Chapter 37 The Winner: "Yaoyao, who do you hope will win?"
Zhao Xu finally broke free from his sister's entanglement, pushed through the crowd, and strode forward. "I am not an expert in painting, but I find Miss Meng's painting to be excellent. It is like a gentle breeze to behold. If I were fortunate enough to obtain it and hang it in my study, admiring it every day, I believe it would cleanse the worldly dust from my heart and allow me to become a refined scholar."
These words caused an uproar among the audience.
Pei Xu's request for a painting was already surprising enough, but General Zhao, who had just returned to the capital and immediately gained the Emperor's favor, also joined in, and even spoke in such a manner...
One of the young ladies present, gazing at his handsome features, couldn't help but clutch her handkerchief tightly.
Meng Lingyao was slightly taken aback, raising her eyebrows slightly.
What a formidable unexpected turn of events, propelling today's events to new heights.
A frown appeared between her brows, and she looked quite hesitant. "You two are so kind as to show me such favor, it puts me in a difficult position..."
Just then, applause suddenly came from afar, followed by someone singing loudly—
"The Emperor has arrived!"
A figure in bright yellow walked slowly towards them, with the Third Prince following closely behind.
The guests immediately rose to greet him, kneeling and kowtowing, saying, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects! Long live the Emperor!"
The Emperor waved for everyone to rise, his gaze sweeping over all those present before finally settling on the painting "Peach Blossom Creek in Spring Dawn" before the painting table. Behind him stood a man of exceptionally tall stature and handsome features—none other than General Xie Gui.
"I heard that the gathering at Shushi Residence today was quite lively, so I came to see for myself." The Emperor's eyes held a hint of interest. "Is this the masterpiece that has caused my two beloved ministers to compete?"
Meng Lingyao curtsied and said, "Your Majesty, my humble work is fortunate to have been appreciated by the two gentlemen. I am truly unworthy of such praise."
The Emperor approached and examined the painting closely, nodding repeatedly: "Indeed, the brushwork is exquisite and the artistic conception is profound. It is indeed a rare masterpiece." He turned to Pei Xu and Zhao Xu and smiled, "You two are both my trusted ministers, and it is quite strange that you are arguing over a painting today."
Pei Xu remained calm and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, I wish to present this painting to Her Highness the Eldest Princess to comfort her homesickness."
Zhao Xu also said, "I also love the artistic conception of this painting. I hope it can be hung in my study so that I can appreciate it every day and dispel the worries in my heart."
The Emperor laughed heartily, "How amusing! My two beloved ministers are taking this painting so seriously; it puts me in a difficult position as well." He turned to Meng Lingyao, "What do you think?"
Meng Lingyao's eyes flickered, and she curtsied, saying, "This humble woman dares not act on her own initiative; I beg Your Majesty to make the decision."
The Emperor pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked Xie Gui, "I remember that you were quite the dashing figure in your youth. Do you have any way to break this deadlock?"
"Your Majesty is mocking me." Xie Gui smiled faintly, thought for a moment, and said, "The 'Miscellaneous Records of the Western Capital' records that on the Shangsi Festival, there is a ritual of shooting geese to predict good fortune. Today happens to be the Shangsi Festival, and you two are both well-versed in the Six Arts. Why not determine the winner by shooting geese, and the winner can get a painting? Wouldn't that be fitting for the occasion?"
The Emperor was overjoyed, "Excellent! Whoever shoots the most geese within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn wins. What do you say?"
No one else would dare to thwart the emperor's wishes, and Pei Xu and Zhao Xu both replied, "Your subject obeys the decree."
The servants quickly brought out specially made silk-thread arrows. These arrows, once they hit the prey, could be dragged back along the silk thread, preventing the prey from falling into the lake and making it easier to count.
The two men each inspected their bows and arrows, testing the bowstrings. Zhao Xu used a standard military-issue hard bow, its body gleaming black. Pei Xu, on the other hand, used a black lacquered recurve bow, its string taut as a crescent moon.
Meng Lingyao glanced at it from afar and felt that it looked familiar, as if it was the same one she had seen in Pei Xu's carriage.
She stood on the viewing platform, her face calm and composed, seemingly unperturbed, but inwardly, a flurry of emotions was brewing. The Emperor's arrival, General Xie's suggestion, and this goose-shooting competition had all thrust her into the eye of the storm.
