Broken arrow and injured
The news that Pei Zhaoying will choose a son-in-law soon has spread from the palace.
Xiao Yucheng's counselor Xue Can analyzed that the eldest princess had no one to marry and could only marry him, and the emperor must have intended to let the eldest princess restrain him in the harem.
This is clearly a trap, but Xiao and Cheng still want to marry her because if the eldest princess marries into another power, that power will inevitably expand rapidly with the emperor's favor, and will fight against Xiao and Cheng, and the emperor will reap the benefits.
Xiao Yucheng felt very depressed. He had always been the one to scheme against others, but he could not tolerate the emperor and Pei Zhaoying scheming against him.
It happened that Xiao Yucheng was passing by Jinming Lake while on patrol today. He saw his humble cousin, whom he had always looked down upon, trying to curry favor with the rich and powerful and chatting happily with Pei Zhaoying. Xiao Yucheng deliberately shot arrows at him to disturb him, just to vent his anger.
"Are you rude or am I rude? Xiao Yucheng, if anything happens to His Highness, can you afford it?" Xiao Yucheng valued his face. Although Xiao Bo could not do anything to him at the moment, he refused to give in in the verbal confrontation.
"The ancestors of Daliang conquered the world on horseback, sword by sword. Your Highness is so cowardly. I'm afraid you have forgotten the teachings of your ancestors."
If given a choice, Pei Zhaoying would also like to be a coward and live in peace in a small place.
Facts have proved that tolerance and dodging will only allow ambitious people to close in and end her life.
Pei Zhaoying still had tears on her cheeks. Her fear had not yet dissipated. She clutched her knees tightly with both hands and shouted with all her might:
"Xiao Yucheng, you are so bold! Are you planning to shoot me in public? Are you planning to rebel in the streets? Are you imitating the Sima family who murdered their king in public?"
After he finished speaking, Pei Zhaoying felt tinnitus, headache, and stars in his eyes.
The people love to watch the excitement. After running for a while, they saw that there was no so-called assassin. When a powerful figure like the Grand Marshal appeared, they naturally stayed to see what kind of show would be put on.
Pei Zhaoying is barefoot and not afraid of those who wear shoes. She walks and sits upright. If Xiao Yucheng has the guts, he can kill her in the street. Otherwise, she will not put her face under his feet and allow himself to be bullied.
"Your Highness, please forgive me for the mistake I made while hunting down the thief and shooting the wrong arrow."
Xiao Yucheng knew that Pei Zhaoying had a strong personality, but they didn't know that she was so resolute and knew how to use the power of the people.
He had a rebellious heart, but he still wanted to justify his actions. The Sima family had a very bad reputation, and anyone who was involved with them would be cursed in history books, so he could only turn a blind eye and let the matter go.
Anyway, Pei Zhaoying was scared enough, so Xiao Yucheng couldn't be considered a loser in this battle.
Pei Zhaoying's tears fell silently. She wished she could cut Xiao and Cheng into pieces right then and there, but unfortunately she didn't have the strength to fight against them.
Seeing this, Xiao Bo felt heartbroken. He took the handkerchief from Qiluo's hand and wiped Pei Zhaoying's tears bit by bit. His movements were gentle so as not to hurt her skin which was as delicate as a lotus bud.
Xiao Bo spoke every word without avoiding the issue of Xiao and Cheng, and said to Pei Zhaoying:
"Don't be afraid, Your Highness. I am here to protect Your Highness. No matter how treacherous a traitor they are, I will not let them go."
Xiao Yucheng scoffed. His younger brother really wanted to be the royal son-in-law.
Can everyone be the prince consort?
No matter how much Xiao Bo covets, the position of the prince consort will only go to Xiao Yucheng - even if Xiao Yucheng doesn't want it at all, the royal family will still try their best to force Pei Zhaoying into his hands.
Pei Zhaoying suddenly became extremely clear-minded at this moment. Following Xiao Bo's movement of wiping his tears, she quietly grasped Xiao Bo's wrist, as if confirming something.
