Chapter 10:- Restless Heart

That soft, damp whisper slipped into Chen Lian’s ears, and his gaze darkened involuntarily.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Jiang Rao’s hand reaching forward. Against the rough, sun-browned skin of his arm, her slender jade-white fingers looked almost translucent, as if they could glow with light.

Just a moment ago, that little hand had only been lightly resting on him; yet when he urged the horse to go a little faster, she had been frightened enough to grab onto him tightly and not let go.

Chen Lian pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth. This time, he didn’t bother with the usual thought of propriety between men and women, nor did he hesitate. He simply followed her words naturally, one hand guiding the horse, the other encircling her slender waist and didn’t let go the entire way.

So soft.

Those two words floated, hazy, through his mind.

He tightened his legs against the horse’s body, and Silver Moon followed by gathering its hooves and surging forward in a swift rush. The sharp wind brushed violently across their faces, whistling in their ears.

Yet in that moment, he could hear nothing of the wind. All he heard was Jiang Rao’s light, alluring voice in front of him. “Chen Lian, slow down a little… Chen Lian…”

Chen Lian clenched his jaw, the muscles along his throat bobbing uncontrollably, heat rising sharply through his body.

Did she even know what she was saying?

Jiang Rao was clearly begging him to ride slower, yet he kept his face stiff and unmoved. Not only did he refuse to comply, he even gathered strength little by little, almost imperceptibly.

His legs pressed more firmly against the horse’s sides making Silver Moon galloped at full speed.
And with Jiang Rao pressed against him, his thoughts grew restless and wild.

Her body leaned forward against his, her soft voice sounding again and again, striking straight against his heart.

“Chen Lian, you’re too fast… slower, slower…”

The more she pleaded like that, the more agitated he became and unable to stop.

Half-squinting his eyes, Chen Lian gripped the reins tightly in his hand. No matter how he tried to restrain himself, he couldn’t resist that dark, instinctive desire that belonged to all men by nature.

He truly did enjoy hearing his name called out from her lips; so soft, so wet, the sound of it didn’t feel like he was teaching her how to ride, but rather like… he was riding her.

A strand of her hair brushed against his jaw, winding around it lightly; his chin tensed, the faint tickle spreading straight into his chest.

The scenery at their sides flowed backward like water. The once-smooth meadow gradually turned into brush and woods; they had ridden from the northern side all the way across to the southern edge. Any farther and they would reach the South Gate.

Chen Lian pulled sharply on the reins just in time; there were guards at the southern gate.

When Jiang Rao felt the horse finally slow, the taut string in her chest relaxed at last. She didn’t understand what had happened to Chen Lian just now as he seemed to have suddenly become absorbed in riding, his energy even more vigorous, carrying her along recklessly in a burst of wild excitement.

She hadn’t noticed much else; all she could hear was his breath beside her ear; heavy, low, and rough. Each time she called his name, that breath grew even darker, deeper.

Chen Lian turned the horse around with a firm pull of the reins, and at the same time released the hand that had been pressed against her body. Jiang Rao looked down for a moment, when she heard his voice, low and hoarse. “How did it feel?”

Jiang Rao took the reins from his hand, thought seriously for a moment, then replied, “Riding with the wind is certainly exhilarating, but it would be better if it were a little slower. You rode too fast, it made me a bit dizzy.”

That speed, for a beginner like her, truly wasn’t suitable. Starting off with something that difficult was discouraging.

Besides, the whole time he had been showing off his skill. Aside from that one moment earlier when she’d deliberately ridden into the pit to get closer to him, all the control afterward had been entirely in his hands.

Still, considering how patiently and seriously he’d been teaching her, Jiang Rao kindly decided to overlook such a small shortcoming.

Then she heard him say suddenly, “Why didn’t you ask me how I felt?”

What kind of question was that?

Jiang Rao blinked, momentarily puzzled, but still cooperatively followed his lead and asked, “Then… how did you feel?”

He didn’t answer her question instead he countered with one of his own. “Do you remember how many times you called my name just now?”

“I…” Jiang Rao was taken aback.

She really had been calling his name out of fear, begging him to slow down but who would ever count how many times?

“Sixteen times,” he said, answering himself. Then, as if speaking to himself, added, “I rode that horse  and it felt… very satisfying.”

Jiang Rao blinked again, even more confused at the strange connection between those two statements. They didn’t seem related at all yet he’d emphasized it like it was.

And what was with that uneasy expression on his face?

“The hour’s getting late.” Jiang Rao, unable to decipher him, glanced up at the sky, her voice tinged with concern.

“Mm.”

“I have to go. If I’m any later, my family will realize I slipped out.”

“Mm.”

Again, it was a single sound, low and rough, spilling from his nose, his voice brushing right beside her ear.

After that, he said nothing more. He guided Jiang Rao back the same way they’d come. Compared to before, though, she noticed his pace had slowed considerably. His riding was steady even unhurried.

She couldn’t help thinking that if he had gone this slow when teaching her, it would have been much better.

When they neared the northern gate, the horse stopped. He swung down easily, then, before Jiang Rao could speak, he caught her by the waist and lifted her down smoothly from the saddle.

Her feet touched the ground but Chen Lian’s hands didn’t withdraw right away. Jiang Rao looked up in confusion, and only then did he abruptly release her.

She thought nothing of it, assuming he’d merely feared she hadn’t steadied herself. Nodding politely, she turned to take her leave.

But Chen Lian suddenly called out to stop her.

“When will you come again to learn?”

