"Outrageous!" Zhou Wan's chest heaved with anger, but then she suddenly remembered something, and sat down with a smirk: "I heard there's a football match in a few days?"

The celadon porcelain maker, puzzled, replied, "Yes."

Zhou Wan snorted coldly, her eyes flashing with malice.

...

In their leisure time, nobles in the capital enjoyed playing polo, cuju (ancient Chinese football), and pitch-pot.

Cuju (ancient Chinese football) was a favorite activity of noblemen and their ladies.

The post was made by the Crown Prince's concubine.

Lu Yanzhao and Gu Nanjiao were both invited. After receiving the invitation, Gu Nanjiao was very excited: "I've never participated in an ancient Cuju (ancient Chinese football) match before. I wonder what it's like?"

"Ancient times?" Lu Yanzhao frowned, not understanding her words at all.

Gu Nanjiao touched the tip of her nose and changed the subject: "Do you know how to play Cuju?"

Cuju (ancient Chinese football) was a pastime for nobles, while Lu Yanzhao, being of commoner origin, had never been exposed to it in modern times.

However, the post specifically requested that the two of them participate.

After a moment of contemplation, she felt that the Crown Prince's concubine had ill intentions. Thinking of the maid Qingci who had angrily confronted her a few days ago, and the Crown Prince's determination to expose her background, she felt that this trip was fraught with danger.

The day of the Cuju match was sunny and breezy.

Gu Nanjiao wore the newly made Flowing Fairy Dress from Jiaoniang Pavilion, mainly to show it off to the nobles and make Jiaoniang Pavilion famous.

Cui'er followed beside her, carrying a homemade handbag. The bag was decorated with Shu embroidery, and a lifelike Persian cat was reflected on it, looking as if it were real.

The venue for this Cuju (ancient Chinese football) match was a villa outside the city.

When Gu Nanjiao and Lu Yanzhao arrived, a long line of carriages and horses had already formed.

The level of luxury of each carriage increases progressively according to the owner's status, much like a row of luxury cars displayed in front of a grand hotel, which is quite spectacular.

"Gu Nanjiao." Just as she got off the carriage, a clear and melodious female voice came. Turning her head, she saw Zhou Yu rushing over with her maid.

Gu Nanjiao really didn't want to talk to this arrogant young lady, but she nodded out of politeness: "Miss Zhou San".

Zhou Yu saw Lu Yanzhao almost immediately and was immediately awestruck. She blushed and asked Gu Nanjiao, "Who is this?"

"My husband!" Gu Nanjiao smiled at Lu Yanzhao, and the two were about to leave hand in hand when Zhou Yu called out, "Hey, wait for me!"

I don't know how Gu Nanjiao is so lucky, her husband is so handsome.

Zhou Yu followed the two like a little tail. When they arrived at the audience seats, several of Lu Yanzhao's colleagues came over.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the group went to the men's section together.

The Cuju field was very large, looking like a giant football field at a glance. Many young men from prominent families were selecting horses, saying that after Cuju, there would be a polo match.

The front row seats were reserved for noble ladies of high rank and members of the royal family. As the daughter of a first-rank official, Zhou Yu should have sat in the front row, but she followed Gu Nanjiao and sat in a seat further back.

As soon as she sat down, Zhou Yu leaned closer to Gu Nanjiao and asked, "Do you know how to play polo?"

"No way!" Gu Nanjiao frowned. What's wrong with Zhou Yu? He's usually so arrogant and never bothers to associate with her. Why is he sitting in front of her like this?

"What about Cuju (ancient Chinese football)?"

Cuju? It's similar to modern football, but the rules are different. She's never played football, let alone Cuju.

Gu Nanjiao shook her head. She could only sit and watch. Although she really wanted to participate, she had never played before, so she decided not to join in the fun.

Zhou Yu put her hands on her hips and patted her chest proudly: "I can do it, so remember to cheer me on when I go on stage!"

Gu Nanjiao felt that their relationship wasn't that good yet, so why did Zhou Yu talk to her so familiarly?

Previously, he was arrogant and looked down on her at everything. Gu Nanjiao glanced at the delicate hand hanging on her arm, then at Zhou Yu, who was beaming with pride, and couldn't help but nod and say, "Okay! Then you must do your best!"

Just as the two were exchanging casual words, a languid female voice came from afar: "You said the newly crowned champion will also participate in the Cuju (ancient Chinese football) competition? Is he really as good-looking as you say?"

Zhou Wan glanced at Gu Nanjiao not far away, and when she saw Zhou Yu nestled beside her, her eyes narrowed and flashed with malice: "Your Highness, the Crown Prince has invited the newly appointed top scholar to participate in this Cuju competition. His appearance can only be described in four words: breathtakingly handsome! Your Highness will know when you see him."

Princess Fuyang's eyes flickered slightly upon hearing this: "Then I'll be watching!"

Zhou Wan lowered her eyes and gestured to Princess Fuyang, saying, "Princess, please sit and wait. The top scholar from the first round will be announced shortly."

Gu Nanjiao and Zhou Yuqi both looked over and saw Zhou Wan following behind a woman in fine clothes with her head down and eyes lowered, followed by a large group of maids and servants.

The woman in the elegant attire was young, appearing to be in her early twenties. She wore a light purple palace dress, simple yet sophisticated, exuding charm and grace, her every movement radiating nobility. Her almond-shaped eyes darted around the room from time to time, as if searching for someone.

Gu Nanjiao vaguely seemed to hear Lu Yanzhao's voice, and she had a bad feeling.

Zhou Yu seemed to read her mind and leaned close to Gu Nanjiao's ear, lowering his voice: "That is Princess Fuyang of the current dynasty, the youngest sister of the current emperor. She is twenty-two years old this year. She was married off to the Northern Kingdom when she was sixteen. I heard that she suffered a lot. Last year, the king of the Northern Kingdom died, and this princess was brought back. The current emperor felt sorry for his sister being widowed at such a young age and promised that if the princess finds a young and talented man she likes, regardless of his family background, he will issue an imperial decree to grant her marriage."

Gu Nanjiao couldn't help but sigh upon hearing this. Princesses in ancient times were all pitiful, forced to marry into foreign powers at a young age. If their motherland was powerful enough, they could be brought back after their husbands died; otherwise, their husbands would be passed down from brother to brother or father to son.

Princess Fuyang was fortunate; the current emperor not only spent considerable resources to bring her back, but also allowed her to remarry.

She had vaguely heard Lu Yanzhao's name from Zhou Wan just now. Could it be that Zhou Wan was up to some bad idea again?

She wanted to introduce Lu Yanzhao to Princess Fuyang?

Lu Yanzhao is handsome and accomplished in the imperial examinations at a young age. He is now a favorite of the emperor. If Princess Fuyang takes a liking to him, wouldn't she have to abdicate and give way to him?

Just then, the loud sound of a gong interrupted Gu Nanjiao's thoughts, and a shout rang out from the field: "The football match has begun!"

Gu Nanjiao spotted Lu Yanzhao immediately. His appearance stood out in the crowd. Although he was wearing the same Cuju (ancient Chinese football) uniform, he still stood out from the crowd. Even the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng paled in comparison.

On the stage, Zhou Wan and Princess Fuyang were seated at the very front, with a clear view of the people watching the competition. Several ladies from noble families also came over to chat for a bit.

"Look, that man in red is Lu Yanzhao, the newly appointed top scholar. I heard he's now a fourth-rank official in the Court of Judicial Review. He's achieved so much at such a young age." Zhou Wan smiled and pointed at Lu Yanzhao with her slender fingers.