Chapter 129

Gu Jiu Ling's side morale plummeted instantly; opposite, Tuoba Heng occasionally let out arrogant laughter, and Princess Yuan Qing had already begun to consider what dowry to prepare for marrying Xiao Yin.

After all, Emperor Longqing had also tacitly agreed earlier; if they won this match, Xiao Yin would have to divorce his wife and remarry.

The emotions of the surrounding populace also grew somewhat agitated, and they began to curse aloud.

"What Southern Qi war god? Utter trash!"

"Yeah! Look at Xiao Yin, he looks like an idiot!"

"Had I known it would be like this, I wouldn't have gone up to compete; it's just embarrassing ourselves in public and disgracing our ancestors!"

"At first it seemed like that, but it's just a bunch of useless snacks!"

Chen Ming sprang up in a flash, brandishing the saber at his waist: "Who dares scold the young master?"

"Sit down!" Gu Jiu Ling furrowed her brows fiercely and gave a low growl.

Chen Ming was startled by Gu Jiu Ling's shout, suddenly thinking this woman was courting death; he was about to say something, but Gu Jiu Ling gave him a cold glance.

"If you don't want me to announce your hemorrhoid surgery in public, just keep buzzing!"

The young marquis's cheeks instantly collapsed and darkened; speaking of this matter made him furious.

This woman, while he was unconscious, actually performed an extra surgery on him—truly embarrassing—and then uses it to blackmail him? She actually uses it to blackmail him?

Chen Ming gritted his teeth and glared hatefully at Gu Jiu Ling, yet still obediently sat down.

Gu Jiu Ling ordered Jiu Yue to fetch the prepared cotton balls prepared earlier, handing two to each person.

Crown Prince Xiao Ting was the first to take them and plug his ears; as a crown prince of a state, he was being cursed by the surrounding populace like a grandson, yet could do nothing.

The law does not punish the many; blocking the mouths of the people is stricter than blocking a river…

Xiao Ting, burdened with those governance doctrines instilled since childhood, finally calmed his heart, and the surrounding clamor could not reach his ears.

Indeed, not helping Gu Jiu Ling this woman meant treating her coldly; if he ever turned back to help her, he would bring misfortune upon himself.

Gu Jiu Ling ordered Jiu Yue to serve them tea to moisten their dry tempers, then sat in their midst, letting them form a circle, and she had to say a few words regardless.

It's already three to zero; losing is now a certainty, but brothers and sisters, don't lose too embarrassingly!

Gu Jiu Ling glanced at Xiao Yin, who had not come over; he was like a wounded lone wolf, sitting silently there, not even taking the cotton ball she had passed over.

Gu Jiu Ling could only give up, then turned her gaze to the several listless teammates around.

"Ancestors, can we do it? Can we manage?"

Chen Ming let out a cold snort, gave her a sideways glance: "If you can, you go up."

Gu Jiu Ling snapped: "Are you speaking human words? I'm pregnant! Young Marquis!"

Chen Ming was about to speak when Gu Jiu Ling gritted her teeth and whispered low: "Don't force me! Hemorrhoid..."

Chen Ming turned his face away.

Gu Jiu Ling took a freshly broken branch and drew a diagram on the ground: "Chaos! You're playing too chaotically! Do you know what cooperation means?"

"Listen to my advice: you are all elite among elites, very capable, but polo is a team sport, not a solo duel."

"You've also seen it: when our team loses, it means each of you loses; everyone gets scolded, nobody fares well—play cooperatively, you must cooperate!"

Xiao Ting calmed down first—no wonder he's the heir of Southern Qi—looking at Gu Jiu Ling he said: "Go on, how should we cooperate?"

Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly pointed with the branch at the diagram on the ground: "Everyone must pass the ball to the Prince, letting the Prince play as forward."

"What?" Chen Ming exploded, "You don't even look at him... he looks like that!"

Gu Jiu Ling's face darkened, she fixed Chen Ming with a stare: "He's fine! Pass it to him!"

Xiao Ting's brows knit, he glanced at Gu Jiu Ling and suddenly felt panicked—could Gu Jiu Ling have taken a liking to Xiao Yin?

But today he couldn't play tricks; since they had taken the field, they must win, and if they couldn't win, they still had to save some face.