After a pause, he turned his gaze aside and added quietly, “Since I promised to teach you, I ought to see it through.”

Jiang Rao truly wanted to come again, but after considering her situation, she could only say, “Today I only managed to sneak out because I found an opportunity and had a friend’s help. As for next time… I’ll have to wait for another suitable chance.”

He asked again, “When will that be?”

Jiang Rao’s expression showed faint embarrassment. She could only explain, “As an unmarried daughter confined within the inner quarters, I can’t easily appear in public without reason.
It’s always difficult to find the right chance and I can’t keep troubling my friend to climb over walls for me.”

Chen Lian frowned slightly, glancing at her with a look of thought.

Seeing his displeasure, Jiang Rao feared he might misunderstand and think she wasn’t truly earnest about learning. Flustered, she quickly lifted her hand and tugged lightly on his sleeve, rocking it as she pleaded softly, “Can you wait for me?”

She was afraid that, if too much time passed, he might change his mind and refuse to teach her again.

Chen Lian didn’t reply immediately. He lowered his eyes to look at her hand, that little hand still clutching his sleeve, swinging back and forth without decorum. After staring for a moment, his expression finally softened a little, and he spoke, somewhat reluctantly, “Just don’t take too long.”

Jiang Rao quickly raised her hand in promise, her face brightening with a radiant smile. “I won’t! I’m clever, I’ll find a way soon enough.”

Chen Lian cast her a sidelong glance, a faint, meaningful look in his eyes. Then, slowly, he said, “Your handkerchief is still with me.”

At that, Jiang Rao froze slightly.

She had come to find him under the pretense of retrieving that handkerchief, but after an entire afternoon of riding, she had never once mentioned it again. It was hard to believe her intentions had been so simple.

“I… um…” Jiang Rao stammered.

“I’ll bring it for you next time,” Chen Lian said.

That eased her embarrassment somewhat, and she quickly answered, “All right.” Only a moment later did she realize that somehow, they had stumbled into another agreement between them.
This “next time” had become much more certain.

—-

At the northern gate of the riding grounds, Jiang Rao said goodbye to Chen Lian and went to the rendezvous point to find Ge Ruyan.

As she approached the lawn, she saw Ge Ruyan lying comfortably on the grass, sound asleep. Clever as ever, she had even found a large leaf to shade her eyes from the sun.

A mischievous thought flashed through Jiang Rao’s mind. She tiptoed closer, intending to startle her but Ge Ruyan’s ears were sharp as a fox’s. The instant Jiang Rao stepped nearer, she sensed her.

Her eyes flew open at once, sharp and alert. Her whole posture shifted, ready to strike; Jiang Rao was so startled by her sudden defensiveness that she froze in place, not daring to move.

“Oh, it’s you.”

Once Ge Ruyan recognized her, she dropped her guard at once. Her serious look melted into one of lazy amusement.

Covering a yawn with one hand, she gave Jiang Rao a teasing glance and said, “Took you long enough. Looks like things got pretty intense, huh?”

“What?” Jiang Rao blinked, not understanding.

“Let me see if your lips are swollen.”

It took Jiang Rao a second to process it and when she saw the smirk playing at Ge Ruyan’s mouth, realization struck. Her face went hot at once, words failing her.

How could she ever handle such teasing?

In both her past and present lives, the people Jiang Rao had associated with were all noble ladies whose every gesture and every word was bound by rules of decorum, even jokes were spoken with utmost restraint.

Never had she heard such coarse, flirtatious remarks.

Of course, Ge Ruyan had the free spirit of a woman from the jianghu; the martial world. Still, once Jiang Rao collected herself, she refused to be toyed with. Lifting her brows, she said coolly, “If you keep teasing me, when I return home I’ll go to my second brother and tell him that the thief who slipped into our house is a little beauty who has her eyes on him.”

Sure enough, the moment those words left her lips, Ge Ruyan visibly tensed.

She quickly reined in her grin and tried to appease her. “Good little sister, I won’t tease you anymore.”

Jiang Rao curved her lips, satisfied. At least this round, she hadn’t lost face.

When they arrived back at the Marquis’s residence, Ge Ruyan, familiar with every shortcut led Jiang Rao in through the back gate.

Before leaving, Jiang Rao reminded her, “My second brother will send guards again tonight. He’s still angry so he won’t rest until he’s caught the thief. You’d better be careful.”

“Then let him catch me,” Ge Ruyan replied carelessly.

Jiang Rao shook her head and said worriedly, “My second brother is a man of upright character; very proper and serious. I’m afraid if he catches you, he might hand you straight over to the authorities.”

Ge Ruyan, however, was unfazed. She stepped closer, pinched Jiang Rao’s cheek with a grin, and said playfully, “Children shouldn’t worry about grown-ups’ matters. If he really insists on turning me in, I’ll just cling to his leg and beg, ‘Husband, spare me!’”

Jiang Rao’s eyes went wide with shock. She was so startled by those outrageous words that she could only gape at her, speechless.

Ge Ruyan let go, waved lightly, and with light steps vanished into the night, gone without a trace, like a shadow slipping away.

Jiang Rao stood there, dazed, unable to tell for a moment who she ought to be worrying about.

Author’s Note:

Their inner thoughts—

Rao’er: What do I do?? I don’t know how to flirt?? Was I too stiff??
Ah-Lian: (cough…) Heaven help me… how is she so soft? So sweet?

T’s Cultural Notes:

• Jianghu: the world of wandering martial artists, adventurers, and outlaws often contrasted with official, gentry society.