Chapter Fifty: The Husband's Feelings and the Concubine's Intentions

  Chu Kuang Ge heard their conversation and immediately approached Yang Fan after the man left, comforting him: "You don't have to worry, this isn't a one-on-one challenge. We originally only had five people on stage. You're not good at hitting the ball, but having you there won't make a difference. Just ride your horse and pretend to play, winning or losing has nothing to do with you."

  The drumming has begun.

  The gate of the ball door is divided into two types: single door and double door. The single ball door is a small hole with a side length of one foot at the bottom of the wooden board wall, and there is a net pocket behind the hole. The victory or defeat is calculated by the number of goals scored by each team. Generally, women prefer to use a single ball door because the movement on the court is relatively small. The double ball door method is similar to modern times, with both sides setting up a gate over one zhang high, and hitting the ball over the opponent's gate is considered a win.

  The ball used for the game was bright red in color, about the size of a fist, and made of hardwood. The ball stick was a long pole with a half-moon shape at the top. Yang Fan also held a ball stick, mounted on horseback, while Wang Rufeng stood in the middle line, holding the ball high in his hand, gazing at both sides. Suddenly, he threw the red ball upwards, and it rose before falling back down towards the ground.

  "Cheers!"

  The red ball had not yet fallen to the ground, when Chu Kuang Song and an opposing player let out a loud shout, both urging their horses forward in a rush, their crescent moon wooden staves striking out simultaneously towards that crimson-colored sphere...

  ……

  "My father and brother went to Yangzhou, but I was suffering from a cold at the time, so I didn't go with them. Now that they have not returned for a long time, I am feeling quite bored in Luoyang by myself. So I've been walking around the city to clear my mind, but unexpectedly...I haven't seen much of the scenery of the Central Plains, but instead I met some real characters from the Central Plains."

  "Xiahou Ying" turned back to Liu Junwan with a smile and said tenderly.

  Liu Junwen was praised by the beauty, and he was proud in his heart, but on his face, he pretended to be humble, saying repeatedly: "Ashamed, ashamed, the young lady is really overpraising me."

  Xiahou Xing said, "I haven't seen anyone like that. These past few days, I've been traveling all around Luoyang City, getting to know the local customs and people. Someone as elegant and refined as Liu Lang, with such a handsome face, is someone I'm seeing for the first time."

  This "Western Region Girl" seems to make no secret of her admiration and fondness for Liu Junwen, such praise coming from the mouth of a delicate, rich, and noble girl is simply like the voice of an immortal.

  Liu Junfan's heart was fluttering, her face calm and serene. She smiled and brushed off her clothes, saying: "You're overpraising me, really, it's too much praise. I've heard that Dunhuang has sixteen major surnames, among which is Xiahou, so the young lady must be..."

  Xiahou Xuan smiled and said, "Lang Jun is indeed a learned and talented person, and he even knows this. In fact, the great surnames of the Western Regions are not just sixteen families. Over the past thousand years or so, various large families have risen and fallen, some have declined, and some have risen, with no fixed number."

  "My family is now in the Dunhuang area, barely considered a big clan. In fact, it's nothing special, just more relatives, more land and sheep."

  "It's indeed the Xiahou family of Dunhuang. No wonder they can afford to spend a fortune, 200,000 coins for a single jug of wine."

  Liu Junwen was extremely excited after hearing this.

  At that time, business was prosperous, and the main business route of the Tang Dynasty was the Silk Road. Therefore, the customs and people of the Western Regions were most familiar to the Tang people. Liu Junlun had heard someone say before that Dunhuang had more than a dozen large families such as Su, Zhang, Cao, Li, Yin, and Xiahou, all of whom were wealthy enough to rival countries.

  These people have herds of cattle and sheep, tens of thousands of war horses, and attendants as numerous as clouds. They own vast pastures and shepherds, indirectly owning a large army. They also engage in commerce, but unlike the humble status of merchants in the Central Plains, they are virtually local emperors there.

  The imperial court has always used a policy of restraint and intimidation towards these powerful families in distant areas, using both kindness and authority. As a result, these families also belong to the highest echelons of society in the Tang Dynasty, enjoying high political status. And this beautiful young woman who had secretly developed feelings for him was actually from the Xiahoushi family of Dunhuang!

  Liu Junwen's heart warmed up, and he excitedly said: "I saw the young lady, and she has a lovely heart and a gentle nature, with an extraordinary temperament. I knew she was no ordinary person, but I didn't expect that she would be from the Dunhuang Xiahou clan. A person like her is like a fairy who has descended to the mortal world. Her respected father must also be an extraordinary figure in the Xiahou clan."

