Chapter 8 - Afraid He Will Recognize Me
After Xiao Xia was sent away, the four young ladies of the Pei family's direct line surrounded Mingyi, all talking at once.
“Sister-in-law, do you really know how to play polo?”
“There are many children in the countryside. We often played in groups.”
“Then does Sister-in-law have riding gear? Like knee guards or wrist guards?”
“No.”
“Does Sister-in-law know how to ride a horse?”
“Of course I do.”
“But Tanzhou is not a prosperous place. Can ordinary families afford to have horses to ride?”
Mingyi paused for a moment. Horses in the Great Jin were expensive; it would take several farming households to raise a single warhorse. An ordinary country family truly might not have a horse. She explained:
“When the Pei family's steward delivered the allowance, he once left a horse behind.”
Everyone was still not very reassured, worrying that she was just putting on a show to intimidate people.
Pei Xuan, however, had to strategize for Mingyi.
“Don't panic. I will form a team for you right now. I absolutely will not let you be bullied by them.”
Before she married, Pei Xuan was also one of the most prestigious figures in the capital. After marrying, she had become much more reserved, but the ardent spirit in her bones remained. She immediately wrote several letters and had them sent to the residences she was familiar with, asking people to come and support Mingyi.
Xun-shi said to her daughter: “Tomorrow, leave Zhao'ger at home and you go accompany Mingyi.”
Only with her eldest daughter present could Xun-shi feel a little more at ease. Otherwise, if Mingyi suffered a setback outside and was looked down upon, it would be difficult for her to gain a firm foothold in the capital in the future as the Pei family's Young Madam.
Mingyi didn't take it seriously, took her leave, and returned to Changchun Hall.
Qinghe had returned early, her head hanging with a face full of displeasure. She said that the Embroidered Uniform Guard had completely taken over security, leaving no opportunity to make a move. Mingyi realized that the Emperor was unwilling to see anyone else interfere in the matter of the delegation's arrival at court, so she could only give up for the time being.
Tonight, Pei Yue was on duty and did not have time to return to the residence.
The on-duty rooms for the Grand Secretariat were located inside the Meridian Gate. The Imperial Kitchen provided a daily allowance of food, but Pei Yue's status was different, and his palate was picky. He was not used to the food from the government offices' mess hall. Usually, people from the Pei residence would stuff some silver into the hands of the little eunuchs on duty to help deliver a food box into Wenzhao Hall, inside the Meridian Gate.
Today, when the time came, the person who pushed open the door was none other than his brother-in-law, Qi Junliang.
Pei Yue was in the middle of writing preliminary decisions on memorials. Seeing it was him, he lifted his eyes.
“Why is it you?”
Qi Junliang had not yet changed out of his third-rank court robes. He first placed the food box on a side table for food, then sat down opposite Pei Yue.
Of the four Grand Secretaries in the Grand Secretariat, Pei Yue had the least seniority. His on-duty room was the one at the very end, so it was quiet.
Qi Junliang poured himself a cup of tea.
“I went to the Pei residence to see Zhao'ger. On my way out, I ran into the Pei residence's servant sending you your evening meal, so I brought it in for you on the way.”
Pei Yue gave a slight nod, finished writing his comments on the memorial in his hand, and instructed a junior eunuch to deliver the memorial to the Directorate of Ceremonial, before finally washing his hands and taking a seat at the food table.
While Pei Yue ate, Qi Junliang leaned back in a nearby round-backed armchair and rested with his eyes closed.
The door to the duty room was shut tight. There was no one else.
After Pei Yue finished eating, he saw his exhausted expression.
“Since you're so tired, why didn't you rest at the Pei residence? What are you doing out?”
The Pei residence was in the east of the Imperial City, and the Qi residence was in the west. Qi Junliang must have been planning to return to his own residence after seeing his child, passed by the Meridian Gate on his way, and conveniently delivered the meal for him.
Pei Yue's meaning was that Qi Junliang could very well have stayed the night at the Pei residence with his wife and child, without needing to go through the trouble of traveling back and forth.
Hearing this, Qi Junliang's gaze remained lowered for a long time. After a good while, a trace of a self-mocking smile escaped the corners of his lips. Gradually, he slowly raised his eyes, his gaze meeting Pei Yue's.
“Dongting, you probably don't know this, but your Second Sister and I have been sleeping in separate rooms for many years.”
Pei Yue was clearly stunned. It was inconceivable. He stared at Qi Junliang for a long time, trying to find any possibility that he was joking, but when he met Qi Junliang's pained and forbearing gaze, he knew it was likely true.
“What's going on?”
Qi Junliang seemed to find it difficult to speak. His face struggled with pain for a long time before he answered with difficulty.
