Chapter 83: Death

The King of Wei and the King of Shao each had their own grievances, and the moment they fought, they were filled with murderous anger. Except for Su Xingzhi, the King of Wei's men were all soldiers, and they were fierce and brave, and they didn't care about the rules, and often rushed directly at people.

In such a competition, it was not easy to snatch a fist-sized ball from the chaotic horses, just to save yourself. Li Chongrun regretted his recklessness at the beginning. If he had known that the King of Wei would be so unscrupulous, he should not have been soft-hearted and put Ren Yao and Jiang Ling in his team. Even Ming Huazhang and Xie Jichuan could have been replaced with more professional soldiers.

However, he did not expect that the four people he considered a burden would show extraordinary sophistication and tacit understanding on the polo field. The four of them had clear division of labor, and often Ming Huazhang would make a gesture and the others would understand the tactics, quickly adjust their positions, sneak attacks, feint attacks, break through and pass the ball, and all cooperated seamlessly. In comparison, Li Chongrun and Prince Linzi became insignificant embellishments.

The score did not open up as the king of Wei expected, and his team even showed a state of falling behind. The king of Wei was unhappy and his moves became more and more reckless.

Seeing the King of Wei's men attacking with crescent-shaped poles and snatching the polo ball that they had obtained with great difficulty, Ren Yao could not stand it anymore, and he spurred his horse to gallop faster, got close to his opponent's horse, turned around and bent down, with half of his body almost suspended in the air, and snatched the ball from between the horse's hooves, and then passed it to Ming Huazhang with a powerful hit.

Ming Huazhang also reacted quickly. After getting the polo ball, he immediately turned around, protecting the ball while rushing left and right, quickly opening up the distance. Jiang Ling and Xie Jichuan saw this and hurried to stop the King of Wei's men. Ming Huazhang rode his white horse like a meteor, crossing most of the polo field, breaking through the blockade of the King of Wei's team, and hitting the ball straight into the goal.

There was an earth-shaking cheer from outside the stadium. Ming Huashang was watching in front of her breathless, and when she saw Ren Yao leap into the air to grab the ball, her heart was pounding with fear.

Accidents are very easy to happen in polo. Once you lose your balance and fall off your horse, you will be trampled by dozens of horses' hooves and either die or become disabled. It is not uncommon for people to lose their lives.

Ren Yao's body was suspended in the air, and she could only rely on her leg strength to hold the stirrups. It could be said that she was risking her life, and Ming Huashang was really worried for her. Fortunately, Ren Yao's riding skills and strength were strong, and she managed to take the polo ball back from the Wei Wang team, and cooperated well with Ming Huazhang to fight a desperate counterattack.

When Ming Huazhang scored, Ming Huachang's voice broke as he shouted, and he excitedly pulled the people around him and jumped up and down: "It's in, they're in!"

Su Yuji was dizzy from being shaken by her, and pulled back her hand with great effort: "I know, let me go."

Zhaocai was happy for Erlang, but she also felt that Ming Huashang was a little embarrassed. Zhaocai quickly pulled Ming Huashang away and advised: "My lady, please be calm, there are so many people watching you!"

Ming Huachang took a sip of the no longer cold drink. Her throat became hoarse, but she still shouted at the top of her lungs: "The White Team will win!"

The King of Wei lost several rounds in a row and was getting angry. Both sides went to the sidelines to rest and exchange tactics briefly. The referee waved the flag and a new round began.

This round was a decisive battle, and both sides were very prepared. Ming Huazhang realized from the beginning that his opponent had bad intentions. The crescent-shaped club brushed past him several times, and he felt that the opponent was not trying to steal the ball, but to hurt him.

The crescent-shaped pole is made of solid wood. If it hits the body with full force, it is enough to knock a person off the horse. After falling off the horse, he will be trampled and hit by the horse's hooves, which would be a completely "uncontrollable" accident.

Ming Huazhang was alert, but the game had already started, so he didn't have time to remind the others. Ren Yao was in the middle of it and quickly felt the hostility of her opponent, and mixed in with the uncomfortable scrutiny.

These men seemed to be weighing goods, their eyes focusing on her chest, waist and legs. Even though she had defeated them several times fair and square, in their eyes, she was still a young woman who could be admired at will.

Many women may be proud of this, being able to attract so many men to linger on her figure, this is her charm! However, Ren Yao was not grateful. When she was on the court, the black team should treat her as an opponent, not a woman.

After the偃月棒 passed over her chest again with some unclear meaning, Ren Yao could no longer bear it, so he gripped the偃月棒 tightly and hit back hard.

