Chapter Eighteen: With the Appearance of Crown Princess Xue Yingyue, Xiao Chongheng…
After hearing this, Pei Xuanlin did not answer. He merely looked at Ling Zhenli and handed the choice of whether to accept the challenge to her.
Faced with Pei Chanlian’s aggressive provocation, Ling Zhenli saw clearly that the county princess was deliberately targeting her. Since that was the case, she might as well oblige this arrogant and willful woman.
A mixed-gender pairing—fine. She wanted to see for herself whether Xiao Chongheng and the wife he married were more formidable, or whether she and Pei Xuanlin would prevail.
“Since the county princess extends such a gracious invitation,” Ling Zhenli rose slowly, fixing Pei Chanlian with a cold gaze, the corner of her lips curving into a perfectly measured smile. “Then I shall accompany you.”
Pei Chanlian instantly sensed her dislike—but so what? She disliked Ling Zhenli as well. Who told Xiao Chongheng to disregard propriety, his eyes always drifting toward his imperial sister-in-law?
If she could, Pei Chanlian truly wished she could gouge out his dog eyes.
With Ling Zhenli accepting the challenge, Pei Xuanlin naturally accompanied her. He immediately ordered someone to bring over polo attire.
While changing, Taoxia reminded her softly, “Crown Princess, when you were still unmarried, you did learn horsemanship. I wonder if you—”
“It’s fine.” Ling Zhenli watched as Taoxia fastened the jade belt at her waist and smiled reassuringly. “My riding skills can be considered quite accomplished.”
At this thought, Ling Zhenli’s throat tightened. Her horsemanship had been taught by her late father. Thinking of him only deepened her hatred toward Pei Shen’ai and Xiao Chongheng.
Having changed into her riding clothes, she stepped onto the field and immediately encountered Xiao Chongheng. He stood not far away, staring fixedly at her, as though waiting for her to approach.
Ling Zhenli ignored him completely, pretending not to see him as she walked forward. On the surface she was calm, but inside her emotions churned like stormy seas.
She had shared every intimacy with this man, loved him with all her heart, yet Xiao Chongheng had trampled on her feelings and crushed her dignity underfoot.
Seeing that Ling Zhenli refused to acknowledge him, Xiao Chongheng nonetheless used the pretense of adjusting his saddle to draw close and speak to her, even though people were all around.
“I didn’t expect you to be interested in the hairpin my mother prepared for her daughter-in-law.”
That single sentence struck straight at Ling Zhenli’s sore spot. She had once longed passionately to marry him, willing even to be an unacknowledged concubine—only for him to reject her because of her status.
Thinking of this, Ling Zhenli let out a mirthless laugh.
“Doesn’t your mother already have a daughter-in-law? Why take it out at all? Looking for your next wife? If that’s the case, what’s the point of telling me—why not tell everyone that this is your mother’s gift for your next wife? Oh, and announce that you plan to take a concubine while you’re at it.”
Xiao Chongheng’s face darkened with anger. “That’s not what I meant.”
Ling Zhenli snorted coldly, irritation flashing in her eyes. “You think I wanted to come? It was your wife, County Princess Roujia, who insisted on dragging me and the Crown Prince into this match. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come at all.”
At that moment, the opening drum sounded. Ling Zhenli seized the chance to swing up onto her horse.
Xiao Chongheng, however, realized something was wrong. Pei Chanlian would never have dragged Ling Zhenli into the competition for no reason. It had to be because she had noticed his feelings for Ling Zhenli and wanted to assert her claim.
Then so be it. Let her see clearly—he loved Ling Zhenli.
…
As soon as the match began, Pei Chanlian was the first to seize the ball.
Dressed in crimson riding attire, she galloped like a blazing flame.
Ling Zhenli did not rush to chase her. Instead, she deliberately lagged half a horse behind. Throughout this time, Xiao Chongheng stayed by her side—not blocking her, but rather preventing others from approaching her, as if to keep her from being hurt.
Just as the county princess smugly glanced back, she suddenly realized that Pei Xuanlin had entered the field at some point and was now blocking the passing line.
“Catch!”
With a sharp shout from Pei Xuanlin, the polo ball arced through the air toward Ling Zhenli.
