Chapter 60 Living Target

"Here, this is the war bow commonly used by my Dongling female warriors," Xinyi Zhaoyang said in a clear and unquestionable voice. "If you can pull it off, this princess will truly respect you. It will also allow me to see with my own eyes the true capabilities of the daughter of a general from the Sheng Dynasty!"

Luo Zhaohan looked up. The Dongling female warrior was a full head taller than her. The giant bow before her was even larger. The animal-hide-wrapped bow exuded a sense of rugged power, far beyond the reach of an ordinary woman.

Seeing this, the Crown Princess at the top frowned slightly and was about to speak to smooth things over for Luo Zhaohan.

Chao Yinzhen, standing aside, had eyes shining and a face full of anticipation.

She had heard the rumor about Luo Zhaohan lifting a huge rock with one hand at the flower viewing banquet. She knew from their interactions over the past few days that while the young Princess of Liuyang had no ill intentions, she still carried a certain sense of superiority, akin to the children of Dongling. She had a vague feeling that the children of the Western Wei Dynasty were rather weak and effeminate.

Now is a good time for Zhao Han to put an end to her arrogance!

"inappropriate."

Luo Zhaohan's clear and sharp voice rang out, clearly breaking the atmosphere in the stands.

The smile on Liuyang Princess Xinyi Zhaoyang's face froze instantly, as if her mood had been dampened. She didn't even bother to look at Luo Zhaohan again, turning her head directly to Chao Yinzhen, her tone full of disappointment: "Sister Yinzhen, the Luo Zhaohan you praised so highly is really unworthy of his reputation. I thought—"

Chao Yinzhen's heart tightened, and he was about to speak, but he saw Luo Zhaohan step forward at this time and actually took the heavy longbow directly from Wei Yu, the strong female warrior from Dongling Kingdom!

Luo Zhaohan weighed the bow, a frank and bright smile blooming on his face. Facing Xinyi Zhaoyang's slightly surprised gaze, he said loudly, "Princess, what's the point of just pulling the bow? Why not have a real fight with real swords and spears? Let this servant open her eyes and see the majesty of the female warriors of Dongling!"

Xinyi Zhaoyang turned her head suddenly and saw Luo Zhaohan firmly holding the strong bow that was thicker than her arm. He bent his index finger slightly and pulled the taut bowstring hard!

A clear and deafening string sound suddenly rang out, and the lingering sound echoed in the slightly quiet stands.

"It's indeed a good bow!" Luo Zhaohan's eyes were as bright as stars, and he admired it sincerely. His expression was even a little excited as if he was eager to try it out.

Chao Yinzhen's heart instantly dropped back into his stomach. He couldn't help but secretly glare at Luo Zhaohan - this girl, she even gasps when she speaks! She almost scared her to death just now!

Xinyi Zhaoyang's gaze lingered on Luo Zhaohan's heroic face for a moment, then he raised an eyebrow and looked at the female warrior Wei Yu beside him. A provocative arc curved his lips, "Wei Yu, did you hear that? Someone's challenging you to a duel. What do you say?"

Wei Yu was tall, her eyes sharp as a hawk's. She stared at Luo Zhaohan's effortless bow grip, a fierce desire to win a battle ablaze in her eyes. She crossed her arms over her chest, her muscular arms slightly bulging, and nodded heavily at Xinyi Zhaoyang: "Let's compete!"

Xinyi Zhaoyang immediately clapped her hands and laughed, her spirits ablaze. She raised her chin and said to Luo Zhaohan with great enthusiasm, "Great! That's brilliant! Luo Zhaohan, if you can truly defeat Wei Yu, this princess will respectfully call you 'Sister' from now on!"

Even Chao Yinzhen was slightly moved by these words. In Dongling Kingdom, the title of "sister" is only used by those who are not blood relatives and are truly convinced and respected!

"Then... how shall we compete?" Chao Yinzhen hurried forward, his eyes wandering between the two of them. "Archery target?"

Upon hearing this, Xinyi Zhaoyang waved her hand casually, with a hint of disdain: "Sister Yinzhen, what's the point of being a dead target? It's so soft when you shoot, it doesn't show your true ability!"

Luo Zhaohan's face darkened instantly when she heard this. She looked directly at Xinyi Zhaoyang and said in a clear and firm voice, "Princess, it's not that I dare not compete. But I beg you, Princess, please don't take human lives for fun!"

She had heard of the ridiculous and cruel tricks of the powerful - ordering their servants to carry fruits on their heads or tie colorful silk around their bodies to act as live targets. Those with poor archery skills would often lose their lives to the arrows, and in the end, their bodies would be thrown into the wilderness on a rolled-up straw mat.

Xinyi Zhaoyang raised her eyes and looked at Luo Zhaohan deeply. A subtle complexity flashed across her eyes, and her voice was a little gentler than before: "Don't worry. Although this princess likes to play, she is not the kind of person who takes human life lightly. However..."

She changed the subject, a sly glint in her eyes. "Since today is the day for this princess to choose a husband, there must be many young men in the audience who are willing to show off. It's a perfect opportunity to let them show off, and this princess can test their courage!"

