Chapter 14: Venting Xie Xuanlan couldn’t understand.
Cong Ying seldom pays attention to lively events, and often just watches from the sidelines even when he is in the midst of them.
Now, looking down at the figures on the polo field, she saw Xie Xuanlan moving around like a dragon and waving his staff like a full moon, causing exclamations and cheers like a rising tide, and her heart also rose and fell like the tide.
It was as if he had seen him jumping out of the sea of fire holding his little sister many years ago.
I don't want him to lose, but I'm also worried that he might get hurt.
In fact, the situation was more optimistic than everyone expected.
Xie Xuanlan's followers were skilled in playing tennis and they repeatedly hit away the balls coming from the opposite side. Xie Xuanlan even fought against many opponents alone. The tennis stick in his hand seemed like a string tied to the ball. It was not that the horse was chasing the ball, but rather that the ball was following the man.
The game ends when the team that hits seven balls first scores three points. Each ball scored counts as three points. There are many scoring tricks such as hook shots, back shots, and touchdown shots.
Seeing Xie Xuanlan teasing others like walking a dog, and taking a two-goal lead in less than half time, the gap was ten points widened. The spectators inside and outside the stadium all cheered the Third Young Master's reputation. Although Huai County King Xiao Zezhen prided himself on being free and easy, he couldn't help but get a little angry.
He tried to get close to Xie Xuanlan to grab the ball, and the two horses rode side by side, stirring up dust like fog.
Xiao Zezhen stared at the polo ball under Xie Xuanlan's stick, waiting for the opportunity. Finally, when the polo ball was about half a foot away from the stick, he was delighted and quickly leaned forward to grab it.
Little did he know that this was the opportunity Xie Xuanlan had been waiting for. He raised his bat, not competing with Xiao Zezhen for the ball, but swinging it towards Xiao Zezhen's reins.
With a "snap" sound, the slender part of the baseball stick swung out with the sharp power of a long knife, cutting Xiao Zezhen's reins.
Xiao Zezhen lost control of the horse and tried frantically to grab the broken reins. Everyone saw him drop his bat and lie heavily on the horse's back. As the frightened horse rushed forward, he was thrown off the horse in a short while. Fortunately, he turned over in time and avoided any vital injuries. He only fell hard on his butt.
The moment he landed, Xie Xuanlan's ball also penetrated the bamboo goal and hit the gong, making a clear "dang" sound.
The audience roared with laughter. Upstairs, Princess Ying stood up abruptly, her face pale with fear: "Ah Zhen!"
The girls around her tried hard to hold back their laughter, but Cong Ying secretly frowned.
She had seen clearly just now that Xie Xuanlan had deliberately cut the reins of the Huai Jun Wang. He was already confident of victory, and the Huai Jun Wang was his cousin, so why would he do this?
For no reason, Cong Ying recalled the incident in which Prince Huai cut the reins of her carriage, causing her carriage to get stuck on a mountain road in the rain.
My heart was beating wildly.
"No." She whispered to herself, advising herself not to worry too much.
Firstly, Xie Xuanlan would have no way of knowing about this. Secondly, he would probably not bother to pay any more attention to someone as disrespectful and ungrateful as her.
Inside the racecourse, Xiao Zezhen stood up with the help of his servants and shouted at Xie Xuanlan in anger, "Xie San! This is murder!"
"I'm so sorry, cousin. I was so anxious that I lost my balance just now."
Xie Xuanlan stood on his horse, smiling carefreely and unrestrainedly, without a trace of guilt. Instead, he said generously, "According to the rules, how many points should be deducted? Summon the imperial edict and I will not hesitate."
Xiao Zezhen held his hips and waist, gnashing his teeth and saying, "Twelve points will be deducted for hitting someone."
This commotion actually put Xiao Zezhen's team ahead. They clamored for a break and a change of horses, and Xie Xuanlan and the gatekeepers dismounted to drink some water.
