The other kids had already gotten used to it; they were just the greenery that set off the red flowers.
During the competition, to their surprise, these big brothers were not as good as them, which made them happy—they weren’t so terrible after all!
"Hahaha, you big brothers are so lame!" a chubby kid exclaimed.
"It’s a good thing we’ve been cycling to lose weight. You guys are really weak, despite being so much older than us, hahaha!"
Pan Zhongdan and a few classmates were utterly embarrassed, their faces red and sweaty. This was no longer a matter of skill; in terms of ability, they, as big brothers, were a disappointment.
It wasn’t as if they were the worst in the academy back in the Capital City, performing well in subjects like horse riding and archery.
"It must be because we’re not familiar with the terrain here, and we’re used to horse riding competitions, not cycling races."
"Yes, yes, that must be it—we just don’t have enough experience with cycling races!"
"It’s certainly not because we’re too weak; it’s because these kids are too clever. They took advantage of their familiarity with the location against us, who knew nothing and were unfamiliar with the competition. It was like handing them money on a plate!"
Pan Zhongdan, listening to his classmates’ disgruntled comments, didn’t know what to say. Just moments ago they were full of energy, and now they faced defeat after defeat.
He glanced at Si Ma Roumei, whose skills were formidable. After losing in fishing to this girl, he had inquired and checked her background.
Si Ma Roumei was the only female student at Xinghe Academy, and she matched up well with the boys.
"You don’t accept the loss? Do you want to compete in horse riding instead?" Si Ma Roumei got angry with these sore losers who wouldn’t admit defeat.
She didn’t care about the prize money at all; she was totally into the fun of the game, putting her energy to her best use.
She hadn’t expected them to be so poor in ability, mere pretty boys with no real strength. She hadn’t had the chance to compete with these people in the Capital City, and this was her last chance to go crazy with fun here for the next six months.
"What, you want to compete in horse riding with us? Don’t cry if you lose. What if you, a girl, get injured while horse riding?"
"Right, we only considered the cycling race. We didn’t bring horses or guards here; where would we even find horses?"
Si Ma Roumei pointed to two neighboring estates. After each race, they would go to these estates to drink tea and eat food to replenish their energy. They also knew that they could borrow horses there.
"This estate is also owned by the Ye family. Let’s go inside, drink some tea, eat some food, and borrow a horse."
The young masters’ eyes lit up, feeling parched and eager to find a place to wash up and drink tea. They saw fruits inside the estate, including huge watermelons, mountain lychees, and longans.
"Hehehe, you’re having a cycling race again?" Li Zhihao saw them competing when he was at the mountain breeding farm; some faces were new, while others were familiar.
But it was still early, so he invited them in for tea, providing watermelons and snacks.
"Ah, this watermelon is so delicious. So the fruit from that estate is supplied from here."
The young masters felt the trip was worthwhile. Those who had been here a few times before had not participated in such a competition, so they had never been to this estate.
After eating, they came up with the idea of touring the estate.
A group of them roamed around the estate thickly, forgetting all about horse riding.
Si Ma Roumei didn’t fret; they had only planned to compete in one event that morning, and besides, the sun was getting too hot to engage in any strenuous activities.
Si Ma Roumei hung out with these people for two more days. The Ye Family’s sisters were too busy and didn’t have time to join them.
So, hearing that the Ye Family’s sisters were going shopping in the county the next day, a typical desire for women, they all wanted to go.
Si Ma Roumei had lived in the county for several years, and only she often came to play at the estate with her friends when Aunt Chen and the Ye Family’s sisters went shopping in the county.
Perhaps this was their chance to go shopping, so they also participated in it.
"Wow, why are there so many carriages following us?"
Ye Wenjie was always energetic, constantly looking out the window, and she particularly noticed the carriages behind them.
There were too many carriages in the convoy; the noise of them moving was too loud. With all those horses and carriages, the dust on the road kicked up.
Ye Shiqi also looked out the window toward the back, observing the people in the carriage teams; she already guessed who was following them.
"Elder sister, your future brother-in-law is following us!"
Then there was giggling among the sisters. Under the gaze of her sisters and family, Ye Luoqi blushed and her eyes wandered to the back, but she was too shy to say anything.
Ye Shiqi..., it seems this brother-in-law is quite nice, give him a thumbs up!
In the midst of jokes, they soon reached the county. In fact, they wanted to visit a bigger city for a walk, to enjoy good food, and to buy beautiful clothes as a family.
The county wasn’t large, but the busiest street suddenly filled with many carriages.
People hurriedly moved aside, fearing that the horses might get spooked and trample someone.
The largest Silver Tower in the county sold fabrics and ready-made clothes, and the best of such items was the Tang Family’s industry.
The two Young Masters of the Tang family came by, allowing them to buy high-quality and inexpensive goods at a discounted price, ones that wouldn’t fall short of those in the Capital City.
Perhaps the fashions and jewelry from the Capital City might be trendier, but the items they bought here were not outdated.
The Tang Family’s chain stores could make money in the Capital City, and they could make money here too.
The group, consisting of both men and women, went to shop at the Silver Tower, while the staff and guards, along with the coachmen, waited downstairs.
"Guests, hello, please come upstairs," the waiter said.
The waiter was very perceptive—this group of people all came in with horse-pulled guards; they wore fine clothes, and among them was their small boss.
"Call the Shopkeeper," Tang Shunyan used his privilege as an heir to command the Shopkeeper to introduce quality goods; it wasn’t the first time he had used such privileges.
"Yes, everyone, please go to the living room for some tea."
The waiter hurriedly went to find the Shopkeeper, then followed them to serve the guests, pouring tea, offering water, pastries, and fruits, providing thorough service.
"Young Master, what kind of jewelry are you buying?"
The Shopkeeper, seeing the Young Master with some new faces and some familiar ones like the young person who had come with the housekeeper a few days ago, heard that it was the new son-in-law of the Young Master’s wet nurse’s family.
Everyone in the county knew of the Young Master’s respect for the wet nurse’s family.
The others asked the housekeeper to show them the best items to see if there were any good goods.
Mrs. Li said to let the Shopkeeper show them some jewelry that her family members would wear, like those for her daughters.
Understanding this, the Shopkeeper went out and then came back in with the staff, carrying several boxes.