Chapter 39: Gifts from the Capital

Seeing this, Meng Hongchang felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He quickened his pace to meet them, reaching out to take Meng Yuxi’s hand.

As Meng Hongchang approached, Zhang Long and Zhao Hu immediately dismounted and knelt in respect, with Xiao Cui following suit.

Meng Hongchang chuckled and helped Xiao Cui up. "Rise, all of you. There is no need for such formalities."

"Fa—" Meng Yuxi began, but Meng Hongchang quickly patted his hand. "Yuxi, my child, I still prefer you calling me Old Meng. Hearing you call me Old Meng makes this old man’s heart swell with joy." His eyes crinkled into thin slits as he beamed. "Yuxi, look what gift I’ve brought you from the capital."

Meng Hongchang led Meng Yuxi toward the main residence of the Meng estate. Before they even entered the courtyard, a neighing sound reached them. It was unlike the low, guttural braying of common horses; it was high-pitched and resonant, piercing the very heavens.

Stepping through the gate, Meng Yuxi saw a fiery red horse tethered in the courtyard, tossing its head and pawing the ground. The horse was remarkably tall, standing a full shoulder-height above any ordinary steed. Its coat was a deep, solid crimson without a single stray hair of another color, and its eyes burned with a scarlet intensity. Although it was the turn of spring and summer, and the air was growing warm, the horse’s nostrils still exhaled visible plumes of white steam as it neighed.

Instead of iron horseshoes, the horse’s hooves were covered in thick, layered red scales, and red bristles sprouted from its fetlocks. Most peculiar was its tail—long and vibrant red. While other horses let their tails drag or hang, this one held its tail arched high in the air, swaying elegantly with the breeze.

Meng Chenxuan and Meng Xueqiao were standing nearby, casting looks of envy at the creature. The moment Meng Chenxuan noticed Meng Yuxi, he turned and walked away. Meng Hongchang frowned at this, while Meng Xueqiao, delighted to see Meng Yuxi, walked over. He had many questions, but with Meng Hongchang present, he had to be discreet.

"Father, Fourth Brother!" he said, winking at Meng Yuxi. Meng Yuxi responded with a subtle 'OK' hand gesture. Meng Xueqiao didn't quite understand the sign, but he obediently stood behind the two of them.

"Old Meng, this horse is magnificent. Where did you manage to find such a prize?" Meng Yuxi asked, stepping forward to untie the reins from the tree. The horse was stubborn; it kicked its scaled hooves, but Meng Yuxi, possessing immense strength, gripped the reins and pulled hard. The horse slammed its hooves into the ground, and a standoff between man and beast began.

Meng Hongchang was still pondering the word "find" when he saw Meng Yuxi locked in a struggle with the dragon-horse. He quickly shouted, "Yuxi, be careful! This is a dragon-horse, bred by the imperial household of the Great Li Dynasty. It is divine, proud, and incredibly strong. Do not take it lightly."

Meng Xueqiao, intrigued, rolled up his sleeves. "Fourth Brother, let me help you!"

As he moved to assist, Meng Hongchang called out, "No, Xueqiao, stand back. Know your place." Meng Xueqiao retreated with a mumble.

"This horse chooses its master," Meng Hongchang explained, his eyes fixed on Meng Yuxi. "From the moment its blindfold is removed, the first person to successfully hold its reins becomes its master for life. So, Xueqiao, let Yuxi handle this himself."

Zhang Long, Zhao Hu, and Xiao Cui gathered around to cheer Meng Yuxi on.

The tug-of-war between man and beast continued. After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, beads of sweat appeared on Meng Yuxi’s forehead. He realized that as a biped, he could not outlast a four-legged creature in a test of raw endurance. A decisive strike before his strength waned was his only option.

With a sudden roar, his arms visibly bulged with muscle, and he unleashed the strength of a legendary hero lifting a cauldron. His legs, sculpted like those of an ancient Greek statue, braced firmly against the ground. Zhang Long, Zhao Hu, and Meng Xueqiao cheered in unison.

The dragon-horse let out a high, heaven-piercing neigh, pouring its full might into the struggle, its hooves anchored deep into the earth. Yet, Meng Yuxi lifted one foot, took a deliberate step backward, and stabilized his center of gravity. With another step, he slowly dragged the dragon-horse away from the tree.

Meng Hongchang clapped in delight. "Good! It’s done!"

True enough, the dragon-horse ceased its resistance. It relaxed its posture and, as if fearing it might knock its new master over, stepped forward and began to nuzzle Meng Yuxi’s chest and cheek affectionately.

"Fourth Brother, wait just a moment," Meng Xueqiao said, leaping away and returning with a dark gold saddle. "Fourth Brother, I bought this saddle recently. It’s forged from a copper-gold alloy. Could you use it?"

Meng Yuxi smiled and took it, placing it on the dragon-horse’s back. But the moment he attempted to mount, the horse neighed sharply and stood up, tossing the saddle to the ground.

Meng Yuxi picked up the saddle, brushed off the dirt, and laughed. "Fifth Brother, this dragon-horse doesn't like this saddle, but as your brother, I find it quite exquisite. I shall keep it well."

Seeing Meng Yuxi’s reaction, Meng Xueqiao’s slight displeasure vanished. He smiled, saying, "Fourth Brother, with your skill, you don't even need a saddle to ride this beast!"

"Xiao Cui, take the saddle back to the room. Fifth Brother, Zhang Long, Zhao Hu, come to my quarters tonight for a drink!"

Meng Yuxi leapt onto the horse’s back and gave a firm squeeze with his legs. Far from being pained, the dragon-horse neighed in delight and surged forward in a single bound. The leap was so sudden that Meng Yuxi felt a moment of weightlessness.

"Yuxi! I have more to tell you—don't go too far, come back quickly!"

Meng Yuxi tried to reply, but the wind was too strong, filling his mouth as soon as he opened it. In the blink of an eye, he had already left the city of Su.

Zhang Long and Zhao Hu vanished in a flash of movement. Meng Xueqiao, though lacking their profound lightness skills, sprinted in the direction they had disappeared, determined to give chase.

Watching them vanish, Meng Hongchang sighed. "It is good to be young. I remember back in my day, I loved following the Emperor around just like that."

Xiao Cui was startled, feeling that the comparison was a bit inappropriate and perhaps placed Meng Yuxi on a pedestal too high. "Master, you are still young yourself."

As she spoke, she curtsied to Meng Hongchang, holding the saddle just as she had once held his boots.

Meng Hongchang chuckled. "You have a sweet tongue, girl. From now on, you only need to curtsy to Yuxi. An old, semi-retired man like me can no longer handle such formalities."

Xiao Cui stood up slowly. Seeing that no one else was around, she whispered to Meng Hongchang, "Master, on your trip to the capital this time, did you... meet with the Master?"