Colorful

Chapter 24
Ji Cheng felt it was funny when she heard that, Shen Xun was trying to find comfort from her own mouth, she racked her brains to think how to defend Shen Che: "I think Cousin Che might really have other things, in his capacity How can I fall in love with that kind of woman? She doesn't look too outstanding, maybe someone else entrusted Cousin Che to take care of her, and Cousin Che was entrusted by others so he couldn't leave her behind."

She herself absolutely didn't believe what Ji Cheng said. It was obvious that there was some intimacy between Shen Che and the woman, as she could tell by the way the woman looked at Shen Che.

However, Shen Xun just believed it, because she wanted to believe it: "Sister Cheng, you are right, my second brother's vision is not ordinary."

Tall enough to like little widows?Ji Cheng slandered.But this time Shen Xun was finally comforted, Ji Cheng was also relieved, and the two entered the colored tent side by side.

Shen Cui greeted her impatiently: "Where are you going? You can't find anyone everywhere. The polo match is about to start."

The polo match was held in the Royal Courtyard not far from the Golden Rainbow Pond. The Royal Courtyard was only open to the public on special days every year. Of course, ordinary people would never even think about entering it.

Thanks to the Shen family's blessing, Ji Cheng was also able to enter the Royal Courtyard.

Polo is prevalent in Beijing, and the name of Erlang who is a good polo player is almost known to every household. Since it is the first time for Ji Cheng to watch the game, naturally he knows nothing about it.

Ji Cheng followed the girl from the Shen family to the east stand and sat down. To the north was where Emperor Jianping, his concubines and accompanying ministers lived, and on the other three sides were seats for dignitaries and their families, which were already full. up.

"It's so lively, do you all like watching polo?" Ji Cheng asked.Although there are people playing polo in Jindi, especially the Hu people who live in Jindi, the scale is usually small. Ji Cheng has played polo with her brothers a few times, but she doesn't like it much.

However, Jingzhong's enthusiasm for this matter was beyond Ji Cheng's expectation. Looking around the polo arena, there were more people than around the dragon boat race just now. Those men from various families who were sitting impatiently in the colored tents watching the dragon boat race Now they are all here to watch the game.

Before Shen Cui could answer Ji Cheng's words, Shen Xun said: "That's not right! This game of polo requires not only superb horse skills, but also your body is strong. If you want to win, you have to have a good brain." Command. The first emperor said that I am in peace, and the boys are lazy on weekdays. Playing polo can train everyone so that they will not be lazy, so the first emperor admires polo very much. In the past ten years, every polo match in Beijing has been played. It's a grand event."

Ji Cheng nodded. Since the royal family attaches great importance to it, it is understandable that polo can become popular.

"That's exactly the reason." Shen Cui didn't interrupt just now, but quickly took over the conversation, "When Tianyou was ten years old, Anxi came to play polo with me, and we were not familiar with polo at that time , of course we can’t win, since then the late emperor ordered the establishment of the Royal Polo Team, and we’ve been playing polo in fashion.”

"In these years, we have played games with Fanbang, sometimes losing and sometimes winning, and everyone is holding back their energy." Shen Xian also interjected, which shows that everyone in Beijing is very familiar with polo games.

Shen Xun said excitedly: "If you want to say that our most glorious time in the past few years has to be the year when my second brother left the game, he beat the Anxi people to nothing."

"It's a pity that the second brother doesn't play polo anymore." Shen Cui said regretfully.

"Why is that?" Su Yun and Lu Yuan asked at the same time.

Shen Xian smiled without saying a word, Shen Cui said quickly: "Second brother was only 14 years old when he left the field, and he led my polo team to sweep Anxi. It’s my fault anyway. The second elder brother showed off so much that he was almost not beaten to death by those girls with melons, fruits and handkerchiefs on the street. Every time he went out, he would bring back a basketful. After that, he never played polo again."

