[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world":3,"chapter-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-202":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Phoenix Returns to Rule the World",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2353326,4602,"Chapter 202: Elegance at the Horse Track","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-202",202,"\u003Cp>When Tuoba Yaoguang saw such a handsome young man walk in, her eyes lit up; her originally haughty expression instantly softened, and a hint of shyness flashed in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She subconsciously straightened her hair bun and stood up straight, attempting to display her most elegant side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This young master is...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahem...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Tuoba Yaoguang’s infatuated look, Jun Zijin’s mouth twitched slightly, and she nearly laughed out loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She never would have imagined that this arrogant and domineering Princess, who had declared yesterday that she wanted to marry Quan Aoyu, had taken a fancy to Jun Chengcai today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Linger winked and made faces, showing no respect at all:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I say, you... oh, Princess Mop, being so fickle won't do. Yesterday you wanted to snatch my Zijin’s husband, and today you want to be Zijin’s sister-in-law?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once these words were out, Tuoba Yaoguang’s expression was truly spectacular, but with Jun Chengcai present, she found it difficult to lash out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahem...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Chengcai, teased by He Linger, felt his handsome face flush. He coughed lightly. His gaze swept over Tuoba Yaoguang, and he bowed slightly, offering a formal greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Her Highness the Princess has come from afar and is naturally a guest, but if you intend to run wild in my Jun Fu and provoke conflict between our two nations, you must first ask if I agree.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuoba Yaoguang’s face turned pale then red; she never expected that while she had intended to intimidate these people, she would instead be met with a cold shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She bit her lip, feeling secretly furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master is joking. This Princess has long heard of the prosperity of Tianqi and came today specifically to see it for myself; I have no other intentions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She forced a smile, attempting to salvage the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, He Linger, who had been holding it in for a while, spoke up again. With her hands on her hips and a face full of defiance, she was the spitting image of a fearless little chili pepper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph, if you're here to see it, then see it—why put on such a high-and-mighty air? Do you really think there’s no one left in Tianqi?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuoba Yaoguang was choked red by He Linger’s words. She stood up in a fit of shame and anger, pointed at He Linger, and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You insolent commoner, how dare you speak to this Princess like that! Xiao Hong, slap her!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Chengcai stepped forward, blocking He Linger with a cold expression:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Highness, please show some self-respect. This is Tianqi, not the Northern Kingdom; you are not permitted to act as you please here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Tuoba Yaoguang trembled with rage, knowing she would gain nothing here today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She flicked her sleeves and said bitterly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit, we shall meet at the Imperial Horse Track tomorrow!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing she was in the wrong but unwilling to concede, Tuoba Yaoguang left in a hurry with her entourage after throwing out that harsh threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that said, she turned and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Linger laughed until she was doubled over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The nerve! A princess of a vassal state expecting a Tianqi County Princess to receive her? What is she thinking?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Linger looked triumphant and teased:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zijin, your brother was so cool today, and the best part is he’s so down-to-earth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Chengcai’s gaze deepened as he looked at He Linger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin scanned the two of them back and forth, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, her eyes full of mischief:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother, if that overbearing princess keeps pestering you, what do you intend to do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Chengcai glanced at He Linger, his face flushing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’d better worry about that woman pestering my brother-in-law.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group laughed and joked, the atmosphere completely unaffected by Tuoba Yaoguang’s meddling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>————————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the third day of the Lunar New Year, the Royal Horse Track was bustling with activity, as if completely ignited by the joy of the New Year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The light snow that fell last night had covered the entire horse track in a layer of silver gauze as thin as a cicada's wing. Today, the sky was clear for thousands of miles, and the sunlight poured onto the white snow without reservation, reflecting a dazzling light that stung the eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The colorful flags all around snapped in the breeze, their vibrant colors contrasting with the white snow, while the elegant sounds of strings and bamboo instruments drifted continuously, playing the most joyful movement of the New Year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor and Empress sat high in the center of the viewing platform; the Emperor wore a bright yellow dragon robe, his crown tassels swaying slightly, exuding natural authority; the Empress wore a phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes, her jewelry shimmering, her demeanor graceful and composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The royal clansmen were seated in order of seniority, dressed in magnificent attire, their expressions varied—some expectant, others indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court officials were arranged neatly; the civil officials in their wide-sleeved robes, their eyes revealing the wisdom of scholars; the military generals in armor, their postures upright, radiating heroic spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Envoys from various countries also took their seats, wearing diverse styles of clothing and bringing exotic flair, watching this New Year’s grand event with curiosity and anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you heard? This Northern Kingdom princess grew up on horseback; her riding and archery skills are truly formidable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A noble lady held a silk handkerchief, turned slightly, and whispered to her companion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So what? Our County Princess Qingping’s archery is something everyone has witnessed. Last time Gao Shanshan competed against County Princess Qingping, her arrow pierced three copper coins, and what’s more incredible is that her arrow could turn corners.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another noble lady, unwilling to be outdone, immediately retorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But everyone saw that County Princess Qingping’s riding skills were clearly mediocre that time. I think the Northern Kingdom princess will definitely win.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crowd of ladies and young misses gathered together, chattering and discussing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuoba Yaoguang wore a silver-white riding outfit paired with a light blue mink fur cape, which made her skin look fairer than snow, and her eyes were like cold stars twinkling in the night sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riding a jet-black Cangshan Ink Cloud, she possessed an innate dash and unruliness, yet her arrogance was off-putting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Believing that she had grown up on the grasslands of the Northern Kingdom and that riding and archery were part of her life, her eyes were full of certainty of victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin wore a royal blue riding outfit, draped in the century-old snow fox fur cape that had been presented when the Northern Kingdom was defeated and signed the treaty under the city walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her dark hair was tied up high, with a few stray locks dancing in the wind, adding a touch of liveliness to her cold, clear face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Quan Aoyu saw her appear before Tuoba Yaoguang wearing that snow fox fur, a doting smile curled his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This mischievous girl really didn't miss a single chance to slap that Princess Mop in the face, but he loved it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Tuoba Yaoguang saw the snow fox fur cape on Jun Zijin, her eyes turned red as she glared fixedly at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she had seen that cape in the Northern Kingdom palace, she had loved it so much she couldn't bear to let it go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Tuoba Hong, who had always doted on her, not only refused her that time but also scolded her for being unreasonable, which was unprecedented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She never expected that this cape would end up on Jun Zijin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, she was gently stroking the neck of the Ferghana horse beside her; this horse was a gift from Quan Aoyu, which he had been keeping for her in the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fine steed seemed to sense its owner’s comfort, let out a joyful whinny, and nuzzled her hand affectionately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Ferghana horse was as red as charcoal all over, with flowing mane and sturdy hooves; set against the snow, it looked even more magnificent, and it was her most cherished companion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them were riding top-tier steeds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting steadily in their saddles, hands gently holding the reins, their postures were upright like pine trees, quietly waiting for the signal to start the race.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The competition consisted of three rounds; the first round was a test of speed, where the two would run ten laps around the track, and the first to arrive would be the winner.\u003C\u002Fp>",1423,"2026-06-21T03:35:40.407Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","ea676c24d83f74118fba01858c73fb58c28eb683527ac532128bab305fea4d2f","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-203","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-201",224,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-cover.jpg"]