She had said long ago that she was the top martial arts student this year, and except for weightlifting and wrestling, she scored full marks in all six subjects. Especially in the horseback shooting part, the examiner could not find any points to deduct even if he deliberately lowered her score.

The Ren family spears were able to leave a name for themselves not because of their ancestral reputation, but because they were earned through blood and sweat on the battlefield. Although the crescent pole was a bit short and too clumsy, it was already sufficient.

Ren Yao unceremoniously picked up the opponent's crescent-shaped club, hooked the club and spun it quickly, then threw it away with a backhand flick. The opponent was distracted for a moment, and the crescent-shaped club in his hand was knocked away. Once he lost his weapon, he would be a sitting duck.

This lifting, shaking, and throwing is the standard way of shooting. Ren Yao holds the crescent-shaped pole and makes the opening move of the Ren family spear, the meaning of which is very clear.

If they push their luck any further, she won't be polite.

The other party was a little surprised. He did not expect that a woman like Ren Yao would dare to fight back, let alone that she would dare to do it so obviously and knock his weapon away in front of many spectators inside and outside the venue, even in front of the Queen.

All this happened in an instant. Not only were the players on both sides stunned, but even King Wei and Li Chongrun were slightly dazed.

Everyone could see that they were just engaging in a private fight under the guise of a polo match, but once this matter was made public, the meaning was completely different.

Li Chongrun was in a very difficult situation. He fought against the King of Wei just to vent his anger, but his father had been named the Crown Prince and his family had been released from confinement with great difficulty. If he offended the King of Wei too much, would he displease the Empress?

The captain's hesitation was a fatal blow to the morale. The King of Wei saw that Li Chongrun dared not make trouble, so he immediately laughed and rode his horse to approach Ren Yao: "My lady, polo is a battle of wits and courage, and victory is achieved by strategy. What do you mean by picking up my teammate's crescent pole?"

Ren Yao was so angry that she was blamed for something she had done wrong. However, since the person she was dealing with was the King of Wei, she dared not say anything harsh. She could only say bitterly, "He was the one who attacked me first!"

"Is there any evidence? Did anyone see it?" The King of Wei looked down at him and said, "I only saw you deliberately knock his bat away and take an attacking stance, intending to hurt him."

Ren Yao was never good at verbal disputes. She was so angry that her hands holding the crescent pole were shaking. Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves came from behind. Ming Huazhang rode over and said, "King Wei, His Majesty is still watching from above. There are so many eyes inside and outside, and no one is blind. What did you ask others to do before? Do you really think we can't see it? Everything should be done in moderation. Don't go too far."

King Wei looked at Ming Huazhang and narrowed his eyes slightly: "Who do you think you are? How dare you speak to me like that?"

"My name is Ming Huazhang." Ming Huazhang also looked at him coldly and said loudly, "I speak for justice and fairness, and I have a clear conscience."

When Jiang Ling saw the King of Wei leading his men to besiege Ren Yao, he wanted to run over, but was stopped by Xie Jichuan. Jiang Ling rushed several times but failed to break through, and angrily said, "Xie Jichuan, what are you doing!"

Xie Jichuan half-turned his body and looked back at Ming Huazhang and Ren Yao over there, and said calmly: "If you want her to escape safely, don't go over there."

"It's none of your business, get out of the way!"

Xie Jichuan was able to hold Jiang Ling with ease, and he still had time to look at Li Chongrun. When he noticed the cautiousness and hesitation on Li Chongrun's face, he knew that he could not count on the Li family.

No matter how many reasons the ministers have, it is a crime of insubordination to confront the prince. The best and only people who can come forward are the Li family. Unfortunately, the Li family members are cautious and self-protective. Even the eldest son of the prince is unwilling to wade into this muddy water. Those who shouldn't wade into the water are there to argue for others.

Xie Jichuan chuckled softly. It shouldn't be surprising. That's human nature. It's really boring.

Xie Jichuan was already wondering what excuse Han Jie would use to get Ming Huazhang out, when suddenly the Prince of Linzi rode up and said to the Prince of Wei with a smile, "Uncle Prince of Wei, we are just playing with each other, why are you so serious? Madam Ren is only seventeen years old, and you may have hit her a little too hard because you were anxious. Why are you being so serious with a young lady like her?"

Xie Jichuan raised his eyebrows in surprise, and Ming Huazhang also looked at Prince Linzi in surprise. Prince Linzi was the third son of Prince Xiang, neither the eldest nor the legitimate son, and could be said to be insignificant in the Li family. Prince Shao did not dare to offend Prince Wei, but he came over to smooth things over, which was really unexpected.