Shen Che's record is indeed brilliant. Although he has only played for one year, his skill has already been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.He is Shen Xun's elder brother, and since he is not here in person, Shen Xun naturally wants to be humble on his behalf: "It's okay, isn't our eldest brother also very good at football?"

"Really, sister Xian?" Su Yun turned to look at Shen Xian.

Shen Xian nodded. Shen Yu's polo skills are also very good. Before Shen Che, he was always the most dazzling person in the polo team. Later, he didn't play polo and went to the frontier, and met Anxi to challenge him. , Shen Che ended up.And the reason why Shen Che was able to replace Shen Yu as the idol in everyone's hearts was more or less because of his face.

People who are born with good looks seem to have taken advantage of a lot since ancient times.The ancient Pan An and Wei Jie didn’t have much to praise, they are remembered even today because they were handsome men, but how many ancient heroes can remain in the mouths of the people for hundreds of years?
While everyone was talking, the two sides of the polo match began to line up to enter the arena.

The Royal Polo Team is a strong man selected from the Royal Forest Army, dressed in black, named Ming Army.The other team is the Chichen team formed by the children of officials and eunuchs, dressed in red.

As soon as the two teams entered the arena, the arena immediately became lively, and the people watching the game couldn't sit still anymore, and stood up on tiptoe to watch their favorite players.

After the sound of the drum, the two sides greeted each other, and the game officially kicked off.Everyone couldn't help standing up and applauding when they saw the wonderful places, and clenched their fists and held their breath when they saw the dangerous places.

The girls of the Shen family all had their own side to support, so they devoted themselves wholeheartedly, they were even more nervous than those in the previous match, their fists were clenched.

But Ji Cheng and Su Yun were new here, and they didn't know who to support, so they could keep calm.

"Actually, this is not the liveliest and most exciting polo match. The emperor and the ladies are watching here. These two teams are somewhat of a performance. After the autumn harvest, let's watch the game of the private polo club. Absolutely wonderful." Shen Xian said to Ji Cheng.

"Yes. I like Qiu Xiaoshuang from the Blue Screen Club the most. His golden rooster independence and carp's stand-up skills are amazing." Speaking of folk polo matches, Shen Xun's eyes lit up.

"I like Peach Blossom Club." Shen Cui said.

Shen Yuan said: "I think the Drum Club has been good for the past two years."

The three sisters have three supporting teams. One can imagine the excitement of watching polo matches in the future.

Just as they were talking, it was time for the intermission. The palace band and Gong'e came out to play and dance. The music was "Qin Wang Breaking the Battle", which made people feel excited and wanted to go to the battle.

After the song, even Ji Cheng couldn't help applauding.

Shen Xun, however, lacked interest and said: "What kind of dance is this? Sister Cheng, you must watch the competitions of the folk society. The people who come out to perform during the intermission are the most exciting. How many people do it every year? Going to the midfield to show off and squeeze your head."

Ji Cheng was completely unaware of such things.

"A few years ago, Sister Si Niang won the title of the most beautiful woman in the capital because of the opportunity to perform in the middle of the field!" Shen Xun said.

Ji Cheng was stunned. Although the folk customs are more civilized now, it is still unbelievable for a lady to dance in public to entertain others.But in this capital city, nothing seems to matter in the polo match.

Seeing Ji Cheng's stunned expression, Shen Yuan explained: "The folk polo club organized a Seven Treasures League. Every year before the autumn harvest, they would choose various midfield performances. This was originally to boost morale, but now it is It’s a venue for everyone to compete. Boys have polo competitions, and our daughter’s arena is the venue for midfield competition. If we can qualify to play in the finals, it will be great.”

As for why the polo league is called Qibao League, it is because the polo balls are painted with paint, so people at that time also called it colored balls and Qibao balls, and Qibao League got its name from this.

After Shen Xian finished speaking, she lowered her head and whispered in Ji Cheng's ear: "If you can go up to perform, the door of your house will be broken by those who propose marriage. If you have the intention, you can start preparing now. I heard that this year Wang Yueniang wants to go with all her strength."

