12、第 12 章 I wi ...
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Chapter Twelve — A Princess Who Could Not Win.
The second day of the competition began beneath a cloudless sky, and Suyuan arrived at the training grounds looking considerably enthusiastic than everyone else. Her body was still sore from yesterday, particularly her shoulders, and the cold morning air made her chest feel tight. She had barely stepped through the gate when Ayao appeared carrying a bow, a riding whip, and a bundle of hunting equipment. "Miss, which one do you need?" Suyuan glanced at the weapons and shook her head. "None." Ayao stared at her. Suyuan looked toward the distant field where the other contestants were already warming up.
Ayao sighed. "At least pretend you want to win." Suyuan gave her a serious look. "If I suddenly become excellent today, yesterday's failure will become suspicious." Ayao thought about it and reluctantly nodded. "That makes sense." After a moment, she frowned. "Wait. Does that mean you deliberately shot that arrow yesterday?" Suyuan looked offended. "Of course not." Ayao's eyes narrowed. "Miss." Suyuan turned away.
The second day's competition was held farther from the palace, where the grassland stretched toward a small forest and a wide stream. Unlike the first day, today's events required teamwork. The competitors were divided into groups and given several tasks: crossing the stream on horseback, carrying a heavy flag back to the starting point, and finally competing in a mock hunt where they had to retrieve colored ribbons hidden throughout the forest. The visiting princes watched from horseback while the tribal elders sat beneath a large canopy. It was supposed to demonstrate courage, coordination, and strength.
Suyuan looked at the heavy flag then, she looked at her arms. She looked at Ayao. "Ayao." "Yes?" "Do you think anyone would notice if I pretended to faint?" Ayao immediately shook her head. "Absolutely not." "Why?" "Because yesterday you pretended your horse was too fast when it was barely moving." Suyuan clicked her tongue."You're becoming disrespectful." "I'm becoming educated." Before Suyuan could answer, the signal sounded.
The first group rushed toward the stream then, Suyuan's group followed. Their task was simple just to cross the stream, retrieve the flag, and return before the other groups.Unfortunately, Suyuan's teammates seemed determined to win."Hey Suyuan better stay behind us!" one of the young women shouted. Suyuan happily obeyed and she rode slowly behind them, maintaining a safe distance. When they reached the stream, the other riders jumped across with ease. Suyuan's horse stopped and she pulled the reins. Nothing happened and she pulled harder.The horse remained completely still. "Yuanyuan!" Ayao shouted from the riverbank. "Kick it!"
Suyuan looked down at the horse and the horse looked back at her.She whispered, "Please cooperate." The horse snorted , Suyuan closed her eyes. Of all the horses in Younis, she had chosen the one with the strongest personality. The spectators began laughing. Even some of the tribal princes covered their mouths. Suyuan finally leaned toward the horse's ear."If you cross the stream, I'll give you the carrot I saved." The horse's ears immediately perked up and It crossed. Suyuan stared at it."...So you do understand human language."When she finally reached the other side, her teammates had already returned with the flag. They looked at her in disbelief and one of them asked, "Where were you?" "Negotiating." "With whom?" Suyuan pointed at her horse. Her teammate stared at the animal then at Suyuan better not to ask.
The next event went even worse while each team had to carry a large wooden flag together. Suyuan took the smallest position at the back and barely touched the pole.
"Suyuan , you need to lift it!"
"I am."
"You're touching it."
"That's technically lifting."
The girl beside her looked ready to scream.The flag eventually reached the finish line, mostly because the other members carried it while Suyuan contributed enthusiasm. When they arrived, Suyuan smiled brightly. "We did it." Her teammate dropped onto the grass.
"You did nothing."
"I encouraged everyone."
"You said 'be careful' three times."
"Those were important contributions."
Even Ayao had to turn away to hide her laughter. Yet from the viewing area, the disguised prince continued watching. He had begun to notice a pattern. Suyuan's failures were almost too perfect. She wasn't clumsy but was careful. She wasn't incapable but she simply never seemed to put in enough effort to succeed.When another competitor stumbled during the mock hunt later that afternoon, Suyuan was the first person to help her up. She gave the girl some water and quietly returned the ribbon she had dropped.
"You could have taken it," the girl said.
Suyuan shrugged.
"I don't need it."
"Why?"
Suyuan glanced toward the viewing platform, Her eyes briefly met the disguised prince's. Then she smiled , "because winning is troublesome."The girl stared at her as though she had just heard the strangest thing in the world. Suyuan turned away, she had come to the competition with one purpose to make herself undesirable. Everything was going perfectly except for one small problem.The more she tried to appear useless, the more interested that mysterious prince seemed to become.
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第12章 第 12 章
