Chapter 259: Martial Arts Competition (Part 1)
Sun Wei originally thought that Sun Qiao was not good at archery, so it would be better if he was bound to lose, so that he would give up the idea of joining the army.
But now in this lively scene, seeing Sun Qiao's eager look, she felt that this kid might not give up easily even if he lost.
While he was still thinking about it, the messenger below had already loudly announced the rankings.
When Sun Wei heard the word "Sun Qiao", he almost thought he had heard it wrong.
He actually won first place.
Looking at Sun Qiao again, I saw that he was overjoyed and jumped up with joy.
"Whose son was that just announced?" Sun Wei heard the women behind him talking. "Is his surname Sun?"
"Sun? Whose family is this?"
Sun Wei knew that today, a problem had occurred that had never occurred in his previous life.
The elderly Empress Dowager was unable to attend this lively martial arts competition and only sent a eunuch to convey the Empress Dowager's decree.
"The Queen Mother said, all the ladies are welcome to guess the first name, and there will be a reward for guessing."
After hearing this, everyone's interest suddenly became high.
Wang Xuanji also became interested and said to Sun Wei, "Princess, why don't you do some divination to see who will be the first?"
"Wouldn't that make it less interesting?" Sun smiled.
The ladies around responded and said that this made sense.
On the training ground, Sun Qiao returned to the field as the leader of his group.
He drew his bow and arrow, holding his breath and concentrating. In just a moment, the arrow flew off the string and hit the bull's eye, causing cheers.
Sun Wei was extremely surprised and wondered how Sun Qiao could have such good archery skills.
"Isn't this the boy who just won first place?" the noblewoman behind said, "I remember, his last name is Sun?"
The eunuch beside him heard this and hurried out to inquire. After a while, he reported back, "The young man there is called Sun Qiao, and his father is a recorder in the Ministry of Rites."
Sun smiled and said, "Here, young man, you look like the youngest on the field. This time, I'll choose him as the first place."
The eunuch responded.
"I'll follow your lead, Princess." Wang Xuanji said with a smile, "It's just for fun, it doesn't matter who I point at."
More people chose Gan Lian, the son of the General of Chariots and Cavalry.
This man looked a few years older than Sun Qiao, with a tall stature, and it was obvious that he came from a family of military generals.
Sun Wei looked at it with considerable interest.
He thought that if Sun Qiao could defeat Gan Lian, his fame would surely soar, and he might even be promoted to the position of Crown Prince. This would be a good thing for him.
Thinking of this, Sun Wei felt a faint sense of anticipation in his heart.
Sun Qiao lived up to everyone's expectations. After three rounds, he ranked in the top three every time and entered the final round.
But Sun Wei also noticed that, perhaps because he was young and lacked strength, Sun Qiao's attacks were getting weaker with each attack.
After watching for a while, even Wang Xuanji said, "It seems like this young master surnamed Sun can't compete for the first place?"
Sun Wei didn't answer, just looked at the field.
She noticed that Sun Qiao seemed to have a towel wrapped around his hand, and she didn't know what it was for. She thought it was to protect his hand.
He stood before the target, drawing his bow and drawing his arrow, but the bow seemed to have suddenly become a thousand pounds heavy, and no matter how hard he pulled, he couldn't draw it.
A buzz of discussion came from behind me.
Sun Qiao tried several times, then suddenly stopped and switched hands, drawing the bow with his left hand and holding it with his right.
Sun Wei suddenly understood.
Sun Qiao was born left-handed, which his father disliked very much. He strictly ordered him to change his left-handedness since he was young, and to eat and write with his right hand.
Even so, Sun Qiao's left hand was still flexible and could be used in the same way as his right hand.
Seeing Sun Qiao successfully draw the bow, Sun Wei suddenly understood.
The reason why his right hand was wrapped in cloth was that he must have practiced too much and injured his right hand, so he couldn't draw the bow.
This stubborn kid, Sun Wei cursed in his heart.
In the training ground, Sun Qiao aimed for a long time, then released the bowstring and the arrow flew out.
It hit the target firmly, but unfortunately, it didn't hit the bull's eye.
As a result, Sun Qiao only managed to take fourth place, while Gan Lian, the son of the General of Chariots and Cavalry, took first place without any surprise.
Many women in the family received gold, silver, pearls and jade as rewards from the empress dowager, and they were all beaming with joy.
Sun Wei said to Wang Xuanji, "It is my fault that my lady lost her reward."
Wang Xuanji hurriedly said, "Princess, that's not right. It's just amusement. It's okay if some of the things that help to liven up the fun are lost."
Sun Wei exchanged pleasantries with her and then looked at Sun Qiao.
He was just standing there alone, watching others rush to Gan Lian to congratulate him.
Even though Sun Wei thought that Sun Qiao's fourth place was a great achievement, he couldn't help but feel a little pity when he saw him in such a state.
Suddenly, A'ru's voice came to my ears: "The prince sent a message, wanting to ask the princess to come down. He said that he has something to ask the princess."
Sun Wei was surprised.
"But what did you say?"
"I never said that."
Wang Xuanji's eyes lit up when she heard Sima Jun's name.
"The prince wants to see you. I think there's something going on." She said, "Princess, please go quickly."
Sun Wei nodded and stood up, letting Aju leave.
Sima Jun was already waiting below the platform.
Seeing Sun Wei coming down, Sima Jun said, "Just now, the Crown Prince said that he wanted to promote talented people from among those competing in today's martial arts competition and asked if I had any favorites to choose as a disciple. I hadn't been paying attention and was unable to answer for a moment. Thinking that Madam had been watching, I came to ask if you had any candidates."
Sun Wei was surprised: "The Crown Prince wants the Crown Prince to accept a disciple?"
"The prince is in high spirits today. Seeing the grand occasion, he has this intention."
Sun Wei almost suspected that Sima Jun came to ask him this specifically because he knew something.
But looking at Sima Jun's sincere eyes, it seemed that he had no other intentions.
How could he possibly know such a secret? Sun Wei thought to herself and calmed down.
Of course she couldn't mention Sun Qiao.
If Sun Qiao became Sima Jun's apprentice, he would sooner or later recognize Sun Wei. Once his identity was exposed and he was charged with deceiving the emperor, everything in his life would be over.
"Madam, haven't you taken a closer look?" Sima Jun looked at her when she didn't answer.
Sun Wei could only say, "That's right. I was so busy talking to Princess Wang that I didn't even pay attention. Therefore, I can't really be a consultant on this matter. Since it's the Crown Prince who wants to take me in as a disciple, then you should make the decision."
Sima Jun nodded and said, "That's the only way."
After he said that, he turned and left.
When Sun Wei returned to the palace, the Crown Prince had already sent out his orders for awards. The top three were rewarded with gold and silver, while Sun Qiao and the others only received imperial wine.
Sun Qiao obviously didn't know how to drink, and he started coughing as soon as he drank it.
No one paid any attention. Sun Qiao bowed and stood back.
The prince looked at the arena, then suddenly turned back to Sima Jun and said, "Have you decided who you want to take as your disciple?"
When the others heard this, they all looked curious.
Gan Sheng, the General of Chariots and Cavalry standing behind the Crown Prince, said with a smile, "Your Highness is looking for a disciple? My son Gan Lian is the top candidate. I would like to recommend myself. Would Your Highness be willing to accept me?"
"Young Master has been personally mentored by the General. He is exceptional. I have nothing to teach him." Sima Jun said, and then reported to the Crown Prince, "I have a candidate in mind."
"Oh? Who is it?"
"The fourth place in today's competition is Sun Qiao."
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