Chapter 617

"Giddyap!"

"Ha!"

"Clop, clop, clop, clop~"

On the polo field, the sounds of Chai Zhengzheng, Gu Tingyi, and the others urging their horses and the sound of hooves came from time to time.

A moment later,

"Good shot!"

The noble ladies and young ladies in front of the nearby tents cheered happily.

In the Yu family's tent,

Yu Yanhong looked at Yu Yanran, who was sitting to the side and weeping, with great disdain and said: "Eldest Sister, when did you hook up with Gu Yuan Erlang?"

Yu Yanran, with tear-stained eyes, suddenly raised her head and said with disbelief in her eyes: "Third Sister! You! What kind of words are you saying!"

Yu Yanhong curled her lips and said: "Our Yu family is a family of scholars and a pure-stream household, yet you, Eldest Sister, as the eldest daughter of the primary wife, always do some lowly merchant things!"

"It's either making some ear muffs or making some cotton pillows! I think our Yu family's reputation is going to be ruined by you!"

Gu Shi, the mistress of the Yu family sitting at the head, glanced at Yu Yanran sideways and said: "Yanran, your sister's words are blunt but not unreasonable."

Bean-sized tears flowed from her eye sockets. Yu Yanran looked at Gu Shi and shook her head: "Mother, it's not like that; I did not ruin the Yu family's reputation."

"You say you didn't, so you didn't?" Yu Yanhong questioned with wide eyes.

Before Yu Yanran could speak, Yu Yanhong continued in a tone that was somewhat sour and envious: "That Gu Yuan Erlang even raised his eyebrows and lifted his chin toward you! It's likely that you caught his eye on some day when you went out and showed your face!"

"Listen again to the mocking sounds from around just now! And you say you didn't ruin it? Eldest Sister, are you worthy of the kindness of Grandfather and Grandmother for loving you!"

Yu Yanran lowered her head, her heart feeling extremely sour. Unable to care about using her handkerchief, she directly raised her sleeve to wipe away her tears, but the tears kept gushing out from her hot eye sockets, and no matter how she wiped, she couldn't wipe them dry.

As she cried, she began to sob: "I, I, I did not ruin the Yu... Yu family's reputation!"

"Pfft~" Yu Yanhong rolled her eyes at Yu Yanran: "All you know is how to cry."

Gu Shi said with a look of disgust in her eyes: "Yanran, stop crying! If others see you like this, those who don't know will think that I, as your stepmother, am abusing you!"

"Enough! When we go back today, I will inform your father and mother-in-law. Yanran, stop showing your face for now and rest in the courtyard! I will also help you look after those fields, shops, and the business of ear muffs and pillows under your name for now."

"Wait until today's matter dissipates and everyone forgets, and your father and I will find you a good marriage!"

While Gu Shi was speaking,

Yu Yanhong nearby looked at Yu Yanran, who was hanging her head, with eyes full of mockery, curled her lips and silently said the words 'a good marriage~', and then let out a cold snort.

"Mother doing this is also out of good intentions! Yanran, what do you think?" Gu Shi asked.

Yu Yanran lowered her head and didn't speak, only sobbing non-stop.

Yu Yanhong looked at Yu Yanran, who didn't resist, didn't reply, and only knew how to cry, feeling increasingly irritable and hateful, wanting to reprimand her.

Therefore, Yu Yanhong scolded: "Hey! Eldest Sister, Mother is asking you a question! As a daughter, is there anyone so rude as to ignore their stepmother? Grandfather and Grandmother didn't teach you like this, did they!"

Yu Yanran, with her head lowered, wiped her eyes with her sleeve, seemingly no longer crying.

Looking at the sleeves on Yu Yanran's knees, which were exquisitely embroidered and already soaked, Yu Yanhong curled her lips and said: "As an elder sister, even I, your younger sister, am ashamed to talk about you! When the Xu family's Fifth Young Master comes up with some novel thing, you rush to make and imitate it!"

"It's just that he doesn't hold it against you at all! He is either busy studying hard at home and in the school, or going to the Northwest battlefield to kill the enemy and perform meritorious service, so he doesn't have the opportunity to run into you, Eldest Sister, a few times."

"Otherwise, Eldest Sister, you would definitely see him and shamelessly go up to get close! The reputation of the Xu family's Fifth Young Master might also be ruined by you!"

