My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead

Chapter 659: The Ball Game (Part 3)

"Ah!" Black-skinned Brother Xiao Hong screamed out, his entire face glowing with red from the inside out, spreading his arms and patting Qin Heng beside him: "West Gate, West Gate, quick, quick take it off!"

Brother Ximen’s body suddenly swayed.

Qin Heng couldn’t bother with the pain anymore, pointing at the opposing team, laughing loudly: "Fu Ya Nei, do you think it’s only your team that has tattoos!"

Fu Ya Nei snorted, considering this as a reply.

"Clang!" The referee started the game, everyone staring intently at the ball in mid-air. Gu Baoshu suddenly leaped from the crowd, a flying kick changing the ball’s direction forcibly, sending it towards Brother Ximen.

Brother Ximen ran while hooking the ball with his foot, unbuttoning his clothes, his body so soft like noodles, dodging left and right. By the time he got out of the crowd blocking him, his shirt was already tied around his waist, exposing jade-white skin, green pine-like tattoos winding from his collarbone downwards, wrapping around his well-built body, extending to where it’s hidden at his waist.

The audience was silent until Brother Ximen kicked the ball into the goal, which erupted in a landslide of cheers.

"Such impressive tattoos," the Emperor couldn’t help but praise.

Empress Lin watched without blinking.

The Ninth Princess exclaimed softly: "This handsome gentleman not only has impressive tattoos but also kicks the ball so well, this Princess didn’t know there was such a figure in Capital City."

A palace maid hurriedly asked, "Princess, shall I go inquire again?"

The Ninth Princess nodded repeatedly: "You understand this Princess’s thoughts best, heavy rewards await when you return."

The palace maid quickly ran down the stands.

Who in the world doesn’t love beauty?

Even Qin Yuan couldn’t help but shout: "Great!"

Gu Jinghui somehow moved next to her, jealousy arising as he covered her eyes, sourly saying: "What’s there to see, it’s merely tattoos."

Qin Yuan struggled to pry his hand away, arguing: "I’m not looking at tattoos, I’m admiring Mr. Qi’s demeanor!"

Upon saying this, Gu Jinghui released her, his stern face suddenly softening.

Prince Qi couldn’t help but click his tongue, twitching his nose and muttering, audible enough for Gu Jinghui to hear.

"Why is there such a strong sour smell, whose jar of vinegar was spilled?"

King Tushan laughed and asked: "Really? Why can’t this king smell it."

After a pause, he asked the Crown Prince: "Does Crown Prince know where King Jin went, he actually missed such an exciting soccer match?"

The Crown Prince hesitated: "Perhaps there was something important, who knows. As long as the review is present, it’s fine."

King Tushan pressed: "This king doesn’t know what task King Jin took on, Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration, what important matters could keep him away?"

Prince Qi interjected: "Maybe he drank too much and is passed out in the Imperial Garden."

The Crown Prince laughed: "That’d be going out stylishly even as a ghost beneath the peony flowers."

King Tushan smiled meaningfully: "But today we’re admiring chrysanthemums; these flowers are beautiful but indeed quite desolate."

Prince Qi said: "Later, have someone bring the tattooed guy over, this king will reward him with a chrysanthemum sash."

The Crown Prince nodded: "That would be a tasteful gesture. He’s truly one of a kind with those tattoos."

On the field.

Fu Ya Nei was dizzy with anger, "A tiger hasn’t been dealt with, now another leopard joins in, what’s the sense in this? Heaven does not favor me!"

Hua Bi said: "Why not drive the leopard away?"

This kid’s tattoo outshined theirs so much that their tattoos felt like fireflies under the moonlight.

Fu Ya Nei nodded.

No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t sabotage Gu Baoshu, ended up accidentally hurting several teammates, if this continued, there would be no substitutes left.

Thus, the situation on the field changed again.

The Emperor was baffled: "Ahem, they’re attacking that tattooed kid again, but somewhat restrained."

Empress Lin shook her head: "This team’s playing is utterly chaotic."

Seeing everyone chasing after him, Brother Ximen became playful, dribbling the ball around, passing it here and there, making the opponents run all over the field. After teasing them enough, he passed the ball to Gu Baoshu, shouting loudly: "Brother Qi, it’s up to you."

Gu Baoshu had been standing there for quite a while, seeing the ball come, he leapt up, a reverse back kick gold bell, sent the ball into the air, and then kicked it straight towards the goal.

So again and again, the cheers from the crowd lost their enthusiasm.

This was unilateral abuse.

The Hong Team won their second match without suspense.

The Emperor sighed listlessly.

"How were these teams selected, the disparity is too big, there’s no suspense."

The Empress Dowager sighed: "It’s for the joy of the people, lest spoiling everyone’s fun, this mourning family would have returned to the palace long ago to rest."

Empress Lin and the Ninth Princess were watching with great interest, their only dissatisfaction was that it got dark too early, the lights weren’t bright enough to clearly see those tattoos.

Qin Yuan said to Old Madam Gu: "Seems Mr. Qi is more formidable, what do you think, Mother?"

Old Madam Gu commented earnestly, seemingly neutral: "Just a bit undersized, the child hasn’t fully grown, he’ll be even more impressive when mature."

The soccer match ended.

Black-skinned Brother Xiao Hong had never been so proud.

The Hong Team he led never advanced past the second round in previous years.

This year they surged ahead, taking down gods and demons alike, winning the championship.

Black-skinned Brother Xiao Hong cried tears of laughter.

He embraced several old members who rose from obscurity to glory, jumping and celebrating, until the officials from the Capital Governor Mansion notified him to gather the team and claim their prize.

Nearby, Fu Ya Nei stood defeated like a rooster, crestfallen.

The Fu Team members drooped their heads dejectedly.

Though they were second place, they felt truly frustrated.

The official said: "Both teams go together to the stand to receive your prizes, Hong Team first, Fu Team second. Being able to see the royal faces is a privilege. When the nobles ask questions later, think carefully before responding."

"Understood," everyone replied.

They lined up to pass the stand, bowing to meet the Empress Dowager and others, receiving their prizes.

Only Gu Baoshu and Brother Ximen were left for questioning.

The Empress Dowager asked Ximen to step forward, scrutinizing the tattoos closely and marveling at them, then inquiring his age and where he got them tattooed, Ximen answered one by one.

The Emperor saw his handsome appearance, grew fond first, and asked: "Would you like to join the palace to play soccer?"

Brother Ximen hurriedly replied: "Grassroots family is not in Capital City, running small businesses to pass the days, heard the lanterns in Capital City are especially beautiful during the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration, came specifically to see the lantern carnival, there are parents, wife, and children at home, dare not stay long."

The Emperor regretted but was unwilling to cut off his familial ties, so he said: "Such a pity, if you ever change your mind, just come to seek the Capital Governor Mansion."

Finally, Prince Qi indeed sent a tray of chrysanthemums, ordering him to pin it on his head scarf, adding elegance.

Brother Ximen thanked, a palace maid came forward and pinned the chrysanthemum onto his scarf.

Indeed his demeanor appeared even more handsome, the Ninth Princess watched without taking her eyes off.