Chapter 01 Chapter 1

By mid to late March, the weather starts to warm up, spring arrives, everything is in harmony, and there is a sense of new beginnings.

In the suburbs of Beijing, at a polo field, a group of boys and girls were having fun, and the noise was almost spreading outside.

"Pass it to me! Pass it to me!"

"No, pass it to me, pass it to me!"

It was too noisy and I couldn't tell whose voice it was.

Polo has always been a pastime for the rich. Ordinary people couldn't even ride a horse, so only high-ranking officials and nobles would play polo. Later, polo fields naturally became a place for the nobility to play.

I don't know which nobleman has reserved the place today, and I can't tell whose friends the guests are.

On the court, a girl in a red outfit was particularly eye-catching. Her hair was tied up high in a thick black ponytail that fluttered in the wind. Her eyebrows and eyes were soft and not sharp, but her outfit made her look a little fierce.

The fair skin looks even more translucent in the sunlight, and the ponytail blown by the wind seems to have taken shape.

"This Jiang Jingchun is quite pretty."

In the stands, a noble lady looked at the beauty in the crowd and commented aloud.

Among the people present, she was the only one who stood out and caught people's attention.

As soon as the noblewoman finished speaking, someone beside her sneered, "Oh, what's the point of being pretty? If being pretty could please people, wouldn't Young Marquis Gu have married her long ago?"

The young marquis mentioned by this person is the eldest son of the Heyang Marquisate of the Gu family in the capital.

Gu Huaisheng.

Most people in Beijing know that Jiang Jingchun likes Gu Huaisheng.

Jiang Jingchun's father was the Minister of Personnel, a second-rank official. Jiang's ancestors were virtuous, and although some problems had occurred in the past few years, they were fortunately able to revive their family and were considered a truly noble family. A second-rank official, most of the fathers of the young men present would bow their heads if they saw Jiang's father.

Actually, Gu Huaisheng's mother is Minister Jiang's sister, which means he and Jiang Jingchun are cousins.

Jiang Jingchun is the legitimate daughter of Minister Jiang. She is spoiled by her mother and gets everything she wants. She is very crazy. After she fell in love with her cousin, she took advantage of their "improper" cousin relationship to show her courtesy to Gu Huaisheng.

It’s a pity that Gu Huaisheng didn’t even want to look at her.

"She was raised by her family and is shameless. A few days ago, I heard that she went to the Gu family. It seems that she saw that there was a beautiful maid next to the young Marquis Gu, so she insisted on sending her away."

The other person was a little unconvinced. No matter how rude Jiang Jingchun was, he shouldn't have made trouble in the Marquis' Mansion. "Are you serious?"

"Of course it's true. I heard it from others. Everyone is talking about it privately. You didn't hear it, so you may not know it."

"She has a pretty face but a bad heart. She's very scary."

On the polo field, Jiang Jingchunsi, who was riding a horse and whipping the polo whip, had no idea that someone was scheming her. She was having the fun, but the next moment, the polo ball hit her on the back. She was not checking in time and was hit directly.

Those handsome eyebrows frowned slightly, and he thought secretly in his heart.

Did you do it on purpose? Is it just the right time to hit me?

Before she could look up to find someone, she was hit again.

Come on, it was intentional.

She looked up and behind her, and saw a girl of about her age, holding a long pole in her hand and looking at her with a smile.

Jiang Jingchun looked at her for a long time before he recognized who she was.

It seems to be the second daughter of Honglu Temple Qing family, Lou Yanyan.

Everyone can play together and get to know each other a little bit.

At this moment, there were a few young ladies gathered behind Lou Yanyan, and they seemed to be the ones who were on good terms with her.

"If you can't play, then get off the court. What are you doing playing so dirty?"

Her spring outfit was thin to begin with, and she was hit by two balls in vain, frowning in pain. Now, looking at Lou Yanyan who was deliberately looking for trouble, her tone was naturally not very good.

Lou Yanyan rolled her eyes and said coldly, "What's wrong? You can't afford to play? Bumps and bruises are common when playing polo. Miss Jiang is so precious, how can you bear it if I accidentally bump into you? Fine, we won't hit you. We can't touch your precious body."

Having said that, she led the group of people behind her and left.

