The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 1328 - 1328 648 Second Watch

Chapter 1328: 648 Second Watch Chapter 1328: 648 Second Watch “`

The Cuju field of Lingbo Academy was built with much consideration; the stands on both sides were slightly elevated, providing a relatively open view. The common stands at the front and back only had benches without any cover, and the closer to the center position, the more luxurious the decoration of the stands became.

The pavilion the guards led them to was, without exaggeration, the best spot in the venue, roomy and bright. Beaded curtains of broken jade hung on all sides, resembling an elegant and luxurious pavilion.

“Wow.”

The three female students who had come with Xiao Hen were completely stunned.

This, this was just too extravagant!

Maids were already waiting inside the pavilion. Seeing Xiao Hen leading Xiao Jingkong over, two maids hurriedly opened the curtains at the front: “Miss Gu, please.”

Xiao Hen and his group entered.

From the outside, it was already luxurious, but only after entering did they realize that there was nothing they could imagine that others couldn’t achieve.

Several low tables had already been set up properly, a mild incense burned in the corner brazier—apparently fearing the heat and the strong smell of sweat from the Cuju field, they even lit incense.

The three female students once again marveled at the other party’s attention to detail and thoughtfulness.

“Who is your young master?” a female student asked the maid.

As the maid served fresh fruit, she smiled while arranging the plates, “Our young master said that as long as the young ladies are happy, there’s no need to mind who he is.”

Several young ladies?

They considered themselves included by the maid’s words, and the three female students were overjoyed.

The original mention had been of Miss Gu alone, but the maid knew how to please.

The fruit had been chilled; a bite banished the heat of the day.

Xiao Hen and Xiao Jingkong sat together while the other three female students occupied another table, leaving one low table unclaimed. Xiao Jingkong promptly claimed it for his own, meaning he now had one and a half tables!

The beaded curtains in front of the pavilion had been hung up, while those on the remaining three sides served to provide privacy without obstructing the breeze.

“It’s so cool,” said one of the female students.

“Mhm,” the other two nodded, smiling.

Indeed, seeking out Gu Jiao had been the right choice, otherwise, how could they have gained such great seats?

However, Xiao Hen wasn’t concerned with the seating of the stands; he had been searching for Gu Jiao since he entered.

He wasn’t certain if Gu Jiao would attend, given that he had never heard of her playing Cuju, but since he was preoccupied with her, he decided to try his luck nonetheless.

He didn’t see Gu Jiao, but he immediately spotted Gu Xiaoshun and Gu Yan on the opposite side.

They were sitting next to the dean, receiving special attention, while the rest of the students were seated in the open stands.

Seeing Gu Yan, Xiao Hen almost understood that Gu Jiao must have come, otherwise, given Gu Yan’s health and personality, he wouldn’t have come to watch this excitement for anyone else.

Gu Yan and Gu Xiaoshun were on the dean’s stand, which also had a cover, but it was incomparable to Xiao Hen’s pavilion and did not provide chilled fruit.

Soon, Xiao Jingkong noticed them too.

“Yah, yah, yah!”

Brother Yan! Brother Xiaoshun!

Excited, Xiao Jingkong started jumping on the spot, “I, I, I want to go… play!”

“Young Master, where would you like to go? Shall I take you?” a maid asked gently, smiling.

“I’ll go by myself!” Xiao Jingkong darted out, halfway through, he turned back, grabbed the chilled fruit from the table, and told his brother-in-law, “I’m off!”

To bring to Brother Yan and Brother Xiaoshun!

Xiao Hen didn’t stop him.

He and Gu Jiao couldn’t openly interact, but Xiao Jingkong’s sociable nature meant his whereabouts wouldn’t raise suspicion.

Besides, it was indeed quite hot.

Xiao Hen glanced at the fruit on the table; his hands were too small to carry much more.

His gaze followed Xiao Jingkong until the little social expert had the dean in stitches, laughing heartily, successfully ingratiating himself with the group. Only then did Xiao Hen shift his attention back to the ongoing bustle of the Cuju field.

The Cuju match was about to begin; it was unclear which turn Tianqiong Academy would play.

In an attic outside the Cuju field, Grandmaster Wu had just gone to draw lots, returning to Tianqiong Academy’s room.

Gu Jiao and Mu Qingchen had already donned their protective gear and were polishing the ball clubs in their hands.

“We’re in the third match,” Grandmaster Wu stated.

“Who are we up against this time? Is it Wuyue Academy?” Yuan Xiao inquired.

Yuan Xiao, a student from Mingfeng Hall and a native of Shengdu of Yan Country, played as a fullback, like Zhao Wei from Mingyue Hall, who hailed from Qidu of Yan Country.

Grandmaster Wu said, “Wuyue Academy will play the seventh match; we’re up against Qingyue Academy this time.”

Upon hearing Qingyue Academy, everyone but Gu Jiao and Mu Qingchen became unsettled.

Yuan Xiao was at a loss, “How come it’s Qingyue Academy? That’s even worse than facing Wuyue Academy!”

Gu Jiao looked confusedly at Mu Qingchen.

After a pause, Mu Qingchen explained, “Students from Qingyue Academy include members of the Royal Cuju team.”

Gu Jiao: “Oh.”