Gu Shi did not speak,

but the old woman with a mole at the corner of her mouth standing beside Gu Shi echoed: "The Third Da Niangzi is right."

"Plop! Plop!"

Two bean-sized tears reflected the sunlight outside the tent and fell again onto the already soaked sleeve embroidered with orchid grass, which was currently trembling non-stop.

Why was the sleeve trembling non-stop?

Perhaps it was the hand underneath that was trembling!

"Rise!"

Yu Yanran stood up with her head lowered.

"What, are you going to be disrespectful to your stepmother?" Gu Shi asked with a cold laugh.

Yu Yanran shook her head and said in a trembling voice: "No, daughter is going to change clothes."

As she spoke, Yu Yanran bowed and walked toward the back of the tent.

Yu Yanran's personal female servant followed with her chest heaving violently.

Before leaving the tent, the female servant looked at the few people in the tent with an indignant look.

Arriving outside the tent,

the female servant looked down at Yu Yanran's sleeve and said to Yu Yanran with eyes full of heartache: "Da Niangzi, let's go home!"

In the Marquis Yongchang's tent,

the atmosphere was different from outside; it was very quiet.

"Sigh!"

Gu Tingye frowned and sighed sadly.

Qi Heng and Liang Han looked at each other and didn't speak, only picking up the fresh cherries on the table and eating them.

Raising his head to look at Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye licked his lips and said: "Jing Ge'er, just now you said you asked the Empress for help; when did you ask?"

Xu Zaijing took a deep breath: "Just when we went down to the field to pay our respects."

"Oh!" Gu Tingye nodded and said: "How did you ask for help?"

Watching the look in Xu Zaijing's eyes, Gu Tingye said with shifting eyes: "I didn't hear it, that's why I'm asking you..."

As he spoke, Gu Tingye picked up a green apricot from the plate and put it into his mouth.

"Hiss."

Gu Tingye's facial features were squeezed together by the sourness of the green apricot, his face distorted. He hurriedly threw down the green apricot and picked up two cherries to stuff into his mouth.

"Ptooey."

The two cherry pits were spat onto the table by Gu Tingye.

"Old Madam Chang is here."

The female servant at the Liang family's door announced.

Gu Tingye hurriedly sat up straight and looked toward the door.

Old Madam Chang, who was dressed decently, entered the tent, bowed to Xu Zaijing and the others, and smiled: "Young Masters, my mistress invites Yuan Erlang to return to the tent for a visit."

After finishing, Old Madam Chang also gave Gu Tingye a look of 'seek your own fortune'.

Gu Tingye swallowed the fruit flesh in his mouth and looked at Xu Zaijing with sincere eyes: "Jing Ge'er! Fifth Brother! You haven't seen my mother for a few days either! Why don't... we go over together?"

Xu Zaijing pondered for a moment and nodded: "Good!"

Old Madam Chang heard this, smiled slightly, and exited the tent.

"You guys continue watching the ball." Xu Zaijing said, and he and Gu Tingye rose and exited the tent together.

Walking outside the tent,

the sunlight was a bit dazzling,

Xu Zaijing raised his hand to shield his eyes and tilted his head: "Yuan Erlang, do you know now how I asked the Empress for help just now?"

Gu Tingye, who had just personally practiced it, nodded repeatedly: "Jing Ge'er, brother knows!"

"Mm."

Xu Zaijing nodded, and the two walked side-by-side toward the Gu family's tent.

On the way, they passed the Xu family's tent. Looking at Zaizhang and Hualan standing in front of the tent, the two bowed and greeted them.

Xu Zaijing was about to continue walking, but Gu Tingye remained nailed in front of the Xu family's tent, 'politely' asking a few questions about when Zaizhang and Hualan arrived and whether the journey was smooth.

Looking at Gu Tingye, who was implementing a delaying tactic, Xu Zaijing could only shake his head and stand there to accompany him.

"Sister-in-law Hualan, I heard from Fifth Brother that the three younger sisters are also learning to play polo; perhaps they can show their skills on this field in the future."

Hualan smiled and nodded: "Good! When I return to the Sheng family, I will talk to Grandmother and the others."

"Ahem."

Old Madam Chang nearby coughed lightly to urge them.

Zaizhang smiled and shook his head: "Yuan Erlang, you should hurry over."

