Seeing the determination in Xu Lingzi's eyes, Li Shiyue loosened her grip on the reins slightly, bent down and tilted her body, then slammed the polo mallet into the ball with her right hand, sending the ball flying past Xu Lingzi in an instant.
Xu Yunci rode up swiftly and struck the polo ball a great distance. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his younger brother and sister chasing after him. He twisted his wrist, gripped the polo mallet, and, as if guided by its direction, tossed the ball to the right front.
However, Xu Lingzi's eyes were determined, and she was clearly inspired by the feeling of being able to win. Her slender figure swung the mallet and spun around on the horse's back for a full circle. She gripped the reins tightly, bent over and hit the polo ball with all her might with a "Hey!" She squeezed her legs against the horse's belly and spurred the horse back.
Xu Yunxu followed them from somewhere, and the two worked together very well.
Goal!
With the sound of a gong, Xu Lingzi and her brother took the lead by one goal.
Li Shiyue smiled and watched as Xu Lingzi quickly walked towards the prize platform and dismounted.
"Out of energy?" Xu Yunci walked over, his expression unchanged after the whole thing, his phoenix eyes fixed on the profile of the person beside him.
It's no wonder he thought of his little cousin as delicate, after all, this match just now didn't seem as enjoyable as the last one.
Xu Lingzi, who had won the prize, was overjoyed, fluttering like a butterfly spreading its wings. Xu Yunci looked away and saw his little cousin's eyes crinkling with happiness, showing no sign of discouragement at losing; in fact, she was very happy.
Xu Yunci immediately understood. She lowered her eyes and chuckled softly. Her little cousin was good at dealing with people. She took the sixth sister's coming-of-age jade hairpin and returned an equally valuable item.
Upon seeing Xu Lingzi arrive, he led Xu Yunxu away from the horse farm.
"I've had someone keep it safe. When we get back, we'll each have one, the usual." Xu Lingzi's steps were light, and her eyebrows revealed joy.
Just as Li Shiyue was about to agree, her gaze fell on the woman who had spoken to her earlier on the viewing platform. It was Fu Yunning, whom she had met briefly on the Lantern Festival.
Seeing that she was staring at the observation deck, Xu Lingzi followed her gaze and said, "That's the Lady of Changping."
Fu Yunning was the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Changping, but the two were not close.
Xu Lingzi noticed the confusion on her face and explained in a low voice, "The current Lady of Changping is a second wife, and Miss Fu is the daughter of the first lady. I heard that the Lady of Changping dotes on her two children, forcing Miss Fu to stay in the mansion. Consort Fu couldn't stand it and brought her into the Pixiang Palace, claiming that she would keep Princess Chunhui company."
"Miss Fu has been raised in the Pixiang Palace for almost five years, and no one from the Changping Marquis's Mansion has mentioned taking her back. The Imperial Concubine has been trying to obtain an imperial decree to grant Miss Fu the title of Princess or County Princess."
Li Shiyue was taken aback for a moment, then looked at Fu Yunning, who was sitting next to the Lady of Changping with a cold expression: "Does the Imperial Concubine wish to request an imperial decree for Miss Fu?"
Xu Lingzi nodded: "Yes, so now you know why people in the capital were so surprised when they heard that you were going to be adopted by the Emperor and conferred the title of Princess. Miss Fu has been in the Pixiang Palace for several years and hasn't even gotten the title of County Princess. Do you think you're not eye-catching enough?"
"Judging from today's events, the way the Lady of Changping is so enthusiastic towards you is just her way of making a fool of Fu Yuning. Think about it, if Fu Yuning really gets an imperial title, she won't be an ordinary young lady. She'll also have the Pixiang Palace as her backing. If the Lady of Changping wants to control her, she probably won't have the chance."
"This is still considered good. If it weren't for the Pixiang Palace, given the intolerant nature of the Lady of Changping, Miss Fu's life would only be more difficult."
Xu Lingzi's voice wasn't loud; the two were practically whispering to each other. Her tone was regretful as she looked at the group of people on the observation deck, shaking her head slightly as she spoke.
"So that's how it is." Li Shiyue looked at the viewing platform. Fu Yuning had already stood up and was talking to the Lady of Changping. The Lady of Changping ignored her. Fu Yuning led her maid to the right side of the viewing platform.
Xu Lingzi handed the hairpin to the maid behind her and instructed her, "Keep it safe."
She turned to look at Li Shiyue: "Want to play another round?"
Li Shiyue shook her head: "I want to go get something to eat, and then I'll play with my cousin for a while."
Xu Lingzi didn't insist, and went off to play with the others with Xu Yunyao.
The observation deck is like a long corridor that seems to have no end. Inside, there are screens and tea tables. The observation deck where the Crown Princess is located is in the center and has the best view.
The officials' wives were seated on the viewing platforms on both sides. Li Shiyue walked in, and the Crown Princess smiled and said, "Are you tired from playing? Qing Suo, go and get Yan Yan a cloak."
The moon-white cloak embroidered with gold thread and delicate feather patterns was made of the finest brocade by the palace's best embroiderers. Li Shiyue smiled and thanked the emperor, then draped the cloak over her shoulders and sat down beside Madam Yang.
Yang took out a handkerchief and said helplessly, "You're all sweaty from playing. I didn't realize you were such a playful person."
Li Shiyue smiled and tugged at Yang's wide sleeve, saying, "I got the urge to play with my hands, so I played a little longer."
Yang smiled without saying a word, reached out and pushed the plate of osmanthus cake next to her toward Li Shiyue, and then handed her a cup of tea that she had just poured.
These actions seemed so practiced that they took on a slightly different meaning in the eyes of Lady Changping: "Lady Rongguo truly dotes on her cousin."
The smile on Madam Yang's face faded somewhat from its earlier familiarity, replaced by a dignified smile: "When Yan Yan came to the capital, I loved her just like my own child."
"Is that so? After all, they're not one's own flesh and blood, how could one not harbor resentment?" Lady Changping said meaningfully, picking up her teacup and taking a sip of tea, ignoring whether others looked embarrassed.
Since it involved someone else's family affairs, even Xu Lingyu pretended not to hear and didn't interrupt. Madam Yang was focused on Li Shiyue eating the pastries, her face full of concern, and she was not affected by the words of the Lady of Changping at all.
Neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere gradually quieted down, making people feel uneasy.
Suddenly, a sneer came from one of the ladies sitting below. The lady in blue smoothed out the wrinkles in her sleeves, glanced at the Lady of Changping, and said with a mocking look in her eyes, "Lady of Changping, what you said is not true."
“My eldest daughter has grown into a beautiful young woman. Although she is not my biological daughter, she was raised by me for six years and called me ‘Mother’ over and over again. As a stepmother, I have to put myself in her shoes. If I want something in return, I have to give something in return.”
When the lady in blue's gaze fell on the girl playing polo with Xu Lingzi on the field, her eyes instantly softened with tenderness—a maternal love.
Li Shiyue swallowed the sweet pastry in her mouth, met Yang's smiling gaze, suppressed her laughter and lowered her head, staying by her elder's side like a good child.
It must be said that this lady really hit the nail on the head when she spoke, and the Lady of Changping's face was as black as a wooden stake, extremely ugly.
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