Dad, don't be greedy! My brother climbed into the emperor's bed, and I became famous overn

The next morning.

In the east courtyard of the imperial palace, Shen Yanqing had just finished washing up and hadn't even had a chance to sit down and have a sip of hot tea when a light knock came at the door.

"Young Master Shen, I have been ordered to deliver a message."

Shen Yanqing opened the door with a puzzled look in his eyes, and saw a handsome young eunuch standing outside.

The young eunuch smiled broadly and bowed politely.

"His Majesty is in a very good mood today and is playing Cuju (ancient Chinese football) in the training ground behind the palace."

"His Majesty has decreed that all distinguished guests who are interested may go and accompany him."

Shen Yanqing stood there, stunned.

Playing Cuju (ancient Chinese football) with the current emperor?!

Before he could react, he heard the doors of several rooms next door open with a "whoosh".

Immediately afterwards, several young noblemen who usually maintained a certain air of propriety abandoned all decorum and hurriedly ran out while frantically adjusting their belts.

"Let's go! Hurry! This is an incredible opportunity!"

"I need to go back and change into my lightest boots! I absolutely have to show off my skills in front of His Majesty today!"

Someone even turned around and called out to Shen Yanqing.

Shen Yanqing took a deep breath, quickly lifted her clothes, and followed the crowd out.

Why do people spend so much money to become members of the Cuju Association?

Isn't it all for the chance to get in touch with the Emperor?

Now the emperor has actually taken the initiative to invite everyone to play Cuju (ancient Chinese football), which is clearly giving everyone an opportunity to interact and appear in front of the emperor!

The training ground was set up in an open space at the very back of the palace.

The site is extremely large, flat and spacious.

The ground is made of specially compacted loess.

Shen Yanqing followed the excited crowd to the sidelines, and when she looked up in the direction of everyone's gaze, she immediately held her breath.

Two people were standing in the center of the field.

The man on the left is dressed in a black, narrow-sleeved outfit with a dark gold silk sash around his waist. He has broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a tall, straight posture like a pine tree.

Even when he's just standing there casually, his imposing and authoritative aura commands respect.

That is the ruler of the Great Xiao Dynasty, the current emperor Xiao Ye.

Standing beside the emperor was a young man dressed in a moon-white robe.

The young man looked to be quite young, probably in his early twenties.

With his bright and clear eyes, he was dashing and handsome. When he smiled, he revealed a set of white teeth, exuding an indescribable radiance and approachability.

Most importantly, he showed no fear or trepidation whatsoever in front of the emperor.

He was squatting on the ground, fiddling with a leather football, completely disregarding his image.

Shen Yanqing narrowed his eyes slightly and examined him carefully.

Pei Yu had somehow squeezed next to Shen Yanqing, covering her lips with a folding fan, and said in a low voice:

"See that clearly? That's Lord Gu, the only favorite of His Majesty right now."

Shen Yanqing turned around in surprise: "Brother Pei is here too?"

Pei Yu waved her fan, her smile as gentle as a spring breeze.

"I'm now an official specially appointed by the imperial court to be stationed at the Pujitang Logistics Park. My specific responsibility is to liaise with the members who are preparing to move in. How could I possibly be absent from such a grand occasion?"

Shen Yanqing was overjoyed.

If Brother Pei can truly take full charge of the tax office of the commodity city in the future, then things will be much more secure for those of us who are acquaintances.

The two exchanged a knowing smile and turned their gaze back to the court.

At this moment, in the martial arts training ground, Geng Zhi, leading several imperial guards, stood expressionless around the area, their sharp eyes scanning the entire field.

Xiao Ye glanced down at the round football at his feet, pursed his thin lips, and lowered his voice.

There was a rare hint of unease in his tone.

"I... am not familiar with this. I don't know how to play this game."

He always liked to have everything under control, and could turn the world upside down with a flick of his wrist.

Normally, he would never reveal the slightest bit of a street game like this, which he was completely unskilled at.

But Gu Mingli insisted on dragging him to play football, saying it was part of the plan.

"Hey! It's no big deal! I'll teach you, we'll just kick it around for fun."

Gu Mingli stood shoulder to shoulder with him without any hesitation, also looking down at the ball.

