"Before doing anything, always think of your family.
I've heard that the Emperor of Western Liang dotes on Princess Yunxi the most. Third Brother, you must treat her well.
If you let Princess Yunxi suffer any grievances, the Emperor of Western Liang will surely hold our Great Zhou accountable. By then, even if I, your Second Brother, want to protect you, I'm afraid I won't be able to!"
There was an undercurrent in Feng Jingye's words. How could Feng Jingxuan not hear it?
According to what he said, from now on, whenever Western Liang did something to Great Zhou, it would probably be blamed on him, Feng Jingxuan.
Thinking of this, he placed the wine cup neatly on the table, lifted his chin, and gave Princess Yunxi, who was sitting opposite, a tender look.
"Brother Emperor, please rest assured. Princess Yunxi and I are in love, and I will surely treat her well. After all, being able to marry such a virtuous wife is a blessing I've accumulated over three lifetimes. How could I not cherish her?"
"It's good that you know, Third Brother." Feng Jingye said indifferently.
While they were having this veiled exchange, on the other side, Princess Yunxi was smiling and gave Zhuo Lingxiao an imperceptible look.
Zhuo Lingxiao understood her meaning. When the song and dance performance ended, he stood up, bowed to the high - seated people, and said in a loud voice, "Your Majesty, I have an impertinent request."
"Since it's an impertinent request, there's no need to say it." Zhuo Yi said coldly. "Is this a place for you to make a ruckus?"
"Father—" Zhuo Lingxiao blinked his eyes aggrievedly.
Feng Linche threw his head back and laughed. "Ah—It doesn't matter. My lord, just speak your mind."
Zhuo Lingxiao's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Then he turned sideways and pointed to the backyard where a pile of congratulatory gifts had been placed today. "Today, among the congratulatory gifts I sent to His Highness the Third Prince, there is a top - notch crossbow.
The crossbow is made of mountain mulberry for the body, fine iron for the chamber, tied with hemp ropes, and has tough silk strings. It is the legendary Divine Arm Crossbow.
I've heard that the Marquis of Dingyuan is excellent at archery. He once won the heart of his wife by winning first place in an archery competition.
Now that we've watched enough of these songs and dances, and since we're sitting here bored, could I please invite the Marquis and all the princes and gentlemen here to do me the honor of having a competition with me?"
Hearing Zhuo Lingxiao's words, Feng Linyuan couldn't help but frown. The uneasiness in his heart became even stronger. He slightly raised his eyes and glanced at Bai Zheng who was sitting opposite.
He saw Bai Zheng gently shaking her head at him, her eyes gentle and calm.
She was telling him not to worry about her.
Feng Linyuan pondered for a moment, and then his heart settled.
It was reasonable. Zhuo Lingxiao had always been on bad terms with him. After holding back for six whole years, it was not surprising that he finally found an opportunity to challenge him.
Moreover, the relationship between the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion and Western Liang was, if not irreconcilable, then extremely hostile.
Zhuo Lingxiao had always been a bit unconvinced of him, the Marquis of Dingyuan. Although they were of similar age, Feng Linyuan always outshone him.
Looking at Zhuo Lingxiao's eager eyes, Feng Linyuan sighed secretly in his heart.
It seemed that his plan to leave immediately with Bai Zheng today would not come true.
Feng Linche originally wanted to curry favor with Western Liang, so he was inclined to indulge Zhuo Lingxiao.
Now that Zhuo Lingxiao said he wanted to have an archery competition with the young men present, it piqued his interest.
Especially—he specifically mentioned that Feng Linyuan should participate.
Feng Linche was just eager to see Feng Linyuan's current strength. How could he not agree?
He immediately sat up straight and said with a loud laugh, "This Divine Arm Crossbow is really a rare sight. I also want to see it! Since the young lord has this idea, let's have a good time today while everyone is here. The men of our Great Zhou must not lose this competition!"
Since the Emperor had spoken, no one present dared to say they wouldn't go.
Although Feng Jingye was a bit reluctant, he pretended to be excited and positive on the surface and echoed with everyone, "Yes, it's good to have some fun."
Feng Jingxuan quickly sent someone to clean up the backyard.
Princess Yunxi, however, looked unhappy. She pouted at Zhuo Lingxiao and said, "Brother Lingxiao, what do you mean? These songs and dances were choreographed under my personal supervision. There are still several more to come!
Why do you suddenly want to have an archery competition? Archery is so boring, and with so many people, it's dangerous. You're deliberately trying to ruin my event, aren't you!"
These words made Feng Linche on the high seat stunned for a moment. He didn't know what to say for a while.
Then, Queen Chu beside him smiled and came to the rescue. "The princess is right. These rough men just don't understand romance. I find these songs and dances very novel and would like to watch more."
Princess Yunxi was very pleased. She raised her chin and said, "The Queen is the best. Unlike Brother Lingxiao, hum! Oblivious to romance."
Zhuo Lingxiao squinted at her and kept pointing his finger in her direction. "You, you..."
But his face was full of helplessness.
Queen Chu smiled gracefully and shifted her gaze to Feng Linche. "Your Majesty, there are many women here, and not all of them like to watch archery.
It's dangerous, and if there are too many people going, in case of an accident, it will be hard to take care of everyone.
Why don't you men go, and I'll stay here with the ladies to watch the songs and dances?"
After all, Queen Chu had been with Feng Linche for more than twenty years. She knew that Feng Linche was eager to see the archery competition between Feng Linyuan and Zhuo Lingxiao, so he naturally wouldn't comply with Princess Yunxi's wishes.
But since the Prince of Xuanning was here, they had to take Princess Yunxi's face into account for the sake of Western Liang. After weighing the two, she simply proposed this perfect solution.
"This is very good."
Feng Linche nodded repeatedly, placed his hand on Queen Chu's leg, and patted it gently, smiling happily.
Feng Jingxuan's eyes were deep. He gave Concubine Yi, who was laughing awkwardly beside him, an imperceptible look but said nothing.
In summer, it gets dark late. Even now, a bright red setting sun was still hanging on the horizon, reluctant to set.
But at this moment, the entire mansion of the Third Prince was already lit up with lanterns, looking brighter than daytime.
Before long, the backyard was cleaned up.
Seeing this, Feng Linche got up first and didn't forget to offer his arm to Zhuo Yi, the Prince of Xuanning, beside him. "My lord, shall we go together?"
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhuo Yi didn't decline. He immediately got up and walked out side by side with Feng Linche.
All the male guests in the guest seats quickly got up and followed Feng Linche towards the backyard of the Third Prince's mansion.
Feng Linyuan walked slowly and was at the end.
He took a deep look in Bai Zheng's direction. Seeing that Bai Zheng was still smiling at him and gently patting her chest, he knew the tacit understanding didn't need words. He nodded and then turned around and walked out.
The group followed Feng Linche and Feng Jingxuan to the archery range just cleaned up in the backyard.
Although the time was short, the people in the Third Prince's mansion still did things properly.