Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 182: The Youth

Chapter 182: Chapter 182: The Youth

Fang Lingjun rode over on horseback, calling out, "Ayu, Ayu... Riding in a carriage is so dull. Come race horses with me."

"No!"

"You must, you must... My brother and the young marquis are racing right now. Let’s go watch." Fang Lingjun wore a blue riding outfit, her hair tied up casually, exuding an effortless charm reminiscent of the noble youths of Yanyang—sharp, handsome, and brimming with flair.

Fengyu raised an eyebrow. "Who’s winning?"

"We’ve placed bets, all wagering on my brother, while those idle aristocrats of the Kyoto Guard are betting on the young marquis." Fang Lingjun chuckled lightly, "Come, let’s go watch the fun."

Coaxed by Fang Lingjun, Fengyu mounted her horse, and the two galloped ahead together, drawing a wave of whistles and cheers. Fang Lingjun grabbed the reins with one hand while wrapping the other arm around Fengyu’s waist. The spring breeze brushed past them, and Fang Lingjun pressed her chin against Fengyu’s shoulder. "Ayu, you smell so nice."

"It’s the balm Chunlu made. Once we get to the camp, I’ll ask her to send you a box."

"Perfect!"

The two rode their horses forward, passing a roadside open-air obstacle course where Fang Chuning and Xie Xun were competing. The course had a dozen obstacles, varying in height, requiring the horses to sprint and leap while the riders maintained both speed and control.

Fang Chuning was dressed in black riding attire, while Xie Xun wore his officer’s commanding robe. One in black, the other in red, they contrasted beautifully, charging after one another across the arena with reckless abandon, radiating the primal vigor and ferocity of youthful masculinity.

A crowd of aristocratic youths—both boys and girls—rode in circles, cheering them on.

Lin Xiao, Zhang Boxin, and Zhou Liyu, of course, wagered on Xie Xun, while most of the other boys and girls bet on Fang Chuning. Known for his exceptional riding skills, Fang Chuning had few rivals—the only one who could compete was Xie Zhang.

Another reason for the favoritism was Fang Chuning’s outstanding looks, suave demeanor, and sociable charm. In every aristocratic contest requiring votes, Fang Chuning always emerged as the favorite.

"Fengyu, want to place a bet? Who do you think will win?" Zhou Liyu asked.

Fengyu glanced at the field. It was neck-and-neck. The young marquis had that unabashedly dominant temperament—surely he wouldn’t tolerate losing in full view of the public.

Fang Lingjun replied, "Ayu’s definitely betting on my brother. Ten taels of silver."

As Fang Chuning and Xie Xun galloped past them, Fang Lingjun shouted at the top of her lungs, "Brother, you must win! Ayu and I have wagered on you—we can’t afford to lose money!"

Fengyu, "..."

Xie Xun burned with an inexplicable frustration and a nagging itch in his heart. Spurred by the desire to win, he pushed even harder. But obstacle races demanded careful pacing, and Xie Xun’s single-minded pursuit of victory threw off his rhythm. At the final hurdle, he fell slightly behind Fang Chuning. Though he made a desperate effort to catch up, he still trailed by half a horse’s length.

Fang Lingjun was overjoyed, her voice dripping with pride. "Brother, you’re amazing! Ayu, we won! Whenever my brother competes, just bet on him—you’ll never lose."

Fang Chuning circled back and slap-clapped hands with Xie Xun before spurring his horse to catch up with Xie Jue, who had been watching the race from the crowd. Fang Chuning asked, "Ting Feng, who did you bet on?"

"Zhixu." Xie Jue’s voice drifted on the wind.

"Why!" Fang Chuning rode side by side with him and demanded, "When it comes to racing Xie Zhixu, I win seven times out of ten. Why wouldn’t you pick me?"

"He was distracted." Xie Jue studied Fang Chuning’s visibly agitated face. "Upset?"

"Do you think I’m that petty?" Fang Chuning cracked his whip. "Once we’re at camp, I’ll challenge him again!"

"Fine, I’ll bet on you."

As Fang Chuning’s thoughts were exposed, he fell silent. "..."

Ting Feng, you’re so perfunctory!

Fengyu observed Xie Xun galloping toward her after the race, then hurriedly shook Fang Lingjun’s hand. "Junjun, run!"

