Chapter 436 - 436: Relying On Your Abilities
Chu Qingzhi pushed the ball away, causing Ge Lihua to miss.
Seeing Ge Lihua fail to seize the ball, the girls of Team One gathered around and joined in the scramble for the ball.
The girls of Team Two, not to be outdone, either blocked or intercepted to protect Chu Qingzhi. It was their first time playing, but their coordination was unexpectedly good.
“Whoosh—” Chu Qingzhi swung her mallet, and the ball flew in a straight trajectory into Team One’s net.
“Wow—” The girls of Team Two cheered, “We won!”
After dismounting, the girls of Team One gathered together to boost each other’s morale.
Fan Yuru and Rong Shiyu’s eyes met. In the next second, the two of them tacitly looked away.
They both think that the other affected their performance. They used to win before, but now they’ve lost. Both think the same.
In terms of tacit understanding, the two of them were really close. All these years of arguing had not been in vain.
Chu Qingzhi looked at the two girls and suddenly thought of her two disciples. They looked quite compatible. She could matchmake them.
After all, as a master, it was her duty to worry about her disciples’ marriage matters.
Everyone went to the side to rest and started the second match. This time, it was between Team Three and Team Four.
Taking turns, they all got a chance to rest.
The maids brought chairs for their young miss to sit. Chu Qingzhi sat in the middle, with Fan Yuru and Rong Shiyu on either side, and Ge Lihua next to Fan Yuru.
Rong Shiyu turned to look at Chu Qingzhi. She blinked and asked curiously, “Miss Chu, do the villagers play polo too?”
Chu Qingzhi smiled lightly. “Polo is a game for the young masters and ladies of the capital. We don’t have it in the village. This is my first time playing.” “Hmm…” Rong Shiyu continued, “Then why are you so good at it? I’ve hardly ever lost before.”
Speaking of this, Fan Yuru couldn’t help but interrupt. “Me too, Miss Chu. I think you’re so skilled. It doesn’t look like your first time playing.”
Chu Qingzhi put on a sincere expression. “It’s really my first time playing. Just now… I was just winging it.”
Both girls look at her skeptically. Could this be a learning talent?
The intense competition on the field quickly attracted everyone’s attention. This was the only time when the girls did not have to be reserved. At this moment, they let go of their restraints and sweated to their heart’s content. Their bodies were covered in sweat and they were energetic. They looked even more beautiful than usual.
Lin Yingmin and the young prince sat at the side and set up a tea table. They drank tea and watched, looking quite relaxed.
At this moment, Chu Qingzhi was resting at the side. Lin Yingmin’s gaze couldn’t help but drift towards her, the girl like a begonia flower, irresistibly charming. If only he had met her earlier.
Yuan Qingqing was excitedly watching, shouting, “Jingting, quick, push the ball…”
Qiu Jingting did not disappoint. She pushed the ball away and avoided the other party’s snatch.
After a fierce competition, Team Three successfully scored a goal in the opposing team’s net, winning the match.
The players of Team Three and Team Four could rest after the game.
It was a little hot in the afternoon, and all of them were sweating profusely. The servant girls quickly handed over clean handkerchiefs and water to take care of their Miss.
Fan Yuru stretched her wrist and stood up. “It’s our turn.”
Rong Shiyu stood up and looked at Chu Qingzhi from the side. She said, “We’ll definitely beat you this time.”
Chu Qingzhi raised her eyebrows. “Alright, but the two of you have to cooperate well.”
Fan Yuru and Rong Shiyu looked at each other. Given this special situation, it didn’t seem to be a bad idea to cooperate.
As soon as Chu Qingzhi entered the field, everyone immediately focused on her. Her presence was already eye-catching, and her unique outfit made her stand out even in a crowded field.
After a while, the intense competition began…
Someone from the sidelines shouted, “Quick, block Qingzhi, or she’ll score again!”
Fan Yuru and Rong Shiyu happened to be in the position to block Chu Qingzhi. They glanced at each other and tacitly worked together to block her.
Chu Qingzhi slightly curled her lips and had no choice but to pull back her mallet, giving up on scoring.
Fan Yuru and Rong Shiyu, seeing this, secretly breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at each other, finding the other more pleasing than before.
“Ah, be careful! Block Qingqing, she’s covering for Qingzhi, they’re going to score!”
The spectators were not as calm as those on the field, clenching their fists and watching nervously. The match, though played in jest, appeared as intense as a real competition.
Tang Jinghong soon heard about the event taking place in Pear Phoenix Garden. He was very puzzled.
Fan Yuru and Rong Shiyu seemed to be very easy to get along with. In fact, it was not easy for Qingzhi to integrate into the circle of officials’ daughters.
For example, those rich young ladies from merchant families might not even be able to see those young ladies even if they tried their best to please them.
Yet, Chu Qingzhi, visiting the capital for the first time, managed to mingle with them and even play polo together in such a short time. Impressive indeed!
No matter what, as long as Chu Qingzhi was not mistreated, it was acceptable.
The Empress also paid close attention to this matter. She was impressed upon learning that Chu Qingzhi, a mere farm girl with a humble background, was playing polo with her younger sister and the other girls. It was much harder for an ordinary girl to gain the acceptance of these young ladies of the capital, but Chu Qingzhi not only blended in quickly but did so exceptionally well, which was surprising.
The Empress, with a dignified smile, sipped her tea and asked, “How is the reward for Qingzhi coming along?”
The nanny by her side replied, “It’s ready.”
The Empress instructed gently, “Send someone to deliver the reward tomorrow morning.”
The nanny bowed respectfully. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
The girls clapped and cheered, “Qingzhi scored again!”
Fan Yuru and Rong Shiyu dismounted, patting each other’s shoulders as a sign of consolation. Realizing what they had just done, they felt a wave of awkwardness and quickly walked away.
Fan Yuru pinched her fingers and bit her lip. Weren’t she and Rong Shiyu supposed to be at odds? Now, having lost, she should have blamed Rong Shiyu, but why did she comfort her instead?
Rong Shiyu was also reflecting in silence. She and Fan Yuru were always at loggerheads, but why did she feel compelled to comfort her just now?
Ge Lihua handed water to Chu Qingzhi and wiped the sweat from her forehead, saying somewhat exhilaratingly, “It’s been a long time since I’ve played like this.”
Chu Qingzhi took the opportunity to advise, “You’re living too strenuously. Let go of the past that should be let go, and don’t keep making things difficult for yourself.”
Ge Lihua paused for a moment and then chuckled lightly, “Hmm.”
The group of girls played in Pear Phoenix Garden until the evening.
In terms of scoring, Team One scored five goals, Team Two fifteen, Team Three eleven, and Team Four nine.
Chu Qingzhi’s team scored the most goals, while the team of Ge Lihua, Fan Yuru, and Rong Shiyu scored the least..