C40 Horse

After a little while longer, seeing that Ruxuan was still talking non-stop, Xueyao handed her a cup of tea. "Did you come to see me for something else?"

"Huh?" Ruxuan paused, "Oh, never mind. I had a rough time at the fish market..."

Recalling the unpleasant experience, Ruxuan decided not to mention it further, not wanting to worry Xueyao with her troubles.

With that thought, Ruxuan changed the subject, "I heard that among those taking the entrance exam for the Martial Academy this time is Gu Ruochen from the Huaiyin Marquis Mansion!"

Xueyao looked uninterested, "And then?"

"Isn't there always some tension between the South Suppressing Marquis Mansion and the Huaiyin Marquis Mansion? If Gu Ruochen faces Feng Tiange on stage, she'll definitely knock her down so hard she won't be able to get up!" Ruxuan was already reveling in the potential drama.

Xueyao acknowledged there was some distance between the two families, but it never escalated to hatred. It was just that the two old marquises had a bet on whose descendants would be more outstanding, which determined their ranking among the four great marquis families.

As it turned out, the South Suppressing Marquis Mansion ranked ahead of the Huaiyin Marquis Mansion.

Now that both old marquises had passed away, few people brought up the matter anymore.

"It's not hatred, just a bit distant," Xueyao replied dismissively, glancing at Ruxuan. "Besides, I'd rather see you defeat her."

After hearing this, Ruxuan perked up, "If we run into them, I'll definitely stand up for you!"

Xueyao couldn't figure out where Ruxuan's sudden burst of confidence came from. Had she completely forgotten the time she was easily defeated? With a friend who forgets past mistakes, what else could Xueyao do but come up with her own plan?

Using the excuse of studying, Xueyao didn't let Ruxuan stay long. Once she left, Xueyao called Ningxiu in and quietly instructed her to take care of something...

After meeting that guest from the Zhao Country, Tiange pondered deeply and finally thought of someone. Even though she didn't want to see them, and would rather never cross paths again, Tiange still arranged a meeting.

At the Drunken Immortal Tower, in a private room on the third floor, Rong Qi entered to find Tiange had already ordered the dishes and had been waiting for a while. Unlike when Rong Qi invited her, Tiange only ordered two small dishes and a basket of crystal shrimp dumplings.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Eldest Miss Feng." Rong Qi entered in a white outfit, his smile radiant and every move exuding charm. This was what Tiange disliked the most; just because you're good-looking doesn't mean you should let yourself go!

Before Tiange could speak, Rong Qi had already seated himself across from her, his eyes crinkling into crescent moons. "It's a rare honor to be invited by you, Eldest Miss Feng."

Feng Tiange lowered her gaze, rubbing her forehead. Had she approached the wrong person?

Rong Qi's thoughts were entirely different. His appearance could indeed make Feng Tiange feel self-conscious.

The atmosphere grew awkward. After a moment of contemplation, Feng Tiange looked up, seriously and earnestly informing Rong Qi about seeing the followers of King Ping in the capital of Great Qi. She explained the gravity of the situation with great precision.

“Did you understand?” After her thorough reasoning, Feng Tiange looked at Rong Qi with a hint of expectation.

Rong Qi was surprised. “How did you find out about this?”

“That’s not something you need to worry about,” Feng Tiange replied, unwilling to elaborate.

Rong Qi nodded. “Regarding this matter, I think...”

“Don’t think. It’s not your strong suit,” Feng Tiange interrupted, not intending to belittle Rong Qi but genuinely believing that with his intelligence, he couldn’t grasp such complex intricacies.

Rong Qi suddenly felt puzzled. Why did he feel like Feng Tiange saw him as a fool?

How did this misunderstanding even start?

“King Ping’s influence in Zhao Country is mediocre. Even with Beiming Yuan’s help, he couldn’t become the new king of Zhao Country within a year unless it was destiny,” Rong Qi remarked, still holding his own opinion.

Feng Tiange knew that Rong Qi couldn’t comprehend the unforeseen complexities behind this matter. “The issue is that Zhao Country has many ambitious officials like King Ping. If the Zhao King can maintain his throne amidst so many treacherous ministers, that would truly be destiny.”

Rong Qi was about to express his opinion again when Feng Tiange stopped him, "If you want your third royal sister to secure her position as the noble consort in Zhao, you better let her know about this."

Rong Qi understood her meaning; she clearly didn't want to waste any more words on him. "I didn't expect the Eldest Miss Feng to hold me in such high regard. I'm truly grateful."

Feng Tiange felt a drop of sweat on the back of her head, wondering how he came to that conclusion.

Without further explanation, she stood up to leave.

"Eldest Miss Feng, don't go! Sit down and chat for a while..."

Before Rong Qi could finish his sentence, a loud crash came from outside the window!

Feng Tiange instinctively turned around. The lattice window, with its cloud pattern, had already been opened by Rong Qi, letting in a gust of cold wind.

On the street, a startled chestnut horse reared up, its piercing neigh echoing painfully in their ears! Beside it, a man in a deep blue robe was pulling tightly on the reins, one arm wrapped around the rope, pulling back with all his might, while his other hand clutched a baby swaddled in a blanket.

The horse, seemingly terrified, neighed angrily and tried to break free from the reins, nearly causing the man to fall!

The situation was urgent, and people around quickly retreated to the corners.

Just as Feng Tiange was about to jump, the man suddenly leaped into the air, landing on the horse's back. He tightened his legs around the horse's sides, cradled the baby in one arm, and gripped the reins tightly with the other. From Feng Tiange's angle, she could clearly see a deep cut in the man's palm from the reins.

In a flash, Feng Tiange leaped out the window, her white figure like a streak of light. As she passed the man, she caught the baby in her arms. Once Feng Tiange landed, the man in the blue robe managed to calm the panicked horse after a few tense moments. The scene was chaotic, and the danger was indescribable.

The horse's owner apologized repeatedly, and the baby was taken by its mother, who had just recovered from the shock. As Feng Tiange turned to leave, the man called out to her.

"Thank you for your help," he said. The man was strikingly handsome, with an air of confidence and eyes that shone like stars. His presence was naturally charming and left a positive impression.

"It was nothing," Feng Tiange replied, returning his gesture of thanks with a nod.

"I am Gu Ruochen. May I know your name?" he asked. He was none other than the second son of the Huaiyin Marquis, a standout figure of his generation from the Marquis Mansion.

Feng Tiange hesitated upon hearing his introduction, aware of the past between the South Suppressing Marquis Mansion and the Huaiyin Marquis Mansion.

Gu Ruochen suddenly realized his mistake and offered an apologetic smile. "I was too forward."

"Your hand is still bleeding," Feng Tiange said, handing him a silk handkerchief before turning to leave.

Gu Ruochen looked at the handkerchief in his hand, then glanced up at the retreating snow-white figure. With a knowing smile, he stepped into the crowd.

At the Drunken Immortal Tower, in a private room, Rong Qi rested his chin on his hand, leaning against the window frame. "Why do you think Feng Tiange doesn't tell Gu Ruochen who she really is?"

"Maybe women aren't supposed to reveal their names to outsiders," Lei Yi speculated, standing nearby.

Rong Qi turned slowly to look at Lei Yi, speechless.

Lei Yi understood. "I remember now, she's not a woman..."