Chapter 100 Competition
Qiu Heng waited for a while before Zheng Yu led her inside and introduced her to the beautiful Qiu.
At first glance, Qiu Meiren appears more radiant than usual, but upon closer inspection, one can see the heavy traces of makeup.
Did you not sleep well?
Qiu Heng guessed, and bowed without showing any emotion: "Sister."
Qiu Meiren stared at the young and pretty girl for a moment, then forced a smile: "Sixth Sister is here."
"Yes, I've come to keep my sister company."
"Please sit down."
Qiu Heng sat obediently on the small stool that Zheng Yu had brought over, making Zheng Yu unable to resist taking another look at her.
Qiu Liu is truly a woman whose appearance doesn't reflect her character. Looking at her obedient appearance now, who could imagine the heroic deeds she performed yesterday?
Rumor has it that Miss Qiu pulled out the hair of the fourth young master of the Xiping Marquis's mansion, which he always thought was an exaggeration. It turns out that he was just ignorant.
"You may all leave now. I want to have a private talk with Sixth Sister."
The palace servants, including Zheng Yu, withdrew.
Qiu Meiren did not speak immediately, but instead picked up her teacup and took a small sip.
Qiu Heng lowered her eyes and remained silent.
Lady Qiu came here to deal with Consort Yu's words, and also to have more opportunities to interact with Emperor Jingping and Consort Yu.
With a tyrannical emperor and a wicked concubine, we'll have to wait and see what she does in the future.
And Xue Quan.
As one of the Five Traitors, the eunuch who delivered the "miracle drug" that led to Emperor Jingping's death, also needed to be investigated.
It's much more convenient here than in Beijing.
“It was my oversight to leave Sixth Sister alone in the shed yesterday,” Qiu Meiren said.
The girl in front of her was so young, yet she couldn't see through her.
She thought she was well-behaved, but she was fearless. She thought she was quick-witted and could also be calm and quiet.
Could it be that she's more elusive than she thinks?
Qiu Meiren's fingers tightened unconsciously around the teacup, but she couldn't help but ask, "How did Sixth Sister get back? Was there anything interesting?"
Qiu Heng met Qiu Meiren's deep gaze: "Are you very curious about things outside the palace, sister?"
Qiu Meiren's heart skipped a beat, but she suppressed her guilt and gave a self-deprecating smile: "Having lived in the deep palace for so long, there is almost no change when I open and close my eyes, so naturally I am somewhat interested in things outside the palace."
"It was Lord Xue, the Imperial Envoy, who escorted me back."
Qiu Meiren was taken aback.
Imperial Envoy?
“Yes, we’re friends.” Qiu Heng smiled. “There are some interesting things too. The Cheng family’s daughter wants to have a horse-riding contest with me, and the winner gets to slap the other person twice.”
Autumn Beauty: !
"Sixth Sister, didn't you say you only knew how to ride a donkey?"
Qiu Heng nodded: "That's right."
"Then why did you compete with others in horseback riding and make such a bet?"
She's been in the palace for six or seven years. Has the outside world changed that much? Even noble ladies are now slapping each other when they make bets.
"If you can't refuse, just agree. Otherwise, it'll be troublesome if she keeps provoking you."
"Did Sixth Sister have a grudge against that girl?"
Qiu Heng said in a nonchalant tone, "It's probably because her aunt is Consort Wu."
Qiu Meiren was completely stunned, and after a long while she said in a deep voice, "It was my sister who dragged you into this."
"It has nothing to do with you, sister. I can handle the trouble I've caused." Qiu Heng paused, then smiled at Qiu Meiren. "If you can't handle it, it's best not to cause trouble in the first place, don't you think, sister?"
Qiu Meiren's face paled. After Qiu Heng left, she gripped the soft pillow tightly with both hands, her heart filled with horror.
Did Sixth Sister realize what she was thinking?
