Chapter 319 – In Our Youth, With Spring Robes Thin (Part 2)
The scholar pondered carefully; it seemed there was no fault in those words.
But the question arose: what did this have to do with the two big pests below?
His friend continued, “Because that troublesome Young Master has some background, the governor doesn’t want to escalate things too much. He hopes the two can settle their grudges privately. That instigator then said, ‘Yesterday, I heard from a girl at Wangchun Tower that the giant pests in Zhangjiang Village are harming the Common People. Considering how terrifying your words are, why don’t we make a bet? Let’s see if your tongue can slay the pests or if my long bow will send them to their doom? You prance around martial men, but do you even know how Dongqing’s ancestor started out? Forgetting one’s roots!'”
The scholar smacked his lips, feeling that while that instigator was a bit harsh with words, he was also forthright.
Putting aside other things, just the courage to wager on hunting giant pests showed boldness.
“So those two giant pests… were they hunted down by that Young Master?”
“Most likely,” his friend nodded. “I have a friend studying at Langya Academy, and he mentioned that person has god-given strength, able to lift a cauldron and tackle two giant pests. And that scholar of the other side? I heard he wastes his time in the brothels, not skilled in physical pursuits, with a harem of wives and concubines. He’s more of a dandy; even horse riding and archery are not his strengths, let alone hunting giant pests.”
As soon as he finished speaking, several burly men were struggling to carry two tigers down the street.
Curious onlookers among the Common People were itching with anticipation, as if a cat were scratching at their hearts, but they dared not approach, fearing the tigers might come back to life.
Ding dang, ding dang—
The clear jingle of bells rang nearer, and the scholar couldn’t help but widen his eyes and focus.
About fifteen or sixteen, a young boy sat leisurely on horseback, the reins unheld, riding a snow-white steed with strong limbs.
“What a magnificent War Horse!”
The scholar sighed.
The youth on the horse seemed to have heard the compliment; he looked up and caught the scholar’s gaze, making the scholar feel a bit embarrassed.
At that moment, he finally got a clearer look at the boy.
Unlike the wide sleeves favored by today’s scholars, he wore tight-fitting attire, yet it wasn’t foreign in style. It still retained distinct Eastern Qing characteristics, likely altered from a scholar’s robe for ease of movement.
Around the boy’s neck was a simple silver ring, and at his waist dangled two pouches and other accessories. On his feet were broad wooden clogs, paired with snow-white socks. The weather was still cool, and those with weaker constitutions usually added more spring clothes before heading out, yet the boy seemed unbothered, dressed with a light touch.
Looking closely at the boy’s face, his dark, heroic brows arched slightly, bringing vitality to his bland features.
And those eyes…
Perhaps it was psychological, but upon meeting the boy’s gaze, the scholar suddenly felt guilty, a rush to look away.
It was as if the boy could see right through everything, making it difficult to meet his gaze.
With a high nose and slightly upturned lips, he bore a smile that felt inviting.
Even the most critical person would pause to admire his pure, unadorned youthful face.
The snow-white War Horse exuded an extraordinary presence; it bore bloody arrows hanging from its gear. Despite the numerous Common People surrounding and commenting, it stood as still as a statue, like it was on a leisurely stroll, with its owner seemingly at ease.
This boy and his horse were remarkably suited together.
The scholar, lost in thought, suddenly noticed the boy cradled something in his arms.
“Ah, that must be the pest’s cub.”
Keen-eyed onlookers widened their eyes, recognizing the thing in the boy’s arms as it wriggled slightly, poking its head out.
At first glance, it appeared to be a kitten, its eyes barely open, contentedly smacking its lips, as if basking in the boy’s embrace.
But upon closer inspection, it was no kitten at all; it was a tiger cub, born just a few days prior.
The boy paid no heed to the surrounding comments, letting those burly men carry the two tigers to a particular house.
Seeing the plaque hanging at the gate, he noticed two doorkeepers peering curiously and pointed his rolled-up whip at the plaque, boldly declaring, “Let’s make a few rounds around this residence. For every round, I’ll toss in a few coins!”
Driven by curiosity, the scholar and his friend followed suit to witness the spectacle, stunned by the boy’s antics.
The scholar, as if dreaming, muttered, “This is… ridiculously bold.”
Even if he was clueless about who the owner of this residence was, he could guess from the boy’s actions.
This residence belonged to the scholar who had been retorted by the boy that day, right?
Making the burly men parade with the two tigers around the house… talk about a slap in the face right at their door!
How audacious! Why not just fly to the heavens?
Haha, if the audience in the live stream could hear the scholar’s inner thoughts, they would likely laugh out loud.
Their streamer had always been arrogant; she never came down from the sky.
Yes, the youth on horseback was none other than Jiang Pengji.
【Old Driver Alliance】: #Chin resting, our streamer is at it again, this poor child is probably too scared to come out now.
【Chun Lie】: Hahaha, although it’s not my first time witnessing the streamer’s arrogance, every time I see it, it feels especially satisfying.
【Uncle Little Soldier】: #Nose picking, what can we do? This person has too much nonsense in their head; the streamer is just kindly helping to clear some of it out. Just look at the Elegant Gathering that day, the more they spoke, the worse it got! It was the Southern Sheng Emperor’s own fault, yet they foolishly try to shift the blame to others. Just wait, the current Dongqing will soon follow in Southern Sheng’s footsteps…
The comments filled the live stream, the virtual screen more than doubled in size, and the frame’s decorations became ever more intricate and dazzling.
Jiang Pengji sat atop her steed, her right hand holding the whip, gently tapping her left palm.
Once the burly men had circled the grand residence twice, Jiang Pengji casually snorted.
“Is this blood guts? What a joke!” Jiang Pengji pointed towards the entrance while addressing the curious crowd of onlookers, “Anyone with a little guts should have rushed out with their servants by now. Even if they can’t win, they should at least make a show of it. If Dongqing continues to huddle like turtles, they’ll just become a textbook example of Southern Sheng! You want to retort against me? Pick up your own bones first! Cowards!”
“Time to head back!” With a cold expression, Jiang Pengji cracked her whip in the air, and under her command, the snake-like whip obediently returned to her grasp. She executed the move splendidly, smiling brightly as she bowed to those around her, “These two giant pests have nice hides; we can make tiger skin cloaks out of them. As for the meat, if the elders of the village are interested, feel free to come and have a taste.”
Some people recognized Jiang Pengji, while others did not.
“Which Young Master is this?”
Jiang Pengji, with keen ears, turned towards the speaker and replied to the inquisitive Common Person.
“I’m just an inconspicuous one, Hu Jiao!”