He leaned closer, his shoulder slanted, and listened to the soft chirping of crickets.

"Besides, your main task today is to 'share joy with the people'."

"We're doing this to gather these nobles, not to actually go on the field and become the top football player."

"Don't worry about playing badly. Even if you kick the ball high in the sky, they'll still praise you with 'Your Majesty's divine power!'"

Xiao Ye scoffed at his twisted logic, his brows relaxed slightly, but he remained somewhat reserved.

Seeing this, Gu Mingli simply used the back of his foot to skillfully gather the ball to the side of Xiao Ye's boot.

Then, quite naturally, he gently bumped Xiao Ye's shoulder with his own.

"Come on, try again. Don't tense up, lift your foot a little lighter, yes, bend your knee slightly, use the bone on the inside of your foot..."

The wealthy young men on the sidelines stared wide-eyed.

That's the legendary cold and stern emperor!

This lord actually dared to bump into the Emperor with his shoulder?!

The most terrifying thing is that the emperor was not angry at all, but actually obediently followed his instructions to play football!

Xiao Ye looked at the ball at his feet, took a deep breath, and then raised his long leg and kicked it lightly, albeit somewhat awkwardly.

Swoosh~~~~

Even though he had stopped using his strength, the ball still spun off course and flew far away.

Among the onlookers were many skilled Cuju players, some of whom were even preparing to compete.

Upon seeing this, he immediately realized that His Majesty was indeed a novice.

But everyone could only suppress their laughter, their feet itching to move.

Yet they dared not utter a sound, for fear of angering the emperor.

Gu Mingli didn't mind at all. Like a happy little pony, he ran over and picked up the ball, placing it steadily at Xiao Ye's feet again.

"You're using too much force. Let's play ball juggling instead. Your footwork should be like writing calligraphy – light and gentle."

As Gu Mingli spoke, he personally demonstrated.

"You should put your foot like this, hook the instep upwards and gently flick it upwards..."

He is indeed very patient in teaching people.

His voice was clear and his movements were nimble.

Xiao Ye couldn't help but glance at him sideways as he listened to his childish tone.

Only then did he focus his attention on his feet and follow the instructions he gave.

This time, the ball finally bounced on Xiao Ye's instep!

Although it only bounced twice before rolling to the ground, it was much better than being kicked away earlier.

More and more people gathered around the field, and almost everyone's eyes were glued to the two of them.

Countless young masters from prominent families inquired about Gu Mingli's identity, secretly gritting their teeth in envy.

If I could be as close to His Majesty as Lord Gu, how could my family not prosper!

On the field, the two exchanged a knowing glance.

While casually kicking the ball that Gu Mingli skillfully fed him, Xiao Ye subtly glanced at the sidelines and whispered instructions:

"Alright, it's almost done. Lend them over here."

"Alright."

Gu Mingli smirked and rolled the ball back towards his feet.

"Come on, Your Majesty, kick it into the crowd!"

Xiao Ye turned around, his long legs creating a gust of wind as he kicked out with great force.

The ball traced a beautiful arc and flew precisely into the crowd of eager young men on the sidelines.

A young man from Yuzhou in the front row instinctively raised his leg and caught the ball steadily.

Xiao Ye and Gu Mingli turned around to look at him.

Gu Mingli whistled at him and made a dashing gesture:

"Good shot! Bro, kick it back!"

The young master from Yuzhou froze for a second, then his face flushed red, and he trembled with excitement as he made a beautiful back pass with a powerful kick!

Gu Mingli controlled the ball with his chest, a fluid and graceful movement, and then with a flick of his ankle, kicked the ball towards another group of people further away.

Someone in the crowd immediately jumped up excitedly, caught the ball, and kicked it back.

The martial arts training ground, which had been somewhat oppressive and tense due to the emperor's presence, instantly became relaxed, lively, and even boiling over as the football was passed back and forth.

Seeing that the time was right, Xiao Ye raised his hand and made a gesture.

"Come and play, everyone."

Once the emperor spoke, the young masters who had been waiting on the sidelines for so long were like mythical beasts released from their cages after school, excitedly and eagerly rushing onto the field.