Song Huan excitedly took the bow and arrow, gently stroking the smooth bow with both hands, her eyes sparkling with excitement, she simply couldn't put it down!

Overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, he knelt down without hesitation and solemnly kowtowed to the Emperor to express his thanks.

The Song family was renowned in the capital, and the most well-known member of the family was Song Xu, the eldest son.

This eldest son of the Song family was exceptionally talented and skilled in martial arts, and had always been the pride of the Song family.

However, after today's competition, Song Huan's name will surely resound throughout the entire capital.

In prominent families, the eldest son is usually given special attention, with the expectation that he will be able to shoulder the family's responsibilities. The Song family is no exception.

Therefore, most of the outstanding scions of aristocratic families are the eldest sons in their families, and they often disdain such competitions.

Because their good reputation had already been widely spread in the capital, they did not need to prove themselves through such an occasion.

After all, as the eldest sons, they bear the important mission of maintaining the family's honor and development.

The family will spare no expense to pave the way for them.

However, while the second and youngest sons didn't have to bear such a heavy burden, many of them were exceptionally talented. Unfortunately, due to their social status, they rarely had the opportunity to distinguish themselves.

After all, it is extremely rare for a general's family to have three sons holding important positions in the imperial court.

At this moment, Lin Muheng, who was standing to the side, noticed that Song Huan was staring intently at the bow in his hand with shining eyes. He immediately realized that this young man was no ordinary person and must have great ambitions.

Just then, a faint smile appeared on his lips, and he slowly opened his mouth and asked softly, "Song Huan! I wonder if you would like to join the Imperial Guard?"

The words had barely left his lips when they struck Song Huan like a thunderclap. He froze on the spot, his expression frozen in shock and disbelief.

You should know that his stern and old-fashioned father had repeatedly warned him, with sharp words, that only the eldest brother could take the lead in the Song family, and everyone else could only be subordinate to the eldest brother.

However, at this moment, the Emperor solemnly asked him if he was willing to join the Imperial Guard.

Has the Emperor recognized his abilities?

He caused trouble again today.

Thinking of this, he involuntarily turned his gaze to His Majesty the Emperor, who sat high on the throne. However, after only a fleeting glance, he realized that staring directly at the Emperor was a grave act of disrespect, so he quickly lowered his head again.

Even so, the answer that came from his mouth was exceptionally loud and firm: "I'm willing!"

At this moment, his father's instructions, which had been lingering in his mind, were long forgotten. He also completely disregarded the rule that only one member of the Song family could serve in the imperial court in each generation.

Why did it have to be the eldest brother? He was clearly far superior to his eldest brother in both literary and martial arts, as well as in wisdom and talent, yet he could easily gain all of his father's meticulous cultivation and care simply because his eldest brother was older than him.

That's not fair!

Song Huan clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms, and silently vowed in her heart: This time, no matter how great the difficulties and obstacles I encounter, I must seize this rare opportunity and prove to everyone that my abilities are in no way inferior to others!

I can not only do as well as my older brother, but I can even do better!

I yearn to achieve great deeds and become a truly upright man, rather than forever relying on my elder brother for survival.

Lin Muheng, who had been silently observing Song Huan, naturally took in the burning ambition in his eyes.

He laughed heartily: "Very well! Starting tomorrow, you shall report to the Imperial Guard. Rely on your own abilities to climb up from the bottom step by step. I will be keeping a close eye on your performance!"

Upon hearing this, the young men present immediately showed expressions of envy.

You should know that these young masters all come from wealthy families and never have to worry about food, clothing and other necessities.

However, no one can truly understand what their deepest desires are.

Even their families were indifferent to it.

The focus of the elders in the family is often on the eldest son, hoping that he can make meritorious contributions and establish a firm foothold in the court.

As for the other children, as long as they don't cause any major trouble, everything will be fine.

Now that the Emperor has personally set such a precedent, it undoubtedly brings new hope and motivation to the many young masters.

In the future, they are expected to create their own success through their own efforts.

Jiang Chuwei, standing to the side, also understood perfectly. She knew the Emperor's true intention in doing so—to select talents without being bound by convention.

If we want Daqing to become stronger and stronger, we must recruit more talented people and give those with lofty ambitions a stage to show their skills.

Only in this way can we gather the strength of talents from all sides and jointly promote the prosperity of the country.

Upon hearing that her son had been personally selected by the Emperor to join the Imperial Guard, Madam Song's hands trembled slightly with excitement, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears, glistening in them.

Her husband had always relentlessly suppressed their youngest son, seemingly ignoring the lofty aspirations and ambitions deep within the child's heart.

However, as a woman who lived a secluded life, devoted to her husband and children, Mrs. Song felt utterly helpless and powerless.

Despite knowing her youngest son's abilities, she was powerless to change the situation and could only watch helplessly as he struggled to move forward in the shadow of his eldest son.

In fact, the husband had his own concerns and calculations in treating their young son this way.

After all, as the Minister of War, having two sons who simultaneously hold positions of power in the court would inevitably attract attention and criticism. Moreover, the Emperor would certainly not stand idly by.

However, judging from the current situation, it is clear that my husband is overthinking things and is judging others by his own petty standards.

The fact that the Emperor personally selected Song Huan to join the Imperial Guard is enough to prove that the Emperor does not harbor any resentment or suspicion towards powerful families.

Before long, the news that Song Huan had been selected for the Imperial Guard based on her outstanding abilities spread like wildfire and quickly reached every corner of the capital.

This exciting news was like a thunderclap, stirring up waves in the hearts of many ministers and causing quite a stir.

From then on, the ministers realized that as long as their sons possessed genuine talent and outstanding abilities, they could obtain official positions in the court without any scruples and realize their grand ambitions.

Since the emperor does not impose many restrictions on the sons of aristocratic families entering the court to serve as officials, wouldn't their previous overly cautious approach and constant restrictions on their sons' development seem somewhat unnecessary?

As a result, these ministers began to re-examine their methods of educating and raising their children, no longer being as cautious and restrained as before.