Chapter 98 Contest

Chapter 98: The Contest

Qiu Heng waited for a while before Zheng Yu ushered her in to see Beauty Qiu.

At first glance, Beauty Qiu seemed more strikingly beautiful than usual, but a closer look revealed a thick layer of powder.

Did she not sleep well?

Qiu Heng wondered to herself as she performed a discreet curtsy. "Sister."

Beauty Qiu stared blankly at the young, lovely girl for a moment before forcing a smile. "You're here, Sixth Sister."

"Yes, I came to keep you company."

"Have a seat."

Qiu Heng obediently sat on the small stool Zheng Yu brought over, which made Zheng Yu glance at her again.

Sixth Miss Qiu truly defied appearances. Looking at her docile demeanor now, who could imagine yesterday's bold feat?

Rumors said Sixth Miss Qiu had plucked Fourth Master of Xiping bald. He had always thought it an exaggeration, but it turned out he had been naive.

"You may all leave. I wish to have a private word with my sixth sister."

The palace servants, including Zheng Yu, withdrew.

Beauty Qiu did not speak immediately, instead picking up her teacup and taking a small sip.

Qiu Heng lowered her gaze, remaining silent.

Coming to see Beauty Qiu was partly to deal with Honored Consort Yu's words and partly to gain more opportunities to interact with Emperor Jingping and Honored Consort Yu.

The Unwise Monarch and the Evil Consort—how she should act in the future required more observation.

And Xue Quan.

As one of the Five Traitors, the eunuch who presented the "magic elixir" that cost Emperor Jingping his life—she also needed to find opportunities to assess him.

It was much more convenient here than in the capital.

"Leaving Sixth Sister alone in the flower pavilion yesterday was my oversight," Beauty Qiu began.

The girl before her was so young, yet she found her unfathomable.

She thought her obedient, yet she feared nothing. She thought her outspoken, yet she could be composed and quiet.

So elusive—could it be because she was more intelligent than she had imagined?

Beauty Qiu's fingers unconsciously tightened around the teacup. She couldn't help but probe, "How did Sixth Sister return later? Did anything interesting happen?"

Qiu Heng met Beauty Qiu's deep gaze. "Is Sister very curious about matters outside the palace?"

Beauty Qiu's heart skipped a beat. Suppressing her guilt, she forced a self-mocking smile. "Having lived deep in the palace for so long, where everything remains almost unchanged whether my eyes are open or closed, I naturally have some interest in the outside world."

"Imperial City Commissioner Sir Xue escorted me back."

Beauty Qiu was stunned.

Imperial City Commissioner?

"Yes, we are friends." Qiu Heng curved her lips. "There was something interesting too. Miss Cheng wants to compete with me in horse riding. The winner gets to slap the other twice."

Beauty Qiu: !

"Sixth Sister, didn't you say you only know how to ride a donkey?"

Qiu Heng nodded. "That's right."

"Then why agree to a horse-riding contest and make such a wager?"

She had been in the palace for six or seven years. Had the outside world changed so much that noble girls now bet with slaps?

"I couldn't refuse, so I accepted. Otherwise, being constantly provoked by her would also be troublesome."

"Does Sixth Sister have a grudge against that girl?"

Qiu Heng's tone was indifferent. "Probably because her maternal aunt is Concubine Wu."

Beauty Qiu was completely dumbfounded. After a long while, she said solemnly, "I have implicated you."

"It has nothing to do with you, Sister. The trouble I attract, I can resolve." Qiu Heng paused, then smiled at Beauty Qiu. "If one lacks the ability to resolve it, it's better not to stir up trouble. Don't you agree, Sister?"

Beauty Qiu's face paled. After Qiu Heng left, she clutched the soft pillow tightly, her heart filled with shock.

Did Sixth Sister detect her thoughts?

But Sixth Sister had only just been found—how could she—

"Imperial City Commissioner Sir Xue escorted me back. We are friends." The girl's casual words echoed in Beauty Qiu's ears, making her face grow even paler.

Finally, this shock gave way to tears of pain and shame, soaking the pillowcase.

Qiu Heng returned to her quarters, changed into riding attire, and accompanied by County Princess Jiayi and others, headed to the agreed-upon location.

"So many people!" Feng Caixing exclaimed softly before they even reached the spot.

On the vast grassland, many people were sitting or standing. Besides the numerous noble girls, far more than during yesterday's barbecue, there were also many young men.

The current laughter and noise came from these young men, with several even playing cuju.

"This Cheng Susu just wants more people to see A Heng humiliated!" Feng Caixing fumed upon realizing.

"Sixth Miss Qiu is here!" a sharp-eyed person shouted.

Immediately, countless gazes turned their way, making even someone as lively as Feng Caixing feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Cheng Susu walked over, a cold smile playing on her lips. "I thought Sixth Miss Qiu might be feeling unwell and wouldn't come."

She had considered the possibility that Qiu Liu might claim illness and not show up. Fortunately, she came, making it worth spreading the news of the wager to attract so many people.

Qiu Heng glanced at her and said calmly, "Miss Cheng talks too much. Let's start the contest so we don't keep everyone waiting."

Hearing this, the more reserved noble girls looked embarrassed, while the young men hooted and hollered, "Yeah, don't make us wait! We still have hunting and cuju to play later."

Several young men playing cuju stopped, including Cui Er.

Cui Er balanced the ball on his toe, staring intently at the girl in cherry-red riding attire, muttering, "She stirs up more trouble than I do."

"Cui Er, what are you saying?" a companion beside him asked.

"Nothing, just here for the show." Cui Er deliberately spoke lightly, but his heart clenched for no reason.

He had heard that if Qiu Liu lost, she would be slapped. He should have known—if he was going to bet with Qiu Liu, *he* should be the one to hit her, to get back at her for rejecting his proposal. How could it be Cheng Susu, that madwoman?

Worst case, he'd just hit her softly.

With everyone watching, two horses were led over by guards.

Cheng Susu lifted her chin. "They're both army horses. Can't say I didn't give you a fair shot."

"How thoughtful of you, Miss Cheng."

"Enough talk." Cheng Susu mounted swiftly, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Qiu Heng.

Qiu Heng unhurriedly put her foot in the stirrup and swung onto the horse, gripping the reins tightly.

Cheng Susu couldn't help but laugh. "Sixth Miss Qiu, better hold on tight, don't fall off."

Qiu Heng smiled. "Don't worry, I won't fall."

"There are ten flags set up ahead for each rider. Miss Cheng's side has pink flags, Miss Qiu's side has blue flags. It's one round trip. Whoever retrieves more flags wins. If the number is the same, the one who returns first wins. Are you both ready?"

After receiving their responses, the girl explaining the rules struck the brass gong forcefully.

The ear-splitting gong rang out, and the two horses charged forward.

The start was a flat, open stretch, but soon the first flag, slanted into a wooden pole, came into view.

Feng Caixing nervously gripped her sister's hand. "She can get it, she can get it..."

"Yes!" Cheers erupted.

On horseback, the rider in red and the rider in pink each held a flag.

Cheng Susu inserted the flag into a pouch hanging on her horse, glancing triumphantly at Qiu Heng. She was taken aback to see Qiu Heng had also retrieved a flag.

Wasn't she said to have never ridden a horse before? How could she have gotten the flag?

That little wretch lied!

Realizing this, Cheng Susu grew furious, but in that brief moment of distraction, the horse carrying Qiu Heng surged ahead like the wind, widening the distance.

Feng Caixing rubbed her eyes. "Sister, am I seeing things? A Heng seems to be in the lead..."