Chapter 448: Chapter 446 The Reason Why the Fox Spirit Didn’t Bet on Him
Lu Ying lowered his gaze and plucked at the bowstring.
That fox spirit... betting on Huo Mingxu to win?
Huo Mingxu held his bow and arrows, completely unaware of the sharp chill that suddenly emanated from Lu Ying. Instead, he curiously looked toward the sidelines.
By the railing stood Shen Yinning.
Even surrounded by ladies flaunting themselves, she remained the center of attention, like the most luscious, vibrant peony in a garden of flowers.
Huo Mingxu, in the prime of his youth, couldn’t withstand the gaze of Shen Yinning’s sly, smiling fox-like eyes. His face turned red from ear to neck, and even his posture holding the bow and arrows became awkward.
Suppressing the tumultuous flutter in his chest, he stared straight at Shen Yinning, the corners of his lips involuntarily curving into a smile. He said to Lu Ying, "Cousin, look! Princess Zhaoning seems to be looking at me! Cousin... Cousin?"
When no response came, Huo Mingxu finally realized something was amiss and turned to look at Lu Ying.
Lu Ying had already mounted his horse and sped off, leaving a spray of dust that hit Huo Mingxu squarely in the face!
The first half of the competition was in full swing.
Lu Jiazhe joined with a playful attitude, watching Lu Ying gallop across the field with each feathered arrow hitting the bullseye. A hint of amusement appeared on his face.
As he wiped his bow and arrows, he laughed softly and said, "I thought the Spring Banquet would be dull, but I didn’t expect to stumble upon something interesting right away."
"What’s interesting?" Huo Mingxu tugged at his reins and came over.
Having Shen Yinning place her bet on him made the young man beam with pride. Although he wasn’t as perfect as Lu Ying in hitting bullseyes, he performed excellently, even overshadowing Deputy General Tong, who was famed for his skill, and currently ranked second in the field.
Lu Jiazhe smiled faintly. "Nothing, really."
Huo Mingxu raised his chin in frustration.
The young nobles of the Capital always talked like riddles. Why couldn’t they be straightforward like people from outside the border?
He glanced back toward the sidelines.
Since his arrival in the Capital, the other nobles and ladies had always excluded him.
Though his archery skills were unmatched outside the border, no one bet on him—not even his sister, who favored their cousin Lu Ying.
Princess Zhaoning...
She was the only one willing to place her eyes on him!
He caught a glimpse of Lu Ying riding by and quickly urged his horse forward to chase after him. "Cousin! Cousin!"
Lu Ying remained expressionless.
He had initially planned to ignore Huo Mingxu entirely, but the reckless youth seemed oblivious to the mood and pursued him relentlessly on horseback!
"Cousin!" Huo Mingxu rode fast to catch up to him, reining in only when they were side by side. His gaze steeled as he declared, "I will not lose to you in this competition!"
Lu Ying: "Mm."
Huo Mingxu: "Cousin, do you know why?"
Lu Ying: "..."
Huo Mingxu answered his question himself, "Because someone hopes I can win! She placed twenty thousand taels of snow-patterned silver on me, Cousin, do you understand what this means?! Back outside the border, my monthly salary was only twenty taels. At most, I could save roughly two hundred taels a year. But she, just like that, bet twenty thousand taels! That means I’d need a hundred years to repay her goodwill! For myself, for her, I must win this competition!"
The youth seemed as if he were fueled by sheer adrenaline.
Lu Ying: "Are you done talking?"
Huo Mingxu, snapping back to reality, asked in confusion, "Cousin, why does your expression look like that? Could it be because Princess Zhaoning didn’t bet on your victory, and you’re upset? But you’re not a petty person; how could you be angry over something so trivial? Besides, everyone in the Capital says you are noble and principled, and you’ve forgiven Princess Zhaoning for past events, treating her like a sister-in-law and caring for her in the Imperial Palace. Clearly, if you’re angry, it must be about something else, isn’t it?"
Lu Ying’s expression turned colder than the northern wind.
It was his turn to shoot an arrow.