It was clearly her who started it first, but now she was acting in such an ambiguous way, which made Jiang Jingchun seem narrow-minded.

Jiang Jingchun didn't know when she had offended her. Apart from those two deliberate balls, she had been targeting her frequently since they started playing polo.

Seeing this, some people around came forward to smooth things over. They said that everyone here had fathers who served in the same court, so they would meet each other every day, so there was no need to make things so awkward.

"Alright, alright, this lady was probably careless, let's not worry about this little thing, let's go and have fun."

The handkerchief that Jiang Jingchun was on good terms with was handed back to the peacemaker, "It's a small matter? The first time was an accident, and the second time was still? Who are you fooling......"

Before she could finish her words, Jiang Jingchun jumped off the horse, picked up the polo ball that was rolling at his feet, and threw it on the back of Lou Yanyan who had not yet walked far.

Everyone around was shocked by Jiang Jingchun's action, and for a moment, they were all silent.

Lou Yanyan was caught off guard and felt pain, and screamed.

It took her a long time to come back to her senses...

How dare Jiang Jingchun hit her so brazenly? How shameless is this person!

She turned around with a fierce look on her face, but before she could open her mouth, she heard Jiang Jingchun say lightly: "Oh, it was careless. Miss Lou wouldn't be angry like this, would she? That's too petty."

After Jiang Jingchun said this, she left the scene without paying any attention to Lou Yanyan who was furious.

The people in the stands obviously noticed the movement here, but they were far away and didn't know what happened specifically. They only knew that it seemed vaguely that Jiang Jingchun had some kind of dispute with Lou Yanyan's group.

"He is such a troublemaker. Wherever he goes, he can cause trouble. Lou Yanyan is so brave that she even dares to argue with this ancestor. When she goes back and cries in her mother's arms, there will be a big uproar."

The people around him disagreed, "What kind of words are these? She only bullies others in the Jiang family. When she goes out, does everyone have to give in to her?"

They didn't say anything else, just knew that something interesting was about to happen.

*

After such an incident, Jiang Jingchun no longer had the heart to continue playing. She took her personal maid Hua Yun to the quiet room to change clothes.

The sun was strong today, and the spring air was a bit hot. She had played two games of polo and was sweating a lot. Her tights were sticking to her body, making her feel uncomfortable.

Jiang Jingchun took off her outer clothes and then her inner shirt. Hua Yun handed her some clothes to change into, but she left two bruises on her back.

The red swelling caused by the ball was extremely dazzling on the snow-white back.

Hua Yun was a little anxious and said, "Why is Miss Lou so careless? She has even blushed!"

It does hurt a bit.

But Jiang Jingchun didn't take it seriously. "Don't be angry. I fought back. I can just go home and take some medicine. It's not a big deal."

Hua Yun didn't think so. "Why not? If the Madam saw it, she would be sad again."

Jiang Jingchun smiled and still didn't care, "Silly Huayun, I won't take off all my clothes in front of her, it's nothing."

After changing clothes, Jiang Jingchun left. But as soon as he opened the door, someone outside was about to break in, and the two almost bumped into each other.

She was startled and when she looked up she saw that the person coming was Lou Yanyan who had been looking for trouble just now.

Jiang Jingchun had no intention of paying any attention to this stubborn man and was about to leave.

But before he took two steps, he heard Lou Yanyan's voice from behind.

"You are such a shameless person."

Jiang Jingchun paused, turned around and walked in front of Lou Yanyan.

She repeated her words and asked, "I have no shame?"

She changed back into her usual clothes. The goose yellow dress no longer made her look as stern as before. She was not wearing any makeup, but her cheeks were rosy.

Perhaps it was because she looked like this that people thought she was easy to bully. Lou Yanyan did not back down and retorted with her chest puffed out: "Am I wrong? You're always pestering other men. Am I wrong to say you're shameless?!"

Jiang Jingchun finally understood what she was saying, so she asked, "Do you like my cousin too?"

No wonder she came to cause trouble today.

Unexpectedly, Lou Yanyan got anxious and said, "Stop talking nonsense to me!"

Seeing how anxious she was, Jiang Jingchun thought for a moment and then remembered that Yanyan seemed to have a lover in this room.

