28

The next morning, Jiang Zhiyi slept in an extra half hour. By the time she arrived at Tian Chong Academy, more than half of the first morning class had already passed.

Hearing that the first class was again taught by the same elderly teacher from yesterday, Jiang Zhiyi immediately abandoned the idea of entering the classroom midway.

This kind of senior scholar with a stern personality could call her out in class yesterday and might publicly reprimand her today for being late.

Thinking about it, since her parents passed away, she hadn’t been scolded even once in nearly a decade. Jiang Zhiyi decided to take a nap in the carriage until the end of the first class and entered the classroom during the break.

Upon walking into Tian Zi Zhai, she found only a few scattered students inside; Yuan Ce wasn’t at his seat either.

Jiang Zhiyi sat down at her desk and looked toward Pei Zisong in front.

Having “cheated” together yesterday, she no longer pretended to ask Gu Yu and directly asked him: “Where did everyone go?”

Pei Zisong lifted his head from his book and replied: “Today’s second class is polo. Young Master Zhong and General Shen each formed a polo team. They’ve all gone to change.”

“So... there will be another chance to see Brother Ce’s prowess on horseback!”

Halfway through her excitement, Jiang Zhiyi suddenly changed course: “...another spectacle to watch.”

Pei Zisong smiled but said nothing.

Looking at his back, always ready to answer questions without overstepping, Jiang Zhiyi was quite satisfied. Remembering something, she signaled to Gu Yu beside her.

Gu Yu understood and took out a gift box prepared this morning, stepping forward.

The Princess disliked owing favors. Whenever she received help, she would reciprocate with gifts. Having received assistance from this Pei公子 yesterday and needing to rely on him to learn about General Shen’s movements at the academy, it was appropriate to present a return gift now.

Gu Yu approached Pei Zisong’s desk, explained her purpose, and presented the gift box with both hands: “A small token of appreciation. Please accept it, Young Master Pei.”

Pei Zisong looked surprised, stood up, turned to Jiang Zhiyi, and bowed: “Fellow students should help each other. Such a small favor is not worth mentioning. I dare not accept a reward for no merit.”

Jiang Zhiyi found these polite refusals annoying. She had plenty of dusty antiques and treasures in her storeroom, and instructing the steward to pick a gift was just a matter of words. Arguing back and forth would only waste more breath.

“It’s given to you, so take it. Open it yourself. If you don’t want it, give it to any classmate.” Jiang Zhiyi waved her hand casually.

Sensing Jiang Zhiyi’s displeasure, Pei Zisong opened the lid of the box and was momentarily stunned: “This is the inkstone used by Minister Lu during his official tenure. Only one exists in the world—how did Young Master Jiang know I admire Minister Lu?”

“You referenced Minister Lu’s achievements yesterday. Wasn’t it easy to guess?”

Pei Zisong’s eyes brightened slightly, and he made a more solemn bow: “Since it’s Minister Lu’s precious inkstone, it shouldn’t fall into ordinary hands. Zisong will humbly accept it.”

Though a modest and courteous scholar, he was still underage and retained a youthful sincerity. Seeing a beloved item, he probably couldn’t heed his prime minister father’s admonishments.

Pei Zisong held the inkstone lovingly for a while before closing the gift box with a light laugh: “With this inkstone, Zisong will use it to write more words that Young Master Jiang wants to see.”

“...”

No need to jinx it like that!

She came to this academy to meet her lover, not to make literary friends, and certainly didn’t want to be questioned by the teacher again!

Jiang Zhiyi raised her palm solemnly and put on a serious face: “Such ‘cheating’ in class is probably not what Minister Lu would approve of. You should use it for proper studies.”

Seeing through Jiang Zhiyi’s concealed awkwardness, Pei Zisong nodded with a smile: “Young Master Jiang’s lesson is well taken. It’s my narrow-mindedness.”

Several zhang away, a figure dressed in polo attire stood quietly outside the window, watching the two seemingly compatible individuals exchange words. His eyebrows twitched coldly.

At first, it was “Mr. Pei,” then it quickly became “Zisong.” This friendship seemed to develop quite swiftly.

He forbade him from talking to noblewomen who referred to themselves by intimate names, yet here he allowed others to burn the candle at both ends.

Yuan Ce glanced at Jiang Zhiyi, who hadn’t noticed him, picked up his polo mallet with one hand, and turned towards the polo field with a dark expression.

Two quarters later, by the polo field.

Jiang Zhiyi sat with Gu Yu on the high viewing platform, eagerly scanning the field.

Today, each polo team had ten players: one team wore crimson, the other blue. The rules of the game were simple: each player wielded a polo mallet, hitting the ball while riding, scoring a point for each goal. The team with the most points won.

Jiang Zhiyi’s gaze swept quickly and settled on the standout figure on the field—

The young man wore a crimson narrow-sleeved robe, tied with a crimson headband, black leather boots, holding the reins with one hand and a blackwood gold-patterned polo mallet with the other. He faced the centerline, calmly waiting for the opposing team to get ready.

