Chapter 42 Horse Racing
At the Western Suburbs Horse Farm, the sky was clear and blue after the rain, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of soil and grass.
Galloping through the landscape, the view broadened and the heart relaxed. Zhou Si, along with the elite imperial guards, was spread out in the distance, guarding the few people in the center like a silent rock.
Xiao Jin was dressed in a dark and tight outfit, standing on his horse, his posture as straight as a pine tree.
Xiao Heng rode alongside him, dressed in brocade and wearing a jade belt, looking very heroic.
Yun Zhao was wearing a neat crimson riding suit with narrow sleeves and a cinched waist, which made his skin look whiter than snow, and gave him a rare sense of boldness.
Xiao Guizi followed nervously, leading a more docile horse.
The horse's hooves lightly stepped on the wet grass, and the atmosphere was unusually relaxed.
Suddenly, a white figure came into view in the distance.
A man and a horse, his white clothes are as white as snow, and the chestnut horse under his crotch is extraordinary and majestic. His long black hair is flying freely in the wind. He is coming from far away at an extremely fast speed, but his posture is as elegant as flowing water.
[Wow! What a handsome man!] Yun Zhao's eyes were instantly drawn to him. From the moment the figure appeared to the moment it approached, he barely blinked.
Xiao Heng narrowed his eyes, a mixture of vigilance and curiosity in his eyes. "Royal brother, who is that? How dare they act so recklessly in this royal stable?"
Xiao Jin raised the corners of his lips slightly as he watched the young man in white clothes roll off the horse nimbly with clean and beautiful movements.
The young man stepped forward, bowed, and saluted calmly, his voice clear and pleasant:
"I, Yan Huichun, greet your majesty, your highness the Prince of Jin, the Grand Master Yun, and Eunuch Wang (Xiao Guizi)."
[She's three times more exquisite than a woman! Everyone in the palace says His Majesty isn't interested in women... Could it be... that she's just into this?!]
Countless palace secrets and indescribable associations flashed through Yun Zhao's mind in an instant, and there was a hint of subtle inquiry in his eyes when he looked at Xiao Jin.
Xiao Jin seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, accurately catching Yun Zhao's "disrespectful" thoughts. He glanced at her coldly before speaking calmly, "This is my alchemist, Yan Huichun. His medical skills are decent, especially for difficult and complicated diseases. He has some ability to bring people back to life."
Xiao Heng suddenly realized, "Oh! Is this the one my brother rescued outside the city when he was incognito last summer?"
"Yeah." Xiao Jin responded, which was considered an admission.
"Alchemist? Such a person has never been seen in the palace! Has he always lived outside the palace?" Yun Zhao's heart was filled with doubts. "In my previous life... I've never heard of him in my previous life! Rescued him last year in the middle of summer? What a coincidence? In the middle of summer... was the King of Qin also active in the suburbs of Beijing at that time? Could he be someone planted by the King of Qin?!"
The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became. [Wait! Soon...soon Xiao Jin will be poisoned to death! Could Shi...could it be this seemingly harmless alchemist?! Oh my! This is terrifying!]
Yun Zhao's brows were instantly twisted into knots, and his heart was in turmoil. The look he gave Yan Huichun was full of scrutiny and subtle vigilance.
Xiao Jin had "heard" most of her thoughts, but he remained expressionless. Suddenly, he turned to Yun Zhao and said, "I heard that Duke Yun is ill with an old injury. Why not let Yan Qing take a look?"
Yun Zhao's heart trembled, and he almost blurted out, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern! My father only has some old injuries from the battlefield, and he has been taking medicine all year round to take care of himself. I dare not trouble Master Yan!"
Yan Huichun seemed unaware of her wariness, his smile still gentle and elegant, like a spring breeze.
His previous salute had already quietly revealed the identities of everyone present. He then calmly continued, "Mr. Yun's filial piety is evident. If the Duke's knee injury is unbearable on rainy days, I have a family ointment that might be useful."
He pulled a small jade box from his sleeve and presented it with both hands, his tone filled with an almost conceited certainty, "If this ointment is ineffective, I am willing to die as an apology."