But Sixth Sister was just found, how could this be—
"I was escorted back by Lord Xue, the Imperial Envoy. We are friends"—the girl's casual words echoed in Qiu Meiren's ears, making her face even paler.
In the end, this horror turned into tears of pain and shame, soaking the pillowcase.
Qiu Heng returned to her residence, changed into riding clothes, and went to the agreed place accompanied by Princess Jiayi and others.
"So many people!" Feng Caixing exclaimed in a low voice before they even reached their destination.
On that vast meadow, many people were sitting or standing. Besides the many noble ladies who were there more than yesterday when we had the barbecue, there were also quite a few young men.
The laughter and chatter came from these teenagers, and some of them even played Cuju (an ancient Chinese football game).
"This Cheng Susu just wants more people to see Aheng being humiliated!" Feng Caixing said angrily after realizing what had happened.
"Sixth Miss Qiu is here!" someone with sharp eyes shouted.
Immediately, countless gazes fell upon her, making even the lively Feng Caixing feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Cheng Susu walked over with a cold smile on her lips: "I thought Miss Qiu was not feeling well and wouldn't be able to come."
She had considered the possibility that Qiu Liu might not come, but thankfully she did. It was worth it for spreading the word about the bet and attracting so many people.
Qiu Heng glanced at her and said indifferently, "Miss Cheng talks too much. Let's start the competition so as not to keep everyone waiting."
Hearing this, the shy noblewoman looked embarrassed, while the boys laughed and teased, "That's right, don't keep us waiting, we still have to hunt and play football later."
Several young boys playing Cuju stopped at this moment, including Cui Er.
Cui Er kicked the ball with his toe, his eyes fixed on the girl in the cherry-red riding outfit, muttering to himself, "She's even more troublesome than me."
"Cui Er, what are you saying?" his companion asked.
"It's nothing, just watching the fun." Cui Er said casually, but his heart was inexplicably clenched.
I heard that if Qiu Liu loses, he'll get slapped. I should have known he made a bet with Qiu Liu; he should be the one to slap her, to vent his anger over being rejected in marriage, not that crazy woman Cheng Susu.
At worst, he can hit me lightly.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the two horses were led in by the guards.
Cheng Susu raised her chin: "The same military horses, don't say I'm bullying you."
"Miss Cheng is very thoughtful."
"Enough with the nonsense." Cheng Susu mounted her horse nimbly, sitting on it and looking at Qiu Heng with a radiant expression.
Qiu Heng slowly stepped into the stirrups, mounted the horse, and gripped the reins tightly.
Cheng Susu couldn't help but laugh: "Sixth Miss Qiu, you'd better hold on tight, or you'll fall."
Qiu Heng smiled and said, "Don't worry, you won't fall."
"There are ten flags set up ahead on each side. Miss Cheng's side has the pink flag, and Miss Qiu's side has the blue flag. The one who takes down the most flags in one round trip wins. If the number of flags is the same, the one who returns first wins. Are you two ready?"
Having received a response, the girl explaining the rules struck the gong forcefully.
The gong rang out loudly, and two fine horses charged out.
At first, the terrain was flat, but soon the first flag, inserted diagonally into a wooden pole, came into view.
Feng Caixing gripped her sister's hand tightly, her voice trembling with anxiety: "We can get it, we can get it..."
"Bravo!" A cheer rang out.
Two figures, one in red and one in pink, rode on horseback, each holding a flag.
Cheng Susu inserted the flag into the bag hanging on the side of the horse, glanced triumphantly at Qiu Heng, and was taken aback when she found that Qiu Heng had also taken the flag.
How could you possibly get the flag if you've never ridden a horse before?
That little bitch is lying!
Realizing this, Cheng Susu was furious, but in that brief moment of distraction, the horse carrying Qiu Heng quickly pulled away.
Feng Caixing rubbed her eyes: "Sister, am I seeing things? Aheng seems to be in front of me..."
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