Jiang Zhiyi steadied her heart. Earlier, she waited a long time in the classroom only to hear that Brother Ce had already come to the polo field. She hurried over as fast as possible, fortunately not missing the start.

However, upon closer inspection, Brother Ce had a sullen face today, his features particularly sharp, seemingly in a bad mood.

Could it be that he thought she hadn’t come to cheer for him and was unhappy?

This time was different from the previous archery test. The viewing platform was far from the polo field. No matter how much Yuan Ce tried to focus on her, he wouldn’t hear her voice.

Jiang Zhiyi wanted to wave to the field to let Yuan Ce know she was there and stop sulking, but other non-participating classmates and the young masters from Di Xuan Huang Zhai were also seated on the platform, so she refrained.

On the other side of the field, Zhong Boyong and his nine teammates adjusted their formation, finalized their strategy, turned their horses around, and signaled the referee.

The referee placed a fist-sized, gilded and painted polo ball at the centerline.

The gong rang, and the crimson and blue-clad youths spurred their horses, charging towards the centerline.

Amidst the dazzling sight, two horses quickly broke away.

Only to see Yuan Ce and Zhong Boyong pass each other at the centerline, both swinging their mallets simultaneously.

Jiang Zhiyi’s eyes were glued to the field, watching as the ball was flicked by the crescent head of one mallet.

In the next instant, a crimson-clad youth caught the ball swung by Yuan Ce.

Jiang Zhiyi felt a surge of joy, watching the ball rapidly approach the blue team’s goal through a series of mallet relays.

Yuan Ce and his horse moved like dragons weaving through, reaching the final stretch, and with a swing of his arm.

The ball soared high, shooting straight into the goal, precisely scoring!

The crimson team scored first!

The scorekeeper raised a red flag, cheers erupted on the high platform, and Jiang Zhiyi clapped her hands, only to have them quickly covered by Gu Yu.

Jiang Zhiyi: “...”

Her applause turned into a sigh. Jiang Zhiyi suppressed her surging emotions and concealed the joy on her brows.

Indeed, it was too early to celebrate. Since losing to Brother Ce in the previous archery test, Zhong Boyong had been plotting revenge. According to Pei Zisong, today’s polo match was Zhong Boyong’s challenge to Brother Ce. The crimson team was composed of players Zhong Boyong had left over. Although they initially scored, the final outcome was still uncertain.

Jiang Zhiyi watched cautiously, soon realizing her worries might be unnecessary.

Because—no one could catch up with Yuan Ce’s horse.

Although the crimson team was weaker overall, as long as teammates slightly assisted with passing, no matter where the ball rolled on the field, Yuan Ce’s horse could reach it like lightning.

By the time the blue-clad youths turned to intercept, dust flew everywhere, leaving them eating the sand kicked up by the hooves.

Even if they could chase the wind, they couldn’t catch Yuan Ce.

In the blink of an eye, the crimson team scored another goal.

The blue team, having lost two goals consecutively, visibly weakened in spirit.

For the third goal, Yuan Ce led two teammates in a relentless pursuit, breaking through left and right, unstoppable. The blue team youths dared not intercept and began to panic and dodge—

Though Zhong Boyong carried a fierce determination today, Yuan Ce seemed even more formidable. Last time during the archery test, he managed a smirk, but on the polo field, he maintained a cold face throughout. Those who knew understood he was playing polo; those who didn’t might think he was beating people!

Zhong Boyong must have upset Brother Ce again...

Good. Let him lose thoroughly this time and learn not to provoke someone he shouldn’t next time!

Across the field, only Yuan Ce’s fluttering forehead band was visible as he repeatedly swung his mallet. Zhong Boyong couldn’t even get close to the crimson team’s goal, his face turning increasingly grim.

Goal after goal was scored, cheers erupted repeatedly on the high platform. Only Jiang Zhiyi had to pretend to disdain her “rival’s” goals. Each time she wanted to applaud for Brother Ce, Gu Yu quickly pressed her hands down. By the end, her hands were almost cramping.

Seeing the crimson team’s flags fluttering, victory seemed assured. Jiang Zhiyi’s pent-up excitement had nowhere to vent, so she slightly shifted her gaze off the field to relax.

This shift revealed Pei Zisong, who had somehow also come to the high platform and was now quietly watching the game beside her.

Jiang Zhiyi remembered—

“Why didn’t you join them in playing polo?”

Pei Zisong turned his gaze: “I’m not skilled in this. With enough participants, there was no need to join the commotion.”

Indeed, those who didn’t participate today were mostly scholarly youths. Some had fallen off horses and embarrassed themselves during the previous archery test.

However, Pei Zisong’s archery scores seemed decent.

Jiang Zhiyi recalled that he went on the field two turns after Brother Ce. Though his horsemanship wasn’t exceptional, his tall and upright figure exuded a scholarly grace. He shot only one arrow, but it hit the nine-ring mark, showing he wasn’t entirely inept but simply unskilled, choosing to act within his capabilities.

