polo match

Time flew by, and May arrived quickly in Chang'an. Sui Zhixu struggled to survive for a month under the torment of Yueling.

As soon as the polo match arranged by Chaoyang arrived, Sui Zhixu quickly packed up and set off.

In May, the sky over Chang'an was clear and the sun was shining brightly. The fiery pomegranate flowers bloomed among the green tiles and white walls, and occasionally a branch would peek over the wall and look towards the laughing and talking young men and women on the Princess Polo Field.

With the sound of gongs and thunderous hoofbeats, the young men and women on the field shot out like arrows released from a bow.

From the distant stands

"Why don't you go down?" Sui Zhixu glanced at Pei Qinglian beside her, her voice as distant as she was, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the hidden mechanism in her sleeve.

"What are you going down there for? To watch my brother and Ning Yan flirt? Or to see Cui Wan infatuated with her top scholar?" Pei Qinglian turned to look at Sui Zhixu, raising an eyebrow. "You didn't go down either."

"I asked you a question, and you're asking me one in return." Sui Zhixu raised her hand to brew tea, her movements fluid and graceful. She pushed a cup of tea in front of Pei Qinglian with a hint of annoyance; the clear tea reflected her slender fingers.

She was exhausted. Yue Ling spent her days drinking tea, watching flowers, playing with birds, feeding fish, fishing, eating fish, basking in the sun, and chatting with people.

I sat in the tree watching her recite her lessons, and she…

From the history of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to the present Qi Dynasty, Confucian classics, the Mingjing examination for the imperial examinations, political strategies and theories, etc., even if Xu's hands were smoking from flipping through them, he could only just catch up with Yue's speed.

As Xu slumped in the chair, was she trying to speed up her pregnancy?

Pei Qinglian accepted it calmly, leisurely sipping her tea, the jade bracelet on her wrist revealing itself with the movement. "Why should I, someone who has been married and whose husband has died, get involved in their fun? You're the one who should be joining in the fun. The Pei family received an invitation from the Sui family head, and your coming-of-age ceremony is in a few days. How will the Sui family head and Prime Minister Cong arrange your marriage, hmm? The future young family head?"

"Stop teasing me." Sui Zhixu's tone was indifferent, not taking it to heart at all. She continued to slouch in the chair, the mermaid beads by her ears moist and cool. "So what if you've been married? If you like someone, go for it. You tease Cui Wan every day, but you don't dare to do it yourself."

Xu calmly sipped his tea, ignoring Pei Qinglian's thoughts, and waved his hand, "I'm going to take a look around. You can take your time and see if there's a handsome young man who suits your taste. I won't bother you. By the time I get back, it'll probably all be over."

Pei Qinglian looked up into Sui Zhixu's peach blossom eyes, which were filled with shards of ice—no, a touch of warmth. Pei Qinglian turned her head and chuckled softly. The smile of the aloof and cold beauty mirrored the pomegranate blossoms on the wall, adding to her radiance and brightness.

As Xu lifted her light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), the cloud-patterned hem swayed gracefully, creating a sense of elegance and movement.

Danhong asked, puzzled, "Wife, what are we doing not watching the game from the stands?"

"Let's go outside and find a secluded spot to test my hidden blade." A hint of anticipation flashed in Sui Zhixu's eyes. "If it works, I'll go back and work on the next mechanism."

"Huh?" Dan Hong recalled the scene at Jianjia Pavilion last night.

Sui Zhixu stayed up late into the night by candlelight in Jianjia Pavilion, occasionally rubbing his sore neck. Outside the window, it was pitch black, with only the distant sound of the night watchman's drum faintly audible.

"My lady, it's time to rest." Danhong brought in a calming soup and sighed when she saw Sui Zhixu still fiddling with those mechanical parts.

"Wait a little longer, go to sleep first." Sui Zhixu didn't even look up, her slender fingers deftly assembling the small mechanical parts one by one. Taking advantage of Yueling's absence, she could finally stop reading those books.

Dan Hong stayed with Sui Zhixu. She knew that Sui Zhixu really wanted her to go to sleep early, but Dan Hong wanted Sui Zhixu to drink the calming soup first.

