Yu Jingchen rode his horse, leading Nan Zhiyun on a leisurely stroll around the area. Fortunately, they followed behind, carrying bows and arrows, since their stated purpose for coming today was archery.
"Are you still scared?" Yu Jingchen asked Nan Zhiyun.
"It's okay..." Perhaps because she was leaning against Yu Jingchen's chest, Nan Zhiyun didn't feel so empty inside. She didn't know when, but Yu Jingchen had become her source of security.
"What about your body? Does it still hurt?" Yu Jingchen was afraid that riding the horse would aggravate Nan Zhiyun's injuries.
"It doesn't hurt," Nan Zhiyun replied. The padding underneath was quite thick, so Nan Zhiyun felt fine.
"Should I speed things up? There should be prey inside. Shall I take you to try it out?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
“Okay, I’ll go later too.” Nan Zhiyun had never hunted prey herself before.
"Okay, I'll teach you in a bit." Yu Jingchen squeezed the horse's belly with his legs, and the horse sped up. The wind blowing on her face was a bit irritating. Nan Zhiyun tried to avoid it at first, but she gradually got used to it.
"A deer! There's a deer, Your Majesty!" Nan Zhiyun exclaimed excitedly.
"Alright, then let's shoot this deer." Yu Jingchen slowed down his horse, and the people following behind brought out bows and arrows.
Yu Jingchen embraced Nan Zhiyun.
"Come, let me teach you how to hold a bow." Yu Jingchen placed the bow in Nan Zhiyun's hands. Nan Zhiyun had learned to hold it for a while and looked quite skilled.
"The front wrist should be level, the back elbow should be level, and the elbow and wrist should be level with the shoulder." Yu Jingchen was essentially teaching him step by step.
"This bow isn't heavy, you should be able to draw it. Aim at your target, nock the arrow, and pull the string." Nan Zhiyun was initially quite interested as Yu Jingchen held her in his arms, but because Yu Jingchen kept his ear close to hers, and her ears were quite sensitive, Nan Zhiyun became a little distracted.
"Focus your attention. When you draw the bow, place your index finger above the arrow's nock, and your middle and ring fingers below, securing it tightly. Then pull back; this is called pre-draw. When you raise the bow, lower your arm, rotate your elbow inward, and use the web of your thumb and forefinger to push the bow." Yu Jingchen held Nan Zhiyun's hand and aimed at the deer that was unaware of the impending danger.
"Aim for the final shot... and fire." As soon as Yu Jingchen finished speaking, the arrow left the bowstring and struck the deer squarely.
"You hit the target! Your Majesty is so amazing, and I'm amazing too." This was the first time Nan Zhiyun had experienced something like this, and it was quite novel.
"Yes, Yun'er is the best." Yu Jingchen never hesitated to praise Nan Zhiyun.
The palace servants rushed forward and dragged the deer back the moment Yu Jingchen hit it with his arrow.
"This is the first prey that Consort Shu shot. Keep a close watch on it. Consort Shu is going to take first place today." It was rare for Yu Jingchen to be in such a good mood to speak to his subordinates like this.
"Yes," Xinglai was a perceptive person and immediately understood. Every year, the spring hunt lasted for five days, and each day they would compete to see who could hunt the most. The first place winner would receive a reward from His Majesty, but what the reward would be was uncertain.
Since His Majesty brought Consort Shu out today and even attributed the prey to her, it means that Consort Shu is participating in this competition today, and... she's a shoo-in for first place.
However... I'm a little speechless. I mean, why go through all this trouble? What does Consort Shu want that Your Majesty wouldn't grant?
Even if she wasn't number one, could you refuse what she wanted? Consort Shu might not need it, but others do... and now Consort Shu has conveniently taken this spot for free. It's obvious His Majesty isn't willing to share the benefits; he's so stingy and petty...
"I'll make a wish for the first place winner. Yun'er, would you like to try and take first place?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
Xinglai: "..." Didn't you already decide on him beforehand?
"How am I supposed to get first place?" Nan Zhiyun was somewhat interested, but then she thought about her own skills and decided against it.
"With me here, how can we not win? Shouldn't first place be a sure thing? Yun'er, do you not trust me?" Yu Jingchen smiled slightly.
“If Your Majesty helps me, isn’t that cheating?” Nan Zhiyun asked him.
“I set the rules, and whatever I say goes. We are husband and wife, and it’s perfectly legitimate for me to help my wife, isn’t it?” Yu Jingchen deliberately whispered in Nan Zhiyun’s ear. After all this time, he knew exactly where Nan Zhiyun was most sensitive.
The warm breath reached Nan Zhiyun's ears, making her tremble all over.
"Hmm..." Nan Zhiyun's face turned red.
“Yun’er…it’s a bit dangerous on horseback, you know, we’re too close…so our senses will be much more acute.” Yu Jingchen said this with a clear deeper meaning.
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