Rebirth: The flatterer prince I raised couldn't be so clingy

Nan Tianzhu and Zang Hongxiao needed half a day to make arrangements before leaving the gambling den. Gu Qingzhi, carrying Nan Tianzhu's lowly status document, thought it over and decided to take a detour to the clinic in the north of the city before returning to the Duanwang Mansion.

Following her instructions, Gu Fengping counted out a large number of bottles and jars of medicine, laying them out one by one on the counter, packing them up while rambling on.

"You dared to drink alcohol before your injury had fully healed. Giving you all that scar-removing medicine is a waste. If you don't listen to your doctor's advice, don't worry about the ugly scars you'll have."

Gu Qingzhi knew she couldn't hide it from him. Her younger brother was a skilled doctor who could sometimes tell her condition almost perfectly just by looking at her complexion, without even needing to take her pulse.

Although she knew, she didn't care much.

"I don't rely on this skin to make a living. As long as it doesn't hinder my movement, it's not a big deal."

Gu Fengping pursed his lips, unsure whether to glare at her or not, and muttered again, "You always have so many twisted arguments. If you're always so reckless, will you even be able to hold on until I save you next time...?"

The conversation abruptly ended halfway through; the siblings exchanged a glance, and the air suddenly fell silent.

Those unspoken words remained unspoken between them.

How could someone who has died once not cherish their life? But with her great revenge yet to be avenged, and this crucial moment, she could not afford to back down even a little.

"Alright," Gu Qingzhi took the medicine packet and gently tapped her younger brother's forehead with her fingertip. "I will obediently avoid certain foods."

After saying that, she turned and left the clinic.

On the way back to the Prince's mansion, there were still several spies who had lost her early in the morning and were still lurking in the vicinity.

These people now only dare to peek out from two streets away, which is probably the result of the Gao family and Pei Xie clearing them out long ago.

If they can't follow her, they can only wait here for her to return to the manor and use this little bit of superficial information to fool the Left Prime Minister and his son. These people are probably in for a lot of trouble.

Gu Qingzhi stood on the roof and smiled coldly. She jumped down, avoided the spies, took a shortcut, and silently returned to the mansion.

The recruitment plan is now just waiting for Huang Liang to come to them. The follow-up arrangements and the matter of removing Nan Tianzhu from her official status need to be discussed with Feng Zhanye. She went to the training ground without stopping.

The drill ground was located east of the mansion's back garden. As dusk fell, the evening glow painted the sky a warm orange-red.

Feng Zhanye was practicing horsemanship under the guidance of the Grand Tutor at this moment.

From afar, one could see the young man whipping his horse, his clothes fluttering, his dark hair tousled by the wind, the afterglow of the setting sun gilding him with a dazzling golden edge, exuding spirit and radiance.

Wu Fang, who was standing by, had sharp eyes. As soon as he saw Gu Qingzhi, he came over with a big smile and said, "Brother Gu, you're finally back! You must be exhausted after a long day."

He pulled out a folding fan from somewhere and began to fan her diligently.

Gu Qingzhi took a half step back without showing any emotion, not daring to accept this favor.

"Speak directly if you have something to say."

Wu Fang chuckled and rubbed his hands together, saying, "I heard from Granny Liu that you're setting up a secret guard. Look at me..."

Gu Qingzhi asked knowingly, "How are you?"

"Hey, you're pretending to be confused with me!" Wu Fang made a move to put his arm around her shoulder, but she easily dodged it, so he had to awkwardly withdraw his hand. "Putting everything else aside, you know what kind of person I am. We've both been with the young master since the other courtyard. You should think about your brother when there's such a good thing, right?"

“Being a bodyguard is hardly an easy job. You live in the shadows, risking your life, and even if you earn money, you might not live to spend it.”

"If I were afraid of death, why would I have stayed in the villa in the first place? Wouldn't it have been better to slip away early and live a carefree life?"

Before he could finish speaking, Feng Zhanye's shouts came from not far away.

"Ah Zhi!"

Seeing this, Wu Fang quickly lowered his voice and added, "Brother Gu, think this over carefully, I guarantee you won't lose out!"

Gu Qingzhi waved her hand, said "I understand," and walked towards the figure.

The boy's eyes shone brightly as he trotted towards her, whip in hand, and stopped in front of her before she could take more than a few steps.

The familiar scent of lily of the valley wafted over, mixed with the dust of the training ground. Feng Zhanye casually brushed the dust off his clothes, a clear smile playing on his lips.