He didn't remember the rules very well, so he whispered to his attendant, "If you knock someone off their horse, you'll be deducted 12 points. But what about if you kill someone?"
The attendant frowned and said, "Third Master, today is Madam's birthday. If you want to bring bad luck, you should choose a good time."
"You're right. It's not a good look if someone dies."
Xie Xuanlan patted his attendant's shoulder and said, "Then work hard in the second half and leave me another 12 points of margin."
The attendant was still trying to persuade him, but he saw the Third Young Master looking towards the small building, not knowing who he saw, and frowned.
As if displeased, he asked, "Why is she here?"
She? Who?
The attendant only saw the crowds of beautiful women, their red sleeves waving in the air, and suddenly an idea struck him: "If you hurt anyone on the field again, it will damage the Third Young Master's reputation. Why not use a few moves like Turning Back to Explore the Moon and Abyssal Dragon Playing with the Pearl? You will surely win the hearts of the ladies!"
Xie Xuanlan scoffed, "Who wants her devotion?"
After saying this, he put down his teacup, picked up his bat and walked towards the horse.
At the beginning of the second half, Xie Xuanlan's attack became more fierce. He repeatedly fell on the horse's back, controlling the galloping horse with only the strength of his ankles, and turning his waist like a bird pressing a bamboo, snatching the polo ball from the blind spot behind him.
Take it away, lose it on purpose, and then take it away again.
Xie Xuanlan performed this difficult "Dragon Seeking Flower" move three times in a row, which amazed the spectators outside the stadium, and then he slowly shot the ball into the opposite bamboo goal.
For a moment, the audience outside the venue was in an uproar, and they threw the silk handkerchiefs in their hands and the velvet flowers on their temples in his direction.
Xie Xuanlan's eyes seemed to sweep across the small building unintentionally, and in the bustling pink and purple crowd, he caught a glimpse of a quiet jasmine-colored corner of clothing.
I really didn't expect her to come to celebrate my birthday. It's rare for someone with such a cold and almost arrogant personality to come here.
Xiao Zezhen didn't dare to get close to Xie Xuanlan to grab the ball, and pointed four people to surround him.
Qian Laoba knew his horsemanship was average, so he didn't dare to be arrogant. He kept a distance of ten feet from Xie Xuanlan, shouting loudly and trying to fish in troubled waters. Seeing Xie Xuanlan riding his horse like a snake, nimbly dribbling the ball around the three people blocking him and about to rush in front of him, Qian Laoba's first reaction was to make way for him.
But for some reason, she still caught the attention of the Third Young Master.
I watched him swing his stick, intending to perform a beautiful "Flying Star Piercing the Sun" kick from a distance of nearly a hundred steps away. The stick was clearly falling towards the polo ball, but somehow it hit himself.
Qian Laoba fell off his horse with a cry. Before he could get up, he looked up and saw a pair of black horse hooves covered with grass and mud pressing down on his head.
“Ahhhhhh—”
Qian Laoba subconsciously supported himself on the ground with his hands and stepped back. When the horse's hoof landed on the ground, it hit him right between his legs.
Just an inch... Just an inch, if he doesn't die, he will be the last one to retreat!
Qian Laoba's eyes widened, and cold sweat dripped down his face. Amidst the ringing in his ears, he heard the man's calm and composed laugh: "I'm so sorry. I drank too much at Yanxi Tower yesterday, and my hands are shaking."
Xie Xuanlan swung the ball stick again in the posture of horse hoof stepping on crotch, and performed a perfect "Flying Star Piercing the Sun" move with ease.
"when--"
The polo ball passed through the bamboo gate and the gong was struck, and the game was over.
Xiao Zezhen threw the club away and walked over angrily: "Xie Xuanlan, why are you hurting people again!"
"Mr. Qian and I have no grudges against each other. It's just an occasional mistake. Why make a fuss?"
