What Li Hong Yuan chose was ‘horseback riding’. This was indeed a performance that is most capable of displaying a man’s valiance. However, because there weren’t any other demands, nor anyone to compare with, what to do in order to stand out, be eye-catching, and make others clap in praises required exceptionally good riding skills to create enough thrill and excitement. If one were to just simply have the horse brought out, and stroll around in a circle, then that definitely won’t pass.
For him to pick this, rather wasn’t that unexpected. Li Hong Yuan might not be good at anything else, but when it comes to eating, drinking, and playing, he definitely was an expert. That is ‘having class from eating, taste from drinking, and style in playing’. There really weren’t many that could compare to him in horseback riding. The various wastrels of the capital, although fear him, at the same time, they also somewhat want to follow behind him. As long as this one doesn’t get angry, it definitely would be very nice. Unfortunately, this one was used to enjoying himself alone, uninterested in playing together with them.
Speaking of the horses in the Grand Elder Princess Manor, they naturally weren’t bad either. The horses prepared for the various young masters’ performances have all gone through meticulous selection. The horse’s breed needed to be first-class, and at the same time, its temper also needed to be gentle and obedient. If it’s an irritable and disobedient horse, then what to do if it accidentally injures someone?
When this meticulously selected horse was brought before Li Hong Yuan, this living Enma only casted a glance, “Change it.”
Fine, change it then. In any case, they had prepared several horses altogether, so there should be at least one that can satisfy him.
By the third and fourth one, Li Hong Yuan directly looked towards the Grand Elder Princess, “Imperial aunt, your manor only just have these ones? Can’t even find one that is just slightly pleasing to the eyes?”
The Grand Elder Princess nearly exploded because of him. Although these weren’t the best horses in the manor, but compared to many raised by a great majority of families, they were absolutely first class rare horses. This bastard actually feels they were unpleasing to the eye? Have to say, this was all her imperial brother’s fault for spoiling him, giving him all the best things first. Anything slightly inferior were all unable to enter his eyes.
Jing Wan felt, she probably knew why this Jin Qinwang was this easily hated by others. Have to say, his temper was cruel and ruthless, but one still shouldn’t go as far as to attack one’s own relatives, no? But he just had to have these people’s hate pulled in altogether as well. Turns out, it was this mouth of his, truly too damaging. And also that attitude of his, he himself perhaps didn’t feel it was anything special, but in other people’s eyes, that was just showing off at all times. Towards the things that were considered the best in other people’s homes, he would always have a look like he was looking at trash. This can only prove that even the worst in his hand was all better than this. How could others not resent out of jealousy?
Speaking of which, did Li Hong Yuan not know this? No, he definitely knew. Sometimes it was on purpose, and sometimes it was purely out of habit. He simply never paid attention to these. The more he was like this, the more people wanted to chop him up. If even this kind of thing can become a habit, then he wasn’t made of piles of gold and silver, but rather an enormous pile of the of the rarest treasures in the world that money can’t buy.
“Go have fuma’s newly obtained horse brought over for Jin Qinwang.” The Grand Elder Princess said with a cold look.
Towards the things that the Grand Elder Princess decides, Jiang-fuma naturally won’t comment, but that was still fuma’s newly obtained beloved horse after all. He even spared time every day to go look at it, and most importantly, that horse was hard to tame. Even now, it still hasn’t been completely tamed yet. Aside from the servant boy that took care of it every day, as well as Jiang-fuma, no one else was even able to come close to it.
This matter, it’s still best to go inform Jiang-fuma beforehand. If by chance the couple were to argue because of this matter afterwards, it won’t be good.
Jiang-fuma listened to the servant boy’s urgent report, in addition to also seeing from their side Li Hong Yuan indeed having wasted a good deal of time because of the horses, and also knowing Li Hong Yuan’s ability to anger people, Jiang-fuma just sighed, “All according to the princess.”
The horse was brought over in the fastest speed. Aside from a spot of white fur on the top of its head, as well as on its four hooves, the rest were nearly all black. The horse saddle and such were still held in the servant boy’s arms. It was clear, it was unwilling to have those things put on its body.
This horse perhaps can be said to be finally to his liking. Li Hong Yuan stood up, but that horse retreated two steps back, even snorting and kicking its hooves towards Li Hong Yuan. This was not even being liked by horses?
The servant boy was startled, quickly pulling the reins.
