Zhou Ziqin’s Little Xia was gentle-natured, and in a moment of distraction, it was kicked by a black horse from the Defense Command. Little Xia jumped sideways in pain, nearly throwing Zhou Ziqin off.

“How despicable! Who targets another person’s horse?” Zhou Ziqin shouted.

Huang Zixia, who was defending, heard Zhou Ziqin’s cry and instinctively glanced his way.

But Wang Yun, her opponent, completely ignored those fighting for the ball nearby and drove his horse straight at her in a violent charge.

Brushing Sand was well-trained. The moment the other horse charged, it reared up on its hind legs, using them as support to pivot half a body length to the right, barely avoiding the collision.

Yet as their horses crossed paths, Wang Yun drew incredibly close to Brushing Sand’s side.

Almost no one noticed them. The spectators were cheering as Prince E Li Run cut across diagonally, striking the ball from Prince Consort Wei Baoheng’s mallet and sending it flying to the other side of the field.

Everyone’s eyes followed the ball as it soared across half the field, where Zhou Ziqin climbed back onto his horse while Zhang Xingying suddenly came to his senses and chased after the ball toward the undefended goal.

Amid the intense atmosphere, only Li Shubai’s gaze fell on the other side of the field, where Wang Yun and Huang Zixia’s horses were pressed close together by the unattended goal.

Huang Zixia urged Brushing Sand forward, turning to leave.

But Wang Yun spurred his horse to catch up, staying half a horse-length behind her, so close that even in the commotion, she could hear his lowered voice from behind: “I heard my fiancée Huang Zixia’s polo skills were unmatched in Shu.”

Huang Zixia hesitated, pulling on the reins.

Cheers erupted as Zhang Xingying’s shot went straight into the goal.

Wang Yun seemed not to notice the game’s outcome. His voice came from behind her, so calm it was almost cold, “You see, with the field in such chaos, it would be so simple for an accident to happen. If I’m not careful, your hair might come loose, or…”

His gaze fell on her face, where sweat-dampened hair clung to her skin. The layer of yellow powder she’d applied had been made uneven by sweat, making her look dust-covered, though one could faintly see the smooth, delicate skin beneath.

“…or perhaps carelessly tear your outer garments?”

What was bound to come had finally arrived.

Huang Zixia unconsciously bit her lower lip, turning to look at him, forcing herself to say: “Forgive this servant’s stupidity, I don’t understand what Commander Wang means.”

He ignored her response, just staring at her directly, asking: “Why?”

“Why what?”

“What did the Wang family ever do wrong…” Wang Yun slowly lowered his polo mallet, enunciating each word, “That would make Huang Zixia rather kill her entire family than marry me?”

Two or three horses passed by them as another round of attack and defense began.

Zhou Ziqin shouted: “Chonggu, hurry back to defend!”

Prince Zhao Li Tong laughed, “Wang Yun, you’re not threatening or bribing Chonggu to lose, are you? Look how troubled his expression is.”

Wang Yun turned and called back with a laugh: “How could that be? I just saw her excellent polo skills and wanted to arrange a private match.”

He turned back to her, his voice deliberately lowered so only she could hear: “Tonight at dusk, please come to my residence for a discussion.”

Huang Zixia’s hand unconsciously tightened on Brushing Sand’s reins, leaving a deep white mark across her palm.

His gaze challenged her as his polo mallet pointed diagonally at the ground.

Finally, she bit her lip and gave a slight nod.

Wang Yun’s lips curved in a cold smile before he turned his horse and rode away.

Li Shubai stood up and signaled to the official.

As everyone on the field wondered why they needed to stop, they saw Li Shubai beckoning to Huang Zixia.

She galloped toward him. After playing polo in the scorching summer heat until now, her chest heaved rapidly as sweat poured down. Being a woman, her stamina couldn’t match the men’s, and she was thoroughly exhausted.

Li Shubai, already changed into red polo attire, had someone bring Purging Evil over. He mounted in one fluid motion and said: “Switch out.”

Huang Zixia was stunned.

Li Shubai didn’t look at her, only glancing at the nervous Zhang Xingying, his voice cold: “With such weak stamina, yet still trying to show off.”

Huang Zixia remained silent, looking up at him on horseback as she handed him her polo mallet.

Against the strong backlight of the sun, his features were unclear, only his eyes gleaming like stars. She heard his voice slide past her ear, neither light nor heavy: “Helping someone I expelled – you’d better explain yourself to me later.”

Huang Zixia felt her heart suddenly jump, and Purging Evil, already impatient, charged onto the polo field.

Once Prince Kui Li Shubai joined the game, the situation naturally changed dramatically. The previously deadlocked score quickly widened as even Wang Yun and the Prince Consort’s combined efforts couldn’t stop him.

Purging Evil was incredibly fierce, like a black lightning bolt charging across the field. Through the billowing dust, only Li Shubai’s red-robed figure could be seen swinging his mallet, scoring and passing with graceful precision, showing no mercy in his domination of the field.

Wang Yun smiled bitterly as he discussed with Wei Baoheng: “Prince Kui’s momentum is too strong. We must intercept at least one of his shots to break his edge before we have any chance.”

Wei Baoheng nodded, and the two attacked from left and right, calling their remaining three teammates to join them, attempting to block Li Shubai’s advance.

