As soon as the third round's formation was set up, everyone tacitly smiled silently.
Previously, some people were just loafing around and not watching the game seriously, but now they all crowded towards the fence at the edge of the field.
However, in such a small polo match, four princes were taken to the field in one go. Such a grand scene is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Yun Lie and Yun Pei were dressed in black, while Yun tide and Yun Huan were dressed in red, clearly separated, holding canes and facing each other.
The two princes leading the army and the two princes assisting in government affairs, sitting upright on their horses, exuded a rather evenly matched aura.
After all, Yun Lie had been in Linchuan for a long time, and even when he occasionally returned to the capital, he did not like to socialize with people outside. Although many people had vaguely heard of his great reputation on the northwestern border, they could not help but speculate that his reputation was not as great as it seemed, since they had never seen any trace of him.
At this moment, the bright spring sunshine, nearing noon, shone on Yun Lie's light bronze face, inexplicably imbuing it with a unique brilliance.
He wasn't as muscular as Xiong Xiaoyi, but he was a head taller than Xiong Xiaoyi. His upright posture on horseback was as striking as a towering white birch tree.
His face was bathed in light, his features outlined by the golden, shimmering glow, making them appear even more profound and exuding a wild, fierce, and resolute handsomeness.
Perhaps he hadn't noticed while changing his clothes, but now a slightly wisp of hair had fallen from his forehead, partially obscuring his left eye.
With slightly raised eyebrows and sparkling eyes, he exuded confidence and ambition, like a young man.
Luo Cuiwei gazed at him from afar, her heart skipped a beat, and the corners of her lips curved into a sweet crescent moon.
She felt that she might be finished.
****
Once on horseback, Yun Lie's entire demeanor changed completely.
That's how a tiger hunts in the forest—fierce, patient, and ruthless enough.
He rides his horse with ease, directs his teammates with composure, and swings with calmness and precision. Every move he makes is vivid, lively, and unstoppable.
The long polo mallet in his hand was like an invincible spear, and wherever it went, the enemy was routed.
In his eyes, that small polo ball was like the enemy chieftain's head amidst a vast army; no attempt to surround or intercept it could stop his offensive.
Upon closer examination, however, he was by no means entirely reckless.
Occasionally, Yun Pei would exchange a glance or use the bird whistle, a common practice among the Linchuan army, to give orders to Xiong Xiaoyi, and at the right moment, lightly tap Zheng Qiuqi's horse with the tip of his polo mallet.
He moved everyone to the right position at the right time, and the originally disorganized black-shirted team quickly formed a slightly unfamiliar but well-coordinated and cooperative team.
That is the intuition and instinct forged in the blood and fire of battle.
Attack, retreat, cover, defense—every detail was under his control.
What does it mean to command with composure? What does it mean to be at ease with someone?
During a small polo match near midday in spring, everyone present had the privilege of witnessing the charisma of the Linchuan Army's head coach.
When advancing swiftly, it is as imposing as a rainbow; when retreating slowly, it is calm and composed.
The tall, imposing figure in black robes fluttering on horseback moved swiftly and unstoppably, perfectly matching the legendary King Zhao Yunlie, who was said to be able to strike fear into the hearts of the Northern Di people with just the cloud-character banner in his central army.
The rumors were true.
For nearly a decade, this same indomitable spirit, leading the Linchuan army, which often suffered from hunger and cold, became an impregnable wall of flesh and blood in the Northwest.
This is the hero of Dajin, a silent hero who, because of his taciturn nature and lack of self-promotion, silently shields the prosperous and beautiful land behind him.
A hero who is often overlooked.
A hero who is often thought to be unworthy of his reputation.
Their unyielding spirit and unwavering loyalty are known even to the yellow sands and cold moon of the Northwest.
****
Despite Yunxi and Yunhuan's best efforts, Yunlie and Yunpei still won as easily as if it were child's play.
Yun tide and Yun Huan are well-versed in the ways of power and have many underhanded tactics in the court, often leaving Yun Lie and Yun Pei powerless to fight back.
But today's polo match is enough to show that, in a real fight, these two people who have risked their lives on the battlefield, though they don't have many chips, have enough to back them up.
Amid cheers and applause from the crowd, Prince Gong Yun Chi, sitting on the judge's bench, personally picked up the small black flag and waved it with his arm.
The applause and cheers were deafening, and Luo Cuiwei's heart pounded wildly.
Yun Lie, on horseback, turned his head and smiled at her. Strands of sweat-dampened hair fell from his forehead, making his starry eyes shine brightly, as black as obsidian.
At that moment, Luo Cuiwei felt that there was no better-looking young man in the entire venue than him.
****
Luo Cuiwei returned to the brocade shed she had been in before, picked up the small teapot from the red clay stove, and filled both teacups on the table.
She first touched the outside of the cup with the back of her hand, and when she felt it was a bit hot, she quickly fanned the steam with her hand.
For some reason, she felt a little nervous, her throat felt tight and dry, so she picked up a cup of hot tea and took a small sip.
When Yun Lie returned to the brocade tent, Luo Cuiwei was standing by the table. Hearing the noise, she turned around and looked at him with a smile.
He looked as if he had just taken a shower; hot sweat trickled down his black hair, tracing the sharp lines of his profile, making him appear to be glowing.
Even his long eyelashes were covered with tiny beads of sweat, and his dark eyes were wet and glistening with a shallow luster, like a leopard that had just returned from hunting and had just put away its claws, masculine yet proud.
It's so beautiful it's almost unbearable.