Chapter 65
Shangguan Wan imitated the way Jiang Pengji had calmed the horse and patted its neck fondly .
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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?
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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 .
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"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?"