Oops! The Black Lotus Can’t Be a Female Supporting Character

CHAPTER 30 PART2

The emperor furrowed his brow and massaged his temples before turning to Gao An with casual conversation, “Gao An, when you were young, you were quite skilled at polo.”

The emperor enjoyed polo, and it was through his remarkable talent in the sport that Gao An had first caught his eye, leading to his promotion.

“Your Majesty flatters this unworthy servant.” Gao An replied with a smile. “Age has dulled my edge. As the Yangtze’s waves push ever forward, so too much we yield to the new tide—though my adopted son here still carried faint reflection of my former self.”

Gao An gestured to a clear-eyed, handsome young eunuch standing nearby. The attendant offered a few modest words in response.

“The Yangtze’s waves push ever forward, each generation surpassing the last.” The emperor mused, his inscrutable gaze settling on Gu Feichi in the distance. “Xiang Lan, your father and I often played polo together in our youth.”

The emperor used Gu Feichi’s courtesy name, Xiang Lan.

“Your polo skills are impressive, much like your father’s in his prime. Would you like to join in and have a go?” the emperor casually asked.

Even under the Emperor’s deep, intense gaze, Gu Feichi remained calm and collected, his wine glass gently turning in his hand.

His eyes briefly flicked toward the group of young ladies in the nearby water pavilion, where one in particular—laughing happily with Princess Ning Shu—had earlier mentioned that she didn’t know how to play polo, worried that she might lose money in the game.

Winning wouldn’t be difficult, would it?

A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of Gu Feichi’s sharp, elegant brow, even as it remained hidden behind his mask. He nodded. “Alright.”

The water pavilion fell into a deep silence once again, with everyone involuntarily falling quiet.

The atmosphere grew notably tense.

Before Gu Feichi responded, everyone, including the Emperor, had assumed he would decline.

After all, for someone like Gu Feichi, who had seen countless battles, polo was nothing more than a children’s game. Yet, to everyone’s surprise, Gu Feichi agreed.

The silence deepened.

In fact, someone dropped a half-eaten pastry, letting it fall from their hand onto the table.

It was the emperor who first broke the silence, chuckling. “It’s rare to see you so interested, Xiang Lan.”

“Xiang Lan, which team do you plan to join?”

At this question, everyone eagerly leaned in, their attention fully captured.

A young servant dressed in green approached Gu Feichi, holding two headbands—one red, one yellow—offering them for him to choose from.

Gu Feichi let out a low chuckle, his fingers casually lifting the bright red headband from the young servant’s hand. “Naturally, I’ll support the side I’ve bet on.”

The vibrant red ribbon rested between his long, pale fingers. He glanced over at Xiao Yanfei, who was wearing the same red headband, and nonchalantly twirled the ribbon around his fingers a couple of times.

The soft, striking red silk against his cold, white hands created a subtle, almost inexplicable tension between the two colors, a hint of something ambiguous.

Nearby, all the people wearing red headbands were taken aback, their hearts racing in fear, nearly losing their footing.

Gu Feichi was a ruthless man, known for his fierce competitiveness. If they made a mistake during the game, they feared he might just sever their heads and kick them like a ball.

A young man in green suddenly shuddered and quickly exclaimed, “Ah, my foot hurts! I think I twisted it just now, I’m afraid I won’t be able to ride the horse.”

“I’ll sit this one out,” he added hastily.

His performance was truly over-the-top, so exaggerated that anyone could tell it was all an act, drawing a wave of scornful looks from those around him.

Several young men with red headbands couldn’t help but feel regretful. They had reacted too slowly, missing their chance. Now that the opportunity had passed, they had no choice but to push forward, albeit reluctantly.

The match hadn’t even started yet, but both teams could already feel the immense pressure, as if a mountain was weighing down on them—almost suffocating.

What was meant to come, couldn’t be avoided.

With the urging of a servant, the players slowly mounted their horses and made their way onto the field. All the strategies they had discussed earlier seemed to have completely slipped their minds.

“Clang!”

The gong at the edge of the field rang out loudly, signaling the official start of the first half.

