Ye Zhi opened her bright grape-like eyes, pouted a little, and said crisply: "I’m afraid of strangers."
Tan Huanhuan, Ji Changzhou, and Shen Chen all looked surprised after hearing her words. What a far-fetched reason...
However, they did not expose her.
Ji Changzhou, behaving like a little adult, took a step forward. With a steady expression on his young face, he slightly bent forward and said with folded hands: "I am Ji Changzhou from Yangzhou. Greetings, Xue Ling brother."
His demeanor was like that of someone from a noble family, cultured and refined, a gentleman with great poise.
Completely unlike an ordinary child!
Xue Ling returned the greeting with folded hands, his expression gentle as he said: "We are about the same age, just call me Xue Ling."
He was about to continue speaking when the person ahead went to choose their horse, and it was his turn, "I’ll go choose a horse now and hope to join you in entering the Imperial College."
With that sentence left behind, he turned and left gracefully.
As if some fierce demon had left, Ye Zhi breathed a sigh of relief and stepped out.
The morning sun wasn’t harsh. Standing in line under the sunlight, the autumn weather carried a hint of crispness, with the autumn wind blowing gently, it wasn’t very hot.
The students ahead were fervently taking the exam.
Some passed, while others failed, no matter how they tried to urge their horses, they remained unresponsive.
Yet some seemed to have a connection with the horse, leading it as if it were their own.
There are five stamps in total, if you fail in horse riding, a stamp with the words "failure" will be marked, if successful, the stamp will read "success."
There are a total of five stages, using a best-of-five rule.
So, there is still a chance to continue challenging the next stage.
To keep a distance from Xue Ling, Ye Zhi suggested that a few other students go ahead in the competition, they could delay for a bit, and this small line-jumping incident did not catch the Teacher’s attention.
In her casual brocade robe, Tan Huanhuan looked puzzled: "Ah Zhi, he looks so ordinary, why are you afraid of him?"
Looking at the man’s appearance, he didn’t seem like a fierce person.
She hailed from a prominent family in Yangzhou, and the confidence given by her family and parents had cultivated a fearless personality, resolute and daring. Though young, among her girl friends in Yangzhou City, they all respected her as a tomboy.
In contrast, Ji Changzhou seemed a bit delicate...
Gentle and scholarly, reading books all day.
In Yangzhou City, Ji Changzhou was under Tan Huanhuan’s protection.
Ye Zhi’s expression turned awkward, who said she was afraid of him, did she make it that obvious? She opened her mouth, stammering to explain: "I’m not afraid of him."
This rebuttal felt a bit weak...
So, she furrowed her brows slightly and spoke again: "I just think his appearance doesn’t look like a good person, so I don’t want to talk to him. It’s best if you don’t interact with him much, people can’t be judged by appearances."
...
Tan Huanhuan pursed her lips and nodded, nonchalantly agreeing: "True, I trust Ah Zhi. Changzhou, you should also keep your distance from Xue Ling."
The boy beside them obediently nodded.
Shen Chen, who was quiet, stood to the side like an invisible person. Ye Zhi didn’t bother reminding him, he would automatically take it in.
As the male protagonist, what could happen to him? Only they, this group of minor characters, would get into trouble.
Soon, it was their turn in line.
The group of four walked towards the stables.
The horse is the best choice for travel, a majestic and spirited animal, symbolizing power and fearlessness, yet conquered by humans, silently giving. Of course, besides its docile side, it also has rebellious moments, once it dislikes something, it may become restless, even kicking out in anger.
The horse has strong limbs, powerful and good at running, high and prominent eyes, strong memory, and great judgment of its path, deemed the best among livestock.