Chapter 88 - The Jade Bracelet (4/5)

"Why? Is there a problem with my horse?" Feng Huan asked, narrowing his eyes, waiting for an answer. 

"No, I didn't mean there is anything wrong with your horse..." Xiong Jingfei was flabbergasted. He is kidding, right? "I'm just surprised you would allow me to ride your horse." 

She knows bits and pieces about the Feng's household through her father. When a son is born into the Feng's family, they would hold a huge feast and gift him a newborn horse. The newborn horse is raised by the Feng's servants until the son is old enough to care for it. 

Once he takes over, everything about the horse represents him as a person. If the horse is weak, then he is an inadequate master and leader. If the horse is healthy and vigorous. Its master is a good prospect for the future household. The horse is more than just an animal to them. It's their partner who goes through life and death with them out on the battlefield.

For Feng Huan to give her permission to ride his horse. The horse he raised and groomed, it was of great honor. Not just anyone can ride Feng Huan's horse, including his own family members. Even Feng Huan's father has a horse of his own, and not even Feng Huan is allowed to ride it. Their horse was trained to listen to their master and allow only them to ride it. 

Yet he was going to her do it! Let her ride his horse for training!

"Are you getting on or not?" Feng Huan growled, holding the rein to his horse so Xiong Jingfei can get on. 

"I-I..." Xiong Jingfei panicked, he was serious! It was probably a once in a lifetime chance, so of course, she was going to take advantage of it. "Want! I want to ride your horse."

Xiong Jingfei picked up her dress and tried to climb on top, but her legs were too short. She tried hopping, but it was of no use either. She was this close to using her body to jump and lay on the horse, then get into a sitting position. Except, Xu Song will kill her. 

Feng Huan averted his eyes when she revealed a little of her leg skin. Her attentiveness to her surroundings seems to not be there! Even if he is her teacher, it doesn't make him less of a man. Unless she doesn't see that he is one? 

Ridiculous, he shook his head, getting rid of these thoughts. Why does it even matter if she sees him as a man or not?

Feng Huan's attention returned back to Xiong Jingfei. She still hasn't got on his horse. He could no longer watch her sorry self struggling to get on. Walking up to her, he knelt down on one knee, "Climb up by stepping on my back."

"Really? Won't it hurt you?" Xiong Jingfei tried sounding concern, meanwhile hiding the ecstasy in her voice. 

The proud Feng Huan is willing to kneel down and let her step on him. Wow, on the days when he yells at her during training. She really wanted to stomp on him over and over, but couldn't. She didn't even have the ability to touch a strand of his hair. Then there comes a day like this where he voluntarily let her do it. Is this a trap? He might flip her once her feet touch his back...

"Hurry before I change my mind." Feng Huan snapped, getting ready to stand back up. 

"Wait, I'll do it!" Xiong Jingfei hurriedly stepped on Feng Huan's back and got on top of the horse. 

A smile tugged at Feng Huan's lip as he stood up. Did she really think she could hide the excitement in her voice? Her concern was more of, won't it hurt your pride? This much won't hurt him when he is already lending his pride to her. 

He quickly went through the basics of riding a horse. They didn't have time to leisurely practice horse riding. Feng Huan needed her to learn as much and as fast as possible. Once he catches up with the rest of the soldiers, he probably won't even have the chance to see her anymore. 

Feng Huan took her through a few rounds of riding the horse at walking pace. Feeling that she was ready to move on, he hopped on the horse with her. 

Xiong Jingfei posture stiffen, "What are you doing?" 

Feng Huan's arms went around her and grabbed hold of the rein. Next to her ears, he whispered, "What indecent things are you thinking of?" 

Her face, neck, and ears became impossibly hot. She wasn't thinking of anything indecent! This kind of closeness to another man was not something she was familiar with. 

Gratification was written on his face. Returning to his usual stern tone, "I don't know what kind of indecent thoughts you have about me. But you need to focus now that I am going to show you how to control a horse while it is running." 

