Within the grounds of Ci’en Temple, beside the release pond, a large crowd had gathered early on due to the presence of the emperor and the crown prince.
Aside from monks and court officials, there was also a group of brightly dressed young ladies, watching the esteemed father and son with either restraint or reserve, their eyes all concealing similar thoughts.
A longing for the position of crown princess.
At a glance, nearly half of the daughters of officials in Yanjing were gathered here, eagerly hoping to receive even the slightest favor.
Especially those young ladies from less prominent families, who harbored dreams of rising from humble origins to become phoenixes.
Beside the release pond, against the backdrop of bald-headed monks and stern-faced officials, the vibrant and beautiful young ladies stood out strikingly.
Emperor Ningde released a red koi into the water, smiling as he spoke to his son beside him, who was holding a fish by its gills with a look of irritation: “My son, you are eighteen this year—old enough to discuss marriage and take a wife. Look at these young ladies; they are all here for you. Is there not one who catches your eye?”
There were no formalities of imperial hierarchy here—just an ordinary father and son sharing a private conversation.
Upon hearing this, the crown prince subtly glanced over the group of young ladies once more. Finding nothing, his expression remained gloomy and wooden as he replied, “Not for now.”
It was strange. He had investigated and learned from his informants that she had come to Ci’en Temple for the Bathing of the Buddha Festival today, so why couldn’t he see her?
Had she been delayed on the way?
Or was she held up somewhere in the temple?
With this thought, Xiao Heng gave Su Lin a look, signaling him to investigate.
All these small actions were inadvertently observed by Emperor Ningde, who smiled knowingly, choosing not to comment.
Indeed, his child had grown up and begun to have secrets, learning to hide things discreetly—unlike before, when he would share everything with his father, the emperor.
But it didn’t matter. Everything leaves traces, and that boy’s thoughts couldn’t stay hidden for long.
Emperor Ningde’s gaze also swept over the group of young ladies, and understanding dawned on him.
Indeed, that little girl wasn’t among them.
He couldn’t quite recall her features clearly, but she seemed to be a fair-skinned and quiet young lady.
Not long after, Su Lin returned from his investigation. Xiao Heng excused himself to wash his hands and asked for the information he wanted.
“Where did she go?”
Though his tone sounded calm on the surface, Su Lin, familiar with his master, accurately detected the hint of restlessness in the crown prince’s mood.
“Your Highness, she went to the eastern polo field to watch the match.”
Splash.
The handkerchief was tossed back into the copper basin with a hint of frustration, splashing water and shattering the reflection of the young man’s visibly displeased face.
“What’s so interesting about a bunch of young men gathered together playing polo, kicking up dust and sweating all over!”
Su Lin forced a smile, not daring to speak, afraid of further displeasing the already irritated crown prince.
After all, the matter couldn’t be analyzed too deeply. While most of the young ladies were gathered around the release pond, the few who went to watch the polo match likely fell into two categories.
First, those who enjoyed playing polo or watching it.
Clearly, according to the investigation, Miss Liu did not play such an intense sport and rarely attended polo matches.
Second, there might be a young man among the players whom she wanted to see.
This was a troubling thought.
Su Lin had just sighed inwardly when he saw his master stride purposefully toward the emperor.
“Father, if you have time, why not go to the eastern field to watch the Cuju match? I hear it’s quite lively.”
Emperor Ningde smiled faintly, having guessed something in his heart but not exposing it, simply going along with him: “Very well.”
Thus, this imperial father and son led a large entourage toward the eastern grasslands.
…
Even before reaching the polo field, Liu Yun had already heard a stream of praise from Zhenzhen along the way.
Praising Feiyun was, naturally, also praising her.
“Good sister, thank goodness you bought me a copy—otherwise, I’d never have been able to snatch one from those wolf-like sisters.”
“As expected of Feiyun’s book, it’s so well-written. Take the male lead, for example…”
Chen Wei chattered on and on, and Liu Yun responded to every word, her cheeks flushed with delight.