In the center of the polo field, a servant skillfully tossed a black leather ball, about the size of a fist, into the air, sending it soaring high.

As it happened, Princess Ning Shu, wasn’t boasting—she truly played well. With a quick nudge of the horse’s flank, she surged forward, skillfully wielding the mallet and was the first to snatch the ball.

“Bao’an, catch!”

She shouted loudly, swinging her mallet and sending the leather ball flying toward Princess Bao’an…

However, out of nowhere, Tang Yueze appeared, intercepting the ball before Princess Bao’an could reach it. With a swift swing of his mallet, he sent the ball flying toward Xiao Luanfei.

“Luán…”

In the past, he and Xiao Luanfei had always been in perfect sync, communicating without words. A single glance was enough for Xiao Luanfei to understand his intention and seamlessly receive the pass.

But today, Xiao Luanfei didn’t meet his gaze.

Tang Yueze froze for a moment, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him.

The game was moving fast, and in the time it took for him to be distracted, Princess Ning Shu quickly seized the opportunity and took the ball back.

From the very start, sparks flew between the two teams as they fiercely vied for the ball.

In no time, Princess Ning Shu, with unstoppable momentum, led Team B to score the first goal.

“Goal! The princess scores the first point!”

Cheers erupted from the pavilion by the polo field, loud and continuous like a rolling thunder.

Team A, led by the First Prince Tang Yueze, was not about to fall behind. In just a few breaths, with a powerful attack from Tang Yueze, they scored their first goal.

The sound of galloping hooves echoed through the polo field, the horses galloping at lightning speed, their riders’ cloaks fluttering in the wind.

The entire polo field was enveloped by the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd, with applause and encouragement rising and falling, creating an electrifying atmosphere both on and off the field.

Soon, the ball was back in play, tossed into the air by an attendant. Another round of relentless offense and defense began without a pause.

The kingdom was known for its martial prowess. Not only were royal children adept at horsemanship and archery, but even the children of noble families were raised on horseback, each one a skilled rider. Their crescent-shaped white mallets seemed as natural as an extension of their own bodies, moving with fluid precision.

Everyone, like a flock of birds flocking to the phoenix, chased the small ball across the field, their long red or yellow headbands fluttering in the wind.

But Xiao Yanfei was a bit out of place.

The little red horse she rode was personally chosen by Princess Ning Shu, a gentle-tempered mare with short legs.

Since Xiao Yanfei didn’t know how to play polo, she was essentially just riding along. Wherever the ball flew, she blindly followed, awkwardly swinging her mallet, appearing somewhat clumsy and out of sync.

Xiao Yanfei didn’t hold herself to high standards—she just hoped not to cause trouble for her teammates. After all, she was just there to make up the numbers.

In just a short while, Xiao Yanfei’s riding skills had improved considerably. She gleefully rode past Gu Feichi, her horse galloping alongside his.

“Red Cloud, you’re such a good horse!”

Xiao Yanfei generously praised her trusty steed.

Gu Feichi heard her clearly and couldn’t help but curve his lips in a subtle smile.

Just as she had said earlier, she didn’t know how to play polo—she was simply riding around, enjoying herself.

It was rather amusing.

With a smooth motion, Gu Feichi raised his arm and, without even glancing, skillfully struck the ball flying toward them.

The ball changed direction mid-air, racing toward Xiao Yanfei like a shooting star.

The angle of the shot was perfect, practically delivering the ball right to her feet.

Xiao Yanfei casually swung her polo stick, and with a loud “thunk,” she accurately struck the ball, sending it straight into the goal.

Even she couldn’t believe she’d scored, her eyes widening in surprise, her dark pupils sparkling in the sunlight.

“Goal!” Xiao Yanfei happily waved her polo stick and made a few celebratory gestures toward Gu Feichi in the distance.

That pass he’d made earlier was simply flawless!

Her eyes, like crescent moons, shone brightly, reflecting the radiant sun above.

Gu Feichi gazed at Xiao Yanfei’s brilliant smile, and for some reason, his mood inexplicably lifted. It felt like the warmth of a childhood cup of honeyed tea, sweetness spreading deep into his heart.