  "Xiahou Ying" covered her mouth and smiled: "Lang Jun is really good at recognizing people, as for my father, he is indeed the head of the Xiahou clan."

  Liu Junwen was shocked, the head of the Xiahou clan! In other words, this little beauty in front of him is equivalent to a princess in Dunhuang. Such an identity figure, actually favors herself? Liu Junwen was honored and surprised, and paid more attention to her own demeanor.

  Liu Junwen cleared his throat and said politely: "Actually, Luoyang is located between the Yellow River and the Luo River, situated in the center of the world. To the north, it relies on Mangshan Mountain; to the south, it faces Yique Peak; to the east, it commands Tiger Pass; and to the west, it controls Hangu Pass. With mountains surrounding it and strong passes standing upright, it has always been known as a city with eight passes and a beautiful scenery that surpasses all others in the world."

  Luoyang is situated in the east of Jianghuai, west of Guanzhong, north of Youyan, and south of Jingxiao. It is the dragon vein of the Central Plains, inheriting the thick and majestic atmosphere of the vast land of the Central Plains, as well as possessing the elegant and charming qualities of the southern water town. Therefore, it has obtained the great beauty of heaven and earth, and become a divine capital that is admired by both heaven and man. There are many famous scenic spots.

  Although the young lady has traveled to several places, she hasn't seen any famous scenic spots or ancient ruins. Presumably it's because she didn't have a guide and didn't know where the good views were. If the young lady doesn't mind, I'd be happy to be her guide and accompany her on a tour of Luoyang. What does the young lady think?

  "Good! As you wish, I dare not ask!"

  "Xiahou Xing" smiled brightly and said: "When I was in Dunhuang, I often heard people say that the Central Plains are a land of spiritual energy, but since arriving in the Central Plains, all the people I've met have been those with the stench of copper on their bodies. You, sir, are the only young and handsome gentleman who has caught my eye so far."

  Xiahou Xuan said to this, slightly hesitated for a moment, her face turned red, and she lowered her head, asking in a low voice: "I just don't know if you, sir... have been married?"

  Liu Jun's heart skipped a beat, and an unthinkable thought suddenly jumped out. Could it be that this little Sakura girl was going to...

  Liu Junwen had no time to think much, and hastily replied: "I have been studying hard since childhood, with a single heart seeking to obtain honors and fame, being infatuated with my studies, so that until now I still haven't taken a wife and set up a household."

  As soon as the words came out, Xiahou's expression relaxed instantly, and a very happy expression floated on her face. Although she immediately turned her head to tidy up her hair as a cover-up, the bashful and joyful look had already fallen into Liu Junhuan's eyes.

  Liu Jun's heart was racing, but he tried to remain calm and said: "Please forgive my impertinence, young lady... cough! Are you married?"

  "Not yet...... The men of Dunhuang are all so uncouth, how can they be pleasing to the eye..."

  Xiahou Xing said in a low voice, blushing and raising her head, softly saying: "The kind of person I like is someone as gentle as jade, a humble and courteous young master like Liu Lang."

  At this time, although the woman was bold and open-minded, she didn't overdo it with straightforwardness. Xiahou Xuan's words had already reached a fairly clear confession. When Liu Junyun heard them, her heart felt like the polo ball on the field, hit by a stick into mid-air, dazed and floating, for a long time unable to settle down.

  On the sandy ground, the ball game was in full swing, he didn't have the heart to take a look back, his mind was all focused on the golden mountain in front of him.

  Xiao Liu had not drunk yet, but was already very intoxicated.

  ……

  Yang Fan had never touched polo before and wouldn't ride a horse, so when he got on the field, he became an ornament, pulling the reins to stop the horse, not moving at all, watching the excitement.

  The main force of the ball was Chu Kuangge and his four brothers, but the opponent also saw that he was the weakest link. They had been planning to let him make a fool of himself, so they took advantage of their numerical superiority to keep a close eye on everyone else, using a one-on-one or even two-on-one approach, only leaving an opening in Yang Fan's direction, forcing them to pass the ball to Yang Fan.

  Chu Kuang Ge and others knew that Yang Fan basically couldn't play ball, so they wouldn't pass the ball to him. As a result, they lost the ball repeatedly. Every time they lost a ball, both sides would exchange courts and fight again. No matter how many times they exchanged courts, Yang Fan didn't need to move because he was simply riding a horse standing on the midline.

  After several rounds, the score had become 5-1, with Chu Kuangge's team trailing by a large margin. This made Chu Kuangge anxious as well. When he got the ball again and rushed towards the opponent's goal, but was intercepted by four opponents, he had no choice but to pass the ball to Yang Fan with a try-it-out attitude.

  In the wee hours, sincerely seeking recommendation votes!