boyutpedia Chapter 176 Trial at the Old Training Ground
Chapter 176 Trial at the Old Training Ground
She took a shortcut and rushed to the corridor connecting to the quiet courtyard.
Just as I was about to pretend it was a chance encounter, I suddenly stopped in my tracks.
The lanterns under the eaves cast a warm glow, and fine snowflakes drifted down.
She saw the refined young master Xu gently drape his outer robe over a young woman's shoulders.
The two were talking with their heads slightly lowered, very close to each other, their expressions gentle.
Guo Qiongfang stood there, her heart, which had been leaping with anticipation, gradually calming down.
He was in a daze.
The person over there seemed to notice her gaze, tilting their head slightly and glancing in her direction out of the corner of their eye.
Ning Zhi, with a calm expression, called out, "Miss Guo."
Guo Qiongfang could no longer avoid it, so she had no choice but to walk over.
“Young Master Xu, I felt a bit stuffy staying inside, so I came out for a walk. I didn’t know this was your courtyard. Sorry for disturbing you.” She looked at the person beside her, “And who is this young lady?”
Ning Zhi introduced in a gentle voice, "This is my good friend who is traveling with me, Miss Jiang." He looked at Jiang Mian, "This is Lord Guo's daughter, Miss Guo Qiongfang."
Buddy.
Guo Qiongfang breathed a sigh of relief; it turned out they were just friends.
"Miss Jiang, it's a pleasure to meet you. Please take good care of me."
Jiang Wan smiled and said, "Miss Guo is both heroic and intelligent, truly extraordinary."
"Miss Jiang, you flatter me."
She clasped her hands in a gesture of respect, but her gaze couldn't help but scrutinize the person in front of her.
Her features were exquisitely beautiful, with delicate and lovely eyebrows and eyes.
It possesses an indescribable, refined elegance.
Although she wore only simple clothes with little decoration, she appeared all the more clean and pure, which was out of place in this rough border town.
Guo Qiongfang looked down at her brand-new apricot-colored dress.
The embroidery on the cuffs and hem of her skirt was the most fashionable style she had specially chosen, and the pearl hair ornament in her hair was also a treasured item from her most prized possession.
But somehow, it just gave off a vulgar vibe.
She felt a little discouraged.
Having grown up in a border town, she could never match the refined elegance that the noble ladies of the capital possessed.
Ning Zhi adjusted Jiang Mian's collar and said, "It's windy outside, come inside and rest, don't catch a cold again."
Jiang Mian shook her head: "It's alright, I slept all afternoon, it's time for me to go for a walk."
Upon hearing this, Guo Qiongfang immediately smiled and said to Jiang Mian, "Miss Jiang, is this your first time visiting Chuizhou? Although this place is remote, the winter scenery has a unique charm. I was just talking to Young Master Xu about an old drill ground outside the city, which is quite magnificent after a snowfall. Young Master Xu is too busy to visit, so why don't we go together tomorrow? It's no fun staying cooped up at home all the time."
Ning Zhi frowned slightly upon hearing this: "She's just recovered, and it's freezing outside, so..."
"I am somewhat interested."
Jiang Mian gently interrupted Ning Zhi's attempt to dissuade her.
She looked up at Guo Qiongfang and said, "It must be really boring to be confined all day. Miss Guo is so kind as to invite you to go and see her if the weather is alright tomorrow."
Ning Zhi glanced at her with some surprise.
Seeing her resolute expression, which was not just a polite gesture, he said, "Then I will go with you."
Guo Qiongfang laughed heartily: "Then it's settled! Don't worry, I know that place very well, I'll make sure you don't get cold!"
The next day, the snow cleared up.
In front of the Guo residence, Guo Qiongfang, dressed in a bright red riding outfit, her deerskin boots crunching on the snow, her ponytail tied high, looked radiant.
She deftly inspected the saddle, her movements swift and decisive, her breath leaving puffs of white vapor.
Jiang Mian, wearing a snow fox cloak, was helped out by her maid.
She is feeling much better today, but she is still a little chilly and is wearing thick clothes.
Guo Huaiming was afraid that his daughter would cause trouble, so he sent several guards to keep an eye on her.
But Guo Qiongfang wasn't so obedient.
She mounted her horse, her back ramrod straight, and waved to the guards: "Keep your distance! Don't spoil the fun!"
Then he smiled heartily at Jiang Mian and said, "Miss Jiang, do you not know how to ride a horse? Why don't you ride on my horse?"
Before Jiang Mian could answer, Ning Zhi said, "No need for Miss Guo, I'll take her."
“Very well, then I will lead the way, please follow me, Young Master Xu.”
"Ah."
Guo Qiongfang slightly raised her chin: "Miss Jiang, sit tight, we're about to set off."
“Let’s go.” Jiang Man nodded.
"drive--!"
With a flick of her whip, she galloped away through the swirling snow, her figure dashing and spirited.
Ning Zhi followed closely behind, with several guards beside him.
Soon they arrived at the old drill ground.
The once-battlefield is now covered in thick snow, desolate and bleak.
The dilapidated watchtower in the distance stood silently in the snow, which was quite awe-inspiring.
Guo Qiongfang rode ahead, turning back every now and then, and introduced in a clear voice: "Miss Jiang, look over there! In the summer when the grass is long, I often race horses there with my friends!"
She deliberately controlled the horse, making it slow down and trot.
Dressed in red against the white snow, they were dazzling.
Jiang Mian wrapped her cloak tighter, her gaze sweeping quietly over the scenery, and replied, "It is indeed magnificent."
A cold wind blew by, Jiang Mian's eyelashes trembled slightly, and her lips became even paler.
Guo Qiongfang noticed her expression and suddenly spurred her horse forward, saying, "Miss Jiang, let me show you something new!"
Ning Zhi rode his horse and followed, rounding the slope, and there was a small open space in front of him with a stable.
There was a black horse tied up inside.
Its fur was glossy, and it was plump and strong, chewing its fodder with its head down.
"Look! This is the one I raised!" Guo Qiongfang jumped off her horse, unable to hide her pride. "It's much better than those lukewarm animals in the manor!"
Jiang Mian dismounted and went over to pat the black horse.
The black horse rubbed against her palm.
Guo Qiongfang said, "It likes you quite a bit. It's a pity you can't ride a horse, otherwise you could give it a try. It runs steadily and fast."
She sighed repeatedly.
But Jiang Wan smiled gently: "Miss Guo, I can ride a horse, but I'm not as good as you."
"Really!" Guo Qiongfang's eyes lit up. "I underestimated you. How about we play for a while?"
"playing what?"
She took down the bow and arrows hanging beside her: "Of course, it's mounted archery! We'll start from here, go around those three dead trees and turn back, shooting at the targets along the way."
Several striking red dots were visible in the snow in the distance, clearly indicating that people often practiced here.
Jiang Wan saw that her eyes were burning with excitement.
This is her territory, her domain.
It was also the arena where she could shine the brightest.
After the competition, she will definitely be the most dazzling one.