“Your Second Sister has someone else in her heart. She is displeased with me. Ever since she was pregnant with Zhao'ger, she has driven me to the study. For these past three and a half years, she has never let me touch her...”
After speaking, he turned his face away in embarrassment.
Pei Yue truly had not expected that his sister and brother-in-law, who usually appeared so harmonious, were in fact secretly estranged. His usual clear and gentle tone changed, becoming grave and stern.
“In these three years, how is it that I have not heard a single word from you about this?”
Qi Junliang said helplessly: “She forbade me to speak of it. She said that if I did, she would divorce me.”
Pei Yue's tone was pressing: “Then how do you know she has someone else in her heart?”
Bringing this up, Qi Junliang became even more embarrassed, as if not wishing to elaborate.
“I discovered it by chance....”
Seeing him being so secretive, Pei Yue could not ask more, but his handsome brows furrowed tightly. His Second Sister had someone else in her heart, yet how could he, as her younger brother, be completely unaware? He remembered that back when their father betrothed her to Qi Junliang, his Second Sister had not said a single word of protest.
At this moment, seeing him fall silent, Qi Junliang suddenly grabbed his sleeve.
“Dongting, can you do me a favor?”
“I want to know, just who is that person in your sister's heart?”
……
The next day, just as the sky was getting light, Pei Xuan sent a maid to hurry Mingyi along, saying that the polo grounds were far and that she should be quick, so that she could take her to familiarize herself with the field early and not be disoriented when the match started.
Mingyi changed into a set of azure, close-fitting robes, with her trousers tied tightly under her riding chaps. Dressed in the neat, narrow sleeves, she went out the door with Qinghe.
Today, besides Pei Xuan accompanying her, the four young ladies of the direct line also all came to show their support. Among them, the Sixth Young Lady, Pei Yiyu, was the best at polo, so she would provide cover for Mingyi. In addition, several of the Pei family's young masters went to the polo grounds ahead of them to prepare the way.
Later, people from the South Residence also came to join in the excitement, to the point that over a dozen carriages lined the long lane in front of the gate.
Pei Xuan took Mingyi to ride in the first carriage.
The carriage was fully equipped. Pei Xuan took the initiative to pour tea for Mingyi and chatted with her.
“Mingyi, are you still getting used to living in the Pei residence?”
Mingyi took the tea and said with a smile, “It's quite good.”
Pei Xuan studied her expression.
“Really good? I heard from Mother that Dongting is too busy with official affairs and doesn't often have time to go to the rear courtyard.”
Mingyi smiled but did not speak. Pei Yue was indeed busy; he had not returned to the rear courtyard last night.
Seeing Mingyi remain silent, Pei Xuan just assumed she felt wronged but wasn't saying it out loud.
“Mingyi, let me ask you, is there someone in your heart?”
Mingyi did not know why she would ask such a thing and immediately replied, “No.”
Pei Xuan was relieved: “That's good, then.”
So you don't have to be in pain like me.
“Matters of the heart must be taken slowly. Dongting, that person, he may look cold, but his heart is actually warm. Once he truly places you in his heart, you will be the most fortunate woman in this world....”
Mingyi flicked her fingertip, shaking off the condensation on her teacup, and dismissed it with a smile.
“That's good, then.”
The carriage traveled for a long time and finally arrived near the polo grounds in the south of the city. This area was some distance from the Imperial City. Many noble families had set up villas here for leisure. Some even went so far as to summon prostitutes to serve them, singing and feasting until dawn.
Coincidentally, there was an excellent horse track in this area. It was later purchased by the Third Young Master of the Marquis Jingxi's residence, Liang Heyu, and converted into a polo ground. The Third Young Master Liang was a famous profligate in the capital, calling up his friends to seek pleasure here day in and day out. Over time, the polo ground's reputation soared, and its income gradually became substantial. Seeing that it was profitable, the Third Young Master Liang managed it with even more care, and it had now become one of the liveliest places in the capital.
Getting out of the carriage, they entered a moon gate, crossed a stone arch bridge ahead, and arrived at a wide-open space.
Ahead, flags were planted on all four sides, and brocade pavilions stood in rows. The grass field in the center was enclosed. To the east was a dense forest, and to the west, it was right next to the upper section of the Sanshan branch of the Cao River. Several pavilions and terraces were hidden under the trees, possessing a unique tranquility. No wonder it attracted numerous scions of the nobility to linger here.
The moment Pei Xuan and Mingyi appeared, the Thirteenth Young Master, Pei Chengxuan, came over with people to greet them.
“Second Sister, Sister-in-law, the brocade pavilion has been tidied up. Please, Second Sister and Sister-in-law, take your seats.”
