Hua Zhi was no stranger to racetracks. In her previous life, horseback riding had been an extremely popular sport among the younger set in their social circle, and it was there that she had honed her riding skills.

After hearing Liu Zi describe how large the Jinyang Racetrack was, she had formed a rough mental picture — but seeing it in person made her realize just how far off her idea of “large” had been from the reality.

Zeng Han had been watching Hua Zhi’s expression the entire time, and when he saw her face show surprise, he stepped forward with great satisfaction. “What does Miss Hua think?”

Hua Zhi smiled lightly. “No wonder Young Master Zeng dared to say it was larger than the racetracks in the capital.”

“Of course.” Zeng Han lifted his chin with considerable pride, his gaze drifting toward Hua Zhi every so often. Walking alongside a young woman — this was truly a first for him! And this young lady from the capital was different from the sisters and cousins at home. How did that saying go? Poised and gracious — yes, that was it. This girl was remarkably poised and gracious. It was the first time he had ever met such a composed young woman.

“Oh, Brother Zeng.”

Zeng Han heard the voice and turned around.

Six people approached in total, all mounted on tall, magnificent horses, dressed neatly and looking every bit the picture of vigorous spirit.

The one at the front wore purple robes. His eyes lit up when he caught sight of Hua Zhi, and he immediately teased, “So this is why you turned down the rest of us brothers — there’s a beauty keeping you company…”

“It is not like that.” Zeng Han cut him off, not wanting a friend he often played around with to say something unbecoming, and straightened his expression. “These two are the Hua siblings visiting from the capital. The other day I’d had a bit too much to drink and got it into my head to compete with the young Hua brother over some trifling matter — I’ve come today to make amends.”

Zeng Han’s fondness for drink was known all across the city, so this sort of behavior from him was entirely ordinary. Everyone burst into laughter.

The man who had spoken earlier dismounted and cupped his hands respectfully toward Hua Zhi. “I am Dou Qingyang. I speak rather freely around my brothers and I have been rude to you, miss — please forgive me.”

Hua Zhi returned the courtesy with a bow. “Young Master Dou is too polite.”

Liu Zi followed with his own cupped-hand bow but said nothing. He was only eleven years old and had not yet grown much; for now, playing the role of a well-behaved younger brother was perfectly fitting.

Just then, more people arrived. Zeng Han glanced back and forth between the two of them and, seizing the moment, said, “Come, come, come — we’re blocking the way.”

At that point, the group was gathered to the right of the racetrack entrance, the area where carriages were parked. The racing grounds required a short walk further inside.

After handing their carriages and horses over to the servants, the group walked together in lively, cheerful conversation. Zeng Han introduced Liu Zi — going by the alias Hua Qian — to his friends, describing him as someone he had taken a liking to. Liu Zi handled the introductions with impeccable composure, his bearing raising not a single eyebrow. The group of young gentlemen were impressed; one could tell a person’s upbringing from their manner, and ordinary people could never imitate such bearing. They were quite happy to welcome this young gentleman from the capital into their circle.

Hua Zhi inconspicuously glanced back the way they had come. The road, wide enough for six carriages to travel side by side, was bustling with activity — riders on horseback, passengers in carriages — and judging by the attendants accompanying the carriages, most of the occupants were women. The atmosphere was relaxed and cheerful.

“Miss Hua, it’s almost time — we should hurry over.”

Hua Zhi was not the sort to draw attention to herself, and she was well aware that she could not arrive surrounded by this group of young men. She curtsied and said, “Please, gentlemen, go on ahead.”

Zeng Han was not slow-witted; he immediately caught her meaning and shooed his companions off with urgency, then turned back looking somewhat sheepish. “I wasn’t thinking carefully enough…”

“On the contrary, my brother and I are the ones who have been well looked after by Young Master Zeng.”

Liu Zi chimed in in agreement. “Exactly — if not for Brother Zeng, we wouldn’t have been able to get in here at all! But Brother Zeng, could you clear something up for me? Why does the racetrack not allow outsiders in? Wouldn’t more visitors be better?”

“That’s a rule that was set from the very beginning. As for why, I never looked into it.” Zeng Han gave a wry smile. “I suppose it’s to avoid unnecessary trouble. Our Jinyang racetrack is not like any other place.”

Liu Zi thought about it and nodded. “That makes sense — there’s no horse racing in the capital.”

Zeng Han’s pride swelled again. “See? You’ve got to admit our Jinyang racetrack beats anything in the capital, right?”

“Brother Zeng — wasn’t it almost time?”

Zeng Han laughed loudly and ruffled Liu Zi’s head vigorously; the way he draped his arm over the boy’s shoulder looked rather like an older brother doting on a younger one.

Hua Zhi watched the whole exchange with speechless amusement — Zeng Han had no idea he had just messed with the hair of an imperial prince. Simple-minded people, she thought, really did live a kind of happiness all their own.

Then again… hadn’t she also done the same thing more than once?

“Miss Hua?”

Hua Zhi responded and walked on, suddenly feeling that the surname Hua was not particularly great — especially when paired with the word “miss.”

By the time they reached the racing grounds, Hua Zhi discovered they were not among the early arrivals. The tiered viewing stands were already packed with people, and even the section on the opposite end reserved for female guests was already half full.

Horse racing was apparently enormously popular in Jinyang.

Zeng Han craned his neck looking around, then dropped a brief “wait a moment” and headed off toward the female spectators’ area.

Hua Zhi immediately understood what he was trying to do and murmured quietly, “Keep safe when you go with him in a bit.”

Liu Zi nodded.

Before long, Zeng Han came hurrying back. “My cousin happens to be here too — no need to worry. I’ve spoken to her; just stay close to her.”

“Many thanks, Young Master Zeng.”

The cousin was a round-faced girl, perhaps thirteen or fourteen years old. She was absolutely bursting with curiosity about the young woman her cousin had brought along, so much so that she could hardly be bothered to watch the race anymore — she was almost ready to run off and report to her aunt that her cousin had brought a girl to watch the races.

Zeng Han shot her a warning glare. She glared right back — then moved cheerfully to one side, took Hua Zhi by the arm, and pulled her into the seat beside her. “My name is Yu Weiwei — what’s yours?”

“…” Even Zeng Han felt a little uneasy about leaving, but this was the women’s section and he could not linger. He gave his cousin — who was paying him absolutely no attention — one more warning look, then led Liu Zi off to join the rest of his friends.

“My name is Hua Ling.” Hua Zhi borrowed her third younger sister’s name for the occasion and took a quick glance around — young girls, young matrons, and several women in their forties and fifties all seated together.

The woman sitting beside Yu Weiwei leaned over and asked quietly, “I haven’t seen you before — which family are you from? How did you come here with Young Master Zeng?”

“I’m visiting from the capital. My younger brother happened to make Young Master Zeng’s acquaintance under certain circumstances, and I tagged along to see a bit of the world.”

Yu Weiwei glanced at the girl who had spoken. “Watch what you say — anyone who doesn’t know better might think there’s something going on between Hua Ling and my cousin. Knowing my cousin’s ways, he must have drunk too much again and caused trouble. Am I right?”

The last bit was directed at Hua Zhi, who just smiled. “Young Master Zeng takes great pride in Jinyang, while my younger brother also thought his own hometown was the finest place in the world. Young Master Zeng brought us here to show us Jinyang’s finest — that’s all.”

Those listening around them all covered their mouths to laugh. Clearly, this sort of thing was perfectly ordinary coming from the youngest of the Zeng household.