Chapter Ninety-Three: It's always been this way, and that's still wrong.
Song Yiqiu held the fortune slip in her hand, without even looking at it, and with a slight force between her fingers, she broke the slip in half.
A collective gasp filled the arena, followed by an uproar.
"She...she actually dared to break the divination stick?"
"This is before the Emperor, a rule set by drawing lots. How dare she openly defy it?"
"Absolutely audacious! Absolutely audacious! Has Song Yiqiu gone mad?"
This sudden turn of events caught even the confident Song Sangyu off guard, causing her eyes to widen in surprise.
Manager Yan also looked surprised and stepped forward:
“Miss Song… this, this isn’t appropriate, is it? The draw has already been decided, how can this be…”
Princess Xingrong, standing to the side, was so angry that she jumped up and down, pointing at Song Yiqiu and scolding her:
"Rebellion! Rebellion! Song Yiqiu, you dare to disregard even the rules of the royal family? You wait, I'm going to report to Father and Mother right now, you're dead this time!"
She was about to lift her skirt and run off to complain when she said that.
However, Song Yiqiu merely glanced at her indifferently, and her nonchalant demeanor caused Princess Xingrong to pause in her tracks.
Song Yiqiu spoke calmly, her cool tone clearly discernible amidst the noise of the scene:
"Please be patient and listen to what I have to say."
Before anyone could react, she suddenly knocked the container of divination sticks that Steward Yan was holding to the ground.
Dozens of fortune slips were scattered on the ground, with the wooden side facing up, revealing the bottom of each slip, which was marked with red cinnabar.
"These... all the signatures are red?"
Someone gasped in surprise.
The scene fell into dead silence once again. How dare someone act so boldly and recklessly right under the emperor's nose!
Song Yiqiu looked around and said loudly:
"Your Excellency is wise! Under the Emperor's nose, during the grand autumn hunt, someone has resorted to such underhanded tricks, tampering with the divination sticks in an attempt to frame you."
"Such despicable behavior is not only unfair to the participants, but also a desecration of royal dignity. Since the lot-drawing box itself has been defiled, the so-called results arising from it are naturally invalid!"
She thought for a moment and then continued:
"Furthermore, Yiqiu believes that deciding who will tame that wild and unruly horse by drawing lots is ill-considered and unreasonable!"
"All the ladies present are of noble birth, each of them delicate and precious. Riding and archery are mostly for physical fitness or to add elegance. Have you ever received special training to deal with wild horses?"
"Forcing someone who is not skilled in this area to participate is tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock. If something goes wrong, wouldn't it be a case of good intentions gone wrong, tarnishing the grand event?"
Seeing that the fire seemed unlikely to reach her, since it was Ruan Jiawen who had made the move, Song Sangye forced herself to remain calm and retorted:
"Sister, stop being unreasonable. This has always been the rule here. Why can't it be the same for you? Are you afraid to go on stage, so you're making up this excuse?"
Song Yiqiu glanced at her and sneered:
"Just because it's always been this way, does that mean it's right?"
She stopped looking at Song Sangyu and turned to face the crowd.
"Sisters, this is a matter of life and death, how can we treat it lightly? Yiqiu suggests that we make a slight change to this step."
"All volunteers must wear appropriate protective gear such as breastplates and wrist guards. We regard it as an entertainment event that showcases courage and riding skills, not a life-or-death competition."
"It's a win-win situation: you can experience the charm of BMW, ensure your safety to the greatest extent, and understand the worries of your parents and elders."
Her words were reasonable and logical, not based on her own interests, but on the health of all the ladies present.
After all, if they draw lots again, they might still be drawn.
Some of the ladies, who were already afraid of this dangerous part, nodded in agreement:
"Miss Song is right! That horse looks terrifying; who would dare to ride it so easily!"
"That's right, wearing protective gear is always safer..."
"The lottery was rigged? How terrifying! Luckily, Miss Song discovered it!"
Manager Yan looked troubled; he couldn't make the decision to change the rules.
Just then, Crown Prince Xiao Yongjing, who had been quietly observing the situation from his high seat, lazily spoke:
"Miss Song, you are right."
He slowly and deliberately waved the folding fan in his hand, a playful smile playing on his lips:
"The autumn hunt is supposed to be a joyous and celebratory event, but it would be disgraceful if it turned into a bloodbath. Father, I also think Miss Song's suggestion is excellent. It upholds the rules while also protecting the safety and dignity of all the young ladies. Why don't we do as she says?"
The emperor's gaze was deep; he glanced at the crown prince, then at the proudly standing Song Yiqiu, and nodded slightly.
"Approved. We'll proceed as the Crown Prince and Miss Song have suggested."
"Your servant obeys!"
Manager Yan immediately bowed and agreed.
Song Sangyu's face turned ashen. The Crown Prince's words meant that she and the others would also have to go on stage with Song Yiqiu.
She panicked immediately, disregarding everything else, and pointed at Song Yiqiu:
“Even if that’s the case, Song Yiqiu must tame the wildest horse. She’s a general who returned from the frontier, so her skills are naturally far superior to those of us sheltered young ladies. That’s only fair.”
In contrast to her exasperation, Song Yiqiu simply laughed heartily and answered decisively:
"Can."
Fu Langxing frowned.
The archery demonstration just now posed no real danger, but taming the wild horse is a true life-or-death struggle.
Looking at Song Yiqiu's nonchalant demeanor, he felt she was putting on a brave face, and a strange irritation rose in his heart. As if possessed, he stepped down from the stands and, amidst the admiring gazes of many noble ladies, slowly walked towards Song Yiqiu's seat.
"Look! It's the Earl's heir, Fu Shizi."
"He's come down and heading towards the women's section!"
"Truly striking features, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, an extraordinary bearing. He is no less impressive than His Highness the Crown Prince!"
"I heard he's engaged to Song Yiqiu?"
"So what if there's a marriage agreement? Haven't you seen how cold and indifferent Young Master Fu is to Miss Song? I bet he's here to see Miss Sang Yu."
"Exactly, look, Miss Sang Yu's face turned red when she saw him..."
Listening to the whispers around her and watching Fu Langxing slowly approach, Song Sangyu blushed and secretly rejoiced.
He was indeed worried about me, unconsciously raising his head towards Song Yiqiu and casting a provocative glance at her.
However, Fu Langxing walked straight past her and stood in front of Song Yiqiu.
Song Yiqiu was adjusting her wristband when she felt the shadow fall over her. She looked up indifferently, and after seeing who it was, her eyes remained completely calm.
"Young Master Fu, you've come to the wrong place, haven't you? The person who worries you is right behind you."
Fu Langxing was taken aback by her aloof attitude. From childhood to adulthood, no noble lady had ever dared to speak to him like that.
He suppressed his displeasure and said in a deep voice:
“Song Yiqiu, don’t be reckless and touch that wild horse, it’s dangerous. A girl should act like a girl, just like the other young ladies, choose a gentle horse to demonstrate.”
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