Chapter 132: Beat Her Out

Jun Jun Zijin had just confirmed one thing: Quan Quan Tianyi's manhood was utterly ruined, and it was likely he would never recover in this lifetime.

An indescribable sense of satisfaction surged in Jun Jun Zijin's heart, though not a trace showed on her face; she frowned slightly, sighed with feigned helplessness, as if carrying a hint of grievance and unwillingness:

"There's no other way; my father has only my eldest sister in his heart and eyes. He once said the only son-in-law he accepted was the one my eldest sister chose. He has never had me in his heart, nor anyone I fancy. If I don't do something for myself, how can I live?"

Her tone carried a hint of self-mockery, as if recounting a fate long sealed.

Quan Quan Tianyi indeed released Jun Jun Zijin's hand; his eyes flickered as if weighing something. Jun Jun Zijin keenly caught that fleeting calculation in his gaze and sneered inwardly.

She knew that someone like Quan Quan Tianyi would never easily let go of any opportunity he could exploit.

Unobtrusively, she drew her bruised and purplish wrist into her sleeve, gently lowered her eyelids, and concealed the coldness in her eyes.

Wasn't that eldest sister of hers always bent on marrying into Prince Yi Wang Fu? Then she would give her a hand and let her get her wish.

Who in Jingcheng did not know that Xiang Xiang Junzheng prized the Eldest Miss of the Jun family? She had no fear that Quan Quan Tianyi would not believe it; to bear the weight of his ambitions, sometimes a woman made an excellent bridge.

When Jun Jun Zijin returned to her seat, she found Jun Jun Yiyi, who today was so jealous she was nearly ill, scanning everywhere with her eyes. Her demeanor was as if she wished to turn the entire banquet upside down.

She was looking for Quan Quan Tianyi; who could not see that? Yet strangely, Quan Quan Tianyi today seemed to be deliberately avoiding her.

Sure enough, before long Quan Quan Tianyi returned and actually displayed to Jun Jun Yiyi that gentle expression he formerly showed in public. That smile was like the warmest sunshine of spring, yet Jun Jun Zijin saw clearly that the smile did not reach his eyes.

What kind of person was Quan Quan Tianyi? He could even lay hands on his own maternal uncle; how could he be swayed by a woman? Yet Jun Jun Yiyi seemed bewitched by that smile, her entire person floating as if on clouds.

But at this moment Jun Jun Zijin had no time to watch the drama between those two, because Guazi had told her that Princess Jiahe had forcibly dragged He Ling'er into a horse-riding contest with her.

This news tightened Jun Jun Zijin's heart; Princess Jiahe was no good person, and although He Ling'er was skilled in horsemanship, facing Princess Jiahe, she would likely suffer a heavy loss.

Jun Jun Zijin rose hastily; as her skirts fluttered, she strode swiftly toward the direction of the horse field.

Before she even reached the field, she saw He He Donghai coming to meet her, as if he had been waiting specifically for her:

"Young Lady, you've finally come; Ling'er asked me to bring you over."

He He Donghai said with some anxiety, his tone carrying a thread of urgency and expectation. His eyes revealed concern for his sister, clearly filled with both anticipation and nervousness about the impending contest.

He He Donghai was He Ling'er's full brother; originally, he and Jun Jun Zijin had only met a few times when Quan Quan Aoyu was present, so they could not be said to have any real connection. He He Donghai always felt Jun Jun Zijin was too much of an actress, not a friend suitable for deep friendship; though she acted without hesitation, on the surface she pretended to be carefree and detached. It was only after that grain-robbery incident that his impression of her changed.

The horse field was already surrounded by many people, all discussing the contest about to begin. When they saw Jun Jun Zijin arrive, everyone made way, their eager gazes fixed upon her.

The Ladies and Young Ladies wished to curry favor with her; Jun Jun Zijin merely smiled and nodded to the crowd, yet her gaze could not help but settle on He Ling'er and Princess Jiahe.

