"Chutang," the Eldest Princess said with a smile, her gaze falling on Ye Yunfeng, "I heard your fourth brother took first place in both Imperial Archery disciplines during the recent monthly exams at the Imperial College? Why don’t we have him go up and play a bit later?"
Ye Chutang withdrew her gaze.
’A Feng has long been curious about this polo match, so letting him try wouldn’t be a bad idea.’
Besides, even without the Eldest Princess’s invitation, his scores from the Imperial College’s monthly exams were more than enough to qualify him to play.
Ye Chutang’s eyes curved into a smile. "A Feng, hurry and thank the Eldest Princess."
Knowing his sister had agreed, Ye Yunfeng’s face lit up with unconcealable excitent. He stood and bowed formally. "Yun Feng thanks the Eldest Princess!"
The more the Eldest Princess looked at the young man, the more pleased she was.
"Feng Zhang has praised you quite a bit. When you get on the field later, show everyone what you’re made of."
Brimming with youthful bravado, Ye Yunfeng imdiately accepted and, led by a palace attendant, went down to the side of the field.
Murong Ye, who had just changed his clothes and was preparing to mount his horse, caught sight of Ye Yunfeng striding over. His eyelid twitched violently.
’Why is this Ye Yunfeng everywhere? I can’t seem to shake him!’
Ye Yunfeng shot him a smile and a raised eyebrow, then walked over to the opposing team.
He was the youngest of the group and this was his first formal appearance, but the news that he had beaten Murong Ye in the last monthly exam had already spread among the young masters of the Capital’s noble families.
So, upon seeing him now, many were quite curious.
The polo teams were self-organized, so friends usually grouped together. The team Ye Yunfeng joined, in particular, was full of people who had long disliked Murong Ye, so their attitude toward Ye Yunfeng was naturally much friendlier.
Ye Yunfeng had an outgoing personality and quickly fit right in with them. Soone even handed him a polo mallet and explained the rules of the ga.
The Eldest Princess couldn’t help but glance again at the siblings: Xiao Wu, who was sitting obediently and eating pastries; the scholarly and reserved Ye Jingyan, a model of a proper gentleman; and Ye Chutang, who had been calm, composed, and gentle from the very beginning.
’These four siblings have personalities as different as night and day, yet each has their own charm. It’s hard not to like them.’
’It’s a wonder how a fourteen-year-old Ye Chutang managed to survive while raising her three younger siblings, and how she raised them to be so outstanding.’
Just then, Princess Qinyang arrived.
Seeing Ye Chutang seated right next to the Eldest Princess, her face lit up with pleasant surprise, and she quickened her pace.
"I knew the Eldest Princess was the best! She specially arranged for us to sit together!"
With King Yan Nan away from the Capital, Princess Qinyang naturally stayed close to the Eldest Princess.
Ye Chutang studied her and asked in a warm voice, "Just now, you seed a little upset, Princess Qinyang?"
When Princess Qinyang had walked over, her pretty face was slightly downcast and her lips were pressed together, her mood obvious.
Had anyone else asked, Princess Qinyang most likely would have ignored them, but this was Ye Chutang, who was naturally different.
She shook her head. "It’s nothing. It’s just that Consort Rong is still unwell. I had hoped she would co today, but the Imperial Physician said she needs to rest quietly and can’t be exposed to the wind, so we had to abandon the idea."
As she spoke, she glanced at Xiao Chengxuan in the distance. Her brows furrowed, and she lowered her voice, "I suppose the Noble Consort and her son will be stealing the show again today."
Ye Chutang followed her gaze. "Oh?"
Princess Qinyang huffed and lifted her chin. "That one over there, see him? The Second Prince, Xiao Chengxuan. His mother is the currently most favored Consort Ru."
The Empress was the Emperor’s first wife, but she tragically died during a difficult childbirth while delivering the Eldest Prince. Because of this, the Eldest Prince was not favored by the Emperor and died before he reached the age of ten.
Consort Ru enjoys unending imperial favor, and the Second Prince is intelligent, quick-witted, and skilled in both literary and martial arts, making him the strongest contender for the position of Crown Prince.
Consort Rong is the Third Prince’s birth mother, but she is of humble origins and chronically ill. Although the Third Prince is also exceptionally capable, he ultimately lacks power and influence, putting him a step behind.
There is also a Fourth Prince, who fell from a horse as a child and was left with a la leg, leaving him with no chance to contend for the throne.
The Second and Third Princes have been fighting, both openly and in secret, for a long ti, and the undercurrents are already turbulent.
Ye Chutang nodded in understanding. "I see. So, Princess, you ca early today to enter the palace and visit Consort Rong first?"
"Yes! Consort Rong has always treated very well! Oh, you might not know this, but once, the Eldest Princess was injured and unconscious with a high fever, and she watched over her for two days and two nights! It’s only because of her poor health these past few years that she hasn’t visited the Long Princess Mansion as often."
Princess Qinyang sounded quite regretful as she ntioned this.
Ye Chutang’s mind raced.
’These are old stories. Soone who wasn’t close to them wouldn’t necessarily know.’
She lifted her gaze slightly and glanced at Shen Yanchuan, who was sitting diagonally opposite her.
’So the Eldest Princess and Consort Rong share such a history. In that case, the people who tried to assassinate Shen Yanchuan back in Jiangling...’
As if sensing her gaze, Shen Yanchuan turned to look over.
Ye Chutang lowered her eyes, hiding the storm of thoughts within them.
’Perhaps... besides helping with Xiao Wu, Shen Yanchuan might have other uses?’
...
Shen Yanchuan put down his cup and leaned back.
Xie Anbai had just managed to get rid of Xie Yulin. The mont he returned, he saw Shen Yanchuan’s pensive expression and paused.
"...Is there sothing wrong with ?" Xie Anbai asked, a little uncertain.
Shen Yanchuan didn’t even spare him a glance.
"Not right now, but there might be once Marquis Zhongyong arrives."
Xie Anbai was speechless. "..."
’Listen to that. How vicious can you get? What kind of thing is that to say?’
"Then what are you plotting over there?" Xie Anbai retreated a step, flicking his fan open with a SWISH.
Every ti Shen Yanchuan wore that expression, he knew soone was about to be drawn into his sches.
But Shen Yanchuan just smiled.
"It’s not that I’m plotting sothing."
He raised an eyebrow.
"It’s that soone is sizing up."
...
When Han Yao arrived at the polo field, the first thing he did was look toward Ye Heng and the others.
His father had been busy preparing for the polo match and the palace banquet, so Han Yao was very familiar with the seating arrangents.
But he didn’t see Ye Chutang.
Han Yao paused. "Where is she?"
A servant reminded him in a low voice, "Young Master, look over there—"
Han Yao turned and stared, only to see that Ye Chutang was actually right next to the Eldest Princess!
His eyes widened in shock.
’What is going on?’
’How could Ye Chutang—’
Before he could figure it out, a cry of pain suddenly ca from behind him to his right, imdiately followed by the thunder of hooves!
Han Yao subconsciously looked back and saw a horse that had suddenly broken free of its reins, galloping rapidly in their direction!
’Damn it! The horse is spooked!’
The thought flashed through his mind, and Han Yao imdiately pulled his servant in front of him as a shield while quickly retreating!
The servant didn’t have ti to react before the horse slamd him to the ground and trampled right over him!
SPURT—!
The servant violently spat out a mouthful of blood, his chest caved in!
Influenced by the impact, the horse changed direction and galloped madly toward where the Eldest Princess and the others were seated!
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