Chapter 25
Yanshan Mountain is located in the northwest of the capital, with numerous peaks and majestic scenery. The imperial palace is built on the mountain, with tall pavilions and palaces, and winding corridors. There is a very wide grassland in the southeast of the imperial palace, which stretches from the water curve in front of the imperial palace to the foot of the vast mountain. It is a great place for horse racing.
The grassland near the entrance to the forest was fenced off and turned into a polo field. It was surrounded by the Yanshan Mountains and gurgling water. It was not as hot as the capital and the climate was pleasant and refreshing. At this moment, the polo field was crowded with people and the horses were galloping.
Wang Shuqin picked a small white horse. Although Wang Shuya had changed her clothes, she was still reluctant to go and get the horse. Wang Yining had changed into a bright red outfit and was being helped by a maid to put on knee pads. Seeing Wang Shuya's timid look, she got a headache.
"What are you afraid of? It's just riding a horse. We don't have anyone as timid as you in the Wang family."
Wang Shuya simply hid behind Wang Shuqin.
Xie Yunchu changed into a dark blue shirt, tucked her slender trouser legs into deerskin boots, and tied a belt of the same color around her waist. She looked very energetic. She was the tallest among the four people, with a slender and elegant back and a graceful figure, which made the group of girls envious.
She walked to Wang Shuya and said softly,
"If you're scared, just follow me. I haven't ridden for a while, so my hands are not very good."
Wang Shuya looked at Xie Yunchu, not knowing what she was worried about, and shook her head shyly, "No need."
Xie Yunchu felt that Wang Shuya was a little strange. She always liked to look at her, but she would avoid him when he looked at her. She didn't know what was bothering her. Wang Shuya insisted on doing so, so Xie Yunchu walked away. She led the tall and thin black horse, held the reins, and subconsciously jumped onto the horse's back from the left side.
Wang Yining and Wang Shuqin looked at her in surprise.
"How did you get on the horse from the left? Aren't you afraid?"
Xie Yunchu was still a little uncomfortable sitting on the horse's back. He tried to pull the reins and turned slowly, "I won't get on from the right side."
Wang Yining smiled, "I'll teach you tomorrow." He looked at Wang Shuya disappointedly again, and finally shook his head and rode to the polo field.
Xie Yunchu recalled the time when he was learning to ride a horse as a child and couldn't help laughing, "You'd better stop teaching me. I'm stupid." He immediately took a deep breath and tried to keep up with Wang Yining. The horse was very agile and leaped forward suddenly. Xie Yunchu almost lost his balance and followed it stumblingly.
On a hill not far away, Xiao Huaijin stood with his hands behind his back, looking at her quietly and shaking his head.
Still the same bad habit cannot be changed.
A group of people came to the polo field. Wang Yining taught the younger generation how to select horses, and the situation on the polo field changed.
Originally, she had made an appointment with her handkerchief friend, the eldest lady of the Dongning Marquis's Mansion, to play polo, but a bunch of beautiful girls broke into the polo field. The one leading the group was wearing a purple double-breasted shirt with long, sharp hems. She had a pair of narrow and sharp phoenix eyes, and she pointed at Wang Yining from a distance and insisted on playing a game with her.
This person is Yang Xiyan, the young lady of Duke Gao’s mansion.
There are four major duke's mansions in the capital, with Wang Guogong's mansion being the first, Gao Guogong's mansion being the second, followed by Yao Guogong's mansion and Zhenguogong's mansion.
The descendants of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion are weak and are not as strong as before. They are all supported by the old man's past merits.
The Yaoguo Mansion is in charge of military discipline and still has a place.
The Wang Guogong Mansion is both civil and military, and is the most noble family in the world. The Gao Guogong Mansion has always been deeply involved in the military camp and is the pillar of the current army.
There was no grudge between the Mansion of Duke Gao and the Mansion of Duke Wang. It was just that the eldest son of the Mansion of Duke Gao first proposed to marry Wang Yining, and neither the eldest princess nor the emperor agreed to this marriage. The current Crown Princess was born in the Mansion of Duke Gao, and the emperor would not let the eldest princess marry his daughter to the eldest son of the Gao family. Unexpectedly, Gao Zhan was too obsessed with Wang Yining, and it became known to the whole city.