At the moment she swung her mallet, she caught sight of County Princess Roujia’s frustrated, resentful expression, and a secret thrill surged through her.
Bang!
The ball went cleanly into the goal.
Cheers erupted from the sidelines. Ling Zhenli gripped the reins, her face devoid of joy, coldly regarding her defeated opponent—Pei Chanlian, who looked unwilling to accept the loss.
Just now, Xiao Chongheng could have leapt ahead and intercepted the ball himself—but he had not.
Xiao Chongheng, what exactly are you trying to do?
…
After five rounds, Ling Zhenli and Pei Xuanlin had scored two goals. The other three teams each scored one. They emerged victorious.
When the match ended, Ling Zhenli dismounted, exhaling deeply. Only then did she feel a burning pain shoot through her right hand.
She realized that the skin between her thumb and forefinger had split open, blood staining the leather wrapping of the mallet.
Seeing her raise her hand, Pei Xuanlin noticed the injury and hurried over to examine it.
“Quickly, call the imperial physician to bandage it.”
He gave the order, and the attendants moved at once.
“I was too focused during the match—I didn’t even feel the pain,” Ling Zhenli smiled at him, trying to reassure him and ease his worry.
Pei Xuanlin’s eyes were filled with concern. When the physician arrived, he personally applied the medicine, even asking the physician to teach him how to wrap the bandage so he could change it for her after returning to the palace.
“Bring a bag of ice to apply to the Crown Princess’s hand,” Pei Xuanlin added.
Before the words had fully left his mouth, Ling Zhenli shook her head with a smile. “Sanlang, I’m fine. There’s no need to make such a fuss.”
They had barely exchanged a few words when an attendant came to summon Pei Xuanlin.
“Your Highness, the Tibetan envoy has requested a match from the Grand Princess, and she has agreed. She now invites you to attend… The Prince of Huainan has already gone.”
“Very well.”
After reminding Ling Zhenli to take care of her wound, Pei Xuanlin followed the attendant away.
No sooner had he left than Pei Chanlian arrived.
Several palace maids followed behind her, carrying the spoils of victory from the polo match—the pavilion-figure golden hairpin that everyone admired.
She dismissed all the maids, claiming she would personally attend to the Crown Princess, and took the golden hairpin from them, offering it with both hands.
Ling Zhenli wanted to see what she was up to and signaled for her own maids to withdraw as well.
Once everyone had left, a meaningful smile appeared on Pei Chanlian’s face. She set the jade tray holding the hairpin aside and gestured for Ling Zhenli to sit.
“At last, we can sit down and talk properly, face to face.”
Ling Zhenli sat calmly, smiling faintly. “You and I are not acquainted. What is there to discuss?”
“I won’t beat around the bush.” Pei Chanlian’s gaze fixed intently on Ling Zhenli. “If you don’t mind, I would like to personally place this hairpin on you.”
Ling Zhenli remained silent.
Seeing that she did not consent, Pei Chanlian realized that this Crown Princess was not simple-minded—no wonder. Her father, Xue Wenmian, was as cunning as a fox at court. Dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes. Xue Yingyue was certainly no ordinary woman.
“Originally, we could have minded our own business… If we continue to fight, both sides will surely be hurt.”
Ling Zhenli gave a cold laugh, clearly displeased. “I have never quarreled with you, nor do I know you. Why does the county princess speak so?”
“Although I don’t know what past ties you may have had with my husband when you were unmarried, whatever that relationship was, please cease all contact with him. Otherwise, it will damage the bond between the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess.”
Maintaining her smile, Pei Chanlian personally poured Ling Zhenli a cup of wine.
Ling Zhenli accepted the courtesy, taking a sip before replying coolly, “I have never been acquainted with the Duke of Yan, nor do I share any past ties. The county princess worries too much.”
Pei Chanlian smiled, clearly unconvinced.
“Actually, the moment I saw the Crown Princess, I felt an affinity. I would like to become sworn sisters with you.”
It was an obvious attempt at reconciliation. Ling Zhenli paid it little heed and responded perfunctorily, “Mm. From now on, let us treat each other as sisters when we meet—no need for formalities.”
