Do you know: I am Qi Heng

Zhang Guifen then realized that Minglan was actually quite good at polo.

Playing polo isn't like fighting; skill is very important.

If she were to run, she would be confident in taking on two opponents, but when it comes to stealing the ball, her room for maneuver is very small.

She had personally experienced the difficulty of it, but Minglan could easily snatch the ball and even outmaneuver the two of them, something she herself couldn't do.

Fortunately, she quickly came to her senses and saw Minglan pass the ball to her, so she quickly dribbled the ball towards the other side.

Yu Yanhong and her companion were held back by Minglan and unable to defend, so they could only watch as Zhang Guifen scored.

Although the two players made changes in the final game and the process was somewhat different, the result was the same.

When the flag representing the tenth polo match was raised and the drums sounded, the polo match came to a complete end.

Cheers erupted from the crowd. The officials' wives weren't interested in the polo match, but their children found it very exciting.

While the two-person team format reduced the intensity of the match, it was still incredibly exciting to see one side shut out the other, especially since the losing side was none other than Yu Yanhong, who is widely recognized as a skilled polo player.

"These ladies are all excellent equestrians, they ride very well!"

Empress Cao smiled approvingly, then looked at Madam Wu and said, "Of course, I'll call them over. I want to see them!"

"yes!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Wu hurriedly left.

Qi Heng was somewhat excited. Empress Cao's series of actions had given him some clues.

If his guess is true, then...

"You guys were lucky this time. It was my first time playing polo with Sister Jiang. If I had been on my brother's team, you wouldn't have been able to win!" Yu Yanhong said through gritted teeth.

"Ignore her!"

Zhang Guifen deliberately lowered her voice, but still made sure Yu Yanhong could hear it, and then smiled and said, "Sixth Miss, you play polo really well. Let's play a game sometime."

"Miss Zhang San did a very good job, but I usually have to study, so I only have time on my days off," Minglan said with a smile.

"My name is Zhang Guifen. You can just call me by my name."

"My name is Minglan!"

Even among women, a woman's name is not easily revealed.

The fact that Zhang Guifen was willing to tell Minglan shows that she had already accepted Minglan and wanted to be friends with her.

"Ladies!"

Madam Wu walked over with a smile and said, "Her Majesty the Empress enjoyed watching the game and praised your polo skills. She wants to meet you."

The others were somewhat agitated upon hearing this, but remained relatively calm.

They were all legitimate daughters of their families, and their fathers and grandfathers were all of high status. They had also entered the palace with their elders to pay their respects to Empress Cao.

It was only because they were summoned by Empress Cao on their own that they were somewhat excited.

Minglan was the most excited, after all, even Madam Wang was not allowed to enter the palace to pay her respects to Empress Cao during festivals.

She wasn't the kind of person who craved vanity. Perhaps being summoned by Empress Cao would bring many hidden benefits, and that was what she cared about most.

When the four women followed Madam Wu to the tent where Empress Cao was, many officials' wives saw them and couldn't help but feel a little jealous.

The most shocked person was Madam Wang, whose mouth gaped open in surprise and remained agape for a long time.

It took him a while to come to his senses, and he said incredulously, "That girl Minglan actually got an audience with the Empress?"

"Mother, the Empress came to watch the polo match. As a woman herself, isn't it normal for her to summon Sixth Sister and the others to see how well they played?"

Rulan said nonchalantly, then smiled and looked at Molan, whose face was gloomy, and said, "What do you think, Fourth Sister?"

She didn't care at all what benefits Empress Cao's summons would bring; seeing Mo Lan looking in Ming Lan's direction with a gloomy expression made her happy.

Upon hearing this, Mo Lan forced a smile and said, "Fifth Sister is right."

"Is the fourth sister happy for the sixth sister?"

"happy!"

Mo Lan was clenching her teeth so hard they were about to break, but she still had to force a smile.

……

"This humble woman pays her respects to Your Majesty the Empress!"

Minglan and the other three followed Madam Wu to the outside of Empress Cao's tent and bowed in greeting.

"No need for formalities, come in and let me have a look at you," Empress Cao said with a smile and a wave.

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress!"

After the four women expressed their gratitude, they entered the tent.

Empress Cao looked at the four women, focusing on Minglan.

Minglan is not the youngest among them; Yu Yanhong is actually a little younger than her.

However, she was slightly shorter than the other three and looked thinner.

She has a small, round face that looks delicate and cute, making it easy for people to like her.

"When I was a young lady, I also enjoyed playing polo, but I was far inferior to you all."

Empress Cao smiled and looked at Minglan, saying, "Especially you, you did a very good job just now."

"Your Majesty flatters me. I was just playing around. How could I compare to Your Majesty?" Minglan quickly replied.

"Whether you play well or not, I can tell."

Empress Cao waved her hand and said, "I see I like you very much, and I'd like to adopt you as my goddaughter. Are you willing?"

Everyone was stunned when Empress Cao said this.

Although she was only an adopted daughter, and it was the Empress who spoke up, not the Emperor.

But with this identity, everyone who sees Minglan in the future will have to show her some respect.

Some people may find it strange that since husband and wife are one, how could the empress's adopted daughter not be considered the emperor's adopted daughter?

In fact, this would certainly apply to ordinary households, but the royal family is an exception.

There was a set of etiquette for the emperor to adopt a daughter. It required the emperor's personal decree, the bestowal of the title of princess, and the Imperial Clan Court to record it.

In this way, according to etiquette, the two were in a father-daughter relationship.

However, the Empress's approach was different. Sometimes, for political reasons, the Empress would have the Emperor take his adopted daughter as a concubine.

Of course, if the emperor is willing to adopt her, he can grant her a title and officially recognize her as his adopted daughter after the empress has already adopted her.

Simply put, if the emperor does not officially recognize a daughter as an adopted daughter, it is a private matter and does not imply any direct relationship between the adopted daughter and the royal family.

This is also why the Emperor allowed Empress Cao to adopt a daughter and then bestowed a marriage upon her to Qi Heng.

Empress Cao's adoption of Minglan as a goddaughter elevated Minglan's status without creating a direct connection between her and the royal family.

Minglan herself was stunned by the news, her mind a jumble, unsure whether to agree or refuse.

Qi Heng was also dumbfounded. He had originally guessed that Empress Cao had found out that Minglan could play polo, so she came to the polo match and asked Madam Wu to find some officials' daughters to play polo.

This gave Minglan an opportunity to shine, and provided an excuse to summon her.

He then showed his affection for Minglan by betrothing her to him.

Unexpectedly, Empress Cao proposed to recognize Minglan as her goddaughter.

"You don't want to?" Empress Cao asked with a smile.

"It is my honor to receive Your Majesty's favor, how could I not accept it!" Minglan quickly said, regaining her composure.

She didn't know if refusing would anger Empress Cao, but agreeing would only bring benefits and no harm to either her personally or the Sheng family.

Empress Cao smiled and said, "Then why don't you change your address!"

She originally recognized Minglan as her goddaughter, but only to put on a show. However, after meeting Minglan, she did develop some affection for her.

When Minglan and Qi Heng get married in the future, he can often come to the palace to talk to her.