Xu didn't notice Dan Hong behind him, focusing all his attention on the hidden arrow. By the time the hidden arrow was assembled, the candle had already burned down to its last flare, and Dan Hong was pecking at her chest with her head.

Sui Zhixu stretched and was about to say that she had accomplished her mission when she caught a glimpse of Danhong behind her. She paused for a moment, then gently slipped Danhong into her arms, picked her up, and placed her on her bed. It was just before dawn, and she didn't plan to sleep. But Danhong was a loyal friend and stayed with her the whole time.

"I don't know when I fell asleep. How could you put me on your bed, Madam? That's not proper." Danhong leaned closer to Sui Zhixu, feeling a little embarrassed.

"You know the rules too?" Sui Zhixu was always expressionless, and his voice was flat, sounding like he was cursing.

Sui Zhixu was taller than Dan Hong. Sui Zhixu lowered her eyes slightly, her tone tinged with helplessness, "I told you to go to sleep first, but you insisted on staying with me. It's already dawn, where else can I put you if I don't put you on my bed? If I send you back, it will be completely light by then, and what will you sleep for?"

Danhong boldly took Sui Zhixu's arm, saying, "Danhong knew that my wife cared for Danhong the most."

“Even more unruly,” Sui Zhixu said casually, a smile involuntarily appearing on his lips.

The three walked along the path outside the polo field, and the surroundings gradually quieted down. The fragrance of pomegranate blossoms drifted faintly in the air, much less intense now, and the occasional cheers from the polo field could still be heard.

"Let's stop here." Sui Zhixu stopped in front of a bamboo grove. It was some distance from the polo field, and there was no one around. She took out a delicate metal device from her sleeve, about the size of her palm, with a surface polished smooth as a mirror.

Danhong leaned closer curiously: "Is this the new hidden arrow that you made last night, my lady?"

Liu Lü's gaze also shifted to the hidden arrow in Sui Zhixu's hand, her whole body radiating interest.

Sui Zhixu nodded, a smile flickering in her eyes. "It's been improved. The range is longer than last time, and the accuracy is better too." She put the device on her wrist and adjusted its position. "Keep an eye out for me. Don't let anyone get close."

She raised her arm and aimed at a bamboo grove ten paces away. Sui Zhixu had estimated the distance and was testing it out at this distance for the first time.

Just as she was about to launch, a rustling sound suddenly came from deep within the bamboo forest.

Liu Lü immediately drew his sword and stood in front of Sui Zhixu and Dan Hong.

"It is I, Sima An." Sima An was dressed in red, with large gold-edged peonies embroidered on the hem of her skirt. Her appearance was elegant and noble, a natural and perfect combination.

Sui Zhixu: "May the magistrate of Jingyang County be well."

Liu Lüjian remained unsheathed. Sima An's gaze fell on the blade, and he laughed mockingly, "What? Does my lady think I could harm you?"

Sui Zhixu replied indifferently, "Of course not. Liu Lü, put your sword away. I apologize, some things happened recently, and Madam Cui gave me special permission to bring her along. I hope the county princess will not take offense."

The relationship between the Prince of Xuanping's residence and the Prime Minister's residence was clear to both sides.

Sui Zhixu shifted his gaze from Sima An's gold-trimmed peony dress to the timid woman behind Sima An, and asked, "And who is this lady?"

"Xi Yushao's sister." Sima An explained impatiently, "Xi Yuzhen is the sister of the third-ranked scholar."

She didn't know why she had to explain. Seeing Sui Zhixu reminded her of their playful antics, and then of Fan Lingzhang and her father secretly meeting and discussing things behind her back. An overwhelming sense of annoyance overwhelmed Sima An's composure. She didn't want to stay here at all, especially with Xi Yuzhen by her side.

"I'm leaving now, do as you please." Sima An left with his maid, and seeing Xi Yuzhen making a move to follow, he shouted, "Don't follow me."

Sui Zhixu stood to the side, observing, puzzled. Sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone path. The hidden arrow on Sui Zhixu's wrist gleamed coldly in the sunlight. She squinted, watching Sima An's angry departing figure.

"The county princess seems to be in a bad mood," Danhong muttered under her breath. "Why is she unhappy with my wife..."

