Princess Chengping averted her gaze and slowly rose to her feet. "Let's return to the mansion..."
The palace attendant supported her arm. "Your Highness, won't you stay a while longer?"
"No need," Princess Chengping replied. "Wanming is a thoughtful child. She specifically invited me to watch this good show. I'm satisfied now. Staying longer would be in vain."
"Yes," the attendant responded with an understanding smile. "The princess consort has seen all your sufferings over the years. It's no wonder you dote on her so much..."
"She's intelligent on her own," Princess Chengping said as she slowly walked out of the pavilion. A hint of warmth glinted in her eyes. "It's not easy for her to gain the upper hand over my second sister - in - law. Later, send all the blood bird's nests from my storeroom to her. Alas, this child has lost so much weight since returning from the southern border..."
As the mistress and servant were chatting, they suddenly met a pair of cold eyes.
"I was wondering earlier how the polo tournament could manage to invite Your Highness this year. So there's a hidden agenda..." Princess Danyang had somehow appeared beside the corridor pillar. She was twirling a gilded armor with her fingertips, her eyes full of amusement.
Without even raising her head, Princess Chengping walked straight down the steps. "If you have evidence, feel free to report us to the Empress Dowager. If not, shut your mouth!"
"Report you?" Princess Danyang suddenly sneered. "Why should I report you? Those idiots from the Huo family deserve their retribution... Whether they live or die has nothing to do with me."
Hearing this, Princess Chengping couldn't help but stop in her tracks. "You mean... you don't plan to interfere?"
Princess Danyang just smiled faintly. "Whether you're targeting the Huo family or my mother, as long as you don't hinder my prosperity, it's none of my business. Understand?"
"You mean..." Princess Chengping was obviously a bit surprised. "As long as the price is right, you're willing to..."
"Hahaha!" Princess Danyang raised her eyebrows, looking lazy and unruly. "Whether they win or lose in their fight, I'm still just a princess without real power. What, do you think I can become the emperor?"
After saying that, she gracefully turned around and returned to her seat. "Mother always thinks I'm dull, but she doesn't know that in my eyes, she's not that smart either!"
She sat down elegantly, picked up a rose - scented wine jug, and took a long drink from the spout. After that, she wiped the deep red wine stain from her lips with a brocade handkerchief. "I think she's old enough. It's better for her to retire and enjoy her remaining years in peace..."
Princess Chengping stared at her for a moment, then bowed slightly and left with a frown.
The autumn wind whipped up the scarlet hem of her dress, billowing like waves behind her.
"Your Highness," the palace attendant whispered. "Do you think the princess is telling the truth?"
"Hard to say," Princess Chengping shook her head gently. "People in the palace are all very shrewd. Who can guarantee what they say is true? But at this moment, if she's willing to back off, it's a good thing for us. Go and remind Jingnan. Maybe we can get the princess's help..."
...
The annual polo tournament finally ended in a farcical drama.
The Huo father - and - son, who were the favorites to win the championship, strangely fell off their horses and were seriously injured, thus withdrawing from the tournament. And Xiao Jingbai, whom no one had expected at the beginning, unexpectedly won the championship because of his opponents' unexpected withdrawal...
Zhao Yanke was overjoyed and immediately bestowed a jade carved ruyi scepter, announcing him as the champion of this polo tournament.
The bewildered Xiao Jingbai held the imperial gift in his hands, overjoyed. He didn't care whether this victory was a bit "unfair" or not.
Who cares!
Winning is all that matters!
Xiao Jingbai grinned from ear to ear.
The nobles in the stands were also satisfied.
Although they didn't get to watch a wonderful polo match, this series of exciting dramas was more enjoyable than any game.
First, Princess Chengping showed up and had a confrontation with Princess Danyang. The two had a heated argument, sparks flying everywhere.
Then, the former love of the Prince of Ning's heir made a stunning appearance, almost staging a drama of two women vying for a man.
After that, the situation took a turn. The former love unexpectedly defected on the spot and generously blessed the "substitute" and the "true love" to live in harmony and grow old together... Tsk tsk, it was really moving and made people shed tears.
Finally, the arrogant Marquis of Huo and his son fell off their horses in a blaze of glory and were carried out of the field on stretchers, causing a big upset in this year's polo tournament. The championship went to the silly boy from the Prince of Ning's mansion...
It was wonderful, really wonderful!
It had been several years since people had watched such an exciting polo tournament.
Everyone was satisfied and left happily.
Of course, not everyone was happy.
Apart from the Huo family, there was another person who was very dissatisfied with this polo tournament.
"Kneel down!"
As soon as Li Wanming stepped into the Jujing Hall, a furious shout came down on her.
Her heart tightened. She thought that the plan against the Huo father - and - son had been exposed, so she knelt down obediently.
"What a powerful princess consort you are!" The Princess of Ning's face showed an unusual sternness. "How dare you scold a court lady in public and even threaten to throw her into prison? It seems to me that you're even more powerful than I, the princess!"
Hearing that it wasn't about the Huo father - and - son, Li Wanming's tense back relaxed a bit.
Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Mrs. Kang beside her. She saw that the woman was half - covering her face with a handkerchief, but beneath her tearful eyes was a smug expression. She knew that this good second aunt had stabbed her in the back again.
Judging from the Princess of Ning's tone, it should be that Mrs. Kang had exaggerated the incident of her scolding Mrs. Liu this morning and exaggerated the possible consequences, scaring the delicate princess.
It didn't matter...
Li Wanming felt relieved.
Wasn't it just acting and making up stories during the competition?
Could Mrs. Kang out - act her?
Li Wanming curled her lips, pinched the soft flesh on the inside of her arm in her sleeve, and gave it a hard twist. She managed to force out a pair of tearful, pitiful eyes.
"Daughter - in - law... doesn't understand what Your Highness means..."
Seeing her red - eyed appearance, the Princess of Ning's heart softened. She began to regret if she had been too strict. She quickly helped her up.
"Wanming, although Mrs. Liu is only a sixth - rank gentlewoman, her son is the governor of Huaizhou, and her father and brothers are all officials in the court. You made such a big show today and embarrassed her. If she bears a grudge and asks the censors to impeach Jingnan in the court tomorrow, what should we do?"
Tsk!
Does your son need to be afraid of this?
Li Wanming rolled her eyes in her heart. He even dared to break the Marquis of Huo's leg with the emperor. Would he be afraid of a small governor?
Your Highness, you really don't know your wonderful son.
If you knew what he had done, you'd probably be scared out of your wits!
Li Wanming gently bit her lower lip, making a teardrop tremble appropriately on her eyelashes.
"Your Highness is right to scold me... But in that situation, if I had been a bit weaker, the rumors about Jingnan and Miss Shen would have spread throughout the teahouses and restaurants in the capital overnight..."
"Miss Shen's grandfather is the Grand Secretary Shen, a senior official of three dynasties. His former students and protégés are all over the court... If the rumors really spread and ruined Miss Shen's reputation, how could Grand Secretary Shen let Jingnan off easily?"