Ling Qiyan had originally thought that when Wen Ying said he knew a little, he really only knew a little. But once he was on the field, in no time at all, he was already weaving through the scions of noble families on horseback. Holding the mallet, he calmly and steadily, with a beautiful and precise posture, struck the first ball in. He smoothly took the lead, and a wave of cheers erupted from outside the field. Only then did Ling Qiyan realize he had still underestimated this kid.

Feeling very proud, Ling Qiyan was extremely happy. He downed a large cup of wine, his face flushing red with excitement.

Among so many sons of meritorious and noble families on the field, Wen Ying, this poor scholar, stood out. He quickly became the center of attention. Not only did he hit the ball quickly and accurately, but his one-in-a-million looks also stunned everyone present.

The gazes of all the young ladies from the various manors sitting by the field were drawn to him. They all began to inquire about this handsome young man who had suddenly appeared, asking which manor he was from and why he looked so unfamiliar, having never been seen before.

Beside the Eldest Princess, Princess Xihua's eyes were wide as she stared at that handsome figure, her cheeks gradually turning red.

Ling Qiyu took a sip of wine expressionlessly and reminded her coldly, "Princess, that person is just a poor scholar from the Imperial Academy. He's also a retainer in my eldest brother's manor."

Hearing this, Princess Xihua bit her lip, slightly disappointed.

The Eldest Princess frowned slightly. Glancing at her daughter's expression, she gently patted her hand.

The Crown Prince's words carried a clear implication. Everyone knew what kind of character Ling Qiyan was. How could a retainer from his manor be a proper person, especially not one with Wen Ying's looks?

Ling Qiyu tightened his grip on the cup in his hand. He looked towards Wen Ying, the corner of his lip twitching slightly, a fleeting coldness in his eyes.

In less than half an incense stick's time, Wen Ying's team's score was already far in the lead, and the atmosphere off the field grew even more heated.

Just then, a sudden mishap occurred.

Just as Wen Ying once again squeezed the horse's belly and galloped wildly, the horse suddenly went mad. It charged about recklessly, and after a sharp neigh, it reared up its forelegs high and viciously threw the unprepared Wen Ying from its back.

Screams and gasps suddenly erupted from the side of the field. Ling Qiyan's expression instantly darkened.

The moment he hit the ground, Wen Ying subconsciously protected his vital spots and rolled a few times on the ground before coming to a stop in a sorry state.

At a signal from Ling Qiyan, the guard by his side immediately went onto the field and helped Wen Ying back.

Wen Ying clenched his jaw, his expression still calm. He sat down beside Ling Qiyan. The guard reported in a low voice to Ling Qiyan that his left ankle was sprained and they needed to call a physician to take a look.

Ling Qiyan frowned and asked, "My horse, why would it suddenly go mad for no reason?"

The horse had calmed down now. As if it knew it had done something wrong, it lay listlessly by the side of the field, lacking any energy.

"This matter is indeed a bit strange. Please allow this subordinate to investigate."

"Go. Report back once you've investigated thoroughly." After giving his instructions, Ling Qiyan told Jiang Lin to inform the Eldest Princess that they were leaving first, and then led Wen Ying away directly.

After returning to the manor, Ling Qiyan sent someone to summon an imperial physician.

Wen Ying's left ankle was bruised purple and black, swollen to a ghastly sight. He also had some scrapes on his body, but fortunately, they weren't serious. To be thrown from a horse running at high speed and only sprain an ankle was already a great fortune.

Ling Qiyan's guards were very efficient. Before long, they had investigated the matter and came to report: "Your Highness's horse ate fodder mixed with drugs, which is why it suddenly went mad. The drug was likely administered in the stables at the polo field. This subordinate asked the person watching the horses there; the people coming and going were all servants from the various manors leading horses, so it's difficult to say for sure who did it. However..."

"However what?"

"Before Your Highness's horse went onto the field, someone saw a eunuch from the Eastern Palace lurking suspiciously by the stables for a moment, it's not known what he was doing."

Ling Qiyan's face instantly turned cold. "I understand. You are dismissed."

Damned Ling Qiyu!

The wound on Wen Ying's foot was medicated and bandaged. It was no longer a serious issue. No bones were broken, and it would heal after a few days of rest.

Ling Qiyan looked at his foot, which was wrapped up like a zongzi, and was exceptionally displeased. 'One must consider the master before hitting his dog.' For Ling Qiyu to do such a malicious thing, it was simply showing too much disregard for him, Prince Yu!

He didn't think Ling Qiyu wanted to harm him personally. Even as the Crown Prince, Ling Qiyu probably wouldn't dare do such a thing so brazenly. By inciting the Eldest Princess to have him go on the field, he had banked on the certainty that he himself would definitely not go, and would surely have someone in his retinue take his place...

Ling Qiyan glanced sideways at Wen Ying. "Did you also offend the Crown Prince?"

"No." Wen Ying closed his eyes. His foot hurt terribly, but he didn't want to show it.

"He incited the Eldest Princess to send someone to invite me onto the field. It was difficult for me to refuse, but it was inconvenient for me to play personally, and it was even more impossible to let the manor guards take advantage of the situation. Those eunuchs don't have the skill. Of the people I brought, you were the only one left. He should have thought of this long ago."

Wen Ying said flatly, "This student has not offended the Crown Prince. This student had never met the Crown Prince before. The person the Crown Prince is targeting must be Your Highness. This student is Your Highness's person. When this student suffers, it is Your Highness's face that is lost."

Ling Qiyan's eyes darted, and he became mischievous again. He reached out and pinched Wen Ying's chin, teasing him, "Are you my person?"

Wen Ying's face was pale, but his gaze was still calm. "Whether I am or not is unimportant. This student went with Your Highness. In the eyes of others, this student is Your Highness's person."

Ling Qiyan stroked his face. "Tsk, still this coffin-like face even when you're in so much pain."

As he spoke, he poked Wen Ying's injury, deliberately using some force. Wen Ying took a deep breath, a faint sheen of cold sweat appearing on his forehead, but he still didn't make a sound.

Ling Qiyan found it amusing. To endure like this without showing any expression... he really didn't know what it would take to make a crack appear on this imperturbable face.

After a few pokes, Ling Qiyan was satisfied. He then raised his hand and squeezed Wen Ying's smooth calf before finally letting him go.

"I've been meaning to ask you. As a poor scholar, from whom did you learn polo and pitch-pot? And you play quite well?"

Wen Ying casually explained, "At the county school, there was a retired old general who was very enthusiastic about these things. He would always take a group of students from the county school to play. Polo, pitch-pot, this student learned them all from him. This student also practiced martial arts with him."

So that's how it is. Ling Qiyan tapped his chin, looking at him with a grin. "In that case, it seems this prince has truly picked up a treasure."

Wen Ying averted his gaze, paying no mind to his mouthful of flirtatious words.

Ling Qiyan was about to say more when Jiang Lin entered and reported that the Eastern Palace had sent someone to present the Eldest Princess's red agate treasure horse to His Highness.

The item had already been carried in. Ling Qiyan glanced at it coldly. "Sent from the Eastern Palace?"

"Yes. They said His Highness the Crown Prince's people won it, and His Highness the Crown Prince then sent someone to transfer it to Your Highness."

"Heh."

If Ling Qiyu hadn't used a dirty trick, Wen Ying would have won this treasure horse fair and square. That damned dog has the nerve to send a gift now. Who knows what he's planning? He's probably doing it deliberately to spite him.

"I don't want it. Send it back. Whether he accepts it or not, just throw it at the entrance of the Eastern Palace."

Jiang Lin acknowledged submissively.

"Your Highness, calm your anger. Why get worked up over an irrelevant person?" Wen Ying advised him in a low voice.

After sending Jiang Lin away, Ling Qiyan looked at Wen Ying, a smile returning to his face. "An irrelevant person?"

Wen Ying said calmly, "Since Your Highness is on bad terms with the Crown Prince, to Your Highness, he is an irrelevant person."

"I like hearing that. Your little mouth finally knows how to say something pleasant to please me."

Once Ling Qiyan was happy, his hands started moving restlessly again. He began to rub Wen Ying's waist. With his injured foot, Wen Ying couldn't move and could only let him touch him. He silently closed his eyes, a trace of fatigue and drowsiness between his brows.

Ling Qiyan blew softly on his neck, tutting. "Tell me, why are you always so unromantic? I've been touching you for half a day, and you haven't given me any reaction."

With his eyes closed, Wen Ying asked in a hoarse voice, "What kind of reaction does Your Highness want?"

'I want you to spread your legs, lie flat, and let me get on you!'

"What do you think?"

"Besides this, can't Your Highness think about anything else all day long?"

Wen Ying opened his eyes and glanced sideways at Ling Qiyan. Although he still had that bland expression, Ling Qiyan felt that his gaze carried a faint, almost imperceptible hint of mockery.

Ling Qiyan's hand clutching his lapel tightened. He gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes, a coldness entering them. "You dare to mock me?"

"Does Your Highness feel that this student is mocking you?"

"Are you not?"

"It seems Your Highness also feels that thinking about such things in broad daylight is not very refined."

Ling Qiyan shoved him with his hand. If it weren't for the fact that this kid Wen Ying had an injured foot, he would have kicked him right off the couch.

Wen Ying paid it no mind, calmly smoothing out the clothes that Ling Qiyan had rumpled.

Ling Qiyan sneered, "This is clearly you being arrogant from being spoiled. You're relying on the fact that I'm currently fond of you, pampering you, and can't bear to touch you—that's why you dare to speak to me this way. If it were anyone else who dared to speak so outrageously before me, they would have been dragged away long ago."

"Mm." Wen Ying admitted it generously.

Ling Qiyan was choked with anger.

Wen Ying looked at His Highness, Prince Yu, who was puffing his cheeks in anger yet had amorous eyes full of spring. His gaze paused slightly, and he asked, "How many people has Your Highness pampered like this?"

Ling Qiyan immediately smiled again. "You're curious?"

Wen Ying just looked at him, not responding.

Ling Qiyan's paws started feeling him up again. "You're really bold, daring to ask about my private affairs."

Wen Ying didn't move. Ling Qiyan's entire body was already pressing down on him, his smiling face, now just inches away, appearing even more flamboyant and gorgeous. "Want to know? Beg me. Say a few nice things, make me feel good, and I'll tell you."

Wen Ying averted his eyes and changed the subject. "Your Highness was played by the Crown Prince today. Do you plan to just let it go like this?"

Truly not the least bit romantic. Ling Qiyan twitched the corner of his mouth, suppressed his smile, and sat back. He said casually, "I didn't expect you to be so vengeful over the smallest grievance."

"The one who lost face was Your Highness. This student believes Your Highness certainly cannot swallow this insult."

"If you want me to vent your anger for you, just say so. Why beat around the bush?"

Ling Qiyan's finger tapped Wen Ying's chest. "Rest assured, since I've said I'd pamper you, I certainly won't let you suffer this grievance for nothing. Second Brother didn't give me face, so I won't let him have an easy time either. Just you wait and see."