Although Si Kongting knew that Concubine De was skilled in archery on horseback, he didn't expect that Concubine De's skills were even better than he had imagined.
Not to mention that Qin Huaiqiu could ride a horse skillfully. As soon as they entered the forest, Qin Huaiqiu drew his bow while galloping on his horse. An arrow whistled past Si Kongting's head and accurately hit a squirrel on a nearby branch.
The squirrel didn't even have time to make a sound before it fell to the ground.
Si Kongting never thought that he had such superb archery skills. He could draw a bow and shoot an arrow while riding a galloping horse and hit a small squirrel in the distance.
He laughed a few times, deliberately slowing down his horse to ride side by side with Qin Huaiqiu. Looking at him, he said with a smile, "Is Concubine De showing off your skills to me?"
"Sure I am, Your Majesty." Qin Huaiqiu hadn't ridden a horse for a long time. He had been feeling stuffy in the palace for almost a month. His current mood could almost be described as boiling with excitement. Besides showing off his skills, that arrow was also a practice for Qin Huaiqiu. Judging from the result, his archery skills hadn't regressed.
Si Kongting said, "Aren't you going to take the squirrel?"
Qin Huaiqiu was in an extremely good mood, with a natural and carefree look on his face. He waved the reins of his horse and laughed loudly, "It's just one point."
Si Kongting couldn't help but turn his head to look at Qin Huaiqiu. For a moment, he was completely transfixed. His eyes were so bright, like the rising sun, full of vigor. His whole body exuded an air of unrivaled naturalness and freedom.
The smile on Si Kongting's face grew wider. He said, "Okay, then I'll compete with you to see who can hunt more."
Qin Huaiqiu turned his head to look at him. His bright eyes sparkled in the sunlight. "I never miss my target."
Fengquan Hot Spring was a small, naturally - formed half - basin. In the center of the basin was a river that ran through the whole basin. The water wasn't very deep, but the current was extremely fast. It flowed directly to the cliff on the non - mountain side of Fengquan Hot Spring, forming a waterfall about sixty feet high. The waterfall fell into the cliff and merged into the rushing river at the bottom of the cliff, and finally flowed into the sea.
The river brought abundant water resources and nutrients. Therefore, the whole basin had almost become a paradise for animals. Among the prey, elk, which were good at hiding, were scored separately. Aggressive animals such as tigers, leopards, wolves, wild buffaloes, and pythons were also scored separately. Other prey were scored according to their weight.
Naturally, Si Kongting and Qin Huaiqiu wouldn't hunt ordinary prey. They both set their sights on the top - level prey. Such prey wouldn't be found on the periphery of the forest. So the two of them rode their horses along the river to the center of the basin, then chose a direction and galloped into the forest.
In less than a moment, Qin Huaiqiu, with his sharp eyes, spotted a prey - a solitary male deer.
Deer were very sensitive. They dismounted and tiptoed forward, then squatted down behind a tall haystack.
The male deer was drinking water by a small pond. It didn't notice the two of them.
Si Kongting whispered, "At this distance, can you hit it?"
Qin Huaiqiu looked and said doubtfully, "Hard to say. Can you?"
Si Kongting gave a soft laugh and said, "Then you should watch carefully."
After saying that, Si Kongting slowly drew an arrow from the quiver on his back. He put the arrow on the bowstring, then knelt on one knee and pulled the bowstring to its full extent.
This was the first time Qin Huaiqiu had seen Si Kongting shoot an arrow. To be precise, he always thought that what the Empress Dowager had said about the Emperor's fondness for martial arts needed to be verified. After all, he had been in the palace for almost a month and had never seen Si Kongting show any sign of martial arts skills. He was quite surprised to see Si Kongting draw the bow in such a standard posture.
The distance between them and the male deer wasn't within an effective shooting range. In hunting, to ensure the accuracy of the kill, one usually needed to draw the bow within a range where one was confident. But at this distance, Qin Huaiqiu knew that if it were him, the chance of hitting the target would be only about fifty percent.
But Si Kongting seemed to be confident of success. He drew the bow and aimed at the male deer. The deer drinking water sensed the danger. It suddenly raised its head, stood still for a moment, then turned around and ran. But Si Kongting's arrow had already been shot out in an instant. With a whistle, the male deer was hit in the hind leg. It let out a whimper and collapsed to the ground.
Qin Huaiqiu's eyes widened. He couldn't help but praise, "Your Majesty, you're really amazing." It wasn't an exaggeration to say that it was really remarkable for Si Kongting to hit the target with one arrow from such a long distance. Although he didn't like Si Kongting's usual behavior, he judged things objectively. He didn't hesitate to praise Si Kongting's good qualities, such as his talent in governing the country and now his martial arts talent, which resonated with his own.
Si Kongting was in a great mood. He took Qin Huaiqiu's hand and said, "Come on, let's collect our trophy."
Qin Huaiqiu was suddenly grabbed by the hand. He stiffened for a moment and was pulled along before he could even refuse.
The warmth from Si Kongting's palm made his face flush.
"I... I can walk by myself, Your Majesty." Qin Huaiqiu reached out a hand and grasped the wrist of Si Kongting's hand that was holding his.
Si Kongting looked back at him but didn't let go. Instead, he playfully pulled harder.
Qin Huaiqiu lost his balance and directly bumped into Si Kongting's arms.
"How so careless? You even stumble while walking. I'd better hold your hand." Si Kongting said proudly with a smile.
Qin Huaiqiu raised his head from Si Kongting's arms, covering his nose which was hurt from the bump. He glared at Si Kongting fiercely and said, "It was you who pulled me!"
Si Kongting said shamelessly, "Yes, I did pull you."
Qin Huaiqiu scolded, "If you hadn't pulled me, would I have fallen?"
Si Kongting continued, "If I hadn't pulled you, you would have really fallen." He was in such a good mood that he didn't even mind that Qin Huaiqiu didn't use a respectful title for him.
"You!" Qin Huaiqiu began to pry Si Kongting's hand off. "Let go, let go."
Si Kongting ignored him. He dragged Qin Huaiqiu all the way to the injured male deer and then stopped and let go of him.
Freed from Si Kongting's grip, Qin Huaiqiu took several steps back and stood far away.
Si Kongting glanced at him. There was a complex look in his eyes. In the end, he held back his anger and said in a muffled voice, "Come here and help me carry it."
"Can't Your Majesty carry it by yourself?"
Si Kongting stared at him. "I order you to, come here!"
Qin Huaiqiu pouted and reluctantly shuffled over. When he got closer, he saw that the deer's leg had been pierced by the arrow and blood was gushing out.
He was stunned. He didn't expect that Si Kongting's arrow could be so powerful from such a long distance. Thinking of this, he looked at Si Kongting in disbelief.
Si Kongting naturally saw his surprise. He gave a soft snort, raised his eyebrows and said, "How about it?"
Qin Huaiqiu let out an "oh", withdrew his gaze and deliberately drawled, "Not bad."
Si Kongting: "..."