Given what happened earlier, Ming Lingyi no longer felt it was improper for Li Yun to hold her in front of him as they rode.
After Li Yun said, "Hold on tight," he squeezed his legs against the horse's belly and headed for the city gates.
Inside the Capital City, they kept to a trot. But as soon as they were outside the walls, he began to accelerate.
The world suddenly opened up the moment they passed through the city gates.
Li Yun gave the reins a sharp shake and barked, "HYA!"
The fine steed beneath him neighed, its hooves leaving the ground as it shot forward like an arrow from a bow. The unexpected acceleration threw Ming Lingyi backward, sending her crashing solidly into Li Yun's chest.
In an instant, the wind turned violent, howling past her ears until her face stung. The trees by the roadside blurred into a streak of green, rushing backward. The world seemed to shrink, leaving only the rushing wind, the thundering hooves, and the firm, searing chest behind her.
