The sun gradually rose. Shen Qingfeng and Lu Yan finally finished packing. From inside the house came Lu Yan's order. The servants of the Marquis's Mansion quickly began to prepare the horses. When Lu Yan helped Shen Qingfeng, wrapped in a large fur coat, out of the house, two jet - black steeds were already saddled and properly arranged.
It was said that good horses abounded in the Northern Kingdom. The horses there were different from those in Lixia. The good horses of the Northern Kingdom were long - bodied, with less hair and well - toned muscles. They were excellent for battle. Shen Qingfeng stood in front of the black horse and carefully sized it up. He couldn't help but praise, "What a fine horse!"
Lu Yan smiled and said, "If you like it, Qingfeng, I'll give it to you."
Shen Qingfeng's eyes lit up. He turned to look at Lu Yan and asked, "Really?"
Lu Yan embraced Shen Qingfeng from behind and whispered, "As long as you like it, I can give it to you."
Shen Qingfeng blushed. He reached out and stroked the black horse, feeling the firm muscles under his palm. There was a look of longing in his eyes. "What's its name?"
"Chenfeng," Lu Yan replied.
Shen Qingfeng smiled and called out, "Chenfeng."
The horse named Chenfeng snorted and stretched its head over to nuzzle in his palm.
Seeing this, Lu Yan laughed heartily. "Qingfeng, look. It has recognized you."
Shen Qingfeng looked at Chenfeng in surprise and praised, "It's really spiritual. Are all the horses in the Northern Kingdom like this?"
Lu Yan nodded. "The horses from the Northern Kingdom are the best in the Central Plains. In times of war, good steeds from the Northern Kingdom are usually needed. After all, a good horse can sometimes be the key to victory on the battlefield."
"Yes. I've only read about them in books. This is the first time I've seen such a fine steed up close," Shen Qingfeng nodded. Then he looked at the other horse. "What about this one? What's its name?"
Lu Yan said, "Tayun."
"One is called Chenfeng, the other Tayun," Shen Qingfeng laughed. "Great names."
Lu Yan put his arm around Shen Qingfeng's waist and rested his chin on his shoulder. "Chenfeng and Tayun, two twin horses. One represents you, the other represents me. So I'm giving it to you."
Shen Qingfeng just smiled but said nothing. In fact, he still wasn't used to Lu Yan's constant flow of sweet nothings. It was almost sickeningly sweet. When he had chased Xia Chuli in the past, there had been few sweet memories between them. But now, Lu Yan doted on him almost to the skies.
Shen Qingfeng coughed lightly, broke free from Lu Yan's embrace, walked up to Chenfeng, grabbed the reins with one hand, stepped on the stirrup with one foot, and then with a powerful movement of his waist, he mounted the horse. Chenfeng neighed, shifted back and forth, then raised its head, looking ready to set off at any moment.
Shen Qingfeng tugged at the reins. A satisfied smile appeared on his face. Then he took the prepared bamboo hat with white gauze from his back and put it on.
Lu Yan called out to Shen Qingfeng on the horse, "Your leg doesn't hurt anymore? Can you ride?"
Shen Qingfeng laughed. "Such a fine horse, my lord. It would be too much if you only let me look and not ride it, wouldn't it?"
Lu Yan looked at Shen Qingfeng on the horse. Clad in white robes and sitting on the jet - black horse, he looked like an otherworldly immortal, aloof from the world. Lu Yan looked at Shen Qingfeng intently with a smile, then he too mounted his horse, rode up beside Shen Qingfeng, and leaned in. "Qingfeng, you seem to have forgotten something."
Shen Qingfeng lifted the white gauze and looked at Lu Yan. "Huh?"
"I seem to have said that I want you to call me by my name. If you call me wrong..." Lu Yan's voice was a bit hoarse. He looked at Shen Qingfeng, his desire in his eyes unhidden, and the tear mole at the corner of his eye became even more alluring.
Shen Qingfeng shivered all over, and his face slowly turned red.
Lu Yan licked his lips, reached out and stroked Shen Qingfeng's mouth, his thumb grazing over his thin lower lip. "You owe me a kiss, Qingfeng."
