Chapter 41: The Contest.

Chapter 41: The Archery Contest

When Xu Shidu returned with two pheasants and a hare, Huo Ling was teaching Emperor Jingyuan archery.

Emperor Jingyuan was more of a quiet man than an active one, as evident from his dislike for banquets and his greater fondness for calligraphy, painting, and chess. He wasn't bad at hunting—he just didn't care enough to learn.

Seeing the noticeably close proximity between the two, Xu Shidu felt a twinge of suspicion.

Before she could ponder further, her gaze landed on the blood-stained deer carcass lying quietly on a cart.

Xu Shidu exclaimed in amazement, forgetting for a moment whether she might be interrupting Emperor Jingyuan, and cried out, "A Ling, did you hunt this deer?"

She stomped her foot in frustration, lamenting, "Had I known, I wouldn’t have wandered so far! I actually missed such an incredible sight!"

Huo Ling naturally took a step back, widening the distance between herself and Emperor Jingyuan, before smiling and replying to Xu Shidu, "It was me."

"It was merely fortunate timing that I happened to run into it. Otherwise, I’d have been embarrassed for boasting in front of His Majesty and failing to deliver."

Emperor Jingyuan adjusted the jade archer’s ring he had specially worn for shooting and chuckled, "You didn’t catch much today because you couldn’t focus on hunting. But this deer you presented to me alone is worthy of the top prize."

"And as for Jiale—"

He glanced at the modest game in Xu Shidu’s hands and added, "Well, there’s improvement too."

"Once we return to the training grounds, I’ll find some treasures to reward you both."

"Since you’ve said so yourself, Imperial Uncle, I’ll gladly take you up on that offer!" Xu Shidu replied without hesitation. She had received plenty of treasures from Emperor Jingyuan since childhood.

She pulled Huo Ling aside to eagerly describe how she had successfully hunted her prey.

When describing the most exciting moments, Xu Shidu waved her hands excitedly. To someone who didn't know better, the exaggerated danger and excitement in her words might have led them to believe she had taken down a tiger—or at the very least, a wild boar.

Huo Ling snuck a glance at Emperor Jingyuan and found that he had already put away his bow, which amused her.

When Princess Elder Ningxin also returned, having had her fill of hunting, the group made their way back to the training grounds.

They were among the first to return, and their haul was quite impressive—especially the deer, which drew many admiring looks. Many court officials who had remained at the training grounds assumed it had been Emperor Jingyuan’s kill and rushed to offer their praises.

Emperor Jingyuan laughed and clarified, "This is the game Xiang'an Commandery Lady presented to me, not something I hunted myself. My lords, you’re praising the wrong person."

The ministers were astonished and quickly changed their tune, praising that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree—if the father could capture the former Qiang Rong chieftain alive, the daughter could certainly bring down a deer for His Majesty.

As dusk fell and the sun dipped below the horizon, the hunting parties returned one after another, loaded with their game. Among them was a group that had hunted a wild boar. In the end, the top prize was claimed by the Heir to the Duke of Jingguo, who had taken down the boar.

That evening, Huo Ling ate the venison from the deer she had hunted.

After two days, Xu Shidu’s archery skills had improved significantly. At the very least, she no longer relied purely on luck but had begun to get the hang of archery.

Only Emperor Jingyuan showed no improvement.

After half a day of fruitless instruction, Huo Ling gave up on him and turned instead to her most promising student, Xu Shidu.

Compared to Emperor Jingyuan, Xu Shidu’s eagerness to learn was remarkable.

When Xu Shidu eagerly ran off to practice, Emperor Jingyuan approached Huo Ling and asked why she had stopped teaching him.

"Why do you think?" Huo Ling said.

"Because I'm hopeless?" Emperor Jingyuan said with a smile. Huo Ling smiled back. "Your Majesty said it, not me."

Emperor Jingyuan coughed lightly and said, "I'll really put in the effort to learn this time."

Huo Ling chuckled at his earnest promise. "I was teasing you. Come on, let me continue teaching you."

Standing aside and watching Huo Ling handle the bow and arrows, Emperor Jingyuan suddenly remarked, "The late emperor preferred arms over letters. During his reign, he would bring us to the royal hunting grounds every autumn."

"Back then, to win his favor, I made myself learn archery for a time. But I never really cared for it, and no matter how hard I tried, I could never surpass the third prince. Gradually, I gave up archery."

Huo Ling turned her head and quietly looked at Emperor Jingyuan. "Why are you suddenly telling me this, Your Majesty?"

Emperor Jingyuan smoothed her wind-tousled ponytail with his fingertips. "The thought just occurred to me."

"I'd love to hear more about Your Majesty's past."

"Then I’ll tell you more about it slowly in the future."

Huo Ling smiled faintly and asked, "Do you feel forced to learn archery with me now?"

"Not in the least," Emperor Jingyuan replied. "Guess I just didn't have the right teacher before."

***

"Has the girl been hunting in His Majesty’s hunting zone these past two days?"

In a secluded courtyard, He Tai sat imposingly at the head, polishing his bow while frowning at the subordinate who had returned with a report.

Though he came from military stock, he was no great commander but an excellent archer. Over the past two days at the hunting grounds, he had great success hunting.

He had entrusted the task of shadowing the Huo girl entirely to his most trusted subordinate.

The subordinate nodded. "His Majesty permitted Princess Elder Ningxin to enter his hunting zone. The Huo girl sticks to Princess Jiale like glue and tagged along thanks to Princess Elder Ningxin."

At this, He Tai’s brows knitted tightly.

His original plan had been to bribe someone in the royal hunting grounds to release a tiger or a wild boar near the Huo girl during her hunt.

No matter how skilled she was with a bow, facing such a beast suddenly would surely leave her badly injured.

But if the Huo girl remained within His Majesty’s hunting zone, he wouldn’t dare release a tiger there.

"Have you found out where she’s staying?"

He Tai changed the subject, hoping to find an opportunity through her lodgings, only to hear that Huo Ling was staying in the royal residence.

He Tai swore loudly. "That Huo girl really knows how to pick her protectors."

In Yanxi, she clung to Prince Duan.

Now in the capital, she latched onto Princess Jiale.

The royal residence was filled with the emperor’s people. Any meddling there would be too obvious.

Unable to sit still any longer, He Tai tossed aside his bow and began pacing, feeling completely stuck.

Letting Huo Ling off the hook was absolutely out of the question. Yet despite her youth, she was cunning and slippery as a greased eel.

Back in Yanxi, she never set foot outside the county office.

When she did venture out, she was either with Zhou Jiamu or Prince Duan.

Right up until his departure from Yanxi, he still hadn’t found an opportunity to retaliate against Huo Ling.

After long awaiting Huo Ling’s arrival in the capital, she hardly left her residence.

Over a month had passed, and he hadn’t found a single opportunity for retaliation. He Tai was utterly frustrated.

His subordinate suggested, “Sir, let’s keep watching. She can’t stay in the imperial hunting grounds forever. There will surely be a time when she moves to other hunting zones.”

He Tai’s face twisted in irritation, clearly displeased with the suggestion.

Who knew when Huo Ling would go to other hunting areas?

And when she did, would Princess Jiale still accompany her?

If Princess Jiale were present and accidentally injured by a wild beast, the situation would spiral out of control.

Princess Jiale was the most beloved child of Princess Elder Ningxin. Even when the Duke of Chengen’s household was in its prime—back when the late empress was still alive—they had been unwilling to offend Princess Elder Ningxin.

“We're being too passive,” He Tai frowned, deep in thought, before suddenly brightening. “Find out where she stables her horse.”

***

Everyone would be staying at the hunting grounds for half a month. No matter how vigorous one might be, they couldn’t enter the forest every day.

So after two consecutive days of hunting, Xu Shidu told Huo Ling that she would rest for a couple of days before resuming.

Huo Ling slept until midday. With nothing else to do, she decided to practice her calligraphy.

She had barely written half a page when Xu Shidu’s bright voice called out from outside the hall.

“A Ling, A Ling, what are you doing?”

The birds in the trees startled and flew away, and the cicadas’ chirping grew louder. Huo Ling smiled, set down her brush, and pushed open the window to look at Xu Shidu standing at the palace entrance. “What is it?”

Xu Shidu asked, “Want to hunt for treasure?”

Huo Ling replied, “What treasure?”

Xu Shidu mystified her, “Something I buried here as a child. It should be about time now. I’m going to dig it up—want to join me?”

Huo Ling agreed, laughing, but as soon as she reached Xu Shidu’s side, she was handed a small shovel.

Xu Shidu led Huo Ling to the pear orchard in the palace, pointing at the tree nearest the entrance. “It’s buried here. Let’s dig slowly, or we might damage it.”

