"Ta Yun?"
Li Ying repeated the name, then turned her face and looked at him in confusion.
"Is... this your horse?"
Lu Xunguang stepped forward and gently stroked Ta Yun's forehead with one hand.
Ta Yun's eyes instantly grew a bit more docile.
"Could it be that you were the one who went to invite that prefect today?"
Although Li Ying didn't know much about horses, seeing Ta Yun's valiant appearance, she knew that it must be a rare and precious steed, definitely not something that a mere county magistrate or prefect could raise.
Lu Xunguang said in a deep voice, "I heard your discussion with Su Buchi at the tea table. I knew that the Qin family would never let it go easily, and that county magistrate is a fence - sitter. The key to breaking the deadlock for you lies with this prefect."
"I promised to consider everything for you comprehensively. Naturally, it can't be an empty promise. I have to ensure that everything is foolproof in person."
Seeing his travel - worn appearance, it was obvious that he had traveled day and night for the sake of speed, fetched the prefect, and quietly avoided Lian Ji. After going through so much trouble, Li Ying's heart softened.
"Have you not eaten yet? Shall I cook you some casserole potato noodles?"
She casually took off the apron hanging behind the door and rushed towards the kitchen, but was stopped by Lu Xunguang.
"A Ying, do you want to try riding Ta Yun?"
Li Ying was stunned.
Ride a horse?
Naturally, she did.
However, galloping on the beach required extremely high - quality horses and excellent riding skills.
Ta Yun didn't seem as docile as her Wu Zhui at first glance. Li Ying couldn't help but feel hesitant.
Her eyes were eager, but her hands and feet instinctively hesitated.
Normally, she always looked bold and capable of handling anything. Now, she showed such a timid and coy side of a young girl. Lu Xunguang's heart burned with passion, and his eyes darkened.
"A Ying, would you trust me?"
Li Ying nodded subconsciously. Suddenly, she felt light as a feather, and was gently lifted onto the horse's back and held in front of him.
Ta Yun let out a long neigh, as if complaining. Lu Xunguang patted its neck, and Ta Yun resigned itself to its fate and trotted briskly towards the coast.
The night breeze was slightly cool, gently caressing Li Ying's sideburns, making her feel refreshed.
The two let Ta Yun stroll on the beach for a while. In the distance, the lights of the night market at the dock were twinkling on and off, looking extremely beautiful.
"A Ying, do you want to go faster?"
Suddenly, Lu Xunguang lowered his head, leaned close to her ear, and asked in a soft voice.
The night breeze made Li Ying's heart itch, and some indescribable feelings were stirring inside her. Teased by him like this, she immediately nodded without hesitation and said, "Yes!"
"Hold on to me tightly."
A faint smile curled up at the corner of Lu Xunguang's eyes. The hand around her waist tightened a bit more. He clamped his legs against the horse's belly and shouted in a deep voice, "Giddy - up!"
Ta Yun seemed to understand his intention. With another long neigh, its four hooves splashed water like flying jade on the shallows, and then the water droplets fell and turned into ripples.
Li Ying was caught off guard. The oncoming sea breeze hit her full - on. She could feel Lu Xunguang's warm breath on her back, and her face instantly flushed red.
Ta Yun might have been confined for too long. Now that it finally saw its old master, it galloped freely in this vast world. When it finally stopped, Li Ying had also had her fill of fun. Lu Xunguang gently lifted her off the horse's back. The two of them lay on the soft beach, looking up at the star - filled sky.
No wonder the poems often said, "In high spirits, the horse's hooves fly fast. In a day, one can enjoy all the flowers in Chang'an." Galloping on a horse between heaven and earth was such a refreshing and exhilarating thing!
Li Ying looked at the countless stars on the round sky and murmured, "The sky is like a dome, covering the land far and wide..."
No, this poem didn't quite fit the occasion.
Her self - talk suddenly stopped. The stars reflected in her pupils dimmed. Lu Xunguang's deep, pool - like eyes suddenly broke into her sight.
He propped up his hands, covering her petite body with his shadow. There was a turbulent undercurrent in his eyes.
"A Ying, I know I'm a crude person who doesn't understand elegance. I can't compare to Su Buchi, who is so gentle and refined. In every aspect, he doesn't need to say much to be in perfect harmony with you and understand your heart."
"I can find all the beautiful sceneries in the world for you, and I'm also willing to learn those elegant arts. Will you... wait for me?"
Her own reflection was clearly reflected in his eyes, shining brightly.
Li Ying was stunned.
So, this man actually felt inferior because of Su Buchi?
Suddenly, a saying popped into her mind.
Love means giving your all but still often feeling indebted.
This was exactly how Lu Xunguang treated her.
Li Ying's heart softened like a fluffy little tail. She said softly, "I don't need to wait. You are already the best one."
The starlight in Lu Xunguang's eyes dimmed for a moment, and then a blazing flame ignited. The overwhelming heat seemed to melt her.
He leaned down, and his thin lips approached inch by inch. Li Ying slowly closed her eyes.
This kiss was like a seal on a contract. If it was imprinted, she would have to openly and defenselessly offer the heart that she had guarded for so long.
Was it okay?
Indeed, Lu Xunguang's infatuation for her was obvious to everyone.
But she was alone, drifting in this strange world where she knew no one. Although she seemed to be doing well, in fact, she had nothing. The only things truly belonging to her were her physical body and this heart.
Was it really okay?
Li Ying's fingers trembled slightly. Unconsciously, she grabbed a handful of soft sand.
After a long time, the expected kiss didn't fall. Lu Xunguang took a deep breath and let her go.
"A Ying, don't be afraid. If you still have concerns, I can wait."
She blushed and lowered her head. In her heart, she secretly scolded herself for being so hesitant and turning this beautiful scenery under the moon into an embarrassing situation.
Li Ying didn't know how to break this subtle silence.
It was Lu Xunguang who looked at her intently.
"A Ying, you are the most precious thing in my life. I was overwhelmed by my emotions for a moment. I really shouldn't have been so abrupt... I have absolutely no intention of being disrespectful. Don't be angry with me..."
Although he tried to remain calm, it was obvious that he was a bit flustered, afraid that she would think of him as an unscrupulous libertine.
Li Ying's heart burned with warmth again.
This man respected and loved her. He took good care of her in every aspect. He was usually silent, but he was extremely meticulous when it came to her affairs.
What else did she have to be timid about?
Li Ying stretched out her hand. There was a charming smile in her eyes like the blooming spring flowers. She gently put her arms around Lu Xunguang's waist and pressed her soft lips against his.
Lu Xunguang was like a man struck by a thunderbolt. His body stiffened, his pupils suddenly dilated, and he looked at her in disbelief.
Immediately afterwards, a sincere and child - like joy appeared on his face. A long, slender hand gently held the back of her head. His warm and flexible tongue invaded her mouth, taking the initiative.
The last bit of clarity in Li Ying's mind, along with that tiny bit of concern, fled in disarray and disappeared without a trace in the night breeze.