Many people know this.

She doesn't like it?

Jiang Jingchun said: "That's because your sister likes it."

The tone was not one of doubt but of affirmation.

Lou Yanyan's sister really likes Gu Huaisheng, which is good.

In this capital city, there is no woman who doesn't like Gu Huaisheng.

Gu Huaisheng was born in the Heyang Marquis Mansion.

The ancestors of the Marquisate had worked with the ancestors to build their careers and were veterans. After the founding of the dynasty, the ancestors specially conferred titles and rewards on them, and built a mansion for them. They were honored and esteemed, and people of the time envied them. That was all, but the younger generations also made a name for themselves and continued to enjoy the honor and favor until today. The Marquisate has been virtuous for five generations, and its foundation is deep.

Gu Huaisheng, a legitimate young marquis, was of noble status, needless to say. In addition, he was a man of great talent. He won the third place in the imperial examination before he was twenty years old. After spending three years in the Hanlin Academy, he was promoted to the Censorate. After spending less than two years there, he had already risen to the position of Zuo Qiandushi, a fourth-rank official.

After all the twists and turns, I am only twenty-one years old now.

Who would dare to think about it if it happened to an ordinary person?

Gu Huaisheng is the most outstanding son of the clan and a role model for the younger generations.

He is the snow on the eaves and the moon by the window, within sight but out of reach.

No one would dislike such a good person.

But not everyone likes him, so he has to like everyone.

Given his personality, that doesn't seem likely.

Jiang Jingchun's words somehow hit the powder keg in front of them.

Lou Yanyan started to talk nonsense again, "My sister has never married because of him. You are such an annoying person, but you always come in front of others and do something!"

Jiang Jingchun really couldn't understand Lou Yanyan. She was almost so angry that she laughed.

If Gu Huaisheng was really with her, and Lou Yanyan came to settle the score, she might be able to argue with her, but Gu Huaisheng was too lazy to even look at her.

She herself is eagerly asking for something but can't get it, so why would she care about other people's affairs?

I don't know what this silly girl Lou Yanyan is thinking, now she blames this whole thing on her.

"What does it have to do with me? I didn't tell him not to like your sister. Go find him and settle the score if you can."

Looking at Lou Yanyan, who was so angry and even grimacing, Jiang Jingchun thought of something else in his mind.

A few days ago, she went to Gu's house and happened to see something she shouldn't have seen.

The maid of the Gu family wanted to climb into Gu Huaisheng's bed, but was later sent to the Marquis's wife and chased out of the house. But no one knew who spread the news, saying that Jiang Jingchun was not used to having a beautiful maid around Gu Huaisheng, so she made a fuss and chased her away.

But those brainless people out there all believed it.

She was wondering who she had offended, which led to the rumors being spread in an attempt to destroy her reputation.

Good, now this person has come to me!

She strode forward and grabbed Lou Yanyan by the collar, questioning her, "Hey, were you the one who spread the rumors a while ago?!"

Lou Yanyan was grabbed by Jiang Jingchun's collar and was strangled, feeling very uncomfortable, so she pushed her hard.

"So what if it's me! You filthy little man, am I wrong?"

The noise they were arguing was quite loud and had attracted the attention of people around them.

No one knew where Lou Yanyan got all her energy from day by day. Jiang Jingchun was pushed and almost lost her balance. Fortunately, Hua Yun next to her managed to support her.

Jiang Jingchun didn't want to suffer this in vain. First she was framed, and then she was provoked like this. If she continued to endure it, she would get sick sooner or later.

She stepped forward and pushed back hard.

"Are you some kind of pervert? You're just asking about other people's family affairs!"

She wanted to scold her a few more times, but she saw Lou Yanyan was pushed and staggered backwards for several steps. There were a few stairs behind her. Jiang Jingchun saw her pause at the edge of the stairs for a moment, and then she suddenly smiled at her, and then she fell behind the stairs.

Lou Yanyan, this crazy girl, she fell down by herself.

Jiang Jingchun's mind went blank for a moment, and then he heard a burst of screams coming from all around.

She was upstairs, watching Lou Yanyan fall down and cry and shout. It was clearly her who fell, but Jiang Jingchun had a severe headache.