Some people might find it annoying, but Meng Lingyao doesn't; she enjoys it the most.
Just thinking that from today onwards, whenever the Shangsi Gathering or Qiyun Mountain is mentioned, people will inevitably think of Meng Lingyao, I'm afraid I'll be smiling in my sleep tonight.
"Yaoyao, who do you hope will win?" Xie Chengyu suddenly asked in a low voice.
Meng Lingyao was taken aback. Before she could answer, Zhao Xu had already drawn his bow and nocked an arrow.
"Whoosh—"
The first arrow pierced the air and struck a wild goose squarely.
"Excellent archery!" came cheers from all sides.
Zhao Ruxuan had somehow appeared beside Meng Lingyao, her chin held high, her tone slightly smug, "My brother's archery skills have always been superb."
The Third Prince chimed in, "I have long heard of General Zhao's archery skills. Everyone in the Zhenbei Army knows that General Zhao is a divine archer. This great victory is partly due to General Zhao's merit in killing the enemy leader with a single arrow in a key battle."
As soon as he finished speaking, Pei Xu raised his hand and shot an arrow. The arrow streaked across the sky like a shooting star, and another wild goose fell to the ground.
He then added, "Naturally, Pei Shaoqing is no less impressive. Countless villains have died by his arrows over the years."
As if echoing the Third Prince's words, the two contestants exchanged arrows, sometimes even simultaneously, and each shot found its mark. A guard on the high platform counted and reported: "General Zhao, three arrows; Junior Minister Pei, three arrows!"
"General Zhao has four, and Vice Minister Pei has four!"
"Five for Pei Shaoqing, four for General Zhao!"
"General Zhao has six, and Vice Minister Pei has five!"
...
For a time, they were neck and neck, and it was hard to tell who was better.
As the incense and candles burned out, the flock of geese seemed to sense the danger, and fewer and fewer flew towards them. Both men slowed their arrow-throwing pace, taking a long time to aim each shot.
This is the last arrow.
"Whoosh—" Another arrow was shot out, and the wild goose fell to the ground in response.
"It's General Zhao's arrows!" the counting guard shouted. "General Zhao had nine, and Vice Minister Pei had eight!"
The incense and candles were almost burned out, with only a little bit left.
"It's too late..." someone whispered.
Xie Chengyu said quietly, "Zhao Xu is going to win."
Meng Lingyao pursed her lips. Today's events were based on a prior agreement between her and Pei Xu; he had promised to help her gain fame, and he had meticulously fulfilled his promise. In truth, regardless of who won, it would be a beautiful story for her.
Finally, there came a time when she was about to overshadow Pei Xu.
She should be overjoyed.
But at this moment, she felt something strange. She couldn't tell whether she felt more joy or something else.
The incense candles were reduced to mere embers, and in their final moments, a flock of wild geese suddenly flew in from the sky. The lead goose, unaware of the danger, charged straight at them.
At the critical moment, an arrow shot out from the sky.
"Snap—" Suddenly, a wild goose landed.
The servants who were collecting the geese looked closely and were shocked to find that two of the geese had been pierced by an arrow!
"Killing two birds with one stone!" someone exclaimed.
"It's Pei Shaoqing!" the counting guard shouted excitedly. "Ten for Pei Shaoqing, and nine for General Zhao!"
The last embers flickered a few times before going out completely, leaving behind a wisp of smoke.
The incense had burned out completely.
At this moment, the outcome of the battle became clear.
"Pei Shaoqing wins!" the guard shouted.
The Emperor laughed heartily: "Excellent archery! No wonder you are my Minister Pei."
Xie Guifeng narrowed his eyes slightly, then smiled and praised, "In ancient times, there were archers who could pierce lice, and they were probably like Pei Shaoqing." He glanced at Zhao Xu, "Mingyuan, your archery skills still need improvement."
Zhao Xu was stunned for a moment, then lowered his eyes, cupped his hands, and said, "Yes, Shaoqing's archery skills are superb, I humbly admit defeat."
Pei Xu remained calm, nodded slightly, and returned the greeting, saying, "It was just a fluke. General Zhao is too kind."
