Hearing this, Cui Huan beside her quickly tugged at her corner of the dress to show her opposition. Wei Dongling gave her a puzzled look.
A higher - ranking official can overwhelm those below. Did she have the right to say no?
He Yao sneered, "Fine! It's a deal!"
The Princess of Rui glanced at her youngest son and said comfortingly with a smile, "Since you're all friends, it doesn't matter who wins or loses. I'll add a prize for you!" With that, she took a beautifully crafted peony hairpin from her hair bun and placed it in the hands of a maid beside her. She said gently with a smile, "Whoever of you girls wins, this hairpin will be your reward. It can also be a nice addition to your dowry."
The Princess of Jiaxin had sharp eyes and asked in surprise, "Isn't this the hairpin the Empress Dowager bestowed upon you when you were pregnant? You're using such a precious item as a prize?"
The Princess of Rui smiled gently, "My dear Princess remembers. It is indeed that peony hairpin from back then. I'm in a good mood today. I'll add a prize for the kids and hope they'll marry well in the future! Alright, kids, go get ready!" The two noble ladies walked away hand in hand, chatting intimately.
He Yao gave Wei Dongling a cold look and then turned around and headed for the stable.
Cui Huan stamped her feet anxiously and said with a long face, "In the horse - racing competitions held locally in Yangu Mountain, He Yao has won first place every year. How can you compete with her?"
Wei Dongling was stunned and said, "When we were in Xingshan, I saw that she couldn't even drive a carriage!" Could it be that she just put on the airs of a county princess and was reluctant to drive the carriage?
Cui Huan was on the verge of tears. What should they do? She turned around and walked towards Luo Xunlong, asking everyone to help think of a way.
Shangguan Yun looked at Wei Dongling's flustered appearance and said in a low voice with his head down, "Just go with the flow and do your best!"
Wei Dongling could only nod. When she looked up, she saw He Yao leading out a thin horse. It was exactly the good horse that had been invincible on the field just now.
Seeing He Yao choose his mount, Murong Xuan's face darkened. He could only say helplessly to Wei Dongling, "I'll take you to pick another horse!"
Wei Dongling trembled inside as she watched He Yao lead away the good horse. She forced herself to bow and thank Murong Xuan, then followed him to the stable to pick a good horse.
The servants in the stable came over and bowed to Murong Xuan, then went about their business.
Wei Dongling was dumbfounded looking at the large number of horses of all kinds.
She also saw the little wild horse with the injured right leg lying on the ground, pitifully rubbing its head against the person feeding it.
Wei Dongling sighed silently. This had gotten a bit out of hand. She might even end up losing Yu Zixi to He Yao. It was really frustrating. She must have forgotten to check the almanac before going out today!
Cui Huan: When have you ever checked the almanac before going out?
Wei Dongling walked through the stable from one end to the other, dejected and silent.
Shangguan Yun asked with a concerned look in his eyes, "None of them satisfy you?"
Murong Xuan pointed to a strong horse and said to Wei Dongling, "This one is quite good. Do you want to lead it out and give it a try?"
Wei Dongling was stiff for a long time and was just about to nod when Luo Xunlong's voice came from behind, "No need to try. That horse can't compare to the young prince's mount!"
Wei Dongling turned around and said with a pout, "Uncle Luo, you already know?"
Luo Xunlong waved his hand and said, "Do your best and leave the rest to fate! I just saw a good horse. It might be a match. Do you want to go and take a look?"
Wei Dongling said in surprise, "Really?"
Everyone followed Luo Xunlong to the outside of the stable and saw a tall bay horse with a red coat lowering its head and munching on the forage.
Murong Xuan looked at the horse and said firmly, "This one won't do!"
Everyone looked at him in unison.
Murong Xuan waved his hand and said, "It's not that I'm reluctant to let you ride it. It's a good horse, but this horse has been here for over three months. It has a really bad temper. It hasn't been tamed yet, and no stranger can get close to it. I really wanted to help you, but I'm ashamed to say that it kicked me with its hind legs the other day."
Seeing him admit such an embarrassing thing so generously, everyone couldn't help but smile, and their good impression of this young prince increased a bit.
Wei Dongling said nervously, "Then what should we do?"
Luo Xunlong glanced at her and said speechlessly, "You were so quick to agree to the competition. Now you're backing down? Don't you want your husband anymore?"
Wei Dongling was at a loss for words. Whether she wanted her husband or not could be discussed later. But that ten - thousand - tael silver and that peony hairpin that looked extremely valuable were definitely worth fighting for!
Luo Xunlong handed over the horsewhip and said to Wei Dongling, "Go!"
Wei Dongling was stunned, "What?"
Luo Xunlong stared at her and said, "Tame it! Only if you tame it yourself will this horse obediently follow your orders."
Murong Xuan knew the horse's temper well and said anxiously, "Miss Wei is as beautiful as a flower. She might not be able to handle its stubborn temper. What if she gets hurt?"
Luo Xunlong waved his hand and said, "She can do it! The ten - thousand - tael silver is calling out to her. The girl will be eager to do it!"
Wei Dongling gritted her teeth and nodded. For the ten - thousand - tael silver, she'd fight!
She had just taken two steps forward when the horse grazing with its head down was suddenly startled. It reared up its two front hooves and kicked at Wei Dongling fiercely. Wei Dongling lightly tapped her toes and dodged the attack, then reached out to grab the reins.
Even the servants who came to feed the horse every day didn't dare to grab its reins like this. The horse wasn't willing to show weakness. It raised its upper body with its head held high and kicked at Wei Dongling one after another with its two hooves. Wei Dongling quickly dodged, moving like the wind under her feet. Her speed was so fast that Murong Xuan beside her was stunned.
Seeing that Wei Dongling was persistent and was about to come up and grab it again, the horse got angry and kicked at her fiercely. Wei Dongling dodged to the side but didn't manage to avoid the hind - leg kick. She was kicked flying and fell hard to the ground.
"Watch out!" Murong Xuan cherished the beautiful girl and couldn't bear to see her get hurt, so he quickly called out to remind her.
It was so fierce! Damn it!
Wei Dongling was in pain all over after being kicked to the ground.
Luo Xunlong shouted in a deep voice, "What's the whip for? Hit it!"
Hearing this, Wei Dongling got up and didn't hesitate. She whipped the horse hard. Her fierce appearance made Murong Xuan's face turn deathly pale.
Luo Xunlong watched the bay horse coldly and directed, "Lead it. If it doesn't behave, trip it!"
Wei Dongling reached out to lead the horse. The horse angrily dodged, stood up, snorted, and kicked at Wei Dongling again.
Wei Dongling quickly dodged. One person and one horse fought a long battle of wits.
She got on the horse and was then jolted off, and this happened over and over again. After falling five or six times, Wei Dongling was bruised and swollen.
Cui Huan, seeing her fall like that, said anxiously, "Why don't we just give up? This is too difficult."
Luo Xunlong took Cui Huan's hand and said with a smile, "The girl can do it. You have to believe in her."
Finally, after a long and repeated struggle, the fiery horse became a bit exhausted and gave in. It obediently let Wei Dongling ride on it and led it to gallop away.
A smile appeared on Murong Xuan's lips.
Seeing Wei Dongling come back after riding around for a circle, Luo Xunlong said with a smile, "How do you feel?"
Wei Dongling said with a bitter face, "I've tamed it, but both it and I are a bit exhausted. Can we win later?"