"Run? Why? I’ll take you for another lap!" Fang Lingjun, sentimental over having a beauty in her arms, proudly prepared to lead Fengyu back to the obstacle course but was intercepted by Xie Xun. Fengyu helplessly smiled as if she had been caught red-handed.

Xie Xun’s gaze fell on Fang Lingjun’s arm wrapped around Fengyu’s slender waist, his eyes brimming with intense displeasure and an indescribable jealousy. "Where’s your Zhui Xue?"

"Chunlu is riding it." Fengyu sincerely praised, "Graceful and imposing, overflowing with vitality—truly befitting of the young marquis."

Xie Xun fixed her with a frosty stare. During his race with Fang Chuning, his thoughts had wandered—unexpectedly distracted by the sight of Fengyu at the hunting ground. Normally indifferent to hunting, she preferred lounging in the sun at home.

Not only was she present among the hunting party, but she’d also wagered against him.

And he had, in fact, lost!

"Why did you bet on me losing?" Xie Xun asked indignantly.

"But you did lose." Fengyu thought to herself, though she hadn’t placed the bet, she’d won ten taels of silver nonetheless—enough to buy a jade hairpin. If she had wagered on the young marquis, she’d have lost.

Xie Xun gritted his teeth. "Fine. At camp, I’ll race him again!"

Fengyu, "..."

Young marquis, you really are competitive!

Meanwhile, as the group chatted, Xie Zhang and Feng Shu joined the obstacle course for their race. Many of the noble youths from the Capital City had rarely seen Xie Zhang compete unless he was indulging his brothers or keeping Feng Shu company. The eldest young master, whose mastery of archery and horseback riding was unmatched in Yanyang, deliberately slowed and adjusted his pace to match Feng Shu.

Unquestionably, he was humoring her—going slow when she did and speeding up when she quickened—eliciting pure joy from Feng Shu.

"Everyone’s watching you. Aren’t you afraid of ruining your dignity?" Feng Shu teased, noting the intrigued gazes of not only the Capital City’s young elites but even the Iron Cavalry nearby.

"It doesn’t matter," Xie Zhang replied gently, "Are you enjoying yourself?"

For days he’d been occupied with military affairs. His arrangement to station the Iron Cavalry on the hunting grounds had left little time for Feng Shu. Ensuring her happiness outweighed concerns about dignity—his prestige didn’t rely on beating his wife in a game.

"When you’re right in front of me, I feel happy every day," Feng Shu admitted openly, embodying the straightforward style of women from Ningzhou, never concealing her affection.

Xie Zhang’s heart melted with tender emotion and a pang of regret. "After the wedding, when we return to Ningzhou, I’ll take you horseback riding through the mountain ranges of Tianshan."

"That would be wonderful!"

Every young maiden in the Capital City envied Feng Shu, especially those who had once harbored feelings for Xie Zhang. A fiancé who was gentle, elegant, unwavering in his virtues yet held a lofty station, focused solely on her. The idea of leaving the Capital City for a boundless life of freedom seemed like bliss.

The Crown Prince witnessed this scene, finding it deeply unsettling. Yet, whether driven by jealousy or rage, he maintained a cordial smile, as though engraving the sight onto his heart.

The vast skies stretched overhead, spring breezes enveloping them, and the trails resounded with the youthful commotion of banter.

Finally, they arrived at camp and began setting up.

The camp for Marquis Zhenbei Mansion was situated fifty meters to the right of the Feng Family group—close by. Mrs. Fang hadn’t joined the hunt, so Fang Chuning and Fang Lingjun’s tents were set up adjacent to the Marquis Mansion’s tents. All three groups camped close together on flat terrain, with a gently flowing stream in front.

Once the tents were pitched, Qiuxiang and Chunlu arranged a thick layer of woven wool rugs inside, organizing Fengyu’s belongings and lighting fragrant incense within the tent. Having been horseback riding with Fang Lingjun, Fengyu broke out in a sweat, so Qiuxiang worried she might catch a chill in the breeze. She helped Fengyu freshen up, applied balm, and changed her into clean clothes.

After Fengyu changed, Fang Lingjun came over to pull her toward the riverbank to play.