Jiang Zhiyi nodded and voiced a question she’d had since yesterday: “Studying martial arts in this academy is acceptable, but studying literature is hard to improve. Since you’re not skilled in martial arts, why not prepare properly for the imperial exams?”

Her father and Prime Minister Pei had passed the imperial exams in the same year. Her father always praised Prime Minister Pei’s scholarship, so she knew from a young age that Prime Minister Pei was an extraordinary person. Seeing his eldest legitimate son idling with a group of spoiled brats was truly regrettable.

Unexpectedly, Pei Zisong suddenly smiled: “I’ve already gone through it. After passing the exams, I came here.”

Jiang Zhiyi was shocked: “If you’ve passed the exams, why not enter officialdom?”

“There’s a law in our dynasty that father and son cannot hold office in the same court, same time, and same place. My father is in the capital. If I enter officialdom, I must be sent far away.”

“All civil officials are posted elsewhere at some point. What’s the big deal?”

“My mother’s health is poor, and I don’t know how much time we have left together. I think there are many others who can serve the country and the people, not short of me alone. But my mother only has me as a son. Abandoning loved ones for the sake of the state is not my wish.”

Jiang Zhiyi’s eyes flickered softly, looking at his determined gaze, her expression dimmed.

Pei Zisong turned to see her expression and suddenly realized he had misspoken—

When the current emperor was still Prince Duan, the father of this Yong Ying Princess, as the elder cousin of Prince Duan, was the strategist of Prince Duan’s faction.

Ten years ago, while Prince Duan was guarding the border in Hedong for the former emperor, he suddenly heard that his younger brother in Chang’an had launched a palace coup.

Prince Duan hurried back from Hedong but encountered rebel forces on the way.

The Princess’s father, to protect Prince Duan’s safe return to the capital, led local troops into battle despite being a civil official. Fighting until he had no soldiers left, he ultimately guarded a city alone and died for it, hastily leaving a twenty-one-word blood letter to his wife and daughter: “Today, I die for the nation, dying honorably. Smile in the netherworld, do not mourn, do not lament, take good care of yourselves.”

Later, when Prince Duan returned to the capital and ascended the throne as the current emperor, he remembered the kindness of the Princess’s father, posthumously granting him the title of Duke Ningguo, and the Princess was exceptionally promoted to Princess.

Today, his casual remark of “abandoning loved ones for the sake of the state is not my wish” likely unintentionally touched the Princess’s sore spot.

Jiang Zhiyi silently watched Pei Zisong, not speaking for a long time.

On the polo field, seeing Yuan Ce’s horse slowly stopping, allowing Zhong Boyong to pass the ball right in front of him, the crimson-clad youths all looked towards the high platform following Yuan Ce’s gaze.

But due to the distance, after staring for a long time, they couldn’t determine where Yuan Ce was looking.

On the high platform, Pei Zisong was about to apologize to Jiang Zhiyi when his mouth opened, and he suddenly saw Gu Yu tug Jiang Zhiyi’s sleeve: “Princess!”

Jiang Zhiyi looked towards where Gu Yu pointed and saw Yuan Ce pull the reins, toss his mallet, and dismount.

“Yuan Ce, where are you going!”

“Young Master Zhong is highly skilled. I, Shen, concede defeat.” Yuan Ce left these words and strode off the field.

Jiang Zhiyi was shocked: “What’s going on?”

Gu Yu didn’t know either. Just moments ago, General Shen was full of spirit, performing spectacular consecutive hits on horseback. Suddenly, he seemed to lose all interest and didn’t want to play anymore.

“Moments ago, this servant saw Young Master Zhong signaling to the crimson team members. Could General Shen’s teammates be spies sent by Young Master Zhong, provoking General Shen’s displeasure?”

“Is there such a thing?” Jiang Zhiyi didn’t care about much and hurried down the high platform, chasing after Yuan Ce.

Seeing the crimson-clad youth ahead taking large strides, impossible to catch up with, she could only shout in a lowered voice: “Brother Ce—!”

Yuan Ce walked even faster.

Jiang Zhiyi had no choice but to quicken her pace, running breathlessly: “Brother Ce, wait for me! I... I can’t breathe!”

Yuan Ce finally stopped but still didn’t turn around.

Jiang Zhiyi hurried to his back, panting: “Brother Ce, did Zhong Boyong cheat? Using such despicable means to win against you is too much. There are many of his people in your team...”

“One versus nineteen, I wouldn’t lose either.” Yuan Ce suddenly turned his head, interrupting her.

Indeed, it had reached the point of one versus nineteen... Zhong Boyong was truly overbearing!

Jiang Zhiyi shook her head quickly, her face resolute: “Brother Ce is never alone in fighting nineteen. I will always be with Brother Ce!”

“Is that so?” Yuan Ce raised an eyelid and sneered: “Then your forever is quite brief.”