Chapter 27: Who Did This? A Wicked, Heartless Thing

Upper Forest Garden is located in the outskirts of Jingcheng, a racetrack set upon a flat, open meadow, built specially for the nobles of Jingcheng to play with horses.

It covers a large area; because there is a polo match today, the surroundings have been enclosed by sturdy vermilion-lacquered wooden rails, forming an oval field.

At each end of the field stands a sturdy wooden post; the post is about one zhang high; atop each post rests an exquisitely carved wooden small pavilion, with a circular aperture about one chi in diameter at its center, called the ball chamber.

The competitors are divided into two teams of equal number; they ride and gallop, striking the ball with mallets, and scoring a point by hitting the ball into the opposing team's ball chamber.

The scoreboard stands on a raised platform outside the field; within the agreed time, the side with more points is the victor.

Polo is a game beloved by the current court nobles; each grand match draws countless officials and nobles, along with their families, to come and watch.

Tuan Tuan's first visit to Upper Forest Garden left her feeling her eyes weren't enough; everything she saw seemed fresh, her little hand constantly pointing this way and that, asking "What's this?" and "What's that?"

Xiao Ningxun patiently answered her sister's questions one by one.

Several colorful canopies and embroidered tents had already been erected on both sides of the field to block the scorching sun; many ladies had arrived and were seated resting in the tents, awaiting the start of the match.

Fragrant garments and beautiful tresses, laughter and smiles blooming, the scene was extraordinarily lively.

The servants led them to the embroidered tent specially prepared for the Ning Prince's Mansion.

Inside the tent: a thick, soft carpet lay on the floor; at the center stood a carved red side table, upon which was set an exquisite tea set; beside it, a dish held assorted fresh fruits and delicate pastries.

Xiao Ningxun gave a slight nod; Lu Er thought today's arrangements were quite proper, not a slight to his sister.

Just as the two sat down, Lu Qingjia rushed in, saying: "League Chief, do you want to go see my Chasing Wind?"

"I want to go!" Tuan Tuan tugged at Xiao Ningxun's sleeve: "Brother, let's go! Hey, where's Little Plum?"

Lu Qingjia said: "Little Plum is at home! When the horse runs, the noise is loud; it's scared, so we can't bring it here."

"Oh." Tuan Tuan felt a little disappointed, still hoping to hug Little Plum again.

Xiao Ningxun took her hand: "Little Plum isn't coming; we can go see the horses instead."

"That's right! There are still the horses!" Tuan Tuan brightened up, and the two followed Lu Qingjia to the stables behind the racetrack.

Lu Qingjia shouted: "Shunzi! Bring out Chasing Wind!"

The stable boy Shunzi, hearing this, led a fine horse from the stables to them.

Chasing Wind is deep chestnut all over, its glossy coat shimmering like satin in the sunlight; only on the upper part of its four hooves, about a cun, grows a circle of snow‑white long hair, making it look extraordinarily handsome.

"What a fine horse!" Xiao Ningxun couldn't help but exclaim in praise.

Lu Qingjia proudly lifted his chin: "Today's polo match, with it I will surely win!"

"Wow!" Tuan Tuan tilted her little head back to look at Chasing Wind: "You're so tall!"

She is so small, standing before Chasing Wind, her head almost tilting back, yet she still couldn't see its full face.

Xiao Ningxun quickly lifted her up; Tuan Tuan sat in his arms, the height just right to be face‑to‑face with Chasing Wind.

Compared to ordinary horses, Chasing Wind is taller and more slender, its head small and delicate, with a pair of large eyes like huge obsidian, clear and bright.

"Chasing Wind! I'm Tuan Tuan! Will you run later?"

Lu Qingjia said: "Of course! I'll ride it onto the field shortly; it runs very fast, it will surely take first place!"

At that moment, a boy ran over, shouting: "Lu Er! Let me tell you—"

"Bai Jianxing." Lu Qingjia glared at him: "I'm about to go onto the field; cut the chatter, get lost."

Bai Jianxing gave a "hey", realizing it was best to stay quiet, and closed his mouth.