The King of Wei did not take this bastard seriously. He sneered and was about to get angry when an eunuch came down from the high platform and saluted everyone on the field, saying, "King of Wei, King of Shao, King of Linzi, the polo was very exciting and Your Majesty was very satisfied. You have been riding for so long and must be tired. Take a rest."

The Queen's men showed up in time and stopped the fight from escalating. Her meaning was clear: no matter how much intrigue there was in private, it was their own business, but in front of the whole city, they must not bring shame to the royal family.

No matter how unwilling the King of Wei was, he had to give up. Li Chongrun secretly breathed a sigh of relief and ended the polo match.

On the sidelines, Zhaocai saw many people gathered together talking, and asked Ming Huashang curiously: "Madam, what are Erlang and Madam Ren doing? Why don't they fight?"

Ming Huachang stared in that direction with a very heavy expression. Fortunately, the eunuch came soon and said something with a smile. The King of Wei reluctantly rode away on his horse. Ming Huazhang and others also reined in their horses and walked out of the arena.

Ming Huashang finally breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly asked Zhaocai to take the iced drink with her, and she ran quickly towards Ming Huazhang.

"Second brother!"

Ming Huazhang had just dismounted when he vaguely heard someone calling him from behind. The polo field was filled with noise and her voice was in the background, making it inconspicuous. But Ming Huazhang seemed to have sensed something and turned around in the midst of the noise.

明華裳跑到他們面前，臉都是紅的。明華裳忙問：“怎麽了？你們沒受傷吧？”

明華章搖搖頭，看着她笑了：“沒事。嗓子怎麽啞成這樣了？”

明華裳清了清嗓子，才發現現在她說話沙啞的厲害。明華裳說：“剛才喊得太用力了。都怪你太出風頭，那麽多小娘子給你們吶喊，我不使力些，能傳到你們耳朵裏嗎？”

明華裳說完，期待地問：“你聽到了嗎？”

明華章輕哼一聲，說：“你喊的又不是我，我聽什麽？”

明華裳沒好氣瞪他一眼，說：“反正有那麽多小娘子給你助威，你愛聽不聽。我去找任姐姐。”

明華裳說完不等明華章回話，就提裙跑向任遙。江陵正和任遙說話，表情有些嚴肅，明華裳跑過來，遠遠就喊道：“任姐姐，恭喜你，剛才那一球太漂亮啦！”

江陵見明華裳過來了，只能止住話頭。任遙道：“剛才那球不是我進的，還是靠明華章。”

“和他沒關系。”明華裳毫不留情抹殺了明華章的功勞，眉飛色舞誇贊任遙，“方才我看的都要吓死了，任姐姐你真厲害，騎馬打球一點都不比男人差……不對，你比許多男人強多了，你搶球的時候可比江陵跑得快多了，簡直是我們女子的驕傲！”

“嘿。”江陵沒好氣提醒了她一句，“誇歸誇，別亂踩我行吧？我那是戰術。”

前鋒和後衛扮演的角色自然不一樣，明華裳懂，但這不重要，她依然一股腦贊美任遙。任遙不太習慣明華裳這樣過于熱情直白的表達，心裏有些尴尬，但眉眼不知不覺放松下來。

是啊，她做到了。他們贏了比賽，是魏王的人先挑事，她何必壓在心裏？

這時候招財也捧着許多冰飲來了，明華裳忙招呼招財往這邊走，一一給他們派發飲子：“雖然裁判沒說勝負，但在我心裏你們就是贏家！我以烏梅汁代酒，敬你們一杯！”

一杯烏梅汁放在尋常不值錢，但他們剛剛打完馬球，正渴的時候有人送來又酸又涼的飲子，堪比久旱逢甘霖，瞌睡了有人遞枕頭。明華裳又長得甜美，眼睛帶笑，話裏話外十分周全，哪怕邵王、臨淄王不放心宮外的飲食，也不由接下了。

等将白隊這邊都送完後，明華裳特意交代招財：“招財，備上銀針，給魏王那邊的人也送去。”

“啊？”招財正沾沾自喜她們娘子這些錢花得值，聽到這話十分詫異，“他們隊那麽兇，剛才打球時故意為難人，為什麽要給他們送？”

連招財一個丫鬟都能看出來魏王居心不良，明華裳看不出來嗎？明華裳沒表态，淡淡說：“別人如何行動是他們的事，我們如何做人是我們的事。送過去吧，記得臉上帶笑，話要說得好聽，遞給他們之前先當衆用銀針試毒。”

