When the rider from Western Rong provoked Xiao Chen, they happened to pass by Zhan Lan. Zhan Lan clenched her fist tightly, Western Rong!
One day, she would surely trample over Western Rong!
"Xiao Chen, don’t mind him!" Zhan Lan shouted as Xiao Chen’s horse galloped past her.
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Xiao Chen instantly heard Zhan Lan call his name, and his heart surged as he lashed his whip, chasing after the rider from Western Rong.
Riding a white horse with a flowing mane, Xiao Chen seemed to glide on air with each stride. The horse, sensing its master’s anger and hatred, quickened its pace, determined to sweep past like the wind, no matter how fast the Western Rong racehorse was ahead.
From the stands, someone shouted loudly, "The horse is like a meteor; the man is like an arrow, good!"
Mu Yan held Zhan Lan’s trembling hand, feeling her genuine anger.
Mu Yan’s eyes suddenly turned cold and sharp, Western Rong, it’s time to deal with you!
Zhan Lan grasped Mu Yan’s hand in return.
She was angry not only because the rider from Western Rong followed the Eldest Prince’s orders to deliberately anger and humiliate Xiao Chen, but also because of the massacre Western Rong inflicted on the people of the Nanjin border.
Time and again, she had heard her grandfather speak of the enmity between Western Rong and Nanjin.
The Rangers of Western Rong, who treated human life with contempt, Zhan Lan thought of their menacing faces, imagined their scimitars swinging toward innocent people, blood splattering, and their maniacal laughter.
Those images overlapped with the currently arrogant rider, making Zhan Lan’s blood boil.
She had used her scarred and battered body to protect the people for two generations, and the innocent lives lost under the enemy’s blades almost made her want to slay the Western Rong rider as they sped past.
Steadying her mind, Zhan Lan realized she had allowed herself to be provoked by the people of Western Rong.
She looked towards Emperor Qingwu, who sat with a calm expression and seemed to carry a slight smile at the corners of his lips.
Why protect such a self-serving emperor if not for the sake of the people!
The Si Family’s kingdom is truly disgusting!
Mu Yan intertwined his fingers with hers, soothing her emotions.
Zhan Lan looked at Mu Yan and smiled slightly, "I’m fine."
Mu Yan received the white cloak from Vermilion Bird and helped Zhan Lan fasten the ties.
Zhan Lan’s eyes suddenly brightened, and she raised her voice, "Look, Xiao Chen has overtaken them!"
Mu Yan looked at Xiao Chen, gallant on horseback, his dark hair and hems flying in the wind, and affirmed, "Mr. Xiao was excellent today."
It was rare for Zhan Lan to hear Mu Yan praise Xiao Chen. Looking at Xiao Chen, she instinctively said, "Xiao Chen has always been impressive."
Mu Yan stared at Zhan Lan, prompting her to quickly correct herself, "My husband is more impressive."
Mu Yan’s brow relaxed as he chuckled, "Little liar, you’re becoming quite adept at pleasing this prince."
Zhan Lan let out a sigh of relief, Mu Yan was a big pot of vinegar.
Just now, she had simply praised Xiao Chen in agreement with Mu Yan, yet he got jealous again.
However, her relationship with Xiao Chen was indeed different from others; they were as close as siblings, subordinates and comrades, and both knew all of each other’s pasts from two lifetimes. It was certainly different from others.
No wonder Mu Yan was jealous.
"Ah! He won!" Zhan Lan suddenly heard the cheers of the people.
Xiao Chen broke through the finish line, leaving the rider from Western Rong far behind. The white horse raised its hooves, snorting steam as Xiao Chen patted the mane on its head.
The rider from Western Rong left in a huff, leading their horse away in dismay, and Baili Jiang’s expression wasn’t good either.
Western Rong had lost three rounds in a row already; what face did he have to return and report?
Zhan Lan excitedly embraced Mu Yan, "Xiao Chen won! He won!"
Mu Yan smirked, clearly observing that the first person Xiao Chen looked at after crossing the finish line was Zhan Lan.
