Luo Xunlong laughed and said, "Prince Xiao's mount must have traveled all the way from the capital in a hurry, and it even played a game of polo just now. Do you think Xiaohong can't outrun it?"
Wei Dongling was speechless. Xiaohong? What a casual name. He named the horse without even asking Prince Xiao first?
Murong Xuan wasn't annoyed either. He stared at Wei Dongling without blinking and said with a charming smile, "If Miss Wei wins, how about I give Xiaohong to you?"
Shangguan Yun coughed and said, "Didn't you say you'd give it to me, brother?" It was bad enough that he valued women over friends, but now he was even currying favor with the woman he had feelings for. Shangguan Yun was unhappy.
Murong Xuan clapped his hands and laughed, "Among the horses here, Brother Shangguan can take whichever one he fancies. We shouldn't deprive a beauty of what she wants!"
Shangguan Yun shot him a glance but said nothing.
Luo Xunlong stepped forward and taught Wei Dongling how to tame the horse hand in hand. After riding around for a few laps, she was already quite proficient at controlling it.
When Wei Dongling led Xiaohong into the horse - training ground, He Yao had been waiting for her for quite a while. Her face was as cold as ice. She glanced disdainfully at Wei Dongling and Xiaohong and sneered, "You even managed to pick a good horse. Do you think you can beat me, the county princess, just like this?"
Wei Dongling said calmly with a smile, "Hey! Sister, what do you think I should do? My Zixi won't let me be wronged. He's trying every means to stuff silver into my hands to make me happy!"
These words made He Yao's face turn black with anger. She stood there like a firecracker about to explode and roared, "Wei Dongling! You're so shameless!"
Wei Dongling didn't bother to pay attention to her.
The competition with He Yao was quite simple. They just had to ride around the horse - training ground for ten laps, and the one who finished first would win. There wasn't much skill involved.
A servant came over and wanted to tie a red silk ribbon around Xiaohong's neck. Xiaohong resisted in every way, kicking out with its hooves and scaring the servant. The servant had no choice but to stuff the red silk into Wei Dongling's hands and begged her to tie it on. Wei Dongling was speechless.
She also saw that the thin horse beside He Yao had a blue silk ribbon tied around its neck. When the on - lookers heard that there was a horse - racing competition between two young girls, they lined up excitedly to place their bets.
Murong Xuan walked over to Wei Dongling and said with a smile, "I've placed a bet of 100,000 taels of silver on you to win, Miss Wei. You can just go ahead and compete with confidence!"
100,000 taels? Wei Dongling was stunned for a long time. Then she thought, the whole horse - training ground belongs to you! Isn't this just moving money from one pocket to the other?
Shangguan Yun said to Pin Hao beside him, "Give me the silver! I know you still have some."
Pin Hao knew that his master also wanted to bet on Wei Dongling to win. He reluctantly tried to dissuade him, "My lord, that thin horse performed extremely well just now. How about we think it over some more..."
Shangguan Yun shot him a displeased look. Pin Hao had no choice but to shut up and took out a money bag from his bosom and handed it over.
Shangguan Yun glanced at the money bag and asked, "Where's the rest?"
Pin Hao was speechless. He turned around, took off his shoes, and took out a stack of smelly silver notes from his shoes.
Shangguan Yun looked at him with disgust and waved his hand, "Let's go. Place a bet on the red team to win."
Pin Hao held the silver notes in his hands, speechless.
Just as Wei Dongling was feeling content, she saw the young servant who had let her cut in line passing by. He waved at her and said with a smile, "Miss, you're competing yourself? You should do your best. I'm rooting for you!"
Wei Dongling felt a warm feeling in her heart and nodded with a faint smile. The young servant nodded politely and walked away. Then he turned back and shouted to his companions, "Hurry up, let's go and bet on the blue team to win!" Wei Dongling was stunned.
