Chapter 86

Chapter Eighty-Six: This Younger Sister Must Not Be Spared Miss Wei was kicked to the ground, and before she fainted, she even spat out a mouthful of black blood. Seeing Miss Wei collapse, her personal maid hurried to her side, knelt down, and cried, “Miss! Miss, wake up!” Such an incident suddenly occurring in the horse stables frightened all the young ladies and maids from both nations. When they heard the commotion and turned around, they saw Miss Wei lying unconscious on the ground. The young ladies’ expressions varied, but because Miss Wei had been far too overbearing earlier, not a single one of them stepped forward to tend to her. At that moment, Mama Wan finally arrived after hearing the news. Seeing Miss Wei unconscious, she hurriedly summoned the guards attending nearby and had them bring over a stretcher. They carried Miss Wei away for treatment, while her maid followed after her, sobbing and wailing. Mama Wan then bowed to the young ladies of both nations and said, “This servant failed to supervise properly. Please, all of you, be more careful. Your safety must come first. Do not put yourselves in danger.” “Thank you, Mama Wan.” The young ladies of both nations returned her bow. “Elder Sister, Miss Wei is so pitiful.” Ling Yuwan spoke with flickering eyes. “Yes, Yuwan. Let’s not go to the horse stables to choose horses. Later, just have Danyun select two docile ones at random. You must also pay close attention to your safety.” Ling Jiayue tucked a loose strand of Ling Yuwan’s hair behind her ear and spoke gently. “Yuwan will listen to Elder Sister.” Ling Yuwan still wore a gentle expression, but inwardly she thought: Even if you don’t go to the horse stables, once you mount a horse later, don’t dream of leaving Mulan Horse Ranch alive. This place will be your grave. Ling Jiayue looked at Ling Yuwan, her expression even gentler than before, though the gentleness did not reach her eyes. A cold glint flashed in her gaze, and her resolve grew firmer by the moment. This younger sister must not be spared! Ling Jiayue was about to leave the horse ranch with Ling Yuwan when she instructed Danyun, “Danyun, go select two ‘docile’ horses. Yuwan and I will use them for the horse race later.” When Ling Jiayue said the word “docile,” she glanced at Danyun. Danyun immediately understood her meaning. But if they needed two “docile” horses, would Ling Jiayue be able to control them? Danyun asked again, “Master, do you want both horses to be ‘docile’?” “Yes, both horses must be ‘docile.’ Go.” Ling Jiayue replied. Danyun accepted the order and left. Ling Jiayue returned to the banquet with Ling Yuwan. Madam Liu asked, “Have you two chosen your horses?” Ling Yuwan shook her head and softly told Madam Liu what had happened in the horse stables. Madam Liu anxiously pulled Ling Jiayue over and looked her up and down. “Were you hurt at all?” “Mother, I was standing so far away. How could I have been hurt? You’re being far too nervous.” Ling Jiayue could not help laughing. “What about Yuwan? Is Yuwan all right too?” After confirming that Ling Jiayue was unharmed, Madam Liu turned to show concern for Ling Yuwan. “Thank you for your concern, Mother. Yuwan is fine too. Elder Sister protected me very well.” Ling Yuwan spoke softly. “That’s right, Mother. I will ‘protect’ my little sister well.” Ling Jiayue spoke with deep meaning. When Empress Su Wanrong saw that the young ladies of both nations had returned after choosing their horses, she smiled and said to Emperor Mu Yuye, “Your Majesty, as you can see, the young ladies of both nations have chosen their horses. It is time to let them display their skills.” “The Empress is right.” After hearing Su Wanrong’s words, Mu Yuye also said to Chu Chaoci, “Sovereign of Dayi, we should have the young ladies of both nations begin the horse race soon, so that we may enjoy the spectacle.” “The Sovereign of Dayi speaks reasonably. Now that the horses have been chosen, it is indeed time to let the young ladies of both nations display their skills. We need only sit here and watch.” Chu Chaoci smiled as he spoke, but his thoughts were on both the mineral deposit and Ling Jiayue. He wanted them both. The horse race began as soon as it was announced. According to seniority, Ling Jiayue should have been the first to participate, and she was already preparing to rise and get ready for the race. But Madam Wan spoke sourly from the side, “Our Prime Minister’s eldest daughter is now a First-Rank County Lady. If she finds herself a husband at the horse race as well, who knows whether she ought to get married or attend court.” Upon hearing this, Ling Jiayue glanced at Ling Yuwan. After a quick turn of thought, she sat back down instead and said with a smile, “Madam Wan is right. Now that I am a First-Rank County Lady, if I still devote myself to romantic affairs between men and women, would that not betray the honor of being a First-Rank County Lady? I think I’ll sit this one out.” Madam Liu had already been unhappy that Ling Jiayue had been made a County Lady. Now that Madam Wan had made such a remark, it was even more unpleasant to hear. She turned around and said coldly to Madam Wan, “After you return to the residence, go receive your punishment. That will teach you what propriety is.” Madam Liu then asked Ling Jiayue, “Yue’er, are you truly not going to participate in the horse race?” “Mother, I’m not going. I was never interested in this to begin with. Let my younger sister go instead.” “Ah, very well. Yuwan, go prepare yourself.” Ling Yuwan had initially been regretting that she had failed to kill Ling Jiayue this time. Then she suddenly heard Madam Liu order her to participate in the horse race. Her heart jolted, but she could not refuse. She gave a single acknowledgment and went to take part in the race. Ling Jiayue watched Ling Yuwan’s retreating back and sneered inwardly: Younger sister, enjoy yourself while you can. You prepared this with your own hands, after all. I only hope you can come back alive. When Ling Yuwan arrived at the racecourse, she saw that Danyun had already been waiting there. Danyun was holding the reins of a selected horse as she waited for Ling Yuwan. Upon seeing Ling Yuwan, Danyun respectfully handed her the reins. Ling Yuwan accepted them and asked, “Is this horse docile? I’m timid, so don’t let it throw me off.” “Please rest assured, Miss Yuwan. This servant selected it from among countless horses. It is certain to be docile and will not harm you in the slightest.” Danyun respectfully lowered her head as she replied, though a glimmer flashed in her eyes. Ling Yuwan failed to notice the glimmer in Danyun’s eyes and leaped straight onto the horse’s back. Danyun, however, spoke up. “Miss Yuwan, it is inconvenient to ride while wearing a cloak. Please hand it to this servant first.” “You’re right.” Ling Yuwan removed the cloak Ling Jiayue had just put on her and handed it to Danyun, who reached out and took it. Ling Yuwan did not know whether it was merely her imagination, but the instant she untied the cloak, the horse seemed to grow somewhat agitated. “All young ladies, take your positions. The horse race is beginning!” With that command, the participating young ladies from both nations spurred their horses forward. Ling Yuwan also rode off on the horse Danyun had selected for her. However, Ling Yuwan felt that the horse she was riding was exceptionally wild. Before they had even gone a few hundred meters, it was already neighing continuously. Suddenly, the horse raised its front half high into the air. Caught off guard, Ling Yuwan fell from the lofty horse’s back and immediately lost consciousness. On the viewing platform, Madam Chen let out a shriek when she saw Ling Yuwan faint. She rose and ran toward her. Ling Jiayue watched it all and smiled.