Chapter 123

On the Double Ninth Festival, the square outside the Eastern Water Gate Bridge of Shang Jing's palace city was already a sea of people; a lofty flower pavilion had been erected to the north, where Emperor Longqing, supporting Empress Dowager Ning'an, sat with his many consorts to watch.

Around the flower pavilion were the flower booths erected by the great clans; Shang Jing rarely saw such bustle, and even ladies who seldom left their homes filled the seats.

Further south outside were the flower booths of the wealthy merchants; although they had money, they dared not make their booths larger than those of the powerful figures to the north, but they excelled in delicacy.

The outermost area was filled with ordinary folk; those who could not afford a booth carried stools to snatch good viewing spots, while peddlers bearing trays of fruit, snacks, melon seeds and the like hawked their wares through the crowd, and there were sellers of cornel, a bunch for three wen.

Gu Jiu Ling sat beside Xiao Yin, watching the lively scene before her, her mood exceptionally good.

In the arena, guards had already led out the imperial horses; these were the emperor's mounts, each a thousand‑li divine steed, and with large red flowers hung on their heads they looked quite festive.

The sons of noble clans had previously signed up to compete; now each wore tight‑fitted attire, handsome youths with red lips and white teeth, gripping polo mallets, they rode forth with exuberant vigor, utterly exhilarated.

Because the game leaned more toward entertainment, women were also allowed to take the field in proportion.

Princess Yuan Qing

Those who already felt affection for each other, who found each other pleasing, would also seize the chance to go down onto the field with their lovers, wearing simplified skirts and having their hair done in simple buns.

Seeing the lovely, pretty maiden before him, the reddish‑brown horse, holding the polo mallet, a cheerful laugh burst forth.

Great Prince of Bei Di

Great Prince of Bei Di

Xiao Yin

Gu Jiu Ling patted her stomach and sighed helplessly: "Ah, having become a mother, I can never go back—my youth, my…"

Xiao Yin's large hand rested on Gu Jiu Ling's head; she immediately fell silent, and his gaze toward her eyes grew deep: "The one who entered the palace that day and ruined your purity—I will find out who it was."

Just as Gu Jiu Ling was about to speak, Lin Jingyuan, the Heir Apparent of the An'guo Duke's mansion, appeared in a dark‑blue robe embroidered with plum patterns, wearing a white jade cap; his expression was somewhat stern and weary, lacking the former ease.

What had happened at the Lin family's chrysanthemum‑viewing gathering had caused him to lose all face, and now he had become a laughingstock among Shang Jing's noble circles.

Nevertheless, this polo match was also hosted by the Lin family; he had no way to shirk it, so he had to step forward and show himself.

When Lin Jingyuan stepped onto the platform, a low murmur of discussion arose from the nobles' colored canopies all around.

Under the Gu family's colored canopy, Lin Qingxue looked at her daughter Gu Nanxiang sitting beside her and said softly: "It's over; your fate is simply bad, you have no affinity with the crown prince."

"Now that your elder brother has arranged for you to become Lin Jingyuan's concubine without trouble, it's not too bad."

Gu Nanxiang lowered her head and said nothing; her eyes revealed a hint of grim coldness.

Lady Lin also did not know how to comfort her daughter, and after glancing at Lin Jingyuan standing on the platform, she coldly laughed: "That person is utterly useless; the Lin family has only him as the legitimate son. When you enter the Lin family, do not throw tantrums—firmly hold onto your husband."

"Lin Jingyuan actually looks reliable; you must find a way to bear his child, then, with mother‑by‑son honor, the Lin family will have no hold over you. As for men, they need to be coaxed with a little affection—keeping low and submissive is just a matter of these few days."

"Once you have borne the Lin family's eldest son, even if he takes another wife, the methods your mother taught you will still be able to deal with you?"

"When your son makes something of himself, you will be the foremost lady of the mansion, and then the entire An'guo Duke's household will be yours."

"Daughter, a little reluctance will spoil great plans!"

You, after entering the Lin family this time, once you gain power, help your elder brother rise to position; then the Lin family, the Gu family, and even the whole world will be decided by us mother and daughter.

"Enough, enough," Gu Nanxiang impatiently interrupted Lin Shi's nagging, coldly laughing: "Yeah, we mother and daughter two, this concubine is not enough!"

Lin Shi was momentarily speechless, her expression alternating between green and red, she muttered a few curses but dared not say anything else.

