The Qi royal family originated from the northern nomadic tribes. Both men and women were skilled in horseback riding and archery, and were known as a "nation on horseback".
Back when Emperor Gaozu conquered the Central Plains, Empress Dowager Xiao accompanied him on the expedition, which became a much - told tale!
Therefore, during the annual royal hunt, the tradition was followed. The men would compete in horseback riding and archery, while the women would keep score.
Although it was Yun Xi's first time participating, she had heard of this.
But he didn't mention a single word...
Was it about not mentioning meeting her in the forest? Or not mentioning her killing someone?
The former would cause her some trouble, but the latter was all because he forced her. How dare he threaten her in return?!
It made sense! This man's baseness knew no bounds.
"What about that letter?"
Qi Rong was quite annoying, but if he promised not to cause trouble and just go on stage to keep score, she could accept it.
After all, dealing with that aunt - nephew pair was already difficult enough. If Qi Rong was added to the mix, she might even lose her life here!
"Who told you that letter was related to the prime minister?"
Qi Rong crossed his arms, his tone calm.
Yun Xi was stunned. Meeting his teasing eyes, she instantly got angry.
So, he pretended to admit it back then just to make fun of her?
She had been so worried for so long! This despicable and shameless toad!
Pretending not to see Yun Xi's anger, Qi Rong looked haughty as he issued his final ultimatum.
"Tell me straight. Do you want to go on stage with this king or not?"
Yun Xi clenched her fists, her teeth grinding:
"Yes! Why not?"
Not only would she go on stage, but she would also pull out every single one of his arrows that hit the target! She would make him a "zero - score official" and the laughingstock of the whole event!
"Miss, miss? He's already gone far..."
Yu Zhu tugged at Yun Xi, who was standing still daydreaming, suspecting that her miss had gone crazy.
Otherwise, how could she agree to such a dangerous thing?
"Although it's an honor for a woman to go on stage, that person is King Xian after all. Miss should avoid suspicion."
Yu Zhu frowned, but Yun Xi said indifferently:
"It's okay! Just consider it me doing good deeds out of pity for him."
Humph! With such a personality, probably no woman would want to go on stage with him!
The emperor took his seat, and the competition began. The participants entered the arena one by one.
When Yun Xi appeared, she instantly caught everyone's attention. People whispered to each other, speculating about which family's daughter this stunning beauty was and what her relationship with King Xian was.
Yu Zhu hung her head, while Yun Sheng's face turned ashen. He glared fiercely at Qi Rong, who was provoking him from afar.
If it weren't for the royal rules, he would have immediately taken his daughter out of the arena!
There were thirty participants, divided into groups of three. Each person could shoot ten arrows. Those who hit the target five times in a row were eligible for an additional three - arrow trial.
The winner would receive a prize personally bestowed by the queen and ride around the arena with his female companion on horseback!
Since few people hit the target five times in a row, it was soon Qi Rong and Yun Xi's turn.
The people on stage were King Huai, Qi Xuan, King Xian, Qi Rong, and the siblings from the Zhen family of the Protector - of - the - Nation Mansion.
"Big brother, don't lose to them!"
A delicate and lively voice caught Yun Xi's attention.
The young girl was dressed in a tight - fitting suit. With her hands cupped around her mouth, she was like a vibrant rising sun, full of energy.
Looking to the right, there was a graceful woman in white, exuding an otherworldly aura. But the look in her eyes when she glanced at the young girl was full of undisguised contempt.
Whoosh! Thud!
An arrow whistled through the air and hit the bullseye of the target not far from Yun Xi.
Meeting Qi Rong's displeased eyes, Yun Xi seemed to hear his cold voice:
Stop looking around!
Strange. She hadn't even pulled out his arrows yet, but he already had a problem!
But as much as she thought about it, with Qi Rong's guards standing beside her, there was no way she could do anything. It was a pity...
Although she didn't want to admit it, Qi Rong's archery skills were really excellent. He hit the bullseye with seven consecutive arrows, which made the whole audience cheer. Even King Huai, who boasted of being the best archer, changed his expression and missed the bullseye on his seventh arrow.
Just as King Huai was about to throw his bow and leave the arena, Qi Rong called out to him.
"Fifth brother, do you want to make a bet?"
King Huai stopped in his tracks. After a moment, he met Qi Rong's gaze, looking haughty.
"How do we bet?"
"We'll only shoot three arrows. If I lose, I'll give you the gambling house in the south of the city; if I win..." Qi Rong pointed at the beauty beside King Huai.
"I want her."
Meeting Qi Rong's extremely handsome face, the beauty blushed and nestled beside King Huai, softly calling him "Your Highness".
King Huai was stunned for a moment. He pinched the woman's chin, his eyes full of greed:
"Fine!"
He didn't believe that he would lose to this young upstart twice!
Seeing this scene, Yun Xi was shocked.
Goodness, she had only seen such things in plays. She never thought it would happen in real life!
It seemed that this man was not only base but also a shameless lecher!
Just thinking about the engagement she once had with this man made her break out in a cold sweat.
While Yun Xi was hugging her arms and shivering, Qi Rong had walked up to her and put a flower basket on top of her head.
"If you don't want your head to be split open, stand still!"
Yun Xi's face darkened. Seeing King Huai's attendant not far away already standing ready with a flower basket on his head, she immediately threw the flower basket down and was about to leave, but was stopped in her tracks by Qi Rong's words.
"You haven't forgotten that Jiang Qing is still in the hands of the Jinyiwei, have you?"
Yun Xi glared at him angrily:
"So it was really you!"
"It doesn't matter if it was me or not. What matters is... whether you can get out of here tonight depends entirely on my whim!"
Just as they were at a standstill, a guard walked over and said:
"Your Highness, let this subordinate do it. After all, she's a girl."
Yun Xi looked at the guard gratefully, but Qi Rong gave him a cold glance:
"I still have use for you. Don't rush to die!"
"Yes."
Not daring to anger Qi Rong, the guard had to back off.
Feeling that Qi Rong was only cold and heartless towards her, Yun Xi bit her lip and kicked the flower basket.
"You're despicable and shameless. I should never have trusted you, you villain!"
Saying that, she picked up the flower basket resignedly, put it on her head, and glared defiantly at Qi Rong.
How dare he make her a target? She didn't believe he would dare to shoot her dead in public!
Even if she died, she would surely haunt the Underworld and demand that Lord Yama avenge her and throw Qi Rong into the eighteenth level of hell!
King Huai watched the situation here, his eyes constantly lingering on Yun Xi. He put his arm around the beauty beside him and mocked:
"Seventh brother, I'm not saying this to be mean, but you really don't know how to cherish a beauty. Even if I give Wushuang to you, I'm worried you'll treat her badly."
Blocking King Huai's line of sight, Qi Rong curled his lips in a sneer:
"In that case, fifth brother, don't lose!"
Saying that, he drew his bow and shot. Before King Huai could say a word, two arrows whistled through the air and hit the flower basket on top of Yun Xi's head.
"Ah!"
Yun Xi had just adjusted her posture with the help of the guard and wasn't ready yet when she felt the flower basket suddenly become heavy. The force made her sit down on the ground.
"Your turn."
Qi Rong made a gesture to King Huai. King Huai gritted his teeth, pushed the woman beside him away, and not to be outdone, nocked two arrows at the same time.
King Huai frowned deeply, with fine sweat oozing from his forehead. Then, he let go of his hand, and the two arrows flew out instantly!
One arrow hit the flower basket, and the other skimmed the attendant's neck, cutting off a wisp of his hair!