Chapter 63 Barter

Chu Nan smiled and said modestly, "Your Majesty flatters me. This humble commoner was merely tinkering with random ideas in his spare time."

"I simply felt that horses, being such vital instruments of warfare, should not be held back by such minor issues, so I thought perhaps I could craft a pair of 'shoes' for them."

Cheng Lingyu nodded slightly, and said softly, "Your 'tinkering' is a matter of great consequence that can alter the course of a battle."

Her tone shifted, and her gaze carried a sharp edge, "Since they are fitted, let us put them to the test."

Before her voice trailed off, Cheng Lingyu had already raised her hand to untie her cloak, casually tossing it to the maid behind her, revealing a sleek and agile set of riding attire.

She walked over to Scarlet Flame, placed one hand gently on the saddle, and mounted the horse with a clean, fluid motion.

At that moment, Chu Nan was slightly stunned.

The Empress’s posture in the saddle was upright and dignified, and a sharp, commanding aura instantly radiated from her, perfectly matching Scarlet Flame's untamable temperament.

The sunlight filtered through the gaps of the stable, casting golden rays that outlined her cool and breathtaking beauty, making her look like a deity descending from the heavens.

"What a majestic and awe-inspiring empress."

Chu Nan thought to himself with a sigh of admiration, though he did not voice the words aloud.

Cheng Lingyu gently nudged the horse's flanks, and Scarlet Flame immediately let out a high-pitched neigh. Its four hooves stepped lightly, yet its body remained as steady as Mount Tai.

She tightened her grip on the reins and gave a slight pull, causing Scarlet Flame to rear its hooves and gallop out of the stable amidst crisp hoofbeats.

Chu Nan and Shangguan Ya'er hurried along behind, arriving at the open space outside the stable just in time to see Cheng Lingyu riding Scarlet Flame across the snow-covered ground.

Scarlet Flame moved with agility, its four hooves striking the ice and snow.

There was not the slightest sign of slipping or stumbling; instead, its stride was even more powerful, and its speed was somewhat faster than usual.

Cheng Lingyu circled the open ground a few times before suddenly squeezing her flanks.

Scarlet Flame instantly leaped forward, clearing a snowdrift with graceful elegance.

The surrounding palace attendants let out a gasp of astonishment, murmuring among themselves in low voices: "Scarlet Flame's stride is much steadier than before!"

"Those horseshoes are truly a marvelous invention!"

Watching Cheng Lingyu's heroic posture as she commanded Scarlet Flame, Chu Nan could not help but let out a soft whistle.

Smiling, he said to Shangguan Ya'er, "Lady Shangguan, look at that. Doesn't Her Majesty's Scarlet Flame look like it's running with much more vigor?"

Shangguan Ya'er's gaze flickered slightly. She nodded, her tone carrying a hint of agreement, "Indeed, the effect of these horseshoes is self-evident."

"Master Chu, it seems I underestimated you before."

"Not at all, not at all," Chu Nan waved his hand, smiling rather complacently. "This humble commoner dares not accept Lady Shangguan's lavish praise."

At that moment, Cheng Lingyu brought Scarlet Flame to a gentle halt.

She dismounted with athletic grace, a rare and delightful smile gracing her face: "Master Chu, your horseshoes are indeed as extraordinary in effect as you claimed."

She paused, lifting her gaze to look at Chu Nan with a solemn expression, "I originally thought you were merely a merchant, capable at best of easing the imperial court's burdens with grain and supplies."

"Never did I imagine that you could bring such vital assistance to the warhorses of the military."

"Master Chu, I truly did not misjudge you."

Chu Nan was slightly taken aback, then cupped his fists and smiled, "Your Majesty flatters me too much. This humble commoner merely did what little was in his power."

Cheng Lingyu shook her head lightly, her eyes turning profound, "A minor matter? If these horseshoes can be widely adopted—"

"Reducing the wear and tear of the warhorses in the northern frontier while enhancing their efficiency—this is the very foundation of victory in a campaign, by no means a minor matter."