At that moment, the road ahead was unclear and a rain of arrows might have directly taken Pei Zhaoying's life. Xiao Bo panicked and lost his composure, and protected her with his own body, which did not seem to be a pretense.
Xiao Bo's background is revealed, and the discord between the Xiao brothers is real...
Pei Zhaoying's palms were very hot, and she was very scared. Xiao Bo knew that she was helpless and holding on, so he gently shook her hand through her clothes, moved to the front of the arrow, sneered, raised his hand and pulled the arrow out with one hand!
Xiao, Cheng and their followers were all surprised.
Xiao Yucheng was born with supernatural powers. He could pull a bow weighing a hundred pounds and was invincible. Every arrow he shot could penetrate deeply, leaving only the feathers. He was praised and admired by countless people, and he was indeed a real powerful person.
Xiao Bo pulled out the arrow with all his strength seemingly effortlessly.
Xiao Yucheng immediately felt embarrassed and asked in a deep voice:
"What do you mean?"
What was even more humiliating was yet to come.
Xiao Bo pinched the arrow with two fingers and exerted a little force. "Crack", the high-quality arrow made of black iron by Xiao Yucheng was easily broken into two pieces in Xiao Bo's hand.
The word "Cheng" engraved on the arrow is particularly ridiculous.
Xiao Bo raised his hand and threw the two broken arrows at Xiao Yucheng's feet, saying arrogantly:
"That's what I mean, brother, do you understand?"
Xue Can, Xiao Yucheng's advisor, picked up the broken arrow and compared it with the other arrows, gasping for air.
"My lord, looking at this cross-section, it's clear that Master Xiao broke this arrow with his bare hands, without any external force. This skill is truly one of the best in the world today. Master Xiao has hidden a great deal of skill..."
"Shut up!" Xiao Yucheng was extremely upset and took it out on Xue Can.
Perhaps, Xiao Bo should not have stayed. His action was tantamount to mocking Xiao and Cheng in public, saying that in his eyes they were like broken arrows, worthless and weak.
"Xiao Bo, you behave strangely. Do you still have me, the head of the family, in your eyes? Do you still consider yourself a member of the Xiao family?"
Xiao and Cheng were aggressive again and again.
Xiao Bo did not answer, and silence was a form of contempt.
Xiao Yucheng's arrow was broken, and Pei Zhaoying regained her face. What mattered at the moment was not Xiao Yucheng, the tough political enemy.
The most commendable thing is that when facing a powerful enemy, there are people who stand firmly by her side.
Pei Zhaoying thought she must have been driven insane, otherwise why would she feel happy at such a tense moment? She wanted to laugh, wanted to cry, she was in a constant state of conflict.
A touch of crimson flowed down Xiao Bo's fingertips.
No matter how powerful his martial arts skills were, he was still a mortal with flesh and blood. When he broke the arrow, his palm was scratched by the sharp broken edge.
Pei Zhaoying said nothing, and regardless of the difference between men and women, she took the handkerchief and wrapped Xiao Bo's wound.
Xiao Bo was not afraid of confronting Xiao Yucheng, but when the warmth penetrated his palm, he panicked and wanted to dodge.
"Don't move," Pei Zhaoying treated him as her own. Blaming him was a sign of heartache. "You're injured. I'll take you back home to get medicine. You're not allowed to refuse."
Especially in front of Xiao and Cheng, he must not refuse!
The handkerchief was not long enough and the bandage was not tight enough. Pei Zhaoying held it tightly in her hand, not caring what others might think in front of everyone.
She was not showing favors in public to win people's hearts, but she was just making it clear that once she was sure that the person was on her side, she would not let him go.
It was as if he was afraid that if he let go, Xiao Bo would become like a fish in water, disappearing without a trace.
"Okay. I'll listen to Your Highness." Xiao Bo's Adam's apple rolled as he agreed slowly.
It seemed like he had accepted it and was willing to be controlled by her and never leave her side.
"In the future, remember to cherish your body, don't act rashly, and don't let yourself get hurt easily."
"Okay, I'll remember that."
