There was no one else in the tent. After Ling Xiao finished his work for a while, A-Hao couldn't help but ask, "Ling Xiao, what do you think I could do if I were here? Although I don't know much about medicine, I can learn the first aid technique you mentioned. I can also do miscellaneous tasks like writing and taking notes, and other things..."
"No rush." Ling Xiao smiled. "Do you think I was joking when I said you were my boss?" Ahao didn't speak because she didn't quite understand. Ling Xiao continued, "Right now, General Fang is probably leading our people in training. I'll take you there to take a look."
"General Fang? Is she the daughter of General Fang?" Ah Hao had never met the General Fang that Ling Xiao mentioned, but the general Zhang Yu met yesterday also happened to be surnamed Fang, so she thought of the same thing.
Ling Xiao nodded, confirming A-Hao's words, and then led her out of the tent. However, before they even reached the training ground, they encountered General Fang, whom Ling Xiao had mentioned.
Fang Rong, dressed in a scarlet robe, sat atop a tall black horse, leaning slightly forward to look at Ling Xiao. Riding on horseback, she naturally towered over both A-Hao and Ling Xiao. A-Hao looked up at her; Fang Rong was beautiful with delicate features, her ponytail neatly tied high, exuding a dashing and spirited air.
"Where is Lord Ling going?" she asked, each word seemingly crisp and decisive. As she spoke, her gaze finally fell on Ah Hao, and she asked again, "And who is this?" Fang Rong raised an eyebrow, asking out of politeness, but it seemed more like she wasn't very interested.
Even though A-Hao tried her best to dress modestly and unassumingly, in Fang Rong's eyes, she was still just a delicate and frail girl who shouldn't and wasn't suitable to come to a military base. Even though Fang Rong was only eighteen years old this year, a little younger than A-Hao.
"This is Her Majesty the Empress." Facing Fang Rong, Ling Xiao did not hide Ahao's identity, but instead smiled and said, "I thought General Fang was at the training ground and was preparing to take Her Majesty there to have a look, but I didn't expect you to appear here."
Upon hearing Ling Xiao's words, and knowing the identity of the person before her, Fang Rong realized it would be impolite for her to remain on horseback. She had no choice but to dismount. She then carefully examined Song Shuhao again, still finding her delicate and gentle, and unable to discern any regal bearing.
Fang Rong thought to herself, recalling seeing His Majesty the Emperor again today. He was still incomparably handsome, yet even more composed and mature. She remembered when she was little, ignorant and fearless, always calling out "Brother Yu," never receiving any response. But was this how His Majesty liked her? Fang Rong felt that this was meaningless for a delicate little girl.
"This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress!" Fang Rong clasped her hands and bowed to Song Shuhao, her head lowered so her expression was unreadable. Ahao told her to dispense with the formalities. She had just heard Ling Xiao say that Fang Rong was an arrogant person, and now that she had met her, it was indeed true. That feeling was quite evident.
However, Ahao thought this was still quite understandable. Fang Rong was only eighteen years old and had already made military achievements, and was also in charge of training female soldiers, which was undoubtedly outstanding. Such an outstanding person would be a little arrogant, which was in line with her excellence.
"Where is General Fang headed this time?" Ling Xiao asked in return. Fang Rong was about to answer when someone else approached on horseback.
Sitting on horseback was Zhang Yu, who had told A-Hao he had other matters to attend to and could not accompany her. He sat on a chestnut horse, still dressed in a black robe, with his hair tied up in a golden crown. As always, he was upright and sturdy, like a pine or cypress, but his gaze remained fixed on A-Hao.
Fang Rong saw that his face was cold, but there was a hint of tenderness in his eyes, which was only directed at that one person. She couldn't quite describe the feeling. After bowing to Zhang Yu with Ling Xiao, Fang Rong looked at Song Shuhao again. She saw her take two steps closer to the chestnut horse with a hint of joy. When she smiled, even the sunlight seemed to dim, and her voice was soft and pleasant, like a spring breeze in March.
She asked Zhang Yu, "Has Your Majesty finished your business?" Whether she was genuinely naive or pretending, she didn't seem to care that he had previously said he was busy and was now here, even though it seemed like he was going back on his word.
Zhang Yu nodded, which was a response to Ahao. Then he and Ling Xiao and Fang Rong declined the formalities and said with a smile, "You are quite lucky to have met General Fang's daughter. Her riding and archery skills are very good. You can have a competition with her and see what level your riding and archery skills are at."
Even though he used a consultative tone, it couldn't really be considered a consultation. Ah Hao was surprised to hear his words; it was so sudden to ask her to compete with Fang Rong, especially since Fang Rong was so formidable.
Fang Rong was somewhat angry; she didn't believe she would lose to the seemingly weak Empress. Earlier, Zhang Yu had said something to her father, which Fang Rong had taken as a joke, but she hadn't expected him to be so serious, actually wanting her to compete with the Empress.
Ah Hao hesitated, not responding to Zhang Yu's words. It was all so sudden, and she was completely unprepared. She wasn't afraid of losing, but she couldn't figure out what he was thinking.
At this moment, Fang Rong, who was standing to the side, spoke first, "Is Your Majesty also skilled in archery and horsemanship? I really wish to have a match with Your Majesty." There was no longer a choice between A-Hao's agreement or disagreement.
She gave Zhang Yu a reproachful look, only to receive a reassuring smile in return. Ahao lost her temper and let it go. She thought to herself, so what if she's embarrassed? It's not just her who's embarrassed. Anyone who tries to reason with him will just mutter that he has no taste.
