Chapter 50: Feeling Even More Miserable

After Cheng Xi finished breakfast the next day, Yan Shengyu came to pick her up.

The two of them entered the palace together, and a palace attendant led them directly to the polo field.

The polo field had been cleaned thoroughly the day before, and there were already quite a few people in the surrounding stands; from afar, Cheng Xi saw Yan Yu standing by the edge of the field with a team, surrounded by a crowd.

To Cheng Xi's surprise, Li Zhi'an was actually there too, and he also had quite a few people gathered behind him; this was getting much more interesting.

It seems the Empress Dowager wants to use this Polo Match to distinguish who in the imperial court is loyal to her, doesn't it?

After all, Yan Yu and Li Zhi'an each have their own circles, and the people clustered around them are their respective supporters.

Yan Shengyu clearly didn't know either; she pulled Cheng Xi to sit in an empty spot and muttered, "What is going on? Why would Chief of Tongtian and my brother both be here?"

Cheng Xi did not speak; Li Zhi'an, across more than half the field, suddenly turned his head, and his gaze collided with hers.

For some reason, Cheng Xi's mood improved, and she gave Li Zhi'an a faint smile.

Just then, Li Zhi'an suddenly strode toward Cheng Xi's direction, then vaulted over the railing, landed lightly on his feet, and looked down at Cheng Xi.

Yan Shengyu hurriedly stood up to greet Li Zhi'an, "Chief of Tongtian."

"Miss Yan," Li Zhi'an replied, then said, "I have some words for Cheng Xi."

Yan Shengyu looked at Li Zhi'an in surprise, then looked at Cheng Xi; what was going on?

However, she did not step away immediately, but instead looked at Cheng Xi.

Cheng Xi nodded slightly at her, and only then did Yan Shengyu leave.

Li Zhi'an's movements were seen by those on the field, and almost everyone's gaze fell upon him and Cheng Xi.

The two of them were completely oblivious.

Cheng Xi looked at Li Zhi'an, "What a coincidence, Chief of Tongtian."

"I received an imperial decree from the Emperor on short notice."

Cheng Xi raised her eyebrows slightly; he was explaining this to her, and she instantly became interested, deliberately leaning slightly toward him.

Li Zhi'an's body stiffened slightly, but he did not move, letting Cheng Xi lean toward him.

"Under the eyes of everyone, Chief, you come to find me like this; do you know that public opinion is to be feared?"

"After the Polo Match, the elders in my family will send a matchmaker to propose marriage; once our marriage is settled then, the truth will naturally come to light."

Cheng Xi looked at Li Zhi'an with suspicion in her heart; this person was quite addicted to acting, and even at a time like this, he still wanted to set a trap for her.

If she backed down, she would lose.

Cheng Xi smiled even more brightly, "Alright, I shall wait at home for your grand arrival."

Li Zhi'an met Cheng Xi's bright smile and was momentarily dazed; she had always had a faint smile, looking gentle and kind, yet possessing a sense of aloofness that kept people at a distance.

However, her smile at this moment was somewhat flamboyant and unrestrained, and her whole person became lively along with it.

In this instant, Li Zhi'an only felt an itch at the tip of his heart, and his fingers curled and tightened slightly in his palms.

Cheng Xi followed Li Zhi'an's gaze to look at the field and suddenly said, "Are you and Yan Yu leading separate teams today? Is this a head-on confrontation?"

Li Zhi'an sneered, "He is not worthy!"

Yo-ho, how imposing!

Cheng Xi leaned half-against the railing, focusing her gaze on Yan Yu's direction; he was talking to the people around him.

Li Zhi'an is the son of the Regent, and at a young age, he has secured the position of Chief of Tongtian by his own ability; he can be called the pride of the younger generation in Jindu.

Yan Yu is no less inferior; he is the nephew of the Empress Dowager and possesses superb martial arts, having also awakened his talent; he has now been promoted by the Empress Dowager to become the Pavilion Master of the Demon Suppression Pavilion, though many were initially unconvinced, believing he only relied on the Empress Dowager to sit in a high position.