Mu Qingchen looked at her deeply, “Aren’t you scared?”

Gu Jiao raised an eyebrow, “Being afraid won’t change their minds.”

Mu Qingchen: “…”

Her logic was sound, leaving him no room to argue.

“Zhao Wei, what’s wrong?” Grandmaster Wu noticed something amiss with Zhao Wei.

“`

Zhao Wei clutched his stomach, his face pale as he said, “I, I think I ate something bad.”

Gu Jiao walked over and took Zhao Wei’s wrist to feel his pulse. “What did you eat this morning?”

Zhao Wei endured the pain in his stomach and recalled, “I ate two steamed buns…”

Gu Jiao pressed his abdomen. “Does it hurt here?”

“It doesn’t hurt.”

“What about here?”

“Also doesn’t hurt.”

“You really did get indigestion.” Gu Jiao withdrew her hand and took out a bottle of medicine powder from the first aid kit for him. “Swallow it with water.”

Zhao Wei took the medicine.

On the other side, the first match also began.

Lingbo Academy versus Mangshan Academy; Lingbo Academy won.

The second match was Hongfeng Academy versus Wutong Academy; Wutong Academy won.

“It’s our turn,” Mu Qingchen said to Gu Jiao.

Gu Jiao nodded slightly, mounted her horse, and joined her fellow students from Tianqiong Academy on the polo field.

There were two entrances, and Qingyue Academy entered the field first.

When the Royal Family’s polo player, Xu Ping, rode out spiritedly, the entire field erupted.

Three other team members followed, each of them outstanding in their own right, met with loud cheers.

As each one entered, Mu Qingchen introduced them to Gu Jiao.

“The Royal Family’s polo player, Xu Ping, excels at long-distance attacks, with tactics so high, no one can snatch the ball from under his mallet.”

“Tong Peng, ten years of polo playing.”

“Nangong Lin, eight years of polo playing.”

“Someone from the Nangong Family?” Gu Jiao squinted slightly.

“The Nangong Family’s young master,” Mu Qingchen said.

Gu Jiao’s gaze fell on the confident and defiant young man who occasionally waved to the audience in the stands. “Nangong Lin.”

When the fourth person entered, Mu Qingchen’s lips moved slightly.

Gu Jiao was observing Nangong Lin and didn’t notice Mu Qingchen’s unusual behavior.

“Su Hao,” Mu Qingchen said.

Gu Jiao acknowledged with an “Oh.”

Soon, it was their turn to enter.

Mu Qingchen, known throughout Shengdu as Young Master Qingchen, walked in front, and the moment he appeared, he immediately eclipsed everyone from Qingyue Academy. The young ladies in the audience screamed.

“Young Master Qingchen! It’s really Young Master Qingchen!”

“In my lifetime, I can actually see Young Master Qingchen!”

“Young Master Qingchen!”

“Young Master Qingchen!”

Xiao Hen’s eardrums were about to explode, the three classmates in his pavilion almost lifted off the roof.

Yuan Xiao and Mu Chuan followed right behind Mu Qingchen.

Although the two men were also handsome and valiant, with Mu Qingchen’s outstanding presence before them, they could only serve as his backdrop.

Fortunately, they were used to it.

Gu Jiao was the last to enter.

Being new with not much fame, only the birthmark on the left side of her face drew a second glance.

The players from both teams met in the center of the field.

The Royal Family’s polo player, Xu Ping, looked at Mu Qingchen and said, “I finally get to witness Young Master Qingchen’s skills, truly a great fortune.”

Mu Qingchen responded indifferently, “You’re too kind.”

With a smile on his face, Su Hao glanced at a few people and then rested his gaze on Mu Qingchen as he said beamingly, “Fourth brother! So you’re also competing! Why didn’t you tell me earlier! If father knew, he would definitely put aside his work to come watch fourth brother compete!”

It was only when Gu Jiao heard the term “fourth brother” that she remembered Mu Qingchen saying his name was Su Hao.

He too was from the Su Family.

Mu Qingchen quietly explained to Gu Jiao, “Su Family’s third young master, my illegitimate elder brother. It was because my aunt was furious that my uncle had fathered an illegitimate child, she, in a rage, made my brother take her surname. This Su Hao is really annoying, always jealous of my brother! But no matter how jealous he is, it’s useless; my brother is the legitimate son. So what if he changed his name? He is still the legitimate son, and my uncle adores my brother!”

It was evident.

Envy and jealousy were barely concealed in all of Su Hao’s words toward Mu Qingchen.

Nangong Lin had no personal grudge against Mu Qingchen, it was just that he too was a bit jealous of Mu Qingchen.

With a sneer, he said, “I’ve heard that Tianqiong Academy has been quite arrogant lately, even picking on Wuyue Academy.”

Ah, there was such a thing; the son of the Nangong Family’s deputy had been beaten to severe injuries by Gu Jiao.

Judging by Nangong Lin’s tone, it seemed he intended to get revenge for his comrade.

“It was you, wasn’t it, kid?” Nangong Lin disdainfully looked towards Gu Jiao.

Gu Jiao’s birthmark was too recognizable.

Nangong Lin smiled with a threat, “Horses are blind; watch out, lest you fall off.”

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.