Meng Shuping was utterly bewildered. "Huh? Who is this guy? Why do I feel such a weirdly familiar annoying vibe from him?"
"But what's his problem? Did I provoke him or something? He comes over looking for trouble and has the nerve to call me a country bumpkin? Even as a city dweller, he doesn't seem to have any manners! Just wait till I roast him!"
Meng Shuping opened his mouth and said sincerely, "Are you just jealous Prince Zhao's giving me personal lessons?"
"Can't get the attention yourself, so you mock others? Some people are just too sour!"
Fan Jianhui was furious. This guy had made him lose face so badly last time, and now he's saying he doesn't remember him? So all the resentment he'd been holding onto at home was for nothing?
He sneered coldly, "Me? Jealous of you? Hah! You're really some backwater hick—utterly clueless! Those of us from official families have been learning these things since we were kids. How could we be like you, needing someone to teach you at your age?"
Meng Shuping let out an "Oh," and said, "Isn't that still jealousy?"
"Could it be that he thinks if he hadn't learned to ride, he'd have a chance to be taught by Prince Zhao now? No way, no way! Does he think he's that likable? With that unfortunate-looking face of his? Is that even possible?"
Fan Jianhui was instantly enraged. "Hah! A dumbass is a dumbass. You think just because Prince Zhao is teaching you, you'll amount to something? How naive!"
Meng Shuping said in surprise, "Are you questioning Prince Zhao's teaching skills?"
Fan Jianhui glared at him angrily. "Who said Prince Zhao can't teach? Can't you understand? I'm saying you're stupid!"
Meng Shuping fake-modestly replied, "Not at all, not at all. I'm not as stupid as you."
"But he doesn't look very smart either! Could it be that his riding skills are really, really, really bad? So he has to pick on a newbie like me to feel better about himself."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Then he's clearly much dumber than me, right? At least I've only been practicing for a short time. Could it be that he's been learning since childhood and is still a newbie?"
Fan Jianhui was so angry he felt like smoke was coming out of his ears. How could he be compared to this guy? He furiously said to Meng Shuping, "You wanna race me?"
Meng Shuping immediately shook his head. "Hard pass."
"See? I was right! He only dares to compete with a newbie like me. If he lost to anyone else, wouldn't that make him look bad? Hilarious—does he think I'll compete just because he says so? Wouldn't that make me lose face?"
Fan Jianhui was speechless. Why didn't this guy follow the script? Normally, wouldn't anyone else take the bait and agree immediately when challenged?
He mocked, "You're not scared, are you?"
Meng Shuping nodded sincerely. "Yes, I am."
"Does he think I'm as brainless as he is? Getting worked up over a provocation? Not to be rude, but people like that usually don't live long. After all, with bad judgment, it's easy to get themselves killed."
"But how much longer is he going to just stand here talking? If he looks up at me, isn't he tired? Honestly, from this angle, his legs look really short. I bet it's really hard for him to get on a horse, right?"
Fan Jianhui was about to blow his top. This was the second time! The second time this guy had insulted his intelligence! Why did this guy, who didn't even remember him, say the exact same things? You're the one who's stupid! You're the one with short legs!
Although Jiang Cihe was chatting with others, he occasionally glanced over to check on Meng Shuping. Seeing that Fan Jianhui and Meng Shuping didn't seem to be getting along, he made his excuses to the others and walked over to Meng Shuping. "What are you two talking about?"
Just as Fan Jianhui was about to say something polite, Meng Shuping quickly spoke up. "Prince Zhao, he said your riding skills aren't good and challenged me to a horse-riding match."
"Oh?" Jiang Cihe looked at Fan Jianhui. "You want to compete with me in riding?"
Fan Jianhui almost spat blood. When did he say that? Could Meng Shuping stop putting words in my mouth?
He hurriedly explained, "Your Highness, Prince Zhao, you've misunderstood. I meant competing with him, not with you."
Meng Shuping sneered disdainfully. "What a chicken! As soon as Prince Zhao shows up, he gets scared. I knew his riding skills weren't much—only knows how to pick on newbies like me."
As soon as Jiang Ciyi arrived, he heard Meng Shuping's voice. He glanced at Meng Shuping on the horse and then smiled nonchalantly. "In that case, why don't the two of you compete? The winner will receive a reward from me."
