Do you know: I should be fat and you should be thin!

Outside Fanlou!

A servant ran to the carriage bearing the Yu family's logo and whispered something to it.

"Yes, let's hurry back to the mansion. Your grandparents must be worried," Yu Yanran urged the driver.

It turned out that she couldn't resist any longer and secretly followed them.

Upon hearing that Zhou Ning had won and received a thousand taels of gold, I couldn't help but feel happy for him.

The Yu family residence!

Yu Yanran hurriedly got out of the car and rushed to inquire about her grandparents' well-being.

"Yan'er, didn't you promise your grandfather that you would go early and return early every day? Even if the Sheng family invited you to stay for dinner, you shouldn't be this late, should you?" Grand Tutor Yu asked.

His tone contained only a hint of reproach, yet also three parts worry, and seemingly six parts helplessness.

Yu Yanran gave a slight bow and honestly replied, "Grandfather, tomorrow is a day off. The second son of the Gu family and Young Master Qi invited everyone to the polo match hosted by Madam Wu. In order to invite Zhou Ning to go together, the two even played a game of pitch-pot. I couldn't resist and went to take a look."

Seeing that the old Grand Tutor's expression was not right, Yu Yanran immediately said, "Granddaughter has been in the carriage the whole time and did not go in. It was the servant who went in to check."

"Is he a big gambler?" Grand Tutor Yu grasped the key point.

Yu Yanran explained, "That's not how it is. Zhou Ning had declined many times, but Gu Erlang kept pressing him, saying that if he didn't agree, he would be ungrateful, so he finally agreed."

Grand Tutor Yu raised his head arrogantly, stroking his beard, and said, "That's not advisable either. They're going to the polo match tomorrow? What about you?"

"Granddaughter doesn't want to go." Yu Yanran instinctively resisted, but regretted it as soon as she said it, yet dared not change her mind again.

Since losing her birth mother, she has been constantly suppressed and bullied by her remarried mother, half-brother, and half-sister.

These two always went to polo matches or other exciting events, so she naturally didn't want to go anymore.

Grand Tutor Yu nodded in satisfaction and said, "You haven't lost your mind after all. Tomorrow, you can go with your grandmother to Yuqing Temple to offer incense. Your grandfather won't be going."

"Is Grandfather alright?" Yu Yanran asked worriedly.

In her memory, her grandfather never left her grandmother when it came to things like offering incense and praying for blessings; they were always inseparable.

Could it be that Grandfather is unwell?

Grand Tutor Yu simply smiled and said that he was still in good health and could watch her get married and have children, but he had something to do the next day.

Yu Yanran had no suspicions and went to greet Old Madam Yu.

......

The polo match is held right next to Jinming Pond!

The place was bustling with nobles and dignitaries early in the morning, and as far as the eye could see, there were countless wives and concubines of officials.

At polo matches, it is not only acceptable for men and women to look at each other without overstepping boundaries, but they can also team up and play together!

The club itself doesn't have a quota limit; as long as you're not an ordinary citizen, anyone who wants to go can go.

However, the number of tents in the venue was limited, so all noble families would send out name cards in advance, and only those with name cards could have their own private tents.

If it weren't for Gu Tingye leading the way, Zhou Ning wouldn't have been able to get in!

Seeing Zhou Ning looking around, Gu Tingye teased, "Pengqi, are you comparing which official's wife is prettier?"

Zhou Ning asked, puzzled, "Where's Changbai? Wasn't I the one who got forced to drink last night? Why is he here so late? It's about to start."

"What's the rush? Move over, here we are, look at that pile!" Gu Tingye suddenly pointed.

Zhou Ning looked over and, lo and behold, Qi Heng was leading the women of the Sheng family to his own tent.

After the women were settled, Qi Heng, Chang Bai, and Chang Feng all rushed over here.

Only after asking the person involved did I learn that Princess Pingning did not like such occasions and was not coming today.

Upon learning that the entire tent was empty, Qi Heng went to the Sheng residence early in the morning and invited all the women to come.

Wang Ruofu was already bored at home, so she was eager to get some fresh air and could also find a suitable partner for Rulan in advance. Why would she refuse?

As the three approached.

