The woman who usually loved wearing red was in white today, for what reason?
"Xiao Ru'er, you're here~"
Yue Nansang sheathed her sword.
As Xing Ru approached, they both sat down by the table.
The table was laden with pastries, and Xing Ru glanced at them casually, all her favorites.
"Sang Sang, why did you suddenly take out that sword today?"
In fact, Queen Yue had disliked Yue Nansang practicing martial arts since she was a child. Her martial arts were all learned from Yue Beiyang.
Back then, Yue Nansang shamelessly begged Yue Beiyang to teach her. The young man hadn't agreed at first, but Yue Nansang was persistent enough. Every day she would go to the training ground and stand by, watching him, and finally, she persuaded the young man.
As for how Xing Ru knew, it was because she accompanied Yue Nansang to watch the young man practice martial arts.
There was almost always a little girl like this by Yue Nansang's side.
But many people always overlooked this timid little girl.
Including Yue Beiyang.
At this moment, Yue Nansang looked at Xing Ru with a gaze that gradually filled with admiration, then she said with a smile, "Xiao Ru'er, you're very special today~"
Xing Ru's face instantly turned red. She was wearing red today because she wanted that person to notice her at a glance.
Or at least know of her existence.
Sang Sang was born so stunning, while she could only attract attention through deliberate dressing.
The girl's thoughts were simple, and she didn't know that such an approach was actually of little significance.
But her heart had stirred, and she just wanted the person she loved to at least see her.
"Sang Sang, you're so annoying!"
After Yue Nansang teased her for a while, Xing Ru's blushing became even more apparent. The girl turned her head away and said resentfully.
Just then, she saw the man at the door.
Yue Beiyang, dressed in black, was standing at the door, looking in.
Xing Ru saw his gaze sweep over her and then fall on Yue Nansang.
Great! He finally saw her!
Thump! Thump!
The girl's heart began to beat rhythmically.
"Second Brother?"
Yue Beiyang walked in directly. A'Tang saw Yue Beiyang and quietly stepped back, trying to minimize her presence.
Although her princess was close to the Second Prince, she always felt afraid when facing the Second Prince.
It was a fear from the inside out.
"Why do you have time to visit today?" Yue Nansang asked.
Yue Beiyang sat down directly, right opposite Xing Ru.
"What, you don't welcome me?" the young man retorted, his dark eyes holding indescribable emotions.
"No, I was just asking..."
Yue Nansang's tone was very calm, as if she were making small talk.
But the young man in front of them was clearly someone others avoided like the plague.
"Xiao Ru'er, are you still angry with me? I won't say it anymore, okay?"
Xing Ru hadn't even turned her body yet. She was stiff all over and didn't dare to move.
Yue Beiyang finally glanced at her again.
Xing Ru could feel the indifferent gaze from the person opposite her, filled with scrutiny and confusion, washing over her.
In the past, she would have definitely avoided it, but this time—
Xing Ru turned her body and sat facing Yue Beiyang.
The girl's heart pounded fiercely, as if it were about to leap out of her chest.
She suddenly looked up, her eyes meeting the young man's.
But there, there was only confusion, indifference, and scrutiny.
In an instant, she lowered her head, her courage gone.
He saved her not for any other reason, perhaps just to save a life...
It was she who had been too demanding.
Xing Ru saw the pastries on the table, then picked one up and popped it into her mouth.
"Cough! Cough! Cough!"
She choked on the pastry and began to cough violently.
"Xiao Ru'er! Drink water quickly!"
Yue Nansang quickly poured her a cup of water. She thought it was because she had gone too far, causing Xing Ru to choke in anger.
The gaze of the person opposite suddenly changed.
Xing Ru didn't know, because she dared not look up.
If she had looked up, she would have surely noticed the impatience in the young man's eyes.
He didn't like this girl. Her fidgety demeanor displeased him, and her delicate appearance now displeased him even more!
Unfortunately, Xing Ru didn't see it.
Therefore, the flame in her heart was not extinguished; it only needed a spring breeze to ignite a prairie fire.
After Xing Ru stopped coughing, Yue Nansang returned to her conversation with Yue Beiyang.
It turned out that Yue Beiyang had come to discuss the polo match in half a month.
In half a month, it would be the time when all things would revive.
The royal family and nobles of Anzhou would hold their annual polo competition, a match that both men and women could participate in.
Playing polo was one objective, but fostering relationships through such events was another.
At that time, members of the royal family and sons of dukes and ministers would participate.
If a few couples could be matched during the tournament, it would be a beautiful story.
And this happened almost every year.
Yue Nansang participated every year, but Yue Beiyang had only been able to participate in recent years.
Since Yue Beiyang started participating, the two of them had almost jointly won all the championships.
The competition required pairs, and most of them were male-female partnerships. Whoever scored the most goals within the time it took for one stick of incense to burn would win the championship.
The rewards were not fixed.
But in fact, most people did not come for the rewards. They were just a lucky charm. More importantly, it was a chance to make an appearance at the event.
That was also a great honor!
This year was no exception, and they would continue to participate.
However, Xing Ru, who did not know how to play polo, had never participated.
Every year, she would watch Yue Nansang from the sidelines, watching her heroic display on horseback, watching her skillfully score goals, and then she would clap silently, laughing with her joy.
This year, Xing Ru was the same.
The polo field was filled with flying dust.
Yue Nansang, in a red riding outfit, was galloping on the field.
Bang!
A goal!
The entire venue erupted. The King on the spectator stands smiled, but the Queen's face was cold.
She had never liked Yue Nansang being so publicly exposed, nor any girl's appearance.
Instead, Xing Ru, who had played with Yue Nansang since childhood, was delicate and lovely, which was quite appealing.
As she was thinking, her gaze drifted to Xing Ru beside her.
She smiled with satisfaction, then as if remembering something, a flicker appeared in her eyes.
Xing Ru was her and Xing Zhan's daughter, but she could only see her through Yue Nansang.
She had clearly given birth to a baby girl that year, but had claimed she died and sent her out of the palace.
The little infant was quietly sent to the Xing residence.
That madam, having learned the truth, fell ill and died soon after.
Xing Zhan never remarried. Outsiders said it was because he loved his deceased wife and daughter too much. Only Queen Yue knew that the man loved no one but himself.