Pei Chanlian clearly saw through her perfunctory tone, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Just saying it sounds rather lacking in sincerity.”
“Sincerity?” Ling Zhenli found her difficult and frowned. “What kind of sincerity does the county princess want?”
“One’s body, hair, and skin are given by one’s parents. Today, I am willing to cut my hair and shed blood as an oath—”
“Roujia, what nonsense are you talking about?”
A stern voice interrupted her abruptly. Pei Chanlian turned back, resentment flashing in her eyes.
Prince Gao’an, Yang Chongzheng, had arrived.
Ling Zhenli narrowed her eyes, realizing that this man had come to back Pei Chanlian.
“Crown Princess, please forgive my younger sister-in-law’s rudeness and recklessness.”
“It’s nothing. It wasn’t a serious matter to begin with.”
Ling Zhenli’s attitude cooled further. Pei Chanlian’s talk of cutting hair and shedding blood was clearly meant to coerce her, assuming she had improper ties with Xiao Chongheng.
“Thank you, Crown Princess, for your magnanimity.”
“I am not being magnanimous,” Ling Zhenli said, tilting her head slightly and letting out a faintly sinister laugh. “Prince Gao’an, please take your sister-in-law back and discipline her properly. If she dares spout such mad words before me again, I will punish her severely.”
“You—” Pei Chanlian flared up, springing to her feet.
Ling Zhenli remained seated, unperturbed, snorting softly. “Why haven’t you taken the county princess away yet? Did you not hear what I said?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Yang Chongzheng signaled to those behind him to quickly pull Pei Chanlian away, then bowed and took his leave as well.
After they were gone, Ling Zhenli finally let out a breath.
Her annoyance was genuine, but she had also been forcing herself to remain calm, afraid of revealing any weakness and exposing her true identity.
As for that hairpin…
“Yingchun, return the hairpin to the Grand Princess and tell her that I wish for her to personally place it on me.”
Ling Zhenli smiled wantonly. With her status today, even if the person she ordered was Princess Wuyang, the woman would have no choice but to comply.
…
When the Grand Princess personally placed the pavilion hairpin on Ling Zhenli, her smile did not reach her eyes. There was a trace of dissatisfaction, though she dared not show it openly.
“This hairpin suits the Crown Princess very well. I never expected that, though you once rarely stepped outside your gates, your riding skills would be so impressive.”
Ling Zhenli smiled faintly, composed and unhurried. She touched the eastern-pearl necklace at her throat and lifted her gaze toward Pei Shen’ai. “The Chancellor’s residence lacked nothing. My father personally taught me horsemanship when I was young. Today, I merely did not disgrace my father’s name.”
As she spoke, she saw County Princess Roujia quarreling with Xiao Chongheng nearby. She did not know what was said, only that Pei Chanlian snapped her lotus-flower fan in anger.
Xiao Chongheng’s gaze fell upon Ling Zhenli once more. For a fleeting moment, their eyes met, and Ling Zhenli was the first to look away.
Pei Shen’ai stood right beside Ling Zhenli and saw both the quarrel between Xiao Chongheng and Pei Chanlian, as well as the glance Xiao Chongheng cast toward Ling Zhenli.
Something was very wrong with Xiao Chongheng lately…
Since the appearance of this Crown Princess Xue Yingyue, he had been even more unsettled…
This capable son, whom she had entrusted with great responsibilities, had only ever had a fleeting affair—a single courtesan from Zuixian Pavilion. She had once intended to eliminate that woman, but feared damaging the bond between mother and son.
When she later inquired again, the woman had already been redeemed from the brothel, and her good son did not know her whereabouts and was searching for her. Pei Shen’ai then instructed her people to tell Xiao Chongheng that the woman had been executed.
In truth, even Pei Shen’ai did not know where the woman had gone.
At this thought, a realization struck her. Cold sweat broke out instantly, and she dared not think further.
Ling Zhenli knew it was unwise to remain any longer and took the initiative to ask her leave. Pei Shen’ai also sensed the sensitive tension between this Crown Princess and her son Xiao Chongheng, and so personally arranged for someone to escort Ling Zhenli back to her seat to rest.