Chapter 201: The Heavenly Steed (horse name)

 Chapter 201: The Heavenly Steed 

While everyone was laughing and chatting, Daohua glanced at the tall, muscular, chestnut horse behind Xiao Yeyang. The horse had a well-rounded, graceful body, a delicate head, a high neck, and long limbs. When it started running, its steps were light and elegant, almost like a beautiful scene. It was undoubtedly the most beautiful horse among all of them.

Seeing Daohua’s curious gaze, Xiao Yeyang smiled and said, “This is a heavenly steed from the Western Regions. Would you like to try riding it?”

Daohua immediately shook her head. “No, this horse is even taller than I am. It’s clearly not something I can control. I’m afraid that if I ride it, it will buck and throw me off.”

Xiao Yeyang chuckled, “You’re quite self-aware, but you’re also a little timid.”

Daohua proudly replied, “It’s not timidity, it’s filial piety. Think about it—if I really broke my arm or leg, how upset would my grandmother and the others be? To make my elders worry about me like that would be unfilial. Could I really do something like that?”

Upon hearing this, Dong Yuanyao laughed.

For most people, the first time riding a horse often involved fear. But for the sake of their pride, most would never admit it and would instead come up with all sorts of excuses.

Yan Yiyi’s reason was the most elegant she had ever heard.

But what her older brother said was indeed true—Xiao Yeyang treated the eldest daughter of the Yan family differently. She had come early and had witnessed firsthand how much Xiao Yeyang cherished this heavenly steed, even washing it himself and not allowing anyone else to touch it.

Yet now, he was willingly letting Yan Yiyi ride it!

Seeing the others giggling, Daohua didn’t feel embarrassed at all. Xiao Yeyang’s heavenly steed was indeed beautiful, but compared to her life, it was nothing to worry about.

“Didn't you say there are young horses that are suitable for us to ride?”

Xiao Yeyang waved his hand, and soon, three servants led over three young horses.

One was black, one white, and the other chestnut. Each horse was slender, elegant, and their coats gleamed.

Daohua, Zhou Jingwan, and Dong Yuanyao all brightened up at once.

Unlike the larger horses ridden by Xiao Yeyang and the others, these young horses were only about 1.2 to 1.3 meters tall, looking both gentle and beautiful.

After bringing the horses over, Xiao Yeyang didn’t let the three girls choose. He directly handed the chestnut young horse’s reins to Daohua.

Daohua saw Zhou Jingwan immediately rushing toward the white horse, while Dong Yuanyao grabbed the reins of the black horse. She then smiled and accepted the reins of the chestnut horse from Xiao Yeyang.

“This horse looks a bit like the one you have. Are they related?” Daohua asked while gently stroking the smooth back of the horse.

Xiao Yeyang nodded. “Yes, they are both purebred heavenly steeds, and they’re the only two that my uncle brought back this time.” He glanced at Daohua. “This young horse doesn’t have a name yet. You can name it if you like.”

Before Daohua could respond, Zhou Jingwan, hearing this, immediately asked in surprise, “Young Prince, can we really name the horse?” 

Xiao Yeyang smiled and nodded. “Of course. These three horses are a gift for you, so you can name them whatever you like.”

“Gift for us?”

Even Dong Yuanyao couldn’t hide her excitement.

Xiao Yeyang replied nonchalantly, “We won’t be using the young horses, so I figured I’d give them to you.”

Behind them, Defu looked up to the sky in disbelief.

What does "won't be using them" mean? Even if they didn’t use them, they could still raise them!

All three young horses were rare, good-quality steeds, especially the one given to the eldest daughter of the Yan family. It was a heavenly steed that could travel a thousand miles a day!

“Thank you, Young Prince!” 

Zhou Jingwan and Dong Yuanyao said in unison.

Xiao Yeyang then turned his gaze to Daohua.

Daohua gently stroked the horse's back and looked at the happy Zhou Jingwan and Dong Yuanyao, her expression a little hesitant.

She knew how precious the heavenly steed was, but since the other two had accepted theirs, if she didn’t, it would seem like she was going against them. In the end, they would probably return the horses.

After thinking for a moment, Daohua smiled and said to Xiao Yeyang, “Thank you.”

Xiao Yeyang finally smiled and replied, “No need.”

Daohua glanced at the others. Seeing that they were all focused on Zhou Jingwan and Dong Yuanyao’s young horses, she quietly asked Xiao Yeyang, “Is there anything you’re lacking?”

Xiao Yeyang looked at her with a somewhat speechless expression.

He had given her a horse, and now it seemed like she was considering what to give him in return.

He sometimes found it strange—why couldn’t she just accept his gifts with the same joy as the other girls? Why did she feel the need to return something, as if trying to say she didn’t want to take advantage of him?

Xiao Yeyang gave her a sidelong glance. “Hmph, you, a young lady from a noble family, what could you possibly have?”

Daohua raised an eyebrow. “Don’t underestimate me. I may not be as rich as you, but I’m definitely a little rich girl.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yeyang couldn’t help but laugh, giving Daohua a long, complicated look. He shook his head. “A little rich girl? With just your few estates and shops?”

Daohua immediately became displeased. “I don’t have many estates and shops now, but they’ll gradually increase in the future.”

Xiao Yeyang shook his head and didn’t argue with her. “The money you earn should be saved for buying rouge and face powder, not to waste on anything else.”

Seeing the dismissive look on his face, Daohua wanted to retort, but after hesitating, she decided to swallow her words.

She knew that someone like Xiao Yeyang, who came from a wealthy background, wouldn’t consider her estates or shops as anything valuable.

At that moment, Zhou Jingwan’s voice rang out.

“Daohua, I’ve named my white horse ‘Treading Snow,’ and Sister Dong has named her black horse ‘Dustless.’ What about yours? What’s your red horse called?”

Daohua’s attention shifted, and she looked at the chestnut horse in front of her. She was terrible at coming up with names, and couldn’t think of a good one right away.

After staring at the chestnut horse’s red-brown coat for a moment, she said, “I’ll name my horse ‘Red Date.’”

Uh...

The horse yard fell into a brief silence.

“Hahaha!”

After a few seconds, Yan Wenkai burst out laughing, pointing at Daohua. “Red Date! Hahaha, little sister, that name is so... hahaha, it’s even funnier than anything I could come up with.”

Others chuckled or coughed to hide their laughter.

Xiao Yeyang was also speechless. A heavenly steed named Red Date? This Daohua really never forgot about food!

Daohua pouted and quietly stared at Yan Wenkai, making him uncomfortable until he finally stopped laughing and quieted down.

Yan Wenkai, realizing Daohua wasn’t happy, awkwardly smiled. “Actually, Red Date is a pretty good name. It makes you think of red dates, and it fits this horse well.”

“Come on, little sister, let me teach you how to ride.” He started to step forward to help Daohua onto the horse.

Daohua quickly stepped back. “No, I’m not ready yet.”

Yan Wenkai was speechless. “It’s just a young horse. What do you need to prepare for? Come on, don’t worry, with me here, you won’t fall.”

Daohua continued to retreat, holding the reins. “It’s because you’re here that I’m worried. You only just learned how to ride, and now you want to teach me?”

Yan Wenkai was displeased. “I may not have learned long, but I’m good at it! Didn’t you see that I won first place in the riding competition just now?”

Daohua shook her head without hesitation. “I didn’t see it. Fourth Brother, please go away. I don’t want you to teach me. I’d rather have Sixth Brother teach me. You go do your own thing.”

Seeing Daohua dismiss Yan Wenkai like that, everyone burst into laughter.

(End of this chapter)