Though it wasn’t the first time she had heard Zhenzhen praise her, it still felt incredibly gratifying each time.
“I stayed up all night to finish it, and it just wasn’t enough. I wonder when Feiyun’s next volume will come out—I’d love to read another eight or ten!”
Even though she loved hearing Zhenzhen’s praise, Liu Yun grew embarrassed and tried to change the subject: “So, Zhenzhen, do you think there are any shortcomings?”
She needed to keep improving, after all.
Chen Wei thought for a long moment, then shook her head: “Not really, except…”
“Except what?”
Catching the shift in tone, Liu Yun immediately pressed, her eyes bright and eager.
Chen Wei sighed, leaning in with a slightly shy expression: “It’s not that I think there’s anything wrong, but my sister-in-law always complains that Feiyun doesn’t write any intimate scenes between the married couple—it drives her crazy!”
Not noticing her friend’s stunned expression, Chen Wei continued: “She loves reading a bit of spice, and every time she reads Feiyun’s books, she sighs and says, ‘Oh, these parts…'”
Turning her head, Chen Wei finally noticed her friend’s odd demeanor and nudged Liu Yun’s shoulder, concerned: “Shanshan, what’s wrong? Why do you look so dazed?”
Liu Yun snapped out of her trance, her smile awkward as she hesitated: “Are intimate scenes between husband and wife really that important?”
Chen Wei chuckled: “I’m not entirely sure, but my sister-in-law and the other married ladies can’t help grumbling about it. As for me…”
Liu Yun perked up her ears, listening intently.
Chen Wei’s cheeks flushed slightly as she replied shyly: “It would be nice to have some. Sneaking a bit of spice in the privacy of my chambers shouldn’t break any laws, right?”
“Don’t you like it, Shanshan?”
Chen Wei raised an eyebrow at Liu Yun, teasing playfully.
Liu Yun’s heart had already been in turmoil, and the question immediately made her blush deeply. She stammered for a long while without giving a clear answer.
How could she possibly answer that!
Fortunately, Chen Wei knew her friend was naturally reserved. Seeing Liu Yun’s flushed face, she immediately backed off.
The two continued chatting idly as they made their way to the polo field.
But after this conversation, a new consideration took root in Liu Yun’s mind.
How should intimate scenes between husband and wife be written?
She wasn’t married yet—she really had no idea!
Lost in thought, the polo field came into view. A group of agile young men were galloping across the lush green grass, chasing a colorful ball, their hooves thundering like rolling waves.
As soon as they arrived at the polo field, Liu Yun noticed her friend’s gaze following one particular young man.
Dressed in sapphire-blue brocade robes, he was tall and slender with a clear, handsome face—a refreshing sight to behold.
This was precisely why Zhenzhen had suggested going to the polo field.
Her family was arranging a marriage for her, with the second son of the Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Having heard that Ling Erlang would also be at Cien Temple, Zhenzhen stayed behind, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.
Marriage was indeed a matter of parental decree and matchmaker’s words, but it was not as extreme as blind, arranged unions.
Any respectable family that cared for their children would respect their wishes and allow both parties to meet and observe each other.
If both sides were pleased, the marriage would be settled, and the matchmaker would receive her reward.
If not, they would simply seek another suitable match.
For the Chen family, forming an alliance with the Ling family was a good choice—perhaps even the best one.
Chen Wei felt the same way, though she still wanted to see for herself what he was like.
Seemingly afraid of being noticed by Ling Erlang, Chen Wei hid behind Liu Yun, cautiously observing him as he galloped across the field.
However, while Ling Erlang’s polo skills were excellent, the most dazzling figure on the field at that moment was someone else.
Clad in vibrant red robes, with a brocade headband across his forehead and a radiant smile, he exuded an air of unrestrained elegance.
The young marquis of Dingyuan Marquis Manor, Ye Shu, also known as Ye Qingliu.
His father was a first-rank marquis, his mother a princess. Born into wealth and privilege, he lived with carefree charm.
A young master raised in luxury, yet a fierce competitor on the polo field.
