Polo had two types of play: single and double goal. Jiangzuo favored double goal, while Northern Wei favored single goal, which was more intense than the former.

This polo match was three against three. Northern Wei’s side had Gu Juhan and Liu Shaotang, son of Marquis Juanling. To appear somewhat fair, they reluctantly added a civil official to make up numbers—a sixth-rank young official named Jia Lu. Great Liang’s side had Qi Ying and a Privy Council subordinate official named Qian Miao. Since they really couldn’t find anyone else, they had Bai Song fill the third position.

The sudden appearance of these legendary ministers of the chaotic world, known only in rumors as “Southern Qi, Northern Gu,” inevitably stirred the hearts of all the guests under the pavilions. Young General Gu had always been Northern Wei’s famous handsome man, his sword-like brows and starry eyes historically attracting female admirers. Who would have expected that Great Liang’s Qi Jingchen would also be so handsome—elegant and distinguished, profound as a deity, with mountains and rivers between his brows far exceeding worldly praise. Especially those magnificent phoenix eyes, noble and precious, carrying a completely different aura from Young General Gu. Seeing these two confronting each other on horseback truly made the ladies quite unable to control themselves. Fortunately, Northern Wei’s customs were open, preventing the behavior of wives and young ladies from appearing too improper.

With a “bang,” the wooden ball was struck high into the air by the polo mallet. On the field, fine horses neighed and drums thundered like rolling thunder, and this unique polo match opened its curtain.

This polo match was truly played beautifully.

Northern Wei’s side naturally needn’t be mentioned. Young General Gu came from a military family, his horsemanship skills divine and mysterious. His divine steed was spiritually connected, seeming to understand its master’s intentions, requiring no control from Gu Juhan as it naturally galloped alone on the field, almost racing faster than the ball itself. Even more spectacular was Young General Gu’s polo technique—that mallet was long and heavy, yet in his hands it was light and flexible. Whenever he aimed and swung, the wooden ball would inevitably respond and enter the goal. Every strike hit its mark, continuously drawing cheers from the sidelines.

Great Liang’s side displayed a different kind of beauty.

That envoy was a civil official, born and bred aristocracy. When he played such rough activities as polo, it actually appeared quite noble and elegant, like leisurely strolling through a courtyard while riding to seek flowers.

Compared to Young General Gu’s impressive display, this envoy appeared very quiet, without any miraculous techniques that drew cheers, but excelling in clever play. He grasped the subtleties of striking and passing the ball extremely delicately, always intentionally or unintentionally making the ball pass between the Wei ministers’ horses or landing precisely at the horses’ feet. Liu Shaotang and Jia Lu frequently collided their mallets because of this, and Gu Juhan’s Ruochi was also constantly tripped by balls underfoot, unable to run smoothly, giving Bai Song opportunities.

Bai Song’s martial skills were also extremely outstanding—in terms of pure ability, he probably wasn’t inferior to Gu Juhan. Having served Qi Ying for many years, their understanding was naturally extraordinary. Once the Wei ministers showed any gaps, he would seize the moment and move, rarely missing when swinging his mallet. Though disadvantaged by his inferior horse, after most of the match he was actually not far behind—it could be considered evenly matched.

Gu Juhan had originally thought that the Liang ministers weren’t proper military officials and their horses were all inferior, so he didn’t want to get serious with them. But as the game progressed, he kept feeling constrained by an invisible net. That sensation of being controlled on the battlefield returned, inevitably stirring his temper and making him serious.

Qi Ying also sensed Gu Juhan’s change.

He wasn’t naturally competitive, and had learned to hide his edge since youth. Except for national affairs, he rarely thought of competing with others. But that day, he was rarely stirred to competitiveness by Gu Juhan. Both became serious, making the match increasingly difficult to determine.

Emperor Wei had originally intended to embarrass the Great Liang people, but watching such an exhilarating match made his blood boil, so he actively arranged to change horses for the Liang ministers.

