Chapter 15
Yu Ying felt her face flush and quietly glanced at her second sister, only to see her motionless, staring at the polo field. Suddenly, her sister trembled slightly. When Yu Ying looked back at the field, she noticed that the polo ball, which had been drifting around midfield moments ago, now darted across most of the field toward the Yellow Team’s goal. The Yellow Team failed to block it, and the ball swiftly went into the hole.
At the same time, the gong sounded, signaling the end of the match.
“My goodness!” Yu Xuan couldn’t help but stand up, and cheers erupted around them.
It was clear the Red Team had won, though Yu Ying still didn’t quite grasp what had happened.
Yu Xuan, excited, grabbed her arm. “Amazing! He’s incredible—so heroic and handsome! No wonder you were interested in him from the start!”
Yu Ying asked, “What are you talking about?”
“Cheng Zijun! He actually struck the ball into the hole at the last moment. Didn’t you see? It was so brave!”
Yu Ying immediately denied it. “I wasn’t interested in him. It’s because I knew Grandfather had already chosen him. Besides, I didn’t know who else to pick.”
While she was still defending herself, Yu Xuan had already stopped listening and, together with the other sisters-in-law nearby, was cheering loudly, praising how skillful and extraordinary Cheng Xianzhang’s shot had been at that moment.
Clearly, Yu Xuan had lost interest in Yu Ying, feeling they had no common ground.
Yu Ying felt a bit lonely. She really hadn’t noticed anything! Moreover, her second sister had left midway to take care of the children, but Yu Ying had watched every moment without missing a beat and still didn’t see the final scene.
The applause and admiration continued for quite some time before dying down. The Red Team had won and received prizes; Cheng Xianzhang was unanimously acclaimed as the undisputed champion and awarded a gilded polo mallet.
Out of respect for the guests, Zheng Boru, who was the runner-up, received a saddle, and Pei Xingyu took third place. As for her second brother-in-law, being part of the winning team, he was awarded a golden leaf—simple but decent.
Zheng Boru came over and asked Yu Ying, “Miss, what do you think of this saddle?”
“It’s beautiful! Such a unique saddle is rare in the capital. My second sister’s family is generous!” Yu Ying replied.
Zheng Boru looked at her. “It’s rather exquisite. I think it suits your white horse better.”
“Hmm?”
Zheng Boru continued, “How about I give it to you?”
“Really? I actually quite like it!” Yu Ying was delighted and about to take it, then asked, “Are you flattering me or just giving it casually?”
Zheng Boru was slightly embarrassed by the question and responded, “Does it make a difference?”
“The difference is that even if I accept it, it doesn’t mean I’m flattered.”
“In that case, it’s just a casual gift,” Zheng Boru said.
Yu Ying felt his eyes clearly implied it was meant to flatter her.
She wanted to give him something in return, to balance the exchange and avoid indebtedness, but the floral Qingle horse she had received long ago had already been given away.
Zheng Boru seemed to sense her dilemma and said, “I have a niece in the capital who wants to learn polo. If Miss Yu has time, would you consider giving her some guidance?”
Yu Ying looked at the saddle and pouted, “Just a saddle, and you want me to take on a disciple? That’s too much trouble. I won’t do it.”
“How about some snow pastry from Snow Crisp Mountain next time we meet? Then the lady can give me one,” Zheng Boru proposed.
They were clearly planning future meetings, not something to brush off lightly.
His friendly intentions were unmistakable, and Yu Ying thought he was quite good at making her happy. She accepted the saddle and agreed, “Sure, I’m free anyway.”
“Shall we try the saddle now?” Zheng Boru suggested.
Yu Ying wanted to try it too, so they walked together to the stable and fitted the new saddle onto her white horse.
The white steed, adorned with a blue-green lacquered saddle inlaid with gold, looked delicate and elegant—truly beautiful.
With the saddle installed, naturally, they had to try it out. Yu Ying led the horse toward the polo field, Zheng Boru walking alongside her.
Pei Xingyu was still immersed in reviewing the earlier match, analyzing her mistakes and potential improvements. When she turned to look at Cheng Xianzhang, who remained silent and motionless, staring at the field, she noticed two figures approaching: a woman in red leading a white horse, and a man in pale blue half-sleeves accompanying her. Against the lush green grass, their colorful attire gave off the air of a refined couple.
It was obviously Yu Ying and Zheng Boru, and the white horse bore that exquisite saddle—clearly the prize Zheng Boru had given her.
Pei Xingyu couldn’t help but say, “Are they... together now?”
On the polo field, Yu Ying mounted her horse.
Zheng Boru asked from below, “How is it? Comfortable?”
Yu Ying nodded. “Very comfortable. Uncle Pei is excellent, and Lord Zheng is quite impressive too.”
Zheng Boru casually said, “Why don’t you call me Brother Zheng instead?”
Yu Ying leaned down from the saddle and whispered, “I haven’t even called you Second Uncle Zheng yet.” She smiled mischievously. Zheng Boru knew she was teasing and smiled helplessly.
