Chapter 294 Killing Two Birds with One Stone

The final mounted archery competition began.

This time, the difficulty of archery while standing still is several times greater than before.

The three participants must ride horses and shoot arrows. Attendants will release agile wild animals such as pheasants and rabbits. Each person will have ten arrows, and the one who hits the most prey will win and become the champion of this archery competition.

"Today's spring hunt is unconventional; let's remove all the screens."

At Emperor Xuanzhao's command, the obstructive screen was moved away.

Didn't Lu Yuan just say he wanted to make his beloved regret it?

Then give him that chance and let him see for himself.

There were no more obstacles on the field.

Although the young ladies maintained their composure, they couldn't resist their curiosity and looked towards the competition venue.

The three of them were already seated on their mounts.

Xiao Xuanyou was dressed in a bright yellow riding outfit embroidered with four dragon patterns, with a rhinoceros horn and gold jade belt around his waist. His steed was exceptionally fine and spirited. He had sharp phoenix eyes and a smile on his lips, exuding an innate air of nobility that made people afraid to look him in the eye.

Xiao Yunheng was not to be outdone. Dressed in a silver-white outfit with soft armor on his shoulders, he stood like a pine tree on a peak. Upon closer inspection, his appearance was somewhat similar to Xiao Xuanyou's, but he lacked some of Xiao Xuanyou's majesty.

In contrast, Lu Yuan was much more reserved.

He was still dressed in a black flying fish robe, his eyes were cold and deep, and his body was as black and shiny as ink jade. He was like a hidden sharp sword, impossible to ignore.

With a command given, the final competition officially began.

Amidst the rising dust, three figures shot out like arrows, heading towards their target.

The eunuch released the first batch of prey, and the gray hares scattered in all directions, their tracks impossible to discern.

These prey must be shot as soon as they are released, otherwise they will be impossible to hunt once they escape the fence and disappear into the woods.

Xiao Yunheng looked at the two people walking side by side with him, a slight smile playing on his lips. He took the lead in nocking an arrow, drawing his bow, and aiming at his prey.

With a "whoosh," a sharp sword shot out, accompanied by the sound of it cutting through the air.

At the same time, Xiao Xuanyou and Lu Yuan also raised their arrows and shot.

But soon, Xiao Yunheng's expression changed slightly.

To make them easier to distinguish, the fletchings of the ten arrows of the three of them were painted in different colors: blue for him, yellow for the Crown Prince, and black for Lu Yuan.

But right before everyone's eyes, Lu Yuan's black arrow, though launched later, actually caught up with the blue one that had been launched first.

The arrow was knocked off course and missed its target.

Lu Yuan's black arrow pierced the rabbit's eye socket. The rabbit struggled on the ground for a few moments before losing its breath and remaining motionless.

The cheers in the stadium froze for a moment.

What kind of comparison is this?

Lu Yuan glanced at Xiao Yunheng indifferently, "Prince Xiang, I apologize."

Xiao Yunheng's expression stiffened for a moment, but he quickly recovered. "It's alright, let's try again."

Xiao Xuanyou had already shot a golden pheasant.

Another cheer erupted from the crowd.

Xiao Yunheng adjusted his mindset and steered his horse to survey the prey on the field.

The eunuchs released another batch of arrows, and Xiao Yunheng held his breath and fired again.

However, for some reason, Lu Yuan chased after his arrows again, and while deflecting his arrows, he also shot and killed a wild rabbit.

After missing two arrows in a row, Xiao Yunheng finally realized that Lu Yuan had done it on purpose.

"What does Lord Lu mean by this?" he asked in a deep voice.

Lu Yuan, riding the black steed, glanced at him sideways and said, "It seems that I have the same eye for choosing prey as the Prince of Xiang."

Xiao Yunheng gave a very faint smile.

He originally came up to compete against Xiao Xuanyou, but unexpectedly, Lu Yuan appeared midway and entangled him, deliberately shooting his arrow astray.

Although he didn't know why, he didn't intend to confront Lu Yuan.

“Then this place will be given to Lord Lu.” Xiao Yunheng steered his horse away from Lu Yuan.

The competition on the field was fierce. Jiang Zhi, sitting off the field, put a pastry in her mouth and listened to the discussions of the women around her.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is wise and brave, and not a single arrow has missed its mark. It seems that he will surely win the first prize this year."

"I'm not so sure. Didn't you witness Lord Lu's archery skills? He managed to deflect the Prince of Xiang's arrow while still hitting the prey. Who here can do that?"

"That's true. I usually think Lord Lu is cold and terrifying, but I never expected him to be so brave on the field."

"The Crown Prince of Xiang has not yet married. Now that his legs seem to have recovered, shouldn't the marriage be put on the agenda?"

"Lord Lu seems to be unmarried as well? I didn't dare to look at him before, but now that I look closely, he is quite handsome."

Jiang Zhi couldn't help but look at Lu Yuan in the distance.

He was about to shoot the sixth arrow.

The flying fish robe fluttered against his body, his waist and abdomen rising and falling with the galloping of the black horse, while his upper body remained motionless, his shoulder and back muscles bulging, his bow drawn like a full moon, his gaze already locked on his prey.

Even though Xiao Yunheng was several feet away, he once again knocked down his arrow and hit his prey.

Xiao Yunheng's expression was beyond ugly.

But with so many people watching from the sidelines, even though Lu Yuan was targeting him like this, he was outmatched and couldn't do anything to him.

Xiao Xuanyou fired six arrows in succession, and every single one of them hit its mark.

Not only did he gain nothing, but he was also shot down repeatedly in full view of everyone.

He wanted to show everyone that his strength was no less than Xiao Xuanyou's, but instead he lost face.

Thinking of this, Xiao Yunheng hated Lu Yuan with a passion that made his teeth itch.

"Lord Lu, please go first." He put away his bow and arrows, suppressing his anger as he glanced at Lu Yuan, who had been following closely behind him.

Let him finish shooting his arrows first; he can't keep bothering me, can he?

Lu Yuan smiled and said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony."

We've taught him a lesson enough, but we can't really humiliate him, or the Emperor will be angered.

He drew three arrows directly from his fingertips, drew the bow to its fullest extent, took a slight aim, and then fired all three arrows at once, the movement flowing smoothly like lightning splitting the sky.

In the blink of an eye, the three rabbits were struck by arrows and died.

Only one arrow remains.

Lu Yuan glanced at Xiao Xuanyou in the distance.

He only had one arrow left in his hand.

The two were evenly matched, and even if Xiao Yunheng hit all four of his next arrows, he was powerless to turn the tide.

Only the two of them remained to compete.

The field fell silent.

The prince was an excellent archer, but he didn't show off. He only aimed to hit his prey, so you couldn't tell his true skill.

Lu Yuan, who is usually low-key, seemed to have been provoked today.

Not only did he target Xiao Yunheng every time, but he also fired three arrows at once in the end, which shows his superb skills.

Xiao Xuanyou and Lu Yuan simultaneously raised their bows and nocked arrows, aiming at their respective prey.

Everyone held their breath, no one knowing who would win the final prize.

Xiao Xuanyou's face showed a look of determination. The wind blew his black hair, and his phoenix eyes were sharp, as if everything was under his control.

He's determined to win today's title.

The last arrow shot out.

A sharp arrow pierced the eye of one hare and embedded itself in the body of another.

It's a double kill!

Cheers erupted from the audience.

Xiao Xuanyou slightly curved his lips and looked in Lu Yuan's direction.

But his gaze changed slightly.