It's over, it's a disaster.

Someone nearby had already noticed their argument just now. After Lou Yanyan fell off the stairs, people gathered around her in an instant, all pointing fingers at Jiang Jingchun, saying that she pushed someone.

They all saw clearly what Jiang Jingchun did. Even though she clearly saw Lou Yanyan smile maliciously at her before she fell down the stairs, and clearly saw her stop, she still fell down in the end.

In the eyes of others, it was she who did it.

Even if Jiang Jingchun explained, no one would listen.

There was a lot of noise all around, and Jiang Jingchun was standing there, feeling a little overwhelmed.

Soon a doctor came from elsewhere. Fortunately, Lou Yanyan did not break any bones or hit her head this time. She only had some scratches on her body.

But she cried heart-wrenchingly, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

Some of the people watching the excitement were comforting Lou Yanyan, while others were making sarcastic remarks about Jiang Jingchun.

"Miss Jiang, you are so rude. It's just a few words. Look at your attitude. Do you want to take someone's life?"

"That's right. You shouldn't do that even if you want to fight. We are all girls. What if we get disfigured?"

These questions gave Jiang Jingchun a headache. She argued, "She pushed me first, so why can't I push her?"

Lou Yanyan cried out, "I never hurt you!"

Jiang Jingchun knew that he had been tricked by her. His breath got stuck in his throat and he stood aside with a pale face.

"You should apologize to me, apologize to me in a nice way, then I will consider forgiving you!"

"You're dreaming." Jiang Jingchun said without even looking at her.

She tarnished her reputation, plotted against her, and in the end she still wanted her to apologize?

Jiang Jingchun's good friend Chen Muqing also rushed here. She heard about what happened here on her way here.

After Chen Muqing arrived here, she squeezed into the crowd. Ignoring others who were trying to stop her, she walked in front of Lou Yanyan and forcefully lifted up her sleeves to check.

Chen Muqing was born into a military family and was often experienced in wielding swords and guns. Naturally, she was stronger than the average girl, and Lou Yanyan couldn't defeat her.

Chen Muqing took a look and said, "You just broke a little skin. If you stay a few miles away, you can still hear your noise. Are you going to make a fuss?"

She taunted her twice, and Lou Yanyan immediately shouted, "Do you think everyone is as tough as you? What's wrong? Aren't you also injured?"

The people around him also echoed.

Chen Muqing just likes to play with guns and swords. The pretty girl appeared to be thick-skinned and tough in her mouth.

Seeing his friend being surrounded and attacked, Jiang Jingchun could no longer bear it, and he put his hands on his hips and started cursing with Chen Muqing. For a moment, the quarrel was about to drown out the place, with everyone talking so loudly that it was impossible to tell who was talking.

At this moment, someone in the crowd spoke first, "Gu... Young Marquis Gu."

Instantly, the place became quiet.

However, Jiang Jingchun became angrier and angrier as she argued, and she didn't even notice what was happening around her until Chen Muqing tugged at her sleeve frantically. She didn't realize it until she realized that there had been no sound around her at all.

Two men came over in cloaks under the breeze and bright moon.

The people nearby spontaneously made way for him.

Jiang Jingchun even forgot to take her hands off her waist, like a little housewife. She turned her head and saw her brother and Gu Huaisheng walking towards her.

The man in white brocade clothes was particularly eye-catching, and her eyes were completely focused on him.

Then his breathing stagnated and he fell silent for a moment.

Why is my cousin here?!

The man was walking towards them from not far away. He was wearing a gold-woven white jade robe, with a belt around his waist, which made his figure look even more upright. His face was as handsome as a jade crown, his eyebrows and eyes were clear and sharp, and the sunlight shining on his face seemed to have coated him with several layers of golden light. When he was not talking, his face always had a bit of indifference and alienation, making people feel that he was unattainable.

As soon as Gu Huaisheng appeared, everyone's attention was focused on him.

All the people who were arguing just now were speechless in an instant.

Jiang Jingchun didn't know when the two of them came from, nor did she know why Gu Huaisheng appeared here with her brother, but she felt even more confused.

Her cousin didn't like her very much in the first place, and now that he saw her beating someone up today, he must be even more disgusted with her.