"So, you guys came here to recruit Qing'er and me as judges." Yongqi finally understood. But he didn't expect things to progress so quickly, and he gave his good friend Ertai a wink.
Ertai naturally noticed Yongqi's provocative gaze. Looking at the princess beside him, he had never imagined that he could be so close to her before he had even achieved great things.
"Have you decided where to hold the competition?" Yongqi looked at the horse ranch, which didn't have any archery targets. They couldn't very well have someone rush to build one. Besides, a single target standing there wouldn't look good.
An Ke feigned sadness and said, "Fifth Brother, you really are a forgetful person. You probably forgot that your cousin has a manor here that was personally bestowed by your Imperial Uncle, Delong Manor."
"Of course I know about this, but did you set up a target in the villa?" Yongqi thought his cousin would be like a well-bred young lady, filling in mountains and creating a scenic spot for her villa. He never expected her to turn it into a training ground.
"Of course. I own many villas, but this one is the only one with a target." Anke made a small show of bragging rights, flaunting her wealth.
"Then what are we waiting for? May we come in and have some tea?" Yongqi said with a smile. He guessed that his cousin was probably the richest of all the princesses.
“Of course!” Anke patted her chest and said generously, “Not to mention a sip of tea, even a lifetime of tea. Cousin, I can afford it. However, before I leave, I need to discuss something with Eunuch Li.” Anke stroked Yingfeng’s fur, pondering about Yingfeng.
"Are you worried about the wind?" Qing'er, who knows An Ke best, immediately saw through An Ke's concerns. "Do you want to bring it into the palace to raise, or keep it at your manor?"
Although Qing'er hadn't had much contact with Yingfeng, she already felt a bit fond of the horse just from the fact that Yingfeng had lowered its head to let her pet its fur.
"Bring her back to the palace?" To be honest, An Ke was conflicted. If she brought her back, wouldn't someone take her horse out to ride? And after bringing her back, she wouldn't be able to spend much time with Ying Feng. So what difference would it make whether she brought her back or not? "Let's forget it. Ying Feng prefers the vast world. I'm already trapped in that confined space, so why should I let Ying Feng come with me?" An Ke's eyes were filled with too many complicated emotions.
“Then let Yingfeng be kept at your manor,” Qing’er suggested. “That way, when you leave the palace, you won’t need to come to the horse ranch anymore; you can just go to your manor and ride Yingfeng out.” Although Yingfeng is well cared for here, she believed it would be even better kept at Anke’s manor.
"Alright, I'll go find Eunuch Li right now." An Ke dismounted, hugged the horse's neck, and whispered to it, "Yingfeng, wait for me a moment. I won't tie the reins for you; just wait here. Don't run off!" After saying that, An Ke soothingly stroked its mane.
She then nimbly turned and walked towards Eunuch Li. Watching An Ke's departing figure, Ertai couldn't help but want to follow. Yongqi coughed lightly twice on his horse, and Ertai's foot, which had already stepped forward, stopped. Before coming, the Fifth Prince had told him to follow his orders. Just now, it was the Fifth Prince who had created this opportunity for him to be alone with the Princess. It was also the Fifth Prince who told him how to please the Princess. Ertai was not an ungrateful person, and he stopped in his tracks.
A moment later, An Ke arrived at Eunuch Li's place. "Eunuch Li!"
An Ke walked quietly, like a cat, without making a sound. Suddenly, she spoke, startling Eunuch Li. "Oh dear, Princess, is there something you need? You could have just told this old servant; how could I trouble you to come in person?" Eunuch Li bowed deeply.
An Ke reached out and helped Eunuch Li up, whose face immediately showed a look of being flattered. "Eunuch Li, there's no need for that. I am very grateful for the excellent care you have given Yingfeng here."
With tears in his eyes, Eunuch Li said, "How could I trouble the princess to speak on my behalf? Taking care of these horses is simply my duty."
“Today I want to take Yingfeng to my manor, so I came to tell Eunuch Li. Please make a note in the horse adoption record, so people won't think Yingfeng is sick or dead,” An Ke specifically reminded him. The horses in the horse farm are for princes, ministers, and generals to choose from. If the remaining horses aren't adopted, then all that's left is proof of illness or death. An Ke didn't want Yingfeng to be said to be dead.
