Ji Cheng followed the Shen family’s young ladies to the eastern viewing stand. To the north was Emperor Jianping, the palace consorts, and accompanying ministers. The other three sides were already packed with spectators.
“It’s so lively. Everyone seems to love watching polo,” Ji Cheng remarked. Though polo was played in Jin territory, especially by the Hu people living there, it was usually on a much smaller scale. Ji Cheng had played a few times with her brothers but couldn’t say she was particularly fond of it.
However, the enthusiasm for polo in the capital far exceeded Ji Cheng’s expectations. The crowd around the polo field was even larger than the one at the dragon boat races earlier. The men who had grown impatient watching the dragon boat races from the colorful tents had all moved to the polo field.
Before Shen Cui could answer Ji Cheng, Shen Qin chimed in, “Of course! Polo requires not only excellent horsemanship but also physical agility. To win, you need a sharp mind for strategy too. The late Emperor said that in times of peace, men tend to become lazy. Polo kept them from growing idle, so the late Emperor greatly promoted it. For the past decade or so, every polo match in the capital has been a grand event.”
Ji Cheng nodded. Given the imperial family’s emphasis on the sport, it was understandable that polo had become so popular.
“That’s exactly right,” Shen Cui, who hadn’t been able to interject earlier, quickly added. “In the tenth year of Tianyou, envoys from Anxi came to compete in polo with our kingdom. We weren’t familiar with polo then, so naturally, we couldn’t win. After that, the late Emperor ordered the establishment of the royal polo team, and that’s when polo became fashionable here.”
“In recent years, we’ve had both wins and losses in matches against foreign envoys. Everyone’s quite determined now,” Shen Yuan chimed in, demonstrating how familiar the people of the capital were with polo matches.
Shen Qin excitedly said, “Speaking of our glorious moments in recent years, it was when my Second Brother took to the field. He utterly defeated the Anxi players.”
“But Second Brother doesn’t play polo anymore,” Shen Cui added regretfully.
“Why is that?” Su Yun and Lu Yuan asked simultaneously.
Shen Yuan smiled without speaking, while Shen Cui quickly explained, “Second Brother was only fourteen when he took to the field and led our kingdom’s polo team to sweep the Anxi envoys. That year, I remember there were also envoys from Jingju, Yanqi, and Tuhuoluo – all defeated by our kingdom. Second Brother became famous overnight. As a result, he could barely walk down the street without being pelted by fruits and handkerchiefs from young ladies. He’d return home with a basketful every time he went out. After that, he never played polo in public again.”
Shen Che’s achievements were indeed impressive. Although he only played for a year, his prowess had left a deep impression. As Shen Che’s sister, Shen Qin naturally had to be modest on his behalf since he wasn’t present. “It’s not that remarkable. Our Eldest Brother is excellent too.”
” Sister Yuan?” Su Yun looked up at Shen Yuan.
Shen Yuan nodded. Shen Yu’s polo skills were also refined. Before Shen Che, he had always been the most dazzling player on the polo team. Later, he stopped playing polo and went to the border. When the Anxi envoys came to challenge, Shen Che took to the field. The reason Shen Che could replace Shen Yu as the idol in everyone’s hearts was partly due to his handsome face.
Throughout history, those blessed with good looks seemed to have many advantages. Ancient beauties like Pan An and Wei Jie didn’t have much to be praised for, but because they were handsome men, they are still remembered today. How many ancient heroes can remain in the public’s memory for hundreds of years?
As they were talking, the two teams for the polo match began to line up and enter the field.
The royal polo team, selected from the elite of the imperial guards, wore black and was called the Ming Army team. The opposing team, composed of sons from official families, was called the Red Ministers team and wore red.
As the two teams entered the field, the atmosphere became lively. Spectators around the field couldn’t sit still, standing on tiptoes to see their favorite players.
After a drum roll, the two sides greeted each other, and the match officially began. At exciting moments, everyone couldn’t help but stand up and cheer; during tense moments, they clenched their fists and held their breath.
The Shen family’s young ladies all had their side to support, so they were fully invested in the game. Ji Cheng and Su Yun, being newcomers, didn’t know who to support, so they managed to maintain some calmness.
“This isn’t even the liveliest or most exciting polo match,” Shen Yuan said to Ji Cheng. “With the Emperor and the imperial consorts watching, these two teams are somewhat putting on a show. After the autumn harvest, we should go watch the matches of the civilian polo clubs. Those are truly spectacular.”
“That’s right. I love Qiu Xiaoshuang from the Blue Apple Club. His ‘golden rooster standing on one leg’ and ‘carp leap’ techniques are incredibly impressive,” Shen Qin’s eyes lit up as she talked about civilian polo matches.
“I like the Peach Blossom Club,” Shen Cui said.
Shen Yuan added, “I think the Great Drum Club has been doing well these past two years.”
The three sisters each supported a different team, which suggested how lively future polo-watching gatherings would be.
As they were talking, it was time for the halftime break. A palace orchestra and palace dancers came out to perform. The music was “Prince of Qin Breaking Through the Enemy Lines,” which made people’s blood boil with excitement as if they wanted to charge onto the battlefield themselves.
After the performance, even Ji Cheng couldn’t help but applaud.
