Chapter 14: 14 The Disciple Is Not Good at Riding Horses! (Please Follow!)

After the pleasantries.

Ning Mu followed Liu Qingmei to the stables.

"Little Muzi, where have you been these past two days?"

Seeing Ning Mu appear.

The stable manager, Lao Zhangtou, who was inspecting the stables, was instantly overjoyed.

Ning Mu had been taken away suddenly a few days ago, and there had been no news since, which had worried him greatly.

After all.

The two had kept each other company for years; the lonely and childless Lao Zhangtou had almost come to treat him like his own half-son, passing down all his skills in healing, selecting, and riding horses.

How could he not be worried when he disappeared without a reason?

He hadn't even been able to eat well.

Seeing Ning Mu appear at this moment, his eyes lit up instantly.

But immediately.

Lao Zhangtou's expression shifted slightly, and he hurriedly bowed to pay his respects.

"Greetings, Manor Mistress!"

"Mm."

Liu Qingmei nodded. Without conversing much with Lao Zhang, she turned to look at Ning Mu, her face kind and gentle, and said in a melodious voice, "Little Mu, choose a mount for yourself. Any unowned mount may be chosen to make your future travels more convenient."

Hearing this.

Ning Mu was not surprised.

However, it left Lao Zhang stunned for a moment, and he gazed at Liu Qingmei and Ning Mu with a look of astonishment.

This kid... what is going on!

Why is the Manor Mistress so affectionate toward him?

Suddenly.

Lao Zhangtou had a flash of insight and couldn't help but recall the rumors circulating among the servants these past few days.

They said a handsome young man named Ning Mu had been fortunate enough to be taken under the Manor Mistress's wing as her Personal Disciple! That was a Personal Disciple!

No different from a biological son! At first, he had wondered if this Ning Mu might be the same Ning Mu under his supervision.

But thinking about it, it felt ridiculous.

One was the high and mighty Manor Mistress of Cangjian Villa, renowned in the martial arts world, and the successor to the Liu Family Sword Technique.

The other was a lowly stable hand, humble as dust.

It was fated that the two could never have any connection.

Therefore, Lao Zhang had only assumed that the Ning Mu the Manor Mistress had taken in was not the Ning Mu he knew.

But now...

He finally understood! So, this brat Ning Mu had truly struck gold; once he gained power, he had leaped over the dragon gate as a Personal Disciple!

From now on, he would soar into the sky.

He would never again be like him, living at the very bottom, a mere ant whose life was as cheap as grass, to be manipulated and trampled by others! At this moment, having understood, Lao Zhangtou was genuinely happy for Ning Mu! If one really counted, Ning Mu had entered the manor in his early years, and Lao Zhangtou had practically raised him himself.

This long-standing companionship had long since taken root in his heart.

Before the stables.

At a glance, there were countless fine horses.

Every one of them was exceptionally handsome and imposing.

There were over a thousand fine horses in the entire stable.

The mounts for everyone in Cangjian Villa were almost all kept here.

And as someone who started as a stable hand, Ning Mu naturally knew the merits and flaws of most of the horses.

"Manor Mistress, Young Master, please this way. Half a year ago, the Villa Master had someone purchase a batch of treasure horses from the Western Regions, and there are still several that haven't been claimed yet."

Lao Zhang led the way excitedly.

His form of address for Ning Mu also changed quietly at this moment, without the slightest bit of contempt.

"Old Zhang, I've made you worry these past few days."

Ning Mu looked at Lao Zhang, his tone intimate; he did not treat Lao Zhang with any neglect because of his change in status.

However, it was the memory of his predecessor, after all, so it would be a lie to say he was deeply grateful to Lao Zhang.

"It's nothing, it's nothing. As long as the Young Master is safe and sound, that's all that matters..."

Lao Zhang was slightly hunched, rubbing the back of his head with a silly grin, his wrinkles deep enough to run a horse through.

"Has Liao Kun been looking for trouble these past two days?" Ning Mu asked.

Although Lao Zhang was the manager of the stables, the procurement of supplies like fodder and soybeans for the horses was the responsibility of the deputy manager, Liao Kun.

Relying on the fact that his sister was a concubine of the Ye Family young master, Ye Yun, Liao Kun had always acted like the sole authority in the stables, using his position to line his own pockets, and had repeatedly looked for trouble, intending to replace Lao Zhang.

He deliberately mentioned this in front of Liu Qingmei to expose the matter to the eyes of the Ye Family's upper echelon.

To his former self and Lao Zhang, this was a massive issue.

