Chapter 35 Chapter 35 Winning the Cuju Tournament
Baorong followed his elder sister's lead and thought it made sense. He had originally intended to wear the hairpin given by his aunt, but was afraid that it would be lost in the crowd, so he simply changed to another one.
The emperor was obsessed with Cuju, and even his concubines often played it. From princes and ministers to ordinary people, everyone enjoyed Cuju. There was even a place in Bianjing where Cuju was taught, and those who were good at it even had a special place to go.
Many wealthy families would organize Cuju matches, have their own teams play, and collect ticket fees or tips from spectators.
It was difficult to rent a carriage today, so the two of them simply rented a sedan chair, which was more expensive than usual.
Qionglin Garden was on Xinzhengmen Street. It was still early when we arrived, so the air was quite dusty. People were sprinkling water on the street. Perhaps knowing the Emperor was arriving, the crowds were larger than usual.
Colorful tents had been set up in the garden long ago, and it was much more grand than the Dragon Boat Festival race he saw last year. Baorong sighed as he walked. There were more patrol officers today than then. He could see them every few steps.
This year, the officials came to watch the Qionglin Garden Cuju Tournament in person. Several games had already been played, and the two teams left on the field were the ones left.
Baozhu was stunned for a moment when she saw the people on the field. There was one team of students from the Imperial College, and another team was led by Pei Xun.
Baozhu still remembered the Dragon Boat Festival race, but she didn't expect Pei Xunshi to have such a wide range of interests.
Last time there was a first and a second place in the race. I wonder who will take first place today. I should have asked my grandma earlier. Fortunately, I have placed a few bets outside, so maybe I can win some prizes.
The official had not arrived yet and the game had not started. Both teams had changed their clothes and were leaving the field. The team led by Dong's cousin was wearing green round-necked, narrow-sleeved robes, while the team led by Pei Xun was wearing red round-necked, narrow-sleeved robes.
Today's game is single-goal Cuju. There is a colorful net covering the center of the goal. There is a hole in the net called the "wind eye". If the ball goes into the hole, you get a point.
The two teams each took the ball and warmed up first. Nowadays, many people like to watch Bai playing Cuju, which is as varied as acrobatics. Baozhu felt that it was more exciting to watch the two teams compete against each other.
Baorong pulled Baozhu closer to reserve a seat. Cousin Dong had already seen them. He threw the ball over his shoulders and knees in various ways, then passed it to his classmate before waving to them.
Baozhu Zhurong returned the gift, and then Dong's cousin joined the team again. Someone passed the Cuju to him, but he caught the ball with a sudden turn and kicked it into the goal.
Someone on the other side caught the ball and passed it to Pei Xunshi in two moves, "Sir! Kill their momentum first!"
Pei Xun dodged the opponent neatly and kicked the ball into the net easily. After that, he followed Dong Hengzhi's gaze and saw Baozhu. He smiled and nodded at her as a greeting.
People in this dynasty enjoy playing Cuju, and there are often Cuju competitions in Qionglin Garden. I heard that noble ladies from Bianjing families also often come here to have fun. Today, the emperor is here in person, and there are even more people coming to watch the game, both men and women, and they form a circle around the Cuju field.
The tops of the towers and pavilions were still places only accessible to the aristocratic families. The flowers carefully cultivated in the warm room were also displayed, and the eunuchs and ceremonial masters from the palace were giving final instructions to the maids and officials in the garden.
The government is so majestic that we dare not make mistakes.
The smell of gunpowder was very strong on the field. There was only the sound of drums and music, accompanied by the cracking of whips. Those who were working stopped their work, those who were chatting also stopped, and everyone in the garden had a serious expression.
Soon the royal procession entered the Qionglin Garden. The sedan chair in the center was finely carved, and behind it were palace maids holding yellow silk umbrellas. Although it was not a royal ceremony, the etiquette was still there. Countless palace maids accompanied him on this trip.
It was not an important occasion, so there was no need to kneel. Baozhu Zhurong followed the example of others, bowing her head and making a gesture of respect.
As they were quite far away, they could not catch a glimpse of the emperor's face. They waited until the music from the Jiaofangsi was played and the dancers performed. After all the performances were over, the emperor's attendants beat drums as a signal.
The musicians followed suit with the drum beats, and the tight beats seemed to fall on people's hearts, making even the onlookers nervous.
After the morning competition, the winner will be decided directly. The winner will not only win the prize, but may also be lucky enough to be summoned by the officials.
The atmosphere on the field instantly became tense, and once the ball was kicked off, it rarely touched the ground. The two teams scrambled for possession, using their shoulders, backs, feet, and knees to generate power. They performed a variety of agile moves, such as picking onions in dry land and carrying the moon on their shoulders, which drew constant exclamations from the onlookers.
Baozhu Rong was not embarrassed to shout at first, but when she saw some well-dressed girls around her cheering, she started shouting at the top of her lungs along with Baorong.
Cuju is not like a dragon boat race, where you can get a general idea of the game even from a distance. You have to get close to see the players' skills, so officials of all ranks and their families all gathered outside the field to watch.
Baozhu was watching and saw that the team with Pei Xunshi had already gained an advantage.
Soon the Imperial College team caught up, and the two sides were in a close race. After half an hour, the Inspection Commissioner's team had only won two chips over the Imperial College. By now, the number of chips on both sides was so close that each team that won a chip would be cheered.