However, as the Seal loosened and Demons appeared, the Demon Suppression Pavilion and the Tongtian Division were both ordered to hunt down the Demons; Yan Yu has had a bountiful harvest this time, and his strength is gradually being recognized.

She leaned against the railing in front of the stands, watching from afar the young men clustered around Yan Yu, holding their Yanyue Poles with high spirits, as if they were about to go onto the field and show off their prowess at any moment.

Yan Yu, who was talking to someone, suddenly turned his head and, across half the field, locked his gaze precisely onto Cheng Xi.

Cheng Xi:...

Is this what they call a man's intuition?

A straight man's intuition is sometimes quite... terrifying.

Cheng Xi was just about to shift her gaze away, pretending it was just a coincidence, when Yan Yu suddenly strode over, arriving in front of Cheng Xi in an instant.

Cheng Xi:...

She shouldn't have taken that extra look!

Yan Yu swept a look of ill intent over Li Zhi'an, then immediately turned to Cheng Xi, "Eldest Miss Cheng, are you interested in playing today? Why not let me be your protector."

With a face that looked like he wanted to kill someone, saying harsh words like a challenge—Yan Yu, you are really something!

Cheng Xi would not get involved in their struggle and said lazily, "My body is frail, I fear I cannot play in such an exciting match; I wish both of you lords a victorious start and great results here."

This perfunctory tone was truly annoying.

A master of balancing, no one balances a bowl as steadily as you do.

Yan Yu's expression darkened slightly; Li Zhi'an came over as soon as he saw Cheng Xi, presumably like him, wanting her to join the Tongtian Division; he had only just received news that Cheng Xi had not agreed to join the Tongtian Division.

She had not only rejected him but also rejected Li Zhi'an.

After receiving this news, I must say, my mood improved for a moment.

"Lord Li, please offer your guidance today," Yan Yu issued a challenge.

Li Zhi'an couldn't be bothered to pay attention to Yan Yu, leaving a sentence for Cheng Xi, "Just you wait," and then strode away, not even sparing Yan Yu a glance.

Yan Yu's eyes darkened instantly; Li Zhi'an was simply too arrogant.

Just then, there was a commotion in the stands; she and Yan Yu looked over together—it was the Empress Dowager arriving with Prince Jing and the Little Emperor.

Yan Yu looked at Cheng Xi and said, "Eldest Miss Cheng, think again about joining the Demon Suppression Pavilion; I have always been someone who cherishes talent. Once you join the Demon Suppression Pavilion, you will have status, position, and wealth—whatever you want, isn't that good?"

Cheng Xi saw the Empress Dowager beckoning to her; as she walked toward the Empress Dowager, she said, "Lord Yan, I have no intention of joining an office to be constrained; I appreciate your kind intentions."

Yan Yu looked at Cheng Xi, who had rejected him once again, and suddenly said, "What did Li Zhi'an want with you? Did you also refuse his offer to join the Tongtian Division?"

Cheng Xi did not like this tone that bordered on interrogation, so she ignored him and stepped onto the stairs to move forward, and thinking about having to face the Empress Dowager next, she felt even more miserable.

The mother-son relationship between the Empress Dowager and the Little Emperor is tense; it looks as if she intends to support Prince Jing, otherwise why would the Empress Dowager go to such lengths to establish the Demon Suppression Pavilion to oppose the Tongtian Division?

Cheng Xi could not fathom why the Empress Dowager was fixated on her; she was merely a passerby.

Yan Yu gazed at Cheng Xi's retreating figure with narrowed eyes, then turned and walked into the ball court.

The Tongtian Division has long held a fearsome reputation, and the Demon Suppression Pavilion is but a newcomer, yet he will let everyone know that the Demon Suppression Pavilion is no less than the Tongtian Division!