Chapter 136 Everything for the Mei Family
Mei Dai gritted her teeth, her face flushed red, and she managed to pull the bow halfway.
"Good!" The palace maids and guards around cheered together, and even the ministers joined in the fun and gave a thumbs up.
Only the official in charge of the autumn hunt watched her draw the bow, cheered loudly and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The cold wind blew in his face in the huge hunting ground, but he still broke out in sweat.
Winter was almost here, and for some unknown reason, this virtuous concubine had suddenly developed a craving for autumn hunting. His Majesty, deeply in love with her, naturally agreed.
The hunting grounds were ready-made, and it wasn't difficult to round up rabbits, pheasants, and the like. The only problem was that Concubine Xian also wanted to shoot arrows, which worried the officials in charge. If they were careless and scraped the skin off Concubine Xian's fingers or bruised her face on the bowstring, His Majesty would certainly not forgive them.
The craftsman worked overnight to make a bow and arrow specifically for her use, aiming for an eight-year-old child to be able to pull it. As for range and lethality, they left it aside for now.
I didn't expect that even this kind of bow could only be half-drawn. Perhaps delicate isn't enough to describe her.
Emperor Yongde, who was standing next to Mei Dai, chuckled and stepped forward to hold Mei Dai's left hand holding the bow. He said, "My dear, it's normal that you can't pull the bowstring. Don't force it. It would be bad if the bowstring scratched your face."
Mei Dai leaned against his chest and smiled at him:
"Your Majesty, I have never touched these things since I was born. I didn't expect them to be so strenuous. I'm afraid I won't be able to shoot arrows."
She was wearing a snow-white mink fur coat and a red cotton shawl, with a rosy face, long black hair, bright eyes and white teeth, and a radiant look.
Emperor Yongde was moved by her and held her cold hand, saying, "It's okay, I'll be there. Look how cold your hands are."
As soon as he finished speaking, a eunuch beside him brought over a hot brass engraved hand warmer to warm the concubine's hands.
When Concubine De saw this not far away, she couldn't help but roll her eyes.
What nonsense is that he can't pull it, so he just pretends to be pitiful. Liangzhou borders the Western Rong and often fights with them. She doesn't believe that Mei Dai has never touched a bow and arrow since she was a child.
Your Majesty is the same. Not only can he not see it, but he is also completely attracted by the slightest bit of Mei Dai's charm.
This little vixen, this little bitch...she deceived the king, her crime is unforgivable. It's just...infuriating.
But she didn't dare to step forward and scold Mei Dai, as that would simply make her feel uncomfortable.
As the saying goes, a man who knows the times is a hero. Mei Dai is currently in the limelight. If I don't know when to advance and retreat, I would be a fool. If Your Majesty is in a good mood during this autumn hunt, you can ask your ministers to take the opportunity to raise the issue of establishing a crown prince.
Xiao Zhuo was deposed, and the position of Crown Prince remained vacant. His own son had been assisting the government for four years, so it was time to restore his position, wasn't it?
When her son becomes the crown prince, she will naturally become more powerful as a mother. Then it won't be too late to confront this girl head-on.
Mei Dai covered the hand warmer with both hands and said to Emperor Yongde, "Your Majesty, I am here to watch and help you..."
Before she could finish her words, she sneezed, as if she had caught a cold.
Emperor Yongde said, "It's cold, my beloved concubine, please don't try to be brave. You can go into the tent and rest. I will go to compete with the Second Prince. When I return, I will grill the game here and share it with my beloved concubine and the civil and military officials."
"I obey your command."
Mei Dai personally brought the horse and helped Emperor Yongde mount it. Surrounded by a group of guards and ministers, they went to a distant place to meet the second prince, and then turned back to the imperial tent.
She did not catch a cold. Whether she could not draw the bow or sneezed, it was just an excuse to leave Emperor Yongde.
Now that Emperor Yongde has left, it's time to do your own thing.
Putting the hand warmer on the table, Mei Dai called out, "Qiao'er."
"Your Highness," a delicate palace maid with twin buns entered the tent with difficulty, holding a thick package in her arms, "I am...I am here."
Qiao'er was clever and loyal, and was Mei Dai's most trusted maid, responsible for liaisons with Xiliang. She had been waiting outside the tent for a long time, holding something in her arms.
