Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Shangguan Wan imitated the way Jiang Pengji had calmed the horse and patted its neck fondly.
The animal had been born as a warrior horse in the north. It was white as snow, without a patch on its skin. Liu She had made great efforts to obtain it, but after being handed over to a power-level-five master, it had been relegated to pulling carriages. What a tragedy!
Shangguan Wan sighed. “I think you and Wei Jingxian are so suitable for each other.”
Jiang Pengji eyed her. “Stop pretending. You know my brother died early, and I am Lanting the sister.”
The girl teased Jiang Pengji. “But if I call you my sister in front of the others, would you answer?”
All of a sudden, the bullet screens began repeating a joke that she did not understand.
Badao Zhongcai: “Lmao. You naughty monkey, will you answer if I call you?”
Lancui Yubuzhe: “Lmao. You naughty monkey, will you answer if I call you?”
Shitang Dafan Ayi: “Lmao. You naughty monkey, will you answer if I call you?”
Monkeys were displayed all over the interface, and Jiang Pengji became stressed by her childish audience. Couldn’t they do anything besides copying and pasting?
Then she folded her arms and looked at Shangguan Wan like a dissolute man. “I dare not, I am afraid.”
Now that she was on the horse, Shangguan Wan saw the langjuns starting another game in the distance. “Are they playing pitch-pot and archery?”
“There’s nothing exciting about a bunch of bony boys.” Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes with evident disdain.
Her friend nodded to show agreement. “That is right. Lanting is the best. Come on, I want to ride a few more rounds on the circuit.”
Instead of complying, Jiang Pengji led the horse to return to its stall. Shangguan Wan playfully hugged the horse’s neck to show her insistence.
“You are way too smart,” mumbled Jiang Pengji. It wasn’t until then that she remembered Shangguan Wan’s situation.
In ancient times, girls were not strictly confined at home; they could attend gatherings as long as attendants were present. However, there were plenty of things they were forbidden to do, such as riding on large horses. Younger girls like Shangguan Wan lived under even more restraints. Even if she could ride, her family would only provide her with ponies.
Shangguan Wan found the air fresher now that she was sitting on a tall horse, and she began to hum lively folk rhymes with a light heart.
Meanwhile, Jiang Pengji had no idea that Xu Ke was currently embarrassing some langjuns and causing trouble.
“Please take a look.”
On a desk lay a piece of paper. Xu Ke held a brush firmly, and his handwriting reflected resolution and a strong will. Nothing could hide his talent.
“What...?” Years of teaching prevented the silly langjuns from swearing in public.
Feng Jin, who witnessed the entire incident, looked at the seemingly submissive yet unusually sharp Xu Ke. He then glanced at the tiny figure of Liu Lanting leading a horse in the distance and silently took a sip of tea. He better not get involved.
The tension had started from the moment Shaungguan Wan invited Jiang Pengji to a ride.
To leave space for the masters, Xu Ke and Taxue had stayed with the langjuns. Some of the langjuns’ parents had told them about the purpose of the event, so they wanted to see Liu Lanting’s attitude. They were disappointed when they realized that Liu Lanting was more indifferent than they had expected. And the truth was that Liu Lanting did not care much about the rest of them.
What was more, he shamelessly admitted that he knew nothing about literature and refused to make poems with them. When they invited him to participate in other activities, he always responded with an unexcited look. Soon, the young men no longer approached him, and they were displeased that they could not make fun of him.
But what could they do with such an incorrigible langjun?
The next time they saw Liu Lanting, he was riding with the lady of Shangguan family. They would not let him get away so easily. His servants were still here, weren’t they?
Xu Ke heard the rude remarks about his master, which were started in a low voice by a youngster who had been offended by Jiang Pengji’s comments.
Xu Ke did not know much about the affairs between the houses. But with his sensitivity and wit, he noticed the strange atmosphere, and it was not long before he realized that something was wrong.
Some had said that Liu Lanting was too coarse to be the son of the well-educated Liu She. Someone who was illiterate should not be a langjun.
Because the other langjuns had failed to ridicule Liu Lanting, they turned their attentions to Lanting’s servant.
Contrary to their expectations, however, they only resulted in humiliating themselves. Every time they challenged Xu Ke’s poetry and literature, the outcome was like a slap in their faces.
In his heart, Feng Jin expressed sympathy for them, and he turned his gaze away from the group.
Books were scarce for ordinary people like Xu Ke. Every book that he did own, although they were too cheap for the langjuns, was rich in content. He would re-read it for half a year before looking for another book. Xu Ke was not well-learned, but he was gifted in creating refreshing poetry.
The langjuns would have succeeded in humiliating him if they had tested him on writing argumentative essays or memorizing the teachings of great scholars. But they wanted to show off their romantic talent in poetry, which was Xu Ke’s strength.
Feng Jin smiled. “She is wise, eh? ‘Do not challenge others’ strengths with your shortcomings.’”
Xu Ke glanced at him, trying his best to compose himself.
Soon, Wuma Jun smoothed out the situation with a smile and his distinct attitude.
“Langjuns, that wretched slave does not deserve your attention. What he has done is merely luck!”
Xu Ke’s eyes dimmed, and he clenched his fists tightly. His capabilities would never be able to change his inferior background. He was only a servant who must endure mistreatment. He would not be pitied if he someday irritated the nobles and was beaten to death as a result.
Feng Jin observed the agony in Xu Ke’s heart. To his peers, he suggested, “Anyway, poems alone cannot help strengthen our kingdom. It is just an entertainment to kill time. The weather is too nice for dwelling on poetry. What about riding or playing pitch-pot? Or perhaps fishing, too! Fish in this season must be active.”
He turned to Xu Ke and instructed mildly, “You can leave us now. Ask Lanting if he would like to join.”
Wuma Jun glanced at Feng Jin, confused.
“Hold on.” Just when Feng Jin thought the friction was over, the langjun in pink spoke. “I am of the same mind. But I suppose that we are all fed up with the ordinary game of pitch-pot. Let us try out something new. I have heard that the northern barbarians often place objects on their servants’ heads and shoot them as targets.”
Feng Jin stiffened. He asked with a warning in his voice, “Are you quite sure?”
“Of course! It is just a pastime. Why don’t we use this servant?”