Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 161: Losing Is No Big Deal
During the confrontation between the two sides, it was unclear who struck first, but a fight broke out, causing the Honglu Temple staff to be in a frantic tizzy. π³ππππππππ πππ.π°π π¦
When Su Juan and the others arrived, they found the officials of Honglu Temple, who had tried to mediate, pushed to the ground.
The scene was chaotic.
Xie Xun helped one of the officials up and asked, "What happened here?"
The official wore a worried expression.
Earlier, when the envoy arrived at the racetrack, they bumped into these young gentlemen and ladies. The Southern Country delegation was already known for causing trouble and insisted that the horses of Da Jin were weak, just like its people, saying they resembled young maidens.
The pampered sons and daughters of the Capital could not stand such insults. Provoked, they impulsively accepted a bet to compete.
The people from the Southern Country were adept at riding and archery, whereas these young men from the Capital were merely hobbyists, unable to match their skill.
After dozens of competitions, Da Jin hadnβt won a single one.
Though winning and losing are common in military affairs and Da Jin was not afraid of losing, they didnβt expect the Prince of Southern Country to demand that the losers strip off their clothes, allowing the delegation to paint on their bodies, and make them walk around the racetrack.
Upon hearing this, not only did the young ladies blush with anger, but the young men also refused. This was clearly an act of humiliation.
Thatβs when the argument turned into a fight.
Su Juan looked at the chaotic scene before her. Even if they hadnβt lost today, the people from Southern Country would find another way to humiliate them. Their visit to Jin was clearly intended to provoke.
On the surface, it seemed to trouble the losing gentlemen and ladies, but in truth, it was a slap to the face of Da Jin.
The people from Honglu Temple were like ants on a hot pan, desperate and worried that if they stripped, Da Jinβs reputation would be utterly tarnished under Southern Countryβs ridicule.
Only heaven knows how to respond when Your Majesty questions them later.
Qi You, though a frivolous young master, had a strong patriotic heart as his father was a general of the current regime. Seeing the arrogance of the Southern Country, he immediately stood up and shouted, "If itβs a competition, how can this young master not be involved?"
At his words, the commotion paused, and everyone turned to Qi You.
The Eldest Prince of Southern Country sized him up, seeing his skinny arms and legs, and his face so delicate it resembled a girlβs. With contempt in his eyes, he said, "You want to compete with this prince?"
Qi You: "What, does the prince dare not?"
The Eldest Prince of Southern Country laughed mockingly, "Afraid? What could I possibly fear?"
The loss was not his, so what was there to be afraid of?
"If itβs a competition, there will be winners and losers. The prince retains the same wager. If you lose, join them," he said.
Qi You agreed without hesitation, "If I lose, you may do with me as you wish. But if I win, I hope the prince will retract the previous wager against them."
The defeated gentlemen and ladies looked at Qi You as if he were their savior.
Qi You gave them an assuring glance.
Princess Ronghua scoffed, "You Jinren are laughable, having lost so many matches earlier, now hoping to resolve everything with the victory of one."
Qi You frowned, "Then what do you want?"
The Eldest Prince of Southern Country raised an eyebrow, "For as many matches as you lost, win that many back from us, and all wagers will naturally be nullified."
Upon hearing this, everyoneβs expressions turned sour.
They had lost nearly thirty matches to these two earlier. The riding and archery skills of the Southern Country were indeed impressive, clearly from practiced hands. Even if Qi You was formidable, it was impossible for one person to flawlessly win that many matches in a row.
If he lost, Qi You would also be dragged down.
Qi You, even with confidence, couldnβt assure victory in thirty matches.
The Eldest Prince of Southern Country chuckled, "If you donβt want to compete, thereβs still time to back out."
Tong Lin, who had a close friendship with Qi You, quietly advised, "Perhaps itβs best to just drop it... The Eldest Prince of Southern Country is truly skillful."
Although he didnβt want to belittle his own, the truth was undeniable.
At this moment, Xie Xun stepped forward, "Thirty matches, is there a limit to the number of participants?"
Princess Ronghuaβs eyes flashed with admiration; the Jinrenβs appearance was indeed striking. If he were in the Southern Country, he would surely be whisked away as a husband.
The Eldest Prince of Southern Country glanced at Xie Xun, seeing someone who appeared even weaker, dressed extravagantly like a lady.
"No limit."
Xie Xun immediately pulled Su Juan over, "Deal."
Su Juan, who had been spectating, was confused: "?"
[Why pull me over here? To cheer you on?]
Xie Xun lightly coughed, "Donβt just stand there; this concerns Da Jinβs honor. Contribute your part."
Su Juan looked at Xie Xun, "?"
[I am but a weak woman with no strength to restrain even a chicken. You surely jest.]
Qi You didnβt want to drag the beauty into this mess, so he said to Xie Xun, "Itβs fine if the two of us lose face; why involve Su?"
A man baring himself is one thing, but for a lady to strip would ruin her reputation entirely.
Xie Xun waved his hand confidently at Su Juan, "Sheβs not afraid."
Su Juanβs temples throbbed, "Iβm afraid."
[Stop talking nonsense on my behalf.]
Xie Xun: "..."
Qi You: "..."
Princess Ronghua grew impatient, "Will you compete or not? If you canβt, admit it. Your Jinren really know how to save face, dithering like ladies."
Her taunt triggered Su Juanβs pride.
She cast a side-eye at Princess Ronghua, "Arenβt you a lady? Or are you a man?"
Princess Ronghua: "..." She was just following her cousinβs lead.
Su Juan looked at Xie Xun and Qi You, "Thirty rounds, ten rounds per person, any problems?"
Xie Xun grinned, "No problem."
Qi You was silent; he wanted to say there was a problem but could only brace himself for it.
As Su Juan headed to choose a horse, Qi You muttered softly, "Can Su really do it? She seems so delicate."
Her frame didnβt seem capable, and earlier on the horse, she barely dared to hold the reins.
Xie Xun recalled the arrow Su Juan had shot at Song Qianfan during the spring hunt. Had she missed by even a little, Song Qianfan would have been bloodied. With such confidence, how poor could her archery be?
He smiled, his eyes squinting slightly, "Just focus on winning your own ten rounds."
Qi You sighed; it seemed there was no other option.
Su Juan, after much deliberation, finally took Qi Youβs white horse, picked up a bow and arrows, and tested it. The arrow left the string, arching towards the target...
Everyone held their breath, only to see Su Juanβs arrow narrowly missing the target.
Xie Xun: "?"
Qi You: "!"
The crowd: "..." Oh no, oh no!
This was a complete miss!
The Southern Country delegation witnessed this and burst into laughter. At this moment, Princess Ronghua couldnβt bear to look at Su Juan, "If you want to back out now, I wonβt press you, showing great mercy and giving you a pass."
Su Juan curved her lips slightly, "No need, Iβm rather a free spirit, losing doesnβt bother me."
Qi You, concerned about dignity, was about to cry. You donβt mind, but I do!
Xie Xun covered his forehead; was that one arrow just a fluke?
Princess Ronghua scoffed, "Saving face leads to suffering."
Su Juan laughed at Princess Ronghua, "Mainly, itβs too hot today; I feel like shedding a few layers to cool off."
Everyone internally screamed: Listen! Is she even speaking human language?!
You want to strip... but we donβt want you to!!!
