Chapter 172: Chapter 172: Sudden Upheaval

“What are we competing in?” Fu Mingzhu asked.

Qingqing replied with a proud look, “In speed and obstacle crossing.”

“During the previous hunt, it was surprising to see Miss Fu riding. I never expected her equestrian skills to be so proficient,” Qingqing said. “It was just that due to the circumstances back then, I couldn’t fully test myself against her.”

Fu Mingzhu slightly raised an eyebrow, “During the last hunt, you seemed much slower than me.”

Is there even a need to compete?

Qingqing felt a fleeting discomfort being put down by Fu Mingzhu, “I was busy looking for prey at the time and didn’t exert myself. It felt unfulfilling; I’ve always wanted a chance to properly compete with Miss Fu.”

Fu Mingzhu quietly looked at Qingqing, knowing well that Qingqing never engaged in pointless activities.

What was Qingqing’s intention by proposing a competition at this moment?

“But I’m here today just to relax; I have no intention of competing with anyone,” Fu Mingzhu declined.

Since she felt that Qingqing held ulterior motives, Fu Mingzhu didn’t want to let a passing moment of competitiveness put her in danger.

Qingqing tilted her chin up and deliberately provoked, “Are you afraid? Afraid that you’re not as skilled and will be embarrassed by losing?”

“Yes,” Fu Mingzhu slightly curled her lips, “I’m so scared.”

Qingqing: “…”

“Why must Miss Fu be so sarcastic?” Qingqing persistently asked, “If you don’t believe you’ll lose, then why not compete with me?”

“Does Mrs. Xiao not understand what I just said?” Fu Mingzhu impatiently replied, “I’m here to relax, not to compete. To put it simply, I’m not in the mood.”

Fu Mingzhu was getting annoyed with Qingqing; she had come for a peaceful ride, without the need to showcase her riding skills, just a few laps around is enough, but Qingqing insisted on ruining the mood.

“If you’re not in the mood today, then may I ask when you will be?” Qingqing continuously inquired, “Whenever you’re in the mood, I’m always available. Tomorrow? The day after? Surely, there’s a day when you’ll be interested.”

“Next lifetime,” Fu Mingzhu said.

“You!” Qingqing was both aggrieved and dissatisfied, “I came with good intentions to invite you, why must you be so dismissive?”

“It’s Mrs. Xiao; call me Lady of the Village,” Fu Mingzhu said.

Qingqing: “…”

It was just a title of ’Lady of the Village,’ yet she flaunted it.

“This Lady of the Village has no interest in competing with you, now or ever,” Fu Mingzhu said coldly, “Mrs. Xiao’s persistent and vexing behavior lacks courtesy.”

“Mrs. Xiao, is this the manners of your Marquis household’s second lady?” Fu Mingzhu raised an eyebrow.

Qingqing had tears brimming in her eyes, “Miss Fu is truly bullying.”

“I merely thought riding aimlessly like this was a bit dull and wanted to mend our relationship…” Qingqing said aggrievedly, “If you truly dislike me, then I shall not stay here unwelcome.”

Having said that, Qingqing spurred her horse to leave and find Xiao Fengxing.

From a distance, it was clear she was airing her grievances to Xiao Fengxing. After she finished, Xiao Fengxing comforted her by wiping her tears.

He even turned to look her way, wearing a look of reproach.

Fu Mingzhu scoffed softly, these two were so addicted to acting.

Fu Mingzhu looked away, patted Feng Chi, and dismounted.

Upon seeing this, Gu Yunze hurriedly stepped down as well, “Did Miss Fu’s mood get ruined by Qingqing and Xiao Fengxing?”

“Not at all,” Fu Mingzhu said with a smile, “Feng Chi is a battlefield horse, it’s enough to ride it a bit.”

Fu Mingzhu smiled as she stroked Feng Chi’s mane, “Riding too long would be disrespectful to Feng Chi.

Gu Yunze, rarely hearing such an expression, couldn’t help but laugh, “Feng Chi really likes you.”

Fu Mingzhu smiled and said, “I also like Feng Chi.”

Gu Yunze, looking at her smiling face, found himself a bit dazed.

There was a slight impulsive urge to ask Fu Mingzhu, what about him?

Does she like him?

Just as Fu Mingzhu was about to look for Fu Shinian, a horse suddenly dashed towards them like crazy.

Fu Mingzhu hadn’t noticed yet, but Fu Shinian called out loudly, “Sister!”

As she called, she was about to mount her horse and rush towards Fu Mingzhu, but was held back by Xiao Chengyu.

“Let me go!” Fu Shinian shouted.

“Gu Yunze is there!” Xiao Chengyu reminded, “He won’t let your sister get hurt!”

“Besides, by the time you get there, it’ll be too late!” Xiao Chengyu said.

Hearing Fu Shinian’s voice, Fu Mingzhu first looked towards Fu Shinian.

She saw Fu Shinian frantically waving her hands in a gesture of warning.

Fu Mingzhu was confused when suddenly she heard the sound of neighing beside her.

“Brother!” Gu Lingyi also screamed.

Gu Yunze sensed something was wrong and immediately grabbed Fu Mingzhu, intending to mount the horse, but the crazed horse was already charging directly at Fu Mingzhu.

Gu Yunze knew there wasn’t time to mount, so he protected Fu Mingzhu in his arms, hugged her tightly, and said, “My apologies!”

As the horse was just about to crash into them, Gu Yunze shielded Fu Mingzhu, rolling them on the ground to narrowly escape the trampling hooves.

Feng Chi suddenly neighed loudly, raised its front hooves, and kicked heavily at the crazed horse, knocking it to the ground.

Taking the opportunity, Gu Yunze wrapped an arm tightly around Fu Mingzhu’s waist, and with her, mounted Feng Chi.

Feng Chi immediately took off with Gu Yunze and Fu Mingzhu in tow.

Feng Chi ran at full speed, and even though the crazed horse was out of its mind, it couldn’t catch up with Feng Chi’s pace.

Additionally, since it was already mad, it ran around aimlessly without a target.

Failing to chase Feng Chi, it actually headed towards Xiao Chengyu and Fu Shinian.

“Shinian!” Yan Liqing screamed.

Xiao Chengyu and Fu Shinian had no horse to escape with.

“Marquis!” Jing Lai stood in front of Xiao Chengyu.

“Brother! Shinian!” Xiao Yingyue shrieked in terror.

Xiao Chengyu drew the long sword from Jing Lai’s waist, pulled Jing Lai aside, and faced the horse, swinging his sword at its neck.

“Shinian, close your eyes!” Xiao Chengyu shouted.

Fu Shinian was too stunned to respond; even though Xiao Chengyu had spoken, she was already paralyzed with fear, standing motionlessly and staring blankly.

“Second Lady!” Jing Lai reminded.

But he couldn’t actually cover Fu Shinian’s eyes with his hands, so he had to once again stand in front of her to block her view.

A sound of flesh slicing and bones cutting echoed, “swish.”

Immediately after, the bloody horse head fell to the ground, right where Jing Lai hadn’t covered.

Fu Shinian saw it clearly.

She had never witnessed such a scene before, so the extreme terror left her unable to make a single sound. She stood there frozen, her face pale.

Her eyes didn’t even blink, instead staring dead on at the severed horse head.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep