Chapter 197: No One Could Fail to Love Her

The attendant had long been holding the prize in both hands, stepping forward to present it to Nan Xueyin.

"Congratulations, Miss, congratulations on winning this Plum Blossom Hairpin."

Nan Xueyin looked at him, then looked at the hairpin in his hands.

The craftsmanship of the hairpin was exquisite, but giving this to Xiao Youlan—wouldn't that be inappropriate?

She did not reach out to take it, asking, "Are there more matches later? Are there other prizes?"

The attendant replied with a smile, "Naturally, there are. The prizes for the later matches are even more abundant, such as the Red Jadeite Drop Earring, the Peacock Floral Pattern Green Jade Bracelet..."

"Wait," Nan Xueyin called out to stop him, "is there nothing that can be used by a man?"

The attendant paused slightly; he was accustomed to reading people's expressions and was quick-witted, immediately understanding Nan Xueyin's meaning, and smiled, "Later there will be an openwork jade pendant with a double dragon playing with a pearl pattern, which is generally worn by men at the waist."

Nan Xueyin pondered it, felt it was acceptable, nodded, and asked again, "Which match is this jade pendant the prize for?"

The attendant apologized, "This, the small one does not know; perhaps it is the next match, perhaps it will be after several more."

Nan Xueyin thought for a brief moment, turned her head, and said to Shu Yu, "Take this hairpin back and give it to Jianing."

Shu Yu nodded, "I can, but Jianing already has so many hairpins and hair ornaments; she even told me a couple of days ago that I was wasting money, that the jewelry I gave her was already piling up, and told me to give her less."

Nan Xueyin: "This is from me."

Shu Yu paused.

"The three goals just now were all scored by me."

Shu Yu had no way to refute that.

He took the hairpin, "Then I will give it to her when I go back later."

After putting it away, he came to ask Nan Xueyin, "Let's go, back to the Crown Prince's side."

Nan Xueyin, however, did not move, "You go back, and while you're at it, tell the Crown Prince that I will play for a while longer."

Shu Yu was stunned, "You still want to play?"

Nan Xueyin gave a hum, "I said I would give him a gift; this hairpin is not suitable, I want to win that jade pendant. I think he would look very good wearing that pendant."

Shu Yu could not help but take an extra look at Nan Xueyin.

He had always felt that in the relationship between the two, it was the Crown Prince who gave more, but looking at it now, he felt that, in fact, Nan Xueyin was not that indifferent either.

She also placed the Crown Prince in a very important, one-and-only position.

Shu Yu suggested, "You can't play alone; I will join you."

Nan Xueyin, however, turned her head to look at the dejected Cui Miaohua on the side and asked, "Shall we play together?"

Cui Miaohua was stunned, looking to the left and then to the right, doubting that Nan Xueyin was talking to her.

"I am asking you, Cui Miaohua," Nan Xueyin emphasized.

Cui Miaohua widened her eyes, "You are actually asking me if I want to play polo with you? Are you crazy?"

Nan Xueyin said calmly, "If you are afraid of dragging me down, just say so."

This kind of simple provocation was also something Cui Miaohua could not endure.

She tossed her head up, "I drag you down? Just don't hit the ball into the opposite goal!"

Nan Xueyin curled the corners of her lips, "Alright, then we are a team."

Once decided, she turned her head again to say to Shu Yu, "Go and tell the Crown Prince that I will play for a while longer."

"Alright."

Shu Yu did not participate in Nan Xueyin's decision.

Nan Xueyin and Cui Miaohua returned to the polo field.

"Miss Nan."

Lu Yan came over again at this moment, "Are you still going to play?"

As soon as she saw him, Cui Miaohua showed an impatient expression.

Nan Xueyin, however, was merely distant, "Yes, Cui Miaohua and I are playing together."

Cui Miaohua glared at her, "No manners! I am the only daughter of the Dingguo Duke! Everyone should call me Miss Cui!"

Nan Xueyin gave a hum, "Cui Miaohua, you can call me Nan Xueyin."

Cui Miaohua felt like she had punched cotton; she wanted to be angry, but did not know where to start.

