Chapter 12: I Will Remember You

A few days ago, just as Nangong Xin was looking for an opportunity to put Xianyu Zhen in her place, she heard that her eldest brother had changed her etiquette instructor. So Nangong Xin spoke to the new etiquette teacher, requesting that she make sure to "teach" Xianyu Zhen properly.

But after only three days of lessons, the etiquette teacher could no longer continue. The next instructor brought in turned out to be Bai Luomei, her brother's most trusted assistant! Bai Luomei followed only her brother’s orders; Nangong Xin couldn’t direct her and had no choice but to give up for the time being and stay with her parents for a few days, out of sight and mind.

Nangong Fengxiao, passionate about horse racing, had claimed a plot of land on the outskirts of Imperial City to build his own stable, and constructed a villa nearby to live in. Whenever she was free, Nangong Xin would also bring her friends to her parents’ stables to have fun.

Yesterday, Xiao Zhiying suddenly asked, “Wasn’t that distant cousin of yours brought up in the countryside? She must know how to ride a horse, right?”

The moment Nangong Xin heard this, a new plan formed in her mind. That wild girl’s adoptive mother’s old home was in the southern water towns—where would she have ever seen a horse?

This was perfect. She could invite her openly to the stables; Grandmother would have no reason to object. When the time came, she would have a chance to put her in her place.

After considering every detail, Nangong Xin returned to the villa to look for Xianyu Zhen.

Xianyu Zhen had just recovered from a sprained ankle and did not want to accept the invitation. Besides, she didn’t believe Nangong Xin had suddenly changed her attitude and was eager to be friendly.

But in front of Madam Nangong, Nangong Xin pouted pitifully and said, “You’re not still angry about what happened at the banquet, are you?”

Xianyu Zhen disliked lying and did not care to expose others’ lies, so she chose to remain silent.

Madam Nangong smiled and said, “Zhenzhen, you’ve been buried in etiquette lessons all this time and haven’t had a proper summer break. In a few days, Liyang Academy will start its new term. Set aside your etiquette studies for now and go out to relax.”

Seeing the triumphant smile on Nangong Xin’s face, Xianyu Zhen sighed inwardly: You’re really the one coming to provoke me.

The Nangong family’s villa was in the western district of Imperial City, with the stables just outside the city’s western edge.

It took the Nangong family’s driver less than an hour to get them there.

The new maid who replaced Xiaoqin—or more accurately, the new attendant—was slightly older than Xianyu Zhen, quiet, steady, and seemed quite capable.

Nangong Xin naturally paid no mind to a mere maid and dismissed her upon arrival at the stables.

That day, several of Nangong Xin’s friends were present. They had all seen Xianyu Zhen at the banquet, though Xianyu Zhen only recognized Xiao Zhiying—not just because she had greeted her before, but because she somewhat resembled Xiao Zhiyun.

But while Xiao Zhiyun had a gentle, elegant air, Xiao Zhiying was much more flamboyant.

As soon as she saw Xianyu Zhen, Xiao Zhiying greeted her warmly, as if they were old friends. “Zhenzhen, I heard you’re also attending Liyang Academy? Then you’ll be classmates with Hankai and Lia!”

She pointed to a young man and woman standing beside Nangong Xin.

They were the same two who had helped Nangong Xin block Xianyu Zhen at the banquet: Lu Hankai, the young master of the Lu family, and Luo Lia, the daughter of the Luo family.

Xianyu Zhen hadn’t even seen their faces clearly at the time and naturally didn’t remember them. She only nodded at them with an indifferent expression.

Then, Xiao Zhiying enthusiastically took Xianyu Zhen to the changing room to dress for riding.

Luo Lia turned to Nangong Xin. “Xin Xin, has your salted-fish cousin always been so arrogant?”

Lu Hankai snorted. “After today, let’s see how long she can keep up that attitude.”

“Don’t go overboard,” Nangong Xin cautioned. After all, she had brought her here, and it was her family’s stable.

Lu Hankai was the best rider among them, his own brother being a champion equestrian. He had plenty of ways to make a horse “behave.”

Since Xianyu Zhen was the smallest and it was her first time riding, the handler chose a gentle, slightly shorter horse for her. At first, the handler coached her one-on-one, teaching her how to mount.

Surprisingly, she learned quickly. Within half an hour, she was holding the reins herself, slowly circling the edge of the arena.

The handler stayed close, instructing her and keeping a watchful eye.

Nangong Xin and her friends were in the center of the arena, practicing skills. When Nangong Xin saw Xianyu Zhen riding on her own, she exchanged a look with Lu Hankai.

He understood at once. Mounting his own horse, he rode briskly around the arena, passing by Xianyu Zhen’s area.

Just as the handler was marveling at her natural ability, Xianyu Zhen’s horse suddenly accelerated. He never expected the most docile horse in the stable to lose control, and by the time he realized, it was too late to intervene.

Startled by the horse’s sudden speed, Xianyu Zhen instinctively gripped the stirrups tighter, causing the horse to run even faster.

No matter how clever she was, encountering such a situation on her first lesson left her with no way to deal with it calmly. All she could do was hold the reins for dear life.

As she was about to be thrown from the saddle, the horse abruptly skidded to a stop.

The handler’s heart dropped. He watched as Xianyu Zhen, propelled by inertia, was flung forward over the horse’s neck. Even with protective gear, such a fall would surely cause injury!

Everyone thought disaster was inevitable. Yet, as she hit the ground, she rolled smoothly with the impact, then sprang lightly to her feet.

Nangong Xin and the others stared in disbelief—how had that wild girl managed that?

Earlier, when Lu Hankai had ridden near Xianyu Zhen, he’d used a special electronic whistle, audible only to horses, to make hers accelerate—hoping to see her take a nasty spill and learn a lesson.

Who could have guessed she’d escape unscathed?

Xianyu Zhen brushed the grass from her clothes and walked back to her horse. The handler rushed to her side, still shaken. “Best not to get too close to it for now!” he urged.

He was worried the horse might lose control again and injure Xianyu Zhen. If that happened, he’d lose more than just his job.

But Xianyu Zhen showed no trace of fear. She gently stroked the horse’s mane. After a moment, she walked toward Nangong Xin and her group, her eyes fixed on Lu Hankai.

He shifted uneasily. “Why are you looking at me?”

Her tone was cool. “I’ll remember you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Luo Lia demanded, dissatisfied.

“Exactly what it sounds like.”

This time, she had seen clearly the face of the one who had set her up.

“You—”

“Zhenzhen, are you hurt anywhere?” Xiao Zhiying interrupted, her expression anxious and concerned.

Xianyu Zhen replied calmly, “I’m fine. That height isn’t enough to hurt me.”

As she spoke, her gaze flicked briefly to Nangong Xin. Then she turned and returned to her riding practice.

Nangong Xin bit her lip in frustration. She had really underestimated that wild girl!