The two drew closer and closer, and soon Zhao Hongzhuang was only half a horse's length behind.
Gongyang Teng turned to look, and helplessness crossed his face.
As a member of the Gongyang Family, he had raced horses against Zhao Hongzhuang many times.
Their Flood Dragon Horses shared the same bloodline and were evenly matched in strength. Gongyang Teng's riding skills were a notch above Zhao Hongzhuang's, especially in mounted combat. Even without using a scholar's powers, he could easily defeat ten Zhao Hongzhuangs. After all, he had fought on the battlefield.
But this was purely a race, and the advantage of weighing seventy jin less far outweighed a slight edge in riding skill.
Gongyang Teng looked back and saw an unprecedented focus and longing in Zhao Hongzhuang's eyes.
As Zhao Hongzhuang's close friend, Gongyang Teng knew very well that she was a unique woman and a tenacious scholar. Since childhood, she had studied far harder than her peers and practiced the Six Arts of the Gentleman more diligently than any man.
Even now, Gongyang Teng remembered how, many years ago, Emperor Xuan had held the late emperor and his sister Zhao Hongzhuang by the hand as they attended a literary assembly open only to the capital's great families, powerful houses, and royalty.
Seven-year-old Zhao Hongzhuang had been fiercely competitive. Women were not allowed to write poetry at the assembly, but relying on Emperor Xuan's affection, she had rushed forward, snatched a brush from a boy's hand, and written an outstanding poem that surpassed those of many children her age.
An old pedant who favored boys over girls had been displeased and asked her what she was studying so hard for.
Zhao Hongzhuang had raised her head and answered, "If women are ever allowed to take the imperial examinations, I