Chapter 54 Sisters and Brothers
Zhu Yuhuan mounted his horse swiftly, took a quick ride around to make sure the horse was in good condition, then increased his speed, took out his bow and arrow, and aimed at the target.
Everyone saw that Zhu Yuhuan's mount was moving at breakneck speed, yet she remained steady. Her first arrow hit the bull's eye, and she fired three more, each time perfectly on target. The distance was at least seventy, if not a hundred paces, and Zhu Yuhuan was still on the horse, demonstrating her mastery and familiarity with mounted archery.
Zhu Yuhuan rode past Fan Hong and said with a smile, "Is there no moving target?"
Fan Hong immediately gave the order, and soon a young eunuch threw a straw target into the arena from a distance. As soon as the target reached the top, Zhu Yuhuan shot it down with an arrow. No matter which side the target was thrown from, it could not escape Zhu Yuhuan's arrow.
The children watching couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, and Zhu Youtong even cheered, "Sister, you're amazing!"
Even Fan Hong had to admire the exquisite archery skills of Princess Shunde. In the current royal family, except for the emperor, no one could match her.
Zhu Yuhuan shot all the arrows in the quiver, leaving not a single one, and then rode back. She dismounted and adjusted her skirt, looking calm and composed. Her smile was like a spring breeze.
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and asked, "How is it? Not too embarrassing, right?"
Zhu Qizhen's eyes had already sparkled with anticipation. He said, "Amazing! Sister, teach me! I want to learn the unique skill of shooting three arrows in one breath! I'm sure to scare Grandma and Dad!"
Princess Changde Zhu Hanjia couldn't help but frown and said, "Who would start by learning the most difficult thing?"
Zhu Qizhen said confidently: "I learn very quickly, so of course I will learn the most difficult ones."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and said, "What's so difficult about this? It's just physical training. There are more powerful skills. When the time comes, let the Duke of England teach you as well."
Zhu Hanjia heard the refusal in Zhu Yuhuan's words and followed her words, "Yes, big sister is right. Besides, if we really go to the battlefield, we have generals in the Ming Dynasty. Why would you need to do it yourself? At the very least, we have the three major battalions."
After finally enjoying a few years of peace, she didn't want Zhu Qizhen to stay with Zhu Yuhuan. Otherwise, if something went wrong, not only would his mother be worried all day long, but it would also be bad for his elder sister, and everyone in the palace would be in turmoil. Instead of that, it would be better for Zhu Qizhen to wait for the Duke of Yingguo to teach him, so that everyone would be at ease.
Zhu Qizhen was somewhat discouraged upon hearing this, but he quickly understood the reason and said, "Sister, are you afraid that Mother won't allow it? Isn't it enough to just not tell her?" He immediately looked around and said, "All of you are keeping this secret from me. If anyone dares to tell anyone and my Mother hears about it, I will not forgive you."
Zhu Hanjia didn't expect Zhu Qizhen to be so outspoken, and even put on the majesty of a prince to look down on others. He couldn't help but choke, and for a moment he didn't know how to persuade his younger brother, whom he had not been with for a long time.
Zhu Yuhuan said, "Even grandma wouldn't agree. You can still learn horseback archery when you're older."
Zhu Qizhen snorted and said, "But I heard from Mr. Wang that my sister was able to bend the bow and shoot arrows when she was the same age as me." At this point, Zhu Qizhen still felt a little aggrieved. "But I haven't even drawn my own bow yet. If I tell others, everyone will think that the prince is not even as good as my sister. All the dignity that grandma and father said about the prince will be lost."
When Zhu Hanjia heard his words, his heart tightened.
Zhu Yuhuan raised his eyebrows slightly, looked around, and asked in a mock manner, "Who said that? Who dares to say anything bad about the Crown Prince? I will be the first to teach him a lesson!" Seeing Zhu Qizhen's happy face because he stood on his side, Zhu Yuhuan patted him on the shoulder and said, "There is still a lot of time and a lot of days to come. There is no need to rush. After you get married, you will have plenty of time to practice riding and shooting every day."
Zhu Youtong said coldly, "Besides, this matter is not decided by your sister. Don't overthink it. We can just go out for a horseback ride to relax. Why are you so anxious?"
When she said this, Zhu Qizhen found a loophole and said, "Then I'll go find Dad! He will definitely agree!"
Zhu Hanjia was a little anxious and said quickly: "Father is busy with many things every day. How can you disturb him because of such a small matter? Prince, please don't act recklessly..."
Zhu Qizhen had already made up his mind and said seriously, "Dad trusts my sister the most and will definitely agree." Thinking of this, he could no longer sit still. He immediately stood up and told the people around him to follow him, obviously going to find Zhu Zhanji.
Zhu Hanjia couldn't stop him and could only sigh at his back. Then he ordered the palace servants around him to inform Wang Zhen and ask him to stop the prince and persuade him.
She knew that when Wang Zhen was assigned by his father to teach the Crown Prince, Concubine Sun had given him special instructions, telling him to be devoted to the Crown Prince and, more importantly, to build closer ties between the Crown Prince, Concubine Sun, and Princess Changde. However, the family rarely saw each other and didn't spend much time together, so there was no sign of success. But the Crown Prince was quite reliant on Wang Zhen, and as long as Wang Zhen gave him some persuasion, he was sure he would be able to change his ways.
Zhu Yuhuan, who was standing by, heard Zhu Hanjia's instructions clearly and understood that both the siblings trusted Wang Zhen very much.
Apart from occasionally asking about the prince's preferences, she had never had any requirements for Wang Zhen. After all, as long as Wang Zhen stayed by Zhu Qizhen's side and gained Zhu Qizhen's trust and favor, he had completed his "historical mission."
Zhu Yuhuan laughed in his heart and said to Zhu Qiyu beside him, "Xiaoyu, sister will take you horseback riding, okay?"
Zhu Qiyu looked back and forth between his three sisters and readily agreed: "Okay, sisters, protect me."
Zhu Yuhuan was amused by him and personally carried Zhu Qiyu to the horse and sat him firmly.
When Zhu Yuhuan was taking Zhu Qiyu for a stroll on the horse farm, Zhu Hanjia finally pulled Zhu Youtong's sleeve and walked aside to chat. She said anxiously, "Second sister, please persuade the eldest sister to deny this matter, otherwise mother will be anxious and angry again."
Compared to Zhu Yuhuan, who was older than her, Zhu Hanjia was closer to Zhu Youtong, who was one year younger than her. Zhu Youtong also had a good relationship with her and said, "Don't worry, the Emperor will not agree to the Crown Prince's request. He also doesn't want to listen to the Imperial Concubine's nagging."
Zhu Hanjia shook her head helplessly and said, "Just now, Zhen'er said that he was afraid that everyone would think he was inferior to Big Sister. If Dad heard this, he would definitely be shaken. If Dad agrees, Mom will definitely have all sorts of crazy thoughts..."
Zhu Youtong thought for a while, then realized that what he had just said was a bit "excessive", and he also became anxious: "Then...what should I do?"
Zhu Hanjia looked at Zhu Yuhuan, who was riding a horse with his brother not far away. The hem of her willow-green skirt swayed with the horse's steps, like a spring mist. Zhu Hanjia was stunned for a moment. After a while, Zhu Hanjia said softly, "I can only wait and see how big sister handles it..."
Zhu Youtong was very upset and said, "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have said that just now..."
Other things don't matter, what she fears most is causing trouble for her sister.
Zhu Hanjia comforted her second sister, "Big sister has always been prudent, there must be a way."
Apart from anything else, she never doubted her elder sister's abilities.
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