Whenever Young Marquis Ye took to the field, the outcome was almost a foregone conclusion.
Today was no different. Watching Young Marquis Ye wield his Moon-stick, maneuvering left and right, striking or intercepting the colored ball time and again, he earned cheers and applause from the crowd.
Liu Yun, too, found her gaze drawn to him.
Perhaps because she herself was reserved and introverted, Liu Yun yearned for the kind of spirited freedom embodied by someone like Young Marquis Ye.
She admired his bold and unrestrained nature, his warm and enthusiastic smile, and his lighthearted, cheerful tone.
Whenever she saw him, Liu Yun couldn’t help but be captivated, her eyes unconsciously following him.
She wasn’t sure what kind of emotion this was—only that such a person was incredibly radiant, making her want to watch him a little longer.
At this moment, it was no different. Liu Yun watched with rapt attention, as if she were a young lady utterly fascinated by polo.
From a distance, Xiao Heng noticed this scene.
The young girl’s gaze was fixed intently on the field, her eyes unblinking, as if she were deeply enamored.
“His Majesty and the Crown Prince have arrived~”
At the announcement from the eunuch, everyone—whether players on the field or spectators off it—bowed low in reverence.
“Greetings to His Majesty and the Crown Prince.”
Liu Yun snapped back to reality and quickly followed the others in bowing.
On the northern side of the polo field stood a row of pavilions reserved for spectators. The main pavilion had originally been occupied by the family of the Marquis of Changle, but as soon as the Emperor arrived with the Crown Prince, the Marquis immediately yielded the spot, bowing respectfully.
Liu Yun stood on the outskirts, far from the pavilions, and with the shifting crowd blocking her view, she could only vaguely make out the Emperor and Crown Prince entering the main pavilion. What they said was mostly inaudible to her.
All she knew was that, moments later, the Crown Prince descended onto the field in dark gold riding attire, astride a jet-black steed.
Holding a Moon-stick, with narrow sleeves and light attire, he was clearly ready to join the game.
The teams were quickly assembled, divided into black and red sides, each with six players, led by the Crown Prince and Young Marquis Ye respectively.
With the arrival of the Emperor and Crown Prince, the eastern grass field grew increasingly crowded, filled with officials and commoners eager to catch a glimpse of the royal presence. Maintaining order became a frantic task for the Jinwu Guards.
As the Crown Prince took to the field, the atmosphere soared to its peak. The entire field was packed tightly with onlookers, all whispering about which team would emerge victorious.
As everyone knew, Young Marquis Ye’s ball skills were so exquisite that few could rival him, making him the undefeated champion on the Cuju field.
As for the Crown Prince…
Although he rarely played in public, the entire Yanjing had heard of the dazzling feat when, at the age of fifteen, he led only four men to defeat the Uighur horse polo team that had come to challenge Great Yan.
Though three years had passed since that event and the people of Yanjing seldom heard of the Crown Prince dominating the polo field, no one dared to assume he was no match for Young Marquis Ye.
Thus, the entire audience eagerly awaited this thrilling polo match.
Liu Yun was among them, though she had no interest in watching polo.
In Liu Yun’s view, polo was both dangerous and messy. If she were on the field, she would surely be bruised by the colorful ball countless times, not to mention swallowing mouthfuls of dust and dirt.
She was simply there to watch the dazzling Young Marquis Ye.
Lost in her wandering thoughts, the polo match had already begun, boiling over like water on the stove and setting the entire crowd ablaze.
Liu Yun’s gaze followed that striking figure in red, and suddenly, inspiration struck.
For her next book, she knew exactly what story to write!
Author’s Note:
Update
Next chapter on Saturday
Updates might be a bit slower before this story makes the rankings, but once it does, I’ll update more frequently. And from what I can tell, the plot only gets more exciting from here.
The emotional progression goes like this: testing the waters, laying cards on the table, engagement, married life…
Right now, the male lead is still in the testing phase, hehe.
Once they’re officially together, he’ll start letting loose—in a very intense way. Shanbao will be scared out of her wits every day.