Chapter 203: The Northern Kingdom is so poor they treat yellow sand like sugar

Many people began setting up bets on the spot. For this round of horse racing, nearly half the people bet on Tuoba Yaoguang; after all, no one had ever seen Jun Zijin’s riding skills.

Quan Qingle was also somewhat uncertain about Jun Zijin and asked He Linger beside her:

"Linger, how about we also bet 1,000 taels of silver? Let’s bet on Zijin to win? Let’s build some momentum for her! Even if Zijin loses, so what? This Princess doesn't lack those 1,000 taels."

He Linger patted Quan Qingle on the shoulder and said:

"Don't worry, Zijin told us to help her bet 10,000 taels of silver on herself. Do you think she would lose?"

After speaking, He Linger turned her head to look at the maid beside her and said:

"Go, bet 20,000 taels on Zijin for every round; 10,000 is mine, and 10,000 is Zijin’s. I want everyone to know that my Zijin is not someone to be trifled with."

The maid was slightly stunned. 20,000 per round, that’s 60,000 taels of silver for three rounds—oh my goodness. But the maid still hurriedly nodded and rushed off to arrange the bets.

Quan Qingle was stunned.

"I’ll also bet 10,000 taels on Zijin."

Following the crisp sound of a gong, this highly anticipated competition officially began.

"The competition begins!"

At the command, Tuoba Yaoguang squeezed her horse’s flanks hard, and Cangshan Moyun shot out like an arrow from a bowstring.

Jun Zijin also whipped her horse, and the Sweat-Blood Horse shot forward like an arrow from a bowstring.

"Go, Princess Qingping!"

The audience cheered excitedly.

At the start, the Northern Kingdom Princess relied on her steed’s explosive power to take the lead, leaving Princess Qingping behind.

She laughed triumphantly, her laughter echoing across the track.

There was an uproar in the spectator stands.

"I told you that Northern Kingdom Princess would win; she grew up on horseback, after all. Princess Qingping’s medical skills are indeed remarkable, but she is a notch below in horse riding."

"Sigh, what a pity for my silver. I bet 1,000 taels on Princess Qingping; that was all my private savings!"

The Empress’s hand, which had been stroking a small fox, froze, and she looked nervously toward the racecourse.

"Your Majesty, is Zijin taking too big a risk this time? I am truly afraid that if she loses, her marriage to Yu’er will not go smoothly."

"Don't be anxious, Empress, just keep watching. That girl always has unexpected surprises. Besides, aren't there two more rounds? Even if that girl loses, she is still the daughter-in-law I have chosen. As for that girl from the Northern Kingdom... I never promised her anything..."

"Father is wise."

Quan Aoyu chimed in with timely flattery.

Quan Wuji rolled his eyes at him:

"Even if I wanted you to marry her, wouldn't you, brat, defy the imperial decree?"

"I would!"

"Pfft."

The Empress laughed, completely setting her heart at ease:

"You two father and son, you really are the same."

Just then, Quan Wuji’s eyes lit up.

"Empress, look, the Zijin girl is catching up."

Jun Zijin appeared unhurried; she rubbed her face against the neck of the Sweat-Blood Horse.

The horse’s gait became increasingly light, its rhythm more stable, and its speed actually grew faster and faster.

By the second lap, Princess Qingping had caught up to the back of Tuoba Yaoguang.

Tuoba Yaoguang sensed the threat behind her and felt annoyed. She continuously swung her whip, striking Cangshan Moyun, trying to make it run faster.

The horse, in pain, let out a long whinny and charged forward desperately, its speed increasing once more.

The Sweat-Blood Horse seemed to share a connection with Jun Zijin and also accelerated to chase, actually leaving Cangshan Moyun behind.

A roar went up from the spectator stands.

The competition was in full swing, and Tuoba Yaoguang, seeing herself falling behind Jun Zijin, could not help but grow anxious.

Her gaze turned cold, and she suddenly reached out, pulled a sharp dagger from her boot, and fiercely stabbed the horse’s rump.

The horse, in pain, accelerated instantly and actually overtook Jun Zijin.

"How could the Northern Kingdom Princess do that!"

Someone in the spectator stands exclaimed again.

Quan Wuji narrowed his eyes; this woman could not be underestimated, yet she was vicious-minded and actually harbored delusions of marrying Yu’er.

Jun Zijin was a horse lover; seeing Cangshan Moyun bleeding as it ran, she frowned slightly.

The key to horsemanship was mutual trust; Tuoba Yaoguang’s extreme methods might not necessarily defeat her.

Jun Zijin gently patted the horse’s neck, and the horse seemed to feel her determination, suddenly exerting force, its speed soaring as it kicked up layers of dust.

In the blink of an eye, by the fourth lap, the two horses were galloping side by side.

Their heads were almost level; the Sweat-Blood Horse was crimson red like blood, every muscle shimmering with the luster of power under the sun;

Cangshan Moyun was pitch black, its four hooves like the wind, its mane snapping loudly in the breeze.

The spectators on the sidelines were flushed with excitement, cheers and shouts of encouragement rising one after another.

"The Princess will win!"

"The Princess is mighty!"

Two completely different cries intertwined, pushing the atmosphere at the scene to a climax.

A confident smile played on the corners of Jun Zijin’s mouth as she gently stroked the neck of the Sweat-Blood Horse and whispered:

"Partner, let’s put in some effort."

By the 8th lap, perhaps because Cangshan Moyun was injured and bleeding, it was faintly falling behind the Sweat-Blood Horse.

By the 9th lap, Jun Zijin squeezed her horse’s flanks hard; the horse understood and suddenly exerted force, galloping past Cangshan Moyun.

A flash of anxiety and unwillingness crossed Tuoba Yaoguang’s eyes; she gritted her teeth and stabbed the horse’s rump with the knife again.

However, a sudden change occurred. This time, instead of speeding up, Cangshan Moyun let out a shrill whinny, its front hooves rearing high, nearly throwing Tuoba Yaoguang off.

In that very instant, Cangshan Moyun was left far behind by the Sweat-Blood Horse.

Tuoba Yaoguang’s eyes were full of anger and despair.

The entire arena fell silent, and everyone stood up, staring intently at the racecourse.

Finally, amidst the cheers of the entire audience, Jun Zijin was the first to cross the finish line.

She pulled on the reins, stopped the Sweat-Blood Horse, and a victorious smile appeared on her face.

After crossing the finish line, Tuoba Yaoguang’s Cangshan Moyun, exhausted, collapsed to the ground, throwing Tuoba Yaoguang off.

Tuoba Yaoguang landed face-down, sprawled on the ground in an awkward posture, and got a mouthful of dirt and sand.

Those who had bet on Tuoba Yaoguang sighed:

"Sigh... my silver is gone..."

Those who had bet on Jun Zijin were triumphant and began to mock:

"Haha, it seems the Northern Kingdom Princess is nothing special after all!"

Quan Qingle and He Linger danced with joy and laughed out loud:

"Princess Tuoba, is your Northern Kingdom so poor that you treat our Tianqi’s yellow sand like sugar? How is it, is it sweet?"

The laughter and mockery echoed in the air, leaving Tuoba Yaoguang with no face left.

Someone couldn't help but say loudly:

"The outcome is decided; Northern Kingdom Princess, you should just gracefully admit defeat!"

Tuoba Yaoguang climbed up from the ground in a disheveled state, patted the dust off her body, and stared fixedly at Jun Zijin with eyes burning with rage.

She snorted and gritted her teeth:

"This competition, I count it as your win. But in the upcoming competitions, I will absolutely not let you off easily!"