She paused, her red lips curled slightly, and she said in a resounding voice: "This is—willing to fight and willing to be beaten!"

Leaving these words behind, Xinyi Zhaoyang quickly glanced back at the Crown Princess sitting in the main seat. Seeing that she looked calm and had no intention of stopping him, he no longer hesitated. He suddenly lifted the heavy brocade curtain hanging from the stands and strode out. Sunlight and noise instantly poured in.

Luo Zhaohan also looked at the Crown Princess. The Crown Princess met her gaze, smiled gently, and nodded slightly, saying, "Miss Luo, do what you can."

"Yes, I understand." Luo Zhaohan responded solemnly, exchanged a glance with Chao Yinzhen, followed Xinyi Zhaoyang, and walked out through the curtain.

The stands suddenly became quiet, with only the slight air current caused by the swaying brocade curtain remaining.

The Crown Princess didn't stand up, but instead leaned back slightly, settling back down behind her desk. Her eyes were lowered, her long lashes casting a small shadow beneath them. She seemed to be concentrating all her attention on her hearing, quietly catching the sudden uproar beyond the curtains.

The appearance of Princess Liuyang had already caused thunderous cheers and discussions outside, with the sound becoming louder and louder.

Seeing this, Nanny Tang, who was standing by, quickly took out a light brocade cloak, walked over silently, and gently draped it over the Crown Princess's shoulders, whispering, "Your Majesty, the curtain is open. Be careful not to catch a cold."

The Crown Princess shook her head imperceptibly, her jade finger gently tapping her lips, signaling Nanny Tang to be silent. She tilted her head slightly toward the curtain, listening intently, as if trying to capture every last bit of the bustle and life that was shut out from outside.

Nanny Tang stood on tiptoe, trying to peek outside through the gap in the gauze curtain, but the curtains were heavily shadowed, and the figures were swaying, so she couldn't make out anything clearly. She could only withdraw her gaze in frustration and return her gaze to her master.

When I saw this, my heart suddenly felt a pang of pain.

The queen is only twenty-three years old this year, and her face is still beautiful. When she was standing together with Princess Liuyang, Princess Yinzhen and the young lady of the Luo family just now, her demeanor and elegance made it almost impossible to tell the age difference.

Yet... she was widowed at such a young age. Now, with the throne vacant and the court turbulent, the Empress's position became increasingly delicate and awkward, like standing on the edge of a cliff. Even opportunities like this to appear before the public in an open and aboveboard manner became increasingly rare.

The husband who has lost his support is trapped in this small palace.

But Nanny Tang clearly remembered that before the Empress got married, she was also so bright and outgoing, and her laughter could penetrate the entire Imperial Garden!

If I had known that I would be so lonely and cold today, I would have obeyed the Second Prince.

Nanny Tang's thoughts froze, her face instantly stiffening and turning pale, as if she'd been burned. She quickly smothered the treacherous thought that had been bubbling up in her head, not daring to think any further. She subconsciously clutched her sleeves, her fingertips cold.

…

The originally noisy sounds outside the stands suddenly became quiet, and even the sound of the wind could be heard clearly.

As Princess Xinyi Zhaoyang of Liuyang finished her words, everyone at the banquet exchanged glances. Being a sitting duck? And riding a horse while holding a red hydrangea? And what about the fact that the two women were holding the bows?

Although this wealth and splendor are tempting, one must be alive to enjoy it. Moreover, there is only one princess, and even if she were to compete, she might not be favored. This deal is really not worth it.

The field was so quiet that only the rustling of flags could be heard, until Luo Zhaohan and the Dongling Kingdom's female general Wei Yu emerged from the side door, bows in hand. Luo Zhaohan's dark, tight-fitting attire accentuated his frosty features, and the silver chain around his waist jingled with each step.

"Sister!"

"cousin!"

Luo Jince and Ye Yiheng leaped from their seats simultaneously, their brocade robes knocking over the teacups on the table. Pei Ji, the Junior Official of the Dali Temple, had been toying with his jade ring with his eyes downcast, but upon hearing this, he finally raised his gaze, his gaze like the stroke of an ink-stained pen resting on the woman in the room.

If it were her...

"Xie is willing to go!"

A clear shout shattered the silence, and Xie Wuqi rode in from the east. As his chestnut steed reared up, the gilded sash around his waist shone brightly in the sunlight. Gasps echoed throughout the banquet. Back then, the Xie family's broken engagement had caused a stir in the city, but now these two together were even more exciting than a stage excerpt.

Xinyi Zhaoyang keenly sensed the strange atmosphere and tilted her head to ask, "Who is this person? Why is everyone staring at the young lady from the Luo family as soon as he appears?"

Princess Yinzhen Chao Yinzhen nearly crushed the glass cup in her hand. This Xie Wuqi actually dared to show up. If she were Zhao Han, she would definitely shoot an arrow through the heart of this unfaithful man!

But then he thought about the Xie family's current strong favor with the emperor, so he swallowed his words and sneered, "He's just a treacherous man."