But to Liu Qingmei, it was a trivial matter, no bigger than a sesame seed, that could be resolved with a single word. "No, no, it's been peaceful enough. I've been taking good care of that Xuezhui Treasure Horse you like; why don't you go take a look?"

Lao Zhang's eyes darted away as he changed the subject, leading Ning Mu and Liu Qingmei toward the stables.

In his heart, he felt that Ning Mu had only been under the Manor Mistress for two days and hadn't yet found his footing, so he shouldn't cause him any trouble.

Ning Mu clearly understood his intentions as well.

However, with Liu Qingmei present, he couldn't speak plainly, so he just nodded slightly, and the two continued their small talk.

Before long.

The group arrived at the stable where the Xuezhui Treasure Horse was kept.

This horse was fierce and tall, its eyes filled with an untamable spirit; its physique was robust and beautiful, its coat white and lustrous, like pristine snow, making it stand out among the herd like a crane in a flock of chickens.

From a distance, Liu Qingmei noticed the spirited air of this treasure horse.

This horse was absolutely a top-tier treasure horse.

The reason it was still without an owner was, firstly, because it was fierce and difficult to tame.

Secondly, it was because the Deputy Manager Liao Kun intended to keep it for himself, planning to present it as a gift to Young Master Ye Yun once it was tamed.

"This is the one."

Liu Qingmei spoke first.

"From now on, this Xuezhui will be your mount."

Liu Qingmei looked at Ning Mu, her eyes filled with a glimmer of doting affection.

Then.

Before Ning Mu could speak, she looked at Lao Zhang and said, "Manager Zhang, you are getting on in years; from now on, stay by Ning Mu's side and manage the inner estate for him. Your annual salary will be increased by twenty percent."

She was doing a favor that cost her nothing.

【Your arrangement has deeply moved your Binding Companion Ning Mu; Strategy Value increased by 7 points, current Strategy Value is 39 points!】

As expected.

Seeing the Strategy Value increase notification pop up on the system, Liu Qingmei's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but secretly praise herself for her wit.

"Thank you, Master!"

Ning Mu bowed.

"Thank you, Madam, for your kindness; this old servant will surely do his utmost to take good care of the Young Master!"

Lao Zhang was also so excited that his lips trembled, and he immediately bowed to express his gratitude.

Liu Qingmei waved her hand and turned to Liu Xiaoya, saying, "Xiaoya, go discuss with Fu Bo; for the manager of the horse farm, find someone clever, sensible, and honest to take over. That Liao..."

"Liao Kun."

Ning Mu hurriedly spoke up to remind her.

Liu Qingmei glanced at Ning Mu, nodded, and continued, "Right, investigate him; if he's no good, fire him."

"Very well, Madam."

Liu Xiaoya accepted the order.

Ning Mu also looked at Lao Zhangtou and said, "Manager Zhang, I live in Qiyun Tower. Xiaoya, you take Manager Zhang there first; I will accompany Master."

He intentionally sent Liu Xiaoya and Lao Zhang away.

Liu Xiaoya glanced at Liu Qingmei, and seeing that she did not refuse, she nodded and led Lao Zhangtou toward Qiyun Tower.

After the two had walked far away.

There were no other servants around.

Only then did Ning Mu look at Liu Qingmei with an embarrassed expression, feigning nervousness as he said awkwardly, "Master, this Disciple is not skilled at horse riding... I ask that Master teach me!"

Liu Qingmei was startled, looking with surprise at Ning Mu, who was half a head taller than her, and asked in astonishment, "You don't know how to ride a horse?"

The implication was that, having been a stable Maid, living with horses year-round, how could he not know how to ride? Ning Mu smiled bitterly: "Master, you may not know, but previously, this Disciple's status was low, and I had no qualifications to ride the treasure horses in the stable. Once discovered, the light punishment would be being denied food, and the heavy punishment would be losing my life..."

In these times.

How much does it cost to buy a Maid?

A treasure horse... no, even an inferior horse was worth more than the life of a Maid.

As a servant, a person was worth less than a horse.

Understanding the crux of the matter, Liu Qingmei's maternal instincts were instantly stirred, and a flash of heartache crossed her beautiful eyes.

She reached out with her fair, soft hand, stroked Ning Mu's cheek, and comforted him softly: "That won't happen again; it will never happen again."

"It's fine if you don't know how to ride; I will teach you."

"There isn't enough time today, so for now, you will have to bear with it and ride with me; you will sit behind me."

Liu Qingmei's pretty face flushed imperceptibly.

Task Three flashed through her mind.

When she came out, she had already put on the Heavenly Silkworm Black Ice Silk Stockings under her riding skirt.

With the master and disciple riding together, wasn't this the perfect opportunity to complete the task!

(End of chapter)