Chapter 354: Can You Beat Me?

Xiao Ran asked, "What have you figured out?"

Xiao Ningxun produced a letter, pulled out the paper, turned the scrap around at different angles and compared it, and finally placed it on the upper left corner of the letter paper.

Perfectly overlapping! Even the grain on the paper aligns seamlessly!

Tuan Tuan, holding Fan Fan, shuffled over: "Third Brother, whose letter is this? The paper is the same."

Xiao Ningxun replied, "This is what we retrieved from Qian Guangyuan's secret chamber when we were in Jiangzhou; it was written by someone from the Underworld Summit to him."

Everyone was startled.

Xiao Er frowned: "Could it be that the Great Prince is colluding with the Underworld Summit?"

Xiao Ran, irritated, said, "What on earth does this Underworld Summit want to do!"

"It's that broken summit again!" Tuan Tuan pursed her lips, "Why do they always follow us!"

The words made several hearts jump, and they looked at each other.

Lu Qi nodded: "Indeed, ever since we left Jingcheng, from Xibei to Jiangnan Region and then to the grasslands, this Underworld Summit is everywhere."

"It looks like we've been chasing clues all the way here, but thinking carefully, it actually seems like…"

Xiao Er interjected: "It seems as if someone has been following us all the way."

Xiao Ran slapped the low table: "Now that you mention it, it really is just like that!"

Xiao Ningxun said steadily, "Whether or not, this Underworld Summit dared to cast a curse on my father; we can't let them get away."

"Let them follow! I've been wanting to run into them and see what the heck they're up to."

He folded the scrap together with the letter paper and carefully put them away.

From outside the tent, Jifeng's voice came: "Little runt, are you up yet? Uncle will take you horse riding!"

Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up: "Uncle Jifeng is here! Great! I want to go horse riding!"

Jifeng lifted the curtain and entered.

"Haha! Let's go! We're heading out right now!"

Qing Qing, still worried, said: "Your Highness, regarding last night's matter, what did the Great Khan say?"

Jifeng grinned: "The Great Khan must have a twisted nerve; he only punished me by forbidding me to drink alcohol for ten days."

"He also granted Bateer a hundred taels of gold to rebuild the Wolf-head Tent; hehe, I don't even have to pay for the tent!"

Xiao Er asked further: "Can Bateer agree to that?"

Jifeng's eyes widened: "What if he doesn't agree? With his meager courage, he's not me."

He looked at Tuan Tuan: "Why are you still holding it? Come on, ride with me!"

"Alright!" Tuan Tuan placed Fan Fan on the blanket, brushed a handful of its white fur, "Stay obedient and wait for me, eat well!"

"Eat more? If it eats too much it'll become unable to run!" Jifeng strode to Tuan Tuan, lifted her in one arm: "Everyone, I'm taking her to have some fun."

"Rest assured, not a single hair will be missing!"

Xiao Er looked at Xiao Ningxun: "Third Young Master?"

He always remembered that Prince had ordered him to follow the miss.

Jifeng waved his hand: "Don't worry, Brother Xiao, this is where I grew up."

"If I still can't protect her, then my life would have been in vain."

Xiao Ningxun thought: "Alright, Tuan Tuan, listen to Uncle Jifeng and don't be naughty."

He looked at Jifeng: "Brother Jifeng, I'm entrusting Tuan Tuan to you; return early."

"Got it!" Jifeng, holding Tuan Tuan, walked out of the big tent.

Tie He waved his hand, called two people, flipped onto his horse, clearly intending to follow.

Jifeng frowned: "Where are you going?"

Tie He was startled: "These few are honored guests; the Great Prince ordered me to stay by their side at all times to protect them…"

"No need!" Jifeng cut him off, "With me here, your protection is useless! Can you beat me?"

Tie He's face flushed red.

Indeed, can't beat him.

Jifeng placed Tuan Tuan on the saddle, flipped onto the horse, sat behind her, one hand pulling the reins, the other cradling Tuan Tuan.

He gave Tie He a sideways glance: "If you can't beat me, just stay put! I won't make it hard for you, but if you dare follow, don't blame me for being rude!"

Tie He dared not move; last night the Second Prince even shot down the Great Prince's Wolf-head Tent, who would dare provoke them!

"Whoa!"

Jifeng, with Tuan Tuan, rushed toward the grasslands.

The fine horse carried the two, galloping across the early‑spring grasslands.

Tuan Tuan excitedly looked left and right, her little finger pointing at a meadow where fresh shoots were just sprouting: "Uncle Jifeng, look! The green over there is so light!"

"Sharp eyes." Jifeng smiled, nudging his chin against the soft top of her head, "Those are the grass tips the sheep love most; in a little over half a month they'll reach up to your knees."

"Hold on tight!" He gave the reins a shake, calling lightly: "Run! Whoa!"

The horse flared its four hooves and sprinted wildly.

The wind suddenly grew strong, blowing so hard Tuan Tuan couldn't open her eyes, giggling as she spread her little arms to embrace the rushing wind and freedom.

Jifeng listened to her crisp laughter, and the lingering gloom in his chest dissipated by half.

A few scattered canvas tents appeared ahead.

Jifeng slowed his pace, letting the horse stroll.

The herders busy before the tent looked up, seeing the two, and their faces broke into simple smiles.

"Second Prince!" an old man repairing a cart lowered his leather rope, placed his hand on his chest and saluted, "You've finally arrived! May the Eternal Heaven protect you!"

"Grandfather Agula, is the axle broken again?" Jifeng halted the horse, greeting familiarly.

He looked at the carriage and said, "Later I'll have my brothers bring you a fresh piece of wood to replace it, stronger than that broken trinket in your hand."

The old man laughed so broadly his wrinkles relaxed, "Alright! Thanks for thinking of me, Second Prince!"

A young woman carrying a wooden basin hurried over, the basin filled with fresh yogurt dumplings.

She shyly lifted the basin, "Second Prince, Holy Maiden, try the newly made yogurt dumplings from my home! They're so fragrant!"

Jifeng laughed, bent down, picked up a piece, handed it to Tuan Tuan, took a piece himself and tossed it into his mouth, praising, "Mmm! So fragrant! My wife's cooking is still this good!"

The woman blushed bright red from the praise, and several curious children nearby giggled and laughed.

Along the way they met many herders, who chatted together in a friendly, familiar manner.

"Second Prince, you look much better!"

"Holy Maiden, you're really beautiful!"

"Second Prince, come over to my house for a drink sometime!"

Jifeng responded to each, without any pretension, teasing when appropriate, promising when appropriate.

Tuan Tuan waved at the herders, greeting softly and sweetly, "Hello, everyone!"

This made the crowd even happier.

Even after they walked far away, they could still hear the murmurs behind them, drifting faintly on the wind.

"Did you see? Second Prince and Holy Maiden, really close!"

"Exactly! The way Second Prince looks at Holy Maiden is like looking at his own daughter."

"Second Prince has been close to us since childhood, never put on airs."

"What a pity, if only he were the Eldest Prince."

"Indeed! If he became Great Khan, we'd be blessed!"

Jifeng seemed not to hear, but he tightened his grip on Tuan Tuan's arm slightly.