He didn't know how it happened, as if compelled, seeing Gu Jiu Ling caught in this situation, he went over to help without thinking.

He focused his gaze on Gu Jiu Ling's face, recalling once again that afternoon in the palace when a little maid gave him a New Year's red envelope, saying to come see what his fiancée looked like.

Xiao Ting turned his face away, unwilling to look at Gu Jiu Ling's face any further.

Gu Jiu Ling continued: "Yun Duo and Miss Lin, you two stay in the rear; entangle as many as you can, hold back the Bei Di forces, especially Princess Yuan Qing, and don't let her retreat."

"Ling Feng, Doctor Zuo, you take the three attendants from the princess's manor and pin them in the middle, hold back Tuoba Heng—just him alone—remember not to foul, or you'll be laughed at."

Zuo Feichen's face flushed slightly, and he nodded.

"Young Marquis and Crown Prince, you two don't vie with each other; stay behind the Prince, seize the ball from the Bei Di forces and pass it to him."

Chen Ming let out a cold laugh: "Can he do it?"

Xiao Yin replied calmly: "If he can't, we can bench him; I and the Young Marquis can also do it."

"No! He can!" Gu Jiu Ling's eyes flashed with determination as she looked at the two: "He is Southern Qi's strongest man; he can do it—you just need to pass the ball."

Xiao Ting's brows furrowed, but Gu Jiu Ling pulled a stack of silver notes from her bosom and flung them to the ground.

"Divide it yourselves! Ten thousand taels each!"

"Take your share and buy whatever you want."

"Yun Duo, you can honor your martial instructor; Miss Lin, go forge a sword of your own; Ling Feng and the brothers, buy wine to drink; Young Marquis, it's time for you to save up for your betrothal gifts."

"Doctor Zuo, this counts as your bonus for helping out at the clinic."

"Crown Prince..." Gu Jiu Ling smiled, "Forget it; from now on I won't target you—consider this my holiday red envelope for you."

Everyone stared blankly; the three princess manor guards who followed Chen Ming in the game instantly had their eyes light up, carefully pinching the silver notes and putting them away.

Yun Duo also picked hers up under Gu Jiu Ling's encouragement; Lin Ruojun felt it was beneath the lofty bearing of their An'guo Gong mansion, but the feel in hand was not bad.

Zuo Feichen carefully put his away; Chen Ming, still holding his, gave another cold snort—does this even come with background music?

Xiao Ting stared at Gu Jiu Ling; he didn't want to take it, feeling that accepting would sever the personal debt between them, but since she said it was a red envelope, his slender hand reached out and slipped the silver notes into his sleeve.

"Come on! Win! I'll treat you to hot pot, and I'll personally dance to cheer you up!" Gu Jiu Ling gritted her teeth.

Everyone's eyes lit up instantly, and morale surged.

Zuo Feichen and the others filed off the field, and Gu Jiu Ling walked over to Xiao Yin's side.

Xiao Yin still couldn't quite catch his breath, but eventually he managed to persevere, and he slowly stood up.

Gu Jiu Ling lifted her head to look at him, suddenly raised her arm and hooked his neck, tiptoed, and fiercely kissed his thin, cool lips.

Ah!

All around rose a chorus of startled cries!

This is really improper, isn't it?

With so many people watching, Princess Consort of Rui, don't you care about your reputation?

This is the horse field, not the warm pavilion of your Rui Wang Fu; how can you two behave like this?

"Improper!"

"Shameless!"

"Disgusting!"

"Shameless!"

A chorus of curses rose up.

Xiao Ting's eyes widened instantly, others also froze; Princess Consort, pay a bit more attention!

Cheng Ming gritted his teeth and said, word by word, "You've blinded this old man's eyes!"

Xiao Yin stared blankly at the radiant woman before him.

Gu Jiu Ling smiled at him and whispered, "Prince, from now on your heart, eyes, and mind must be only mine; look now, it's me by your side, not your deceased brothers."

"Prince, do you see me? I am standing alive before you."

"I am not an illusory wraith; I am the little treasure you can see, touch, and kiss!"

"I need you to fight for me!"

Xiao Yin's icy gaze gradually softened; he raised his hand and gently rubbed Gu Jiu Ling's head.

His hoarse, low voice said, "Good!"