The corners of Pei Zhaoying's eyes and the tip of her nose were still red. She had not yet completely recovered from the humiliation and shock, but she had already smiled at Xiao Bo's obedience and told her men to arrange to return home.
Her smile was so beautiful and captivating that Xiao Bo was willing to give everything for her smile.
Unfortunately, in Xiao Bo's memory, she was rarely truly happy. She was always under heavy pressure and could only force herself to pull the corners of her lips.
These two, singing the same tune, actually treated him, the Grand Marshal, as nothing! Xiao and Cheng were furious. Seeing them swaggering off without a word, they wanted to draw their swords again.
"My lord, please be calm, please be calm. There are many people here and we should not give them a chance to talk." Xue Can hurriedly pressed his sword to persuade him.
Xue Can joined Xiao Yucheng's school because he was naturally satisfied with him. Xiao Yucheng was able to lead troops in battle and recover lost territory, and he also recruited talented people and treated them with respect. Xue Can believed that by following him in troubled times, he would surely achieve great things and become an unparalleled national hero who would go down in history. However, Xiao Yucheng's temper was a bit impatient.
"Oh, then I'll let them go today, but Pei Zhaoying is so arrogant, don't blame me for being unhappy in the backyard after the wedding and not being favored!"
Xiao Yucheng angrily retracted his sword and looked unwillingly at the backs of the people from the Princess's Mansion as they left.
Xiao Bo turned his head at this moment and looked at him.
There was no blazing anger in his eyes. What was more dangerous was the calm and detached murderous intent that came after careful consideration.
A chill ran down Xiao Yucheng's back, and he shouted back:
"Mother-killing star, how long do you want to be so proud? Come on, brothers, let's drink and listen to music, and ignore those unpresentable people."
Then there was a burst of laughter from the soldiers.
Xiao Bo's body stiffened for a moment, then he adjusted himself as usual, behaving appropriately as always, and even thanked the servant from the Princess's Mansion who led him to the carriage politely.
Pei Zhaoying saw all of this, and felt very uncomfortable.
Xiao Bo was living in dire straits in the Xiao family, suffering from constant ridicule, yet she was still hesitant and wary because of his last name! It was almost like she was no different from people like Xiao Yucheng.
The two carriages were not parallel, because the one Xiao Bo was riding in lagged half a carriage behind Pei Zhaoying in order to comply with etiquette.
Pei Zhaoying lifted the car curtain, wanting to offer some comfort, but then reluctantly let it go. She probably understood why Xiao Bo always stayed away from people and rejected all advances. He must have experienced the fickleness of the world and was used to being indifferent.
"Your Highness, earlier outside, you were too concerned about Lord Xiao Bo and behaved a little too intimately. However, Lord Xiao Bo is the future prince consort, so it is natural for Your Highness to have a good relationship with him. Today, it is thanks to Lord Xiao Bo that Your Highness vented his anger." Qiluo reminded carefully.
Close...
Has their relationship reached the point of being "close"?
Many people witnessed this chaos, and within two days, rumors would be all over the capital.
Pei Zhaoying sighed heavily. Xiao Bo was loyal to his master, but she still wanted him to sacrifice his marriage and become his son-in-law. This was simply ungrateful!
"Qiluo, tell me, should we inform Lord Xiao Bo about the selection of a consort?" Pei Zhaoying, desperate, discussed it with Qiluo, then denied it. "Forget it, forget it. The selection of a consort requires a set of procedures that are visible to the world. If Lord Xiao Bo doesn't agree, he will refuse then."
As a girl in the boudoir, it was difficult for her to discuss marriage with a man outside the family in person when her parents were not around. Pei Zhaoying sighed and had to postpone the matter.
Xiao Bo looked at the silk handkerchief wrapped around his wound and smiled. His fingertips lightly touched the lines on the handkerchief, then hurriedly withdrew his hand, worried that he would be disrespectful and blasphemous to Pei Zhaoying. The fragrance of the handkerchief took pity on him and slowly spread, surrounding him.
He felt no pain, and was even secretly happy about the damage to his skin and the information he received from Pei Zhaoying.
For her, I am always willing to go through fire and water.
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