However, Shen Qin said disinterestedly, “This is nothing. Cousin Cheng, you must watch the civilian club matches. The halftime performances there are truly spectacular. Every year, countless people fight for the chance to show off during the halftime break.”
Ji Cheng was completely unaware of such events.
“A few years ago, Fourth Sister won the title of the Capital’s Number One Beauty because she got the opportunity to perform at the central arena,” Shen Qin said.
Ji Cheng was stunned. Although customs had become more open, the idea of well-bred ladies dancing in public for entertainment was still somewhat inconceivable. However, in the capital, it seemed that nothing was too outrageous when it came to polo.
Seeing Ji Cheng’s astonished expression, Shen Yuan explained, “The civilian polo clubs have formed an alliance called the Seven Treasures League. Every year before the autumn harvest, they select various halftime performances. Originally, this was to boost morale, but now it has become a venue for everyone to showcase their talents. Men compete in polo matches, while we ladies compete in the halftime performances. Getting the chance to perform in the finals is a big deal.”
As for why the polo alliance was called the Seven Treasures League, it was because the polo balls were decorated with colorful patterns, so people also called them ‘colored balls’ or ‘seven treasures balls,’ hence the name of the league.
After finishing her explanation, Shen Yuan lowered her voice and whispered in Ji Cheng’s ear, “If you could go up and perform, suitors would probably wear out your doorstep. If you’re interested, you can start preparing now. I heard Wang Yueniang is determined to participate this year.”
Ji Cheng remained noncommittal about this. She hadn’t given it any thought yet, and it wasn’t wise to act rashly. Performing in public wasn’t something that suited Ji Cheng’s personality.
The Dragon Boat Festival had been bustling all day, and with the hot weather, everyone was exhausted by the time they returned to the Shen mansion. However, Ji Lan still insisted on talking with Ji Cheng.
“Ah, the Wang family has prospered now. With Consort Shu in the palace looking after them, they’ve gone from being nobodies to people everyone has to respect,” Ji Lan sighed.
“Mother, did you see the robe Consort Shu wore today?” Shen Cui interjected. “It was a style I’ve never seen before. It’s too late to have one made now, but I’m sure everyone will have one by next summer. By then, it’ll just be Consort Shu’s hand-me-downs.”
Ji Lan tapped Shen Cui’s forehead and said, “Why can’t you grow up? What’s so special about wearing a certain robe? In the future, if Consort Shu’s eldest prince inherits the throne, that would be a real success. Then, what couldn’t you have? It’s not just about a piece of clothing.” Ji Lan then looked at Ji Cheng, “Cheng, don’t you think I’m right?”
Ji Cheng smiled, “It’s just that there are very few women in this world who can be as fortunate as Consort Shu. Ordinary people shouldn’t aspire to such things.”
Ji Lan didn’t expect Ji Cheng to understand everything in such a short time. Young girls were always like this, full of romantic notions about marriage. Only after enduring the torment of mothers-in-law and sisters-in-law would they understand the importance of status and power, and realize that love was nonsense.
So Ji Lan also smiled, “Consort Shu is indeed fortunate. But even before she entered the palace, she was known for being petty and vindictive. Anyone who offends her is sure to suffer.” Ji Lan gave Ji Cheng another meaningful look.
Ji Cheng had likely caught Consort Shu’s attention today. Fourth Miss Wang and Wang Yueniang must have mentioned her, and Ji Cheng’s beauty alone was enough to offend Consort Shu. Ji Lan’s words weren’t purely meant to scare Ji Cheng.
Given Ji Cheng’s current abilities, she could only hope that Consort Shu wouldn’t have the time to cause her trouble, or that she wouldn’t even consider such a small figure worth her attention.
After frightening Ji Cheng, Ji Lan took her hand and said, “But this isn’t a big deal. Consort Shu is getting older, and her charms will fade sooner or later. Didn’t Noble Consort Huang just emerge to rival her? In the future, if a fresher face wins the Emperor’s favor, even though the eldest prince has the advantage of being the firstborn, he’s not the son of the principal wife. Consort Shu’s future is uncertain.”
Ji Cheng thought Ji Lan’s daydreams were too unrealistic. Why would Ji Cheng be able to become the Empress when Consort Shu couldn’t? It was just a dream.
Ji Cheng stopped responding, only nodding and making noncommittal sounds.
Seeing that Ji Cheng was unresponsive, Ji Lan lost interest in talking and sent her to rest.
That night, Ji Cheng thought about the day’s events and felt troubled. She couldn’t understand why her aunt was so ambitious, insisting that she enter the palace to become a consort. Even if, against all odds, she became the Empress Dowager in the future, she would inevitably harbor some resentment towards Ji Lan for this pressure. It wouldn’t be easy for Ji Lan to gain any benefits from her then.
Wouldn’t it be better if everyone was happy? If her aunt helped her, Ji Cheng wouldn’t ungrateful and would naturally repay the kindness. But with Ji Lan scheming like this, Ji Cheng felt uncomfortable. However, they were still relatives with emotional ties, and Ji Cheng didn’t want to use underhanded tactics against Ji Lan. So she decided to have a detailed discussion with Ji Lan the next day.