"Brother Changbai, I thought you had changed your mind and weren't coming!" Zhou Ning stood up and bowed.

Sheng Changbai returned the greeting and said, "I originally intended to go and find you, but Yuanruo came to the door early this morning and we ran into each other, so I simply came with my mother and sisters."

Everyone understood each other without saying a word and sat down for a short rest.

Everyone except Qi Heng drank quite a bit last night, so it's not a good time for them to get on the horse now; they need to wait a bit longer.

The tall horses galloped across the grassland, colliding with each other and emitting deafening neighs.

"good!"

Gu Tingye was an expert in this field and would always chime in whenever he came across something interesting.

Seeing that this place wasn't fun, Sheng Changfeng quietly slipped away.

It's midday!

"That's about enough, let's go, it's our turn! Whoever wins the prize will have Guangyuntai pay the bill!" Gu Tingye unbuttoned his cloak, ready to show off his skills.

Zhou Ning received a great favor from him yesterday, so he had no choice but to play along!

2v2

Gu Tingye and Sheng Changbai are on the same team! (A dream combination)

Zhou Ning and Qi Heng are on the same team! (A makeshift combination)

The two teams started off fiercely, with Sheng Changbai and Qi Heng being evenly matched, essentially a battle of wits and restraint.

Gu Tingye and Zhou Ning became the main center, and their cues were not idle when they were chasing the ball. They went back and forth, countering each other's moves, just like they were fighting!

"Good lad, you do know martial arts, but it's a pity your aim is off! Got it!" Gu Tingye said as he swung the ball through the hole.

Leading!

"Second Brother Gu, be gentle, my hand is numb!" Zhou Ning struggled to swing the club, cursing the beast in his heart!

Gu Tingye comes from a family of martial arts masters and has just come of age. Even when he holds back, his attacks are still difficult for Zhou Ning to withstand.

No doubt about it!

Mo Lan watched Qi Heng with worry the whole time, inwardly cursing Sheng Changbai to fall from his horse.

Seeing that Mo Lan was staring intently at her, Ru Lan snorted and deliberately shouted "Go, Yuan Ruo brother!" to make Mo Lan very angry!

Seeing this, Wang Ruofu didn't stop them; they were just children, let them shout.

Minglan, on the other hand, was much more reserved. She gripped her handkerchief tightly and her eyes kept darting back and forth between Changbai, Qi Heng, and Zhou Ning.

One is a wonderful older brother, one is a very handsome young master, and one... is amazing!

Dangdang Dangdang!

The match is over!

10-2, Ye Bai team wins! Great result!

As the scorer announced the result, Gu Tingye and Sheng Changbai jumped off their horses and went together to collect their winnings.

Zhou Ning and Qi Heng exchanged a smile and then returned to their tents first.

"Oh dear, Uncle Er stole the show, and we've become mere extras," Qi Heng said with annoyance after sitting down, realizing something.

Normally it wouldn't be a problem, but today someone is watching...

"It's alright, you can team up with Brother Gu next time, and I'll continue to play the supporting role. I think Changbai will be happy to help you out!" Zhou Ning comforted him and then quickly drank his tea.

After Gu Tingye and Sheng Changbai returned with the gifts, Zhou Ning took his leave in advance to prepare to go back and study.

Sheng Changbai also took his leave.

Both of them are extremely talented and hardworking. They treat leisure as relaxation and never go overboard.

Upon seeing Zhou Ning emerge, Pear Head, who was waiting outside, hurriedly handed him a cloak.

At that moment, a carriage emerged from Jinming Pond and quickly approached the two.

"Hey! May I ask if it is Scholar Zhou in person?" the coachman asked after reining in his horse.

Seeing that no one else was around, and that there shouldn't be another scholar surnamed Zhou, Zhou Ning replied, "Indeed. May I ask what brings you here, sir?"

"I'll give you some time to change. At 5 PM, at Fanlou, in the elegant room of Shuyun, I'll be waiting for you." An aged voice came from inside the carriage.

After leaving a message, the carriage departed without waiting for Zhou Ning's response.

"Where did this weird old man come from? Acting all familiar? Just because you say you'll wait for me, does that mean I have to go? I haven't even agreed yet!"

......