Xie Xuanlan then moved the horse's hoof away and allowed the fainted Qian Laoba to be carried away. He then placed his fingers on the club and said to Xiao Zezhen with a smile, "Call the imperial edict over and continue deducting points."
The Imperial Edict ran over with the scoreboard in hand, crossed out twelve points on the side with the word "Thanks," and after counting the remaining points, he said, "The Third Young Master is still ahead by one point, while His Excellency the Prince of Huai County has unfortunately lost."
With this result, there was another round of exclamations and joy from the outside of the field. Xie Xuanlan threw the bat to his attendant and shrugged at Xiao Zezhen.
Xiao Zezhen also laughed: "We are brothers, so winning or losing doesn't matter. I just want to know who Sanlang is venting his anger on."
Xie Xuanlan refused to admit it: "Who has been wronged enough to bother me?"
"That's true." Xiao Zezhen said, but he was still skeptical in his heart.
Xie Xuanlan turned and left the racecourse. After taking a shower and changing his clothes, he brought the prized Kalanchoe flower to the small building and presented it to his mother, Madam Xie.
He changed into a dark red robe with a dark collar, accentuated by a purple jade belt, which accentuated his slender waist and long legs. Because his long hair was damp, he only half-tied it with a wooden hairpin, leaving the rest cascading neatly behind his back, like a stroke of thick ink swept from a giant rafter, a carefree and unrestrained look without losing the formality of a noble family.
Seeing that the girls were all staring at him, Mrs. Xie smiled and took the longevity flower.
He joked in public, "This rascal used to hide away from girls, but today he's acting differently. I don't know if it's for the flowers or the people."
Some people agreed with her, turned around and covered their faces with fans and laughed secretly, while some people could not even laugh, and turned their heads to look at the empty horse farm, with the handkerchiefs in their hands about to be torn to pieces.
Mrs. Xie caught a glimpse of the unhappy faces of Princess Ying and her daughter. Taking the relationship between the two families into consideration, she said to Xie Xuanlan, "Take Fourth Lady Jiang for a stroll around the courtyard. I've seen her want to say something several times, but I can't leave. Ask her and then tell me later."
Xie Xuanlan raised his eyes and met Cong Ying's clear and peaceful gaze.
He remembered that the jade pendant with a blue bird holding a cloud was still in his hand. Madam Jiang Si might not know it yet, but he already knew that she was the little beggar from Xuzhou.
A half-sly, half-smug smile flashed across Xie Xuanlan's eyes, and he said to Cong Ying, "Miss Jiang Si, please."
The two of them walked down the spiral staircase from the small building, one in front and one behind, towards the lake. Before Xie Xuanlan could speak, Cong Ying explained:
"I came to your house today to bother you because I have something to ask of you, Third Young Master."
Xie Xuanlan stopped and looked at her: "Tell me, what's the matter?"
Cong Ying said, "I heard that the Xie Mansion has good feng shui. Even though it's winter, there are still sweet osmanthus flowers blooming. I'd like to pick a branch and take it away. Is that okay?"
Xie Xuanlan said with a half-smile, "There is indeed an osmanthus tree in my yard. How did you find out about it?"
Cong Ying was speechless. He didn't expect that he would find out the other person's living room by asking.
Her hesitant look confirmed Xie Xuanlan's guess.
The daughter of a noble scholar's family values dignity and reserve the most, so when he helped her a few times before, she was rude to him, but it didn't necessarily mean that she really disliked him.
Not to mention his famous family background and appearance in Yunjing, the fact that Xuzhou saved her life a few years ago was enough to make her secretly admire him.
So she took the opportunity of celebrating his birthday to visit him and found out that there were osmanthus flowers in his yard, hoping to find a reason to get closer to him.
In this case, she may not be willing to cancel the engagement.
What a hassle. Xie Xuanlan thought so in his heart, but he couldn't help but smile a little, and didn't ask any more questions: "Since you are a distinguished guest entrusted by my mother, come with me, I will take you to fold it."
