When Qingying came down from the pavilion, the warmth on her face had not yet faded, and a smile bloomed in her eyes. She walked with a reserved yet joyful air, lifting her dress.

The polo match began soon after.

Wei Huaixu wore a dark, cross-collared, belted, narrow-sleeved robe that accentuated his upright posture and fair complexion. He rode a magnificent black horse, which made him stand out prominently at the front of the procession.

Qingying glanced at Lu Xingli subconsciously, only to see him staring intently at the same spot as her, his eyes brimming with tears.

She couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Sometimes people's emotions need to be hidden. Wei Huaixu's identity is different from that of ordinary people. If it is too obvious, it would be tantamount to putting his weakness in the open.

She thought that perhaps she should give Lu Xingli a word or two in private to prevent her from getting into trouble.

Qingying turned her attention back to the field, where the game was in full swing and both sides had already scored a point.

On the summer solstice, the bright sun hung high in the blue sky. The noble ladies sitting in the pavilion were all fanning themselves with round fans. There were ice basins under the table, but they still couldn't dispel the oppressive heat.

The men on the field were already drenched in sweat under the scorching sun, yet they still had to concentrate fully on driving their horses to attack. Large beads of sweat slid down their foreheads, dripping onto their horses' backs or mixing with the dust.

Xie Jiaoying, who had initially been enthusiastic, couldn't help but complain, "I really don't understand why anyone would play polo in this heat!!"

"I don't understand either, why couldn't they choose a cooler day?" A lady at the next table chimed in.

At this moment, Qingying also felt very anxious.

Lu Xingli replied, "Isn't it the scorching sun that makes men's spirit shine even brighter?"

Her eyes remained fixed on one person, and her tone of voice was filled with infatuation, which made Qingying feel inexplicably uncomfortable.

She couldn't explain why for a moment.

Fortunately, the outcome was decided in no time, and Wei Huaixu's team undoubtedly won.

"I knew His Highness the Crown Prince was skilled in both literature and martial arts, and would definitely win." Lu Xingli's tone was filled with pride.

Xie Jiaoying couldn't help but remind her, "Hey, you lovestruck girl, the other team is your own brother."

She then awkwardly stopped talking, but the smile on her face remained.

Xie Jiaoying really didn't know what to say to her, so she simply ignored her. Then she leaned close to Qingying's ear and whispered, "Who spread the rumor that His Highness the Crown Prince and the Seventh Prince are at odds? They seem to get along quite well."

This was also beyond Qingying's expectations. She had thought that the two of them, who were outwardly friendly but inwardly at odds, would cause some trouble if they were on the same team, but they were surprisingly in sync.

This is truly bizarre!

However, this put her at ease, and she happily ate the pear. "I told you my bet wouldn't go down the drain. Look, I won! If I win another game, my money will double."

Xie Jiaoying, who had bet all her silver on Team Three, retorted, "It's only because the young master hasn't even taken the stage yet."

The second match was between Team One and Team Three. Qingying sipped her tea and smiled, adopting the standard posture of watching a show.

But she soon stopped laughing.

Just as the game reached its climax, a maid suddenly came to her and presented her with a plate of crystal cakes, saying, "This is a gift from His Highness the Seventh Prince to you, Miss."

This little girl has such a loud voice! As if she's afraid no one can hear her, she even managed to take a break from the competition to look at the women around her.

Qingying didn't understand what Wei Huaichong was up to, and she didn't know whether to respond or not.

After hesitating for a moment, adhering to the principle of "it's better to avoid trouble," I ultimately did not refuse.

As soon as the maid left, Xie Jiaoying immediately perked up, waving her round fan loudly, "What's going on, Sister Liu?"

Even Lu Xingli looked on with curiosity, "The Seventh Prince was at odds with you in Fanghua Palace before, why is he suddenly being so attentive now?"

Xie Jiaoying continued, "Could it be... that he has feelings for you?"

Qingying quickly stopped her, saying, "Sister Xie, don't talk nonsense. It's just a plate of pastries. Maybe he almost hurt me last time and now he feels guilty and wants to make amends."

Lu Xingli said, "But I heard that the Seventh Prince personally went to the General's Mansion with gifts to apologize?"

“That time it was the Imperial Concubine who sent him, this time it might be his own apology.” Qingying said this, but she didn’t really believe it herself.

Even a sow climbing a tree is more believable than Wei Huaichong's sudden act of kindness!

Just as she was thinking about this, another plate of pastries was placed on her table. The eunuch said, "This is His Highness the Crown Prince's gift. We hope you will accept it."

Qingying looked puzzled as she gazed at the pavilion where the young masters were resting not far away. In the very center was Wei Huaixu's seat, but he was not looking this way at the moment. Instead, he was turning his head to the side and talking to the fourth prince.

Since she had already accepted Wei Huaichong's gifts, she naturally couldn't refuse Wei Huaixu's.

"Put it here." She tapped the table with her fan. "Please thank His Highness the Crown Prince for me."

After the eunuch left, she turned her head slightly and met Xie Jiaoying's teasing gaze. The other party joked, "Oh~ it's already the summer solstice, how come there are still peach blossoms blooming everywhere?"

Lu Xingli's eyes, however, were more of a searching gaze.

She met his gaze without flinching, a faint smile playing on her lips, and said nonchalantly, "It's just a plate of pastries, what does that prove?"

"That's true, perhaps this is just a trick by the two princes to fight over things."

Xie Jiaoying's words made sense, which at least eased some of the gloom in Lu Xingli's heart.

"Oh dear, Young Master Lu has lost again."

Qingying's words finally managed to divert Lu Xingli's gaze from her.

After each polo match, there was a break of about an incense stick's time. Qingying took advantage of this break to leave the pavilion under the pretext of changing her clothes.

She was holding a piece of paper in her hand, which she had found under the pastries that Wei Huaixu had given her. At first, she didn't make a fuss when she saw it, but after diverting Lu Xingli's attention, she secretly hid it under her sleeve.

The paper only had the three characters "Baoyuexuan" written on it, which was the pavilion where he had previously arranged to meet her.

She told Yu Yue to wait outside, and went upstairs herself. "Your Highness..."

The title she was about to utter stopped abruptly after she saw the person in front of her clearly, leaving the rest of her words stuck between her lips.

"You're disappointed to see me?" Wei Huaichong crossed his arms, tilted his head slightly, and looked at her with a half-smile.

Qingying pursed her lips, bowed to him and greeted him before saying, "Your Highness is overthinking it."

"Don't be nervous. I know it was my brother who invited you here. I just happened to be passing by and came in to take a look."

Qingying thought to herself: Just passing by? Do you even believe that yourself?

But she didn't say anything.

Wei Huaichong didn't feel embarrassed at all, and continued, "From here, you can see the entire view of Qianyue Pavilion. Your Highness certainly knows how to choose a good place. What stage have you reached now? Have you pledged your love?"

Qingying was taken aback when he asked her question so bluntly.