Shen Qingfeng quickly let the white gauze fall. Then he jerked the reins. At the command, Chenfeng reared back, its front hooves pawing at the air, then landed heavily, and galloped away like an arrow from a bow.
Lu Yan withdrew his hand and put it to his lips. He gave a soft laugh, stuck out his tongue, and licked his thumb carefully. Then he too tugged at the reins and shouted, "Giddyup!"
On the Wutong Long Street, deserted at this time, two black horses galloped one after the other. One black and one white figure raced on horseback, dashing out of Lige City at top speed.
Actually, the place Lu Yan wanted to take Shen Qingfeng to wasn't far.
After leaving Lige City and riding north for about an incense - burning time, they came to a small hill. Riding along the path that had been carved out on the hill, they could smoothly reach the top. The hill wasn't very high and didn't have a name, but it faced the Sansheng Mountain in the distance. Standing on the top of the hill, one could see the golden - roofed temple on the Sansheng Mountain in the distance. From afar, the temple seemed like a divine being, standing firmly above Lige City, protecting all the people of Lixia.
When they reached the top of the hill, Lu Yan beckoned Shen Qingfeng to dismount. They tied the horses to a tree beside them and let the horses graze on their own. Lu Yan took Shen Qingfeng's hand and they walked side by side through the snow towards a cliff.
The snow on the hilltop was very thick, reaching up to Shen Qingfeng's furry boots. Their steps flattened the soft snow. In this silent and pale world, only their slow footsteps and heavy breathing seemed to remain.
Lu Yan's hand was very warm. He intertwined his fingers with Shen Qingfeng's and led him to the cliff.
Shen Qingfeng was a bit out of breath. He propped his hands on his knees and gasped for air.
Lu Yan took a deep breath, patted Shen Qingfeng on the back, and handed him a water flask. "Why are you so tired already?"
"I'm not as tough as you," Shen Qingfeng wiped his face and reached out to take the flask, taking a big gulp.
"We're here," Lu Yan smiled, then turned to look into the distance. "Qingfeng, look quickly."
Shen Qingfeng held the flask and slowly raised his head.
The position of the cliff they were on was perfect. Looking out into the distance, they could overlook the entire Lige City. Moreover, now that the snow had stopped and the clouds had cleared, the sky was clear. The bright sunlight shone on the world. Due to the reflection of the snow, the whole city of Lige looked especially bright. Shen Qingfeng could even see the Acacia Lake in the distance, the ant - like people walking on the Wutong Street, and even further away, the glittering golden glazed statue in the golden - roofed temple on the Sansheng Mountain.
The expansive view cheered Shen Qingfeng up. A brilliant smile appeared on his face. Lu Yan turned his head and looked at the delicate person beside him. He reached out and pulled Shen Qingfeng into his arms.
"How did you know about this place?" Shen Qingfeng looked at the rare scenery longingly and asked softly.
Lu Yan replied, "I heard from others."
Shen Qingfeng smiled and saw through him at once. "You asked someone, didn't you?"
Lu Yan pursed his lips, stared into the distance, and snorted. "Isn't it beautiful? That's all that matters."
Shen Qingfeng laughed heartily. He leaned against Lu Yan's chest and nodded. "Yes, it's beautiful."
"Do you like it?"
"Yes, I like it," Shen Qingfeng answered truthfully.
Lu Yan said, "What about what you owe me?"
Shen Qingfeng was stunned for a moment, then laughed uncontrollably.
He hadn't been this happy for a long time. In his previous life, he didn't seem to like smiling. Or rather, every time he smiled, it was for a purpose, be it flattery, exploitation, or ingratiation. But in this life, after meeting Lu Yan, he didn't seem to need to think about anything when he smiled. He smiled because he was truly happy.
Shen Qingfeng reached out his hands and held Lu Yan's cheeks.
He looked up, stared deeply into Lu Yan's eyes with a smile in his own, then stood on his tiptoes, closed his eyes, and gently kissed Lu Yan on the lips.