"I do not have indecent thoughts-!"

Xiong Jingfei's voice became lost with the wind. As expected, Feng Huan's horse was fast and full of energy. Maybe without Feng Huan, she would have fallen off the horse already. 

This went on for a while until Feng Huan gave the approval that Xiong Jingfei got it. He got off his horse and made her take it for a run on her own. She did not hesitate to try it out on her own too. After a few rounds with Feng Huan in charge, she got used to how to direct the horse to run and stop. 

Feng Huan no longer became surprised at how fast she learned. Though she was still sloppy in certain areas, she was definitely improving. He guessed maybe it's because she is a servant at the Xiong Manor. So she was forced to learn from her mistakes, quickly and efficiently. 

Xiong Jingfei jumped down from the horse, but her legs almost gave out on her. Feng Huan grabbed hold of her arms to stop her from falling. 

"How did I do today?" Xiong Jingfei asked, her cheeks red from the adrenaline rush. She didn't think riding a horse in a short amount of time can make her legs go weak. 

"So-so..." Feng Huan clutched onto the rein. Feeling uncomfortable with the way she looked at him. Her eyes glistened, anticipating his answer like it meant a lot of her. 

"Mm, I see. Not that great yet..." Xiong Jingfei mumbled as she closed her eyes and calculated what she wrong today. 

Feng Huan barely knows her, but he knew what she was doing right now. Every time she closed her eyes after training, she was trying to figure out what to do next time to not repeat her mistake. 

A flutter of guilt hit his stomach, "Don't overthink it. You did well for a beginner."

Feng Huan didn't wait for a second longer to see Xiong Jingfei's reaction. He quickly walked away with the horse as if knowing what was going to happen next. Following closely behind him was a burst of childlike laughter. 

This was why he didn't want to compliment her! Although that wasn't really the reason why. His heart that froze after Zhao Fan's marriage began beating healthy once again. 

"Is that Songsong?" Xiong Jingfei squinted her eyes, walking ahead of Feng Huan. 

When she realized it was Xu Song, her walking pace with him became walking speed. For a brief moment, she thought she saw a frown on Xu Song's face. 

"You returned. How was it?" Xu Song wiped the sweats from Xiong Jingfei's forehead. Indirectly, she was asking if Xiong Jingfei received any injuries today. 

"It was really fun," Xiong Jingfei whispered, unable to hide the excitement she had.  

"Was it now?" Xu Song nodded her head. Taking Xiong Jingfei back to the carriage to change out of her sweaty outfit. While walking away, she turned her head slightly to a look at Feng Huan. 

When Xiong Jingfei finished changing out of her clothes and telling Xu Song her day. She actually forgot she had something to ask of Feng Huan. But he was nowhere to be seen in the camping ground. 

"He went down that way," One of Feng Huan's soldiers pointed. 

Where he pointed to is where a stream is currently located. During their travel, they have been following the pathway of the stream. 

"Thank you," Xiong Jingfei was about to enter the forest pathway to walk towards the stream, but was stopped by Xu Song. 

"Where are you going?" Xu Song's grip on Xiong Jingfei's wrist was no joke. 

"I am going to let General Feng know the food is ready." Xiong Jingfei replied, trying to remove her wrist from Xu Song's grip. "Why are you holding onto my wrist so tight?" 

Xu Song didn't let go but loosened her grip, "Let one of the men go get him." 

Xiong Jingfei stopped trying to remove her wrist from Xu Song. She has been acting out of the ordinary since she returned from her horse training. She closed the gap between them and asked, "Is something the matter?" 

Was there something going on while she was away? Did someone harass Xu Song? They wouldn't dare step out of line! Feng Huan's soldier may not know she is Xiong Jingfei, but those that came with her do.

Xu Song let go of her wrist, "No, it's nothing. Please be careful."

"Xu Song," Xiong Jingfei used her Eldest Miss voice. "Promise me that you will tell me if something is wrong."

"Yes, Miss."