"Yes, this old servant will take care of it immediately. Yingfeng will henceforth belong to the Princess." Eunuch Li bowed deeply to An Ke, his gratitude genuine. Yingfeng, this big troublemaker, had finally been taken away. This also resolved Eunuch Li's problem.
"That's good. Then this princess will take her leave." An Ke had already informed Eunuch Li and felt there was nothing else to do, so she decided to take her leave first.
"This servant respectfully sees Princess Yong'an off." Eunuch Li and the eunuchs behind him bowed to An Ke.
——
"You're back so soon?" Yongqi asked, looking at the person who had returned.
“Of course.” Anke patted Yingfeng first after returning. “That’s great, Yingfeng, you can be raised at my manor now. Let’s go!” Anke waved his hand and led the way with considerable momentum. Of course, Anke didn’t ride Yingfeng, since they all walked there. Anke didn’t want to stand out.
Before long, they arrived at Anke's Delong Manor. Upon seeing the princess return, the guards at the gate immediately sent one to inform the old steward inside.
The old steward was a familiar face; after all, he was sent by Prince Rui to manage the princess's household affairs. They were all veterans of Prince Rui's residence.
Steward Wang hurriedly led everyone from the manor out to greet his Princess Yong'an. A large group of people knelt down with a clatter, their voices booming. "This servant respectfully welcomes Princess Yong'an, Fifth Prince, Princess Qing, and Second Young Master Fu."
Since it was Anke's villa, the Fifth Prince didn't overstep his bounds. He waited for Anke to tell everyone to get up. Anke stepped forward and helped the head steward, Wang, to his feet first, saying, "Grandpa Wang, you've watched me grow up. Please get up, please get up. Everyone, please get up."
"Young Princess, how many days will you be staying at the manor?" Butler Wang asked An Ke with bright eyes, hoping that his princess would stay for a few days.
But things didn't go as Steward Wang had hoped. "No, we just came here for a short while. After all, we asked the Empress Dowager for leave. If I don't go back now, it won't be good to explain to the guards behind us." An Ke frowned, her mood quite low.
Butler Wang looked at the guards following behind his princess. He couldn't bring himself to say anything to persuade her to stay. "It's alright, Princess. Would you like to have tea in the main hall or the small pavilion to the side? This servant will have someone prepare it right away." No matter what, Butler Wang maintained a kind and benevolent demeanor in front of the young princess.
"Let's go to that pavilion with the flowers, isn't there a target next to it? Let's go there." An Ke glanced at the Fifth Prince and Qing'er behind her, and pondered for a moment. "Prepare some hibiscus cakes and lotus flower pastries. Also prepare a serving of rose syrup and a pot of Biluochun tea."
Steward Wang first welcomed the masters inside, then turned around and instructed his servants to prepare the things the princess had just ordered and send them to the pavilion.
“Grandpa Wang, isn’t there a stable in the back? You can find a place for Yingfeng to stay. And find one or two people to take care of Yingfeng.” An Ke stroked Yingfeng’s fur.
The steward recognized Yingfeng immediately upon seeing it; it was the horse the young princess had ridden when she practiced riding. He excitedly arranged for someone to take Yingfeng away to feed it hay and water.
Yingfeng probably sensed the goodwill of those around him. He glanced at Anke, who nodded in response, and then Yingfeng followed him to the back with his servant.
Butler Wang led everyone to the Xiehua Pavilion, which was exquisitely carved. The surrounding environment was even more breathtaking.
The pavilion is practically surrounded by flowers, with a small lake in front filled with lotus blossoms. A mimosa tree stands before the pavilion. Various wildflowers bloom all around it. These wildflowers are carefully tended, not appearing messy, but possessing a vibrant beauty that doesn't detract from the surrounding ambiance.