He raised his bow and knocked an arrow, his narrowed eyes filled with unspoken gloom.
As the feathered arrow pierced through the air, the Commanding Officer called out loudly, "Bullseye!"
He lowered his bow in silence, ignoring Huo Mingxu’s endless chatter, and promptly urged his horse away, awaiting the second half of the competition after a short interval.
The sidelines bubbled with lively chatter.
Wen Kuixiang was the first to comment, "I’ve always known His Majesty to be valiant, but I didn’t realize His Majesty’s skill surpassed even those seasoned Generals who’ve been to battle! It seems today’s wager is destined to be in Her Majesty’s favor!"
Huo Mingyan curved her lips into a smile.
The silver coins were of little importance. What mattered was Shen Yinning...
This woman didn’t bet on her cousin to win—how foolish of her!
Did she not fear her cousin’s displeasure?
Wen Kuixiang added, "I’ve heard Her Majesty’s archery is extraordinary as well. It’s a shame she didn’t participate in today’s competition. How regretful it is to miss the chance of witnessing Your Majesty’s elegance in horseback archery!"
Huo Mingyan peeled an orange, her smile remaining composed. "I had planned to join, but seeing the field filled with men, it wouldn’t have been appropriate. Staying here and chatting with my sisters is more enjoyable."
The ornate armor slowly revealed the orange flesh beneath its skin.
She lowered her eyes, the veil of her lashes concealing the impatience glimmering within.
In truth, she had no desire to stay with these women.
They spent their days scheming and plotting, an exhausting sight to behold.
How could it compare to the freedom and ease of mingling with men?
Yet today, the field was overly crowded with Generals. If she mingled among them, His Majesty might harbor dissatisfaction, thinking her unruly and ignorant of propriety and boundaries between genders...
"Heh..." Shen Yunxi covered her lips in a half-sarcastic smile. "I didn’t expect Her Majesty to excel in horseback archery! Such activities are rather coarse. The Capital’s ladies wouldn’t deign to learn them."
Huo Mingyan glanced at her. "Is that so? Then what do the noble daughters of the Capital choose to learn?"
Shen Yunxi spoke confidently, "Music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and literature—these are the proper pursuits of a lady."
"Then you must be quite accomplished in these arts, Consort Rong," Huo Mingyan said, smiling. "But why have I heard that Consort Rong cannot recite even a single complete poem? Or is it that Consort Rong deliberately hides her talent? If that’s the case, why not perform a piece for us so we may broaden our horizons?"
Shen Yunxi’s face froze.
She couldn’t play music to save her life!
Her mother had always said that women’s virtue lay in lack of talent, so she had never properly studied any of these arts.
She could probably spin cotton well enough, though!
Clearing her throat, she arrogantly replied, "My hands have suffered serious injuries, as Her Majesty is well aware. Why make it difficult for me? Perhaps Shen Yinning should perform instead; her musical skills are only slightly inferior to mine."
At her words, everyone instinctively turned toward Shen Yinning.
But the seat held only Xue Mianmian. Shen Yinning had disappeared long ago.
A secluded path wound through the scenery.
By the banks of the River Li, numerous pavilions were arranged for nobles to rest, enveloped by lush greenery and highly concealed.
Lu Ying sat upright on an official’s armchair behind a screen, flipping through a military manual.
His archery skills were impressive, but he was not satisfied with mere adequacy.
He sought his flaws, determined to uncover the reason why that fox spirit had chosen not to bet on him...
Gui Quan and De Sun stood by, attending to him.
The two exchanged a glance, an understanding passing silently between them.
The Commandery Princess hadn’t bet on their master—not because of anything else, but simply because she disdained him...
Lu Ying flipped another page when a familiar fragrance of cosmetics suddenly wafted into the air.
He lifted his eyes.
Pearl-embroidered shoes tread softly onto the thick carpet, pacing around the screen.
Shen Yinning held a small mud-gilded folding fan, the golden rays emanating from the golden hairpin in her coiffure failing to overshadow her breathtaking face.
Her crimson lips curved into a smile. "Shall we talk?"