“What is it?”

At this point, Xu Shidu no longer hid it. “Pear blossom wine I brewed myself.”

Without letting the maids help, the two dug diligently for a long time before finally unearthing all eight jars buried beneath the tree.

Looking at the row of jars, they plopped down on the ground, exhausted. Their skirts were smeared with dirt, their faces streaked with mud, and their foreheads glistened with sweat—a complete mess.

Someone started laughing first, and soon Xu Shidu, Huo Ling, and even Wu Mo and the others around them were laughing together.

After changing clothes, Xu Shidu passed the afternoon drinking with Huo Ling.

When Emperor Jingyuan, having finished dealing with the backlog of government affairs, wandered through the palace grounds and happened upon Huo Ling’s Chang Le Palace, he was unexpectedly denied entry.

Wu Mo held the door, wearing a troubled expression, and whispered, “Your Majesty, Princess Jiale spent the afternoon drinking with our lady. She’s thoroughly drunk by now.”

Recalling the jar of wine Xu Shidu had sent over earlier that day, Emperor Jingyuan understood. “Has she had sobering soup?”

"She just had some."

A sound came from inside the hall, and Wu Mo turned to look.

Emperor Jingyuan said, "No matter. Go check if your mistress has any instructions."

Wu Mo lingered inside this time, and Li Man ventured, "Your Majesty, should we return for now?"

The Emperor thought for a moment and was about to nod when Wu Mo emerged clutching a scroll of calligraphy. "Your Majesty, my lady was aware of your arrival and asked me to present this to you."

Li Man moved to take it, but Emperor Jingyuan reached out first and unfolded it.

Upon reading the lines of poetry, Emperor Jingyuan immediately smiled.

Perhaps because it was written while intoxicated, Huo Ling's handwriting was less neat than usual, carrying a touch of carelessness and spontaneity.

And the poem read—

*"Drunk, I long to sleep—leave now, my dear. Return tomorrow, lute in hand, if you hold me dear."*

Heat haze shimmered, and a gentle breeze stirred. Huo Ling stood in the morning light, dressed in a water-ink gown, her raven-black hair loosely tied with a dark green ribbon and casually draped over her shoulders. She carried the drowsy elegance of someone just roused from drunkenness.

Slouched against the doorframe, she watched Emperor Jingyuan arrive with his lute, her lips curling softly.

"I thought I was dreaming."

"What?" Emperor Jingyuan set the prized lute on the stone table in the pavilion and turned to her in confusion.

"I thought I wrote that poem in a dream."

The Emperor said, "Why not ask your maid?"

Huo Ling walked over to him and dove into his arms like a bird to its nest. "For some reason, I didn’t want to ask. I just wanted to wait like this—until you appeared."

The Emperor lowered his head and said softly, "What would you like to hear?"

The Emperor had snatched only this fleeting visit. After playing two pieces for Huo Ling, Li Man steeled himself and approached to remind him that it was nearly time—several ministers had already arrived at the council hall, awaiting His Majesty.

"Go ahead, Your Majesty," Huo Ling said with a smile.

For the first time, Emperor Jingyuan understood the sentiment of rulers who skipped morning court. Just spending this time playing the lute for her had already made him reluctant to leave.

"The lute stays with you. I must go now."

Huo Ling saw him to the gates.

After walking a good distance, Emperor Jingyuan suddenly turned back and saw that figure, like an ink-wash figure frozen in time, still standing there, watching him.

As if sensing his gaze, she gave two enthusiastic waves.

The Emperor smiled before he knew it.

Only when his figure had completely vanished from sight did Huo Ling return to the pavilion. She took the lute inside, then emerged again and called to Wu Mo, "Fetch Shi Du and have her show us around the lodge."

She was fascinated by this Imperial Hunting Lodge, with its centuries of history, having entertained nearly twenty emperors from the previous dynasty and the current one.

The lodge largely retained the architectural style of the former dynasty—ornate beams and painted eaves, pavilions, and towers, all masterpieces of the past. Yet most of the interior decorations hailed from the present dynasty.

Strolling through it felt like walking the line between two eras.

"That plaque was likely inscribed by the founding emperor of the previous dynasty," Huo Ling pointed to the plaque on a palace and explained to Xu Shidu.

Xu Shidu was surprised, "How do you know?"

"The calligraphy on this plaque is identical to the one hanging on the capital city gate."

Emperor Jingyuan's voice came from behind, "Good eye."

