Wang Qing grabbed three small arrows, started aiming, then calmed down and focused intently on the center of the arrow-throwing game.
The people around fell silent. Although many women were afraid of Hai Ling, they still hoped that Wang Qing would win, since Wang Qing was someone in their social circle.
"One, two, three," the crowd chanted in their minds. Wang Qing threw three small arrows with her right hand. Unfortunately, because she was used to throwing arrows five meters away, the force for eight meters was simply not enough. As a result, the arrows fell down in the middle of the journey and landed a meter away from the pot.
Wang Qing's face turned pale. She looked at Hai Ling in fear, with only a sliver of hope left in her heart: if this woman also missed, then they would be even. But if this woman hit a single one, she would lose. Her hair! Wang Qing felt like dying. How could a woman without hair, bald, possibly show her face in public?
The surroundings remained silent. Hai Ling ignored Wang Qing and leisurely accepted the three small arrows handed to her by Shi Lan.
Shi Lan originally wanted to suggest that she throw the arrow for her mistress, but then she thought that this kind of arrow-throwing game was not something that could be won by force; it required skill. If she lost for her mistress, it would be giving the woman who had provoked her a free pass. So she didn't say anything in the end.
Hai Ling took the three small arrows, concentrated, and used the Breath Concealing Stance from the Eighteen Golden Flower Techniques, which eliminates surrounding distractions and focuses the mind on one's own hand. Then, she gently raised her right hand and aimed at the arrow-throwing pot eight meters away. Everyone stared wide-eyed.
Not only the women, but also the men, were being watched by many people.
This young lady from the Ji family is not only beautiful, but also intelligent. Her every move is radiant. I wonder how she is at pitch-pot?
With a flick of her wrist, Hai Ling sent three small arrows flying swiftly like willow branches, landing steadily and accurately in the pot.
On the field, everyone was astonished, and then let out a cheer.
Ji Cong laughed with delight, picked up the wine beside him and toasted with the Emperor, forgetting his unease. Ye Lingfeng also smiled with pleasure when he saw Hai Ling hit the target.
Many people were happy, but a few were not.
Ye Liushuang was furious that Hailing had so easily won the pitch-pot game and even defeated Wang Qing.
west Yan and Princess Feng Yao of Zhaoyang also looked apprehensive. Among all of them, the most frightened was Wang Qing, who covered her hair in fear and backed away repeatedly.
Unfortunately, she regretted it.
It's too late.
Hai Ling sneered, and with a flick of her wrist, she drew the sword from Shi Mei's waist. A flash of silver light, and she leaned forward, swinging the sword straight at Wang Qing. Wang Qing released her grip, turned, and ran away as fast as she could, but she was too late. She felt a chill on her hair, and her jet-black hair began to fall in a flurry. In the blink of an eye, all her hair was gone, and she became bald.
At the banquet, although the women sympathized with Wang Qing, they had never seen a bald woman before, and it was so ridiculous that several of them couldn't help but laugh. Once one person started laughing, everyone else followed suit. At this point, Wang Qing really felt like dying. She covered her bald head and slipped away.
The Wang family members were naturally embarrassed. Although they were angry, they also blamed their daughter for provoking her. That woman was clearly not someone to be trifled with. She was just asking for trouble. The Wang family members said goodbye to General Ji and left.
In the following games, no one dared to provoke Hailin again. Moreover, everyone in the upper-class circles of Beilu knew that the young lady of the Ji family was not a kind person, so it was best not to provoke her, otherwise they would be asking for trouble.
The girls' games continued, including riddles and bamboo-puzzle dances. Hailin didn't participate; she just watched from the sidelines with her little lion, Qiuqiu in her arms.
Qiuqiu bared its teeth and glared angrily at Ye Liushuang from time to time, which frightened Ye Liushuang so much that her face turned green, and she quickly shrank into the crowd.
Not far away, Ye Lingfeng saw that Hai Ling dared to hold the little lion and wave it around in front of him, and his face turned green, his pupils flashing with a sinister light.
The men also became interested in playing games and decided to play polo. In the end, even Emperor Ye Lingfeng joined in.
Now, none of the women were interested in playing any games anymore. They all followed the man out of the banquet and headed to the Ji family's horse racing field.
The Ji family's horse riding grounds were located at the back, because the riding grounds occupied a very large area and were far from the main house in front.
Polo is essentially a game played on horseback. Beilu is still in the north, and northerners are known for their skill in riding and archery, so horse racing is a perfectly normal outdoor activity.
I never expected that the Emperor would come in person today and even play polo himself.
This excited everyone, and they all gathered around the outer edge of the racecourse to watch. The women, in particular, gazed admiringly at the radiant and domineering emperor on the field. They never expected their new emperor to be such an outstanding man. Not only was he handsome, but his powerful and domineering demeanor also deeply attracted everyone.
All the women blushed, their hearts pounding, and the stakes for today's polo match were a rare snow lotus.
Originally, it was supposed to be another prize, but since the Emperor had left the stage, the Ji family took out a treasured snow lotus. This was brought back by General Ji from the Tianshan Mountains, and the snow lotus was still very fresh.
If the Emperor wins the polo match today and obtains that snow lotus, and if he falls for someone, he will surely give the snow lotus to the woman he desires, who will very likely be the future Empress.
These women, thinking to themselves, subconsciously looked up at Hailin not far away.
This woman is not only exceptionally beautiful, but her ruthless and cold demeanor is comparable to that of the Emperor. "Could the Emperor possibly like her?" everyone wondered, but they still hoped that the Emperor would take a liking to them.
The races have already begun inside the racecourse.
Not only the emperor, but also the sons of many court officials, Ji Shaocheng was among them.
Young people are competitive, and everyone wants to get that snow lotus and give it to the most sacred girl in their hearts.
At the thought of this, many talented young men's eyes lit up, their gazes fixed on the sea lilies outside the horse farm fence.
This synchronized action was all observed by Ye Lingfeng. His gaze suddenly darkened, becoming extremely sharp. He pursed his lips, swung his polo mallet, and the polo match began.
Unexpectedly, Ling'er, who had lost weight, was so stunningly beautiful that she radiated light wherever she went, deeply attracting everyone's attention. He had originally intended to give her some time to gradually come to terms with the fact that it was impossible for her not to marry him.
But given the current situation, he couldn't wait any longer. What if she liked someone else? He would absolutely not allow that, so he was determined to have Xue Lian today.
Inside the racecourse, Ye Lingfeng moved nimbly, radiating brilliance. His horse's hooves were constantly being raised, and streaks of golden light swept across the field as balls flew past the goal, causing the score to rise steadily.
The ladies from prominent families outside the racecourse cheered loudly, wave after wave.
"Your Majesty, keep going! Your Majesty, keep going!"
There were also some other voices mixed in, such as Ji Shaocheng's fan club, all of whom cheered for Ji Shaocheng.
"Go, General Ji! Go, General Ji!"
Unfortunately, because there were relatively few people, they were overwhelmed by the ever-growing waves of enthusiasm.
Hai Ling stood at the very edge of the riding arena, gazing calmly at Ye Lingfeng on the field. To be honest, this man's brilliance was undeniable. He was as strong and powerful as a tiger or lion, yet as agile as an eagle soaring in the blue sky. His domineering agility was unmatched, giving him a superior presence. Coupled with his outstanding appearance and superb skills, he was naturally the number one on the riding arena.
Such a person doesn't need her to add to his glory; he's never short of people around him.