I traveled back to the Qin Dynasty, and the First Emperor begged me to become his empress.

Chapter 284 Picking Gifts

With the advent of stoves, coal, an already sought-after fuel, instantly became even more coveted. The market demand for coal surged dramatically, and the coal transportation company, responsible for transporting and allocating coal resources, was naturally overwhelmed. As the head of the coal transportation company, Ying Wuyou was working like a spinning top, constantly on the go, barely having time to rest.

However, despite the complexity and numerous tasks, under Ying Wuyou's well-organized arrangements and scheduling, all the work was able to proceed steadily according to the predetermined plan, without any signs of chaos.

After the New Year, the ministers of the court returned to their respective posts, each fulfilling their duties and throwing themselves into the new phase of their busy work. Li Shiqi had also taken office, officially assuming the important position of Attendant Censor of the Imperial Censorate. Just then, Ying Wuyou suddenly slapped his forehead, realizing something important—Cao Can had arrived in Xianyang before the New Year, but he seemed to have completely forgotten about visiting him! Thinking of this, Ying Wuyou couldn't help but sigh, "How could I be so forgetful at such a young age?"

After careful consideration, Ying Wuyou felt she couldn't continue like this. She realized she needed to find a capable assistant to offer guidance and prevent similar situations from recurring. However, her immediate priority was to prepare the gift to apologize to Cao Can. So, she hurried to the storeroom, rummaging through chests and drawers to find some fine items.

After much searching and considering, scouring every imaginable item, Ying Wuyou still couldn't find a suitable gift for Cao Can. Her brow furrowed, she pondered for a long time before finally reaching a conclusion: to give Cao Can a gift, she would either present him with an exceptionally sharp sword or a magnificent steed capable of traveling a thousand miles a day. After all, for a general like Cao Can, who had distinguished himself on the battlefield and achieved numerous military exploits, these two items were undoubtedly what he most desired. However, Ying Wuyou currently didn't have a sword readily available. But once steel was successfully forged, she could try to forge a few swords and see how they fared. As for horses, Ying Wuyou knew absolutely nothing about them. Although she had always wanted to learn to ride, she had never been able to put it into practice.

The more she thought about it, the more helpless she felt. Ying Wuyou couldn't help but reach out and gently rub her temples, sighing to herself, "Why do I always think so much? And I often just think of things on a whim, and then forget about them as soon as they're over. If no one is there to remind me from time to time, I'm afraid I really won't be able to keep up!"

Setting aside these chaotic thoughts for the moment, Ying Wuyou suddenly had a flash of inspiration and thought of his tenth brother, Ying Gaolu. He had heard that this tenth brother was not only an excellent horseman but also a first-rate archer, so he must also be quite knowledgeable about horses. With this in mind, Ying Wuyou no longer hesitated and immediately got up and strode towards the palace where Ying Gaolu resided.

Speaking of Ying Wuyou's tenth brother, Ying Gaolu, he was truly extraordinary. Despite being only thirteen years old, he was tall and imposing, with a handsome appearance. Every time Ying Wuyou saw Ying Gaolu, he couldn't help but secretly marvel, thinking to himself: judging from his appearance alone, who could believe that this was only a thirteen-year-old child? He seemed as mature and composed as a man in his twenties.

When she arrived at Ying Gaolu's palace, Ying Gaolu was already standing at the entrance, beaming with smiles, to greet her. Upon seeing Ying Gaolu, Ying Wuyou immediately smiled with delight and affectionately called out, "Tenth Brother!"

Ying Gaolu responded with a smile, "Jiayang, what brings you here today? You've decided to visit your tenth brother."

Ying Wuyou didn't engage in much small talk, but went straight to the point and asked, "Tenth Brother, do you have a deep understanding of Marco?"

Upon hearing this, Ying Gaolu raised his eyebrows slightly, a hint of doubt appearing on his face. He asked in bewilderment, "Of course I know a little about it, but Jiayang, why did you suddenly ask about this?"

Ying Wuyou then explained her thoughts in detail: she wanted to give someone a fine horse as an apology, and she herself had always been quite interested in learning to ride. After hearing this explanation, Ying Gaolu suddenly understood, and then laughed heartily, saying, "Haha, I see! This little matter is no problem for your tenth brother! I happen to know of an excellent horse farm where every horse is a top-quality steed!"

At this point, Ying Gaul's eyes gleamed with excitement, as if he could already see those strong and spirited horses. He then added enthusiastically, "Why don't we go over now and take a good look?"

Upon hearing this, Ying Wuyou was overjoyed and quickly nodded in agreement, saying, "That's wonderful! Thank you for your help, Tenth Brother." So, the two of them set off immediately, heading towards the horse farm. Along the way, they chatted and laughed, their mood exceptionally pleasant.

Upon arriving at the vast horse ranch, a breathtaking sight unfolded: galloping horses, their hooves thundering, their neighs echoing across the sky, deafening and continuous. Ying Gaolu, holding Ying Wuyou's hand tightly, nimbly weaved among the horses, a smile on his face as he enthusiastically explained the characteristics and strengths of each breed to her. Ying Wuyou listened intently, nodding occasionally to show understanding and agreement. Her bright eyes scanned the herd with curiosity and anticipation.

Suddenly, in an inconspicuous corner, a pure white pony, as pristine and flawless as a snowflake, caught Ying Wuyou's full attention. The pony stood quietly, its figure petite and graceful, its coat as smooth and silky as satin. Most striking were its large, bright eyes, like two sparkling gems, gleaming with a lively and intelligent light, as if possessing an innate spirituality.

Ying Gaolu keenly noticed where Ying Wuyou's gaze was directed. He followed her gaze, and an appreciative smile immediately appeared on his face. He said softly, "Haha, Jiayang really has a discerning eye! Don't underestimate this horse just because it's young. In my opinion, it will definitely have unlimited potential in the future."

Upon hearing this, Ying Wuyou was overjoyed and eagerly strode towards the little white horse. As she approached, she carefully reached out and gently stroked its back, feeling its soft, warm touch. At that moment, she had already made a decision in her heart—this pure white horse with its bright, intelligent eyes would be the first horse to accompany her on her journey across the world.