Huo Ling and Xu Shidu turned around and were about to bow when Emperor Jingyuan waved them off. "When the founding emperor of the previous dynasty stayed in the Royal Hunting Grounds, he always resided in this Changxin Palace. Many of his personal effects are still kept inside. Would you like to take a look?"

Before Huo Ling and Xu Shidu could respond, Cui Hongyi had already quickly stepped forward to open the door.

As the door swung open, a fine cloud of dust swirled in the sunlight.

After all, the palace had long been uninhabited. Even though the palace attendants had cleaned beforehand, they had only thoroughly tidied the living quarters, while these rarely visited palaces were given only a cursory cleaning.

Huo Ling waved her silk fan before following Emperor Jingyuan inside. "Your Majesty, have you finished your discussions so quickly?"

"Yes," Emperor Jingyuan replied, taking a military book from the shelf and nonchalantly handing it to Huo Ling.

Huo Ling brushed off the thin layer of dust on the cover and opened it—it turned out to be a military book the founding emperor of the previous dynasty had read in his youth. "Something this important is just left here so casually?"

Emperor Jingyuan said, "The original copies are all here, with a few hand-copied versions kept in the imperial study."

Xu Shidu followed the two inside, watching their conversation and interactions, which felt remarkably natural.

Yet, it was precisely this naturalness that made something seem strangely off.

"Jiale," Emperor Jingyuan suddenly turned to Xu Shidu.

Xu Shidu answered immediately.

Emperor Jingyuan said, "I’d like to ask you for someone."

"Who?"

Emperor Jingyuan took Huo Ling’s hand. "Could I borrow Xiang'an Commandery Lady to accompany me for a stroll around the palace? Would that be all right?"

Xu Shidu’s eyes widened as she finally realized what had felt off. She glanced at their clasped hands, then at Emperor Jingyuan, before finally casting an inquiring look at Huo Ling.

Huo Ling smiled apologetically.

Xu Shidu swallowed hard and all but fled Changxin Palace, as if she had just uncovered some world-shaking secret.

Watching the door swing wildly from the impact and Xu Shidu clutching her forehead, biting back a yelp but stubbornly refusing to cry out, Huo Ling scolded lightly, "Your Majesty, you frightened her."

Emperor Jingyuan chuckled. "No matter. She would have learned eventually."

Huo Ling said, "You’ve been so childish."

Emperor Jingyuan raised an eyebrow but didn’t deny it.

"Childish," Huo Ling remarked. "This is the first time I’ve seen you act so childish."

Emperor Jingyuan smiled faintly. "There’s nothing much to see here. Let me take you around—there are a few beautiful spots in the palace. I used to love reading there when I was young."

Meanwhile, Xu Shidu, choking back a scream that had risen to her throat, bolted into Changfu Palace.

Princess Ningxin asked curiously, "Weren't you touring the palace with the Commandery Lady? Why are you back so soon, looking like you've seen a ghost?"

Xu Shidu glanced at the palace attendants behind Princess Ningxin.

The princess waved everyone away. "Now you can speak."

Xu Shidu sidled up and clung to her mother's arm. "A Ling and I had just reached Changxin Palace when someone came looking for her. Mother, guess who it was."

Princess Ningxin smiled. "Did your uncle the emperor snatch her away?"

Xu Shidu gasped in shock. "Mother, you actually knew?"

"I'd already noticed," Princess Ningxin replied. "Besides, with so few people in this palace, it wasn't hard to guess."

Xu Shidu fumbled for words. "...I was just too surprised."

"Mother, what do you think about this?"

"What I think isn't important," Princess Ningxin handed her daughter a bunch of grapes. "The Commandery Lady is your friend. What do you think? Will you distance yourself from her because of this?"

Xu Shidu shook her head.

She had originally planned to introduce A Ling to a few noble young men. Though the person A Ling fancied was indeed unexpected, in a way, wasn't it just different means to the same end?

"Then leave the rest alone," Princess Ningxin snorted. "Let your uncle the emperor handle it himself."

Despite her words, when Xu Shidu saw Huo Ling again, she couldn't immediately regain her composure.

It wasn't until Huo Ling touched her forehead and asked if she had hurt herself from yesterday's collision that Xu Shidu, dazed, nodded and finally put it out of her mind.

In Prince Duan's residence, the Princess Consort of Duan was in charge.