Cong Ying hurriedly followed, and the two of them took a shortcut along the winding willow path to the mountain pavilion by the lake. After walking for about half an incense stick, they saw a purple bamboo forest that blocked out the sun. After passing through the purple bamboo forest, they arrived at the courtyard where Xie Xuanlan lived.
The black rock has green tiles and a golden gate, and the sound of iron horses and bronze spears can be heard from both eaves.
Although located within the Prime Minister's residence, it stood distinctly apart from the other opulent and meticulously crafted buildings. Standing outside the door, Cong Ying stared intently at the three characters "Dulanju" on the lintel, sensing a strange familiarity in the sharp, spirited brushstrokes.
For no reason, she thought of the "Guanxi Garden" in the Prince of Jin's Mansion.
They are clearly two completely different people, how could there be such a strange association...
Xie Xuanlan turned around and looked at her: "Mrs. Jiang Si, aren't you going to follow?"
Cong Ying said, "Since this is the Third Young Master's private residence, I cannot barge in rashly. Please send a servant to help me pick a branch."
She actually stopped three steps away from the door, with no intention of going forward.
This made Xie Xuanlan confused.
I took great pains to find an excuse to pick flowers to enter his courtyard, but why did he act so pedantic and old-fashioned at the last moment?
Xie Xuanlan looked at her and first looked away from Ying, as if he had something on his mind hidden under his calm face and was afraid of being seen through.
Xie Xuanlan understood: maybe she was waiting for him to invite her.
Unfortunately, he is not a knowledgeable and interesting person who is willing to flirt with the girl in front of the door.
Xie Xuanlan said, "Then you just wait."
After saying that, he left her and went to pick flowers by himself.
After a while, Xie Xuanlan came out holding a branch of lush sweet osmanthus and handed it to her. After taking it from Ying, she thanked him, carefully wrapped it in a veil, and held it in her arms.
After picking the osmanthus flowers, Zong Ying breathed a sigh of relief and could finally tell the real purpose of his visit without any scruples.
"Third Young Master, I've figured out the marriage between our two families, and I have a few words to say to you."
Hearing this, Xie Xuanlan raised the corners of his eyebrows slightly.
His expression revealed a sense of pride as expected. He looked at Cong Ying with deep eyes. The rustling bamboo leaves in the purple bamboo forest reflected light and dark flickering shadows in his eyes, like a subtle and imperceptible smile.
He said, "I understand your intentions, but marriage is about the good relationship between two families. You are well aware of Xie's situation. Are you sure you want to tie the future of the Jiang family to Xie's because of a momentary impulse?"
Cong Ying was slightly startled, her eyelashes drooping quietly: "Third Young Master, you misunderstood what I meant."
He is such a free-spirited person, but he keeps using such worldly excuses. He must really not like her and is not satisfied with her.
That's fine.
Cong Ying sighed in her heart and comforted herself: Since they are not in love with each other, her current choice cannot be said to be a pity or regret.
She said slowly, "As the Third Young Master said, my family lives in Yunjing, like a light dust resting on a weak grass. I dare not use my tiny body to stand up to the wind and rain like Kunpeng. Since this marriage will bring more harm than good to both parties, the Jiang family is willing to cancel the engagement."
Xie Xuanlan was stunned, suspecting he had misheard: "You said you're willing to cancel the engagement?"
Cong Ying nodded, her attitude becoming clearer: "I do."
Xie Xuanlan was so shocked that he couldn't speak for a long time. He kept repeating one sentence in his mind: This is impossible.
When they were in Xuzhou, he had saved her younger sister's life. She wouldn't dislike him as a person. Moreover, he had taken the initiative to visit her today and invited him to be alone with him under the pretext of picking osmanthus flowers.
They were clearly here to get married, so why did they start by breaking off the engagement?
