Chapter Seventeen: The Heavenly Gift of a Fiery Red Rabbit Steed (Seeking Recommendations and Bookmarks)

  Her beautiful melon-shaped face was lit up by the candlelight, with a hint of clever charm in her delicate eyebrows and eyes. At this moment, she was stared at by He Tianci, and she couldn't help but lower her head again, her chin almost touching the big red peony on her chest. From He Tianci's angle, only her long eyelashes could be seen fluttering constantly, and that demure and shy little appearance had a breathtaking beauty to it.

  He Tianci's heart skipped a beat, and after regaining his composure, he said with some embarrassment: "This time I came to Jinzhou Prefecture in a hurry, only bringing a pure gold necklace and a pair of white jade bracelets for my aunt and Miss Zhang. I also prepared a Song Dynasty calligraphy painting and a red Mongolian horse for my uncle, which I will personally deliver to the mansion tomorrow."

  He Tianci couldn't help but sneak a peek down along the neck of the painting screen, his gaze stopping at her chest where the tight, emerald green bodice formed a straight line between her breasts, and he found it impossible to look away. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, He Tianci would never have believed that such a woman existed in this world.

  Her face was small and delicate, a pair of bright and spirited big eyes seemed to swallow everything around her, her height looked not too high, only about to reach He Tianxi's shoulder, and her slender waist was thin enough to be grasped in one hand, with the petite and delicate characteristics unique to Jiangnan women. However, the two mounds of snow on her chest were exceptionally large and enticing, quickly making He Tianxi's breathing hot.

  Mrs. Zhang, with her hand on the armrest, wore a long purple robe and a white wide-edged belt around her waist, exuding an air of nobility as she slowly spoke: "So you're Tianxi, I've heard your adoptive father talk about you before, saying you're intelligent and brave, and also particular about etiquette. Now that I see you in person, you indeed have the looks of a talented young man! We're all family now, so next time, Tianxi, don't bother preparing any lavish gifts. By the way, how old are you this year?"

  He Tianci was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't notice Zhang's wife's words, and only responded with an "oh" after a while, then said: "Replying to Mother, I'm exactly twenty years old this year."

  Zhang Xiluan, who was standing beside him, nodded and said: "My family's Xiaogui is one year older than you, her name is Su Ya, you should call her Seventh Sister."

  He Tianci walked over to Miss Zhang Qi and said politely: "I've seen Seventh Sister." At the same time, he couldn't help but sneak another glance at Zhang Su Ya.

  Zhang Su smiled coyly and then gazed at He Tianci, saying: "So you're He Tianci's younger brother. Before meeting you, I heard from Father that you were a great military leader, wise and brave. I thought you'd be robust and fierce-looking, but today I see you're actually refined, gentle, and elegant, like a scholar. However, your serious expression during training earlier was quite impressive."

  Zhang Xiluan looked out the window and said, "Tiger Minister, it's getting late, you should get some rest too! Tomorrow, your adoptive father will discuss further with you."

  The bright moonlight decorated the spring night sky, and also adorned the earth. The night sky was like a boundless transparent ocean, quiet, vast, and mysterious. The dense stars were like sparks on the water, twinkling and jumping with tiny light points. At this moment, He Tianci's heart was also jumping like the stars, unable to calm down for a long time, his mind filled with Zhang Suoya, the woman he had only met once today, who was as gentle as water, especially her big eyes that were similar to Zhao Wei's, deep and profound like starlight, as if they wanted to swallow everything into her own eyes, shining brightly.

  If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, He Tianci really wouldn't have believed that time could produce such a beautiful southern beauty. Today's encounter has indeed shocked him, and even in front of his adoptive father and family, he was somewhat flustered, becoming a bit like a "foolish brother". He Tianci secretly warned himself in his heart: behave well, seize this opportunity now, and win over his adoptive father and family. She must be mine.

