Chapter 600. A Sweet Burden (2/2)
”You're just a big jar of vinegar! So jealous!” Yu Xiaocao glanced over sideways at him and chuckled. How could she not understand the thoughts going through this guy’s head?
”I'm just worried about tiring you!” Zhu Junyang stubbornly insisted.
”I just regard Sir Su as an older brother, so why are you getting jealous over nothing?” Yu Xiaocao put down her knitting needle and brought over a pillow Wutong had sewn. She put it behind her as a cushion so she could be more comfortable.
”Tired? Take a break and have some pine nuts and hazelnuts!” Zhu Junyang put the pine nuts and hazelnuts he had peeled into the lass's hands. He took the half foot long sweater she had knitted from her hands and carefully put it to the side.
When Yu Xiaocao received the bounty from his hands, she ate the nuts in small bites. Outside, someone reported that Steward Yan was requesting an audience. What important matter would let Steward Yan brave the snow and wind on this snowy evening to run back and forth to report on the affairs of the horse farm?
”Come in!” Zhu Junyang gently pinched open a hickory nut, carefully took out the kernel and put it on another plate that was on the kang bed table.
After Head Steward Yan came in and gave his greeting, he stood at the side, watching his master concentrate on peeling nuts. He was stunned for a moment and in his heart, he thought, 'Could he be peeling it for Miss Yu?'
As soon as this idea arose in his head, he saw his master take the empty plate from Miss Yu's hands and put the peeled hickory nuts into her hands. Head Steward Yan thought to himself, 'I didn't expect my master, who had the titles of a cold-faced calamitous star, would be just like his father, the imperial prince, someone who dotes on their wife to no end.
”Is there a matter?” Zhu Junyang saw that the lass preferred to eat the pine nuts and patiently peeled them out one by one. His movement was extremely leisurely and elegant as if he wasn't peeling pine nuts but using his fingertips to dance instead. It was very pleasing to the eye.
Head Steward Yan hastily took back his gaze and with a smile reported, ”As Your Highness has expected, the herd led by the white horse has moved into the new stables outside today. When the man in charge of the stable over there went to add the feed, the wild horses, although agitated, didn't attack the horse breeder nor did they seem to intend to escape.”
”Lass, you guessed right. The white horse has come to the horse farm to seek shelter for his species!” The matter was expected by both of them. However, it was going to be a process to gain the trust of the lead white horse.
Yu Xiaocao smiled and said to Head Steward Yan, ”Keep the people of the horse farm as far away from the new stables as possible. Besides sending water and feed, the horse breeders shouldn't go over there.”
”Yes! I will tell the others now...” Head Steward Yan knew very well that Miss Yu's orders were the master's orders; thus, he very respectfully agreed.
”Wait!” Yu Xiaocao suddenly thought of something and called back Head Steward Yan, who had turned around to go out. ”When the grooms add feed to the stables, let them take notice of whether there are any sick horses or horses about to give birth in the herd.”
”Yes!” Miss Yu was very considerate but would the wild horses allow the veterinarians access to them even if they were sick? Head Steward Yan took a look in the direction of his master and left with doubts in his heart.
When Zhu Junyang's sweater only had the two sleeves left to sew, Head Steward Yan presented the statistics. The condition of the wild horse herd wasn't optimistic. There were seventy-five wild horses of all sizes, with more than a dozen sick or weak. There weren't many horses pregnant, only around two or three.
In the horse farm, the sick horses were quarantined to prevent other horses from getting infected. Fortunately, the wild horses had a warm shelter. Every day, they could eat grass laced with spiritual energy and drink from well water, so their resistance was greatly enhanced. Some of the less ill horses had begun to improve.
”It seems that the wind and snow outside is lighter. Ruizhi, I want to go to the stables and have a look. Will you accompany me over?” Yu Xiaocao saw that there were several seriously ill and mares about to give birth according to the statistics. She was a bit worried and used a coquettish tone to act cute with Zhu Junyang.
She knew that with Zhu Junyang, she might be allowed to go for a walk. If she was on her own, that overbearing wife maniac would absolutely not agree! Aiya! Having a man who cared too much about her was also a kind of sweet burden!
”Okay! I'll go with you——However, you have to put on the duck down cotton-padded trousers, as well as the sheepskin vest and wear the ferret fur lined coat on the outside...” Every time Zhu Junyang saw the lass's thin arms and legs, he always worried about her health.