The polo match hosted by Zhou Wang’s household wasn’t held at the main residence, but at a separate estate located outside the city.
No matter how grand a capital residence was, building a polo field in the city would be a bit too much to ask.
But outside the city, it was a different story.
The polo field of Zhou Wang’s estate was massive. Tiered seating surrounded it, rising from low to high, allowing spectators from all directions to clearly see the action on the field.
When Second Madam Qi arrived with Qi Yuan, things had not yet become lively. She first brought Qi Yuan to greet Zhou Wangfei.
Zhou Wangfei was extremely busy. In truth, the reason she had sent an invitation to the Qi family was simply to give face to her cousin, the wife of the shizi to Duke Chu. She had no reason to lower herself and personally engage with someone like Qi Yuan.
So after Second Madam Qi performed her greeting, Zhou Wangfei didn’t even look closely at Qi Yuan before smiling and saying, “The girls are all at the Peach Blossom Wall in the Courtyard in the back. Let this little girl go join them. We’ll stay here and enjoy the performance.”
Her own daughter, Commandery Princess Luochuan, was participating in the match this time, so she was particularly attentive.
Second Madam Qi smiled politely and replied, “Wangfei, my niece has only recently returned to the capital and doesn’t know any of the noble ladies very well…”
Before Zhou Wangfei could respond, Duchess Chu, Madam Liu, entered and laughed, “It’s exactly because she doesn’t know them that she should go and mingle. Relationships are built through interaction, aren’t they?”
Zhou Wangfei lightly furrowed her brow and agreed, “That’s true. Besides, we’re here in the front courtyard watching performances—it wouldn’t be appropriate for a young girl to stay with us.”
That was the downside of coming to a polo match.
Everyone present was from the capital’s most prestigious noble families or high-ranking officials. Their children all knew one another. Even though they each had their own cliques, they were generally familiar with each other.
The noble ladies were the same. Even if they didn’t all get along, there was always someone within the circle they could socialize with. And with comparable backgrounds and status, they interacted with ease.
But Qi Yuan…
Second Madam Qi looked at her nervously.
Sensing her aunt’s concern, Qi Yuan gave her a reassuring smile. “Auntie, I’ll go have a look at the Peach Blossom Wall then.”
Seeing her agree so readily, Second Madam Qi had no choice but to suppress her unease and reminded her, “Observe more, speak less.”
It really was nerve-wracking. Second Madam Qi couldn’t help but worry. Those noble ladies were all arrogant beyond reason—who knew if Qi Yuan’s presence would offend them?
But Madam Liu had already summoned a maid to lead Qi Yuan to the back.
Second Madam Qi could only brace herself and begin socializing.
At the Peach Blossom Wall, the young ladies were all dressed in riding gear, spirited and poised, chattering away about this year’s polo tournament.
Commandery Princess Luochuan and Commandery Princess Xianning were surrounded by several titled county princesses, chatting with Liu Mingzhu. “The prize this year,” Commandery Princess Luochuan said, “My father said it’s an exceptional Ferghana horse! Victory is mine!”
Liu Mingzhu, dressed in bright red riding gear, was polishing her polo mallet. At those words, she burst out laughing.
Commandery Princess Luochuan’s expression darkened. “What are you laughing at?!”
As Xiao Yunting had mentioned, even play among noble ladies was defined by strict social cliques.
Although Commandery Princess Luochuan and Liu Mingzhu were technically cousins through their mothers, Commandery Princess Luochuan clearly believed herself a cut above the daughters of military nobility like Liu Mingzhu.
However, Liu Mingzhu wasn’t like the others—she never bowed and scraped to Commandery Princess Luochuan. On the contrary, she excelled in everything and always challenged her.
Even in polo, the two were rivals.
This year’s match was their first time formally competing as adults, and the teams had long been divided.
Now, Liu Mingzhu’s unrestrained laugh felt like deliberate provocation to Commandery Princess Luochuan.
With a faint smile, Liu Mingzhu said, “Defeat me? Your Highness, if you want to beat me… you might have to get past someone else first.”
Her expression calm, her tone teasing, she added, “I hear the eldest daughter of the Yongping Marquis’ household was personally trained by Her Highness the Eldest Princess. Her riding skills are unmatched. If Your Highness can beat her, I’ll concede right now—how about that?”
The Eldest Princess had once been a polo champion. Even her brothers, Zhou Wang and Wu Wang, couldn’t beat her.
So at Liu Mingzhu’s words, Commandery Princess Luochuan frowned. “Who?!”
She’d never even heard of this person.
Just then, Qi Yuan stepped through the gate and paused, looking up—only to meet Liu Mingzhu’s gaze.
Liu Mingzhu haughtily lifted her chin, shooting Qi Yuan a glance full of disdain before turning away.
Then she turned to Commandery Princess Luochuan, still half-smiling, and pointed directly at Qi Yuan. “Her. The eldest daughter of the Yongping Marquis. When she returned to the capital, Her Highness personally accompanied her.”
Commandery Princess Luochuan’s face turned purple.
She had gone to Mount Baiyun so many times but had never once seen the Eldest Princess.
Her mother had told her repeatedly: if she could convince the Eldest Princess to descend the mountain, her status in Emperor Yongchang’s heart would rise.
Her father had said the same—that the Eldest Princess not only excelled in polo but loved children. If Commandery Princess Luochuan could win her favor…
But the Eldest Princess had never spared her a glance.
And this girl? This girl had been personally mentored by her aunt?
Who did she think she was?!
Even though Commandery Princess Luochuan knew it was a provocation, she couldn’t stop herself from raising her riding crop and barking, “Do you dare compete with me?!”
Compete?
Qi Yuan glanced at Liu Mingzhu, then at Luochuan. She instantly understood Liu Mingzhu’s intention.
If she beat Commandery Princess Luochuan, she’d become Commandery Princess Luochuan’s eternal enemy.
But if she lost, she’d be a laughingstock among the capital’s noble daughters.
Everyone would ridicule her, and she’d never be able to gain a foothold in this circle.
Such tactics were indeed childish—but often, the harm from children was the most direct and unforgiving.
Amid all the curious and expectant gazes, Qi Yuan slowly curled her lips into a smile. Then she calmly turned her head and pointed at Liu Mingzhu.
“Your Highness, please allow me to compete with Miss Liu first.”
What?
Commandery Princess Luochuan’s face twisted: “You look down on me, Commandery Princess Luochuan?!”
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