Just as she was about to elaborate, she heard Luo Zhaohan's voice, as cold as an icy spring, "Leave this man to me." Xinyi Zhaoyang raised an eyebrow at this, realizing that there was a dispute about breaking off the engagement. Her interest grew even stronger, and she turned to whisper a few words to Wei Yu, her eyes scanning the entire room with a fiery gaze.

Suddenly, two more people stood up from the west stands: Luo Jince and Ye Yiheng. The young men were dressed in vibrant red, and the agate pendants adorning their waists jingled. "To support my sister, I'll brave mountains of swords and seas of fire!" Ye Yiheng laughed heartily, revealing his fangs.

Everyone's eyes turned, only to see that there was only one person sitting as upright as a pine tree in the stands.

It’s Pei Ji.

A murmur echoed through the banquet. Who didn't know that this Junior Official of the Dali Temple hated noise? In previous years, during the spring and autumn hunts, not even a scrap of his clothing could be seen. It was a miracle that he was even here this year, and now he was even still here—

Before this thought could be fully conceived, the man suddenly rose to his feet. The silver-embroidered Xiezhi on his dark blue official robe flickered in the sunlight, evoking a low gasp. Xinyi Zhaoyang's lips curled slightly, while Chao Yinzhen leaned over to whisper in Luo Zhaohan's ear, "Could it be that Zhaoyang really has a crush on Pei Ji? No wonder he's come to join in the fun this year for the first time..."

Luo Zhaohan lowered his eyes and remained silent, his knuckles turning pale as he gripped the beast-horn bow. In the field, Xie Wuqi stared intently at Pei Ji, memories of his past life flooding back like a tide—that year, Pei Ji had defied the imperial order and been caned thirty times. If he hadn't come for the princess, then this moment was clearly for Luo Zhaohan!

"drive!"

Xie Wuqi charged into the arena, his red-maned horse neighing as it reared to its feet. He reached out and snatched the red embroidered ball held by his attendant, its scarlet tassels sweeping across the black iron saddle. "Xie, I am willing to be the first target!"

Before she finished her words, the hydrangea had been thrown high up and was hanging three inches in front of her eyebrows.

"I am not talented, but I am willing to test my archery skills for Miss Luo." The next moment, Pei Ji stepped forward.

The moment these words were spoken, the whole room erupted in an uproar. Who didn't know Pei Ji never participated in such ridiculous games? And now, he was being used as a target for Luo Zhaohan? Xie Wuqi's knuckles crackled as he gripped the reins, his past life flashing through his mind like a revolving lantern—it turned out that even at this moment, Pei Ji had already developed a special liking for Luo Zhaohan!

Luo Zhaohan's fingertips trembled slightly, and the arrow reflected Pei Ji's clear and handsome eyebrows.

He stood calmly ten feet away, gently shaking the red hydrangea in his hand, as if this was not a life-and-death gamble, but a game of chess under the moon.

Princess Xinyi Zhaoyang looked at the four people standing out, raised an eyebrow, and a playful smile appeared on the corner of her mouth: "Only four people? A little more than I expected. But, if we want to decide the winner, this number is still an odd number, which is not lively enough. We need one more to make it more exciting!"

As soon as she finished speaking, another person suddenly stepped out from the crowd and stood in the center of the field.

"Hong Lei! Are you crazy?!" Several young men who usually played with him suddenly became anxious and spoke out to stop him, their faces full of surprise and disapproval.

But Sun Honglei seemed to be determined. He turned a deaf ear to his companions' calls, strode forward without looking back, with a firm look in his eyes.

Xinyi Zhaoyang saw it and clapped his hands and laughed happily, "Great! Now we're all set! Just the right five people!"

In the open space in the field, five tall horses were lined up in a row. Sitting on them from left to right were: Ye Yiheng, Xie Wuqi, Pei Ji, Sun Honglei who had just stood up, and Luo Jince.

Each of the five men now held a bright red hydrangea, densely studded with tinkling bells. The horses, sensing the impending tension, pawed the ground restlessly, snorting and breathing heavily, their muscles tense as if ready to charge at any moment.

The crowd around the polo field, who had been noisily watching the excitement just a moment ago, now seemed to be strangled by the neck and fell silent in an instant.

Everyone's heart was in their throat, their eyes were wide open, staring at the five people in the field and the hydrangeas in their hands, not even daring to breathe.

On the high stands to one side of the field, the atmosphere was tense! Luo Zhaohan and the female warrior Wei Yu from Dongling had already taken firm positions, one on each side. They each drew their powerful bows, their icy arrows poised on the strings, their arrowheads flashing a chilling light, their targets pointed directly at the field!

Boom! Boom! Boom—!

The dull and rapid drum beats suddenly sounded, as if hitting everyone's heart!

The drumbeat was the order! The five horses in the field rushed out at once like arrows from a bow! Hooves flew, dust flew, and the tense atmosphere was instantly ignited to a climax!

Seeing this scene, Chao Yinzhen, who was standing next to Xinyi Zhaoyang, was so nervous that his palms were sweating. He couldn't help but grab Xinyi Zhaoyang's wrist, his voice trembling a little: "Zhaoyang...this...isn't this too much? What if..."

She didn't say the rest of the words, but her meaning was very clear: she was afraid of something happening, afraid of someone being killed.