招財應下，抱着東西走了。謝濟川牽着馬站在場地邊緣，對明華章說：“二妹妹嘴甜心硬，處事周全，滴水不漏，可比你會做人多了。”

明華章冷冷瞥了他一眼，謝濟川聳聳肩，示意手中的冰飲，說：“拿人手短，吃人嘴軟，剛收了她的東西，不好意思不說她的好話。”

明華章看着謝濟川手裏的飲子礙眼，轉身朝另一邊走去。謝濟川的聲音從後面追上來，問：“景瞻，你替人強出頭時，有沒有想過後果？”

魏王睚眦必報，心狠手辣，得罪了他是什麽好事嗎？

明華章身體頓了頓，随即大步朝前走去：“我只是順心而為，做我應做之事，至于後果，交由天定。”

謝濟川輕笑了聲，也不知道是諷還是贊。他慢悠悠綴在後面，突然咦了一聲，說：“那不是蘇行止嗎？他什麽時候和二妹妹那麽熟了？”

明華章霍得回頭，果真看到蘇行止和明華裳站在一起，明華裳半仰着頭，眼睛專注凝望着蘇行止，滿面都是笑容。

咔嚓一聲，明華章手中的竹筒不堪重負，裂出一條細細的縫，裏面的烏梅汁滴滴答答滲出來，從明華章的手掌蜿蜒流過，乍一看宛如鮮血。

明華裳這邊，她讓招財将烏梅飲子送過去後，沒多久蘇行止親自過來道謝了。

蘇行止原本就不想摻和皇室內鬥，因明華章牽連不得不參與。他雖然和魏王一隊，但全程基本沒出力，就綴在最後擺樣子。他看清楚魏王隊屢次對明華章等人下黑手，心裏本就過意不去，事後明華裳還送來解暑飲子，蘇行止再也受不了內心的譴責，便主動過來解釋。

明華裳正想和蘇行止交好，兩人一個有愧一個有心，談得十分融洽。可惜有內侍過來傳話，明華裳意猶未盡地停下，對蘇行止笑道：“陛下有召，狀元先去面聖吧。我和蘇姐姐也十分投緣，改日，我設宴請二位做客，二位可一定要賞臉。”

蘇行止心裏吃了一驚，明華裳什麽時候和蘇雨霁這麽熟了？蘇行止将信将疑跟着內侍去見女皇，明華裳含笑目送他們走遠，等看不到後她轉身，輕輕咦了一聲。

她記得剛才二兄就在這裏，怎麽不見了？今日打球的人估計女皇都會召見一遍，他離開明華裳不奇怪，但他走的時候，怎麽都不和她說一聲呢？

任遙是最後一個被內侍帶走的，她步入側殿，率先看到一扇巨幅屏風，後面似乎有人影晃動。任遙沒有擡頭看，在門口肅穆地行叩拜禮：“臣女平南侯府任遙，叩見陛下。”

過了片刻，屏風後走來一位輕裘緩帶、環佩叮當的女子，她親手扶起任遙，笑道：“任娘子請起。你今日巾帼不讓須眉，大大給女子争了氣，陛下很是欣賞。娘子裏面請。”

任遙認出來這就是被稱為巾帼宰相的上官婉兒，整個人都仿佛踩在雲中，十分不真實。她被拉到屏風後，看到了一位錦衣華服、面容冷肅的老婦人，任遙意識到這是誰，慌忙下拜：“臣參見陛下。”

“免禮吧。”女皇淡淡擡手，說，“賜座。”

任遙戰戰兢兢坐下，渾身繃得僵硬。女皇察覺她緊張，還讓人給她上茶。

女皇說話時自然随和，絲毫沒有淩人之氣，仿佛一個寬容睿智的祖母，一點都看不出來這是一個近乎把夫家屠盡、制造了十年酷吏黑暗統治的皇帝。女皇問：“聽三郎說，是你主動自薦，幫三郎他們打球。他還說，你是今年的武狀元？”

任遙沒想到臨淄王竟然還在女皇面前提起了她，十分誠惶誠恐：“是臣女，讓陛下見笑了。”

女皇淡淡應了聲，說：“敢自薦是本事，有什麽可笑的？你既然是武狀元，為何朕沒聽說過你？”

任遙猶豫片刻，覺得兵部那些人敢做，就不能怪她說，遂道：“兵部侍郎覺得女子應當相夫教子，臣一介女流做武狀元，實在不成體統。所以，并不曾給臣授官，陛下自然不知。”

上官婉兒這時候擡頭，無聲望了任遙一眼。女皇臉色沒有變化，淡道：“女子考武舉本就有許多為難，你還能奪得武狀元，實在是不可多得的人才。你為何要報武舉？”

