When the class ended today, Liao Yixuan stood up and asked everyone to sit quietly for a moment.
He then loudly announced, "The Second Prince just said that studying should be balanced with rest, and studying too hard is also harmful to the mind. Moreover, tomorrow is the Minor Cold, and it is cold, so we should go outdoors to exercise more. Therefore, tomorrow's riding and archery class will be held at the racecourse in the suburbs of the capital."
His Highness will cover all expenses; everyone can simply go together!
Sitting idly all day is boring. If you can go to the racetrack and ride a couple of laps to relax, that would be great. Everyone agreed that this made sense, so they all went to support it.
"His Highness the Second Prince is so magnanimous and generous, truly a model of imperial style! And some people... I'm afraid they can't even come close to him."
The implication in those words was so clear that it was almost a direct jab at Xiao Ziwu. Everyone smiled knowingly.
In the present-day Great Liang, the only princes of crown prince age are Xiao Ziwu and the Second Prince.
The Second Prince has been involved in court affairs for many years and has made significant achievements in handling state matters. He has many supporters and is only one step away from being established as the Crown Prince. On the other hand, Xiao Ziwu is deeply disliked by His Majesty, stays away from the court, and has no foundation whatsoever.
Everyone knows perfectly well who to flatter between these two!
The second prince nodded humbly and smiled slightly: "As long as everyone has a good time, that's enough."
After saying that, she deliberately looked in Tianyun's direction, as if she were speaking only to her. The previous incident had already made her wary, and she wouldn't fall for the same trick again. It would be better to call everyone together and see how Tianyun would refuse this time.
Still grieving, Mu Yaozhi was keeping a close eye on his every move. She happened to catch that look in his eyes, which made her even more resentful.
These days, His Highness has been deliberately keeping his distance from me, but has been paying a lot of attention to Shangguan Tianyun. What should I do?
The next day.
Mu Yao got out of bed early in the morning.
She put a lot of thought into dressing up and choosing accessories, determined to keep His Highness's attention firmly on her today.
It was just too cold that day; the north wind was as sharp and biting as ice scalpels cutting through flesh, so we should dress warmly.
The three-layered quilted inner garment was soft and close to the skin, and the begonia-red goose down coat was also gentle and warm. A rabbit fur scarf was rolled around her slender neck. Even so, as if afraid that she would get cold, Madam Mu also put a luxurious and windproof lamb's wool cloak over her.
After getting ready, Mu Yaozhi awkwardly boarded the carriage. Once seated, a maid respectfully handed her a hand warmer.
Even a light breath can produce white mist. The weather is getting colder and colder. Wearing such thick clothes is quite common in this kind of weather and doesn't stand out from others.
Fortunately, she was much slimmer than others, and even though she was dressed in bulky clothes, you could still vaguely see some of her original slender figure.
However, all her relief about her figure vanished once she arrived at the racetrack...
Because most of the noble ladies she saw were dressed lightly and had waists as thin as willow branches, her waist was twice as wide as theirs in comparison!
Even Xie Wuyun, who has a fuller figure, looks thinner than her!
Mu Yao glanced at everyone with suspicion and uncertainty. Was she the only one experiencing the dead of winter, while they were still stuck in early autumn?
Yu Shanlai saw her "sturdy" figure from afar, walking over step by step through snowdrifts, and couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
You, who always looked down on people with your chin, have finally met your match.
Several noble ladies who were close to Mu Yaozhi had already gathered around and asked all at once, "Why didn't Yaozhi use the warming plaster from Shangguan Tianyun's family?"
The huge racecourse was bustling with noise. Mu Yaozhi clenched her handkerchief in embarrassment, feeling that everyone around her was looking at her with strange eyes. She subconsciously moved to stand among a few noble ladies, trying to use them as a shield.
Then, absentmindedly, he asked, "What kind of warming plaster?"
Why is Shangguan Tianyun involved again? Are you deliberately trying to make things difficult for me?
The maidservant holding the hand warmer whispered in her ear, "It must be those black plasters that Madam brought back a couple of days ago. She said they were a gift from Madam Shangguan, but Miss thought they were unlucky and threw them all away."
Now that you mention it, I do remember it, but why did I throw it away back then? Mu Yaozhi's mind was buzzing.
The woman continued, "I heard that all the major pharmacies have sold out! The effects are truly miraculous; just one patch warms the whole body. I've had a cold constitution since childhood, and no amount of medicine has helped. From now on, I'll have to rely on this to survive the winter."
A noblewoman chimed in, "Yes, I've ordered my servants to stock up on quite a lot, so we won't have to bundle up like bears in the winter!"
She had barely finished speaking when she noticed that Mu Yaozhi's face was so dark it looked like ink could drip from it.
The only person in the entire racetrack who was bundled up like a bear glared at her fiercely: "..."
The noblewoman realized she had misspoke and quickly tried to make amends: "I wasn't talking about you, Yao Zhi, don't take it to heart! You're so slender, no matter how much you wrap yourself up, you won't be as bulky as a bear."
As soon as she finished speaking, Mu Yaozhi's face darkened even more. She impatiently pushed her away and walked out: "If you can't speak properly, then sew your mouth shut! Your legs are as thick as bridge piers! How dare you talk to me like that?" In her heart, she was already beginning to regret that if she had known that the ointment was so useful, she shouldn't have thrown it away like trash!
Xiao Ziyan had drawn his bowstring taut, intending to warm up, but Yu Shanlai lured him over with her trickery. His usually composed expression twitched slightly at the corner of his eye upon seeing Mu Yaozhi's attire.
"It seems that Sister Yao is very afraid of the cold."
These words are absolutely devastating!
Yu Shanlai, who was standing to the side, could not help but giggle and say, "Your Highness, you know that Miss Mu has always been unconventional."
This is truly humiliating! Mu Yaozhi's eyes reddened with shame and indignation, and she just wanted to tear that gloating pretty face in front of her to shreds!
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