  When thinking of a hero saving a beauty, the sky was too dark and didn't catch a glimpse of her face, so it's a pity to miss her. This time I must seize the opportunity.

  The next morning, he ordered the foolish servant to send the sheep fat jade bangle and gold necklace to Zhang's mansion. Then, he led a team of guards, wearing a short jacket, and had a pleasant conversation with Zhang Xiluan all the way to the horse farm. As soon as they arrived at the horse farm, they saw a horse tied up at the gate. The horse was entirely red, like a raging flame, without a single strand of miscellaneous hair. On its forehead, there was a white mark.

  Zhang Xielong's spirit lifted as soon as he saw the horse, and he thought to himself: "Is this the Red Hare treasure horse? As the saying goes, among men there is Lü Bu, among horses there is Red Hare. During the Three Kingdoms period, after Guan Yu was defeated at Maicheng and killed, Red Hare fell into the hands of Ma Chao, and later died out. How did it end up reborn in our great Qing dynasty?"

  Zhang Xiluan mounted his horse, and He Tianxi quickly untied the reins. Zhang Xiluan grasped the reins tightly in his hand, with his legs clamped firmly on either side of the horse's body, as he galloped into the vast grasslands, racing towards the endless plains. He Tianxi led the guards closely behind him, and soon they vanished from sight.

  After Zhang Xiluan obtained the fine steed, he was overjoyed and set up a grand banquet in the evening to entertain He Tianxi. At the banquet, He Tianxi gradually became familiar with Zhang Suyan.

  As He Tianxi was Zhang Su Ya's lifesaver, the two of them got along well and after the banquet, they started chatting again in the hall.

  Liu Suya fixed her gaze on the jade cross on He Tianxi's chest, then asked with a tone full of doubt: "Are you a Christian?"

  He Tianci stared at Liu Suya in surprise, then excitedly said: "How did you know? Are you a Christian too? I grew up with my parents in the United States and have been a Christian since childhood.

  Zhang Suya felt a bit embarrassed being stared at by He Tianci, so she lowered her head shyly and said: "Ah, me too! I accepted the gospel when I was in my hometown in Zhejiang. I saw you wearing a cross necklace, so I guessed you might be a Christian. You've been abroad, right? It must be really great overseas! Can you tell me about your experiences abroad?"

  He Tianci's heart skipped a beat, he didn't expect to meet Christians in the Qing Dynasty.

  He Tianci also found that Zhang Su Ya was a bit embarrassed to be stared at by him, so he withdrew his gaze and intentionally lowered his voice, then said: Americans are all like me, they don't keep long hair, like wearing suits, not like Chinese people who emphasize etiquette, especially Westerners who advocate for freedom, men and women have the freedom to marry, most Westerners are tall and big in stature, walking with their chest out and head held high, full of confidence...

  Zhang Su Ya, who was standing beside her, listened with rapt attention. Although she was born into an official family and was a talented woman, she had always been dominated by the feudal ideology of the three obediences and four virtues, and was full of longing for Western culture and democratic freedom. She looked at He Tian Xi with eager eyes, hoping he would continue speaking.

  He Tianci felt that it was a bit late and was also afraid that being alone with such a beautiful woman at night would make him lose control, so he suggested chatting again the next day and left with some reluctance.

  After a day of communication, the two hit it off and both had a good impression of each other.

  Although He Tianxi is not very handsome, he has a dignified and elegant demeanor that exudes an air of authority. His thoughts are open-minded, and he has studied abroad. At a young age, he already holds a high military position, and recently promoted to a fourth-grade martial officer. Young and promising, he is the epitome of a heroic figure.

  Zhang Su Ya was born with a beautiful appearance and elegant demeanor, a stunning southern beauty, and the daughter of a high-ranking official in the Qing dynasty.

  So they fell in love at first sight like heroes and beauties of thousands of years ago.

  It's just that neither side has yet taken that most crucial step.