Pei Chengxuan had also changed into a new robe today. Paired with that face, which bore some resemblance to Pei Yue's, he was exceedingly handsome.
The group went over and took their seats.
Pei Xuan went to organize the team.
Here in the brocade pavilion, everyone crowded around Mingyi as she prepared to enter the field.
The Sixth Young Lady, Pei Yiyu, having gotten ready, was the first to stand up.
“Sister-in-law, I have picked a good horse for you. Do you want to go and test-ride it?”
Mingyi said there was no need: “A horse you pick is definitely a good horse.”
As long as it was a horse, Mingyi could ride it.
Pei Yiyu said, “I picked a gentle mare for Sister-in-law. Sister-in-law should be able to handle it.”
Mingyi was used to riding spirited horses and was actually not accustomed to gentle mares, but she said nothing.
Pei Yiyu took her maids to lead the horse over. Here, the Fourth Young Lady, Pei Yitong, gave her own unused wrist guards to Mingyi.
“The skin can easily get chapped in winter. Wear these. It will also be easier to exert force when holding the mallet later.”
The Fourth Young Lady was the eldest among the unmarried girls. She usually took great care of her younger brothers and sisters and acted in a gentle and considerate manner.
Mingyi thanked her.
The Seventh Young Lady, Pei Yixing, had rushed to make a set of knee guards last night. She stuffed them into Qinghe's hands and told Qinghe to put them on Mingyi.
“Sister-in-law, you must wear these knee guards no matter what. In case you accidentally fall off the horse, you won't injure your knees.”
Why can't you wish me well?
The Fifth Young Lady, Pei Yiqing, had the timidest personality. She waited for the others to move away before stepping forward and saying hesitantly:
“I have prepared a thick cushion for Sister-in-law. It will be more comfortable when you're sitting on the horse later...”
She didn't know who had leaked the news, but now the Fifth Young Lady and the Fourth Young Lady also knew about Mingyi gifting the painting and were vying to ask for one. Thus, Mingyi was now shouldered with the heavy responsibility of asking Pei Yue for three paintings.
Faced with the goodwill of the younger sisters, Mingyi accepted it all.
A short while later, Pei Xuan's maid came to invite Mingyi, saying that their team's members had all arrived and asked Mingyi to go over to discuss tactics. Mingyi changed into her riding boots, took the polo mallet from Qinghe's hand, and headed towards the tree diagonally opposite.
Qinghe followed her for a few steps and said worriedly,
“Miss, your health is not good. It's better if you let me play in your place.”
Mingyi swept her gaze around. The brocade pavilions on both sides were already full of people. There were a great many spectators today, each one dressed ostentatiously, appearing in her eyes as a sea of red blossoms and green willows.
“Why use a butcher's knife to kill a chicken? If you go, wouldn't that just be obvious bullying?”
Once that certain treasure was in her hands, no one under heaven would be Qinghe's match. To let Qinghe play polo against these scions of the nobility was simply beneath her dignity.
Qinghe kept a straight face: “And if you go, it won't be a loss of face?”
Mingyi gave a wry smile: “Isn't this a case of being forced into a corner?”
After speaking, she said with a serious expression: “You rest. I'll go and be right back.”
Wielding the polo mallet, Mingyi walked straight in Pei Xuan's direction. After about ten or so steps, she suddenly heard a familiar, languid voice coming from where the two teams were gathered up ahead.
“What kind of impressive lineup could Pei Xuan possibly assemble? Does she really need me to make a move? Forget it, forget it, I'm not going...”
Hearing this voice, Mingyi turned her head and walked back.
Seeing her go and then return, Qinghe hurried over to meet her.
“What's wrong, Miss?”
Mingyi stuffed the polo mallet into her hands, rubbed the tip of her nose, and said in a low voice:
“You should go instead. Zhangsun Ling is here. He's the only one in the entire capital who might recognize me. I can't be careless.”
Qinghe did not rush to take it, but instead focused her gaze and looked over. She saw a young master dressed in black robes, standing languidly amidst the crowd, looking very eye-catching.
“Your appearance has changed. He probably won't be able to recognize you.”
Just as Mingyi was about to speak, Xiao Xia, sitting high on her horse over there, had already spotted her. She laughed ostentatiously.
“Oh, are you scared? I knew you were just talking big yesterday. If you don't know how to play, then get on your knees and admit defeat. Pack your things and leave early. Don't defile Pei-lang!”
If this could be tolerated, what could not?
Mingyi hooked the polo mallet with her little finger, turned to face the young servant who was leading the horse over, and without even taking the reins, she put one foot in the stirrup and leaped onto the horse.