Xie Xuanlan couldn't understand it.
Seeing that he didn't respond for a long while, Cong Ying added, "I understand that the Xie family wants to demonstrate their loyalty to the world by marrying into our family. Please rest assured, Third Young Master, even if the two families cancel the engagement, our family will still praise the Xie family's kindness. Right now, our family is facing a difficult situation and would like to ask for Xie's help."
He followed her words woodenly and asked, "What's the matter?"
Cong Ying said, "The Xie family has a profound history of learning, and their private school welcomes students from all families. My younger brother and sister are both old enough to study, and I would like to ask the Xie family to accept them into their studies."
Xie Xuanlan looked at her without saying anything.
Cong Ying felt a little guilty when he looked at her. "My little sister is a slow learner. She might not be qualified enough to enter Xie's Girls' School. But I can't find any girls' school that will accept her, so I have no choice but to ask the Third Young Master for help."
Xie Xuanlan asked her, "Are you trying to trade our marriage for their admission to Xie's school?"
This seems to be correct. Cong Ying nodded and said, "This way, we can show Xie's kindness and don't have to force the Third Young Master to marry. It's the best of both worlds."
It’s really the best of both worlds.
Now she didn't mention anything about "light dust dwelling on weak grass" and "not daring to be like Kunpeng", it turned out that these nice words were just excuses for not wanting to marry him.
He, Xie Xuanlan... was actually being disliked?
Cong Ying watched his reaction and asked carefully, "Third Young Master, do you still feel something is wrong?"
Xie Xuanlan turned his back in anger and said coldly, "How can it be inappropriate? You are willing to cancel the engagement on your own initiative, but you have helped me solve a big problem."
Cong Ying asked, "If that's the case, then what about my younger brother and sister studying at the Xie family private school..."
Xie Xuanlan said impatiently, "I know."
Cong Ying thought he had agreed, and a stone fell from his heart. He thanked him profusely.
Xie Xuanlan just thought she was noisy.
Since Ying had completed the two things that brought her to Xie's house, she was about to say goodbye and leave. Xie Xuanlan sent her to the side door east of Zizhulin. Usually, he was the only one who would walk through here.
After she left, Xie Xuanlan turned around, kicked up a bamboo stick, and swung it wildly in the bamboo forest until the purple bamboos as thick as his arm were cut in half. With "crack" and "crack", they fell down one after another, and the bamboo leaves fluttered down in a mess on the ground. Only then did he feel the air stuck in his chest flow more freely.
It’s not that he’s reluctant. He would be happiest to break off the engagement with the Jiang family. He just can’t understand it.
Not to mention the distant past, today he taught Prince Huai and Qian Laoba a lesson, although he didn't do it for her to see, but since she saw it, even if she didn't feel grateful for his kindness, at least she shouldn't turn around and talk about canceling the engagement.
"Third Young Master."
Cong Ying's return startled Xie Xuanlan, who was racking his brains to no avail.
He threw away the broken bamboo pole in his hand and brushed the dust off his sleeve nonchalantly: "Just stretching my muscles, what else do you want?"
Cong Ying said, "Today, the Third Young Master injured Prince Huai and Young Master Qian at the horse farm..."
Xie Xuanlan: "It's not because of you, don't worry."
"Of course not."
Cong Ying lowered her eyelashes, speaking in a gentle and calm voice, "Although it's not my turn to speak, I still want to remind you, Third Young Master, that the Xie family is too prestigious. You should be gentle while being strong, and make friends with others. That's the way to survive."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xie Xuanlan frowned deeply: "Do you think I shouldn't teach them a lesson today?"
Cong Ying said, "The Third Young Master should be more low-key."
Xie Xuanlan was so angry that he almost laughed.
This ungrateful little bastard, doesn't he really know who he is venting his anger on?
Xie Xuanlan pointed at the side door and squeezed out the word "get out" from between his teeth.
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