[Hiss!] Yun Zhao gasped. [How could he be so ruthless?! It's just an ointment, is there any need to risk his life? This person is either crazy, or... he has absolute confidence in his stuff!]
She suppressed her suspicion and forced a polite smile. She stepped forward and took the jade box with both hands. "Master Yan, you are so kind. Yun Zhao thanks you on behalf of my father for such a generous gift. I will definitely ask you to try it out."
Seeing this, Xiao Heng's thoughts became more active: "Royal brother, the Queen Mother has been feeling unwell recently, always complaining of dizziness and fatigue. How about..."
"Alright!" Xiao Jin interrupted him, leaping onto his horse, his black robes fluttering in the wind, and exuding the unquestionable majesty of an emperor. "It's a rare opportunity to come out and stretch your muscles, so why bring up all that? How about a race? Xiao Guizi, you be the judge. The four of us will split into two teams and circle the arena three times. The first one to return here wins!"
Xiao Heng's eyes lit up, and he immediately pointed at Yun Zhao and said loudly, "Then this minister will be paired with Ah Zhao! How about you and Divine Doctor Yan?"
Yun Zhao was delighted: [That's exactly what I want! Being in a group with Prince Jin will be much less stressful!]
However, Xiao Jin's eyes swept across her face, with a hint of elusive meaning, and he directly rejected her: "I will be in a group with Yun Zhao. You will be in a group with Hui Chun."
Yan Huichun readily followed suit, jumping onto his horse with smooth and graceful movements, and said with a faint smile, "I will follow your Majesty's instructions. However..."
He changed the subject, a bit slyly, "Since it's a competition, how can there be no prizes to liven up the fun?"
"Haha, that's right!" Xiao Jin laughed out loud, casually unhooking a jade pendant from his waist. The jade pendant was a brilliant white, gentle and restrained, with a simple and elegant carving. "This is Hetian seed jade, a tribute from the Northern Frontier."
Not to be outdone, Xiao Heng took down a jade pendant of rich emerald green, saying, "Although this one of yours cannot compare to yours, it is still the finest jadeite in the south."
Yan Huichun took out a small, exquisite purple porcelain bottle from his sleeve, the bottle body shining brightly: "This is the 'Snow Muscle Pill', which is made with the core of the thousand-year-old snow lotus, supplemented by several rare spiritual herbs. One pill can keep your face radiant and immune to all diseases. It is worth more than a thousand gold!" His tone was filled with a hint of pride.
Yun Zhao internally complained furiously: "Boasting is free of tax! And eternal youth and immunity to all diseases? If such a miracle drug really exists, why don't you go to heaven?"
"Yun Zhao, what about yours?" Xiao Jin turned his gaze to her, with a hint of anticipation for a good show.
"Me?!" Yun Zhao almost rolled her eyes. "I'm just a newly promoted maiden, and my monthly salary is only a few cents! The most valuable thing I have is probably your jade pendant, Your Majesty. I wouldn't even dare use that as a prize!"
She subconsciously raised her hand to pull out the silver hairpin on her head.
"I'm going to pay for Ah Zhao's prize!" Xiao Heng, however, took the initiative and swiftly removed a jade ring of exquisite aqua color from his thumb. His movements were natural and intimate, and she said, "She works in the palace and is used to a simple life. She didn't bring anything presentable with her."
Yun Zhao was about to politely decline when he heard Xiao Jin snort indifferently, his tone carrying a barely perceptible chill: "Alright, that's it."
Before he finished speaking, Xiao Jin had already kicked the horse's belly, and the majestic Wuyun Taxue under his crotch rushed out like an arrow!
Yun Zhao reacted extremely quickly and spurred his horse to catch up almost at the same time!
The crimson figure followed closely behind the black figure, and the two rode away in a cloud of dust!
Xiao Heng and Yan Huichun exchanged a glance, and immediately urged their mounts on, sweeping into the track like two gusts of wind!
The horse's hooves flew, crushing the grass and splashing tiny droplets of water.
Yun Zhao lowered his body, clinging to the horse's back. The wind whistled past his ears, blowing his hair and also blowing away the numerous doubts and calculations in his heart.
A race with undercurrents but full of excitement started on the racecourse after the rain!
Yun Zhao prayed silently in his heart: [Nothing must happen today!]
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