He turned and saw Xiao Ningxun holding Tuan Tuan, clasped his hands in greeting: "Good day, Brother Xiao." Xiao Ningxun nodded slightly, returning the salute.

His gaze fell on Tuan Tuan: "Is this the League Chief you keep talking about, the one who tamed the snow leopard in Wanlingyuan?"

Tuan Tuan pointed at herself: "Exactly! I am the League Chief!"

Bai Jianxing's eyes lit up: "Little League Chief, I'm also a member of the Youth Roaming Alliance! How about we go to Wanlingyuan tomorrow? When you touch the snow leopard, let me touch it too; I'll tell you, that snow leopard is incredibly fierce— the last time I went—"

"Shut up." Lu Qingjia and Xiao Ningxun both knew his habit of talking nonstop; once he started, he wouldn't stop, so they shouted in unison to silence him.

Bai Jianxing immediately fell silent, making a gesture with his mouth that clearly said: "Can't I even not speak?" Tuan Tuan giggled, thinking this little brother was really fun.

Tuan Tuan stretched out her little hand, palm up, slowly approaching Chasing Wind; Xiao Ningxun worried the horse might hurt his sister, so he kept a certain distance between them and the horse.

Chasing Wind shook its head, let out a loud snort, moved closer to her hand, and gently blew a big puff of warm air.

The warm air blew onto her palm, making it itchy; Tuan Tuan couldn't help but pull her hand back, but Chasing Wind thrust its head even nearer, following her; Tuan Tuan stroked its forehead and then pinched its ears.

Shunzi watched from the side, astonished: "This young lady, upon first meeting Chasing Wind, is already so intimate! I've fed it for months, and only then did it let me touch its ears."

Lu Qingjia, having seen Tuan Tuan touch the snow leopard, wasn't surprised at all: "Of course! Our little League Chief is the sort who can just reach out and touch even a snow leopard!"

Bai Jianxing widened his eyes: "Indeed impressive! Lu Er, I acknowledge this League Chief!"

Chasing Wind lowered its head further, following Tuan Tuan's little hand, as if wanting her to keep stroking; Tuan Tuan didn't disappoint it, after touching the ears she moved to the mane at the back of its neck.

At that moment, the first opening drum sounded; before the start, three drums are beaten to urge the competitors onto the field, and once the third drum stops, latecomers are not allowed to enter.

Upon hearing that, Lu Qingjia said: "Little League Chief, I'm going onto the field; wait until I return for you to touch it again."

Upon hearing that, Tuan Tuan withdrew her hand: "Chasing Wind must win! I'll cheer for you!"

Chasing Wind lowered its head, its two hind hooves alternately began to paw the ground incessantly, looking impatient to go out and run.

As Xiao Ningxun held Tuan Tuan and was about to turn away, she suddenly shouted: "Chasing Wind is sick! It hurts!"

Lu Qingjia dubiously walked around Chasing Wind, examined it carefully, then looked toward Shunzi.

Shunzi hurriedly said: "Young Master Er! I've been caring for it just as I do for you; today it hasn't missed a single bite of its feed!"

Bai Jianxing chuckled: "In your household, Young Master Er and Chasing Wind are actually on the same level." Lu Qingjia glared at him.

Xiao Ningxun looked at his sister and softly asked: "Where does Chasing Wind hurt, Tuan Tuan?"

Tuan Tuan pointed her little hand at Chasing Wind's right hind leg: "That leg, when it kicks the ground, is clearly painful! It can't run."

Shunzi hurried over, felt along that leg: "Nothing wrong, the bone is fine, no external injury." Then he turned over the hooves for a close inspection.

Lu Qingjia and Bai Jianxing also gathered around, staring intently.

"Ay ya!" Shunzi discovered the problem and couldn't help shouting: "Who did this! A wicked, heartless thing!"

"What's wrong?" Lu Qingjia hurriedly asked, having seen nothing at all.

At this moment, the sound of the second opening drum arrived.

Shunzi didn't have time to explain: "Second Young Master, do you have a tinderbox on you?"

Lu Qingjia shook their head: "I'm about to go on stage; I wouldn't bring that."