Yu Ying then sat upright, urged the horse forward, and galloped across the polo field.
She had gone quite far while Zheng Boru stayed behind, watching her.
Pei Xingyu confirmed it—they really had become a couple, or at least Zheng Boru clearly intended that.
She glanced again at Cheng Xianzhang, who lowered his eyes and took a deep sip from his teacup, as if trying to drown his feelings in drink.
Something about the atmosphere felt off.
Looking back at the field, Pei Xingyu thought to herself that Zheng Boru was indeed a suitable match for the Yu family—a young, accomplished man paired with a radiant beauty made for each other.
But Cheng Xianzhang seemed... unhappy.
Pei Xingyu had no experience with ex-wives, so he didn’t know what it felt like to see an ex remarry.
...
Today, Cheng Xianzhang had become famous on the polo field, yet he remained calm and composed. Zheng Boru had given his prize to Yu Ying, openly signaling his interest in her, which sparked quiet gossip among the onlookers.
As the crowd dispersed, many still felt the excitement lingered, deeming the match truly spectacular.
Zheng Boru had long forgotten the game. Having gifted the saddle to Yu Ying, he had also earned an opportunity to meet her again, filling his heart with a sense of triumph. He chatted with friends all the way until they parted at the intersection, then rode his horse toward his residence.
The sky was already darkening. He noticed a horse waiting ahead and found it curious. Upon approaching, he realized it was Cheng Xianzhang.
They were colleagues, well acquainted but rarely socialized privately. In his memory, Cheng Xianzhang was extremely calm and reserved, never showing his abilities openly, but striking decisively like a coiled snake when it mattered most.
His performance on the polo field today was just like that. Before now, Zheng Boru didn’t even know Cheng Xianzhang played polo.
Thinking this, he smiled and greeted him, “Lord Cheng, what brings you here?”
Cheng Xianzhang replied, “I was about to leave but suddenly remembered something to discuss with Lord Zheng, so I waited here a while.”
Zheng Boru looked surprised. “Waiting for me?”
Cheng Xianzhang said softly, “For a private matter. Please stay a moment. I wish to speak with you.”
Zheng Boru bowed and dismounted.
Cheng Xianzhang also got off his horse, and they walked aside. Cheng Xianzhang began, “I heard Lord Zheng intends to marry Miss Yu San?”
Zheng Boru had suspected this was about Yu Ying.
When they met today, he sensed a different meaning in Cheng Xianzhang’s gaze, and he had deliberately looked back several times; surely Cheng sensed it too.
It was an unspoken understanding—one was the man who had married her before, the other the man who wanted to marry her now. They were rivals in love, though not openly hostile, but certainly not friendly.
When Cheng asked, Zheng Boru did not hide his intentions. “Yes, I do.”
Cheng Xianzhang said, “The Zheng family is a prominent clan of Xingyang, known for their cultivation of poetry and propriety, valuing rituals above all. Lord Zheng’s first wife, Lady Li, was renowned for her gentleness and virtue, meek and obedient. It surprised me that Lord Zheng would remarry and choose Miss Yu San.”
Zheng Boru asked, “What do you mean by that?”
“Obviously, Miss Yu San and Lady Li are very different people. If Lord Zheng was deeply devoted to Lady Li, how could he wish to marry someone like Miss Yu San?”
Zheng Boru countered, “If I’m not mistaken, Lord Cheng has been divorced from Miss Yu for many years and both have remarried. It surprises me that Lord Cheng still concerns himself with Miss Yu’s affairs.”
Cheng Xianzhang earnestly said, “Because I care. I don’t want Miss Yu to go astray. If you two become bitter enemies, it won’t be good for Lord Zheng either.”
He was frank, and Zheng Boru frowned. “Since I intend to marry her, I will plan carefully. As for how we live after marriage, that’s none of Lord Cheng’s concern.”
Cheng Xianzhang responded, “I hope Lord Zheng has truly thought this through and it’s not a whim. Miss Yu is beautiful but not a woman who flaunts her charms or can be casually discarded.”
“Lord Cheng understands this so well because the divorce was a whim, not thought through, resulting in bitterness, right?” Zheng Boru retorted.
Cheng Xianzhang said nothing.
Indeed, he and Yu Ying had become estranged, and she now only felt disdain toward him.
Zheng Boru said, “My late wife was indeed virtuous, and I was deeply devoted to her. Perhaps it wasn’t by chance but careful cultivation. For this reason, I’m more likely to be devoted to my new wife as well, right? Lord Cheng seems to meddle excessively.”
With that, he turned, mounted his horse, and rode away.
Cheng Xianzhang watched his figure gradually disappear into the hazy dusk.
In truth, both were stung by each other’s words. As the husband divorced for five years, Cheng Xianzhang was long detached from Yu Ying—his concern was truly too much. Zheng Boru’s words were blunt, yet he himself was uncertain if his current resolve could sustain a lifelong union with her.