A Single Tie Of Long Hair Seals A Lifelong Commitment - Chapter 80.1

It was the Festival of Myriad Celebrations (Wanhe Festival), which occurs during the transition from spring to summer.

The festival’s purpose was to strengthen diplomatic ties, facilitate trade, and promote exchange between all nations.

In the past, the ancestors of various countries, aiming for neighborly friendship and learning from others, had decreed that every other year, envoys should be sent to other nations to study and compete. Young talents from each country traveled far to compete in equestrian archery, swordsmanship, spear-fighting, short-blades, calligraphy, and essays. If a commoner could win first place in these competitions, they could soar to prominence.

Unlike previous years, the sport of “Medicine” had been added to this year’s events.

The time for border generals to report on their duties was scheduled around the New Year. Chen Liangyu rushed back to the Capital of Yong for scolding, but she did not wait for the other reporting generals to return from the New Year before hurrying back to the Northern Border.

In late spring, as the Festival of Myriad Celebrations began, Chen Liangyu was summoned again and secretly returned to the Capital of Yong overnight from the Northern Border.

Xie Wenjun arrived at the Marquis of Xuanping’s residence early in the morning, just as the sword Chen Liangyu had practiced with at sunrise was about to be sheathed.

Xie Wenjun said, “Come on, I’ll take you to the Nan You horse racetrack to relax. The Second Prince of Beiyong said there’s a big prize today.”

“Feigning mystery.”

Chen Liangyu scoffed at Zhai Ji, tossing her sword to a servant who was sweeping.

Beiyong (Northern Yong) had never been interested in the Festival of Myriad Celebrations. Zhai Ji’s ‘Dragon Coil Qi Array’ was a test, and after the array was broken by Lin Yin, the Beiyong Emperor knew it was not the time for war.

In the few days Chen Liangyu had focused on hiding at home, various outstanding talents had already been fiercely competing in the arena. “Today’s event is equestrian archery. Our Great Lin’s riding and archery has always been unmatched. What’s so special about this event?”

Xie Wenjun gave her a look of deep, knowing caution, as if warning her not to be overly confident. “The youth equestrian archery has seen no defeat, but Beiyong has given up all their young contestants and put all their hopes on a few school-age children, desperate to edge us out.”

Chen Liangyu said, “That’s Zhai Ji’s style.”

Treacherous and opportunistic.

Grooms led two fine horses, adjusted the saddles and reins, and presented a veiled hat that covered the shoulders.

Chen Liangyu tied the hat strap, pulled the veil down to cover her face, and chose the slightly taller horse.

Although the other horse was shorter in comparison, the Marquis of Xuanping’s residence only used military horses, which were already taller and sturdier than ordinary horses. Even if it was a few inches shorter, Xie Wenjun’s forehead was just about level with the horse’s back.

Chen Liangyu asked, “Ready to mount?”

“Ready.”

Xie Wenjun lifted her chin, stepped into the stirrup, swung over, and gripped the reins.

Chen Liangyu also kicked off the ground and swung onto her horse. The two galloped through the streets like a gust of wind through a hall.

Xie Wenjun said, “This horse’s stamina is a bit worse than Hongzong’s (Red Mane).”

Chen Liangyu replied, “It’s more than just a bit worse.”

Hongzong was acquired by Chen Liangyu when she was thirteen years old in the Northern Border. She traded half a string of copper coins for it from a horse merchant caravan.

The military camp’s selection process for warhorses was extremely strict, and Chen Liangyu was particularly picky about her mount. Horses came and went in the camp, but none were to her liking. One day, a caravan passed through, driving a herd of horses. At the end of the herd, a sickly little red horse staggered along, looking like it wouldn’t last much longer before collapsing in the desolate wilderness.

Red manes rarely belong to fierce horses; such horses were born to carry cargo. But an instant connection was formed, and Chen Liangyu spotted the small red horse hanging like a pendant at the tail end of the herd.

When the merchant boss heard she wanted to buy the sick horse to take back to the military camp, he kindly advised her, “Miss, you’re mistaken. That horse is clearly failing. Even if you cure it, it’s useless in the military. A horse of this physique can only run a few steps before gasping for breath and cannot carry a person.”

Chen Liangyu said, “I want that one. Name your price.”

The merchant pondered for a moment, then said, “If you want to keep it, just give me half a string of coins. Consider it compensation for the feed I’ve given it all these days.”

And so, Chen Liangyu used half a string of copper coins to buy a red-maned fire-dragon-steed worth a thousand gold pieces. After four months of meticulous care, living and eating together, the soldiers watched a sickly little horse undergo a complete metamorphosis, transforming into a magnificent iron warhorse.

With iron armor and a bridle, it was majestic.

Whenever there was a horse race during military festivities, Hongzong always won first place, outperforming her father Chen Yuanqing’s Green Mane Beast and her elder brother Chen Linjun’s Black Dragon Steed.