Later, they got married separately, and Gao Zhan was forced to marry Yang Xiyan, but Yang Xiyan always regarded Wang Yining as a thorn in her side.
Wang Yining didn't want to compete with Yang Xiyan.
"He's just a man. Is it necessary for me to fight for him all day long?" Wang Yining looked down on Yang Xiyan.
Yang Xiyan was stubborn, "If I don't beat you, he won't be able to get over it."
Wang Yining retorted, "I think it's you who can't get over this. Why should women make things difficult for other women? I'm not trying to steal your man, why do you have to make me unhappy?"
"I don't care, do you want to hit me?" Yang Xiyan raised the whip.
Wang Yining didn't want to fight and was about to find an excuse to shirk her duties. At this moment, she saw another person rushing into the polo field. That person's voice was high and clear, "Yang Xiyan, do you want to compete with Wang Yining? That's great. I can lend you a hand!"
Yang Xiyan looked at the arrogant Princess Fuyuan, her lips curled slightly, as if she was sure of victory, "Okay, with the help of the Princess, we will defeat Wang Yining today."
The person who came was none other than Princess Fuyuan from Prince Duan’s Mansion.
His Royal Highness Prince Duan is the elder brother of the current emperor and the eldest princess. He committed suicide after being defeated in the treacherous battle for the throne. His son was executed, leaving only his infant daughter. Prince Duan committed suicide in exchange for the emperor's promise to spare his wife and daughter's lives. After the emperor ascended the throne, in order to win the hearts of the people, he named Fuyuan Princess Fuyuan, and the eldest princess named her personally. Now the little princess lives in the prince's palace with her mother, and the mother and daughter depend on each other.
Perhaps in order to erase the bloody storm of that year, no one ever mentioned the truth in front of Fuyuan. Fuyuan grew up carefree, and was doted on by the emperor, empress, and eldest princess without restraint. She could walk around the capital with her own free will.
Such an ancestor is someone that no one in Beijing wants to offend, including Wang Yining.
Wang Yining was just worrying about having no excuse to refuse, when she saw Princess Fuyuan spread her hands and said, "I won't compete, so you win."
Princess Fuyuan was not happy with this. She sat on the horse with her eyes wide open. "Why? Are you afraid that I can't win the prize?"
Wang Yining said weakly, "Have you ever won? If you lose, will you go to the palace to complain? I will be scolded by my uncle again. Forget it, I won't compete anymore."
Fu Yuan jumped on his horse and stood in front of Wang Yining, saying fearlessly, "Cousin, if you don't compete with me, I will tell your embarrassing childhood stories in front of your niece."
Wang Yining's face darkened. This was intolerable.
"Then you are not allowed to complain!"
"I'll admit defeat!"
"What's the prize?" Wang Yining asked angrily.
Princess Fuyuan's eyes turned and she smiled slyly, "A handsome young servant I just bought?"
Wang Yining picked up the whip and was about to hit her, but Princess Fuyuan dodged with a smile. Wang Yining was not a stage-fearing person, so she finally said,
"Let's compete. Let's settle it today. If I win, you, Yang Xiyan, will kneel down and kowtow to me three times. From now on, I will stay away from you. How do you think?"
With the support of Princess Fuyuan, Yang Xiyan's confidence increased. "Okay, if I win, you win too."
Wang Yining was speechless, "How do we compare?"
"Three games, two wins, you have five players, I have five players, but," Yang Xiyan glanced around Wang Yining. Except for a new face, everyone else was familiar. Not seeing any experts, she smiled and said, "Let's play a big game today. Whoever loses will leave. No more players are allowed. How do you think?"
This increases the cruelty of the competition.
Wang Yining was actually not very sure in her heart. She glanced at Xie Yunchu and Wang Shuqin beside her. She was familiar with Wang Shuqin and knew she had some skills, but it was hard to say about Xie Yunchu. Seeing how she rode a horse just now, Wang Yining was really worried.
But since Wang Yining had promised Xie Yunchu to come and play, she would not abandon her. She was not the kind of person who would abandon friendship for the sake of winning or losing. She wanted to have fun while playing, and she wanted to compete with pleasure. She let out a long sigh and said firmly, "It's a deal."
