Chapter 142: A Girl's Heart Belongs Elsewhere

"What do you mean by this?" Tang Renxian's expression shifted, as if he had suffered a great insult.

"Nothing. Since it is a wager, shouldn't we put it in writing?" Shen Shi's expression remained entirely calm.

The ancients placed great emphasis on personal integrity rather than formal contracts, believing that one's word was one's bond. While it was true that honorable people would honor their commitments even as circumstances changed, Shen Shi preferred contracts over gambling on someone's moral character.

"You actually don't trust me?"

To the ancients, demanding a written contract was indeed a slight against their character. Yet Tang Renxian had only himself to blame—who told him to target Shen Shi in the first place? As a modern man, Shen Shi believed in contracts, and there was nothing wrong with that.

"That's right, that's right! This must be put down in black and white. Honorable Master Zhao, you should act as a witness."

Cao Jinhua began to stir up trouble. She loved nothing more than a good spectacle, and she knew full well where they were and who Zhao Zhen truly was. Yet she kept silent about it, choosing instead to fan the flames. To her, the situation had just become infinitely more amusing: a minister's son was attempting to gamble away the emperor's own horses at the emperor's own racetrack, right in front of the emperor himself. She desperately, truly, desperately wanted to see how this would all end.

"Young Master Cao! Please stop stirring up trouble." Chen琳 could only offer a bitter smile at Cao Jinhua's eagerness for chaos.

"Brother Shen Shi, Renxian is a minister's son, surely he wouldn't break his word?" Shen Yuejiao chimed in to help. She felt her cousin was being rather excessive, showing such a lack of trust in the man she fancied—no, it was no longer just a matter of affection, but an outright challenge to his character. "Brother Renxian, don't be angry, my cousin didn't mean it that way."

At the same time, she cast a reproachful look at Shen Shi and urged, "Cousin, say something!"

Shen Shi glanced at her and completely ignored her, caring not the least whether Shen Yuejiao was pleased or displeased.

"Of course I don't trust him. Such a massive racetrack, worth tens of thousands of silver taels—if we don't put it in writing, what happens if he goes back on his word?" Cao Jinhua immediately jumped in. She knew the racetrack belonged to the emperor, not some minister, which was why she supported the written contract with all her heart.

"Honored Master Zhao, say something too." Furthermore, having Zhao Zhen act as a witness would make the whole affair even more entertaining.

"Very well. It should be done this way." Zhao Zhen agreed. He wasn't just looking for amusement; he wanted to see what his subordinates were up to and whether they truly dared to wager his imperial racetrack.

***

"This..."

Faced with Shen Shi's insistence, Tang Renxian hesitated. The racetrack didn't belong to his family at all. To put it bluntly, the minister's estate could never afford the price of a steed of a thousand li, which was why he had resorted to this in the first place. Originally, he had planned on a mere verbal agreement since he was certain to win; but if it was put in writing, in case word got out...

"Brother Renxian, I believe you will win," Shen Yuejiao urged, giving him a gentle push.

Her validation and support brought a wry amusement to Tang Renxian's mind. *I was overthinking it,* he thought. *It's not like I haven't seen his horsemanship; I'm bound to win. When the time comes, we can just tear up the contract, and who would ever know I used the emperor's racetrack? Once I win, even if word spreads, it will only be remembered as a romantic tale.*

"Fine! Bring pen and paper. I'll sign it," Tang Renxian laughed heartily, putting on a generous front.

By this time, Shen San had already purchased brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone from the racetrack's vendor. Under the cultural influence of the Song Dynasty, visitors here were rarely military officers and mostly scholars, meaning writing supplies were naturally in abundant supply.

As the contract was about to be drafted, Cao Jinhua spoke up again: "Wait a moment."

"What is it this time?" Tang Renxian asked impatiently.

"Naturally, there is another matter," Cao Jinhua said matter-of-factly. "Since you've wagered Brother Shen's horse, shouldn't another participant be added to the race?"

