Zhou Wangfei’s eyes widened in shock: “Mingzhu lost?”
Madam Liu’s face was ashen, and she didn’t reply.
She lost!
Her daughter lost!
On the very day she came of age, the day that was supposed to be glorious and full of pride, she lost to some low-born wench from the countryside!
Second Madam Qi gasped sharply, then blushed red with excitement and started clapping.
It was such a narrow escape—she had seen it clearly. If Qi Yuan’s reaction had been just a fraction slower, her hand would probably have been completely broken.
Zhou Wang stroked the few whiskers on his chin and let out a low whistle: “Truly, each generation brings forth new talent! Where did this Miss Qi come from?”
Where did she come from?
Xiao Yunting thought of the girl who killed someone in the lake that morning and suddenly smiled. “She came out of the water.”
…
Zhou Wang gave Xiao Yunting a puzzled look. “You know her?”
Xiao Yunting nodded. “We’re somewhat acquainted. So, Granduncle, don’t be too attached to that Ferghana horse of yours.”
She earned it herself—she deserves it.
Zhou Wang’s eyes flickered with realization. “You rascal, you’re not saying that…”
Before he could finish, the voice of Commandery Princess Luochuan suddenly rang out: “Liu Mingzhu! You lost! You lost!”
Commandery Princess Luochuan had been silent all this time. Only when the commotion on the field had quieted down did she suddenly leap up, bursting into laughter.
It was hilarious—absolutely hilarious.
That conceited Liu Mingzhu actually lost to Qi Yuan!
She sneered.
She was clearly Zhou Wang’s biological daughter, yet Liu Mingzhu always overshadowed her.
She had never liked Liu Mingzhu, but both Zhou Wang and Zhou Wangfei always lavished praise on her—while constantly criticizing Luochuan for lacking familial affection and failing to support her “sister.”
Even the pedantic scholars in the capital praised Liu Mingzhu as the “Pearl of Shengjing.”
The Pearl of Shengjing—that title had always irked Commandery Princess Luochuan.
But now that Qi Yuan had won, she finally felt vindicated.
She was happy to praise Qi Yuan now.
In comparison, Liu Mingzhu on the field was furious.
She had prepared for years!
And now it had all come crashing down in a single day, thanks to Qi Yuan. The cheers and applause ringing out around her stung her ears.
All of this glory should have been hers—these shouts, these praises, hers!
But now, they all belonged to Qi Yuan.
She couldn’t even imagine how Commandery Princess Luochuan and Commandery Princess Xianning would mock her once she left the field.
Even those noble girls she used to overshadow—maybe they wouldn’t say anything to her face, but behind her back they would definitely sneer that her skills were only surface-level, and that after so many years of practice, she still lost to a country bumpkin.
A flower raised in perfect conditions can’t imagine the pain of a sudden storm.
She stared daggers at Qi Yuan in the distance, knowing full well what she should do: walk up and congratulate that low-born girl, display some grace, and salvage at least the image of someone who can lose with dignity.
That would at least earn her some credit.
But her emotions refused.
Then she saw Commandery Princess Luochuan off to the side, laughing and gesturing toward Qi Yuan while speaking to Zhou Wang.
She didn’t need to hear the words. Liu Mingzhu could already imagine exactly what she was saying.
No doubt insisting Zhou Wang honor his promise and reward Qi Yuan with the Ferghana horse.
Probably saying: “Father, see? Liu Mingzhu’s riding skills are a joke—completely overhyped. A mere Qi Yuan exposed her true abilities in one match.”
Utter humiliation.
Her patience snapped. Rage and shame overtook reason, and her body acted faster than her mind.
She suddenly lashed her whip against her horse. The horse reared in pain, then under her urging, charged straight toward Qi Yuan.
Wang Chan, who had been clapping, froze in place. Her face flushed red, and she started hurrying down the stands to hug Qi Yuan.
But she had barely taken two steps when she saw Liu Mingzhu charging toward Qi Yuan—her heart instantly leapt to her throat.
She was so frightened she couldn’t even scream. All she could do was stare wide-eyed as Liu Mingzhu raised her polo mallet high—and struck at Qi Yuan’s horse’s front leg.
The disaster happened in an instant.
Everyone was stunned.
Even Zhou Wang’s expression darkened as he took several quick steps forward and shouted, “Nonsense!”
Win or lose—it’s just a game. For young ladies, what’s the big deal?
At most, people would gossip for a while. It would pass.
It’s just a match—why take it that far?!
That was clearly attempted murder!
Madam Liu’s face twitched; for a brief moment, murderous intent flashed in her eyes.
She clenched her fists, struggling to keep her composure.
Of course she didn’t approve of her daughter doing such a thing so publicly. Everyone has a reputation to protect. Mingzhu’s actions would only damage hers.
But—it had already happened.
Now wasn’t the time to worry about her reputation.
Since it was done, they could only hope to make the best of a bad situation.
If Qi Yuan were to fall and be trampled to death, or end up paralyzed… that would at least be some consolation.
The mallet struck the horse’s leg bone. The horse let out a pained cry and collapsed onto its front knees.
Caught off guard, Qi Yuan was thrown headfirst off the saddle, hitting the ground hard and kicking up a cloud of dust.
“She fell off her horse!”
Someone shouted from the sidelines as the crowd surged forward to the fence, trying to see how Qi Yuan was.
What a shame. She was just a talented young girl… but after a fall like that—who knew if she’d even survive?
Second Madam Qi’s face went ghostly pale as she cried out and rushed down to the field, heedless of appearances.
No!
She had promised the old madam she’d take care of Qi Yuan!
And what had Qi Yuan done wrong?
The daughter of Duke Chu really couldn’t take losing—she had even gone that far!
Zhou Wang watched the chaotic scene unfold, frowning, about to speak, when Xiao Yunting turned to Babao and ordered, “Go fetch Imperial Physician Hu!”
Then he strode forward without hesitation.
It really did seem like he was close with Miss Qi…
Zhou Wang thought silently, though his face showed nothing. He merely turned to a eunuch and said, “Tell the Wangfei to prepare a stretcher and a room!”
The eunuch nodded and ran off.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yunting had already reached the edge of the field and, with a few quick steps, vaulted over the railing.
And just because he vaulted over at that exact moment—he saw what was happening on the field clearly.
He froze, staring dead ahead, heart suddenly hammering in his chest.
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