She paused, her voice growing deeper, "Master Chu, you have rendered a great service to my empire, and I have noted it in my heart."

Hearing this, Chu Nan's smile remained, though his heart tightened slightly.

The Empress's gaze seemed more profound than before.

Lowering his head slightly, he replied respectfully, "To be able to serve Your Majesty is this humble commoner's greatest honor."

Cheng Lingyu said nothing more, turning instead to Shangguan Ya'er: "Issue an immediate command to the Ministry of Works to manufacture horseshoes according to Master Chu's design as quickly as possible."

"Prioritize the warhorses of the northern frontier, and then gradually introduce them to the entire army."

"Understood, Your Majesty." Shangguan Ya'er acknowledged the command and departed with firm and resolute steps.

Cheng Lingyu turned back, her gaze landing once more on Chu Nan with a rare, gentle smile.

Placing one hand on Scarlet Flame's neck, she stroked it lightly, her tone carrying a relaxed, teasing edge: "Master Chu, you have rendered such a great service to my empire."

"If I were merely to keep it in my heart, it might seem rather stingy of me."

"I wonder if Master Chu has any reward in mind?"

Hearing these words, Chu Nan's eyes lit up slightly, though he immediately resumed his usual composed demeanor.

A smile played at the corners of his mouth as he bowed his head and cupped his fists, "Your Majesty exaggerates. This humble commoner merely contributed a meager effort and truly dares not harbor extravagant hopes for a reward."

Cheng Lingyu raised an eyebrow, looking at him with an ambiguous smile, her tone laced with playful banter: "Master Chu, I do not care much for such an answer."

"I asked what you desired, yet you repeatedly decline. Could it be that you think my reward lacks substance?"

Hearing this, Chu Nan looked up and found the Empress gazing at him with a teasing expression.

He could not help but chuckle, scratching the back of his head with a playful glint in his tone: "Since Your Majesty puts it that way, if this humble commoner were to decline further, it would seem rather ungracious."

"However, I cannot think of any suitable reward off the top of my head..."

Before he finished speaking, his gaze inadvertently swept across Cheng Lingyu's waist, and he was instantly captivated by a jade pendant hanging there.

The pendant was half-moon in shape, crystal clear, with a faint greenish hue emanating from the white jade.

The carving was exquisitely detailed, featuring an in-bloom lotus blossom etched onto the surface with striking clarity.

Though small, the jade pendant exuded a warm, noble aura that complemented Cheng Lingyu's identity to perfection.

Chu Nan's eyes brightened as he suddenly recalled the royal antiques mentioned earlier by the pot-bellied collector, President Li.

He smiled inwardly; if he could acquire this jade pendant,

forget President Li—likely every collector under the heavens would go mad for it.

Noticing Chu Nan staring at her waist with a subtle gleam in his eyes,

Cheng Lingyu's gaze darkened slightly as she calmly asked, "Master Chu, it seems you have thought of something?"

Recovering his wits, Chu Nan gave a light cough and pointed cautiously toward the jade pendant at her waist with a smile: "Your Majesty, this jade pendant... looks rather unique. Might this humble commoner be so bold as to request it?"

Cheng Lingyu was slightly startled, glancing down at the pendant at her waist.

Then she looked back up at Chu Nan, her eyes dancing with playful amusement: "This jade pendant is something I wear constantly, bestowed upon me by the previous emperor."

"You certainly have a discerning eye, Master Chu, asking for such a precious item right from the start."

Seeing that the Empress's tone was light yet carried an underlying note of scrutiny, Chu Nan felt a slight tightening in his chest.

Yet his expression remained composed as he cupped his hands with a smile: "Your Majesty, please do not misunderstand. This humble commoner does not covet its material value, but merely finds the pendant exceptionally exquisite."

"Used as a minor token of favor, perhaps it might help me resolve some trivial matters—think of it as a simple barter."