The Double-Chapter 518 - 158: Giving Gifts

On the way back, Tonger could hardly suppress the huge grin on her face.

Jiang Li couldn’t help but feel helpless, "Tonger, try to contain your smile a little."

"I can’t help but want to laugh whenever I think of the tone that person used just now," Tonger said, "He must have thought he struck a hard bargain with you, feeling quite pleased with himself. If he knew he sold that Sweat-Blood Precious Horse to you for just Five Hundred Taels of Silver, I wonder how much he would regret it."

Jiang Li smiled, "That’s East Market for you; once the deal is made, money and goods exchanged, no one can go back on it. Without sharp eyes, no one dares to purchase recklessly."

"Exactly," Tonger laughed, "Our miss has eagle eyes!"

She was carefree and didn’t bother to ask Jiang Li how she knew for certain that the colt was a Sweat-Blood Precious Horse. She just took Jiang Li’s word for it. How many people had come to East Market and left having lost everything, especially those who were there for the first time. Yet, Jiang Li on her first visit managed to acquire such a treasure.

"East Market is really a wonderful place," Tonger smacked her lips, "If we have the chance, let’s go again!"

That child was always thinking about fun and games. Jiang Li shook her head.

"After we get back, we should wash the colt clean. We can’t present it to Old General Jih looking all dirty," Jiang Li said.

"I understand," Tonger nodded, though a little reluctantly, "Such a fine horse..."

Jiang Li tapped her on the head gently, "And what of it? It only cost us Five Hundred Taels of Silver!" fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

"That’s true." Tonger laughed naively again.

By the time they returned to Jiang Residence, Jiang Li had someone take the colt straight to Fangfei Garden. The yard in Fangfei Garden was spacious enough. She had Bai Xue instruct people to wash the colt clean. As soon as she returned to her room, Qingfeng came to deliver an invitation and to relay a message that Jiang Yuanbai and Madam Jiang the Elder, after a long deliberation, had finally decided to let Jiang Li attend Old General Jih’s birthday banquet.

Just as Jiang Li had anticipated.

She took the invitation with a smile and sent a message back to Night Wind Hall that she was informed.

A while later, Bai Xue’s voice could be heard from outside the yard, inviting Jiang Li to come and see. When Jiang Li stepped out, she caught sight of the maids gathered around, with the pale golden colt standing proudly in the center, looking majestic with its head held high.

Once the colt was clean of the mud, its true color—a light golden shade—was revealed. Its fur was extremely smooth and thick, though it didn’t seem as lustrous as it could be, perhaps due to a lack of proper nourishment before. Even so, it was a very handsome young horse, prideful in its stature.

Tonger saw it and loved it even more. Hidden in the shadows, Zhao Ke also noticed this scene. He hadn’t recognized the colt as a Sweat-Blood Precious Horse, but he could tell that it was an excellent horse, certainly one of the finest in the Duke Residence’s stables. Since ancient times, heroes have loved fine steeds, and he couldn’t help feeling envious. He wondered where Jiang Li had found such a mount and if there were more horses left; he too wanted to pick one for himself.

Jiang Li walked up to the colt. It glanced at her, its eyes still maintaining a hint of arrogance. Jiang Li reached out to stroke its forehead, and the little horse snorted softly.

The surrounding maids all giggled, and Bai Xue said, "Miss, why don’t you give it a name?"

Jiang Li was about to speak when she thought better of it, shaking her head, "Never mind, this horse is a gift for Old General Jih. It’s better if he names it himself."

"It’s a boy!" Bai Xue remarked.

"Even better then," Jiang Li patted the young horse, "If it were a girl, wouldn’t it be a waste to keep it in the Duke Residence?"

Zhao Ke: "..."

What did she mean by ’a waste’? Wasn’t everything in the Duke Residence, even the flowers and plants, male? It was about time they brought in more girls! It was a waste for girls to be outside!

Everyone spent some time playing with the little horse, and as the sky grew darker, Jiang Li instructed the maids to take good care of the colt before she returned to her room to sleep.

The invitation stated that Old General Jih’s birthday was three days later. She suddenly wondered when Jih Heng’s birthday was. It seemed she had never heard about his birthday celebrations before.

...

Soon, the three days passed.

On this morning, light snow began to fall. Spring in Yanjing City arrived late, and after the New Year, it felt as though winter would linger much longer, the snow falling heavier than before. Occasional sunlight had become a rarity.

Tonger was selecting clothes with careful consideration in the room. Seeing this, Jiang Li said, "Just pick any outfit, it will be fine."

"Aren’t you going to a birthday banquet, miss?" Tonger chuckled, "Naturally, you must choose something good-looking."