20demayo Chapter 336 Playing Polo
Chapter 336 Playing Polo
Prince Ning wasn't one to beat around the bush, so he said directly, "If she likes Feng Zizhou, I can back out."
"Your Highness, you mustn't talk nonsense." Princess Roushu was startled, afraid that others might overhear her words.
Prince Ning said solemnly, “I have no feelings for Zhao Ning. After His Majesty bestowed the marriage upon us, she came to me several times, saying she wanted to break off the engagement. I felt that this was a marriage bestowed by the Emperor and should not be taken lightly, so I did not agree. But if she has someone else in her heart, I cannot take away what belongs to her.”
Princess Roushu was somewhat annoyed and asked, "Does His Highness Prince Ning mean for Ningning to go to the main hall and confess her true feelings in front of everyone, and ask her to annul the engagement?"
Prince Ning was stunned, and subconsciously replied, "I had no such intention."
"I didn't mean that, but you said those things in public. Aren't you trying to smear Ningning's reputation to force her to break off the engagement?"
Prince Ning thought for a moment, then stood up and bowed: "Princess, I am very sorry, I thought it was too simple."
Princess Roushu said, "Since ancient times, marriage has been a major event that should be decided by parents. Your marriage was bestowed by His Majesty, and the Princess is very satisfied with you. If you are not satisfied, you can ask to annul the engagement yourself. There is no need to spread rumors in front of me. If you want to go outside and ruin Ningning's reputation, I will be the first to object."
"It was my slip of the tongue." Prince Ning didn't offer any further explanation and got up to leave.
Feng Zizhou came over at this moment and called out, "Xiao Yun, hey, Youchuan, you're here too? Where's Zhao Ning?"
Prince Ning said, "I have to leave."
Feng Zizhou, always outgoing, sat down next to Prince Ning and muttered, "I don't know what's wrong with Zhao Ning. I went to see her the other day, and she said she wasn't feeling well and wouldn't come. But when Xiao Yun called her, she agreed to come? She doesn't treat me like a friend at all!"
Prince Ning glanced at him sideways: "You can open your heart in front of the princess, but in front of you, you're like a block of wood. There's really nothing to talk about."
"What wood?" Feng Zizhou didn't understand, but he knew that what Prince Ning said was unpleasant, and said unhappily, "What is it? Does His Highness Prince Ning have so much free time? Don't you need to care about the affairs of the ministry?"
"I was just about to leave." Prince Ning stood up and cupped his hands to Princess Roushu. "Princess, my mission is complete. I'm busy with official duties at the ministry, so I won't keep you company any longer."
The invitation to Prince Ning was originally for Zhao Ning's sake, but now that Zhao Ning has left, Princess Roushu has not tried to persuade Prince Ning to stay.
Feng Zizhou, on the other hand, was still acting like a fool, muttering unhappily, "Xiao Yun, you have to talk to Zhao Ning. What's wrong with her? Why is she ignoring me?"
Princess Roushu smiled and said, "Zhao Ning is a free spirit, so he must be unwell to stay longer. As for agreeing to the invitation, it's because I will be returning to Yuncheng in a few days."
Feng Zizhou reminisced about the friendship the three of them had shared growing up together, and surprisingly, he didn't make a fuss about going out to play.
Xie Lan invited, "Zizhou, how about we join the competition later?"
Feng Zizhou was in no mood for it and was about to refuse when a maidservant came over.
"Fourth Young Master Feng, my mistress has invited you to play polo with her."
Feng Zizhou recognized this maid; she belonged to Gui Yuan.
He said, "I won't be playing today."
The maid hesitated, "My mistress has no partner... I thought the Fourth Young Master would compete with her. Could the Fourth Young Master please explain this to my mistress in person?"
Feng Zizhou thought about it and realized that it would be wrong to leave Gui Yuan behind since he had come with her today. So he got up and followed the maid.
Xie Lan watched his retreating figure and suddenly laughed, "I don't know whether it's better to be so naive and fearless or to be a little smarter."
Princess Roushu said, "No one can guess what young men and women are thinking, nor is it necessary to try."
Outside the polo field.
When Gui Yuan heard Feng Zizhou say he didn't want to play polo, a flash of annoyance crossed her eyes, but she quickly concealed it, leaving only astonishment.
She asked cautiously, "Fourth Young Master, is it because Princess Zhao Ning... doesn't like our association?"
"what?"
Feng Zizhou was about to say no, but then he remembered Zhao Ning's reaction that day. Wasn't it because he felt that he and Gui Yuan were too close?
But why is Zhao Ning so angry? Gui Yuan is her good friend, that's why he's been taking extra care of her. What's she angry about?
Before Feng Zizhou could think it over, Gui Yuan lowered her eyes and said pitifully.
“Actually, I know that my family background is incomparable to that of the county princess… and you. The county princess has always been very kind to me, and I should be grateful for that, but how can I be friends with such noble people as you?”
Her pitiful appearance truly evokes pity.
In reality, the Gui family was not of high social standing, but because their two daughters had a good reputation from a young age and were very poised and elegant, they had long been integrated into the circle of noble ladies.
Moreover, the eldest princess always had a headache because Zhao Ning was too loud and boisterous, and she especially favored the dignified and composed Gui Shan, and also liked Gui Yuan very much.
Whenever she organizes a gathering, she always invites the Gui Shan sisters over to help her manage and entertain the other women.
Therefore, there is absolutely no such thing as anyone looking down on the Gui Shan sisters.
But when Feng Zizhou first heard this, he felt that Gui Yuan was right. Zhao Ning probably felt that Gui Yuan's status was too low and he shouldn't treat her so well.
He was a little angry. They were all familiar friends, so why make such a distinction?
"Guiyuan, you don't need to belittle yourself. Even my sisters-in-law praise you highly. I've decided to be your friend!"
Gui Yuan's lips twitched. She did want Feng Zizhou to pity her, but she didn't want to just be friends. What kind of friendship could there be between a man and a woman?
However, it must be said that while Feng Zizhou may not excel in other areas, he is exceptionally good at having fun. Even though Gui Yuan isn't particularly good at polo, the two of them together are far ahead of the competition.
After playing for half an hour, it was time for the halftime break.
As soon as Guiyuan stepped off the stage, she was surrounded by the girls.
"Yuanyuan, you really stole the show today, actually teaming up with Young Master Feng. You're definitely going to win first place this time."
“In previous years, the Fourth Young Master was always paired with the County Princess. Why didn’t the County Princess come this year? I arrived early and I clearly saw her before.”
Gui Yuan quickly said, "The county princess is not feeling well and has gone back first."
The girl next to her nudged the girl who had spoken earlier: "It was fine when we were younger, but now that we're all grown up and the county princess is engaged, it's naturally inappropriate for her to play polo with other young men."
The situation was similar for Langjun. As soon as Feng Zizhou stepped onto the stage, he was surrounded by his friends.
However, their words were tinged with a hint of mockery.
"Brother Zizhou, could it be that good news is on the horizon?"
Feng Zizhou was puzzled: "What good thing is coming soon?"
The friends exchanged glances, shoved each other, and laughed.
"Brother Zizhou, don't be shy. When you were young, if you were to team up with a lady, you would only go with Princess Zhao Ning. You wouldn't even look at the other ladies, thinking they were too frail. Why are you so happy to be with that very frail Gui family lady today?"