Once the horses were changed, the situation on the field became even more evenly matched. The Liang ministers had been behind by several points, but now gradually caught up. Southern Qi and Northern Gu fully opened up on the field, playing with satisfaction and enjoyment until a stick of incense burned out without determining a winner.

Now not only were the two players unsatisfied, but even the spectators below couldn’t be content, all shouting for the two officials to play another round. Emperor Wei was the first to join the commotion, nearly issuing an imperial decree to force it.

Fortunately, both officials were already inclined to continue, so they got off the field to drink some water before returning, raising dust and continuous cheers, becoming lively again.

Unfortunately, even until the end that day, the two still couldn’t determine a winner.

After the first match ended in a draw, both sides alternated victories and defeats, all small wins. Coming and going for half a day without results, yet still letting the spectators below watch with great satisfaction. Emperor Wei was the same, happily hosting a banquet. At the great hall feast, he repeatedly expressed regret, saying that if the Privy Councilor came to Northern Wei again next time, he must have another match with Wenruo to resolve today’s regret.

Qi Ying only smiled and agreed.

At the banquet, cups and vessels were exchanged, but Qi Ying and Gu Juhan sat far apart. Qi Ying’s side was surrounded by people and couldn’t break away, so they could only raise cups to each other from afar to show respect.

In their nodding exchanges, Qi Ying saw the coldness around Gu Juhan—only Young General Liu Shaotang sat beside him, with few others approaching to toast him. Gu Juhan sat alone there with no expression on his face, but his eyes appeared downcast.

The Gu family was truly on the verge of losing power.

In the Battle of Jianshan Pass, the old Duke was wounded. Though the injury wasn’t very serious, it was quite difficult for an elderly person to endure. Especially since he had never suffered such a great defeat in his lifetime of military service, that battle also crushed his spirit. It was said that after withdrawing from the battlefield, he fell ill and remained bedridden, still not having returned to court.

With the old Duke down and Gu Juhan not yet having inherited the title, his position in court became awkward.

Though Young General Gu had outstanding achievements, he still lived in his father’s shadow—a reality difficult for sons of high-ranking noble families to avoid. As long as he didn’t truly surpass his father, he couldn’t replace him in court, and could only watch helplessly as the Gu family declined more and more until it turned to nothing.

But how could Young General Gu surpass the old Duke? There was already a treaty between north and south promising no warfare for ten years. Without military campaigns, what could Gu Juhan rely on to turn things around? The path for military families was actually very narrow.

Qi Ying silently took everything in, his heart calm and undisturbed, yet feeling slight regret.

Gu Wenruo.

He was indeed a person of stunning talent, with the spirit to pacify the four seas when wielding his sword on horseback. Most rare was his upright nature, sufficient to bear the heavy responsibility of defending the mountains and rivers. If he met a wise ruler, he would absolutely not sink into court quagmires as he was now, but would become the nation’s sword and halberd.

If they served in the same court, they might become friends who could confide in each other.

It was just a pity they were destined to be enemies. Qi Ying would only watch the Gu family sink and would never extend a helping hand.

Let this martial star sink like this.

On the twenty-third day of the second month in the first year of Jiahe, the Liang envoys bid farewell to Emperor Wei and returned south.

All the Great Liang envoys were in high spirits and glowing with health. Having successfully completed the peace talks, what awaited them upon returning to court would naturally be promotions and boundless glory.

But happier than all the officials was Shen Xiling.

With major matters concluded, she could finally… elope with Qi Ying.

This truly made her extremely excited. From the moment she left the envoy’s guest quarters and got into the carriage, she was so thrilled her little face turned bright red, her beautiful eyes extremely bright, pulling at Qi Ying’s sleeves and chattering endlessly.

Once they left Shangjing’s territory, she became even more delighted, like a little sparrow released from its cage, impatiently asking Qi Ying when they would depart.