It was a joy that seemed to belong to only him.

“Yan Yan!”

A flash of pink swept past Gu Feichi like a gust of wind, quick and fiery.

Princess Ning Shu rode up to Xiao Yanfei’s side and raised her hand for a cheerful high-five.

Clap!

A crisp sound rang out as Princess Ning Shu praised her in a sweet voice, “You’re amazing!”

The two girls exchanged smiles, their cheeks flushed with the soft glow of dawn, their faces glowing like two delicate flowers in full bloom under the spring sun.

“Princess, your headband is crooked.”

At this, Princess Ning Shu, always concerned with her appearance, immediately became flustered and said, “Quick, fix it for me!”

“Hold still,” Xiao Yanfei said as she gently adjusted the headband, even straightening her hairpin for her. A natural sense of intimacy blossomed between them.

Princess Ning Shu smiled sweetly at Xiao Yanfei before waving her mallet and galloping off to chase the ball.

From a distance, Tang Yueze couldn’t help but curl his lips into a cold smile, glancing back and forth between Xiao Yanfei, Princess Ning Shu, and the other side where Xiao Luanfei was watching them.

Finally, his intense gaze settled on Xiao Luanfei’s delicate profile, his heart aching with undeniable tenderness.

His Luan’er was just too kind.

Luan’er had always been close to Ning Shu, but ever since Luan’er had kindly introduced her half-sister to Ning Shu, things had changed. Ning Shu’s affections had shifted, and she had grown closer to Xiao Yanfei, the illegitimate daughter, while drifting away from Luan’er.

It wasn’t just Ning Shu—Madam Wan, Luan’er’s mother, had also scolded her own daughter because of this illegitimate girl, despite the fact that Luan’er had no part in the whole Gao An affair.

That half-sister of Luan’er, was truly cunning!

For someone like her, Luan’er was being forced to separate from him…

It was truly infuriating. People like her shouldn’t even exist!

Tang Yueze spurred his horse and charged toward the speeding ball in the field. He swung his mallet again, striking the ball with all his might.

The ball shot through the air like a meteor, hurtling toward Xiao Yanfei with such force that it created a chilling whistle as it cut through the air.

Tang Yueze pulled on the reins, a slight smile curling on his lips. He watched as the ball neared Xiao Yanfei, and she tugged at the reins, her red horse shifting uneasily, slow to react.

“Yan Yan, watch out!” Princess Ning Shu cried out in alarm.

Everyone in the pavilion and on the polo field immediately grew tense, their faces paling.

Tang Yueze’s lips curled into a higher smirk. He was just giving the girl a small lesson.

A flash of red, like a streak of fire, suddenly surged through the air, moving with such speed it nearly became a blur…

The crescent-shaped mallet swung out effortlessly, striking the ball with perfect precision, just a foot away from Xiao Yanfei.

With a sharp “thud,” the ball was sent flying into the air, slicing through the sky, heading straight for Tang Yueze.

It struck him squarely in the chest, delivering a blow that felt like a heavy punch—or as if someone had plunged a knife into his heart.

Tang Yueze let out a muffled grunt, falling from his high horse, rolling across the grass of the polo field several times…

His mount, startled, whinnied in alarm, spinning in a tight circle with its tail flicking wildly.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince!”

Everyone else immediately forgot about the polo match. Several eunuchs rushed over to him, shouting, “Quick, summon the imperial physician!”

“Your Highness!” Xiao Luanfei exclaimed, her face draining of color. She trembled uncontrollably as she hurriedly dismounted and ran toward Tang Yueze.

Xiao Yanfei, still shaken, patted her chest in relief and shot a grateful glance at Gu Feichi.

If she had been hit by that ball just now, she would have likely fallen off her horse—at best, breaking a limb, at worst, suffering a head injury, internal bleeding, and a concussion.

She was lucky…

And even better, an opportunity had come.

She didn’t look at the fallen Tang Yueze. Instead, her gaze shifted toward the Emperor in the distant pavilion, her mind silently counting: one, two…

Her lips didn’t make a sound.

***