Surrounded by five riders, Li Shubai remained unmoved. He merely glanced back at Prince Zhao to signal coordination, then with a subtle movement of his mallet, precisely guided the ball between the twenty legs of the five frantically moving horses, sending it straight toward Prince Zhao.

“Get the ball!” Wei Baoheng shouted, about to give chase when he saw Li Shubai flip sideways off his horse, hooking just one toe in the stirrup. His body moved as lightly as a swallow, his mallet swinging out to perfectly intercept Wei Baoheng’s mid-swing mallet, using the momentum to redirect Wei Baoheng’s mallet and turn the ball forward.

The redirected ball barely brushed past Wang Yun’s horse’s head, flying straight toward Zhang Xingying, who was galloping ahead.

Zhang Xingying’s horse control was nimble, and his reactions were quick. In that critical moment, he managed to swing his mallet to stop the ball and send it into the goal.

“Excellent! Fourth Brother usually doesn’t care for polo, but he’s been hiding his skills! And that young man who scored, quite nimble reactions, good form!” the Emperor praised enthusiastically.

Princess Tongchang suddenly stood up with a cry, calling from the rest area to Prince Consort Wei Baoheng: “Ah Wei!”

Wei Baoheng quickly dismounted and hurried off the field toward her.

But Princess Tongchang had already sat back down, merely lifting her eyelids to glance at him: “Don’t you always boast about your polo skills? Today I’ve truly seen them for myself.”

Embarrassed by the rebuke, Wei Baoheng could only smile apologetically: “Princess speaks truly, I played poorly today…”

“Niece, can’t you see that Ah Wei was holding back, not wanting to lose face for us in front of the Emperor?” Prince Zhao came over for water, smoothing things over with a smile. “Come now, let the men play their game. Just sit and watch – too much talking will get dust in your mouth, don’t you think?”

Princess Tongchang gave him an annoyed look, her tone dismissive: “Yes, Ninth Uncle, please show mercy to the Prince Consort as well.”

Everyone dismounted to rest, leaving their horses on the field. Purging Evil, still full of energy, aggressively challenged the other horses, forcing them to huddle in a corner. Everyone laughed, even those who had just lost forgot their frustration.

Huang Zixia helped serve tea and water. Turning around, she saw Prince Consort Wei Baoheng looking down at the ground. In the swirling dust and blazing sunlight, his face was ashen. His clenched jaw created a twisted line as he struggled for control.

Sweat rolled down his face, and Huang Zixia thought for a moment he might lose his composure. But as that drop of sweat fell onto his hand, he violently shook it off, and the terrible expression on his face seemed to be thrown away with it. His usual smile returned as he took the teacup from her hands, saying: “Thank you. You played very well.”

“Chonggu is indeed skilled,” Prince E smiled.

Zhou Ziqin said: “Run with me around Qujiang Pool every morning, and in a year you’ll be unbeatable in all of Chang’an!”

Li Shubai said flatly: “She’s not free.”

His single comment instantly cooled the lively atmosphere, and everyone fell silent, drinking their tea. Only Zhou Ziqin still tried to salvage the mood: “Haha, of course, no matter what, none of us can compare to Prince Kui…”

No one responded.

After resting for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Prince Zhao rallied everyone: “Let’s continue!”

Everyone mounted up, and as the official’s red flag waved, horses neighed and hooves thundered as several horses charged toward the opposing field. Suddenly, one horse let out a cry of pain, its front legs buckling as it crashed to the ground.

It was Prince Consort Wei Baoheng’s black horse, collapsing mid-gallop. Wei Baoheng caught off guard, was thrown heavily toward the ground with his horse. Fortunately, his reflexes were quick – in the instant of falling, he curled his body and rolled forward two or three times to disperse the force, saving his bones.

The whole field erupted in chaos. Princess Tongchang jumped up and rushed toward the polo field.

Even the Emperor and Noble Consort Guo hurried onto the field. All the polo players had dismounted and gathered around Wei Baoheng.

Li Shubai immediately ordered someone to fetch the Defense Command’s military physician. The physician reset the Prince Consort’s dislocated arm, then checked his entire body before telling everyone: “The injuries aren’t severe, no bone damage.”

Princess Tongchang looked at the scrapes on Wei Baoheng’s face and asked: “Will it leave scars?”

“That depends on how it’s treated. Some people are prone to scarring, which would be unfortunate…” the physician hurried to explain.

“If you can’t heal this properly, you know what’s at stake!” Princess Tongchang said coldly. “I won’t have a disfigured Prince Consort!”

“Ah~ Lingxi.” Noble Consort Guo frowned slightly, calling her name in helpless reproach.

But the Emperor said: “The Princess’s words are as my own, understand?”

“Yes, yes.” The physician trembled violently, shaking like sifted chaff, barely able to stand.

Wei Baoheng covered his forehead, saying: “It’s nothing, just a minor injury. We haven’t finished the game yet.”

“Still want to play? You nearly lost your life!” Princess Tongchang raged.

“I think we should end it here for today,” Wang Yun said, his gaze turning to Li Shubai.

Li Shubai handed his polo mallet to Huang Zixia, saying: “Let’s end it here. The spirit of the game has been fulfilled.”