Chapter 199 Competition
Yu Wang Muji's voice, however, carried a hint of languor and leisure: "Gentlemen of noble families, now that you have come to Yanshan, how can you hide in your tents all day long? Today, I have specially summoned you all here so that you must all witness the Yanshan hunting grounds. Moreover, with Princess Qingyang and Prince Xuanyou participating, you should further demonstrate the martial virtue of our Great Yu, exchange and learn from each other, and jointly make this a grand event."
Is this the purpose of specifically calling them here?
Mu Xi was feeling the same frustration she had experienced in her past life when she didn't want to go to class but was still called on by the teacher to answer questions.
Prince Yu turned and asked again, "Princess Qingyang, where is Princess Qingyang? She certainly won't be absent today, why hasn't she come yet?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than a cloud of dust swept in from the west.
In the blink of an eye, a dark red horse with snow-white hooves appeared in everyone's sight like a streak of blood-red lightning.
Princess Qingyang was dressed in a fiery red hunting outfit, embroidered with intricate bird patterns in gold thread, which accentuated her lithe and voluptuous figure.
Unlike the noble ladies of Yan Sheng, whose hair was tied up in a bun and adorned with hairpins, her long, thick black hair was tied into a high ponytail with a dazzling gold ring, flying freely behind her head with her movements, exuding a wild and arrogant air.
Princess Qingyang spurred her horse forward and nodded slightly to King Yu: "Your Majesty, what's the point of just hunting? How about we have a contest today?"
Yu Wang Muji looked at his daughter with an unprecedented fatherly gaze and indulgent tone: "Since the princess has such an elegant interest, why not? How should we compete?"
Princess Qingyang laughed heartily, turning her head to reveal a touch of crimson in the corner of her lychee-shaped eyes as she looked arrogantly at Mu Xi and the other young nobles: "You are the most valiant and talented young men of the Great Yu? I, Princess Qingyang, am here to ask you if you dare to have a match with me?"
Naturally, no one spoke up easily.
Mu Xi noticed out of the corner of her eye that Liu Yang's gaze was completely fixed on Princess Qingyang.
Princess Qingyang's crimson eyes swept across everyone's faces before she finally raised a crimson jade bow in her hand: "Today we will test our eyesight and see who can hunt the most birds. The prize... is this bow in my hand. This bow is called 'Flowing Fire,' and it is made from deep-sea black wood, with a bowstring forged from the sinews of a thousand-year-old dragon. If any of you hunts more birds than me today, I will reward him with this bow."
"reward"?
What kind of tone and attitude is this?
However, King Yu Muji was not offended at all.
Mu Xi was not good at riding or archery, and could only barely ride a horse, so he stayed slightly behind.
She stepped back slightly, and Mu Xun, not wanting to stand out, naturally followed suit.
It was one thing for the two of them to dodge, but for some reason, others also shrank back.
Only Liu Yang remained unmoved, sitting on his horse with a smile on his lips, staring at the princess.
Princess Qingyang paid no attention to Liu Yang, but glanced at Mu Xi and chuckled, "Hmph, those who are not good enough can choose not to participate. Those who can't draw a bow and shoot arrows accurately must not be very strong or have much arm strength either."
Yu Wang Mu Ji was still encouraging him from the side: "You all must participate, especially the men of my Mu family. No one has not practiced martial arts since childhood. Who among us does not know how to ride and shoot? Today, no one can return empty-handed, otherwise there is no need to leave the hunting ground."
After saying this, King Yu Muji led his three sons and turned around, heading towards the hunting grounds.
Princess Qingyang smiled disdainfully and followed her subordinates.
Finally, a group of princes and nobles followed, those who had come voluntarily, needless to say, howling and rushing forward.
There were also those like Mu Xi who were neither good at riding nor archery, or who had no interest in it, who had no choice but to follow behind, bringing their guards with them as they charged forward.
What's going on? Mu Xi is at the very end, it's inexplicable.
When has King Yu ever been so kind and gentle to anyone?
Is this a common problem among men who are born "doting fathers" but don't have daughters?
From this perspective, Princess Qingyang is truly a favored daughter of heaven, receiving love and affection wherever she goes.
Mu Xi couldn't help but feel extremely jealous again.
But no matter how you calculate it, it still has to enter the paddock.
Today, Mu Xi wore a purple-gold robe and silver armor. After last-minute cramming last night, he was able to ride the horse reasonably well today.
Mu Xun stayed by his side at all times, while Jiang Meng kept a firm grip on the reins.
The two men, accompanied by several guards, were focused on finding a good spot in the hunting grounds.
Finally, Mu Xi found a shady open space. Tired from riding, he had his servants spread out a mat and sat down to rest.
Bao Fan also brought a lot of food, took it out one by one, and poured some chilled fruit wine on top. Everything was ready.
Mu Xi simply assumed it was a camping trip.
On the other side, Mu Xun and his men easily shot down several birds, which they then used as a report.
Sunlight filters through the trees and casts dappled patterns on the meadow.
Mu Xi was unusually relaxed and drowsy.
Suddenly, a commotion of people and horses approached from the distant dense forest.
When Mu Xi lazily sat up, she saw Gao Quan accompanying Mu Chong, followed by a large group of military officers, coming in a grand procession.
Today, Mu Chong donned a brand-new royal blue hunting robe, carried a magnificent longbow, and rode a tall horse. He was surrounded by several sons of officials of similar age, as well as a few strong and sturdy attendants.
Gao Quan rode a black horse half a body behind, his eyes sharp as an eagle, vigilantly scanning his surroundings.
Seeing Mu Chong's entourage and deliberately ostentatious manner, Mu Xi became suspicious and couldn't help but ask, "Third brother, are your eyes better?"
Mu Xi's tone contained neither concern nor sarcasm; it was purely out of curiosity.
Mu Chong focused on the sound for a long time, then spurred his horse forward a few steps before he could see where Mu Xi was standing: "Stop pretending, my eyes are only thanks to you."
"Me? That has nothing to do with me." Mu Xi was telling the truth.
Mu Chong had never met Mu Xi before, and now that they met again, her eyes were wide open and she struggled to focus: "If it wasn't you, then it was all of you! You ruined me... ruined me..."
Shouting, he drew his bow and nocked an arrow, pressing it directly against Mu Xi's nose.
Mu Xun rushed over and drew his sword.
With a clang, the bow and arrow slipped from Mu Chong's hand.
Mu Chong nearly fell off his horse, but didn't forget to curse: "Mu Xi, you used insidious means to harm my eyes, you are despicable and shameless, you will die a horrible death. Father must have been blind to think that... a son born of a mother but without proper upbringing, the position of heir should have been mine, mine..."
Gao Quan was followed by many scions of noble families and military generals.
Mu Chong's shameless cursing is detrimental to everyone.
"Chong'er, shut up." Gao Quan rode forward, his wolf-like eyes looking down at Mu Xi. "Chong'er is young and impulsive. It's inevitable that he'll be agitated after his eyes are injured, but as his older brother, you must be able to tolerate that, right?"
Mu Xi disliked looking up at Gao Quan. With a wave of her hand, she had a horse brought over, mounted it, and, still unwilling to give up after looking him straight in the eye, said, "Can a young man just spout nonsense? That's a mental illness, like an eye disease; it needs treatment. Since your eyesight isn't better yet, don't go hunting. Getting hurt again would be a loss..."
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