Although they were cousins through their mothers, there was no affection between them—only constant competition since childhood.
Who was prettier, whose dress was made from finer fabric, who was more talented, who garnered more admiration from the noble sons of the capital—everything could be a contest.
In terms of status, originally, Liu Mingzhu was no match for Commandery Princess Luochuan. But she happened to have a highly favored Noble Consort as her aunt—Noble Consort Liu treated her no differently than a daughter.
So Liu Mingzhu naturally had the confidence and backing to rival Commandery Princess Luochuan.
Now, hearing Qi Yuan say she wanted to challenge Liu Mingzhu first, Commandery Princess Luochuan raised her brows in mockery: “Weren’t you the one who wanted to compete with me? Fine—beat her first, then we’ll talk.”
Liu Mingzhu turned sharply to glare at Qi Yuan, her eyes sharp as blades.
This low-born wretch!
If it hadn’t been for her mother’s special instruction to stir up conflict between Qi Yuan and the princess, she wouldn’t have even spared this girl a glance.
Technically, Qi Yuan’s status might barely allow her to trail behind them like a foot-washing maid.
But she had spent over a decade on a country estate, living as a butcher’s daughter.
Someone like that wasn’t even fit to carry her spittoon.
Yet this wretch dared provoke her?
Truly a cunning little b*tch—knowing she couldn’t afford to offend Commandery Princess Luochuan, so she picked her instead.
Did she think she was easier to cross?
Raising her brow slowly, Liu Mingzhu smirked, “What’s there to be afraid of?”
She twirled her riding crop, her smile never reaching her eyes: “But Qi Yuan, since you’re so confident, don’t cry when you lose.”
Wretched girl—she’d make sure Qi Yuan learned her place today.
Commandery Princess Luochuan, at that moment, found Qi Yuan rather pleasing to the eye.
Not that she liked her per se, but Qi Yuan had just said she was more skilled at riding than Liu Mingzhu and chose to challenge Liu Mingzhu first—which pleased her.
The noble girls of the capital were all sharp-witted; their words always flawless, never picking sides explicitly.
Only this Qi Yuan, perhaps still fresh from the countryside, spoke with such bluntness—it felt novel.
So she laughed: “Since it’s a competition, there must be a wager! Qi Yuan, if you win, this princess will have my father reward you with that Ferghana horse!”
That was no ordinary horse. Only five had ever been tributed from the Western Regions.
And Zhou Wang only owned one.
It was a bold wager indeed.
Liu Mingzhu raised her chin and sneered: “If there’s a prize for winning, shouldn’t there be a punishment for losing? Otherwise, what fun is that?”
She cast a glance at her crowd: “Isn’t that right?”
The noble girls who had been quietly observing instantly understood her intent.
No one actually believed Qi Yuan could win.
All that talk about the Eldest Princess personally training her—surely just a bluff.
Besides, how could she have learned polo in some mountain monastery?
The Eldest Princess spent her days among incense and sutras—teaching polo?
Liu Mingzhu clearly wanted them to help set a humiliating punishment.
Between siding with Liu Mingzhu or Qi Yuan, was there really a choice?
Someone laughed maliciously: “If the prize is that precious, then the punishment should match—how about the loser cuts off both hands?”
The crowd burst into laughter, all eyes turning to Qi Yuan with malicious amusement.
Unfortunately for them, Qi Yuan was like a stone—unyielding, calm, unfazed.
But then someone objected: “That’s too much! It’s just a game—what kind of punishment is that?”
Qi Yuan turned slightly, spotting the girl who had spoken: she wore a pale yellow jacket and a tea-white pleated skirt, and was now looking at her anxiously.
She felt a flicker of recognition.
That girl looked familiar.
Then the girl who suggested hand-cutting mocked: “Wang Chan, what are you pretending for? Worried your cousin might lose? Everyone knows your Dingyuan Marquis household is related to the Yongping Marquis!”
Dingyuan Marquis—that was her aunt Lu’s family.
No wonder she found Wang Chan familiar—she looked like Aunt Lu.
Qi Yuan gave Wang Chan a warm nod and casually turned the tables: “Aren’t we going to compete? Or is Miss Liu afraid?”
With that, the noble girls in the crowd began whispering—Qi Yuan was being outrageously arrogant.
Liu Mingzhu looked at her again, this girl from a hole-in-the-ground really had a death wish.
With a cold snort, she said lazily: “Whoever loses will kneel in the polo field and bark like a dog. Should be fun.”
Commandery Princess Luochuan choked slightly.
That punishment was too vicious.
A noble young lady, barking like a dog in public…
No broken bones, but worse than physical injury—it would ruin her reputation forever.
She looked nervously at Qi Yuan, fearing she’d back down.
But Qi Yuan calmly placed a hand over Wang Chan’s, looked straight at Liu Mingzhu, and smiled: “Alright!”
Wang Chan was instantly panicked, gripping Qi Yuan’s hand tightly: “Cousin, you’re being reckless! Don’t you know Liu Mingzhu’s riding skills are just as good as the Commandery princess’s?!”
Liu Mingzhu had trained tirelessly for this moment—to shine at her coming-of-age ceremony.
Qi Yuan didn’t even own a horse!
How could she possibly compete?
Agreeing was foolish beyond belief!
Madam Lu was a good person, and her daughter took after her.
Today, everyone was waiting to mock Qi Yuan just to please Liu Mingzhu.
But Wang Chan still stood up for her without hesitation.
Qi Yuan’s voice softened: “It’s alright. Just a small matter.”
She smiled: “By the way, cousin, may I borrow a riding outfit and your horse?”
…
Wang Chan nearly fainted.
Qi Yuan didn’t even have her own horse, yet she dared enter the competition!
Wang Chan asked, disbelieving: “Do you even have a polo mallet?”
Qi Yuan shook her head, entirely unapologetic.
Wang Chan closed her eyes.
Bracing herself for doom, she followed Qi Yuan to get changed.
Once Qi Yuan was dressed and ready, Wang Chan couldn’t help but offer one last warning: “Liu Mingzhu is truly obsessed with polo—rumor has it she learned to ride as soon as she could walk. If you lose, it won’t be shameful…”
At this point, there was nothing more to say.
Wang Chan was beside herself with worry.
And when Qi Yuan finally walked her horse onto the field, Wang Chan was so tense her whole back had gone rigid, fists clenched tight.
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