Song Chuzhao was sweating profusely from playing cuju, but she had chased him all over the field and still hadn’t managed to snatch the ball from Fu Changjun.
Even though her mount was slightly more powerful than Fu Changjun’s, and her horsemanship had always been unmatched, she still couldn’t get past him.
Fu Changjun kept circling her with the ball, making her feel like she was just a hair’s breadth away from victory. But that tiny gap, no matter how many tricks she used, she couldn’t close.
His shots were truly… too cunning!carpreads.pages.dev
How many games did he have to play to develop such skill? Fu Changjun must have neglected his studies as a child and dedicated all his time to cuju.
Seeing that it was Song Chuzhao playing, Madam He glared at Master He a few times, but didn’t scold him. She deliberately brought a chair and sat in the courtyard to bask in the sun, watching Song Chuzhao’s prowess.
Zhaozhao is truly… even the way she plays cuju is so adorable.
Chundong also ran out to join the fun, standing on the sidelines and shouting at the top of her lungs, cheering Song Chuzhao on.
She didn’t dare mention Fu Changjun’s name, only repeating phrases like “Miss is mighty!” “Miss is amazing!” “Miss, you’re about to win!”
Then, the other servants of the He Mansion emerged, some with brooms, others with cloths, pretending to work, but actually waving their arms to give Song Chuzhao advice. They were much bolder, even daring to occasionally and subtly sabotage Fu Changjun, helping their own miss to snatch the ball.
Everyone was more enthusiastic about this playful competition than Song Chuzhao herself.
It had to be said, cuju… was only truly fun with an audience. Song Chuzhao played for several rounds, not feeling the slightest bit tired, her spirits growing even more excited.
Being a child of the He family was truly blissful!
Since returning to the capital, she hadn’t had such a chance to sweat it out so freely!
After chasing each other for two rounds, when Song Chuzhao was about to run out of steam, Fu Changjun finally made a mistake, allowing her to charge forward and hook the ball away.
Song Chuzhao knew he was letting her win, but that didn’t stop her from feeling happy. She raised her ball stick high, laughing uncontrollably on horseback.
A group of strong men below cheered and boasted, saying that she had actually defeated Fu Changjun, the top cuju player of the Imperial Insignia Guards, their words making Song Chuzhao feel so giddy that she thought she had accomplished something extraordinary.
Fu Changjun smiled faintly, saying nothing.
They dismounted and took a brief rest.
Madam He came out to greet them, wiping Song Chuzhao’s sweat with a handkerchief and holding a cup of water to her lips. She sighed, “Oh my, look at you two, you’ve gone wild.”
Song Chuzhao couldn’t stop laughing, shaking as she drank, spilling water onto her clothes. Madam He slapped her back playfully, scolding with a laugh, “You’re such a goofball.”
Song Chuzhao said, “Me? I’m just happy. I didn’t expect General Fu to be so good at cuju.”
Chundong’s eyes sparkled. She had been the loudest cheerleader, and now her voice was hoarse. She said, “Miss, you’re so amazing! You can go toe-to-toe with General Fu, proving your exceptional horsemanship. You’re probably even better than those famous young masters in the capital!”
Song Chuzhao laughed and said, “Those young masters in the capital, how could they compare to me, someone who goes to the military camp to play every day? Don’t flatter me, I might start believing it.”
Madam He said, “Why can’t you believe it? It’s the truth!”
Song Chuzhao chatted with them for a while, then ran towards Fu Changjun.
Fu Changjun had tied both horses to a nearby pillar and leaned his ball stick against the wall.
Song Chuzhao stood beside him, smiling happily.
Fu Changjun glanced at her, pulled a letter from his sleeve, and handed it to her.
Song Chuzhao asked, “What is this?”
Fu Changjun said, “The hunting grounds.”
The Winter Solstice was a festival that was always celebrated with great fanfare. The court would also prepare for the most grand ceremony of offering sacrifices to Heaven, praying for a year of good harvests and peace. The sacrificial animals would be prepared in advance.
To showcase the bravery of the young men of our dynasty, every year the court would set up a hunting ground in the forest outside the city, in the suburbs, and let people go in to hunt.