Meng Lingyao subtly loosened her clenched hands, her palms becoming slightly damp. She pursed her lips, "He stole the spotlight again."
Xie Chengyu slowly shook his head, a smile playing on his lips. "That's not quite right. The more impressively he wins, the more it proves his determination to get the painting, which makes Yaoyao's painting all the more precious."
Upon hearing this, Meng Lingyao curled the corners of her lips and said, "Cheng Yu is right."
With the competition concluded and the emperor having enjoyed himself, he said, "In that case, Miss Meng, this painting shall be given to Minister Pei."
Meng Lingyao bowed respectfully, saying, "This humble woman will respectfully obey Your Majesty's decree."
She walked slowly to the painting table, gently stroked the scroll with her delicate hand, and carefully rolled it up.
"Lord Pei," she said, handing the scroll over with both hands under the watchful eyes of countless people, "this painting is now yours."
"Thank you, Miss Meng." Pei Xu accepted the painting, his expression still aloof, only his fingers tightening slightly, betraying a hint of his emotions.
The Emperor nodded in satisfaction and looked around. “Today’s gathering is very interesting. You are all pillars of our dynasty’s future. Each of you is now full of talent, which makes me very happy.” He looked around at the young men from noble families present, asked them a few questions about their recent situations, and praised the talents of several young ladies.
Before long, the Emperor stood up and said, "It's getting late. I have important matters to discuss with these laymen." He looked at Pei Xu and said, "Yanxing, let's go together."
Pei Xu bowed, "Your subject obeys the decree."
The third prince did not leave immediately. He whispered a few words to the emperor, then turned and walked towards Zhao Ruxuan.
"Ruxuan, did you like today's lotus flower pastries?" The Third Prince's voice was as gentle as a spring stream. "I remember you love rose-filled pastries, so I had the cook make a special batch."
"So this was His Highness's arrangement?" Zhao Ruxuan said with delight, "No wonder the other sisters' tables only had ordinary mung bean filling."
She had always known that the Third Prince treated her very well, but she never imagined that he would care so much about even her food and drink.
She whispered, "Thank you, Your Highness. I like it very much."
"That's good then." Seeing that Zhao Ruxuan's ears were turning red, the Third Prince said softly, "It's cool in the mountains, so drink less cold wine."
Having said that, he was about to leave.
Lin Yunshu had been closely watching the movements on this side, her fingers tightly gripping the handkerchief. Suddenly, she paused, closed her eyes, steeled her resolve, and quietly followed.
Opportunities are fleeting; if you don't seize them, you may never have another chance.
Meng Lingyao was in a great mood, feeling particularly excited as she was riding high today. She drank several cups of osmanthus wine, her cheeks flushing slightly. She actually had a good tolerance for alcohol, but she was prone to blushing easily; a few cups were enough for her to turn completely red, a tactic she often used to refuse drinks at banquets.
Xie Chengyu glanced at her face out of the corner of his eye, "Drink less."
Meng Lingyao gestured towards the east with her lips, "It's kind of Miss Xie to have time to look at me. I thought your eyes were all on that young master."
Xie Chengyu chuckled a few times and gave her a light push, saying, "You naughty girl."
"If you want to see it, why don't you get closer and take a look?" Meng Lingyao suggested, resting her chin on her hand and toying with her wine glass.
“That’s true.” Xie Chengyu didn’t hesitate at all. He picked up the wine pot and walked straight toward the young man in blue.
Meng Lingyao squinted and looked at him, feeling that the man in question was not the handsome young man she had described as having beautiful features two months ago.
Oh well, it's not a big deal anyway.
Zhou Xiwen also came to say goodbye, saying that he had many trivial matters to attend to at home and had to leave first.
Knowing that she had been busy lately, Meng Lingyao gently squeezed her hand and whispered, "Don't overwork yourself."
Zhou Xiwen smiled and said, "I know."
As the commotion subsided, Meng Lingyao rose and left her seat. Qiyun Mountain in spring was picturesque everywhere, and she was in high spirits, finding every scene breathtaking. She walked to the "King of Flowers," the peach tree, its pink petals in full bloom.
As drowsiness gradually crept into her heart, she was taking a nap leaning against the peach tree when she suddenly heard the cracking of dry branches.
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