The main hall was packed.
Lady Jiang the Younger, Lady Liu from the second branch, Chu Ruoyin, and Chu Ruolan were all present. Even Old Madam Chu, who rarely made appearances, had been assisted in coming.
The room was crowded with people.
Chu Ruoyin quietly approached her elder sister and whispered, "Elder Sister, have you heard? It's an edict from the Empress..."
The Empress? Empress Pei?
Chu Ruoyan's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she recalled the previous palace visit, where the Empress had pressured the Chu family to support the Second Prince.
No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than the Empress's female official entered, holding the imperial decree aloft, and proclaimed loudly, "By the decree of Her Majesty the Empress of Great Xia, a grand polo tournament shall be held at the suburban riding grounds in three days' time. All members of the imperial clan and noble ladies from esteemed households are invited to attend. So it is decreed!"
As soon as the words fell, Chu Ruolan's eyes lit up.
A polo tournament!
Her specialty!
After everyone knelt in gratitude, Lady Jiang the Younger accepted the decree on behalf of Old Madam Chu. The female official added, "Madam of the Duke of Chu's Mansion, Her Majesty has an additional verbal order: all four young ladies of your household must attend, especially the eldest, Miss Chu Ruoyan. The Empress has not seen her in some time and misses her dearly."
Lady Jiang the Younger's eyelids twitched. This eldest miss truly had connections—even the Empress was involved!
Behind her, Old Madam Chu scoffed openly. "Could there be a mistake? That wild—ahem, I mean, how could she possibly be worthy of the Empress's regard?"
The remark drew frowns from everyone present.
It was no secret that the old lady disliked Chu Ruoyan due to her mother, Lady Jiang, but no one expected her to voice it so shamelessly in public!
The female official's expression darkened. "Does Old Madam Chu doubt the accuracy of this official's proclamation? Shall we return to the palace and have Her Majesty repeat it to you personally?"
Old Madam Chu flushed crimson. Lady Jiang the Younger quickly intervened, "Your Excellency, please forgive her. My mother meant no offense."
Only after slipping several silver ingots into the official's hand did she manage to smooth things over. Turning back, she saw Old Madam Chu storm off in humiliation, muttering, "This old one is unwell. I shall retire. Handle this as you see fit!"
With the cantankerous old woman gone, the atmosphere in the hall lightened.
Lady Liu approached with a smile. "Congratulations, Eldest Miss! Who would have thought that after your divorce, you'd catch the eye of the Empress herself?"
Chu Ruoyan could hardly voice her distress. The Empress's summons was clearly another attempt to drag the Chu family into political alignment.
She ignored the remark and instead glanced at Chu Ruolan. "Third Sister excels at polo. She’ll surely shine at the tournament."
Chu Ruolan, already fantasizing about dazzling the crowd, puffed out her chest. "Exactly! Mother, Aunts, rest assured—I will win glory for the Duke of Chu's Mansion!"
Lady Jiang the Younger immediately frowned. "Don’t speak nonsense! This isn’t about showing off!"
"Eh?" Chu Ruolan was stunned.
Chu Ruoyin gently explained, "Third Sister, the Empress's decree clearly states that imperial relatives and noble ladies are invited. That means princesses and peeresses will attend as well."
Chu Ruolan gasped. "Then Princess Jiahui will be there!"
Princess Jiahui was the daughter of Concubine Shu. Though her mother lacked favor, the young princess was the Emperor's darling.
Fond of riding and archery, the Emperor had even built her a private riding ground in the palace for polo and archery.
In the capital, only Princess Jiahui could rival Chu Ruolan in polo.
"Not just Princess Jiahui," Chu Ruoyin continued. "Princess Yongyang, the Princess Consort of Yu, is also skilled. And then there’s our friend Miss Zou..."
"Enough! My head is spinning!" Chu Ruolan groaned, clutching her temples.
If so many noblewomen—especially Princess Jiahui—were attending, where did that leave her?
Lady Jiang the Younger knew her daughter well. If she didn’t set things straight now, trouble was inevitable.
Coldly, she warned, "Princess Yongyang is Princess Jiahui’s aunt by marriage and wouldn’t compete with her. No one else outranks the princess either. This tournament may invite noble ladies, but it’s really Princess Jiahui’s stage. Don’t be foolish and provoke the wrong person. Understood?"
Chu Ruolan grumbled an acknowledgment. Even polo came with politics—she almost didn’t want to go anymore!
Once Lady Jiang the Younger finished her warnings, Chu Ruoyan returned to her quarters to prepare.
Her maid Yulu was thrilled about the polo tournament, but Nanny Zhou sighed. "The young mistress was once quite skilled at polo. What a pity..."
In her youth, Chu Huaishan had hired martial instructors and even taught her himself to strengthen her health.
But as she grew older, her chronic illness worsened, and she rarely rode anymore.
Chu Ruoyan shook her head. "This body can’t withstand the jostling. There’s no point regretting it. Nanny, don’t prepare riding attire—we’re just spectators."
Nanny Zhou sighed again but complied, packing extra medicinal pills from the old physician.
Three days later, the Duke of Chu's carriages departed.
By midday, they arrived at the suburban riding grounds.
The perimeter was already lined with carriages—those of princesses, peeresses, and princes. Compared to these, even the carriages of chancellors and dukes seemed humble.
After all, the distinction between ruler and subject was absolute.
As Chu Ruoyan and her sisters alighted, a guide led them toward the viewing pavilion.
Chu Ruolan’s eyes gleamed at the sight of the lush green field, but a sharp glance from Lady Jiang the Younger made her reluctantly look away.
At the pavilion, Empress Pei had yet to arrive. In her stead was her sister-in-law, Lady Pei.
Having received the Empress’s instructions, Lady Pei greeted them warmly. "Ah, the Duke of Chu's household! Which of you is Miss Chu Ruoyan?"
Chu Ruoyan stepped forward and curtsied. Lady Pei was momentarily taken aback—her fair skin and delicate features hardly matched the image of a divorced woman.
Smiling, she said, "Truly radiant. Her Majesty wishes for you to tour the stables first. She has a fine horse picked out as a gift."
The others stirred with envy. A horse from the Empress would be exceptional.
But beyond that, "horse" could also imply a match—was the Empress meddling in her marital prospects?
Chu Ruoyan remained composed. "My gratitude to Her Majesty. But my younger sisters..."
Lady Pei nodded. "The young ladies may accompany you. The other noble daughters are there as well—they’ll enjoy themselves. Madam of the Duke of Chu's Mansion and Lady Liu, why not relax here with some music?"
Lady Jiang the Younger had no choice but to agree, though she shot Chu Ruolan a warning look.
Chu Ruolan raised her hands in surrender. "Mother, I didn’t even bring my polo mallet!"
Only then did Lady Jiang the Younger relent, turning to Chu Ruoyan. "Eldest Miss, please keep an eye on your sisters."
Chu Ruoyan nodded and led them toward the stables.
Along the way, they passed numerous noble daughters. Just as they reached their destination, a polo mallet suddenly barred their path.
"Which one of you is Chu Ruolan?"