Ah-hao felt at peace.
Author's note: Finally finished, but the speed was terrible.
=。= I feel like His Majesty and Ah Hao just changed the location to show off their affection.
I'm sorry for the delayed updates these past two days TT
I'm going to catch up on my sleep. I'll send everyone red envelopes as compensation when I wake up.
Chapter 88 Completed
The competition between Song Shuhao and Fang Rong was thus decided.
Zhang Yu reached out and helped Ahao onto the horse, while Ling Xiao rode alongside Fang Rong. The four of them rode towards the training ground. Fang Rong glanced at Zhang Yu and Song Shuhao before looking away, a hint of something unsettling flashing in her eyes.
Perhaps because they were in a military camp, Zhang Yu was unusually well-behaved, even when speaking to her he kept his back straight and did not deliberately get too close. His arms were just enough to encircle Ahao in his arms, but there was not much physical contact.
"I have been teaching you for so long, it's time to see the results."
Zhang Yu was referring to the events at Jingyun Nunnery. He had indeed taught her quite a bit, although she felt she hadn't learned it very well. But it was just a competition, nothing serious. Ahao tried to stay calm and nodded.
The four soon arrived at the training ground, where many soldiers were still training enthusiastically. A general immediately came forward to receive orders, and Zhang Yu explained some preparations related to the competition. Throughout the entire process, he remained on horseback. After giving his instructions, he took Ah Hao directly to the western edge of the training ground, without allowing anyone to watch.
A row of willow trees stood in the distance, about a hundred meters from the training ground, their slender, vibrant green branches swaying gently in the breeze. Ah Hao, sitting on his horse, didn't wait long before seeing several soldiers approach the willow trees and hang gourds high on their branches.
A pigeon is placed inside a gourd and hung on a willow tree. A person then shoots an arrow from a distance. If the arrow hits the gourd successfully, it breaks, and the pigeon, startled, flies away. This is the "shooting the willow" technique commonly used for archery practice. If this is used in a competition, the height the pigeon flies is used to determine the winner.
Ah Hao had heard of and witnessed other people's competitions before, but this was her first time participating in one herself. After getting involved with Zhang Yu, she experienced more and more things she had never imagined she would experience before, and compared to that, this was just a small one.
They dismounted, and soldiers presented them with bows and arrows. Zhang Yu first helped Ahao take them, checked them, and then handed the longbow to her, followed by an arrow, all very smoothly.
Comparing her distance to the willow tree, Ah Hao felt deeply that... it was incredibly lucky her arrow even managed to hit the gourd. She truly didn't understand where Zhang Yu got the confidence to think she was alright. Thankfully, no one was watching; she'd settle the score with him properly when they got back!
While Ahao was pondering this, Fang Rong was already ready. She glanced at the hesitant Song Shuhao and a smile appeared on her face. Because of the competition rules, Ahao and Fang Rong had to shoot arrows at the same time. Therefore, the competition officially began only after Ahao was also ready.
Fang Rong was already a master archer, her bow and arrow movements were incredibly fluid. After aiming, arrows flew out of her hands, each carrying the force of a piercing wind. With the mindset that even in defeat, one should lose gracefully, A-Hao didn't give up. Instead, she focused intently on what she was doing, completely undisturbed by Fang Rong, and at that moment, she didn't even notice her.
Her target was three gourds in total. Recalling the hunting trip Zhang Yu took her to Jingyun Nunnery, and how she shot small prey, Ahao drew her bowstring taut, her gaze focused on the targets hanging from the willow branches. One arrow was fired, then another, three arrows in quick succession. Although the process was brief, she was single-minded and did her best.
After doing all that, she breathed a sigh of relief, only to realize that none of her three gourds had been hit, as not a single pigeon had flown out. On the other hand, Fang Rong's three white pigeons, startled by the attack, suddenly took flight into the azure sky, flapping their wings vigorously.
The contrast was too stark; even with only Zhang Yu and Ling Xiao watching, it still seemed, as if, almost... quite embarrassing... Ah Hao smiled helplessly, and Zhang Yu took the longbow from her hands. Ah Hao couldn't help but glare at him reproachfully, which only made Zhang Yu laugh.
"General Fang is indeed very capable. I am truly ashamed of my own inferiority and have made a fool of myself."
Ah Hao turned to Fang Rong and said something, trying to save face for herself, but Fang Rong's expression was not quite right. She didn't seem happy to have won, nor did she look calm; instead, she looked shocked.
Hearing Ah Hao's words, Fang Rong snapped out of her surprise. Even though she composed herself somewhat, her face remained somber. After giving Ah Hao a strange look, she asked Zhang Yu, "May I go and take a look at those gourds?" Zhang Yu nodded, and she walked towards the willow tree.
Ling Xiao, who had been quietly watching the commotion, couldn't resist joining in to comfort A-Hao, "Take it easy, it's not a big deal. Sometimes, you don't even know what despair is until you try!"
Ahao paused for a moment, then asked Ling Xiao with a wry smile, "Lord Ling, are you trying to comfort me?" Zhang Yu glanced at Ling Xiao, and she quickly made a "shut up" expression, laughing as she looked away. She then asked, "Why did General Fang want to go see that gourd himself?"
This was also Ah Hao's question. She looked up at Zhang Yu, who smiled and said, "She lost to you, so naturally she has to find out the truth." He didn't seem to be lying to her.