guards finished feeding and resting the horses, Xing Muzheng gave the order to set off again.
Xing Pingchun was the first to rush to his little black horse. The foal was leisurely munching on grass. Xing Pingchun stroked its neck and said, “Ant, Ant, eat more, eat until you’re full so you can run even faster!”
Qian Jiaoniang came from behind and heard her son’s words clearly. She was snacking on fruit and nearly choked. “What did you call it?” That big of a foal, and that’s what he named it?
Xing Pingchun replied confidently, “Ant! Mother, look at how black it is—doesn’t it look like an ant?”
“You have ants that big at home?” Qian Jiaoniang asked with complete sincerity.
“Mother, what are you thinking? If ants were that big, wouldn’t they be monsters?”
Well then, clearly she was the one being ridiculous.