Ji Cheng was noncommittal about this matter, she didn't have any plans in her heart yet, so she shouldn't act rashly, for things like public performances, Ji Cheng's temper is really not what he is capable of doing.

The Dragon Boat Festival was a whole day of hustle and bustle, coupled with the hot weather, people were exhausted, and when they returned to the Shen Mansion, Ji Lan still dragged Ji Cheng to talk.

"Hey, the Wang family is well-off now, with Concubine Shu taking care of them in the palace, they were just low-ranking people before, but now they have to rely on them." Ji Lan sighed.

"Mother, have you seen the shirt that Concubine Shu is wearing today? It's a style you haven't seen before. It's too late to make it now. I'm sure everyone will have one next summer, but it's the one that Concubine Shu wears leftover. It's done." Shen Cui interjected from the side.

Ji Lan nodded Shen Cui's forehead and said: "Why don't you grow up yet, what's the point of wearing clothes? In the future, if Concubine Wang Shu's eldest prince inherits a great treasure, that will be the chicken and dog ascending to heaven. Does she want anything at that time? It's not just about a piece of clothing." After finishing speaking, Ji Lan looked at Ji Cheng, "Ah Cheng, do you think I'm right?"

Ji Cheng smiled: "It's just how many women in this world can have the blessing of Concubine Shu? Ordinary people should not expect too much."

Ji Lan didn't expect Ji Cheng to understand the truth in a short time. The little girl is always like this, full of longing for marriage. After suffering from mother-in-law and sister-in-law, she realizes the importance of status and power. All love is bullshit.

So Ji Lan also smiled: "Concubine Wang Shu is indeed blessed. But before she entered the palace, she was known for being stingy and vengeful. If anyone offends her, she will definitely not be able to please." Ji Lan said meaningfully He looked at Ji Cheng again.

Ji Cheng must have registered with Concubine Wang Shu today.Wang Siniang and Wang Yueniang must have mentioned her, and Ji Cheng's appearance was already in the way of Concubine Wang Shu, Ji Lan's words were really not purely to scare Ji Cheng.

With Ji Cheng's current ability, he can only hope that Concubine Wang Shu will not have time to trouble her, or that she will not take such little people seriously.

After Ji Lan frightened Ji Cheng, she took her hand again and said, "But it's nothing. Concubine Wang Shu is also getting old, and it's a matter of time before her beauty fades and her love fades. Doesn't this mean that Huang Zhaoyi will compete with her for favor? In the future If there is a fresher color that can be favored by the Holy Majesty, although the Eldest Prince occupies the position, but is not a legitimate son, what will happen to Concubine Wang Shu is uncertain!"

Ji Cheng thought to himself that Ji Lan's cake was too unreliable, why would Concubine Wang Shu not be able to do it, and Ji Cheng could become the Queen of the Central Palace if she entered the palace?What a dream.

Ji Cheng stopped answering the conversation, and just nodded perfunctorily with a "hmm".

Ji Lan saw that Ji Cheng was not interested in talking, so she let her go to rest instead.

At night, thinking about the day's events, Ji Cheng was really troubled. She didn't understand why her aunt was so ambitious and insisted on letting herself enter the palace to become a concubine.Taking a ten thousand step back, she said that based on her current reluctance, if she really became the empress dowager in the future, she would still have some complaints about Ji Lan in her heart. It would not be easy for Ji Lan to get benefits from her.

So isn't it best to be happy with each other?My aunt has helped me, and Ji Cheng is not that white-eyed wolf, so he will naturally reciprocate.But now that Ji Lan is plotting against her like this, Ji Cheng can't bear it.It's just that they are relatives after all, and there is still affection, Ji Cheng is unwilling to play tricks on Ji Lan, so he plans to talk to Ji Lan tomorrow in detail.

(End of this chapter)