Although Hongzong’s temperament could be described as gentle, it was extremely devoted to its owner and highly intelligent. If anyone other than Chen Liangyu tried to command it, it wouldn’t even bother to move.

Hongzong died in the territory of Nanzhou (Southern Province).

In the year Nanzhou was pacified, along with Hongzong, over ninety brothers who had fought side-by-side with Chen Liangyu through a sea of blood also died.

The man who caused all this, Prince Liang Quting of Nanzhou, was now within the borders of Great Lin, at the Nan You horse racetrack. This man was also the reason why Xie Yuan had secretly recalled Chen Liangyu to the Capital of Yong.

Xie Wenjun had told her that the Emperor intended to reclaim Nanzhou.

Chen Liangyu had not expected Liang Quting to dare to come. If he had come, he would not be leaving alive.

The streets of Shangyong City were filled with people wearing clothing of foreign tribes. The streets and alleys were decorated with lanterns, and the temple fair was exceptionally lively.

Nan You (Southern Garden).

The Royal Horse Track, located in the southern suburbs of Shangyong City, was a vast area of fertile grass and soil.

Chen Liangyu and Xie Wenjun rode their horses to the East Gate of Ce. Xie Wenjun flashed the dragon-head gold plaque at her waist and rode straight in, unchallenged by the officials from the Court of Imperial Stud who were taking notes.

Upon entering the East Gate of Ce, they saw an endless expanse of grassland. Flags of various colors fluttered in the wind in the distance. Solemn drumbeats drifted over, and magnificent steeds raced against each other.

Xie Wenjun adjusted her reins, guiding her horse toward a mountain path.

The Nan You horse racetrack was backed by Mount Dayu, with three sides enclosed. Due to the low-lying terrain, it was perpetually moist and warm. Although it was already late autumn, the view was still one of lush green grass, a summer scene.

The Milu River, which flowed down from Mount Dayu, passed through the eastern part of the racetrack. A vermilion bridge had been built across the river, and beyond the bridge was the Nan You Imperial Palace, where the royal family would rest during their excursions.

The place where they were now was a side hall of the Nan You Imperial Palace, built on the edge of a cliff.

After tying up their horses, they looked down from the lacquered red railing. The view opened up suddenly, and the entire Nan You horse racetrack was visible. The clamor from the arena could also be clearly heard.

Chen Liangyu untied the strap and casually tossed the veiled hat onto a low table on the ground.

Xie Wenjun said, “This place was specially built by the Emperor for the Empress Mother. Others don’t have the chance to come up here.”

Chen Liangyu laughed, “Then I shall be indebted to Your Highness’s good fortune today.”

In the center of the racetrack was a large open area enclosed by fences. Outside the fences, tall three-sided stands were built, crowded with spectators. The raised seats set apart on the north side were called the Beast-Taming Platform, where the judges sat. Various guests were seated in the vermilion corridors and pavilions built along the cliff face, with palace servants bustling about serving tea and refreshments.

Horse handlers, dressed in soft protective armor and bronze helmets, rode their horses, carrying straw targets with a red dot in the center as they moved through the field in an orderly fashion.

Young prodigies, wielding large bows, also rode their horses, drawing their bows and nocking their arrows. As the arrows left the strings, another round of exciting cheers erupted.

Chen Liangyu leaned down and asked, “Judging by their clothes, are they from Beiyong?”

Xie Wenjun replied, “That’s right. This year, the equestrian archer named Bu Qijun has stolen the spotlight. No one who goes up against him can gain an advantage.”

Chen Liangyu glanced toward the opposite pavilion. In the center of the pavilion sat a man in a gold-python-and-red-robe. His hair was braided in a wild style, with colorful feathers woven into the ends. It was none other than her nemesis, Zhai Ji.

Looking to the right, there was Prince Liang Quting of Nanzhou, currently resting his chin on his hand and dozing off, looking listless and undisciplined. Chen Liangyu knew his pretense; it was all a façade.

The remaining seats were occupied by Dongyin (Eastern Yin) and the various foreign tribes sandwiched between the three major nations: Kuirong, Ximano, and Qiudi.

Zhai Ji and Liang Quting seemed to sense something at the same time and both looked toward their direction.

This side hall was only about ten zhang above the ground. It was warm and the trees were still quite lush, concealing Chen Liangyu and Xie Wenjun. Not even a silhouette could be seen from the opposite side.

Chen Liangyu’s gaze swept around, then returned to Bu Qijun, saying, “Is this person Zhai Ji’s trump card?”

Xie Wenjun slightly nodded and said, “What do you think, General Chen? Care to give a critique?”

“Commendable.”

Xie Wenjun said, “I suspect what you wanted to say was, ‘Nothing special’.”

Chen Liangyu turned her back, leaning against the railing. “No one understands me better than Your Highness.”

People approached from the deep woods behind the side hall’s roof ridge, perhaps a group of ladies who had arranged to take a leisurely walk.

The place was quiet, and their conversation was clearly audible.