Chapter 12

◎Today is a joyous day◎

Ruiming was assigned to teach Xue Lingyu manners. Although the Jiang family was not particularly particular about etiquette and ordinary manners were sufficient, Xue Lingyu was going there to be a concubine.

Concubines not only had to serve the wife, but were also practically half-slave. They were not even allowed to sit with the wife during meals and could only start eating after the wife had finished.

The Xue family has always groomed Xue Lingyu as a future benefactor, at the very least a master of a wealthy family. He is virtuous, elegant, calm, and gentle, and he cannot be tainted by the seductive skills of those concubines.

The purpose of a concubine's existence is to please the wife.

Although Ruiming was young, he had been married before and could offer some advice on sexual matters.

“Young Master Xue, a concubine must always respect her mistress in everything, especially in the bedroom. The principal wife must maintain a certain air, but a concubine need not. If the mistress prefers more variety, she must do her best to satisfy her.”

Ruiming handed the book to Xue Lingyu, saying expressionlessly, "Young Master Xue, this is what the Lord asked me to give you. There are a few movements in it that make it easier to conceive. Please remember them well, but everything should be based on Miss's preference."

Xue Lingyu was utterly astonished by this, and his face immediately turned bright red. However, he couldn't refuse, so he clutched the package in his hand.

Rui knew that men were generally very concerned about saving face in such matters, but he had been instructed by his lord to take good care of this young master Xue so that he could fulfill his mission of ensuring the continuation of the Jiang family line.

Therefore, he spoke boldly and even gestured to teach Xue Lingyu a few moves. After this, Xue Lingyu almost lost her composure and her body became uncharacteristically swaying.

Ruiming knew when to stop, so he let it go for the time being. "Young Master Xue, that's enough for today. But once you enter the Jiang family, please remember to put Miss first in everything and never forget to address her as 'My Lady,' as a concubine is to fulfill your duty."

Father Jiang specifically instructed that Xue Lingyu's arrogance must be suppressed. What kind of young master from a prestigious family is he? In the future, he will only be a concubine of the Jiang family. He must not have any arrogant temper or haughty pride.

Xue Lingyu's jaw clenched, and she exhaled a cold breath. "I will always remember my duty. Thank you."

After Ruiming left, the servants in the house brought Xue Lingyu food, all of which were made from expensive ingredients. Even in the past, the Xue family would only have such food on the dinner table on important holidays.

For example, oysters and scallops are foods that replenish qi and blood, which are very beneficial to men's health.

Jiang's father had the intention of having him bear a child for Jiang He, so he would naturally make sure he was well-nourished and would try to conceive a daughter.

Xue Lingyu looked at the dazzling array of food on the table, and finally picked up her chopsticks and started eating.

It was just a matter of taking a concubine, so the Jiang family didn't make any big moves. Especially under the deliberate actions of Jiang's father, everything was calm and peaceful. Xue Lingyu's status was already downgraded before she even entered the family.

Aside from showing some surprise when she first heard the news from her father, Jiang He made no other comment. She even left all the chores for welcoming the concubine to Yuan Ge, who was by her side.

Even on this auspicious day, Jiang He did not show the slightest joy at taking a concubine.

The concubines were usually welcomed in the evening through the side gate. Jiang's father would take care of everything, so Jiang He was free during the day.

Unable to fathom Jiang He's thoughts, Yuan Ge suggested, "The horse farm in the eastern suburbs has recently acquired a new Akhal-Teke horse. Would you like to go and take a look, Miss?"

Horsemanship is something that noble ladies learn from a young age. However, fine horses of exceptional quality are rare in the Fog City, but can often be seen in the capital.

Jiang He had long heard about the arrival of a magnificent horse at the East Suburbs Horse Farm. Right now, she was feeling irritable, so she decided to go and clear her head.

She placed the ledger on the table, stood up in one swift motion, and said to Ji Xue and Yuan Ge at the same time, "Let's go."

Xue Zheng was squatting on the ground, idly drawing circles. When he heard that he could go out to play, he immediately jumped up from the ground with joy.

Jiang He patted his head, which calmed him down a bit.

The East Suburbs Horse Ranch was a favorite of the princes and nobles in the capital, and people would visit it almost every day. It is said that the owner of the horse ranch also had some connection with the royal family.

Normally, this Akhal-Teke horse wouldn't have been available to Jiang He, but because Jiang He was so generous and favored by His Majesty, the East Suburbs Horse Ranch had no choice but to give her face. Others who were envious gave up in vain.

“Miss Jiang, you must be careful. Several seasoned generals have been unable to tame this horse and nearly fell off and were injured. Do you think we should find an experienced master to guide you? If something happens... we can’t bear the responsibility.” The manager of the horse farm couldn’t help but advise, his face full of worry.

Ever since this Akhal-Teke horse arrived at the horse farm, many people have come to try and tame it, but without exception, they have all been thrown off by this spirited horse and ended up covered in dust.

If even generals who spend their days wielding swords and spears are like this, then it goes without saying that Jiang He, who seems pampered and has delicate skin, is no exception.

This business owner is incredibly generous; she paid nearly half the horse's value just for a test ride. But if anything goes wrong, His Majesty and that palace attendant would surely kill her. How could a mere manager bear such a heavy responsibility?

The horse ranch was very spacious, but there were quite a few people who were curious about Akhal-Teke horses or just wanted to see something exciting.

There's a rule about these Akhal-Teke horses: you have to pay a thousand taels of silver to try riding one. If you can tame it, you can take it away for a thousand taels of silver; if you fail to tame it, you won't get a penny back.

Some people nearly lost their lives under the horses' hooves, while some young masters who wanted to have fun could only watch helplessly, not daring to risk their lives.