Hualan smiled: "The female official beside the Empress just left the Gu family's tent."

"Oh!"

Gu Tingye looked at Xu Zaijing with some surprise, bowed to Zaizhang and his wife, and walked toward the Gu family's tent.

"Mistress, Ye Ge'er and Fifth Brother are here."

Old Madam Chang, who was walking in front, announced at the tent door.

Xu Zaijing tilted his head, glanced at Gu Tingye, who was hesitating behind him, and whispered: "Yuan Erlang, where is the courage you had when you raised your eyebrows at that young lady just now?"

Ignoring Gu Tingye, Xu Zaijing wore a smile and walked into the Gu family's tent.

Gu Tingye looked at Xu Zaijing's back: "I..."

Entering the tent, Xu Zaijing bowed and smiled: "Auntie, peace be with you. Will you be swinging a few mallets on the field today? Eldest Sister."

Bai Shi and Pingmei looked at each other, smiled at Xu Zaijing, and said: "Jing Ge'er, it's been a long time since I heard you call me Auntie."

Xu Zaijing smiled with some embarrassment.

"Sit!" Bai Shi smiled and reached out.

"Yes."

Xu Zaijing smiled and responded. After sitting on the folding chair, he looked at Qingzhi, who was serving him tea, and nodded with a smile.

Qingzhi naturally understood the meaning in Xu Zaijing's smile, bowed with some shyness on her face, and stood beside Pingmei.

Gu Tingye also entered the tent at this time, shouting with a fawning smile: "Mother, Sister-in-law."

The smile on Bai Shi's face disappeared. She looked at Gu Tingye and said coldly: "Gu Tingye, you've really become capable! Daring to tease the eldest granddaughter of the Grand Tutor's family in public!"

"Mother, son, no..."

Bai Shi didn't wait for Gu Tingye to finish, waved her hand, and said: "I will tell the Marquis about this matter; go home and wait to be punished by family law!"

Gu Tingye said with a look of horror: "Ah?! Mother, don't tell Father; son won't dare to do it again in the future, please spare son!"

As he spoke, Gu Tingye turned his head to look at Xu Zaijing nearby, his eyes full of pleading for help.

Xu Zaijing helplessly put down his teacup, smiled at Bai Shi, and said: "Auntie, just now I saw the female official beside the Empress pass by; did she come to our tent?"

Bai Shi nodded gently and glared at Gu Tingye again.

Watching Gu Tingye lower his head in shame, Bai Shi nodded and said: "Just now when you were on the field, Yuan Erlang acted recklessly and made the eldest young lady of the Yu family embarrassed, and that female official came over!"

"The female official said that young people admire their parents, and knowing beauty, they admire the young and beautiful; Yuan Erlang acting like this is also natural."

"They are all unmarried young men and women; if our family is interested, the Empress is also willing to come forward and personally add a happy event."

Hearing this, Gu Tingye raised his head with a look of hope, looked at Bai Shi, and said: "Mother, what did you say?"

Bai Shi glared at Gu Tingye with disgust: "I naturally smiled and agreed!"

Xu Zaijing felt much more relaxed in his heart and said: "Auntie, speaking of which, the eldest young lady of the Yu family also has a bumpy life."

Bai Shi took a deep breath, looked at Pingmei, and said with a solemn tone: "Mm, your mother told me about Yanran's matter."

Xu Zaijing, who wanted to say a few more words, blinked and asked hesitantly: "Auntie, did Mother also tell you about what happened on the road to Xiangzhou a few years ago?"

Bai Shi and Pingmei nodded together.

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Good! In that case, I won't repeat it."

Gu Tingye nearby looked at his mother and sister-in-law with curiosity, and then tilted his head to look at Xu Zaijing.

Afterward, he scratched his temples with a look of being eager to explore the hidden truth.

After Bai Shi glanced at her son, she looked at Xu Zaijing and said: "Jing Ge'er, speaking of which, Ye Ge'er's maternal grandmother, my own mother, also died early. When Mother passed away, I was about the same age as Yanran was when she lost her mother."

Xu Zaijing nodded heavily: "Auntie, please accept my condolences."

Pingmei, sitting below, held Bai Shi's palm with some heartache and said: "Mother, what Little Five said is right; you shouldn't think about it anymore, worrying hurts the body."

Bai Shi smiled at Pingmei and held Pingmei's hand back.