Lu Yan argued, "You and Miss Cui, this is not appropriate; if you want to continue playing, I will join you."

Cui Miaohua was unhappy, "Lu Little General, do you look down on me? The reason we lost just now wasn't because I played poorly, it was because you didn't play well at all, alright!"

Nan Xueyin also echoed, "Yes, Lu Yan, I think you are very unreliable."

The three words "unreliable" hit Lu Yan right on the forehead.

His complexion paled, and he wanted to say something.

Nan Xueyin, however, interrupted him first, "I am going to play; if your head is not clear, you can go back and sleep."

After speaking, she passed him and walked straight toward the horses.

She stood in front of the date-red horse for a while, then turned her head to ask Cui Miaohua, "Do you want this horse?"

Cui Miaohua looked at her vigilantly, "What for? Do you want to say again whether my name is printed on the horse's butt?"

"No," Nan Xueyin smiled, "you are my teammate now, I can let you have this horse."

"This is a horse raised by my family! If anyone is letting anyone have it, it should be me letting you!" Cui Miaohua shouted.

Nan Xueyin nodded readily, "Alright, let it to me, then many thanks to you."

After speaking, she flipped over and sat on the horse's back.

Cui Miaohua:?

What is the situation?

In a few words, this horse belongs to you again?

"Come on, don't dawdle," Nan Xueyin urged.

Cui Miaohua gritted her teeth, feeling that this woman was truly infuriating!

What on earth does the Crown Prince like about her!

At this very moment, the Crown Prince was sitting upright in his seat, gazing fixedly in the direction of Nan Xueyin.

"... Miss Nan said she wants to play a few more matches, saying she wants to win a jade pendant to give to Your Highness," Shu Yu reported.

Xiao Youlan curved his eyes.

Cui Zhu said from the side, "Two young ladies, playing two matches in a row, can they handle it?"

Xiao Youlan said calmly, "Your niece might not be able to handle it, but my Crown Princess certainly can. Never mind two matches, she could play until dark without uttering a single word of fatigue."

Cui Zhu laughed, "Your Highness is being too exaggerated. Even a man wouldn't be able to handle playing until dark."

However, he did not dwell on this question, instead sighing with emotion, "However, this Miss Nan does indeed have some ability. My niece has always had a fiery temper; others only follow behind her and cater to her, and she gets angry at the slightest disagreement. To think this Miss Nan could actually persuade her to team up for polo?"

Xiao Youlan curled his lips, "No one could fail to fall in love with her."

Cui Zhu gave him a deep look, "Your Highness, oh, Your Highness."

"What?" Xiao Youlan raised an eyebrow.

"You are in very deep!"

Xiao Youlan did not deny it, "Therefore, you must be even more thorough in investigating the evidence of Xiao Mingyu's crimes, so that he may fall completely while the Emperor is still on the throne."

Cui Zhu was puzzled, "What connection does the Prince Duan have with Miss Nan?"

Naturally, there was a connection, and a very deep one at that.

But Xiao Youlan did not mention it, only saying, "Little Xue's uncle, Nan Jiyun, has collected a large amount of evidence of Xiao Mingyu's crimes in Qingzhou, and it is currently at the Supervisory Court. When you go back later, help him out more. In the future, I intend to promote Nan Jiyun to the Supervisory Court and entrust him with important responsibilities."

Cui Zhu understood, "I understand this, Your Highness, rest assured. I will certainly handle it well!"

The few of them continued to watch the polo match.

In the first match, Nan Xueyin still played a bit clumsily.

But by the second match, she was already familiar with the rules and sufficiently familiar with the field.

Very quickly, she struck three goals in succession and won the match.

However, the prize was not a jade pendant, so Nan Xueyin decided to continue.

Cui Miaohua was a bit tired and wanted to suggest stopping, but Nan Xueyin glanced at her, "Are you unable to handle it?"

Cui Miaohua:...

As the eldest daughter of the Duke's mansion, where had she ever been looked down upon like this since she was small? Of all things in the world, face was the most important; she steeled her heart, "Who said I'm tired? I can still play three more matches!"