flstandardbreds Chapter 334 Galloping on Horseback
Chapter 334 Galloping on Horseback
In the afternoon, the six of them finished their meal in the courtyard of the inn. While the dishes weren't gourmet delicacies, they were still plentiful and delicious, leaving everyone very satisfied. After eating and drinking their fill, Ye Qingchen enthusiastically suggested, "With such beautiful weather, it's boring to stay cooped up in this inn all day. Why don't we go out for a ride?" This suggestion was immediately echoed by the other five, as all six were skilled riders, and their desire to gallop on horseback had long been burning within them. Coming to the grasslands without riding a horse would be a real waste.
The group quickly arrived at the stables. The horses there were all plump and strong, with glossy coats; they had all brought them from the capital. Several fine horses from the Western Regions had been sent there and improved by Ye Qingchen in his spatial dimension. These horses were not only more intelligent but also exceptionally capable. They skillfully chose their mounts, teasing each other as they did so. "Hey, look at this horse! It's so black and shiny, like a dark cloud in the night sky. It looks incredibly fast. I'll have to ride it and show off!" Bai Yufei laughed. Bai Zhi retorted, "That's nothing! My horse has long limbs and a lithe body. It'll run like a swallow. I won't lose to you later!" Amidst laughter and chatter, the six of them each chose their horses and galloped off. To avoid unnecessary trouble, they carefully tied their valuables to their saddles; these were essential items for their journey and couldn't be separated from them for even a moment.
There were other items stored inside the carriage, but no one at the post station dared to touch them. This post station was run by the government, and only the wealthy and powerful could afford to stay there. Those working at the post station knew that making such a basic mistake and touching things they shouldn't would bring them serious trouble later. Even being barred from doing business there would be a huge loss, so the items in the carriage remained untouched, and no one dared to lay a finger on them.
The six men rode out of the post station in a grand procession. Instead of wandering the bustling streets, they unanimously decided to head to the grasslands outside the city. On the way out of the city, a gentle breeze blew, and the wildflowers and grasses along the roadside swayed in the wind, as if offering blessings for their journey. Along the way, they chatted and laughed, reminiscing about past anecdotes and expressing their anticipation for their upcoming trip to the grasslands.
Before long, they arrived at the grassland. The sight before them left them all in awe. The vast, boundless grassland stretched out like an endless green carpet, reaching all the way to the horizon. White clouds drifted lazily across the azure sky, seemingly within reach. In the distance, several rolling mountains appeared and disappeared, forming a breathtakingly beautiful picture with the grassland. The grass on the grassland grew extremely lush, knee-high blades of grass rippling in the gentle breeze. The air was filled with the fragrance of fresh grass mixed with the aroma of earth, a truly invigorating experience.
At this moment, Ye Qingchen, riding her horse, gazed at the picturesque scenery before her. Suddenly, a familiar song floated into her mind: "Let us live freely and unrestrained in this mortal world, galloping on horseback and sharing the splendor of life, drinking and singing, expressing the joy in our hearts, seizing the fleeting years of youth with fervor..." She couldn't help but hum along. At first, her voice was a little soft, but gradually, the other five were also infected by her singing and joined in. Their singing echoed across the grassland, startling flocks of birds perched in the grass. The birds flapped their wings and flew into the sky, as if they too were cheering for their joy.
As they sang, Gu Mochen suggested, "With such a beautiful view, why don't we have a horse race and see who has the best riding skills?" Everyone immediately perked up and agreed. They chose a flat, open grassland as their racecourse, agreeing on a start and finish line. With everything ready, a loud shout rang out, "Start!" All six riders simultaneously tightened their spurs on their horses, and with a gentle flick of their whips, the six horses shot off like arrows. The sound of hooves echoed across the grassland like a rapid drumbeat, kicking up dust and grass that flew in the sunlight.
At first, everyone's horses were neck and neck, evenly matched. But gradually, as the distance increased, the difference between the horses and riders began to emerge. Gu Mochen's black horse, with its explosive power, gradually surged ahead. He waved his whip and shouted loudly, cheering on his mount. Ye Qingchen was not to be outdone; she clung tightly to her horse's back, relying on her excellent riding skills and perfect coordination with her horse to keep it in the lead. Bai Zhi and Fuling were also working hard to catch up; their eyes were focused and determined, and they constantly whispered encouragement to their horses. Bai Yufei and Song Ming, on the other hand, were in no hurry, following behind, protecting their women.
During the horse race, the scenery of the grassland flashed by like a movie. Green grass, wildflowers, blue sky, white clouds—everything blurred, leaving only the whistling wind and the rapid pounding of hearts. Everyone raced neck and neck, and finally, amidst cheers, the black horse crossed the finish line first, winning the race. Gu Mochen excitedly waved his whip, his face beaming with victory. The others, though somewhat disappointed, applauded and congratulated him; after all, the process of the race was the most important thing, and everyone had experienced the joy of horseback riding and the charm of the grassland in this fierce competition.
After the horse race, everyone was a little tired, so they slowed down and strolled leisurely across the grassland. They admired the surrounding scenery, stopping occasionally to pick wildflowers by the roadside or bend down to stroke the soft grass. Ye Qingchen jumped off his horse, lay down on the grass, and gazed at the sky, his heart filled with peace and contentment. The sun was gradually setting, and a magnificent sunset painted the entire grassland golden. Then, Song Ming used a stone to hit a wild goat and a rabbit. Fuling smiled and suggested, "Let's build a fire here and have something to eat tonight, experiencing the grassland night." Everyone agreed. So, everyone sprang into action, searching for dry branches and withered grass. Soon, a campfire was burning brightly on the grassland. The flames roared, illuminating a small area and warming everyone's bodies. They took the dry rations and drinks they had brought from their saddles, sat around the campfire, and ate and drank while continuing their conversation, skewering skinned sheep and rabbits with willow branches.
Bathed in the firelight, everyone's faces shimmered. They shared their stories, some of adventures on their journeys, others of life's insights. Laughter echoed across the grassland, mingling with the distant chirping of insects to create a beautiful nocturne. Ye Qingchen gazed at the campfire, her heart filled with emotion. She felt that spending time together on this secluded grassland, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world, was such a precious and wonderful thing. Here, there were no worldly disturbances, no pursuit of fame and fortune, only the purest joy and the most sincere friendship.
The night deepened, and the stars filled the entire sky, each one seemingly about to fall, like jewels embedded in the black canvas. The campfire gradually died down, leaving only a few embers flickering faintly. Everyone was getting sleepy, so they hurried to the post station. When they arrived, only the main hall at the front of the building was still lit; almost all the lights in the surrounding buildings were off. Only the entrances to the courtyards had lights flickering on.