According to tradition, the Emperor would also participate. Because this was originally just a game for the monarch to pass the time by finding people to keep him company. But when it came to Emperor Tang Zhanglian, the rules changed, and it became a grand event specifically to reward military officers.
Because if he couldn’t hunt anything, no one else could either. As a result, everyone had to watch his every move, making him feel very embarrassed.
He was the Emperor, after all. Did he need those two words of praise? Why did he have to make it so awkward? Didn’t he feel ashamed?
Of course, in the winter, when everything was withered and desolate, why would a group of revived prey suddenly appear in the forest… was an unspoken secret.
Song Chuzhao asked, “Can I go too?”
Even though she was in the border region, due to her status, there were some things she was not allowed to participate in. She could only watch from the sidelines.
Fu Changjun said, “It’s just for fun. The Emperor is generous, and many people will go to try their luck. There are quite a few ladies who go. If you want to go, go. If you don’t want to go, don’t go.”
Song Chuzhao said, “There are so many things to do for fun in the capital.”
Fu Changjun said, “Yes, otherwise, how could there be so many people who want to make their way to the capital?”
Song Chuzhao found it interesting and temporarily put the invitation away, smiling and asking, “So, does what you said before still count? You said if I could grab the ball…”
Fu Changjun reached into his chest again and pulled out something, handing it to her.
Song Chuzhao asked, “What kind of event is this again?”
Fu Changjun said, “It’s a letter from your father.”
Song Chuzhao had already seen the writing on the envelope.
General Song’s handwriting was not good, so she could recognize it at a glance.
Fu Changjun said, “The letter was sent from a certain border town half a month ago. Based on the time, they should be arriving in the capital soon. The Emperor asked me to tell you.”
Her parents were coming back, and Song Chuzhao was naturally happy. She had waited from early autumn until the beginning of winter, and finally, she had waited for them to return.
However, she had been independent since she was young and didn’t cling to people. To say how happy she was… not really.
Seeing that Fu Changjun was about to leave, Song Chuzhao chased after him and asked, “Hey, Uncle Fu, I had so much fun playing with you today. Can I come see you again next time?”
Fu Changjun said, “Of course.”
Song Chuzhao pressed her advantage, “Then can I go to the training ground and ride a horse?”
Fu Changjun didn’t say anything, just smiled faintly at her.
Song Chuzhao humbly pleaded, “Can I?”
Fu Changjun walked over to the warhorse on the side, reached out and patted its neck, then used his fingers to smooth down its messy mane.
This was his horse, and it was very close to him, rubbing its head against his cheek.
Fu Changjun said, “I can also have someone teach you archery and accompany you to practice martial arts, okay?”
Song Chuzhao was overwhelmed with joy, unable to believe it, “Really? The Imperial Insignia Guards are so good!”
Fu Changjun untied the reins, mounted the horse, and lowered his head to laugh from atop the horse, “I’ll have Fifth Son Gu join us too. You two can learn together. I think his physique needs some serious training.”
Song Chuzhao let out a surprised “Eh,” and said in disappointment, “…Uncle Fu, are you threatening me? That’s not very nice.”
Fu Changjun said, “If you don’t mind, then what I said stands.”
After he finished speaking, he squeezed his legs against the horse’s belly and gave it a kick. The steed immediately took off, carrying him out of the courtyard gate.
Song Chuzhao took a long time to realize what had happened, and she exclaimed in a panic, “Ah—my horse! He rode away with my horse! I don’t have a horse anymore!”
Master He heard her cries and ran out. Seeing that Fu Changjun was bullying her again, he comforted Song Chuzhao, saying, “It’s alright. Next time, you just go directly to him and ask for it back. He wouldn’t dare to chase you away. He took your horse, so you just ride one and lead another back. It’ll make him so mad.”
Song Chuzhao was eager to try, but her conscience wasn’t entirely dead. She blushed and said, “Wouldn’t that be a bit too much?”
Master He was fearless. “Just say I told you to go.”
Song Chuzhao had no choice. Look, it was her maternal grandfather who was encouraging her to do this.
Song Chuzhao had a lot of fun today, but she did trample quite a few flowers and plants in the mansion.
As evening approached, the servants of the He Mansion were all busy tidying up the courtyard, cleaning up the mess she had made.
Song Chuzhao had finished bathing and went to help as well.