Who knew that Jiang He would show up today? She's stupid and rich, and instead of living a comfortable life, she wants to become a victim of horses' hooves.

"Isn't this Jiang He? He used to be a notorious playboy in the capital. He probably couldn't even ride a horse and would fall off as soon as he got on."

"Taking a thousand taels of silver so easily, as if it were a windfall, the Jiang family is really rich and powerful. Jiang He will squander the Jiang family's wealth sooner or later."

"How about we make a bet and see if Jiang He can tame this Akhal-Teke horse?"

Jiang He heard the onlookers' words. The manager looked at her hopefully, but Jiang He tightened her wristband, her lips slightly twitched, and she said without hesitation, "No need. Even if something happens to me, it has nothing to do with the horse farm. I will take full responsibility for the consequences."

She raised her head, her gaze sharp and intense, sweeping over those who had been gossiping about her. Her voice was deep and resolute: "Besides, who said that I, Jiang He, cannot tame this horse?"

Her words were full of confidence.

The person in charge knew that no matter how much he insisted, he couldn't change her mind, so he could only silently pray that nothing bad would happen.

A gambling game suddenly appeared at the East Suburbs Horse Ranch, and people placed bets. Most of them were young ladies from aristocratic families, but some gentle young men also joined in the fun, and it became quite lively for a while.

Jiang He's reputation among the people of the capital was that she was a carefree, dissolute young man who spent her days idly. Horse riding was one of the six arts for women, and no one had ever seen her ride a horse in person, so most people who bet on her lost.

After the betting was almost over, Jiang He mounted his horse under everyone's watchful eyes. This horse was indeed a Akhal-Teke, with a natural fierceness in its bones. Jiang He held the reins tightly, so he didn't fall off right away.

All eyes were fixed on her. Amid the neighing of the Akhal-Teke horses, Jiang He remained remarkably calm, sitting steadily on the horse's back.

Once the Akhal-Teke horse had calmed down, Jiang He began to gallop across the riding arena.

She was dressed in a white outfit, her red hair ribbon fluttering in the wind. Her eyes were focused and serious as she stared ahead. The Akhal-Teke horse beneath her seemed to be born to be her mount, and the two worked together seamlessly.

Just from this scene, no one would doubt that Jiang He is not good at riding.

The fact that even a military general couldn't tame the Ferghana horse was actually tamed by a spoiled brat will only greatly change people's perception of Jiang He if word gets out.

The person in charge finally breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Those who wanted to see Jiang He make a fool of herself were destined to have their wishes dashed and could only stomp their feet and sigh in frustration.

The total stakes in the gambling game just now were estimated at nearly five thousand taels of silver. Many people lost everything, while only two people bet on Jiang He to win.

When Yuange closed the betting pool, she discovered that besides her, there was another person who had bet on the young lady to win, and it turned out to be a handsome young man.

The young master was fair-skinned and refined. When he saw Yuan Ge counting silver notes until her hands were sore, he smiled slightly while waving his folding fan and revealed the secret: "The person who opened the deal was Jiang He's maid. She made five thousand taels in one go. That's really a huge profit."

"But I didn't expect her to be able to ride a horse. It seems she's not as crude as people say."

Yuange didn't know the identity of the young man in front of her, but judging from his clothes, he was definitely not an ordinary person, and his tone seemed to be scrutinizing her young lady.

Before she could hand over the winning silver notes to the young master, he left with a group of servants behind him.

With such demeanor and appearance, when Yuan Ge later told Jiang He about it, she knew that the person who saw through the gambling game was the Fifth Prince.

The Fifth Prince is deeply favored by His Majesty, unlike the other princes who are confined to the deep palace. He can come to the horse farm in the eastern suburbs whenever he wants, which shows that he is indeed extraordinary.

Yuange was startled and couldn't help but worry about Jiang He. "Miss, what the Fifth Prince said...does that mean he has taken a liking to you? If he goes back and begs His Majesty to grant us a marriage, won't you be suffering an undeserved disaster?"

Yuan Ge was both happy that Jiang He had shed her reputation as a playboy, and worried that the prince's marriage would fall on her shoulders.

The royal princesses are not easy to serve, and the Fifth Prince is no ordinary person either; otherwise, he wouldn't still be unmarried at the age of sixteen or seventeen.

Jiang He had just successfully tamed the horse, and this momentous event was nothing to worry about for her. She led the Akhal-Teke horse forward and said nonchalantly to Yuan Ge, "Such a thing will not happen."

"Miss, you must take this to heart." Yuange was extremely anxious.

Seeing that she was really anxious, Jiang He had no choice but to stop and explain, "The selection of a prince's wife must be approved by the Ministry of Rites. Based on my past reputation, those old guys in the Ministry of Rites will not agree. Besides, I am going to take a concubine, and His Majesty will not agree to the marriage at this time."

Moreover, with her brother in the palace, Jiang He had even less to worry about.

This was the first time Yuan Ge had heard her bring up the topic of taking a concubine, so she couldn't help but say, "Miss, so you still remember about taking a concubine. Today is your big day, why don't you go back early so as not to keep the newlyweds waiting?"

◎Latest Comments:

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[Sobbing, my heart aches for you]

[Sprinkling flowers]

[The prince's storyline has appeared so early? I thought it would only appear after the main characters realized their feelings for each other.]

I'm feeling a bit sad. Let's be kinder to Yu Yu.

[I just need to thoroughly humiliate him, vent my anger, and then I can resolve my inner conflict.]

[Short, keep it up! Keep it up! Keep it up!]

[So short, sob sob]

[He has taken a concubine]

Hello, short!

【Short, short (ò︵ò)】

[Hoping for more updates!]

-over-