Fan Jianhui immediately asked, "Is that true, Prince Ning?"
Jiang Ciyi smiled. "Of course."
Meng Shuping was very surprised. "Huh? Isn't that the broke-ass Prince Ning? How can he still act like he's rolling in it when he's that broke?"
Jiang Ciyi's face darkened. Who's broke? Who's down-and-out? He hadn't even called Meng Shuping greedy yet! A newly promoted seventh-rank petty official—what more did he want?
Fan Jianhui looked at Meng Shuping triumphantly. "Since Prince Ning has spoken, Fifth Young Master Meng, you won't refuse, will you?"
Meng Shuping carefully dismounted and hid behind Jiang Cihe. "I... I forfeit."
"It's not that I look down on this broke Prince Ning, but the reward he's offering is probably trash anyway. Who would want it?"
Jiang Ciyi's expression turned extremely pissed. As a privileged prince, the emperor's son, he had never imagined that one day he would be looked down upon by a seventh-rank petty official!
Fan Jianhui glanced at Jiang Ciyi's expression and said gleefully, "Fifth Young Master Meng, you're not going to refuse even Prince Ning's face, are you?"
Sheltered behind Jiang Cihe, Meng Shuping whispered, "Y-Yes!"
"Who does he think he is, asking me to do him any favors?"
"Pfft!" Several people couldn't hold back their laughter. Who does this guy think he is?
Jiang Cihe's lips twitched slightly before he quickly suppressed a smile. He said expressionlessly, "Meng Shuping has only been learning for a short time. Even if Master Fan wins against him, it would be a cheap win, wouldn't it? Or is Master Fan aware that his riding skills are lacking and only dares to compete with beginners to feel better?"
Meng Shuping chimed in, "Come on, exactly! If he's so capable, why doesn't he compete with Prince Zhao? Let's see Prince Zhao destroy him!"
Fan Jianhui was furious but, with Jiang Cihe present, could only suppress his anger and gave a strained laugh. "Your Highness, Prince Zhao, you're joking. How could that be?"
Jiang Cihe said, "Since Fourth Brother and Master Fan are so eager to compete, how about we play a game of polo instead?"
Hearing this, the others were immediately into it. "Great idea! Let's do it!"
"Watching two amateurs go at it is boring. A polo match would be much more exciting!"
"Exactly, exactly!"
...
Fan Jianhui's face fell. Why drag him into it when they were talking about Meng Shuping? He wasn't as bad as Meng Shuping!
But since he couldn't afford to offend any of the speakers, he could only bite his tongue resentfully. What kind of dumb luck did this Meng Shuping have? Why was Prince Zhao so protective of him?
Since everyone else agreed to a polo match, even if Jiang Ciyi was unwilling, he had to go along with the majority. So everyone moved to the polo field. Except for Meng Shuping, who didn't participate, the others split into two teams: one led by Jiang Ciyi and the other by Jiang Cihe.
The match began quickly. Meng Shuping had already thought Jiang Cihe would actually be good at polo, and now he saw it was true. Not only was Jiang Cihe an excellent rider, but his moves were clean and precise. With the cooperation of his teammates, their offense was fierce.
Meng Shuping watched while rooting for him hard, "Yes!"
"Amazing!"
"Prince Zhao, you're awesome! So cool! Destroy them!"
But when he looked at Fan Jianhui again, he couldn't help but feel disdain. "Huh? That's it? His moves are seriously clumsy! Is he here to be dead weight? No wonder he only dares to compete with me. Total scrub."
Fan Jianhui gritted his teeth. If you're so good, why don't you try? If you can't play, then keep quiet! He tried to ignore Meng Shuping's comments and focus on the game, but the more he tried to ignore them, the more they got under his skin. The more he tried to prove himself, the more he messed up, and the more Meng Shuping mocked him. "Ah, he's really such a weakling!"
Apart from Fan Jianhui, Jiang Ciyi also didn't escape Meng Shuping's snarky comments. "Ugh, Prince Ning is so performative! Does he really think that looks impressive?"
"Look at him, it's all for show—could he be out of shape too?"
"Whoops! Messed up there—hahaha, perfect!"
Jiang Ciyi was furious. Couldn't this Meng Shuping just shut up already?
