The voice was too rough and low for a woman.
Qin Yuan hurriedly asked, "What did you say? Where is she playing polo? And what's this about my cousin?"
The woman took a step back and hurriedly said, "Madam, I'm just here to deliver a message. They're playing polo in the open space of the Imperial Academy's Martial Arts Hall, saying that the loser has to be at the mercy of the other party. The Yelü clan, both men and women, all grew up on horseback. How can Seventh Miss and her group of noble ladies possibly win?"
Before Qin Yuan could ask any more questions, he took another step back and said, "I sneaked out and have to hurry back. If they find out, I'm afraid I'll be punished. Please don't ask any more questions, Madam. If you don't believe me, just send someone to the Imperial Academy to check."
As he spoke, he retreated to the doorway, then turned and left.
"Why……"
Qin Yuan called out, trying to keep the person there and ask a few more questions.
Just as the woman was about to descend the steps, Gu Jinghui coughed lightly behind the screen. The guards who were lying in ambush nearby suddenly moved to intercept her. However, the woman seemed to have anticipated this, and with a swift movement, she was already on the veranda.
Gu Shiliu and the others rushed out, but this person leaped several times, his toes touching the railing, and darted towards the courtyard gate.
"I only sent this letter out of consideration for the kindness I once received from Miss Seven. Why are you pressing me so hard?"
The woman's headscarf was knocked off by Gu Shiliu's hidden weapon, and she became a little anxious, turning her head and shouting loudly.
"How can people not be suspicious when you're acting so secretly?"
Gu Shiliu continued to follow closely, still verbally refuting.
Gu Jinghui did not chase after her. He stepped out from behind the screen, stopped in front of Qin Yuan, and asked, "How many of the things she said just now do you think were true?"
Qin Yuan frowned and said, "I'm afraid there's seven or eight parts truth to it. Seventh Sister seems to have feelings for my cousin. I had some suspicions, but I didn't want to say anything. But why is she comparing herself to Yelü Guzha's people today? The poetry competition is at the Imperial Academy. She's been there before, so it's not surprising that she's going again."
Gu Jinghui said, "We should go and take a look no matter what."
At this moment, Master Gu turned around and slowly said, "I'll go too."
Lord Gu frowned and said, "It would be better if you stayed at home. If male guests come..."
Sixth Master Gu interrupted him, saying, "We should move the car to another place tomorrow. Who would come at this time? Besides, it's fine if Baozhu goes out to watch the poetry contest at this time, but if word gets out that she's playing polo, it might damage her reputation."
After glancing at Qin Yuan, Sixth Master Gu said again, "If I go, I can say that Baozhu only made a fuss because of my friendship with Brother Siyuan."
Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Okay, let's go together."
Lord Gu asked in surprise, "Why are you going too?"
Qin Yuan said, "I have my reasons for going. Just take me with you. I am Baozhu's sister-in-law. There are some things you can't say to each other, but I can say them more easily."
Lord Gu had no choice but to say, "Then let them all go, and have someone arrange the guards."
The group discussed it and decided to go to the Imperial College together.
Not long after, Gu Shiliu returned dejectedly, looking somewhat strange. He said, "We didn't catch the person, but I seem to recognize him."
Lord Gu asked with some surprise, "Even you couldn't capture her? She's Yelü Guzha's concubine, how do you know her?"
Gu Shiliu stammered a few times and said, "She had the upper hand. This person is not a member of the Yelü clan. A while ago, she came to the manor with a variety show troupe to perform rope-jumping. However, she was wearing makeup at the time, so I didn't recognize her at first. I only recognized her when I chased her to the manor gate."
The implication was that once they recognized him, they let him go.
Qin Yuan laughed and said, "No wonder she said she was indebted to Baozhu. Baozhu almost threw her down with the reward. Later, feeling bad, I called her over alone and gave her some silver. Baozhu also gave her some hair ornaments. She thanked me profusely and said that her mother was sick and she was short of money. She never expected that she would become Yelü Guzha's concubine in such a short time."
Gu Shiliu also felt a little sad.
Before they could finish speaking, the carriage was harnessed, and the guards, dressed in smart uniforms and riding sturdy horses, followed closely behind.
Lord Gu left Gu Sixteen and Gu Eighteen behind, instructing them to guard the mansion well. He then boarded his carriage and accompanied his young wife and sixth brother to the Imperial Academy.
Upon arriving at the side gate of the Imperial Academy closest to the Martial Arts Academy, the gatekeeper peeked out and, seeing it was the carriage of the Marquis of Dingbei, quickly came out, moved the road barrier, and asked, "Is the Marquis going to the Martial Arts Academy to watch the excitement?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Jinghui leaned out and asked, "Why do you ask that?"
Upon seeing that the Marquis of Dingbei was indeed sitting inside the carriage, the gatekeeper grinned and smiled warmly: "The Martial Arts Academy is currently holding a polo match, which has attracted many onlookers. The supervisor said that carriages with clan emblems should not be stopped. If the Marquis goes now, there will still be a place to park. If you go too late, there may not be any left."
Lord Gu smiled and said, "Indeed, I came here to see this. Thank you for your kind words. I hope there will still be room available."
The gatekeeper said as he moved along, "Yes, yes, I've been guarding this gate for over twenty years, I know what I'm doing."
Inside the car, Sixth Master Gu sighed.
"So it really happened."
After sighing, he glanced at Qin Yuan's face and whispered, "Baozhu is still young and her temperament is hard to settle down in a short time. She only does things on a whim, and once the enthusiasm wears off, she gives up."
This was because they were worried that Qin Yuan and Gu Baozhu had developed a rift.
Qin Yuan understood, so she said, "Baozhu is quick-tempered and loves to stand up for the weak. I wonder what caused the commotion. Let's go over and see what happened."
Gu Jinghui also said, "She is indeed good at polo, but the Yelü clan has been bouncing on horseback since childhood. Why would she choose to compete in this? She's really stupid."
He looked at him with a disappointed expression.
The road barrier had been moved aside, and the guards tossed a silver ingot to the gatekeeper before rushing inside in a flurry.
The doorman thanked him profusely and stuffed the car into his arms, grinning as he shouted, "Go north after you enter the gate, and that's where the parking area is. After parking, head east; that's where everyone is competing."
Gu Jinghui and his group stopped their carriage at the place the gatekeeper had indicated, and then rode their horses straight to the training ground.
From afar, one could hear the clamor of voices, the neighing of horses, and occasionally whistles, cheers, and boos.
At Qin Yuan's insistence, she also rode a horse. Gu Jinghui rode very carefully close to her, while Sixth Master Gu rode in front, looking as if he couldn't wait to drag Gu Baozhu out.
Gu Jinghui whispered to Qin Yuan, "Be careful later. There are horses all here. If someone accidentally throws something and startles the horses, don't be afraid. Just stay close to the horse's back and don't loosen the reins."
Qin Yuan smiled and agreed.
A large number of people and horses gathered around the training ground, and their arrival made the surrounding area crowded.
Looking around, Qin Yuan saw that the Yelü clan women galloping on the polo field were all robust and wore brightly colored scarves. They were rampaging around the field, shouting loudly, and their imposing presence was quite overwhelming.
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