Although Liu Lü's sword was already sheathed, her hand was still on the hilt, watching Xi Yuzhen who remained in place warily. Her overwhelming gaze made Xi Yuzhen tremble.

Only then did Xu realize that Xi Yuzhen was also wearing a light blue dress with flowing cloud patterns on the cuffs, a style extremely similar to Xu's.

"A female opera singer?" Sui Zhixu picked up the hidden arrow and took a step forward.

Xi Yuzhen suddenly looked up, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes, then quickly lowered her head again, "I hope... I hope my wife is well."

Her gaze fell on the handkerchief that Xi Yuzhen was clutching tightly; the fabric was already soaked with sweat in one corner.

"Why are you so scared?" Sui Zhixu's cold gaze scrutinized Xi Yuzhen inch by inch, pressing her closer step by step.

"How did Sima An bring you here?" Seeing Xi Yuzhen retreating further and further, Sui Zhixu sneered, "Do you think I'd eat you? Don't be afraid, just answer my questions."

Xi Yuzhen's throat bobbed. "I don't know. They told me to follow the county princess. The county princess came here after she separated from the princess consort."

"Oh, the Princess Consort has also come out. I've never heard of her. Is it for the County Princess's marriage?" Sui Zhixu's voice gradually softened as he guided Xi Yuzhen step by step.

"I think so. The Prince has asked the County Princess to go out more often recently." Xi Yuzhen's emotions gradually stabilized, and Sui Zhixu walked step by step to Xi Yuzhen and put his hand on her shoulder.

The hidden dart pierced Xi Yuzhen's artery. "Alright, now Xi Yuzhen can tell me you're the younger sister of the brother and sister on the cliff."

The doubts were confirmed by Sui Zhixu's words, his indifferent eyes cold and deep, as calm as a heavy object falling into a deep pool.

"Let me think about how to deal with you, whether to shoot an arrow through your throat or your heart?" Sui Zhixu slowly moved the hidden arrow to Xi Yuzhen's heart.

"The brother and sister on the cliff? What are you saying, Madam?" Xi Yuzhen's voice trembled violently, her eyes darting around, so frightened that she fell to the ground.

Sui Zhixu chuckled softly, his fingertips lightly caressing the mechanism of the hidden arrow. Xi Yuzhen's face instantly turned deathly pale. The shadows of the bamboo leaves cast dappled patterns on her face, making her eyes appear even more panicked.

"As you wish, my wife!"

The voice came from behind Xi Yuzhen. It sounded somewhat familiar. Xu glanced over and saw a young man in a soft blue brocade robe holding a bowl of lotus-shaped noodles. He looked flustered, and his eyes were filled with worry.

Sui Zhixu smiled faintly, seemingly mockingly, and released Xi Yuzhen, throwing her aside. Liu Lü held her sword to Xi Yuzhen's neck.

As Sui Zhixu pointed the hidden arrow at Fan Lingzhang in the distance, Fan Lingzhang walked towards him step by step, just as Sui Zhixu had walked towards Xi Yuzhen step by step.

Finally, standing ten steps away, Fan Lingzhang looked anxious. "Let her go first, and we can talk, okay? I know what you want to do, but now is not the time."

Unmoved, Sui Zhixu shot an arrow through Fan Lingzhang's shoulder. Fan Lingzhang groaned twice, gritting his teeth and enduring the arrow's blow. When Fan Lingzhang met Sui Zhixu's eyes, which were unfamiliar and devoid of any emotion, his heart pounded with a bittersweet feeling.

"Liu Lü, release them."

"Aren't you leaving yet?" Fan Lingzhang shouted to Xi Yuzhen, his eyes still fixed on Sui Zhixu.

A flicker of unease crossed Xi Yuzhen's eyes. She quickly stood up and left the bamboo grove without looking back.

After Xi Yuzhen left, Fan Lingzhang spoke up, "I'm fine. Shall we talk? I don't know martial arts. You can have your maid search me for poison or hidden weapons."

Sui Zhixu sent Liu Lü to investigate. After a few breaths, Liu Lü shook her head. Sui Zhixu slightly raised her chin to let Liu Lü leave and gestured for Dan Hong and Liu Lü to stand further away.

Fan Lingzhang's voice was bitter; he hesitated, then slowly began, "A-Ling—"