Chapter 194: Does Your Name Happen to Be on the Horse's Rear?

The Dingguo Duke and his wife were both taken aback.

The rumors they had heard previously were that the Crown Prince had gotten into a huge argument with the Emperor over a woman of unknown origin, and it sounded as if the Crown Prince was even willing to give up his status as the heir to the Eastern Palace for that woman.

Seeing him today, could it be that the Crown Prince already has a sweetheart?

A Qingzhou Chief Clerk... it isn't a very high-ranking official position, but compared to that woman of unknown origin, it is at least a decent background.

If this young woman is fortunate enough to marry the Crown Prince, her uncle will naturally be promoted and prosper in the future.

Thinking this way, the couple revealed smiles in unison.

"So it is Miss Nan."

"Miss Nan, please come inside—Miss Nan, do you know how to play polo? If you do, that would be best; the polo field is quite lively today. If you don't, that is fine too; there is also golf and ancient football here, all sorts of things, depending on what you like."

Nan Xueyin listened to these words and subconsciously glanced at Xiao Youlan.

Xiao Youlan raised an eyebrow: "Aren't you capable of everything?"

Nan Xueyin did not speak.

She only realized in hindsight that Xiao Youlan had brought her here on purpose.

There were many people at the polo field today, and Xiao Youlan bringing her here was meant to tell everyone that he had someone he intended to marry.

"Miss Nan is so impressive, is she capable of everything?" the wife of the Dingguo Duke exclaimed in admiration.

Xiao Youlan gave a hum, his tone revealing a hint of gentleness, "She is very impressive."

The Dingguo Duke laughed: "Then please, come inside!"

Xiao Youlan and Nan Xueyin walked inside side by side.

Everyone on the polo field had originally been chatting and playing, but as soon as Xiao Youlan appeared, he attracted all the attention and gazes.

Firstly, the Crown Prince had never been interested in such activities; it wasn't as if no one had invited him before, but the Crown Prince had never once shown up.

Secondly, the Crown Prince had recently been at the center of a storm, first having a conflict with the Emperor, and then rumors spreading about him and the Prince of Duan at an inn...

In short, no one could help but feel astonished that Xiao Youlan had appeared here.

What was even more astonishing was that the Crown Prince was followed by an unfamiliar woman...

"Who is that woman?"

"Wasn't it said that His Highness the Crown Prince is deeply in love with a palace maid named Doukou?"

"That is outdated news; His Highness the Crown Prince has fallen in love with an Assassin."

"What? An Assassin?"

"That's why the Emperor refused to agree, and His Highness the Crown Prince had a huge argument with the Emperor."

"..."

Nan Xueyin had sharp hearing and took in the various discussions of the crowd.

After taking her seat at the spot specifically arranged by the Dingguo Duke, Nan Xueyin was still listening on the side.

"What are you thinking about?"

Xiao Youlan noticed she was distracted and asked in a low voice.

Nan Xueyin came back to her senses and said: "In Fengdu City, His Highness the Crown Prince has so many romantic affairs—first Doukou, then a female Assassin. And you argued with the Empress Dowager and the Emperor over them."

Xiao Youlan found it amusing; at first glance, one would think he was quite the playboy and that she was very jealous after hearing it.

He looked at her deeply, "Aren't those all you?"

Nan Xueyin blinked and did not deny it.

Not long after the two were seated, a polo match on the field just ended.

Shu Yu was eager to try, rolling up his sleeves, "I'm going up to play a round for fun."

Nan Xueyin was watching the polo field.

Xiao Youlan looked at her and called out: "Shu Yu."

Shu Yu turned back: "What is it, Your Highness? Do you want to play too?"

"No," Xiao Youlan pointed at Nan Xueyin, "Take Little Xue with you."

Shu Yu was stunned: "Miss Nan, do you know how to play polo?"

Nan Xueyin licked her lips and brought out Xiao Youlan's excuse: "I can ride a horse, I can use weapons... I suppose that counts as knowing how to play polo?"

