Chapter 137: Riding Together

Just as everyone was repeatedly kowtowing, Liu Liu Yifei, hidden within the crowd, suddenly stepped into Jiang Jiang Mingyu's line of sight.

Although two days had passed since the incident, thinking back to the scene that day, Liu Liu Yifei's small face still burned intensely.

After the crowd departed, Jiang Jiang Mingyu walked over with a smile; seeing Liu Liu Yifei's face flushed red, he couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu gazed tenderly at Liu Liu Yifei's rosy little face and said softly, "Come inside with me quickly; it's too cold outside, you might catch a chill."

Blushing, Liu Liu Yifei was about to step through the county yamen gate when she saw Li Goudan running over panting, his face etched with anxiety: "Report, my lord! The situation is urgent! The common people insist on completing the kiln construction tonight; I cannot dissuade them no matter how hard I try!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu frowned and said, "It's the New Year; why not go home for a reunion? What is the point of this?"

Li Goudan sighed and explained, "They say they wish to repay your lordship's grace of recognizing their worth; I exerted every ounce of strength I had to no avail. Now I can only beg your lordship to go persuade them."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately shook his head.

"Not going home during the New Year, what kind of talk is that? Liu Yifei, you go inside first; this official will be back shortly."

Saying this, he was about to mount his horse.

"No!" Liu Liu Yifei blurted out, then lowered her head in embarrassment: "I also wish to go see... Your lordship's grace towards the people is as heavy as a mountain; that is why they are willing to work so diligently."

Liu Liu Yifei looked at Jiang Jiang Mingyu, her eyes full of admiration and affection. She thought, such a handsome, imposing, and talented man truly makes my heart flutter; I am willing to entrust my entire life to follow by his side. This thought flashed through her mind, and Liu Liu Yifei blushed in embarrassment.

"Go, lead a horse for Miss Liu."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu keenly caught the blush on Liu Liu Yifei's face and felt a secret joy; this was a signal of ambiguity. He immediately ordered his subordinate to bring a horse over, pretending to let Liu Liu Yifei ride along, but in truth, he wanted to ride the same horse with the beauty and have intimate contact.

Liu Liu Yifei, however, shook her head somewhat shyly.

"My lord, I cannot ride a horse; you go ahead first, and I will arrive shortly."

Shangmu was not very far to begin with; it would take less than a quarter of an hour to walk to the kiln factory that could be completed very soon.

Sensing an opportunity, Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately smiled; this was a good chance to deepen their bond, so he said without a second thought.

"That won't do. Here, get on my horse; my riding skills are superb, I guarantee you won't fall, hehe."

Liu Liu Yifei blushed, her heart in a turmoil. She knew this went against propriety, but facing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's burning gaze, she felt a tingling electric current pass through her entire body and actually nodded.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately lifted Liu Liu Yifei's light frame and let her sit sideways in front of his saddle.

Liu Liu Yifei lowered her head in shame, feeling Jiang Jiang Mingyu's strong, powerful arms encircle her slender waist.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu tightened his hold on Liu Liu Yifei's soft, slender waist; the two were extremely close, their chests touching.

Liu Liu Yifei lowered her head in embarrassment, her cheeks crimson, her long eyelashes trembling shyly.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart swelled with joy; his fingers gently rubbed the tender skin at her waist, causing her whole body to shiver.

The horse walked slowly; Jiang Jiang Mingyu turned his head, his warm breath blowing against the back of Liu Liu Yifei's ear and her fragrant shoulder.

His breath permeated the flowing hair at her neck, making her ear roots turn red. "Liu Yifei, you are truly beautiful."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words were like a feather gently brushing past, making Liu Liu Yifei's heart tip shiver.

Liu Liu Yifei urged him to move forward in a delicate voice, but her voice was as soft as a plump sticky rice ball, making Jiang Jiang Mingyu wish to swallow her whole right then and there.

He deliberately slowed down, letting the horse stroll leisurely.

"Don't rush; let me look at you a bit longer." His large hand began to act improperly, gently stroking the back of Liu Liu Yifei's hand and her wrist. Liu Liu Yifei let out a sensitive, light pant and secretly glanced at Jiang Jiang Mingyu's rugged profile.