Upon reaching the horse field, Jun Jun Zijin learned that the only participants in the contest were He Ling'er and Princess Jiahe—a true contest between women.

Stepping into the horse field, Jun Jun Zijin saw from afar He Ling'er and Princess Jiahe standing at opposite ends of the track, both beauties spirited and valiant, each mounted on a fine steed. Princess Jiahe rode Mo Yun, entirely black as ink, while He Ling'er rode Ta Xue, snow-white from head to hoof.

The horses they rode were both top-tier thoroughbreds. Jun Jun Zijin was a lover of horses; in her previous life, whenever she had leisure, besides practicing martial arts, she spent her time in the horse field. Seeing these two fine steeds, she recalled again the Ferghana horse Quan Quan Aoyu had given her, which she still could not bear to ride.

Just then, a cunning glint flashed in Princess Jiahe's eyes. Jun Jun Zijin, with her sharp vision, did not miss it.

She grew somewhat worried for He Ling'er; horse racing easily led to accidents, and the look in Princess Jiahe's eyes clearly revealed ill intent. Beside her, however, He He Donghai wore a face full of excitement, clearly brimming with confidence in He Ling'er's horsemanship.

Quan Quan Qingle, equally worried, spoke to He He Donghai with some dissatisfaction:

"You, as an elder brother, are certainly at ease."

He He Donghai chuckled:

"Just rest assured; Ling'er has studied horsemanship since childhood; she will be fine."

Hearing this, Jun Jun Zijin could not truly set her mind at rest. Her gaze kept following He Ling'er and Princess Jiahe, noting every move of Princess Jiahe, fearing she would play foul and cause He Ling'er to suffer.

The contest was about to begin; the entire arena was shrouded in an atmosphere of tension and excitement.

At the referee's command, the two horses instantly galloped forth. He Ling'er's horsemanship was indeed superb; she left Princess Jiahe behind, and Jun Jun Zijin relaxed slightly.

Suddenly, Princess Jiahe fiercely whipped her horse's hindquarters; the steed instantly accelerated and caught up with He Ling'er.

Everyone in the spectator stands rose to their feet, watching the situation on the track with bated breath.

Princess Jiahe's horse, like an arrow loosed from a bow, rapidly closed in on He Ling'er.

Seeing this, He Ling'er gripped the reins tightly, striving to steady her posture.

Princess Jiahe clearly did not wish for the contest to end this way; a trace of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes as she suddenly leaned forward and used the riding crop in her hand to strike He Ling'er's horse's hooves.

He Ling'er's horse, startled, instantly reared onto its hind legs; caught off guard, He Ling'er tumbled down from the saddle.

The scene erupted in gasps of shock; Jun Jun Zijin rushed forward first, with He He Donghai and Quan Quan Qingle arriving shortly after.

People's footsteps clamored together; soon, the edge of the arena was surrounded by onlookers eager to watch the spectacle.

Jun Jun Zijin crouched down and quickly examined He Ling'er's injuries. Fortunately, apart from being unconscious, there were no serious harms. It was just unclear why Ling'er remained unconscious.

Jun Jun Zijin's brows knit tightly; then she shouted toward the crowd: "Everyone make way! Leave space for the patient!"

He He Donghai and Quan Quan Qingle hurriedly dispersed the crowd, but Princess Jiahe, annoyingly, slowly rode her horse closer, looking as if nothing mattered, and said lightly, "So fragile; she can't even take a fall."

Jun Jun Zijin deftly drew a golden needle from her sleeve; without lifting her head, her voice cold and sharp, she said: "Scram!"

Princess Jiahe would not stand for it; seemingly never expecting such treatment, she burned with rage:

"Jun Jun Zijin, on what grounds do you treat me this way?"

Unwilling to waste more words on her, Jun Jun Zijin turned to He He Donghai and said: "He Donghai, beat her out of here; do not let her interfere with my saving the patient. If anything happens, I will take responsibility."