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Su Xiaoxiao had no idea her name had already become infamous in the Hanlin Academy.
Otherwise, she would have understood why Teacher Jiang had asked which one of them was Miss Su at the start of class.
"So she was in last place... then how did she still end up as a study companion for the princess?"
"Exactly!"
"It’s a shame for the person she eliminated.….."
Qin Yanran spoke up, "Miss Lin, let's not joke about this. We all earned our positions as study companions through merit. I believe no one would do such a thing."
Miss Lin glanced at Su Xiaoxiao and said to Qin Yanran, "You're just too kind-hearted. You don't understand how treacherous the world can be. Some people will stop at nothing to achieve their goals, they’re capable of doing anything!"
If one were to ask where their hostility toward Su Xiaoxiao came from, it actually had little to do with whether she had placed last.
As young ladies from prestigious families, they were born with a sense of superiority and looked down on girls from the countryside. That was the first reason.
Secondly, Su Xiaoxiao’s status was higher than theirs.
After Lord Wu An died in battle, Qin Canglan became the most powerful general in the Great Zhou dynasty, wielding real authority and enjoying the emperor’s favor.
As Qin Canglan’s direct granddaughter, it was easy to imagine how elevated her status was.
When Qin Yanran was the top young lady, her talent and grace were truly outstanding, so they accepted it.
But why should a country girl overshadow them?
"Miss Leng, don’t you agree?"
Miss Lin continued, trying to pull others to her side.
The Leng family was closely allied with the Wei family and naturally at odds with the Qin family, a fact evident in the rivalry between Qin Yanran and Leng Zhiruo.
"Time to choose horses."
Leng Zhiruo said, clearly uninterested in the topic, and walked away.
Qin Yanran said calmly, "Miss Lin, if you want to learn horseback riding from Miss Leng.….."
Miss Lin quickly replied, "No, no! I wanted to learn it from you!"
Then when she turned around, "Huh? Where did that country girl go?"
They had been mocking her for so long, but it turned out she hadn’t been listening at all? ---
Su Xiaoxiao had gone to choose a horse.
The horses, led by eunuchs, stood idly on the grassy field.
Judging by their appearance and spirit, these horses were far superior to any she had seen at the town’s horse market.
However, compared to the two horses Qin Canglan had brought last time, they seemed somewhat lacking.
They were more than enough for the young ladies at the palace academy to learn riding and archery.
Su Xiaoxiao wandered around casually and stopped before a jet-black steed.
"This horse doesn’t have enough carrying capacity. The one next to it would suit you better."
Su Xiaoxiao turned around.
The speaker was Leng Zhiruo, the young lady from the Leng family.
Teacher Jiang had called on her during class, so Su Xiaoxiao remembered her.
Su Xiaoxiao nodded and followed her suggestion, moving to the horse beside it.
This horse was indeed sturdier.
Leng Zhiruo had already selected a horse and deftly mounted it.
"It lacks accelerating power, but beginners don’t need that anyway."
With that, she took a whip from a palace attendant, shouted "Giddy up!", and the horse galloped off, kicking up dust as it sprinted across the field.
Watching her bold and spirited back, Su Xiaoxiao suddenly remembered that the Leng family was also a military powerhouse, Leng Zhiruo was a general’s daughter.
Leng Zhiruo focused on her own ride and didn’t join the race between Princess Hui'an and County Princess Lingxi.
The other young ladies also came over to select horses.
Qin Yanran selected a horse for herself.
Normally, palace attendants were supposed to adjust the saddles for the young ladies.
Leng Zhiruo didn’t need anyone to adjust hers, while no one came to assist Su Xiaoxiao.
Su Xiaoxiao recalled how Leng Zhiruo had adjusted her saddle and mimicked the actions.
Qin Yanran rode over on her horse, looking down at Su Xiaoxiao.