Chapter 255 Lu Zhaoruo Wins the Championship on Horseback
She was convinced that Lu Zhaoruo was inferior in skill and had been left far behind.
However, what she didn't know was that Lu Zhaoruo deliberately controlled the horse's speed, falling to the back of the group, not because she was lacking strength, but because she had a well-thought-out plan to conserve the horse's power and save it for a later attack.
A 30-mile race is not something that can be accomplished overnight.
Yunxiu's reckless charge may give it an early lead, but it's likely to exhaust the horse's stamina, making it difficult to sustain in the second half of the race.
Lu Zhaoruo understood this principle well. She gently controlled the reins and did not rush to whip the horse. Instead, she let the mount run steadily at a uniform and energy-saving pace.
She calmly observed the race and the undulations of the road ahead, already calculating the timing of her burst of speed.
"Let the horse rest and recharge its energy so that it can make a final sprint and win the battle."
She silently recited it in her heart.
Do not strive for immediate victory, but aim for overall success.
So, as the race progressed past the halfway point, some of the women who had initially pushed too hard began to show signs of fatigue and slowed down, while Lu Zhaoruo maintained a steady pace.
Although Lady Yunxiu was still leading the way, her mount's breathing had become increasingly labored.
She didn't think much of it and recklessly urged the horse to keep running.
Soon, there was no longer any figure following behind them.
Her sense of pride was almost overflowing.
Not far ahead, the turning point on the northern foot of the Western Hills is clearly visible, and the Xuandi flag is fluttering in the wind!
She sneered, "Today, I, Yunxiu, am the champion!"
However.
Just then, the horse beneath her involuntarily slowed down.
No matter how anxiously she squeezed the horse's belly and cracked the whip, this fine steed, having exhausted its explosive power, could only maintain a weary run and could no longer pick up speed.
"Useless beast!"
Lady Yunxiu cursed in a low voice, her heart filled with anxiety.
She glanced back and saw that the nearest group was still several hundred paces away. Feeling somewhat relieved, she thought to herself, "So be it. Even if it's a bit slower, with this advantage, the championship is definitely mine!"
But just as this thought arose, a series of rapid, thunderous hoofbeats suddenly came from the side and behind!
Before she could react, a figure in pure white had already spurred his horse and sped past her like a white lightning bolt! The strong wind he generated was so fierce that it made the pearl hairpins at her temples sway precariously.
That tall and sharp figure could only be Lu Zhaoruo.
The princess's pupils suddenly contracted, and the smugness on her face froze instantly, turning into astonishment and shame.
"You vile woman! How dare you do this!"
She cursed inwardly, completely losing her composure, and frantically whipped her already exhausted horse.
But the horse was already exhausted and not only failed to speed up, but also became increasingly unsteady and slow under the double torment of pain and fatigue.
"Useless beast! Go after them!"
Her voice trembled with anxiety.
However, no matter how much she whipped him, she could only watch helplessly as Lu Zhaoruo calmly pulled up the banner, then deftly turned his horse around and embarked on his journey home!
Jealousy and anger instantly consumed the last shred of reason!
Ignoring everything else, Lady Yunxiu suddenly raised her riding whip and lashed it fiercely at Lu Zhaoruo's back with all her might!
This whip, accompanied by the wind and whistling, if it strikes solidly, will surely tear the skin and flesh apart!
Lu Zhaoruo heard a sharp, unusual sound of wind behind her, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw a whip coming. Startled, she remained calm in the face of danger! She quickly leaned forward, almost pressing her entire body against the horse's neck, and at the same time shouted, urging her mount to accelerate suddenly!
"Whoosh!" The whip tip whistled as it grazed her back, finally striking empty air!
However, the whip that Lady Yunxiu had put all her strength into missed its mark, and the force of the whip was too great to stop in time. With a crisp sound, it struck the side of her own mount heavily!
The horse, exhausted, was suddenly struck by a sharp pain. It neighed in alarm, reared up, and then began to thrash about wildly.
Caught off guard, Lady Yunxiu cried out in surprise and was thrown off her horse, falling heavily into the dust!
His hair was disheveled, his magnificent riding attire was covered in mud, and he looked utterly wretched.
Lu Zhaoruo reined in her horse upon hearing the sound, glanced back, and saw that Lady Yunxiu had fallen to the ground groaning, her mount already frightened and running away.
She frowned slightly, but did not stop.
The competition field is like a battlefield, and the outcome is still undecided. Her primary task at this moment is to return to the finish line with all her might.
At the same time.
Several women had already caught up on horseback.
I happened to witness such an astonishing scene.
Just moments before, the once-leading and glorious Lady Yunxiu was now disheveled, her clothes covered in dust, lying in the dust in a sorry state, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.
The direction she was looking was precisely where that figure in pure white was heading, disappearing without a trace.
The ladies couldn't help but slow their horses down, exchanging bewildered glances.
Some people instinctively covered their mouths and gasped, while others had complex and unreadable expressions in their eyes, but no one dared to immediately step forward to help them up.
Lady Yunxiu clearly felt those gazes—some were astonished, some were pitying, and perhaps some were even gloating.
This was even more unbearable for her than the physical pain.
She bit her lower lip hard, her nails digging deep into her palms, her resentment towards Lu Zhaoruo reaching its peak.
"Lu Zhaoruo... I will make you pay a hundredfold for the humiliation you have suffered today!"
Despite the aches and pains throughout her body, she struggled to her feet amidst the varied gazes of the crowd. The horse that had been startled and run away made her appear even more alone and forlorn.
Shu Heng's imperial tent faced south, with a very open square in front of it.
Colorful pavilions lined both sides, where members of the royal family, civil and military officials, and noblewomen took their seats in order.
Everyone eagerly awaited the return of Lady Yunxiu, her dazzling pomegranate red hair a sight to behold.
However, from the distant smoke and dust, the first thing to break through the air was a white figure as swift as lightning!
The figure moved as one with the horse, moving at an astonishing speed, rushing towards the finish line with unstoppable force.
"Who is that...who is that?"
Someone in the stands exclaimed in surprise.
As the figure drew closer and her features became clearly visible, someone finally exclaimed in surprise, "It's Lady Lu! It's Lu Zhaoruo from Yunshang Pavilion!"
The entire audience erupted in uproar!
The noble ladies were all shocked, some covering their mouths in astonishment, others even expressing admiration.
They never expected that this merchant's daughter, whom they had looked down upon, would have such abilities!
The younger generation also discussed the matter animatedly.
Although many people knew that Lu Zhaoruo had been married before returning to her clan and was a merchant, at this moment, her elegant and refined yet heroic figure was enough to captivate many hearts.
One young man even exclaimed, "Although Madam Lu was married before and is from a merchant family, with her grace and demeanor, it would be quite nice to take her as a concubine."
Upon hearing this, the several familiar young men around him all exchanged knowing smiles.
Someone chimed in, "Brother Pang has excellent taste! Such a stunning beauty is indeed a perfect match."
This man was none other than Pang Ying, the eldest son of the Hou family in Xiang'an County.
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