As you step into the pavilion, a gentle breeze stirs. The beaded curtains hanging above rustle softly. In the center of the pavilion stands a stone table, upon which rests an incense burner filled with the scent of pears. The sweet fragrance of pears is soothing to the soul. Below are several openwork stone benches, their interiors carved with flowers, birds, insects, and fish. Even the ceiling above the pavilion is adorned with Western-style paintings.
"Your pavilion completely outshines all the pavilions in the palace," Qing'er said without exaggeration. She'd never seen such a vibrant pavilion in the palace. At least, the palace pavilions weren't surrounded by wildflowers, lacking that touch of life.
"How could I dare? How could my little pavilion compare to the pavilions in the palace? The pavilions in the palace are all designed and carved by various masters. My pavilion is just something I built on a whim." An Ke waved his hand and said casually.
"Princess!" A young palace maid was waiting outside the pavilion with snacks and tea.
At Steward Wang's call, the palace maids dressed in red and green leaped over, neatly placing the pastries, Biluochun tea, and rose syrup on the stone table, before retreating in an orderly fashion. No maid would stay to serve without their master's permission.
"Try it, this rose liqueur was brewed by Steward Wang and me, and it's been buried under the osmanthus tree for four years. It's perfect to drink now." An Ke took the lead and poured a glass for everyone.
Everyone picked up their glasses and took a small sip.
"I never expected you to have such a talent for brewing! This makes your fifth brother feel quite embarrassed!" Yongqi commented first after tasting the wine. But this wasn't just sour grapes; at least his cousin knew so much, and as her cousin, he felt proud.
"I only knew you were good at cooking, but I didn't know you were so knowledgeable about brewing wine," Qing'er said with a smile.
"This wine has a strong aftereffect. If you can't hold your liquor, don't overindulge. Qing'er, drink less. With your capacity, you'll probably only have about two cups," An Ke especially reminded Qing'er, lest Qing'er get angry with her after sobering up.
Upon hearing that she could only drink two cups, Qing'er reluctantly put down her glass. No matter how delicious the wine was, she couldn't overindulge, and she certainly couldn't lose her composure in public.
"Weren't you going to have an archery contest? Now that we're already sitting here, why don't you start now?" Yongqi said with a smile, holding a jade cup in his hand.
"Alright, then please take a close look, Fifth Brother." An Ke asked Steward Wang to bring two bows and arrows.
The guards stood by their master's side, fearing that something might happen to him.
Steward Wang looked at his princess with a beaming smile. He had complete confidence in her martial arts skills, after all, they were all personally trained by the prince, who had also spent a fortune hiring external masters and experts.
"Let's see who hits the center bullseye the most times, shall we?" Anke suggested first, waiting for Ertai's reply. After all, it wasn't a solo archery competition, but a contest with someone else, so he wanted to get another person's opinion.
“If archery is like this, then you can just compete in the palace. Why don’t you try something new?” Yongqi rolled his eyes and made this suggestion with a sly grin.
"Then why don't you tell me what a new trick is, Fifth Brother?" An Ke wanted to hear the details.
"How about we play blindfolded drum shooting?" Yongqi felt the wind around him. "I heard from the Imperial Uncle that An'an has the best hearing. I wonder if she can hit the drum blindfolded in this wind? Ertai's hearing is also quite good; at least he immediately heard the distant bear howl during the hunt. Why don't you have a competition today? Traditional archery can't compare to this kind of atmosphere. If we're going to play, let's play something different. Otherwise, we might as well have the competition in the palace training camp."
"Then let's do as Fifth Brother says. Grandpa Wang, have someone prepare some drums. Waist drums will do; there's no need for such large drums." If you're going to play, play with a big one. Drums like those used for appealing for justice are too big; you could easily hit several arrows with a casual shot. Waist drums are so small; they really test the archer's skill.
Then, Anke was the first to cover himself with a cloth strip. Ten waist drums were placed around Anke. Anke quickly drew an arrow, nocked it on his bow, drew the bowstring taut, and released it, and a drum sound was heard.
Anke smiled, a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth. He drew four more arrows from his quiver, and they shot forth, heading straight for the four drums closest to him.
Anke wasn't sure where the four drums were at first, since she had been blindfolded before Gu moved in. As the wind blew, the four drums slowly rolled together.
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