Chapter 236 Stealing the Spotlight
Your Majesty is old and did not participate in the winter hunt in person, but the Crown Prince and other princes will participate together.
As soon as the gong symbolizing winter hunting sounded, Wei Lingze took the lead and rushed into the hunting ground.
Xuanyuan Lang followed closely behind, and even though there were many trees and obstacles in the forest, he always stayed not far from Wei Lingze.
Like a wolf, following its prey slowly and leisurely.
Wei Lingze soon became annoyed. He reined in his horse and turned to glare at Xuanyuan Lang. "Today's competition is about who gets the prey first and who gets the most prey. What are you doing following me?"
Xuanyuan Lang smiled, still speaking in his broken Zhaoling dialect, "I just wanted to remind you that hunters need to be patient and not too impatient. I've been looking forward to this fight for a long time, and I don't want my opponent to be too weak."
Wei Lingze really didn't like the feeling of being looked down upon. He frowned and said coldly, "I have my own reasons for doing things. It's not your turn as a cripple to tell me what to do!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Xuanyuan Lang suddenly picked up the crossbow and placed it on his feet. He drew the bow with one hand, pulled it to the full length, and then released the arrow.
He performed the entire set of movements smoothly and fluidly, and Wei Lingze dodged to the side in time. The arrow shot into the tree trunk behind him, and the tail of the arrow vibrated wildly, making a buzzing sound.
Xuanyuan Lang put away his bow and sternly corrected him, "I am indeed disabled, but not useless. It is you, on the other hand, who is much slower than before."
At the end, Xuanyuan Lang's tone was filled with regret, as if he felt that Wei Lingze was no longer worthy of being his opponent.
Wei Lingze's face darkened and he was about to say something when a "pop" sound was heard in the sky above the hunting ground.
Wei Lingze and Xuanyuan Lang's expressions changed at the same time.
This means that someone has hunted the prey first.
Although this does not represent the final result of the competition, being able to hunt the first prey of this winter hunt is also a good omen.
Xuanyuan Lang stopped pestering and turned his horse's head to head in the direction where the sound had just been made. Wei Lingze still insisted on the direction he had chosen at the beginning. However, when he turned around and saw the arrow that Xuanyuan Lang had just shot, cracks appeared on his face again.
Nearly half of the arrow's body penetrated the tree trunk. Everyone used bows and arrows uniformly produced by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for this hunt. Xuanyuan Lang was able to shoot such an arrow at such a close distance, which shows how powerful he was.
Xuanyuan Lang was right. Although he had a broken arm, he did not become useless. He was even stronger than he was three years ago.
Wei Lingze gripped the bow tightly in his hand, his panic growing.
No matter what, he couldn't lose to Xuanyuan Lang, but now he was not sure he could win.
**
After the prince led everyone into the enclosure, Princess Hengyang couldn't wait to pull Chunxi to the open space next to the camp to compete in height.
The palace maids quickly brought two good horses with relatively docile temperaments. Chunxi did not spoil Princess Hengyang's fun. She whipped the horsewhip and started to compete with her seriously.
Princess Hengyang was wearing a maple leaf red riding outfit today. She looked gorgeous and eye-catching. With the maids in the princess's mansion cheering her on loudly, she quickly attracted the attention of the queen and others.
Everyone praised Princess Hengyang for her heroic spirit, saying that she was no less brave than men. However, after learning that the person running next to her was Chunxi, they changed their tone and said that women should be more quiet and gentle, and not be too lively, otherwise it would be detrimental to the stability of the harem.
Where there are many people, there is a lot of gossip. The queen just listened and didn't respond.
Yun Wantang also participated in this winter hunt. She did not join the conversation of these ladies from aristocratic families, but just quietly made tea. After a while, the clear aroma of tea attracted everyone's attention.
Yun Wantang poured a cup and offered it to the Queen. "I may not have any other specialties, but my tea art is passable. I hope Your Majesty will not despise me."
"This tea smells delicious. Madam is so modest."
The queen praised as she took the tea and took a sip, her eyes brightening slightly.
This tea is really delicious.
The Queen took the opportunity to talk to Yun Wantang about the folk customs of Wengzhou. Yun Wantang answered her questions one by one without being arrogant or impatient. Everyone stopped talking unconsciously and listened attentively.
The young ladies from aristocratic families who had originally been somewhat envious of Princess Hengyang and Chunxi's ability to ride horses at high speed now calmed down and sat up straighter.
Galloping on horseback is only a momentary pleasure. As a woman, you should be like the Fifth Lady of the Taifu Mansion.
Chunxi and Princess Hengyang had no idea what everyone was thinking. The royal paddock was much larger than an ordinary horse farm, and there were no obstacles, so running was especially smooth, and even the wind seemed free.
The two ran five laps with all their might, and in the end Chunxi won with a lead of half a lap.
Xiao Qinghe and Xiao Qingyue had been waiting at the starting point. Seeing Chunxi win, Xiao Qingyue couldn't help but jump up happily: "Ahhh, we won, we won!"
After practicing horse riding and archery with Chunxi for a period of time, Xiao Qingyue became closer to Chunxi. When she saw Chunxi defeat Princess Hengyang, she actually felt a sense of honor.
Princess Hengyang heard her cheers when she returned, but she wasn't angry. Instead, she said to Chunxi cheerfully, "You're a bit better at riding, Ah Xi, but not so much at archery. Let's move on."
As she spoke, Princess Hengyang threw away the reins and headed towards the shooting range.
At this time, the queen sent someone, and the four had to go see the queen first.
The wind was strong and cold in the paddock. The Queen and all the ladies from the noble families were warming themselves around the fire with hand warmers. Chunxi and Princess Hengyang were sweating profusely. Xiao Qinghe and Xiao Qingyue were happy too, their little faces flushed.
The four of them walking together are pleasing to the eye and full of energy.
The Queen smiled and looked at Princess Hengyang and asked, "I just heard you two arguing. Who won?"
Princess Hengyang didn't feel embarrassed about losing. She glanced at the Queen coquettishly and said, "Didn't the Queen see it all? Ah Xi is half a lap ahead of me."
The queen laughed and joked: "Madam Shen is really not to be judged by appearances. Not only is she a good rider, she is also very courageous. She even dared to beat Princess Hengyang."
Chunxi immediately said, "Her Royal Highness is of noble birth, magnanimous, and talented. If I were to deceive and deliberately curry favor with her, it would be disrespectful to the Princess."
Although Chunxi's words were somewhat servile, they made Princess Hengyang very happy. She raised her chin high like a proud peacock. "Ah Xi is right. I have a very broad mind. Besides, losing in horseback riding is nothing. Ah Xi and I will continue to compete in archery. You know, sister-in-law, I have been unbeatable in tossing pots for many years. Maybe I can turn the tables and win later."
The Queen was amused and gave Chunxi, Xiao Qinghe, and Xiao Qingyue a lot of rewards. Then she said, "Since it's boring to just sit there, why don't I go with you and be your witness."
The Queen was leaving, so naturally everyone else had to go with her. Yun Wantang, who was standing in the crowd, had a cold look in his eyes.
She made tea for the queen and talked about the customs and culture of Wengzhou. Although the queen praised her, she did not give her any substantial rewards.
Her limelight cannot be stolen by Cao Chunxi!
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