Chapter 97 Wager

Chapter 97: The Wager

A scornful laugh burst from Cheng Susu's lips while the gathered noble girls watched Qiu Heng in silence.

This was truly awkward. If I were in her place, I would have been mortified and run away covering my face in shame long ago.

And Cheng Susu's words had a point. Sixth Miss Qiu didn't even know how to ride a horse, and no one else from her family had come, yet she had tagged along eagerly with Prince Kang's household. Her social-climbing intentions were plain to see.

Qiu Heng shot Cheng Susu a penetrating look.

Although Miss Cheng had never been nice to her before, she hadn't been this confrontational.

"Does not knowing how to ride disqualify someone from the autumn hunt?" Qiu Heng's gaze slowly swept over the crowd. "Is Miss Cheng suggesting that every young lady here knows how to ride?"

"Why drag others into this?" Cheng Susu sneered.

Qiu Heng nodded. "So, only I, who cannot ride, am here to climb the social ladder."

The expressions on the young ladies' faces were a sight to behold.

How could she say such things about herself without feeling ashamed?

"Because my family members are not qualified to come, my presence must be driven by ulterior motives." Qiu Heng looked at Cheng Susu expressionlessly. "So, in Miss Cheng's mind, coming from a humble background is a crime."

"Originally—"

Fang Rui tugged at Cheng Susu, who was getting riled up by Qiu Heng's words, and gave a slight smile to Qiu Heng. "Sixth Miss Qiu has a silver tongue. After saying so much, do you have the nerve to compete with Su Su or not?"

"It's not that I can't—"

County Princess Jiayi also gently tugged at Qiu Heng's sleeve, shaking her head slightly at her.

Feng Caixing shot a glare at the two of them. "You know A Heng has never ridden a horse, yet you goad her. Even if you win, it would be a hollow victory!"

Qiu Heng stepped forward, closing in on Cheng Susu.

Confident that a girl from a fallen family wouldn't dare harm a hair on her head, Cheng Susu raised an eyebrow mockingly. "Sixth Miss Qiu isn't hiding behind others anymore."

Qiu Heng smiled. "All talk and no action. Since Miss Cheng insists on competing with me in horseback riding, I can agree, but the terms need to change."

"How should they change?" Cheng Susu felt reassured upon hearing Qiu Heng's willingness to compete.

Agreeing was good. Only by agreeing could she watch this little wretch slap herself.

"If I lose, I have to slap myself, but if Miss Cheng loses, you only need to believe I came to the autumn hunt to experience new things. No fool would agree to such an unfair wager, right?"

"What do you want, then?"

Qiu Heng smiled. "It's simple. If I lose, Miss Cheng slaps me twice. If Miss Cheng loses, I slap you twice. That would be fair and just."

"Deal!" Cheng Susu agreed without hesitation. "It's almost dark now. Let's set it for tomorrow morning."

It would be the biggest joke if she lost to Qiu Heng.

"Actually, I'm quite puzzled. Why do you have it in for me?" Qiu Heng took another step closer to Cheng Susu and asked softly.

Cheng Susu lowered her voice as well. "I'll tell you, so you know why you're losing. The grievances my aunt suffered, I will make you repay a hundredfold tomorrow!"

"Aunt?" Qiu Heng quickly understood. "Concubine Wu?"

"See you tomorrow." Worried others might overhear, Cheng Susu said no more, pulling Fang Rui away as she turned to leave.

Feng Caixing worriedly grabbed Qiu Heng's hand. "You shouldn't have agreed. Cheng Susu is a skilled horsewoman."

"A Heng, let's go back. We can ask my elder brother to teach you how to ride."

*The Heir of Prince Kang?*

The noble young ladies who had watched the spectacle felt somewhat conflicted.

Just moments ago, they felt sorry for Sixth Miss Qiu being bullied by Cheng Susu, but now it turned out she had the ethereally handsome Heir of Prince Kang to teach her?