Shu Yu pondered this, "Actually... actually, that does make some sense."

He beckoned: "Then let's go, we'll be on the same team. I hear the prizes on this polo field are quite good."

Nan Xueyin then also stood up and rolled up her sleeves, and remembering something, she turned her head to say to Xiao Youlan: "If I win a prize later, I'll give it to you as a gift."

Xiao Youlan smiled and nodded, "Alright."

At this moment, many people on the polo field had their attention focused on Xiao Youlan's side, and seeing Shu Yu and Nan Xueyin enter the field, everyone was incredibly surprised.

"The woman brought by His Highness the Crown Prince actually knows how to play polo?"

"She looks frail and weak; I wonder how well she plays polo?"

"No matter how well she plays, isn't there still the one from the Shu family? Who doesn't know that Lord Shu is very skilled at polo?"

"..."

Nan Xueyin caught the discussion and looked sideways to ask Shu Yu: "Are you very skilled at polo?"

Shu Yu hadn't heard those voices and asked in return: "How did you know? Do I have the aura of a polo master about me?"

Nan Xueyin was silent for a moment, not knowing how to answer this narcissistic question.

The horses were all parked at the edge of the field, and Nan Xueyin picked a date-red one.

"Hey!"

At this moment, an extremely displeased female voice came from the front.

Nan Xueyin looked over and unexpectedly met the face of a woman who did not look friendly.

Several other noble ladies followed behind her, one of whom had a face that looked somewhat familiar, but Nan Xueyin could not recall it for the moment.

"That horse is mine!" the young woman said.

Nan Xueyin withdrew her gaze from the face of the woman behind her, revealing a look of slight confusion, "What is your name?"

"Cui Miaohua! Why are you asking that?"

Nan Xueyin did not answer, instead circling two steps to the back to look at the horse's rump.

Cui Miaohua demanded: "What are you doing?!"

Nan Xueyin replied: "I am checking if your name is branded on the horse's rump."

Cui Miaohua was stunned, realizing that Nan Xueyin was mocking her, and said angrily: "Your name is the one that should be written on the horse's rump! I said this is my horse!"

"Where is the proof?" Nan Xueyin asked.

"This polo field belongs to my family, and you still ask me for proof?"

Nan Xueyin tilted her head; if the polo field was her family's, that meant this person was the daughter of the Dingguo Duke?

She was uncharacteristically good-tempered and said: "There are so many horses on the polo field, and they can all be chosen at will. I saw another person riding this horse just now, which shows it does not belong exclusively to one person. If you liked it, you could have come earlier, instead of me choosing it and then you saying it is yours."

Cui Miaohua sneered: "What are you talking about? This young lady never needs to do things in advance; as long as I like it and have my eye on it, I can just snatch it away!"

Nan Xueyin spread her hands: "Isn't that bullying others by relying on one's status and being shameless?"

Cui Miaohua looked arrogant: "I am bullying others by relying on my status, so what? Do you have an opinion?!"

"Why are you two arguing?"

Shu Yu had just brought over his fine steed.

As soon as Cui Miaohua saw him, she said aggrievedly: "Brother Shu, look at her! I don't know where this wild girl came from, but she actually snatched my horse!"

Shu Yu asked strangely: "Didn't you see it just now? Didn't you hear about it?"

Cui Miaohua was completely confused, "What should I have seen or heard?"

Shu Yu pointed at Nan Xueyin, "This lady was brought by the Crown Prince. His Highness told your father and mother that she is the future Crown Princess. Your father and mother were both very polite to her."

Cui Miaohua froze abruptly, her face turning pale instantly.

Brought by the Crown Prince?

She had been inside changing clothes just now and had no idea at all...

She had just called her a wild girl from who knows where...

Yet Nan Xueyin was mischievous and asked again at this moment: "So, is this horse yours? Do you want me to give it to you?"