Then they all returned to the stable to rest and discuss strategies. In addition to Xie Yunchu, Wang Shuqin and the eldest lady of the Dongning Marquis's Mansion, Wang Yining also picked a sister-in-law from the Yaoguogong Mansion.
Soon the news spread to every corner of the palace. The grudge between Yang Xiyan and Wang Yining was almost known to everyone in the city. No one wanted to join in the fun, and soon the polo field was surrounded by people. Yao Taihe, the eldest son of Duke Yao's Mansion, and Gao Zhan, the eldest son of Duke Gao's Mansion, also hurried over. The two grown men looked at each other in the martial arts arena, their faces full of dismay, and they all ran towards their wives.
Yao Taihe held his waist and looked at his wife who was arranging the troops.
"Who are you to compete with that shrew?"
Wang Yining said angrily, "They have bullied me, should I admit defeat? I, Wang Yining, have never been afraid of anyone since I was a child. It's just right that I beat her today, so she won't nag me."
Yao Taihe felt uncomfortable. Who would want his wife to be coveted by someone else, let alone a tall and strong warrior?
Gao Zhan was not only tall and strong, but also had a somewhat carefree temperament. He leaned against the tree with his arms folded across his chest, looking at his wife coldly.
"If you want to compete, I won't stop you, but let me make this clear first. If you lose, you must accept the loss and you can't cry when you look back."
Yang Xiyan couldn't stand her husband's partial tone, and said with red eyes, "Aren't you just afraid that I'll hurt her? I'm telling you, I'm going to beat your sweetheart to her knees today."
Yang Xiyan tied on her knee pads and was the first to go onto the field aggressively.
Gao Zhan glanced at her back and then looked across. Wang Yining was protected inside and could not be seen. He sighed and shook his head.
Women.
When it comes to being competitive, there is nothing a man can do.
Wang Yining secretly deployed tactics, patting their shoulders one by one and letting them go on stage. Finally, it was Xie Yunchu's turn. Wang Yining pulled her away and looked her up and down.
"Chu'er, don't worry about me, and don't be angry with me. If you can't beat me, retreat first and don't hurt yourself."
It’s easy to deal with if the niece is injured, but if the niece-in-law is injured, Wang Yining is worried that she won’t be able to explain to Wang Shuhuai.
Xie Yunchu gave her a comforting look and said calmly, "Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Wang Yining looked at her niece's determined eyes and suddenly thought that Xie Yunchu was not the type to hold others back. Since she didn't suggest a replacement, it was possible that there might be a surprise.
This couple really look alike sometimes. They are always calm and composed, making it hard for people to tell their true colors.
After a while, the game began.
Xie Yunchu was responsible for defense. If the opponent did not come to block her, she would hardly have a chance to fight.
In the first half of the first game, she was slowly adapting to the rhythm of the polo field and regaining her touch.
She twisted the reins with her left hand and picked up the pole with her right hand, almost wandering off the field.
Yang Xiyan's team got into the game quickly and won the first goal. She raised her stick and looked at Xie Yunchu who was leisurely in the distance. She couldn't help laughing, "Hey, Wang Yining, do you think this is a flower viewing party? Do you have to put an embroidered pillow here?"
Wang Yining ignored her provocation and called the team members back to adjust tactics.
Half of the men outside the stadium were watching the game, and the other half were admiring the beauties.
Someone pointed at Xie Yunchu and asked, "Who is she? How come I haven't seen such a beautiful person before?"
Xie Yunchu has been a well-behaved person since childhood and has never been one to show up in public. In his past and present lives, the only time he was in the spotlight was at the flower-viewing banquet. Moreover, there was a pearl curtain hanging at the banquet, so not everyone could see her beautiful face.
"She is the second young lady of the Duke Wang's mansion and the wife of the newly crowned number one scholar, Wang Yunzhi."
"So she is Lord Wang's lovely wife, a beauty as beautiful as a fairy."
"She is beautiful, but her horse riding skills are a little lacking. I think Miss Wang will lose today."
Everyone was talking at once, adding a lot of topics for conversation.
In the first game, Wang Yining scored one goal and the opponent scored two goals. In addition, the eldest lady of the Dongning Marquisate was hit on the arm by Yang Xiyan and left the field injured. As a result, Wang Yining was left with only four people, and the situation was not optimistic.