His heroic eyebrows and eyes made her heart race, leaving her whole body soft and weak. She knew she shouldn't be ambiguous, yet she couldn't help but lean into his embrace, enjoying this rare moment of tenderness.

Li Goudan, watching from the side, stood with his eyes wide open; the two's overly intimate actions gave him goosebumps all over.

He quickly found an excuse to interrupt this rare good thing: "Ahem, my lord, I'll go first to check on the situation of those laborers; you two take your time." Having finished speaking, he whipped the horse hard and fled as if escaping.

Seeing Li Goudan leave, Jiang Jiang Mingyu tightened his arm, pressing even closer to Liu Liu Yifei's petite figure and said softly, "Liu Yifei, you are like the bright moon in the spring blue sky, gently melting in my embrace."

After hearing this, Liu Liu Yifei's face turned completely red; she urged him softly, "My lord, what are you saying? Hurry and make good time."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, however, took his time, leaning close to her ear and whispering, "It seems my Liu Yifei is still a little shy; what is there to rush about? Let this horse walk slowly; you and I can properly enjoy this rare time alone."

Liu Liu Yifei, so embarrassed she buried her head in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's embrace, pressed her face against his warm chest; Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heartbeat also grew faster and faster.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu chuckled and said, "I apologize for making you feel uncomfortable. However, I am truly too happy to be riding the same horse with you."

Liu Liu Yifei raised her head, her face covered in a shy blush: "My lord, it's just that the horse's pace is really too slow; could you go a bit faster?" Her tone was both delicate and urgent, and between her flowing glances, she was full of expectation.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, intoxicated by this ambiguous atmosphere, smiled after hearing her request and said, "Liu Yifei, the relationship between you and me is no longer what it was; continuing to call me 'my lord' is too distant. From now on, call me Yu affectionately."

Deep in his heart, Jiang Jiang Mingyu extremely wanted to hear her call him "husband," but he thought it was still too early. "Yu..." Liu Liu Yifei murmured this nickname shyly, her voice like a mosquito's buzz, her face red as if it might bleed.

She dared not look Jiang Jiang Mingyu in the eyes, fearing that if she gazed into his deep eyes, she would fall into them.

The two embraced on the horse; Liu Liu Yifei's sweet fragrance surrounded Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart, making his blood boil with excitement.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu deliberately played with the reins, letting the horse walk slowly just to have one more moment of tenderness with Liu Yifei.

Upon arriving at the kiln factory, Jiang Jiang Mingyu reluctantly let go of Liu Liu Yifei, pulled himself together, and began arranging the work.

Liu Liu Yifei's face still retained a blush; amidst her shyness was full sweetness, and she had completely accepted this ambiguous title.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said, "Folks, the work cannot be finished in one or two days; go back first and properly celebrate the New Year. Anything else can be discussed after the New Year."

The old man who had just been kowtowing respectfully to Jiang Jiang Mingyu stepped forward, exhaling cold air and saying, "My lord, we have already promised Lord Lord Murong to start work on the first day of the New Year; we cannot delay such a major matter. Whether we celebrate the New Year or not does not matter to us, and we certainly cannot add trouble for you." Having finished speaking, he and several young men lifted a thick log.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at Li Goudan and knew this old man was the leader, Uncle Sun. The crowd not only did not stop working but worked even harder.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu frowned slightly and said in a serious tone, "Do you refuse to listen to this official's words?"

The crowd shook their heads in unison; only then did Jiang Jiang Mingyu speak: "Since you still obey this official, then stop working immediately and go home for a reunion right away! Starting work two days late is no harm; look at the sky, snow is coming soon; everyone hurry home!"

Seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's firm tone, the laborers finally stopped working and obediently went home to celebrate the New Year.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's authority and momentum made Liu Liu Yifei, standing to the side, feel both admiration and heart-fluttering excitement.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu rode his horse to Liu Liu Yifei's side and said gently, "It's getting dark; I'll take you back." Liu Liu Yifei nodded shyly, leaped onto the horseback, and rode away with Jiang Jiang Mingyu in a tender manner.

Li Goudan had long found an excuse to slip away with the laborers, fearing he would interfere with Jiang Jiang Mingyu's good thing.