But in the imperial palace, as long as her uncle the emperor was pleased, A Ling could get away with anything, and Xu Shidu could visit her anytime.

Clearly, the palace was the better deal.

Having convinced herself, Xu Shidu happily linked arms with Huo Ling. "A Ling, there's some excitement at the training ground today. Let's hurry over!"

As on the hunt's first day, everyone who had accompanied the imperial party to the royal hunting grounds gathered once more on the training field.

But unlike before, this time targets stood in the center, and white lines marked a track. At the end of the track hung a gong with a hole barely wide enough for an arrow.

"What kind of game is this?" Huo Ling asked Xu Shidu.

Xu Shidu explained, "This is a cavalry archery game borrowed from military training."

"Riders must complete ten laps. Each time they pass a target, they must loose an arrow. After the tenth lap, instead of shooting at a target, they must thread the arrow through the gong without sounding it."

"The one who completes the laps fastest, hits every target's bullseye, and threads the arrow without sounding the gong takes top honors."

Huo Ling was astonished. "That's nearly impossible."

Any single one of those feats alone would be impressive, but to accomplish all three required nothing less than a master archer.

"That's the original version. In settings like this, they lower the standards."

Xu Shidu, familiar with these games from attending countless banquets, said excitedly, "A Ling, want to take a shot at it?"

"There are usually two events set up for such occasions—the first is a military competition, and the second is for young nobles."

Huo Ling was quite intrigued by this horseback archery event. After some thought, she said, "Let's see how the first event goes."

When the bleachers around the field were fully occupied, Emperor Jingyuan appeared, surrounded by palace attendants. After taking his seat, he waved his hand, and an official from the Ministry of Rites stepped forward to announce the rules.

As Xu Shidu had mentioned, the winning conditions had been made somewhat easier for this occasion.

The top prize would go to whoever completed the ten laps the fastest on the track, with every arrow hitting the target and at least one arrow ringing the gong.

Soon, soldiers led their horses onto the field and began preparing for the competition.

Those selected to participate were the best from each army, and the contest was close from the start. In the first two laps, they were all bunched up. It wasn’t until the fifth lap that real gaps started forming.

Huo Ling grew more and more excited, leaning slightly forward and gripping the railing of the viewing platform, afraid to miss any thrilling moments.

Only when the competition ended did she finally exhale deeply and turn to Xu Shidu beside her. "That was thrilling."

Xu Shidu nodded repeatedly, too excited to speak.

Wu Mo quietly approached. "My lady, Attendant Cui came to find me just now."

Huo Ling asked, "What message did His Majesty send?"

Xu Shidu perked up.

She wasn’t intentionally eavesdropping—she and Huo Ling were sitting close, and Huo Ling wasn’t whispering.

Wu Mo replied, "His Majesty said that if you enjoyed watching, you might as well compete yourself. Since you missed the top prize in the hunt, he has already prepared this one for you."

Huo Ling instinctively looked toward the imperial viewing box.

It was too far away for her to clearly see Emperor Jingyuan’s expression, but she could tell he was looking in her direction.

"His Majesty really believes in me."

Xu Shidu, who had been sitting quietly beside her, immediately asked, "So, are you going to go for it?"

"Then I’ll go for it." Huo Ling stood up. "I’ll go register with the Ministry of Rites."

Only those confident in their riding and archery skills dared to compete in such an event, so there weren’t many participants. When Huo Ling arrived, only seven names were listed before hers.

"Xiang'an Commandery Lady, is your horse in the stables?" asked the official from the Ministry of Rites.

Huo Ling nodded and specified where her horse was kept.

The official noted it down. "Very well. Once registration closes, we’ll arrange for the horses to be brought here."

Huo Ling moved aside to wait for the competition to begin.

Among those waiting, she saw the Heir to the Duke of Jingguo, who had won the top prize in the hunt by taking down the wild boar.

About fifteen minutes later, registration ended, and officials were sent to fetch the horses.

Huo Ling saw her white horse from afar and walked toward the groom bringing it, who guided her to the starting point.

"Thank you," Huo Ling said as she took the reins from the groom, running her hand along the horse’s back.

Under her touch, the white horse seemed restless, pawing the ground and breathing more heavily than usual.

Huo Ling paused her stroking, feeling something was wrong.

But the officials from the Ministry of Rites had already begun calling riders to mount up.

Huo Ling glanced toward Emperor Jingyuan in the royal box and broke into a smile.

Without another thought, she swung up into the saddle with smooth motion.