Chapter 304
Chapter 304
In truth, everyone only planted for a little while before returning to the estate.
It was enough to experience it. The Ji Family had not fallen yet, so they might as well enjoy themselves while they could.
“What is this?”
Jiang Yunsui said, “Milk tea.”
“Ji Yang, try it. It’s really good.”
“Grandmother, you try some too.”
Everyone took a sip and discovered that it truly was delicious.
“There is no gamey taste to the milk at all, and it even carries the fragrance of tea.”
Everyone knew that milk was nutritious, especially for children.
But ordinary milk had an unpleasant gamey smell, even after it was boiled.
That was why most children disliked drinking it.
If it all tasted like this milk tea, they would love it.
Ji Yang certainly did. She finished one cup and went back for a refill.
All the women sat together in the house and began chatting at ease.
Outside the courtyard, several dogs had already dashed off to play.
The eagles had too.
“Let’s go riding.”
Liu Huan made the suggestion, showing a rare spark of liveliness.
The weather was lovely today. The sun was out, but it was not too hot, making it perfect for an excursion.
Old Madam Ji asked, “Is there a temple nearby? We can go burn incense there another day.”
The noblewomen of the Capital City all had one thing in common: once they grew old, they took to Buddhist worship.
Old Madam Ji was no exception.
She had not originally believed in gods or Buddhas.
But the Ji Family’s men had all been on the battlefield – her husband, her sons, her grandsons…
Back at the Ji residence, there had been nothing she could do for them except pray for their safety.
Over time, she had developed the habit of worshipping the Buddha.
Before, she had prayed that the gods and Buddhas would keep the Ji men safe. Now, she prayed that they would live well in the next world.
Jiang Yunsui said, “There is no Buddhist temple, but there is a Daoist temple.”
Ji Yan’an said, “If the weather is good tomorrow, I will go with you, Grandmother.”
Old Madam Ji said, “Go tend to your work. You need not worry about us.”
A faint smile tugged at Ji Yan’an’s lips. “I am not as busy now.”
As they spoke, the subject returned to riding horses.
Jiang Yunsui wanted to go, and Ji Yang’s eyes lit up.
Unfortunately, both girls had short little legs.
What was more, Second Aunt refused to let Ji Yang go.
“A young lady should stay home and study music, board games, calligraphy, and painting, or perhaps read a book. Why would she go galloping around on horseback?”
The light instantly faded from Ji Yang’s eyes.
Jiang Yunsui said, “Girls should learn to gallop, and they should learn to use a whip too.”
She argued, “Then if Yangyang’s husband makes a mistake one day, she does not have to be polite. She can just whip him. Once she has beaten some fear into him, he will stop making mistakes. Otherwise, she will be the one who suffers.”
Second Aunt pointed at her. “You… you… What part of you resembles a proper young lady?”
Jiang Yunsui shot her a sidelong glance. “So what? I only need to behave in front of outsiders. At home, I am the one living my life, so of course I should do whatever makes me comfortable.”
“Mother, just look at her…”
Old Madam Ji did not scold Jiang Yunsui. Instead, she burst out laughing.
“Exactly. That is how a girl of the Ji Family should be.”
Second Aunt stared in disbelief.
“You talk about noble young ladies all day long, but do you know what their lives are like in their husbands’ households?”
“Men take multiple wives and concubines. A decent man will at least grant his wife the respect due to her. But if she meets a shameless scoundrel who dotes on his concubine and neglects his wife, do you think she will have a good life?”
“If a wife in that situation has neither ability nor means, her entire life is ruined.”
“All you know is how to mold Yangyang into one of those noble young ladies from the Capital City. But do you understand that the more you suppress her nature, the more timid she will become? How is she supposed to deal with a husband who does not care for her, much less his concubines?”
Second Aunt fell speechless.
She wanted to say that she would find Yangyang the finest possible husband.
But… a man in this world who took no concubines and respected and loved his wife was far too rare.
Before she could even begin searching, the wives of the great noble families would have already set their sights on households like that.
The Ji Family now had almost no standing left in the Capital City. Why would any fine household take an interest in her Yangyang?
Second Aunt immediately felt stifled and resentful.
Jiang Yunsui took Ji Yang by the hand.
“Yangyang, I’m going to find a master to teach me how to use a whip. You can learn with me. If anyone dares bully you in the future, whip them until they never dare bully you again.”
Ji Yang glanced at her grandmother. Faced with that threatening glare, she pretended not to notice and took Jiang Yunsui’s hand.
She did not say anything, but her meaning could not have been clearer.
Second Aunt was furious.
“Come on, come on. Let’s go riding.”
Liu Huan grabbed one girl with each hand and ran outside, giving Second Aunt no chance to speak again.
The two children might be small and short-legged, but the adults could take them along.
Ji Yan’an lifted Jiang Yunsui onto Little White and rode with her.
Little White had grown quite tall and powerful. It was a renowned horse, after all, and had more than mere beauty to recommend it.
It could easily carry the weight of two grown men.
“Hyah!”
Liu Huan rode with Ji Yang. As the fine horses galloped, the wind swept across their faces.
Without the slightest trace of a young lady’s reserve, Jiang Yunsui burst into delighted laughter.
Zuozuo Youyou and Heiwa raced alongside them, while eagles circled overhead.
Milk Tea was especially conspicuous. It was large, and the shadow it cast on the ground was much bigger than the others.
“Let us go to the woods over there.”
There was a forest in this area.
It was a little far away.
But for the horses, the distance made for a fine run.
Jiang Yunsui even carried a small bow and arrows made especially for her height and strength.
Nanshu said, “Young Master, I asked the estate steward. He says there are wild sheep, deer, and boars here. But we should be careful. There are bears and wolves too.”
Of course, they had not come out alone. They had brought guards with them.
They were armed, so even if they encountered a bear, they had little to fear.
Once they reached the forest, they dismounted.
Liu Huan pointed toward the spot where a rabbit had darted past.
“There’s a rabbit over there. Hurry, let’s chase it!”
Jiang Yunsui and Ji Yang scurried after her on their short little legs.
The rabbit was far too fast. They could not catch up at all.
“Whoosh…”
An arrow shot over their heads and struck the fleeing rabbit ahead.
“It hit!”
Even though none of them had fired it, they were all beside themselves with excitement.
Liu Huan soon came running back with the dead rabbit in hand.
“Little Brother, your archery is impressive.”
After the poison in Ji Yan’an’s body had been cured, he began training his body and relearning all the skills he had once possessed but had been forced to abandon because of his health.
Martial arts, archery, and galloping on horseback were among them.
Still seated on his horse, Ji Yan’an wore a faint smile.
“Screech!”
A loud eagle’s cry rang out overhead. Then everyone saw a golden figure plunge from the sky, so fast that the naked eye caught only a blur.
Milk Tea dove, seized something in an instant, and soared upward again.
Not long afterward, it flew back to Jiang Yunsui’s group and dropped whatever it held in its talons.
Thud…
A golden pheasant with a magnificent tail landed on the grass.
“Wow!”
Ji Yang and the other Ji women who had come along all cried out in unison.
The way Milk Tea had seized its prey just now had simply been too impressive!