The instructor called for a stop and asked us to rest for two incense sticks before continuing.
Both teams had rested, and the time it took to finish the two incense sticks was just a blink of an eye.
This match was even more exciting to watch. Just when they felt they could turn the tide, they were forced to suppress the opponent. The students from the Inspection Office and the Imperial College tried their best to suppress the other side.
Even from the high pavilion, cheers could be heard from time to time.
The clepsydra was about to end, and the instructor struck the gong. With only an incense stick of time left, several students from the Imperial College had caught up, and the two sides were now tied.
Baorong was watching intently, but Baozhu was having doubts in her heart. The officials from the Patrol Office seemed to be trying their best, but she always felt that they were holding back a little.
There was only the time of an incense stick, and everyone watching the game held their breath and concentrated. If anyone made the slightest noise, they would glare at the people around them and raise their index finger to tell them to be quiet, for fear that the noise would affect the game.
For a moment, the only sounds on the field were the intense drumbeats and exhausted shouts.
The incense in the incense burner was about to burn out, and the instructor raised the gong and was about to strike it.
On the field, Pei Xun, supported by a subordinate, saw a ball hurtling towards him from a distance. Using the momentum, he launched himself into the air and, like a swallow, slammed the ball into Fengliu's goal. The speed was so great that the colored netting on the goalpost rustled. There was a moment of silence before the field erupted in cheers. No matter which team they had been cheering for, they were all stunned by this final push.
Pei Xun inadvertently glanced up at the high pavilion, then blended into the group of people and celebrated with everyone by clapping their hands.
Soon, an eunuch came to invite him. Pei Yanqing bowed respectfully and asked for his well-being before going to see the emperor.
Ever since she won the last piece, Baozhu has been staring at him with a thoughtful look on her face. Pei Xunshi over there seemed to notice her gaze, raised his head and looked over with an exceptionally frank smile on his face.
Dong's cousin was also in the crowd. He seemed to want to get away but was held back by his classmates and kept talking. Everyone was regretting that they had missed the battle by a hair's breadth. If they had won just now, they might have been the ones to see the emperor.
If you can show your face in front of the emperor, and pass the autumn examination and take the palace examination next year, you will naturally be favored by the emperor.
When Baozhu and Zhurong saw that the competition was over, they planned to take a walk in the garden. Many young ladies from official families gathered to play the game of pitching pots. Baozhu was afraid of bumping into anyone, so she took a detour to leave.
The Cuju teams today are easy to spot. Dong's cousin just broke away from the team and was planning to look for them.
When Baozhu saw her cousin from the Dong family, she also wanted to say hello before going home.
The two sides met, and the Dong cousin lost the game, but he didn't feel too much regret. He just smiled and said, "I'm not good at learning. I made my two sisters laugh at me."
Baozhu waved his hand. Although he wasn't the main player today, his passes were impressive. "It's a great honor to be in front of the government. I just didn't have much luck today."
Just as he was about to say something, he saw someone coming their way. Pei Xun greeted Baozhu Rong from a distance with a smile, then bowed to his cousin from the Dong family, "Little brother, you have some skills."
Seeing that Baozhu was familiar with him, Dong Hengzhi showed some vigilance on his face.
"Envoy Pei rented a house from my family!" Baozhu explained.
Dong Hengzhi suddenly realized that he was his neighbor. He suppressed his previous vigilance and bowed to Pei Xunshi, "Your Excellency is a capable man."
Pei Xun smiled and pointed at the hairpin on Baozhu's head, "It's not lost this time."
Baozhu touched the hairpin on her bun, feeling a little embarrassed as she said, "How could I lose it every day?"
There were many people in the garden, so it was difficult to say much. Baozhu apologized and said that she had something to do at home and would leave first. Baorong smelled something unusual, so she followed her sister and left without looking back.
In the evening, Xu came back and said that Lord Pei next door had been transferred and was not in Bian Jing for the past few months on business, so she was asked to help take care of Pei's grandmother.
Mrs. Xu couldn't help but praise him, "You are such a capable young man. You are also very tactful in your conduct. It's no wonder you were promoted at such a young age."
Although no one said it was a promotion, Madam Xu had already determined that it must be a promotion.
"Lord Pei won first place in the Cuju competition in Qionglin Garden today. The emperor summoned him personally. Perhaps because he saw that he had some abilities, he promoted him." Baozhu also guessed so.
The Pei family's grandmother was in good health and had maids to serve her, so she wasn't much help. But this gentleman was always very polite, and the gift he sent was so generous that it was shocking. Xu Shi couldn't refuse it, so she thought about returning it after he left.
Baozhu came out of the kitchen and happened to run into him on his way back. As she was seeing him out, she asked curiously, "You were hiding your skills on the court to drag the game into a stalemate. Was that on purpose?"
"You are quite clever." Lord Pei turned around. "Winning or losing a Cuju match is more important than looking good."
"Practicing Cuju is hard and tiring, and mastering it is even harder. How can you do both?" Baozhu really admired him. He passed the imperial examination at such a young age, and yet he was able to practice Cuju so well.
"I've only been studying privately for a few months, so I can't say I'm proficient. If I want to make a name for myself, I have no choice but to practice diligently. I don't think it's that hard."
Inspector Pei answered seriously, then sighed as he thought of something. "I studied hard for over a decade, and with some luck in the palace examination, the emperor appointed me to the Inspectorate. I never imagined my promotion would be based on playing Cuju."
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