Qi Ying smiled and touched her hair, saying in her ear: “No rush, we’ll leave after your birthday passes.”

Shen Xiling was stunned, only then remembering that tomorrow was her birthday.

Even she had forgotten this matter, yet he still remembered, and at such an important time.

Shen Xiling looked at Qi Ying with emotion, wanting to speak but stopping, and only after a long while did she calm her emotions, pulling at him and saying: “There’s no need for this—I’m not a child anymore, I don’t have to celebrate birthdays…”

But he smiled, pinching her little face and answering: “I’ve already made arrangements. We’ll depart when we reach Jizhou—someone will be there to receive us.”

Jizhou.

That was originally Northern Wei territory, ceded to Great Liang in this peace agreement. It was currently in a rather chaotic period of transition between old and new, making it easy to fish in troubled waters. They needed to depart from north of the river—otherwise, once they returned to Jiangzuo, everything wouldn’t be so easy.

Shen Xiling didn’t know that Qi Ying had already arranged everything silently. At this moment she only felt at ease, and simultaneously even more excited, only hoping the delegation would travel faster and faster, arriving in Jizhou the next moment. How could she have the mind for any birthday?

Qi Ying saw her impatience and gently held her to comfort her, his voice quite low as he said: “Last year on your birthday… it didn’t go well. This year I’ll definitely compensate you.”

Shen Xiling blinked upon hearing this.

Last year.

Last year was her coming-of-age ceremony. During that time he was ignoring her and wholeheartedly wanted to marry her to someone else. She had recklessly revealed her feelings to him only to receive his cold face, making her cry for several days before and after, simply heartbroken. It had indeed been terrible.

So he still remembered these things in his heart, so he had always been thinking of compensating her.

Shen Xiling became happy, looking at him with pursed lips, secretly developing thoughts of taking advantage of him. After thinking, she said to him somewhat playfully: “Then how does Young Master plan to compensate me?”

He looked down at her, his phoenix eyes like tempered steel, the same as when they first met over four years ago. Only then his eyes had been frosted, but now they had melted into a handful of spring water, looking at her with boundless tenderness.

He said: “How do you want me to?”

Shen Xiling became slightly intoxicated in his tender gaze, feeling that life was wonderful. Even the currently somewhat noisy rumbling of carriage wheels sounded pleasant. She was somewhat coquettish, thinking before leaning close to his ear and saying: “…I want the authority to manage the household from now on. I want to have the final say in everything at home.”

When she said the word “home,” her eyes were especially bright, hiding countless hopes within, and extremely tender. Qi Ying smiled, reaching out to scratch her nose and scolding her: “So power-hungry?”

The young lady giggled and pushed him, coquettishly complaining: “I am greedy—will Young Master give it or not?”

When she asked him for things, how could he not give them?

He would give her whatever she wanted.

Qi Ying smiled and kissed her eyelashes, answering: “Give, I’ll give you everything.”

The young lady became even happier and began asking Qi Ying about his arrangements, asking where their future home would be—whether it would be among famous mountains and great rivers surrounded by white clouds, like the hermit dwellings described in books? Or simply hidden in the city, right in the bustling marketplace?

With major matters settled, Qi Ying also felt relaxed in his heart and began discussing plans for their future days with her. The two exchanged tender words endlessly.

But that evening at the post station, Qi Ying received a family letter from Jiangzuo.

In an instant, burning all of this to ashes.

Author’s Note:

The core of Volume Three is coming, and this volume is also nearing its end—probably about four chapters left. The upcoming segments might be a bit turbulent, but honestly I’m not very good at writing angst, just ordinary straightforward narration, very mild in viewing experience~

Thank you everyone for your comments. Besides gratitude, I don’t know what else to say… I hope everyone’s finals go well, you eat more without gaining weight, get rich on the spot, and let me give you early New Year wishes—thank you all!