"You mean him?" Tang Renxian looked toward Shen Shi.

"Naturally. The horse belongs to him," Cao Jinhua replied. Compared to Zhao Zhen, she trusted Shen Shi far more. The minister's son was bold enough, which was entertaining, but it wouldn't be nearly as fun if he actually won. To put it plainly, aside from Zhao Zhen himself, no one thought much of the emperor's riding skills.

"This..."

Tang Renxian wanted to gauge Shen Shi's true capabilities from Shen Yuejiao, but she was held back by Shen Yue'e. Unlike Shen Yuejiao, who was preoccupied with her own marriage prospects, Shen Yue'e valued her family above all. She would never allow her younger sister to undermine Shen Shi. It wasn't that she knew anything specific; rather, Shen Yue'e simply wanted Yue'e to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their own family members.

"This will not do."

However, Shen Yue'e's hesitation aroused Tang Renxian's suspicion. He refused, "The terms have already been set and cannot be changed. If he wishes to wager, he can do so after this race."

Despite his tall and sturdy build, Tang Renxian was quite shrewd. Especially since this involved his family's political standing, he naturally preferred the safer route.

"If you don't agree, then we—"

Before Cao Jinhua could utter the word "quit," Zhao Zhen interjected, "Very well! We agree."

Agreed?

Cao Jinhua's eyes widened in disbelief. "Don't you know how terrible your riding skills are? You've only ever ridden cold-blooded horses!"

In terms of temperament, horses in the world were generally classified into three categories: hot-blooded, warm-blooded, and cold-blooded. Hot-blooded horses possessed the most fiery temperaments and were primarily used as warhorses. Warm-blooded horses had gentle dispositions and were mostly used for riding. Cold-blooded horses possessed the greatest strength and were mainly used for pulling carts.

As for Zhao Zhen's lifelong experience with horses, well...

Zhao Zhen laughed out of sheer exasperation: "Are you saying I'm bound to lose?"

Meeting Zhao Zhen's gaze, Cao Jinhua emboldened herself and replied, "Yes!"

*Hiss—this little ancestor!*

Chen Lin and the others all lowered their heads to stare at the grass, as if its verdant hue had captured their absolute attention. Not a single person dared to meet Zhao Zhen's eyes.

Their reaction genuinely angered Zhao Zhen. "Then what if I insist on racing? Surely you don't think I can't afford a few horses!"

The Song Dynasty could arguably be called the wealthiest dynasty in history. He could certainly afford a few horses.

"You—you're being unreasonable," Cao Jinhua pouted angrily.

He had no shame whatsoever. His riding skills were indeed mediocre, but since Zhao Zhen refused to discuss his skill and only insisted he could afford the loss, what could Cao Jinhua possibly do? This was pure rogue behavior. Horse racing was a test of skill, not deep pockets.

Zhao Zhen smiled triumphantly—*Hah, did you really think I couldn't handle you?*

After a moment of thought, Cao Jinhua demanded, "Then you must sign a contract as well."

"Naturally. Bring me the contract, and this official will sign it," Zhao Zhen told the imperial stable official. He had anticipated signing a duplicate copy of the wager contract all along.

"No, I don't mean that one. Write another one for me," Cao Jinhua instructed the scribe, detailing her specific requests before having the document handed to Zhao Zhen for his signature.

When Zhao Zhen glanced at the contract, he was stunned. "Why on earth should I buy his horse?"

A girl always favored outsiders.

The contract not only stipulated that Shen Shi would share in the winnings should they prevail, but it also explicitly stated that in the event of a loss, Zhao Zhen would have to pay for the lost horse out of his own pocket. In other words, regardless of victory or defeat, Shen Shi would never suffer a loss and would always have someone else footing the bill.

If this wasn't favoring an outsider, what was?

Naturally, Zhao Zhen was displeased.

Stealing a glance at the contract Cao Jinhua had commissioned, Chen Lin decided that the grass on the ground was suddenly even more fascinating, and he needed to stare at it for a while longer.