When she turned to look at her son Gu Tingye, who was scratching his head, the dream Bai Shi had after giving birth to Gu Tingyi more than ten years ago flashed through her heart instantly.

Yu Yanran's figure seemed to overlap with Gu Tingye in Bai Shi's dream.

The thought, 'If I die early, Ye'er will likely be like this,' welled up in Bai Shi's heart.

"Mistress, a female official is here."

Qingxia, standing at the door, announced.

Bai Shi looked at Gu Tingye, who had a happy face, smiled and shook her head, and stood up with Pingmei to prepare to speak with the female official.

The female official who arrived at the door of the Gu family's tent bowed, and before Bai Shi could return the bow, she said straightforwardly: "Mistress, the Empress asked this servant to pass a message, saying that the eldest young lady of the Yu family is crying and wants to leave the polo field."

The female official nodded and bowed: "Mistress, no need to see me off, this servant will take her leave first." After finishing, she turned and left.

Gu Tingye, who had risen, was stunned.

Xu Zaijing, who had stood up, had a look of sudden realization flash through his eyes, and then he frowned with some annoyance.

Bai Shi and Pingmei looked at each other, and they also had some guesses in their hearts.

Pingmei said directly in a low voice: "Mother, I think, was the eldest young lady of the Yu family bullied by her stepmother and sisters?"

Bai Shi said: "Eight or nine out of ten! Let's go, let's go and see!"

As she spoke, Bai Shi was about to walk toward the back of the tent.

"I'm going too!" Gu Tingye said.

Before Xu Zaijing could speak, Pingmei shook her head: "Yuan Erlang, don't go and add fuel to the fire!"

Afterward, Pingmei grabbed Bai Shi and said: "Mother, that stepmother of the Yu official, she might have said something ugly!"

"Now that the eldest young lady of the Yu family is in a fit of grievance, if you go over, she might feel even more embarrassed! Why don't I go and accompany the eldest young lady of the Yu family to talk and send her home."

As she spoke, Pingmei looked outside and continued: "Mother, it is still early, and there is another polo match tomorrow! Later, I will send someone to the Sheng family."

"My great-aunt and Old Madam Yu are close friends and have been for decades! I will beg my great-aunt to invite Old Madam Yu to the Sheng family this afternoon, and then you can also go to the Sheng family; then everything will be easy to talk about, right!"

Bai Shi nodded thoughtfully and said: "Good! Then we will follow what you said, Pingmei."

Pingmei hurriedly said: "Then this daughter-in-law will go and chase after the eldest young lady of the Yu family first!"

As she spoke, she took Qingxia and Qingzhi and walked toward the back of the tent.

Bai Shi leaned on Old Madam Chang's hand and sat back in her chair, glaring at Gu Tingye: "Pray that Miss Yanran doesn't despise you!"

Xu Zaijing looked at Gu Tingye, who was standing there dejectedly, and said: "Yuan Erlang, today you may be blessed by misfortune."

Gu Tingye looked at Xu Zaijing and, after pondering for a moment, said sadly: "I hope I can borrow your lucky words, Fifth Brother."

"Clang!"

The copper gong on the sidelines sounded.

Chai Zhengzheng, Gu Tingyi, and the others, who had returned victorious, dismounted with graceful movements and went to pay their respects in front of the Empress's tent.

Both teams of noble young ladies received rewards from the Empress, regardless of whether they won or lost.

Rong Feiyan and the other three young ladies returned to the Duke of England's tent.

Gu Tingyi looked at the Gu family female servant waiting at the door and said: "How is it? When we were playing ball, did anything happen?"

Chai Zhengzheng and the others, who were having their sleeve ties untied by female servants nearby, also looked toward their own female servants.

Soon, several people knew: Yu Yanran left the field crying, and the eldest daughter-in-law of the Gu family followed her.

"I've seen Yanran a few times; she's soft and weak like a little white rabbit, and when she plays with us, she doesn't even dare to say a word! I don't know what the result will be in the end!" Chai Zhengzheng said with some worry.

Han Wulang Da Niangzi of the Zhang family puffed out her chest and said: "Whatever the result, in the future, if there are any gatherings for tea tasting or incense burning, we will just call Yanran."

"Whoever dares to chew on their tongues and say cold words, I have plenty of words waiting for them!"

