Chapter 621: Chapter 621

The capital had not been so lively for a long time. Young men and women galloped freely on the polo field, playing the game while the ladies in the stands cheered and shouted encouragement for them.

Fengyu was in a group with Fang Lingjun, Zhang Boxin, and others. Lin Xiao teamed up with Zhang Boxi, Princess Xue Lan, and others. They played with great enthusiasm. Fengyu hadn’t played polo for several years since she had been too busy when she was in West State, and there wasn’t this kind of pastime there either. Having grown rusty, she was barely able to score two goals thanks to Fang Lingjun consistently passing the ball to her.

Lin Xiao and Zhang Boxi were veteran winners in polo, with their goal counts comfortably leading the field. Fang Lingjun started to reflect after seeing this and began heckling Zhang Boxin, "You’ve been in the Twelve States for several years—what’s the matter? Not up to scratch anymore? You’ve only scored three goals while Ayu, who’s so rusty, managed to put one in!"

Zhang Boxin naturally refused to take this lying down. "You keep passing the ball to Ayu, and she’s missed eight shots—you’re not going to mention that, are you? Why don’t you pass me the ball when you get it? Why are your passes all going to Fengyu? How do you expect me to score?"

"What? You’re looking down on Ayu, is that it? She got one in, didn’t she?"

"That was just luck—a blind cat stumbling across a dead rat."

"Oh, so why don’t you come up yourself and grab the ball? You’re always hanging behind Ayu—how am I supposed to pass it to you?"

"Fine, fine—whatever you say, Madam!"

Their bickering almost escalated into a real argument mid-game, and Fengyu started to feel a little guilty. "Polo is supposed to be entertainment, whether we win or lose!"

"No, we have to win!" Zhang Boxin and Fang Lingjun said in unison. For them, polo wasn’t about leisure—it was all about victory. Their goal was to crush the opposing side.

Fine, then—it was her fault!

If only Xie Xun were here, things wouldn’t be this bad.

On the Lin Family’s viewing stand, Lin Yunong accompanied the Second Mrs. Lin to join the festivities. She didn’t ride or play polo, merely sitting quietly in the stands and watching the others frolic.

The Second Mrs. Lin said, "Nongnong, you’re about the same age as Miss Feng San and Miss Fang. You’ve been familiar with Lin Xiao and the others since childhood. It’s hardly entertaining to sit here alone—why not try going down there and joining their fun?"

"Not interested." Lin Yunong’s gaze fell on Fengyu. She truly was the center of attention in the field—not only because she was set to become the Empress but also due to the unforgettable excitement of a horseback polo banquet years ago. Follow current novᴇls on n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net

Fengyu had worn a red dress back then, radiating brilliance that drew the gazes of every young man present. Regardless of her reputation in the capital, as long as she was in attendance, she was the most dazzling of all the young maidens. That banquet was also the fateful event that connected her with Xie Xun. Originally intended as an occasion for aristocratic youth to mingle and find potential matches, people often said that banquet changed Fengyu’s destiny, catapulting her to prominence like a phoenix soaring to the heavens.

Though she wasn’t exceedingly skilled in technique, she was always at the center of attention. Lin Yunong took a sip of flower tea, her resentful gaze locked on Fengyu, caught between unwillingness and helplessness.

Having been a favored child of heaven since birth, such disparity was difficult to swallow.

At the capital’s horseback polo banquets, she had once been the one whom everyone orbited around.

Now, fortunes had reversed.

The Second Mrs. Lin could understand the bitterness in her heart. Daughters of the Lin Family had always been noble, held in higher regard even than princesses of the Yuwen Dynasty. Back in the day, even someone as unruly and spoiled as Huazhen dared not offend Lin Yunong.

In such gatherings, Lin Yunong had never been marginalized. Yet now, all the capital’s noble ladies naturally congregated around Fengyu and Fang Lingjun. The two of them were undeniably the stars of the horseback polo banquet.

"Nongnong, you won’t be able to avoid engaging with them in the future—whether it’s court banquets or social interactions, you’ll encounter them in various occasions. We can’t always keep our distance. They’re good girls. If you take the initiative and warm up to them, it will only benefit you," the Second Mrs. Lin urged her earnestly.

Lin Yunong hadn’t wanted to attend this banquet at all. It was the Second Mrs. Lin who had pulled her here to brighten her mood, believing that she couldn’t always hide away at home. Moreover, Lin Yunong was yet unmarried, and the Second Mrs. Lin was thinking of finding her a good match.

"Mother, I don’t want to associate with her," Lin Yunong replied despondently.

The Second Mrs. Lin sighed and said, "I understand your feelings, but you’ve heard the rumors. Miss Feng San doesn’t tolerate challenges to her authority easily. In the years after she enters the palace, it’s unlikely that anyone new will be admitted to the Emperor’s harem—whether due to their shared trials or the Su Family’s Trading House aiding her cause. If Miss Feng San doesn’t approve, what you hope for will never come to fruition. If you refuse to build rapport with her and instead hold yourself aloof, the way forward will be even more difficult."

She didn’t want to see Lin Yunong consumed by hesitation and stubborn pride. But what could she do as a mother? She could only offer advice from her own experience.

Lin Yunong’s thoughts were laid bare, and her face turned alternately red and pale. She burst out angrily, "Mother, if you say another word, I’ll leave and go back home! I didn’t want to come to this banquet in the first place."

"Fine, I won’t say anymore," the Second Mrs. Lin said gently, shaking her head. "You... just don’t make things harder on yourself."