Li Hong Yuan however was unconcerned, moving forward two steps, waving his hand to let the servant boy move to the side. The servant boy worried that the horse might injure him, but at the same time, didn’t dare to disobey his orders, and could only retreat to the side, yet didn’t dare go too far.
Li Hong Yuan patted the horse on the neck. The horse neighed, nearly raising up its hooves directly. However, it ultimately didn’t do that, only because Li Hong Yuan’s arm went below its neck and around to the other side, just like he was hugging it with one hand. Its hooves impatiently kicked a few times on the ground again, seemingly about to attack at any time. The servant boy only felt his heart jumping in fear. But like a miracle, the horse slowly became docile. Its highly raised head also slightly lowered a little.
“Old six’s horse taming abilities are still this impressive. Regardless how spirited of a horse, and regardless how much it dislikes him at the start, under his hands, they would all become docile very quickly. There has never been an exception. Clearly, one can have his every action all observed in precise detail, but even if someone else does the exact same thing, it isn’t the least bit effective.” Li Hong Ming said in a sigh.
Li Hong Yi’s face however wasn’t that pretty. Him getting injured whenever Li Hong Yuan rode around wasn’t something that has happened once or twice either. Moreover, it also made him recall that injury on his lower back from getting stepped on. And before that, his carriage had almost overturned because of him. Also, the injury currently on his lower back still hasn’t fully recovered yet. If not for the Grand Elder Princess’s birthday, then he wouldn’t have gone out today.
Even so, he still had to acknowledge Li Hong Ming’s words. Li Hong Yuan’s unique skill, others were unable to learn.
Was Li Hong Yuan good at taming horses? Looking at the speed in which the horse submitted to him, it was indeed impressive.
But in reality, it wasn’t that his method was excellent, he merely just used intimidation.
Do you know which animal he’d killed the most in his past life? Horses, moreover, it was warhorses.
Not just on the battlefields, killing the enemy troop’s warhorses, but also during a certain unexpected accident while out marching. Never mind that they’d gotten lost, they’d even encountered the enemy troop’s encircling pursuit and interception. They’d finished off all of the rations they were carrying and were practically driven into a corner. Li Hong Yuan issued an order to kill the horses, but the soldiers were all too reluctant. Li Hong Yuan however didn’t issue a death command[1] to force them, but instead set to the task himself. Hundreds of horses all died at his hands. From then on, regardless of what horse, they all instinctively shun him and fear him.
Have to say, some animals were the most perceptive. Some things, they seemingly were just able to sense. Even if Li Hong Yuan was able to relive his life again, but the things that were deeply carved into his soul couldn’t be erased. He has never been liked by horses. The current one that he frequently rode around in perhaps was an exception, or perhaps was just accustom to him, and was rather intimate with him.
He never thought of wanting to change this bit before. It was enough to just have them acknowledge him.
The reason why this horse was able to become this docile right now was because it sensed a threat to its life. The arm around its neck told it, if it dares to resist, then it’ll break its neck, having it overturned on the ground, never to get up again.
Li Hong Yuan once again patted the horse’s neck, “Animals are just animals. Put on the saddle.”
The saddle was put on very smoothly, smooth to the point that the servant boy didn’t dare to believe. Afterwards, his gaze towards Li Hong Yuan was brimming with worship. And if he were to learn the reason, afraid it would scare him witless.
Li Hong Yuan flipped onto the horseback exceptionally carefreely. Don’t know whether intentional or not, but he even glanced towards the female guests.
With just that once glance, don’t know how many young ladies were teased until their heartbeat increased. It couldn’t be helped. This one’s reputation was indeed all kinds of rotten to the core, but that face’s destructive power was truly too great. And right now, it’s not like it would cause them any harm either, plus that handsome figure on horseback truly conquered one’s heart. Thus, it wasn’t any harm for them to secretly rub their hands together and fantasize for a bit.
[1] Death command – Basically death to those who disobey
T/N: Tbh I sometimes find it bit harsh to call ML cruel because despite some of the crazy things he’s done, you can’t really deny the good things he’s done. It’s kinda interesting how the author always brushes over the good he’s done nonchalantly, so in a way it gets overlooked most of the times. While he mostly has ulterior motives, it doesn’t really change the positive impact his actions have had on some people like Fu Yun Ting’s family and Sun Yi Jia, and probably also Jing Wan’s other friends.