"Is this a repeating crossbow?" asked Mei Dai.
No weapons could be brought into Changchun Palace. She could only go out of the city under the pretext of autumn hunting to see them.
Qiao'er placed the package on the table and took a breath, saying, "Empress Xianfei, this is it. Commander Wu specially brought it back from outside the Great Wall. It also includes a crossbow. It's said that it can fire ten arrows at a time!"
Mei Dai reached out to lift the package, but Qiao Er was so frightened that she quickly reached out to stop her, saying, "Your Majesty, please don't touch it. If you hurt your hand, His Majesty will punish this servant."
Mei Dai smiled and said, "I am a little anxious, you come and open it."
Qiao'er carefully opened the package, revealing the black repeating crossbow. She said, "Commander Wu had the blacksmiths in the capital take a look. They said that with their skills, one person couldn't possibly forge it. It would probably take the combined efforts of several people."
"Isn't this the repeating crossbow from 'Stories of the Craftsmen of Heaven'?" Mei Dai looked around carefully and shook her head. "Yes, it's exactly as I remembered it. The blacksmiths in the capital are all fame-seeking people. They can't make it, so they refuse to make it, saying it's too difficult."
She had read many classics, histories, and collections since she was a child, including "Tiangong Wushu". Now when she saw the crossbow, she immediately remembered that it was from "Tiangong Wushu".
How could Shen Yuexi create such a powerful weapon?
When he first learned about the battle at Langya Pass, he didn't believe it. But now that he saw it with his own eyes, he couldn't help but feel a strong curiosity about Shen Yuexi.
A woman mastering the art of blacksmithing? This is unreal. There must be some hidden master craftsman in Xiaogang Village.
This explanation is not surprising.
"Shen Yuexi and Xiao Zhuo will also go to my brother's wedding this time, right?" she asked, sitting up straight.
Qiao'er nodded and said, "Your Majesty, hasn't Prince Mei already sent invitations to everyone as you instructed? Even to Prince Jing."
Mei Dai hummed, sat back in her chair, and stared at the red charcoal basin in front of her.
It was she who came up with the idea of letting her brother marry the daughter of the Marquis of Pingyang. It was also she who suggested sending invitations to the princes and sons of various families.
This would make my brother Xiao Zhuo's cousin-in-law. Xiao Zhuo wouldn't set his sights on Xiliang again, would he? This matter must also be made known to Prince Jing and Prince Qi. They've always had their eyes on Xiliang.
Xiliang had just been defeated by the Western Rong and was weak. Prince Jing couldn't have been unaware of this. Meanwhile, Prince Xiao Beiheng, the Crown Prince of Qi, had already reached Xiaogang Village with 50,000 Dingbei troops. Even though Your Majesty had ordered Zhao Mu to lead his troops to intercept them, he probably wouldn't be able to hold them off for long.
Now the Mei family and Xiao Zhuo have established a relationship, which is very similar to when her grandfather sent her into the palace.
Now that her grandfather is gone, and her father and brother are unable to bear the heavy responsibility, she must find a way to save Xiliang.
However, this plan wasn't perfect. Xiao Zhuo was already known for his cruelty during his conquest of the Northern Di. What if he turned against them and decided to seize Xiliang?
Her eyes shifted to the crossbow that Qiao'er was packing up.
With Shen Yuexi's help, Xiao Zhuowan had evil intentions. With the strength of his father and brother, how could they stop him?
"Qiao'er, quickly bring me some pen and ink."
I must tell my father and brother not to give Xiao Zhuo any troops. After all, he is an outsider and cannot command the troops of Xiliang. As long as he is not given troops, he will not be able to pose a threat to Xiliang.
If a war is necessary, let his brother Mep take him.
Xiliang is now in a precarious situation. To protect the Mei family's foundation, she must be extremely thoughtful and strategic.
Qiao'er brought the pen and ink, spread out the paper for her, and said as if she remembered something, "Oh, Madam, I forgot to tell you something."
"Speak." Mei Dai wrote quickly without looking up.
"Prince Jing has set off for the capital."
"Oh?" Mei Dai stopped writing and looked up. "Didn't he just come here not long ago? Why is he here again?"
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