This polo match was supposed to be a game for fun, but anyone with a discerning eye could see the subtle rivalry behind the clearly defined positions of the two teams.
As agreed beforehand, this polo match was to be played in a best-of-three format, meaning it would consist of three games.
Since Prince Gong Yunchi's men were not present, he was appointed to sit on the judge's seat.
Not long after the first game started, Xiong Xiaoyi realized that almost all four opponents were targeting him.
Although Zheng Qiuqi, who was also dressed in black, was Yun Pei's person, she remained neutral and watched from the sidelines since the other party was not particularly targeting her. As for the other two people on the team who were just there to make up the numbers, there was no need to count on them. They were just pretending to work hard and swing their clubs around the field, but in reality, they missed every time.
In other words, Xiong Xiaoyi was actually facing a situation of fighting four opponents alone, not to mention fighting three matches in a row.
In such a dire situation, anyone else would likely have been intimidated before the battle even began, putting them at a disadvantage in terms of morale.
But Xiong Xiaoyi, a fierce general who never feared to fight the Northern Di people with real swords and spears even in the treacherous environment of Linchuan when he couldn't even get enough to eat, was nothing more than a laughing stock in his eyes.
Despite its seemingly robust, bear-like figure, it is surprisingly agile on horseback.
Although he almost single-handedly carried the Black team's offensive, the arrogant and domineering aura he exuded made it seem as if he had a thousand troops standing behind him, and his general's demeanor was as steady as a green mountain.
With Xiong Xiaoyi's ninth shot into the net, the judges' table ran out of time, and the flag bearer beside Prince Gong Yunchi waved a small black flag to announce the victory of the black team, ending the first game.
The cheers and applause from the crowd gave Xiong Xiaoyi a taste of heroism, so he reined in his horse and stopped in the middle of the field, raised his baton high, and thanked the crowd.
After finishing, he turned back and grinned at the four members of the red team, his black face covered in glistening sweat and full of provocative smiles.
After handing the horse over to the attendant on the sidelines, he caught sight of Yun Lie, who was supervising the battle with a serious expression. He casually wiped the sweat from his face with his sleeve and walked over with a brisk pace to claim credit.
"You didn't disgrace our Linchuan Army, did you? Hey, even if they sent ten more men, Master Xiong would still win like it's nothing!"
A faint sense of pride surfaced in Yun Lie's eyes, but he still said coldly, "There are still two rounds left. What are you so smug about? Don't forget, pride comes before a fall."
"Pah! What a foul mouth! You'll die if you don't provoke me for a day?" Xiong Xiaoyi glared at him, then saw Luo Cuiwei handing him a thick handkerchief with a look of reverence. He quickly accepted it with a smile, "Thank you, thank you."
"General Xiong is indeed remarkable!" Luo Cuiwei praised without reservation, her face beaming with smiles.
Yun Lie pursed his thin lips, remaining silent, his gaze fixed intently on the handkerchief in Xiong Xiaoyi's hand.
He didn't say a word, he just stared at me.
Xiong Xiaoyi had only wiped half of his sweat when he was glared at by Luo Cuiwei, which made him feel cold all over. He quickly smiled awkwardly and tried to return the handkerchief to Luo Cuiwei.
Perhaps it was because Yun Lie's chill was too terrifying at the moment, and he made no attempt to conceal it, that Luo Cuiwei was also innocently chilled to the back of her neck. Although she did not understand why, she still quietly took half a step back to the side before reaching out her hand to Xiong Xiaoyi.
Seeing Luo Cuiwei's little movement out of the corner of his eye, Yun Lie's expression grew even colder. He stretched out his long arm and patted the back of her hand lightly.
Seeing her hastily pull her hand back behind her back, Yun Lie sternly snatched the handkerchief from Xiong Xiaoyi's hand and forcefully threw it into the arms of the waiter next to him.
****
Many people did not notice that during the break between the two groups, Princess Huanrong Yunxi and Prince An Yunhuan immediately entered the brocade tent where Emperor Xianlong was.
Both of them were adept at flattery, and they said in unison that they wished to "entertain their father in colorful clothes" today, and that they would join in the fun by playing a couple of rounds of the game so that their father would be happy.
Even emperors, as they grow older, will have the same thoughts as ordinary parents in their daily lives, and they will always appreciate the closeness and respect of their children.
Emperor Xianlong readily agreed.
After a short rest, the second game began.
Looking at the opponent's completely new lineup, Xiong Xiaoyi glared resentfully and angrily at Yun Lie on the sidelines—
What a terrible jinx!
Two of the four opponents were princes themselves, which is truly bullying.
But since His Majesty the Emperor has already granted it, who would dare to utter a word of "injustice"?
Since the opponent had temporarily replaced them with two imposing figures that were not easily touched, Xiong Xiaoyi dared not play as aggressively as he had in the previous game, for fear of accidentally offending the two princes.
After all, His Majesty the Emperor is watching. If anything were to happen to the two princes because of him, no one could escape the blame.
Even Xiong Xiaoyi was hesitant and timid, so his teammates naturally became even more half-hearted and half-hearted in their efforts, resulting in a crushing defeat in the second game.
When he returned to the sidelines this time, he looked like a defeated soldier, dejected and his dark face was filled with a sullen and dejected expression.
Luo Cuiwei felt sorry for him and gently comforted him, "General Xiong, don't worry about it. It's just for fun. It's okay if you lose."
The other party was so blatantly shameless, even sending two princes to personally intervene. Anyone would have to be wary of them, so it's really no wonder Xiong Xiaoyi was treated this way.
"There's one more round. If you lose, you can expect to be made into bear jerky," Yun Lie said coldly, standing with his hands behind his back, showing no warmth whatsoever. "The other side only changed two people, and they beat you into this pathetic, cowardly state. What use are you?"
Xiong Xiaoyi was somewhat indignant, gritting his teeth and muttering, "You make it sound so easy! What's the difference between those two people and porcelain statues? If I accidentally break them, I..."
Yun Lie snorted coldly. Although he didn't say much, his undisguised contempt was evident in his words.
"If you're so good, then you do it!" Xiong Xiaoyi barked defiantly.
He was just a minor military officer; how could he dare to actually lay a hand on the two princes in front of His Majesty? He didn't want to die.
"Alright." Yun Lie lowered his eyes, smoothed his sleeves, and walked towards the brocade tent where Emperor Xianlong was.
After walking a few steps, he turned back and glanced at Luo Cuiwei.
A faint, reassuring smile flickered in his jet-black eyes, as if to say—
Don't worry, I will take good care of your dowry.
****