She found a piece of cloth and wiped the two ball sticks clean. After examining them carefully, she realized that these sticks were quite old. There were several intersecting marks carved on the top of the handles.
The shallower engravings had been smoothed out by fingers, making it impossible to discern what they were. Song Chuzhao remembered that Fu Changjun had taken these from the corner storeroom, so she went over there to search.
This room was rarely used and was filled with old and dusty items, some of which were clearly damaged.
It was truly strange that Master He, with his personality, would keep these useless things.
Song Chuzhao guessed that perhaps these were things her mother had used. That would make sense.
She rummaged through the room, and Chundong, who had been asking around for her, arrived at the door. Seeing her squatting on the floor, busy with something, she laughed and said, “This is truly strange. Miss, you used to take so long to bathe, but this time you were so quick. I was only gone for a short while, and you’ve already come here.”
Song Chuzhao stopped what she was doing.
Chundong laughed again, “Your face is still as red as before.”
Song Chuzhao slowly turned her head and said, “Promise me you’ll never mention this again.”
“What’s there to be embarrassed about? I think it’s cute, Miss.” Chundong walked in and asked, “What are you looking for, Miss? Let me help you.”
The room was full of dust, and Song Chuzhao couldn’t find anything useful. She didn’t want to stay there anymore. She clapped her hands and stood up, asking, “Chundong, you grew up in the capital, right?”
Chundong said, “Yes. I’ve been by Madam’s side since I can remember.”
Song Chuzhao said, “Madam Gu and my mother were so close. Do you know anything about my mother?”
“That…” Chundong said regretfully, “The problem is, Madam Song was already gone from the capital since I can remember.”
Song Chuzhao sighed, “That’s true.”
Chundong thought for a moment and then said, “Although I don’t know much, I do know some things. What do you want to ask?”
Song Chuzhao said, “Actually, what I want to know most is why my mother don’t want to return to the capital.”
Chundong lowered her voice, “I don’t know about that. But if you think it might have something to do with General Fu, maybe it’s possible.”
Song Chuzhao asked, “How so?”
Chundong said, “I heard it from Madam. A few years ago, many court officials wanted to arrange a marriage for General Fu, but he wouldn’t agree. Madam said regretfully, ‘What a pity for Miss He Wan. If she knew, she wouldn’t know whether to be happy or sad.’”
Song Chuzhao pondered, her voice tense, “I heard before that they had a betrothal. It wasn’t a rumor, was it?”
Chundong shook her head, “No, it’s true. In the past, the Fu family was also a wealthy and influential household, with a very close relationship with the He family.”
Song Chuzhao said, “They still are.”
Chundong said, “They were down on their luck for a while.”
Song Chuzhao asked, “How down on their luck?”
Chundong asked, “Would you consider being almost branded as a traitor and having their family’s assets confiscated as being down on their luck?”
Song Chuzhao said, “…It couldn’t be worse.”
Chundong looked around, making sure no one was listening, before speaking boldly, “It was all because of the late Emperor’s obsession with immortality and his deep suspicion. It caused our young master to suffer greatly.”
Song Chuzhao pulled at her hair.
Chundong continued, “But you shouldn’t believe those rumors outside. They are just the jealous whispers of those with ulterior motives. If you really want to know, I can ask Madam for you.”
Song Chuzhao struggled between curiosity and reason for a long time, finally shaking her head and refusing, “Forget it. Since everyone doesn’t want to talk about it, I shouldn’t pry, lest I offend everyone.”
Chundong smiled and nodded, “Since you’ve decided, I think it’s for the best, Miss.”
After Fu Changjun mentioned that father Song would be returning soon, a few days later, Chundong learned the exact date from the Gu mansion. She rushed back to tell Song Chuzhao.
Chundong excitedly said, “General Song’s people are near the city gates. They’ve sent someone to the capital to report. They said they’ll be entering the city tomorrow at noon. Madam asked if you want to go to the city gate to greet them. If you do, she’ll accompany you.”
Song Chuzhao said, “So soon?”
Chundong said, “Madam Song is naturally eager to see you.”
Song Chuzhao remembered her sudden departure and couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt.
Her mother was probably eager to come back… to beat her up?
Song Chuzhao held Chundong’s hand and said solemnly, “Please, by all means, let Madam Gu accompany me.”