"Let's just eat. Fang Zhou's fried venison is ready." Qiu Heng pulled the two to sit down. "It's too late to learn much now. Rather than trying now and getting discouraged, it's better to go for it directly tomorrow. I've never been one to back down from a challenge. When the time comes, I'll just treat the horse like a donkey."

County Princess Jiayi and Feng Caixing exchanged a glance.

Well... that made some sense?

The two hesitated over whether to continue urging Qiu Heng to make a last-minute effort when Fang Zhou called out, "Young ladies, eat quickly. It won't taste as good once it cools."

The young ladies: "..."

This maid was just as nonchalant. Her own young lady was about to get into a fight with someone else, yet she was leisurely frying meat.

One thing Cheng Susu said wasn't wrong—this mistress and servant were two of a kind.

Because of Cheng Susu's commotion, the noble young ladies were less in the mood for roasted meat. They felt somewhat awkward being associated with Qiu Heng.

Fang Zhou seemed oblivious to everyone's discomfort, handing out the fragrant fried venison one by one. "Eat it while it's hot."

Looking at the beautifully presented fried meat in their hands, the young ladies hesitated before picking it up with their chopsticks and putting it in their mouths.

Since they'd already taken it, they might as well try it—delicious!

Seeing the noble young ladies burying themselves in eating the meat, Fang Zhou smiled and carried a plate over to Princess Rongning. "Would Your Highness like to try some?"

"No need." Princess Rongning glanced at Qiu Heng and turned to leave.

"Sixth Miss Qiu's maid is just like her mistress, quite skilled at winning people over." Knowing Princess Rongning disliked Qiu Heng, a noble young lady walking beside her whispered.

Another young lady asked with a smile, "Will Your Highness come to watch Miss Cheng and Sixth Miss Qiu's competition tomorrow?"

"Of course I'll watch such an entertaining spectacle."

As dusk settled over the wilderness, the noble young ladies, satisfied with their meal, gradually dispersed. Before leaving, they smiled at Qiu Heng more sincerely than at the beginning, inwardly scolding themselves for being softened by a good meal.

"A Heng, let's go back too." County Princess Jiayi said softly.

On the way back, Feng Caixing was full of worry. "If Cheng Susu wins, she'll definitely hit you hard."

Qiu Heng smiled. "It's fine. If I win, I'll hit her hard too."

"A Heng, aren't you worried at all?"

"Don't worry. I'm quite skilled at riding donkeys."

"But riding a horse is different from riding a donkey."

"It's just taller and more spirited. I've been climbing trees and wading in rivers since I was young, so I'm quite agile. I might not necessarily lose to her."

"What if you lose?" Feng Caiyue asked.

"I can take a couple of slaps if I lose. Just cheer me on tomorrow. Don't waste time worrying about it today."

Although Qiu Heng said this, after returning, County Princess Jiayi quietly told Ling Yun.

Ling Yun's brow furrowed when he heard: "I'll go watch tomorrow."

Some slept soundly that night, while others tossed and turned. Early the next morning, Qiu Heng went to see Beauty Qiu and encountered Xue Han, who was waiting for her.

"I had my people look into it. Lin Chengfeng and Beauty Qiu once had intentions of marriage; the two must have had feelings for each other..." Xue Han's voice was very low.

For a consort to have had a former love, even if it was before entering the palace, could cause serious trouble if anyone heard.

Yet, while speaking such dangerous words, Xue Han felt a secret joy.

It was the joy of being trusted.

It was... the joy of being trusted by Sixth Miss Qiu.

"Thank you, Official Xue."

As Qiu Heng was taking her leave, Xue Han called out to her: "I heard Sixth Miss Qiu is having a riding contest with someone today. Do you need help?"

"No need." Qiu Heng waved her hand casually. "I won't lose."

Watching the girl walk away, Xue Han couldn't help but smile.

*I won't lose*—it was a phrase he had told himself many times in his heart during his youth.

In some ways, they were the same kind of people.