What a good trick to retreat for the sake of advancing. Yun Shang wondered who came up with this idea and instigated Jing Wenxi to say it.
Cangyang Yu'er listened to them quietly and said with a smile, "Princess Hui Guo, I won't force you since you can't ride. I can't bully you like this as such an unequal contest brings no honor to me. Although I am the sworn daughter of the Chief Councilor of the State of Yelang, I know how noble you are as the princess of the State of Ning. Even if you know nothing, His Majesty has found a good husband for you. I am envious of you, but I know my place."
Yun Shang raised her eyebrows. Did Cangyang Yu'er mean that Yun Shang had no strong points and was betrothed to Prince Jing as she was the princess of the State of Ning?
Yun Shang saw Wang Jinyan blinking unhappily. Just as she was about to say something, Wang Jinyan raised her hand and said to Yun Shang, "Your Highness, don't worry. I have the confidence to win this game, and I won't embarrass the State of Ning."
Yun Shang grinned more heartily and said in a soft voice, "I trust you, but Lady Jing and Lady Cangyang are right. No matter whether I win or not, I should show enthusiasm as I am the princess of the State of Ning. Even if I can't ride, I shouldn't shrink back. Since you are in high spirits, I'll join you. I won't take it to heart even if I lose."
Cangyang Yu'er and Jing Wenxi wore smug smiles, while Wang Jinyan blinked without saying anything. Prince Jing, who seemed to be finally free, looked at Yun Shang. "Shang'er, you want to join them?"
Yun Shang grinned. "Everyone is happy. I don't want to ruin their day."
Prince Jing thought for a while and said with a smile, "Okay. Enjoy yourself."
Emperor Ning, who had been watching the drama unfold, finally said, "Shang'er has never ridden a horse. Prince Jing, send some people to protect her."
Prince Jing nodded. "Shang'er, ride my horse, Ta Yun."
Jing Wenxi blinked disapprovingly. "Your Highness, it's unfair. Everyone knows that Ta Yun is an excellent Ferghana horse. How can an ordinary horse run as fast as it?"
Prince Jing frowned at Jing Wenxi. "It is unfair? Lady Cangyang grew up in the nomadic State of Yelang. All the people there learn how to ride horses from childhood. The other young ladies who entered their names for the competition began to learn horsemanship at a very young age. Your family has also hired a martial arts
een left behind because Ta Yun was a good horse.
The jungle became darker as the tree cover got denser. There were many trees, so the riders didn't dare to go faster. Yun Shang had by now been left behind. Wang Jinyan followed her as Prince Jing ordered.
Yun Shang grinned and said, "Don't follow me. You must have learned from your brother Wang Jinhuan that I am not as weak as I look. Ride fast and win the first place."
Wang Jinyan raised her eyebrows and smiled. She was full of vigor and charming, which attracted Yun Shang's attention. "Since I have promised Prince Jing, I can't break my word. I don't seek to prevail over others. I said those harsh words as I couldn't bear Jing Wenxi's arrogance. Your Highness, please don't worry."
Hearing what Wang Jinyan said, Yun Shang liked her even more. She smiled at Wang Jinyan, "If you want to protect me, you should keep up with them. As you saw just now, Cangyang Yu'er and Jing Wenxi intentionally provoked me. Cangyang Yu'er knew that I couldn't ride, but she still insisted on it. I think that they might have set a trap ahead. If you follow them, they won't do anything brazenly."
Wang Jinyan looked at Yun Shang. From Yun Shang's words, Wang Jinyan learned that she shouldn't have looked down on Yun Shang, who was pretending to jolt on horseback. With a sigh of relief, Wang Jinyan smiled, "I will chase them."
Yun Shang grinned, "Just go."
Wang Jinyan cracked her whip and sped up.
Yun Shang pulled on the reins to coax Ta Yun to stop. Soon she heard someone coming from behind. She looked back and saw Hua Jing slowly riding on a white horse.