During the break to discuss countermeasures, Xie Yunchu spoke up, "I just observed a match and found that the opponent's offense was the main focus, and defense was secondary. If we want to win the second match, we must catch the opponent off guard."
Wang Yining frowned and asked, "Is this going to be unexpected?" She glanced at the four people. Except for Xie Yunchu, the other three were known to the other party. "Chu'er, do you have a plan?"
Xie Yunchu pondered and said, "When they are not paying attention to me, pass the ball to me and I will try."
In the second game, the opponent was still in high spirits in the first half, with five players attacking at full speed. Wang Yining and four other players almost couldn't hold on, and the opponent scored another goal. Wang Yining finally got the chance and passed the ball to Xie Yunchu, but Xie Yunchu missed the first goal.
There was laughter in the arena.
During the break, Xie Yunchu wiped his sweat slowly and said, "Pass it to me later."
It's rare to see such an indomitable temperament in this girl. Wang Yining nodded and said, it's just a loss, so I'll trust Xie Yunchu for once.
"good."
"Besides that," Wang Yining raised her eyes and looked across. Princess Fuyuan and Yang Xiyan were standing under a tree discussing tactics fiercely, neither of them willing to give in.
"Have you noticed that they are not on the same page? Yang Xiyan is taking steady steps, but Princess Fuyuan is charging around like a lion. Let's focus on Princess Fuyuan and disrupt their rhythm."
Compared with the other team which acts independently, the advantage of Wang Yining's team is their good tacit understanding.
"I will be responsible for grabbing the ball, Min'er will be responsible for attacking, and Shuqin will protect Yunchu and help her score goals."
The idea was decided, and the four continued to play.
Once the strategy was adjusted, it soon produced results. In the second half of the second game, Wang Yining seized the opportunity and scored a goal first, which boosted morale. Near the end of the game, Xie Yunchu, with the help of his teammates, won a point with great difficulty, and finally turned the situation around, with the two sides ending in a tie.
But the price was that both Wang Shuqin and Min'er from Duke Yao's mansion died.
In the third game, there were still four players on the other side, while on Wang Yining's side, there were only her and Xie Yunchu left.
The aunt and niece looked at each other, sweating profusely.
This was a battle of honor for the three dukedoms, and by the last round, the atmosphere was tense.
When the news reached Qiankun Palace, the Duke was talking to the Emperor about this year's Autumn Examination. The eunuch came over with a look of trepidation and amusement, and reported to the Emperor,
"Your Majesty, the wife of the prince of Yaoguo Mansion and Princess Fuyuan are playing polo."
"Oh?" The emperor raised his eyes with interest, his gaze swept through the glazed window of the Qiankun Palace and looked down. He vaguely saw the green grassland dotted with red flowers and willows, and many human figures, like a swimming ribbon.
"It was very lively," the emperor asked with a smile, "Who won?"
The eunuch coughed lightly and said, "It's very intense." Then he explained the reason.
The Emperor, the Duke, and several Cabinet ministers all looked at each other in bewilderment.
Are all girls so cruel?
The emperor had a headache and asked the Duke, "We can't let Yining lose face. Even though she's only 25, she's still acting like a little girl. If she loses, she'll definitely cry. We need to think of a way to smooth things over."
The Duke was a commander who had fought his way through the battlefield. He waved his hand and said nonchalantly, "Don't let her suffer any loss. How would she know that she shouldn't fight easily when she's not sure? Let her go."
The emperor was not happy, and turned to look at Wang Shuhuai who was serving beside him, "Shuhuai, come up with a solution."
Wang Shuhuai hated these jealous tricks, but since the emperor had given the order, he murmured and said, "Then I will give it a try."
At this moment, the eunuch glanced at Wang Shuhuai obscurely, and said to His Majesty with a smile, "Your Majesty, from the team of the Yaoguogong Mansion's Crown Prince's wife, only she and the Wang Mansion's Second Mistress are left."
Wang Shuhuai raised his eyebrows, and the Duke was also surprised, "Chu girl is also on stage? Can she ride a horse?"
The eunuch smiled bitterly, "So-so."
The Duke has been a master of the battlefield for many years and has a unique vision. "I don't think she is careless. She can stay until the end, maybe she is a capable person."
The emperor suddenly became interested and said, "Come on, let's go and watch the fun."
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