Clara raised an eyebrow, then cheekily pointed to the Four Books as well. Emily huffed, "You're so greedy!"—but didn't hesitate. "Deal!"
"But you mustn't damage them," she added proudly. "When you're done copying, return them immediately. Those are annotated by my father—someone once offered a fortune to buy them, and I refused!"
"And another thing!" She jabbed her finger again. "You're not allowed to lend them to anyone else. Swear it—may lightning strike you if you break your promise!"
Clara chuckled and raised her hand, solemnly miming a blood oath. Then she crossed her arms. "Any other demands, my lady?"
Emily nodded firmly. "Yes!"
Clara, indulgent, said, "Do tell."
Lowering her voice, Emily whispered, "Don't let my father find out."
"No problem." Clara took her hand, and with a playful glint in her eye, said, "Give me five!"
Emily blinked. "Give you what rice?"
"Miss, it's time for lunch!" Nanny Qiao called from outside the study.
Clara strolled out eagerly. "Rice time."
"Hmm?" Emily frowned. That didn't sound quite right… Wasn't she just talking about some kind of rice?
Trailing behind Clara, she persisted. "What rice did you mean just now?"
Clara accepted the large ceramic bowl from Ivy, tapped the rim with her chopsticks—ding, ding!—and said, as earnestly as a trickster could, "Just meant lunch. Nothing else. Now go eat up—we've got training this afternoon."
At the word "training," Emily immediately forgot her question and dashed off. She had no idea what kind of training was in store, but she was brimming with naive anticipation.
The Ding family did own horses. Though they were typically used to pull carts, they would suffice.
They even had a proper saddle—it belonged to Young Master Ding. Clara had Giles bring it out and strapped it onto a horse. Then, with Emily now changed into a fitted short-sleeved tunic and pants, they led the horse out to the road.
Right outside the Ding estate lay a wide earthen road—over two meters across, straight and stretching east to west for at least two or three hundred meters.
This road connected Goldstone Town to the Ding clan's ancestral village. Few people used it on a regular day.
The morning rain had long dried under the noon sun, and the path was firm and ready.
Clara mounted the horse in one smooth motion, then scooped up Emily and set her in the saddle in front of her. Excited squeals followed immediately.
Nanny Qiao and Butler Hugh exchanged nervous glances, hearts in their throats.
Thankfully, Clara handled the reins with skill, and the horse was docile by nature. As it began to trot along the road, Emily's delighted shrieks echoed down the lane.
Butler Hugh sighed, glancing toward Nanny Qiao. "If Master Ding returns and finds out Miss can ride and shoot, will he be… pleased?"
Nanny Qiao grimaced. "One would hope."
After all, the master doted on his daughter. Maybe, perhaps, hopefully… he wouldn't mind her picking up skills usually reserved for boys.
Despite their unease, they couldn't deny how radiant Emily looked atop the horse, laughing so freely.
The two servants sat beside the stone lion statues at the estate gate, watching Clara and Emily ride back and forth down the road. For a moment, it felt like their hearts rode along with them.
But then Emily's cheerful laughter started to change in pitch—more alarmed than amused. The horse had picked up speed, and she was bouncing in the saddle.
Her laughter stopped. Terrified, she threw herself forward, arms wrapped around the horse's sturdy neck, head buried in its mane, eyes squeezed shut. "Make it stop! Stop!!"
It didn't work.
A hand reached over from behind and gently turned her head upright.
"Look ahead. Watch the road. I'm right behind you. Don't be scared."
Clara's voice was calm, firm, and close.
Emily took a deep breath and slowly opened her eyes.
Dust whipped past with a "whoosh!" and she flinched, instinctively wanting to shut her eyes again.
"Keep them open!" Clara barked.
Startled, Emily's eyes flew wide.
Soon, Clara pressed her down into a forward-leaning position. Together they leaned slightly to the horse's left side, letting its body shield them from the dust and wind. The road became visible again.
"We don't have time for you to bond with the horse or get used to your surroundings," Clara said lowly. "So listen and remember every word I say."
"First—riding isn't just sitting there while the horse runs. You have to command it. Control the reins. Make it follow your rhythm."
Emily hesitated. Wasn't it supposed to be the rider adjusting to the horse's gait? She clearly remembered her brother's riding instructor saying something like that…
Never mind. Right now, Clara's word was law—if she dawdled, she'd end up eating dirt.
"Overcome your fear. There's nothing to be afraid of. As long as you hold the reins, you won't fall."
Really? Emily had her doubts.
But she obediently took the reins Clara handed her.
Almost immediately, the horse's pace slowed—it could tell that the person now holding the reins was someone new.
Emily exhaled in relief. As Clara continued giving her quiet instructions, she adjusted her posture and tried to control the horse.
With Clara still right behind her, she slowly started to relax.
And without fear, everything felt more manageable—gentler.
Under Emily's timid guidance, the horse slowed to a leisurely walk, each step measured and steady as they strolled the length of the road.
"It's so good…" she turned and gave Clara a delighted grin. "I'm starting to get the hang of it!"
Clara's lips curled up. "Try picking up the pace."
"Okay!"
Emily shook the reins. The horse received the cue and began a gentle trot—clip-clop, clip-clop.
It wasn't entirely obedient, so Clara coached her, "Give its side a light kick. Tell yourself this—You're the trainer. If the horse obeys, you reward it. If not, you correct it. You're the one in charge!"
Butler Hugh, eavesdropping from afar, felt a chill. Something about Clara's "horse training philosophy" didn't seem… quite right. But he couldn't put his finger on it.
Well, at least Miss seemed to be doing well. Hopefully, it was fine…
Clara and Emily rode back and forth along the road until sunset. Clouds gathered overhead and the wind picked up—rain was coming. The two, now drenched in sweat, finally returned with the horse in tow.
"I need a bath," Clara announced.
Emily nodded, utterly worn out. She ordered Ivy to prepare water for Clara as well, and both of them retreated to their own rooms to soak away the fatigue.
After burning so much energy, Emily devoured three whole bowls of rice, leaving Nanny Qiao speechless.
When the meal ended and the excitement wore off, Emily could feel soreness creeping into every part of her body.
Clara came in and sat across from her. "Put your legs up," she said.
Emily did so, and Clara began massaging her tired muscles—firm but gentle, helping her loosen up.
(End of Chapter)
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