The couple’s May Day holiday plan fell through.
That’s just how Interpol is. When there’s nothing going on, they are really idle. Lin Wan clocks in every day, helps out in the liaison department, and has plenty of time to cultivate. But when things get busy, they get really busy, especially with all the missions that require travelling around the world.
Sure enough, she had only been back a few days, and just as the short holiday was approaching, another task came up.
With Lin Wan away, Lu Zheng rang his parents, told them he would be in seclusion for a few days, then put his phone into the gourd and travelled back to ancient times.
…
It was a clear summer day with drifting clouds for miles.
A gentle breeze blew, and hundreds of flowers bloomed on their own.
On the official road, scattered merchant caravans or travelling pedlars passed by. Whenever they heard the sound of hooves approaching from front or behind, they would move closer to the edge to let the faster mounted group go past.
At that moment, a convoy of more than a dozen large carts was slowly moving forward under the protection of several guards when they suddenly heard hoofbeats coming from ahead.
“Move aside, move aside!”
“Clear the way, clear the way!”
Better not to invite trouble. If you can yield, yield. In these times, anyone who can afford to ride a horse is usually someone you don’t want to mess with.
The guards directed the drivers to pull the carts closer to the roadside, freeing up half of the already narrow official road.
Just as the convoy made space, everyone caught sight of the riders ahead.
One man and one woman, two swift horses.
A yellow horse with a cyan mane carried a scholar dressed in a blue long robe. He had sharp brows, bright eyes, angular features, a spirited gaze, and radiant energy. A long sword hung beside his saddle, giving him the air of someone accomplished in both letters and martial arts.
A black horse with white stockings carried a woman in a pink long dress. Although she wore a pink veil over her face, her stunning, enchanting beauty was still evident, especially her pair of peach-blossom eyes that rippled with seductive charm, as if water might spill from them at any moment.
“What a perfect couple!”
“The man is talented, the woman is beautiful. Truly a match made in heaven!”
Everyone’s eyes were filled with envy as they watched the man and woman gallop past the convoy on whipping horses, disappearing into the dust.
…
“Lu-lang!”
“Hm?” Lu Zheng turned his head towards Shen Ying, who was riding Taxue beside him.
“Heehee, nothing, I just wanted to call you Lu-lang.” Shen Ying smiled, her peach-blossom eyes rippling like water, full of joy.
Lu Zheng smiled too and adjusted the speed of Huangfeng beneath him to conserve its strength.
Shen Ying also reined in Taxue, bringing it closer to Huangfeng so they could ride shoulder to shoulder.
“There’s plenty of time, and the journey is long. We’re not in a hurry. If we really can’t find anywhere to stay, I’ve prepared a tent,” Lu Zheng said.
Shen Ying nodded and looked ahead. “We’ve already left Yizhou territory.”
Lu Zheng nodded as well. “We’re in Yanzhou territory now. A new place.”
…
The day before yesterday, the two of them had set off from Tonglin County, bought two fine horses at a horse market, one called Huangfeng, the other Taxue. They did not ride the clouds or use magic to speed along. Instead, they simply travelled by horse, enjoying the scenery, sightseeing, and spring outings.
The previous day, they arrived at Yizhou prefecture, paid a visit to the Demon Suppression Division, and in the evening Chu Jin hosted a banquet. Duan Changzai, Du Huanzhen, You Che, and a few other experts who were acquainted with Lu Zheng joined as guests, and they all had a hearty meal at a restaurant.
Yesterday in Yizhou prefecture, he accompanied Shen Ying on a shopping stroll through the streets. They only set off again in the afternoon, and by this afternoon, they had finally left Yizhou territory.
After passing the border marker between the two prefectures, they no longer followed the official road. It wasn’t that Lu Zheng disliked the slower pace, but this trip with Shen Ying was meant to be a free, leisurely journey. The official road was full of people, winding here and there, and the scenery was nothing special. What fun would that be?
They came across a tea stall. Lu Zheng bought a bowl of tea, asked for directions, then led Shen Ying onto a smaller path, planning to pass through a stretch of beautiful forest on their way to their destination.
“That stall owner didn’t lie to me. What a sea of red maples.”
After riding several li into the forest, ordinary trees gradually gave way to towering red maples. Their leaves blazed like fire, a crimson ocean as far as the eye could see. When the breeze blew, the mountain full of red leaves rustled and swayed, making one feel as though they were floating among clouds.
“It’s so beautiful,” Shen Ying laughed.
This red maple forest felt different from her own peach grove. The peach blossoms were soft and misty, while these red maples carried a subtle air of solemn clarity.
The two rode shoulder to shoulder, no longer urging their horses forward. They simply loosened the reins, letting the two horses walk slowly along the forest path, resting them while admiring the scenery all around.
“Shall I do a quick sketch of you?” Lu Zheng asked with a smile.
Shen Ying’s eyes lit up, clearly tempted. “It won’t delay us, will it?”
“What do you think?” Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow. He had only drawn her portrait a couple of days ago.
“Heehee.” Shen Ying giggled slyly, threw him a flirtatious glance, and lightly ran the tip of her tongue across her upper lip. “I decide?”
Lu Zheng faltered for a moment. The night before last, at the inn in Yizhou, he had asked Shen Ying to sit by the window and drew her in pencil as “Lady Gazing at the Moon in Longing”. It really hadn’t taken long, but Shen Ying was so touched that she expressed her gratitude to Lu Zheng, and that gratitude lasted half the night.
So, truthfully, the time it took to paint a portrait was very hard to predict…
Shen Ying’s smile grew brighter. She flicked her whip, and Taxue reared and galloped forward. Looking back, she called laughingly, “Come chase me! If you catch me, I’ll let you draw me!”
Lu Zheng laughed heartily, clamped his legs, and Huangfeng immediately sped up, neighing as it chased after Taxue.
One black, one yellow, the two horses chased each other through the red maple forest and soon covered a great distance.
Then the two horses drew level again. Taxue’s back was now empty, while Huangfeng carried an extra figure in pink.
The pink figure nestled completely in the arms of the man in blue. With every rise and fall of the horse, she rose and fell with it, flushed and perspiring, softly moaning.
…
Shen Ying tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, ignoring the mischievous hand on her chest. She simply straightened her slightly dishevelled dress, adjusted herself into a more convenient position for Lu Zheng, and rested for a moment.
“Lu-lang?”
“Hm?”
“If you don’t start painting soon, we’ll be out of the forest!” Shen Ying laughed.
“Paint, paint, paint!” Lu Zheng nodded repeatedly. “Let’s find a beautiful red maple, and then…”
He suddenly stopped, withdrew his hand, and Shen Ying’s eyes flashed as she sat up straight.
“Do you think that stall owner knew?” Shen Ying turned to look at Lu Zheng with a charming smile.
Lu Zheng shrugged. “Honestly, I really couldn’t tell.”
Shen Ying nodded, trying not to laugh. “Neither could I. But if he sets up his stall there often, he ought to know, right?”
“Maybe he daren’t say anything? Perhaps there are people watching him at the tea stall?” Lu Zheng still preferred not to think the worst of people.
“Mm, mm, mm!” Shen Ying nodded vigorously.
Her husband was kind-hearted, so of course she would go along with whatever he said.
Lu Zheng held Shen Ying’s slender waist as the two of them rode together along the forest path, a warm and loving picture.
The next moment, three people appeared ahead on the path, two more behind, suddenly stepping out from behind trees, their faces full of greed as they stared at the couple.