任遙捏緊拳心，她知道面聖要謹慎，每一句話都要三思，可是她努力多年的目标就在觸手可及的地方，只要女皇一句話，任家的爵位就能解決。任遙根本無法控制，說：“臣女想要像父親那樣征戰疆場，上陣殺敵，繼承平南侯府的門楣。”

女皇的眉毛細微地動了動，笑了：“倒是個有志向的。行了，你先出去吧，授官的事，等過幾日會有人安排。”

任遙很想問問繼承侯府到底行不行，女皇都能登基，為什麽女子不能封侯？但任遙看着女皇平淡的臉，到底沒敢問出來，行拜禮後默默離開。

任遙走後，上官婉兒觑着女皇臉色，笑道：“這位任小娘子倒是個有勇氣的。平南侯任老夫人已請命好幾次，陛下，您看是否要見？”

女皇喜怒不行于色，輕輕擡手，上官婉兒立刻上前，扶着女皇起身。女皇道：“朕累了，回宮吧。”

上官婉兒不敢再問任家的事，趕緊低頭應諾：“是。”

是夜，烏雲蔽月，星光黯淡。魏王府，魏王聽完屬下的禀報後，陰沉沉冷笑一聲：“倒是本王小瞧了他們，一個個的，都敢和本王作對了。”

宮裏傳來的消息，女皇曾私下召臨淄王、邵王觐見，說了什麽沒人知曉，可是，聽內侍的意思，女皇心情不甚好。

今日魏王當衆鬥狠，雖然沒直接對邵王動手，但對邵王那邊的人可沒手軟。可能就是因為這件事，讓女皇對魏王不喜了。

The King of Wei really couldn't understand why a few ordinary people were so worthy of his aunt's anger? The family backgrounds of Ming Huazhang, Ren Yao and others were indeed remarkable, but there were many such people in the capital. Even if Ming Huazhang was the second-ranked Jinshi, he would be able to take the exam again next year, so there was nothing special about him. Why did his aunt get angry with him just because he took action against these people?

The subordinate asked: "King Wei, what should we do next?"

The King of Wei couldn't figure out why the Queen was angry, but he thought it was better not to make trouble for the Queen and avoid the limelight. The King of Wei said, "My aunt is in a bad mood. I'd better keep a low profile during this period and don't attract her attention."

But this is just the stupidest way, offense is always the best defense. The King of Wei was eager to regain the Queen's favor and asked, "How is the person I asked you to keep an eye on?"

"I have sent people to follow her carefully, and so far I have not found any contact between her and anyone else."

King Wei was not surprised by this and said, "Keep watching and don't miss any movement. Also, send another team to keep an eye on the twins of the Ming family."

The subordinate didn't understand and asked, "Your Highness, why are you keeping an eye on them?"

The King of Wei glanced at him coldly, and the subordinate hurriedly bowed his head and said, "I am rude, Your Highness, please forgive me."

The King of Wei had a bad look on his face. He slowly fiddled with a jade ruyi and said grimly, "Ming Huazhang... It was he who caused trouble in Feihong Villa before, causing me to fail and let that idiot King Luling become the crown prince. I have long felt that he is a nuisance to me. He dared to contradict me today. He must be tired of living."

The subordinate tried to ask: "Your Highness, do you want to..."

"No hurry." King Wei said, "He is just the son of an insignificant duke, he doesn't even hold an official position, it's not worth my personal effort. Now, I have someone more urgent to deal with."

"Your Highness, do you mean..."

The King of Wei held the jade ruyi in his hand, with a look of deep reticence on his face. Some time ago, someone came to him for help, and the King of Wei knew that his aunt actually raised a private army called Xuanxiaowei. Among them, a man named "Shuangbi" made great contributions, and it was he who found Wei Tan's design drawings and facilitated the relocation of the capital.

The King of Wei felt uncomfortable and could not sleep or eat when he thought that someone was hiding in the dark and watching him. He could not help but think of the previous plans that went wrong at the last moment even though everything was arranged properly. Could it be that those were the work of Xuan Xiaowei?

The King of Wei did not dare to think about it, but Shuangbi could not be kept no matter what. The King of Wei said: "You leave first. I will think carefully about how to lure Shuangbi out and then capture and kill him."

As he spoke, he lowered his head, looked at the beautiful but fragile jade in his hand, and said slowly: "This action must be kept absolutely secret. Let's call it the Jade Breaking Plan."

Twins of jade, twins of jade, no matter how beautiful the name is, to put it bluntly, aren't they just pieces of jade?