"Ah Zhi, you're back just in time. I'll show you something."

Before Gu Qingzhi could recount the events of the day, her wrist was gently grasped by him, and she was pulled to the stable by the young man without a word.

There were more than a dozen fine horses in the stable, each with a different coat color. Some were chewing hay with their heads down, while others raised their heads and neighed at the sound, appearing very energetic.

"Today I asked the Grand Master of Horsemanship to select a batch of fine horses, which have been carefully raised. I believe the Dark Guard Corps will soon be able to use them."

He casually tucked the riding crop behind his waist, and while talking to her, he led her forward by walking backwards.

"In addition, please ask Granny Liu to prepare the courtyard where the secret guards will live. The waist token will be delivered to you in a few days. When you want to collect your money, just take the waist token and go directly to Granny Liu."

He arranged everything meticulously and thoughtfully. Gu Qingzhi only needed to nod and couldn't think of anything to add. She then handed over the lowly status document of Nantianzhu from her bosom.

"I have almost met the candidates for the secret guard group. Of the two people I met at Changyi Gambling House today, one of them makes a living by singing opera. I want to remove his lowly status."

Feng Zhanye took the document and readily agreed: "Okay, I'll have Steward Xiao handle it."

He then set aside the documents for the time being and instead led her to look at the herd of horses, his tone becoming lighter: "This matter is not urgent. Come, take a look at these horses and see which one you like the most."

Gu Qingzhi paused slightly, then awkwardly touched the tip of her nose: "No, I don't think so... I can't ride a horse..."

"So, Sister Azhi, what do you think of my riding just now?" he asked with a smile.

Recalling his carefree manner as he rode his horse just now, Gu Qingzhi said truthfully, "Very good."

“That’s why I let you choose first,” the boy’s smile deepened, and he gently took her wrist. “I can teach you.”

He waved his hand dismissively: "Or, if you like them all, they can all be yours."

Gu Qingzhi quickly shook her head. She wasn't royalty, so why would she need so many horses?

"No need, I think the white one is just fine."

She casually pointed to the nearest pure white horse. The white horse was very intelligent and seemed to know that it had been chosen. It took two steps forward and moved closer to her.

A smile flickered in Feng Zhanye's eyes as he whispered, "Sister Azhi, it likes you very much."

The white horse gently rubbed its forehead against her hand, its posture docile, just like when Xiao Hua rubbed against someone's trouser leg when she was being affectionate.

Gu Qingzhi's heart softened, and she couldn't help but raise her hand to gently stroke its smooth neck fur.

The white horse lowered its head contentedly, making it easier for her to move.

"It is the most arrogant of the horses in this group. It ignored everyone else but was willing to be close to you."

The boy's gaze fell on the white horse, but he leaned closer to it, his voice unconsciously becoming softer: "It seems you two get along well. Why don't you give it a name?"

Gu Qingzhi examined it for a moment and blurted out, "Hengshuang, let's call it 'Hengshuang'."

The woman's silhouette was clearly captured in the boy's dark eyes, radiating an indescribable tenderness.

“Hengshuang…” he repeated softly, each word deliberate and meaningful, “It is a very good name.”

It is indeed an excellent name, and it makes a perfect pair with his black horse named "Chasing Clouds," as if it were ordained by heaven.

Feng Zhanye led Heng Shuang out of the stable and held out his hand to her: "Come, I'll teach you."

Gu Qingzhi didn't understand the meaning in his eyes, but she was genuinely interested in learning horseback riding.

After all, the secret guard group will be formed soon, and this skill is indispensable. The sooner she learns it, the better she can teach others.

Under Feng Zhanye's guidance and protection, she successfully climbed onto the horse's back. At this moment, the training ground was empty, the afterglow was fading, and it seemed that only the two of them remained in the world.

A slight movement came from behind, and the young man nimbly mounted his horse, landing steadily behind her.

A pair of arms naturally wrapped around her, one hand gently holding her waist, the other reaching over her to grip the reins in front.

His warm chest pressed against her back unexpectedly, his body temperature and steady heartbeat traveling through the fabric of her clothes, while the delicate scent of lily of the valley quietly enveloped her.

Gu Qingzhi's back stiffened slightly, and her breathing paused imperceptibly.

"Don't be afraid."

His voice was right next to her ear, his breath brushing against her earlobe, enveloping her along with the rising breeze.

Hold my hand tightly.