Mu Yan saw his expression shift from proud joy to a moment of disappointment, and Zhan Lan releasing Mu Yan’s embrace only saw Xiao Chen’s slightly smiling face.
Smiling broadly, Zhan Lan faced Xiao Chen.
Mu Yan lowered his eyes, realizing that indeed Xiao Chen hid his feelings well in front of Zhan Lan, so she would never realize with whom Xiao Chen most wanted to share his victory and pride after winning the competition.
Mu Yan understood in his heart, perhaps Xiao Chen’s love for Zhan Lan was no less than his own.
But love is selfish; he would never give Zhan Lan up to Xiao Chen.
Sitting next to Zhong Xuanliang, Zhong Lianyi asked her father, "Father, who is that gentleman?"
Zhong Xuanliang smiled slightly, "That gentleman is Mr. Xiao Chen, the Minister of the Ministry of Criminal Justice. He is usually busy with cases and seldom comes out. Who would have thought his riding skills were so outstanding!"
Nineteen-year-old Zhong Lianyi wore a long blue dress, adorned with pearls on a white cloak draped over her shoulders, and her hair pinned with a tasseled hairpin, her features coldly enchanting.
"Why? Do you find Mr. Xiao impressive?" Zhong Xuanliang asked in a whispered tone.
Zhong Lianyi blushed, "Father, don’t joke around, but I do find Mr. Xiao gallant and handsome, with a unique charisma."
"Oh, you’re praising him so much; your father understands." A smile crept over Zhong Xuanliang’s usually serious face.
Zhong Lianyi, seeing Xiao Chen for the first time, simply found him standing out in the crowd, and said candidly, "Father, you’re overthinking it; that’s not what I mean."
Zhong Xuanliang had initially set his eyes on Prince Zhen Nan’s heir, Bai Chen, as a son-in-law.
However, it seemed Bai Chen and Lianyi didn’t particularly fancy each other.
If his daughter liked a gentleman like Xiao Chen, and with him and Minister Xiao both serving in court, he could have a closer look, and help match them up, taking advantage of their proximity.
The fourth round of competition, swordsmanship.
Chu Yin finally arrived from the clinic, heading towards Zhan Lan.
"I’m sorry, I’m late." Chu Yin missed Zhan Lan’s competition due to saving a life.
"Not late, my horseback riding competition is in the next round, you arrived just in time for your husband’s competition." Zhan Lan said with a raised eyebrow.
Chu Yin blushed instantly, "I didn’t come specifically to see him."
Suddenly, a voice sounded behind Chu Yin, "Is that so?"
Turning her head, Chu Yin saw Zhan Hui, and she changed the topic, "Be careful out there, don’t get hurt!"
Zhan Hui grabbed Chu Yin’s hand, "Let me borrow my wife’s good fortune."
"Good fortune for what!" Chu Yin’s cheeks turned bright red.
Zhan Lan looked at Chu Yin, "Is Chu Yin pregnant?"
Zhan Hui looked at Chu Yin lovingly and nodded, "Yes."
Zhan Lan immediately grasped Chu Yin’s other hand, thrilled, "You’re almost a mother and still running around everywhere. There are so many people here, just stay with me and don’t wander off!"
"It’s not confirmed yet, keep it from our parents for now!" Chu Yin said a bit sheepishly.
Zhan Lan clasped her hands together, grateful to the heavens that Chu Yin and her elder brother not only married in this life but also had offspring. The Zhan Family and the Chu Family now had heirs!
"What are you doing?" Chu Yin asked curiously, looking at Zhan Lan.
Zhan Lan opened her eyes and said, "Come with me."
Chu Yin watched as Zhan Hui stepped onto the platform and obediently sat down next to Zhan Lan.
Zhan Lan glanced sideways at Chu Yin’s still-flat midsection.
Suddenly, Chu Yin remembered something, grabbing Zhan Lan’s hand, "Don’t worry; you’ll have one too."
Zhan Lan smiled, "It’s alright, if it’s meant to be, it will be; if not, then it won’t happen."
Passing by, Mu Yan happened to overhear their conversation.