Chapter 61: What a Romantic Emperor 3

The imperial palace, the summer royal games

The Royal games was a three days sports festival hosted by the Emperor and Empress. During this event three different key sports are hosted, each holding on a single day. The three games were hosted at Conju, polo and hunting.

The sports event was held on separate weeks for two weeks, to give a break from court matters. Young masters from various households took part in these games. They all competed for different prizes and benefits. Young ladies and some young madams participated in the polo games.

This year the royal games were kick-started by a polo game. The three young masters of the Lu family all participated in the games, after greeting the Emperor and Empress, they left to get changed and prepare for the games.

Zhu Fengyin and the Lu family were all seated a short distance away from the Empress. The Emperor was seated at the centre of the spectator's box, the Empress and improve consorts and concubines were all seated a step below the Emperor. While the members of the royal family sat a step below the Empress.

Everyone watched the polo match, cheering for their various teams. Lu Yaozhu and Lu Yingjie were among the team players on the field. The Lu family were a military family, every child in the family was taught martial arts and horseback riding at a young age.

It was not surprising that their team was way ahead. The Lu brothers played with an effortless grace that made one's heart melt. In just a short time, they already stole the hearts of the young ladies present.

Lu Yingjie was already married so most of the ladies were attracted to his two unattached younger brothers. One was a powerful General who has never lost any battles, while the other was a handsome scholar with a bright future. 

Lu Yaozhu and Lu Yong were quite the catch, not only were they the Empress's nephew, but they were also one of the richest young masters in Northern Wei. Lu Yaozhu was a decorated General who made a name for himself all over the states. 

Since he was 15 years old, Lu Yaozhu had gone from battleground to battleground and always came back in victory. Every time he came back victorious, he was given a lot of gifts by the Emperor and Empress dowager.

Although Lu Yaozhu spent most of his time at Lu mansion, he had a huge compound in the capital under his name. The compound was a gift from the Emperor after his first battle, at the start of his career. He had been given a few soldiers to defeat many.

Lu Yaozhu had come back victorious which earned him a lot of rewards. The rewards from the Emperor combined with the Lu Family's wealth made him one of the richest men in the capital. Anyone that married him wouldn't have to worry about money. All these fueled the young ladies feeling.

Zhu Fengyin sat with madam Lu and Lu Yiling and silently watched the match. She smiled as she watched Lu Yingjie bend to the side on his horse and with the long polo stick, he hit the ball forward to his teammate. The Crowd cheered when the ball was hit into the hole.

it was a typical hot summer, Zhu Fengyin felt sweat roll down her forehead. She put her hands into her sleeve bucket to pull out her handkerchief but she found nothing. Worried Zhu Fengyin put her hands into the other sleeve, when she came out with nothing she shook her sleeves slightly.

"Where is it" Zhu Fengyin muttered.

Su Liya noticed her actions and bending, she whispered to Zhu Fengyin's ears "What is it Miss? What are you looking for?".

They were in public so Su Liya acted formal, maids pretty much had no rights and couldn't act friendly with members of the nobility. Even if she was whispering someone could hear them and that would get her some pretty heavy punishments.

"It is my handkerchief Yaya, I can't find it" Zhu Fengyin whispered.

"What? Did you check your blouse maybe it fell in mistakenly".

"I did Yaya, it is not there" 

Liu Yiling was seated between Madam Lu and Zhu Fengyin. She was very proud of her brothers and watched the ongoing match intently, noticing their movements asked, "What is wrong?"

"I lost my handkerchief" Zhu Fengyin replied in a tone below a whisper.

"No this can't be good. We need to find it before it turns into something big" Lu Yiling said turning

to her side, reported the situation to her mother.

Madam Lu frowned and looked at her irritating daughter-in-law. 'As expected this one is hopeless'. Madam Lu drew attention to the missing handkerchief, the handkerchief was a personal clothing item. To avoid getting into nasty scandals, when one loses such items it was best to make a noise and let everyone know.

The Empress offered to send a few maids to look for the missing handkerchief but Zhu Fengyin gently turned her down and instead sent Su Liya to search for it. Although the Empress agreed to her request, she didn't feel at ease sending Su Liya alone to search for the handkerchief in an unfamiliar palace.

She sent a maid to give her a hand and act as a guide. Zhu Fengyin and Madam Lu thanked the Empress for her help then dismissed Su Liya and the maid. Su Liya suspected that the handkerchief must have been kind during the transit to the Polo match.

She retraced their steps from the polo field to the palace entrance. Su Liya followed the maid behind, pausing at different locations to search for the handkerchief.

Before long Su Liya noticed that they were going in the wrong direction. She didn't remember passing through this pathway on her way to the Polo Field. Su Liya blinked when a courtyard came into view, "this isn't the way to the entrance. Where are you taking me?"

"The maid turned around and smiled, Su Liya suddenly heard a movement behind her. Someone hit her from behind and everything when dark.