Yang Mengchen smiled faintly at the stunned Higuirre and said, "Princess Higuirre, please continue, Princess Chen is waiting for you."
Lan Ling had a particular fondness for researching cold weapons, especially crossbows, for which she had a special affection. She had once developed a ten-shot crossbow and, whenever there was time, would practice archery with her. After Lan Ling died in the line of duty, she continued to practice in memory of her friend.
Here, although she hadn’t touched a crossbow since, the skills had long been ingrained in her bones. Coupled with her robust inner strength and frequent practice of the Flying Needle Skill, her techniques naturally became even more refined.
"There’s no need to continue, we admit defeat," Batelgen said with a smile.
Not to mention that Princess Chen’s ten arrows were strung with leaves, which was far beyond the sparse dozen or so leaves of the princess’s, but Princess Chen’s extraordinary archery alone was far superior to the princess’s. If they didn’t admit defeat now, the only ones to lose face would be them.
Higuirre was also forthright, immediately placing her right hand over her heart and bowing: "I am willing to accept the loss, I apologize to Princess Chen for my unruly offense, please forgive me."
"Princess Higuirre has come from afar and is a guest; there’s no need to take it to heart," Yang Mengchen said with a nod and a smile in return.
"Wait a moment." Just as Yang Mengchen turned to leave, Higuirre hastily called out to her. Seeing her turn back with a puzzled look, Higuirre stepped forward, took her arm, and pleaded coyly, "Sister’s archery is so exquisite, could you possibly teach me? Don’t worry, I will listen to sister and not act rashly. Sister, please agree to teach me archery, please?"
The Taji Chang people have always respected the strong, and she had always prided herself on her superior archery skills. Now that she had been defeated by Princess Chen and was wholly convinced, she admired Princess Chen from the bottom of her heart and wanted to forge a good relationship with her.
In reality, Higuirre was just a bit spoiled and competitive due to her family’s indulgence. One could see that she wasn’t inherently evil. She probably provoked her because she had encountered frustrations with her second brother and wanted to vent her anger on her. Yang Mengchen thus nodded lightly in agreement.
"Thank you, sister!" Higuirre embraced Yang Mengchen joyfully, her face erupting in a sincere and brilliant smile. She was a stunning beauty with an exotic charm, utterly enthralling many men present, yet Higuirre seemed entirely oblivious to their fascination as she took off her pendant and insisted on putting it around Yang Mengchen’s neck, "This was a gift from the Empress Dowager when I was born, with my name engraved on it. Now I’m giving it to my sister."
"Thank you, Princess Higuirre..."
"We are sisters now. You can call me by my name or just ’sister.’ Calling me ’princess’ feels too distant."
"Sister Higuirre." Yang Mengchen easily went with the flow and then removed the Green Snow Fragrant Jade Hairpin from her hairdo and pinned it in Higuirre’s hair, "A small gift, I hope Sister Higuirre won’t look down upon it."
Higuirre was overjoyed, her eyebrows dancing with happiness: "Thank you for the gift, sister. I really like it." She walked back arm in arm with Yang Mengchen, arranging a visit to Chen Prince Mansion for the next day. Only after Yang Mengchen was seated did Higuirre return to her seat.
Not only the people of Dong Chu but also Laksh, his son, and the other Taji Chang people were all dumbfounded. The two who had just been at loggerheads were now sisterly affectionate; such a quick transformation was astonishing, wasn’t it?
Accepting the tea Long Xuanmo handed her, Yang Mengchen sipped lightly and remained calm and indifferent, ignoring the surprised and bewildered crowd.
The Taji Chang tribe might not be large, but its men and women were brave and good at fighting, with powerful horses and rich resources of iron mines and Black Stone (coal). Moreover, located at the rear of Beiyue Country, now that Taji Chang tribe had formed a perpetual alliance with Dong Chu, Beiyue Country dared not rashly contemplate an invasion, as once a war started, Dong Chu and the Taji Chang tribe would effectively block Beiyue Country’s front and rear, leaving them facing inevitable destruction.
As for her accepting Higuirre’s challenge, firstly, she saw that Higuirre was simply competitive and bore no malice; secondly, to show the Taji Chang people, especially Laksh and Batelgen, the strength of Dong Chu so they would not dare to have any errant thoughts easily; thirdly, to gain more benefits for Dong Chu.
"My dear sister, you..."
Understanding what her brother wanted to say, Higuirre spoke coquettishly, "Father, brother, Princess Chen is beautiful, gracious, and an excellent archer. I have recognized Princess Chen as my sister. Father, brother, you’re happy for me too, right?"
"Father and your brother are certainly happy," Laksh, who always doted on his daughter, naturally agreed with whatever she said.
Batelgen nodded in approval. He had specifically investigated Princess Chen’s background in secret and knew that she was extremely protective of her own. If his sister became friends with Princess Chen, she would surely look out for his sister, which would be all benefit and no harm to the Taji Chang tribe.
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