My elder sister forced me to become a concubine; I was reborn and remarried into the emperor's

Since it's a competition, it can't just be a simple lap around the track.

The two arrived at the railing by the gate of the horse farm at the same time. Using this as a line, Wei Nanxun struck the gong, and they set off together, running to the end of the horse farm to strike the other gong on that side, and then returning. Whoever struck the gong on this side first would win.

Of course, to be fair, Pei Ji would not ride Lie Yang; the two would borrow a colt from the horse farm.

Pei Ji was still a black colt, while Cheng Ang was a large brown horse. Both horses looked like they were free-range, with shiny and smooth coats and strong, powerful hooves.

The two quickly got ready on horseback, and Wei Nanxun was forced to raise the gong mallet.

Before he made the call, he was still advising them: "Why don't you just run around casually? There's no need to make it so formal."

This was no longer just a formality; it was a tense situation between both sides.

Not only Wei and Yu were drawn by the commotion, but the stable manager and stable boys in the stable also gathered around, whispering among themselves about who would win.

Perhaps it was Cheng Ang's complexion and appearance that made him look more like someone who had been through many battles and was used to being out in the sun. In contrast, Pei Ji, in terms of both his clothes and appearance, looked like a young master from a wealthy and noble family.

Even if a rich man's son is very skilled at riding a horse, he can never outrun a traveler who spends his days with his horse.

Even Wei Heyu thought so. He whispered in Wei Nanxun's ear, "Sister, do you know that important person?"

"Should we ask Brother Cheng Ang to go easy on him? I'm afraid such a distinguished person will be furious if he loses."

Wei Nanxun naturally favored Pei Ji. With his years of experience fighting on the battlefield, how could he possibly lose in archery and horsemanship?

But after hearing so much from others, she couldn't help but feel uneasy. He was highly skilled in leading troops and archery, but his speed might not be the fastest.

After all, he has so many things to take care of, how could he have the energy to run horses every day...

The gong mallet was finding it difficult to strike.

Pei Ji gently patted the horse beneath him, his movements practiced and unlike those noble young masters who would simply hand over their horses to grooms after riding them.

He raised his chin and gave Wei Nanxun a smile, "Aren't you going to knock? Thinking of a prize?"

This refers to a typical horse racing competition where someone throws a prize, and the winner takes home the reward.

For some reason, Wei Nanxun thought of the kiss from yesterday again. This man really doesn't let go of the slightest bit of advantage.

She suppressed her worries about him and struck him heavily with the hammer.

The sharp, crisp sound of gongs and drums shattered the eardrums, and two horses, one black and one brown, shot out at the same time like arrows released from a bow.

This horse ranch is huge, so huge that you can't see the end even when you're on horseback. It was built specifically for owners to ride horses and have fun. There are also many roadblocks along the way, so it takes some effort to go back and forth.

Wei Nanxun couldn't help but stand on tiptoe to see who was ahead and who was behind, but the horses were running too fast, and all she could see was the dust and grass being kicked up, and the horse tails flying in the air.

"He Yu, who's running ahead now?"

Wei Heyu was still sitting on his horse, and could see further than she could.

He craned his neck to look: "It seems that Brother Cheng Ang is in the lead for now, but that nobleman's horse is also very close, and they look evenly matched."

"Sister, this is amazing! I want to go and see it too."

Young people are more easily aroused, and seeing how intensely the two were running, he was eager to try it out.

He wasn't the only one with this idea; some onlookers couldn't resist riding over to see, but unfortunately, they couldn't keep up with the two men's speed and had to turn back.

When asked which was faster, the man couldn't actually tell, so he just made up an answer: "It goes without saying, the brown horse is definitely faster. Whether it's riding skills or experience, the black horse is slightly inferior."

Upon hearing this, Wei Nanxun clenched her fists even tighter. If he really lost, how would she comfort him...?

Even Cheng Ang himself felt confident of victory this time. He dared not say anything else, but he once worked hard to secure an order for Uncle Wei.

I rode for a whole day and night, and both horses collapsed from exhaustion, but I made it to the business an hour ahead of schedule.

This is his area of ​​expertise, and with Wei Nanxun watching over him, it feels like he's putting his full effort into it.

He had only one thought in his mind: he absolutely could not lose, and he had to make her look at him with new respect.

But he realized something was wrong after running a short distance.

The person he should have imagined leaving behind was actually riding alongside him, and his horse's head was always pointing forward, seemingly poised to overtake him.

Cheng Ang didn't use his full strength at first, because he felt that winning against his opponent would be easy, and he also needed to conserve his strength and observe his opponent first.

Upon seeing this, he felt a chill run down his spine and dared not be negligent in the slightest, immediately becoming fully focused.

He gritted his teeth and squeezed his legs tightly against the horse's flanks, shouting, "Giddy up!"

Then, his brown horse head instantly overtook the other man, his lips slightly raised, his eyes full of light.

But before he could rejoice for long, the flowing black mane reappeared before his eyes, following him like a shadow.

No, a shadow can't surpass its master, but the other party is clearly about to surpass him.

Cheng Ang's heart was suddenly in turmoil, because he caught a glimpse of the other person's relaxed expression out of the corner of his eye. Not only was there no sign of him clenching his teeth, but he seemed completely at ease.

It was as leisurely as taking a stroll rather than riding a horse.

He was momentarily lost in thought, but when he saw that the black horse's head had already passed him, he quickly pulled his thoughts back.

This must be a scheme by the other side; we absolutely cannot let them interfere.

Ahead was a railing about half a person's height and a slightly steep slope, which was his strength; his ability to adapt to changing circumstances was definitely better than his opponent's.

He must seize this opportunity to turn the tide.

Cheng Ang tensed up, his legs gripping the horse's belly, his upper body pressed slightly against the horse's back, ready to leap over the obstacle.

Then, the brown horse raised its front legs high and leaped over the railing with great effort. Its posture and landing were perfect, without the slightest delay.

Just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief, he saw the black horse kick up sand and gravel that landed on his legs.

The other person was not left behind; in fact, they crossed the obstacle even earlier and sped away without pausing.

In an instant, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, he felt a chill he had never experienced before.

He had a vague feeling that he could never catch up with that person, not just now, but perhaps he would never be able to catch up with him in his entire life.

Including Wei Nanxun.

But this feeling of defeat was only momentary; he would never admit defeat until the outcome was decided.

Cheng Ang gritted his teeth, his hands aching from gripping the reins, but he seemed oblivious to it, and spurred the horse forward again.

At the starting point, Wei Nanxun was still standing on tiptoe, eagerly anticipating what was to come, when she heard the deafening sound of a gong.

She opened her eyes slightly, and her heart began to pound.

Wei Heyu chimed in from the side, "Sister, it must have been Cheng Ang who struck the gong. I'll run ahead to greet him."

No, he won't lose.

She didn't say it aloud, but a voice in her heart kept telling her that it must be Pei Ji who was banging the gong.

Both horses ran extremely fast, and it took only a quarter of an hour for the gong to be struck, but the return time seemed to be infinitely stretched out, with no end in sight.

After an unknown amount of time, she heard the sound of horses' hooves hitting the ground, and she saw a horse galloping towards her in the rising dust.

It ran so fast that its color was indistinguishable at first glance.

It wasn't until it reached everyone's eyes that its flowing black mane was fully revealed.

It was him, Pei Ji.