Unsurprisingly, Jiang Ciyi and Fan Jianhui quickly lost the match. Meng Shuping let out a cheer, "Aha! I told you they were weak—they never stood a chance against the prince!"
Fan Jianhui and Jiang Ciyi glared angrily at Meng Shuping. If it weren't for this guy messing things up, they wouldn't have lost!
Jiang Cihe bit back a laugh. Winning this match was largely thanks to Meng Shuping's "contribution." He rode his horse leisurely toward Meng Shuping, drawing the attention of the noblewomen and young ladies nearby.
Meng Shuping teased, "Wow, look at that! He's so popular!"
Jiang Cihe sighed helplessly. He never shuts up.
Meng Shuping followed Jiang Cihe back to a quiet spot to continue practicing horseback riding. With Jiang Cihe's careful guidance, Meng Shuping improved quickly and soon was getting the hang of it.
Seeing that it was noon, Jiang Cihe suggested, "Let's eat first. We'll stop here for today. Otherwise, if we go on too long, your legs will ache later."
Meng Shuping quickly agreed, "Alright."
The two went to a room Jiang Cihe had arranged in advance. Before eating, however, Meng Shuping needed to relieve himself. After telling Jiang Cihe, he headed outside.
Perhaps because his legs were a bit sore, Meng Shuping missed a step on the stairs and fell to the ground with a thud.
Wincing, he covered his face as he got up and saw Jiang Ciyi smirking at him. He stiffened. "What are you looking at? Never seen someone fall before?"
Jiang Ciyi sneered down at him mockingly. "Vice Director Meng, Seventh isn't here now. No one's here to have your back, is there?"
Without his mask, Meng Shuping felt slightly nervous. He fumbled with his hem nervously. "Wh-what do you want?"
"It's just one lost match—is he really that upset? Can't he handle losing? Not to criticize him, but as a prince, even if he loses, there's no need to throw a fit in front of me, right? How can he blame me for his own sloppy playing?"
Jiang Ciyi snapped. "You!"
Just as he was about to hit Meng Shuping in anger, someone whispered, "Hey, Prince Ning is hitting someone?"
"I thought he had a good temper. Who would've guessed he's so mean-spirited behind people's backs!"
"As the saying goes, 'don't hit the face.' Look how he's bruised him—that's just too much!"
Meng Shuping agreed wholeheartedly. "Exactly! Don't be fooled by his decent looks—he's actually so hypocritical! And cheap! Penny-pinching! Hot-headed! In short, he's a piece of work!"
Jiang Ciyi grew even angrier. He had wanted to hit Meng Shuping, but he hadn't done it yet! These injuries were from Meng Shuping's own fall—how could they be blamed on him?
He said coldly to Meng Shuping, "Tell them—did I hit you?"
Meng Shuping was speechless. "Seriously? Is he stupid? Isn't he afraid I'll frame him?"
Jiang Ciyi stammered. Would he?
Fortunately, Meng Shuping was quite honest. He lowered his head and muttered grudgingly, "No, he didn't."
Unexpectedly, no one believed him. "He's being threatened! He must be threatened!"
"Look how scared the young master is!"
"Who knew Prince Ning was like this? Not only does he hit people, he won't admit it! What a coward!"
Meng Shuping cackled on the inside with delight. "See? No one believes the truth. Can't blame me for that—he's only got himself to blame for his awful track record!"
Jiang Ciyi stared in disbelief. Were these people blind? How could they believe this hypocrite?
He stormed off. Fine, he'd get even with this kid tomorrow!
When Meng Shuping returned to the room, Jiang Cihe also noticed the injury on his face. "What happened to your face? Did someone hit you?"
Meng Shuping said expressionlessly, "I fell."
"Snort!" Though sympathetic, Jiang Cihe couldn't help laughing. Only you could manage to get your face all banged up from falling!
Luckily, he had brought ointment just in case. He'd apply it for Little Bold later.
The next day after returning, Meng Shuping was still asleep when someone woke him. "Fifth young master!"
Meng Shuping opened his eyes drowsily. "What is it?"
It didn't seem like his usual waking time yet.
Miao Bi said worriedly, "Fifth young master, someone from the palace is here. His Majesty summons you to the court—someone filed a complaint against you this morning."
Meng Shuping instantly woke up. "What? Someone accused me? Can I not go?"
Miao Bi said helplessly, "What do you think?"