She also saw Luo Xunlong take out a stack of silver notes from his lapel and hand them to Yu Haiming, whispering something to him. From his lip - reading, it seemed that he was saying: Go and bet on the blue team.
Wei Dongling felt like crying.
As the competition was about to start, Luo Xunlong instructed Wei Dongling, who was sitting on Xiaohong, "I've observed just now. Xiaohong has extremely strong explosive power and is definitely no worse than He Yao's horse. Don't worry. You'll surely win!"
Wei Dongling nodded and rode Xiaohong into the arena.
In the stable just now, Murong Xuan noticed that Luo Xunlong knew a great deal about the horses' habits, and the two quickly struck up a conversation. Seeing him instructing Wei Dongling like this, he couldn't help but smile faintly and said, "Is it really okay for you to deceive Miss Wei like this? Xiaohong is indeed quite good, but it's still far inferior to my beloved horse."
Luo Xunlong laughed and said, "I just believe in my girl. With her indomitable character, she won't give up easily."
Murong Xuan watched Wei Dongling's receding figure with a smile in his eyes.
In the arena, Wei Dongling and He Yao rode side by side. They glanced at each other, their eyes filled with hostility, and then turned their heads away in disgust.
The two were ready to go. Hearing the gongs ringing, the two horses galloped out like arrows shot from a bow.
The on - lookers watched with great interest.
He Yao's horse was small, thin, and flexible. In a short while, it took the lead by a step.
"Giddy - up!" Wei Dongling shouted angrily and clamped her legs tightly around Xiaohong, chasing after them desperately.
He Yao gave her a contemptuous look and sneered. Suddenly, she whipped out her riding crop and lashed it hard at Xiaohong's head.
Wei Dongling was shocked. From such a close distance, He Yao actually resorted to dirty tricks! If this whip landed, with Xiaohong's temper, it would probably get angry from the pain and refuse to cooperate in the competition anymore.
Before she could think further, Xiaohong braked suddenly and turned its head to avoid the whip, but its speed obviously slowed down. Wei Dongling and Xiaohong watched helplessly as He Yao rode away, accompanied by a long string of clear, tinkling laughter.
The on - lookers outside clearly saw He Yao's move and were all stunned. In a horse - racing arena, a rider attacking the opponent's horse was a violation of the rules!
Seeing He Yao's actions, Princess Jiaxin, who was sitting in the private room on the second floor watching the horse - racing, changed her expression slightly. She flattered Princess Rui with a smile and said, "Yao Yao has always been competitive since she was a child. Now this girl has hooked up with her fiancé, and she's been crying to me at home for many days!" She timely played the victim for her daughter, hoping that Princess Rui would be partial to He Yao and not hold her accountable.
Princess Rui didn't really care about who won or lost. She was just there for the fun, so she naturally ignored this and waved her hand, saying, "Yao Yao's marriage is a bit worrying. A daughter of the royal family is as precious as gold. I'm afraid that young master of the Yu family is not worthy of our Yao Yao!"
"Alas, they've had a marriage contract since they were young. How could I be willing? It's really true that a grown - up daughter doesn't listen to her mother!"
These words made Princess Rui look sympathetic. She could only comfort her and then changed the topic to talk about something else.
In the arena, because Xiaohong had to avoid the danger in time, it had fallen far behind when it accelerated again. Seeing He Yao leading by half a lap, with her long hair and dress fluttering in the wind in the distance, Wei Dongling was extremely anxious. She whipped Xiaohong's butt desperately and shouted anxiously, "Xiaohong, be more competitive. We can't lose!"
Xiaohong was very obedient to its new master and charged forward bravely, not willing to be outdone.
After the third and fourth laps, Wei Dongling was jolted around so much by Xiaohong that she was dizzy. She held onto the reins tightly and didn't dare to let go. However, the distance between her and He Yao was gradually closing.
Wei Dongling felt a lot more relieved. Uncle Luo hadn't lied to her. Xiaohong was indeed a good horse!