After all, a daughter's ambitions are great; previously I thought if we killed Gu Jiu Ling, took her dowry, had the Crown Prince destroy her marriage contract, then our daughter would smoothly become the Crown Princess.

Who would have thought that Gu Jiu Ling would actually change like a different person; if not for her, how could our daughter be in this embarrassing situation today?

Lin Shi looked at the magnificent colorful canopy of the Prince Rui's residence, her heart filled with hatred, her gaze turning colder.

Nowadays, that Xiao Yin, though increasingly imposing, is ultimately a thorn in the Emperor's eye, a splinter in his flesh; after autumn, a grasshopper won't be able to jump for long.

Lin Jingyuan announced the match rules: according to the initial number of registrants, then divided into two teams according to gender ratio, one team wearing red vests, the other blue vests, and they would compete to decide the winner.

For each round, participants can form teams freely or be grouped by lot; the winning team will be personally rewarded by the Emperor.

Today's main point is high spectator value; everyone focuses on participation, and playing is also enjoyable.

Soon after, the Bei Di Crown Prince Tuo Ba Heng, accompanied by his younger brother Tuo Ba Yu and Princess Yuan Qing, came over and exchanged pleasantries with Emperor Longqing.

Host and guest took their seats, and the match officially began.

The Imperial Guard side fielded a group; those who joined the Imperial Guard were all idle rich youths from Shang Jing who loafed around for monthly silver, naturally adept at such eating, drinking, and merrymaking, and soon their score far surpassed that of other aristocratic youths.

After half an incense stick's time, the Imperial Guard won and took the lead, and cheers erupted all around.

Gu Jiu Ling whispered to Xiao Yin beside her, smiling: "When we go back, you'll have to give your subordinates an extra drumstick."

"Of course!" Xiao Yin smiled.

Unexpectedly, a few Embroidered Uniform Guard officers, unwilling to accept defeat, rushed over to challenge the Imperial Guard; the Third Prince Xiao Wei slowly rose, changed clothes, and entered the field.

Gu Jiu Ling's heart skipped a beat; Xiao Wei is a ruthless person, and if he enters the field, the Imperial Guard side is likely to suffer.

Xiao Yin slowly leaned back against the chair, his eyes flickering slightly.

Seeing the Third Prince personally take the field, the surrounding crowd immediately burst into cheers.

The Imperial Guard in blue, the Embroidered Uniform Guard in red; on the field, it felt less like a polo match and more like a brawl.

Especially Xiao Wei, who was unusually vicious; while others would stop at a light touch, Xiao Wei swung his pole and directly smashed it into the heads of several Imperial Guard members, instantly leaving them bloody and unconscious.

Yet those Imperial Guard members dared not really retaliate against the Third Prince, seething in silence, and soon they were defeated.

Xiao Wei seized the lead, riding his horse while holding the colorful ball, he ran a lap around the field; especially when he reached the Prince Rui's residence's colorful canopy, he provocatively glanced at Xiao Yin.

"This brat is too insolent!" Gu Jiu Ling frowned, wanting to rise but Xiao Yin pressed down her hand.

"Your Highness, he doesn't observe martial virtue! How can he beat people up like that?"

"Hold your anger!" Xiao Yin coldly watched Xiao Wei showing off his might in the field; he knew what Xiao Wei wanted—nothing more than to provoke him into leaving the field.

But everyone in Shang Jing knows that after the Qi Sha Gu, Xiao Yin has never participated in a polo match again, not even able to lift a pole.

The second round ended; the third round was a contest participated by some noble ladies, even more flirtatious, making the onlookers' hearts blossom.

Seeing that everyone had finished the match, already nearing its end, Emperor Longqing was about to rise to speak and then return to the palace, when Tuo Ba Heng slowly stood up.

He turned, bowed to Emperor Longqing, and said: "Your Majesty! I have a request to make."

Emperor Longqing frowned; this fellow still hasn't left even now, unknown what he intends.

"Oh? Prince, please speak!"

Tuoba Heng rose and looked at Gu Jiu Ling, smiling: "I heard that back in the day the Du family made their fortune through itinerant trade, earning a living on horseback, and horse polo was also a Du family tradition."

Today I, the king, would like to have a match with the Princess Consort of Rui, how about it?

Gu Jiu Ling's complexion changed slightly at once.