Meng Jifang was quite curious. "How do we collaborate?"
Xie Qiao's expression was calm. She did not look like she was excited as she said in no hurry, "I'll be conducting. You guys will be responsible for cleaning the horses and stable and fetching the water."
"Conducting!? Ha, you sure are smart to pick your chore. If that's the case, wouldn't you just be standing there doing nothing!?" Meng Jifang scoffed.
"Forget it if you disagree. After all, it wouldn't take me too much effort to do all these on my own." Xie Qiao looked away.
It was impossible that it was completely effortless.
Cleaning the horses was acceptable, as she could sit down and move her hands around. However, it was strenuous to fetch water. Even if she was stingy with the usage, it was tiring to fetch water back and forth tens of times.
Also, bending to clean… She would easily get dizzy from that.
However, Xie Qiao did not show any urgency at all. She went to the well to fetch water slowly. The horse stood where it was obediently, enjoying the sun. It did not move around as it wished—it was so good.
In reality, the wild horses were tough ones.
There were many of them. If the students were to do it following their pace, they might not be able to complete the task by the time the sky turned dark.
However, if they did it as Xie Qiao said…
As long as the horses were cooperative, it would really be easy.
"Sure! But you must guarantee that all horses will be as good as the one you cleaned earlier. I won't forgive you if they act up," Meng Jifang said fiercely.
Xie Qiao chuckled.
'You narcissistic young man, who gave you the guts to say something so dumb? You won't forgive me? Come try me.'
"Come here, all of you!" Meng Jifang waved at the people around.
Xia Yayun glanced at Xie Qiao and walked over as she gnashed her teeth.
Meng Jifang did not think too much, so he began to delegate the chores. "I'll be leading the horses. Old Ding will be brushing. San'er will be fetching the water. Ah Hong and…"
He pointed at Xia Yayun... He suddenly forgot what her name was.
"Not her, I won't conduct for her," said Xie Qiao.
Xia Yayun's face paled. "You're too much, Xie Qiao! What do you mean by excluding me? Young Master Meng is the leader. What makes you think you have the right to name your request!?"
"It's not good to exclude a young lady like her, right?" Meng Jifang was pretty considerate.
However, Xie Qiao was like a cold stone, and she persisted. "You guys can include her, but I won't bother with her horses. You guys will have to deal with her yourself."
"How big is this grudge?" Meng Jifang was very curious.
"Humiliating my family—a grudge that's absolutely irreconcilable," Xie Qiao's small face looked serious as she held her head high.
Meng Jifang's eyelids twitched, and he almost choked. There was such a great crime in this academy!?
These two young ladies were pretty dramatic. People who had no idea would think that they had their fathers killed or wives stolen!
"Forget it. You'll deal with it yourself." Meng Jifang rejected Xia Yayun.
Xia Yayun's face turned pale. She felt humiliated. "You're the most pretentious person I know, Xie Qiao. Conducting horses? Do you think they're dogs that you keep at home?! Don't blame anyone if they kick you to death!"
Xia Yayun scoffed as soon as she was done speaking and went back to the stable she was cleaning.
"So stubborn." Meng Jifang chuckled.
Subsequently, everyone began to work.
Xie Qiao had her burden lifted right away. Meng Jifang led the horses over while she would either be brushing their hair or mumbling something into their ears. Meng Jifang had no idea what she was mumbling about, but he thought she was mysterious.
In reality, Xie Qiao chanted two scriptures simply—the Taoist or Buddhism scriptures. She even recited the articles Master Lu had taught a few times.
These animals could sense humans' kindness and ill intentions. She spoke with a calm tone, so the horses naturally knew that she came in peace.