Gu Tingyi said solemnly: "The matter was caused by my brother, so I will definitely help her in the future."

Rong Feiyan took the wet towel handed over by Seeing Xi Bu, looked at her three companions, and said: "Actually, Miss Yanran has Old Grand Tutor Yu and Old Madam to protect her; once she thinks it through, it will be fine."

"As for the gossip, just stay at home and pretend you don't hear it."

If another noble young lady said this, the listener might think Rong Feiyan was mocking Yu Yanran.

But, when Rong Feiyan said it, those who knew the inside story thought about it and knew that this was somewhat self-revealing of her own scars and sincere words from the bottom of her heart.

You must know,

as the younger sister of Imperial Consort Rong, Rong Feiyan had been naturally beautiful and outstanding in appearance since she was a child; the young ladies of ordinary high-ranking families in Bianjing didn't dare to stand with her at all, fearing they would be compared.

The experience of being betrayed by friends when she was young also made Rong Feiyan learn to be cautious in her words and actions, rarely speaking recklessly.

With the guidance of strict teachers, Rong Feiyan's posture and demeanor were even more impeccable; she was also skilled in hanging paintings, burning incense, tasting tea, and arranging flowers, which noble young ladies often played with.

Even so, Rong Feiyan still heard all kinds of messy, cold, and sarcastic words on various occasions because of her family background and the origin of her ancestors.

Just as she said, stay at home and pretend you don't hear it.

Gu Tingyi and the Fifth Da Niangzi of the Zhang family had been in the circle of noble families in Bianjing with their mothers since they understood things, so they naturally knew this.

"Find an opportunity, and I will pass on these words you said, Sister Feiyan, to Yanran." Gu Tingyi said sincerely.

Rong Feiyan smiled: "Mm! Thank you, Sister Tingyi."

Chai Zhengzheng looked at Rong Feiyan and smiled slightly.

At the exit of the polo field,

"Sister Yanran, wait for me!"

Yu Yanran, who was crying while walking, heard the call and hurriedly used her handkerchief to wipe her tears and organize her emotions.

Looking back at Pingmei, who was chasing after her, Yu Yanran naturally recognized her.

Thinking of Xu Zaijing from Pingmei, for some reason, Yu Yanran's heartache and grievances surged up again violently.

After Pingmei, who was already the mother of two children, approached,

looking at Pingmei's very sincere and warm, concerned eyes, Yu Yanran's tears flowed out again.

Pingmei, who understood Yanran's life experience, looked at Yanran's aggrieved appearance and said with heartache: "Oh, good girl, don't cry! Don't cry!"

As she spoke, Pingmei bowed and reached out to wipe Yu Yanran's tears with her own handkerchief.

Pingmei's action and this 'good girl' made Yu Yanran feel somewhat dazed, as if she had returned to when she was a child.

At that time, her biological mother had not yet left her and would also call her this when she cried.

Through tear-blurred eyes,

Yanran's grievances exploded.

"Sob!"

Yanran hugged Pingmei in front of her.

This made Pingmei somewhat caught off guard, and she stood there stunned with her arms open.

Pingmei's stature was already very tall, and Yanran had only reached near her shoulder.

"Wuwuwuwu..."

Listening to Yanran's extremely aggrieved crying in her arms, Pingmei's nose also felt slightly sour.

Thinking of her daughter Yan Jie'er at home, Pingmei slowly closed her open arms, hugged Yanran, and patted Yanran's back gently as if she were patting her own daughter.

She comforted her softly: "Good girl, don't cry, let's not cry, ah!"

"Wuwuwuwu!"

Yanran cried even harder.

Pingmei sighed lightly with helplessness and could only hug Yanran with gentle force.

After crying for a good while,

it seemed as if she had vented all her grievances,

and Yu Yanran then raised her head, looking at Pingmei through teary eyes.

After being wiped of her tears by Pingmei with a soft handkerchief, Yu Yanran saw that Pingmei's clothes in front of her chest were stained by her tears and snot.

Yu Yanran looked at Pingmei's clothes and said in a panic: "Big Sister Ping, I, I..."

Pingmei smiled: "It's nothing, it's just a piece of clothing."

"Let's go. I'll accompany you home." Pingmei reached out her hand.

Yanran raised her head and looked at Pingmei with embarrassment, nodding slightly.

(End of chapter)