The Double
Chapter 95 - 95 75 Thrilling

95: Chapter 75: Thrilling 95: Chapter 75: Thrilling The racecourse was large enough for six people to line up side by side at the entrance.

The entire course was circular, with the starting point also serving as the finish line.

Neat rows of targets had been set up at the finish, already bristling with arrows shot hither and thither, while more arrows littered the ground.

The young scribes diligently recorded each result in their ledgers.

The six female students undergoing the inspection each had a horse.

These horses, provided by Commandant of Light Chariots Kong Liu, were refreshingly new for each appearance and notably docile to ensure the ladies’ safety.

After all, wild horses are difficult to tame, and any accident involving the young ladies would be far from trivial.

Jiang Li’s horse was a dark brown steed, unremarkable in appearance, calmly grazing on the turf.

She couldn’t help but reach out and stroke the horse’s neck, which reminded her of the time she raced horses with Xue Zhao in Tongxiang.

Her action caught the puzzled attention of onlookers.

Someone exclaimed, “What is Miss Jiang the Second doing?

Doesn’t she know how to ride a horse?

Does she think petting it will help her get closer to it?”

“What a joke, these horses are from the Light Cavalry Team.

It makes no difference whether she gets close to them or not.

But perhaps Miss Jiang the Second really is clueless; look at her, she’s so awkward.”

Unaware of the conversations around her, Jiang Li continued to gently pat the horse’s head.

The creature, for its part, remained placid and did not grow any fonder of Jiang Li.

Jiang Youyao, watching the scene, felt disdain in her heart, thinking Jiang Li had no understanding of equestrianism.

She confidently readied her quiver.

Jiang Yue also watched Jiang Li, noticing that she no longer seemed as proficient as in previous performances, which brought her some relief.

If Jiang Li were to outshine everyone again in the Imperial Archery competition, Jiang Yue feared she might hate her enough to destroy her on the spot.

The man with the copper hammer struck the large drum in the Inspection Field fiercely, “Boom—” With the sound, everyone began to prepare to mount their horses.

Meng Hongjin was the quickest to mount, stepping into the stirrup and flipping her body over.

A flash of red was all the crowd saw before she sat poised on her horse, earning their cheers and applause.

The noblewomen of Yanjing City were mostly delicate and not especially skilled in the art of Imperial Archery.

Few could match Meng Hongjin’s performance, so her graceful mount naturally drew generous praise.

Seeing the admiring gazes from the crowd, Meng Hongjin’s pride swelled, and the gloom she felt from being outperformed by Jiang Li in recent days dissipated considerably.

Second to mount was Jiang Yue, whose movements weren’t as crisp and assertive as Meng Hongjin’s, showing more propriety.

However, it was her demure and pitiable demeanor that evoked a protective affection from the onlookers as she mounted.

Then came Nie Xiaoshuang, who, along with Zhu Xiner, mounted almost simultaneously.

The two seemed to share a good rapport, with similar mounting actions that, while unremarkable, were faultless.

Next was Jiang Youyao, who flashed a smile before she swung into the saddle.

Her stunning beauty outshone the motion of mounting, and the young masters were captivated.

Kong Liu clearly disapproved, whispering to Zheng Huchen beside him, “Just a pretty face.”

Zheng Huchen remained silent, while Jih Heng lounged in his chair, watching the noblewomen indifferently.

Last was Jiang Li.

Kong Liu perked up immediately, straightening his posture.

Jih Heng glanced at him with a detached look.

“No idea if Jiang Li knows how to mount a horse.

Are there even horses in the temple?” Ye Shijie was just contemplating this when he saw Jiang Li effortlessly lift her foot into the stirrup, grab the reins, and elegantly hop onto the horse’s back.

The movement was fluid and natural.

She wasn’t as fiery and decisive as Meng Hongjin, nor was she tragically attractive like Jiang Yue, and she certainly didn’t pause for a “radiant smile” like Jiang Youyao before mounting.

She simply picked up the reins and sat quietly on the horse—very ordinary, as routine as eating or drinking.

Liu Xu was somewhat taken aback.

From the moment she met Jiang Li, she knew her to be a composed individual, never seen rushing or flustered.

Yet, Liu Xu hadn’t expected even the simple act of mounting a horse could be performed with such gentleness.

It lacked Meng Hongjin’s dazzling flair but was unusually pleasing.

On second thought, it seemed very much in character for Jiang Li; it was exactly her manner.

To the layman’s eye, it was a spectacle; they realized Miss Jiang the Second wasn’t entirely ignorant of horse riding—she at least knew how to mount.

But to the experienced eye, Kong Liu discerned the subtleties and muttered to Zheng Huchen, “Miss Jiang the Second is not bad.”