Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Stepping into the designated martial arts arena, Yuan Chongli slightly bent his waist, clenched his fists, and fixed his gaze on Zhang Su opposite him with the intensity of a tiger.

Zhang Su stood tall and straight like a pine, his expression calm.

Just as Qingyang was feeling nervous, she suddenly heard Duke Ding, Deng Chong, scoff lightly: "Look at that Zhang kid, exactly like his father—fair complexion, red lips, not a hint of a martial artist about him."

The little princess, standing in front of her father with his hands on her shoulders, turned her head to see Deng Chong leaning close to Prince Yong, who also tilted his head toward Deng Chong. They both glanced at Zhang Su in the arena and muttered quietly: "He does resemble him. I can’t stand this type either—delicate looks and delicate manners, clearly not our kind of people."

Immediately after, a cold laugh came from above her head: "Indeed, not cut from the same cloth. Zhang Su is carved from jade, while the two of you sprang from lumps of mud."

The sounds of the ongoing fight between Zhang Su and Yuan Chongli, as well as the young men watching from the opposite side, couldn't be heard from where they stood, but the important officials to the left, right, and behind Emperor Xingwu all heard it.

Chancellors Yan Xizheng and Dai Lun looked straight ahead, seemingly focused on watching the match. Chief Censor Nie Ao, Minister of Personnel Yang Zhimin, and other civil officials also pretended not to hear. Duke Cheng Lv Guangzu shook his head helplessly, while Imperial Guard Commander Fan Zhong gave a sheepish chuckle a couple of times after the emperor spoke. Lv Zan, Marquis Weiyuan Meng Ji, and Imperial Guard Commander Xue Ye all remained silent.

Prince Yong was Emperor Xingwu’s younger brother, but there was an eight-year age difference between them. Prince Yong had been disciplined by his older brother since childhood and did not dare to talk back immediately after being scolded.

Deng Chong, however, had grown up playing with Emperor Xingwu and had fought alongside him to conquer the empire. In truth, Emperor Xingwu was closer to him than to Prince Yong, so Deng Chong dared to retort with a cheeky grin: "Your subjects know that Your Majesty admires the Zhang family’s military traditions, but you can’t disparage us and the prince like this. After all, we all come from the same place as Your Majesty."

Prince Yong nodded secretly in agreement.

Emperor Xingwu: "If we really talk about origins, the ancestors of all renowned families in the world might have been common folk. There’s nothing wrong with being common folk, but if one encounters fortune and achieves success, yet still clings to the bad habits from their common days and takes pride in them without feeling ashamed, then they can’t blame others for finding them crude."

Deng Chong’s face flushed with embarrassment, and Prince Yong felt equally embarrassed.

Lv Guangzu stepped in to smooth things over, smiling: "We subjects suffered from not loving to study. Plus, when we were young, the world was in chaos, and we truly lacked the conditions to study in peace. Fortunately, Your Majesty lifted us up, granting us wealth and status, allowing our children and grandchildren to focus on studying and learning etiquette. Now, they far surpass us elders in how they conduct themselves."

Yang Zhimin: "And please, Your Majesty, calm your anger. Everyone here today are old faces we’ve dealt with for over twenty years. The prince and Duke Deng were just relaxing and making a few harmless jokes. In front of other officials and soldiers, the prince and Duke Deng have always remembered Your Majesty’s teachings—prudent in speech and action, dignified and composed, fully embodying the nobility and demeanor of court nobles."

Fan Zhong: "Especially Prince Yong. He stands there so impressively, looking every bit the noble. Not like me—I look like this. Even though I’ve been graced with a high second-rank official position by Your Majesty, if I change clothes and stand in a crowd, I still look like a common thug."

Emperor Xingwu: "Enough, look ahead. It’s almost over."

"So soon?" Prince Yong exclaimed in surprise, turning to look forward.

Just enough time for everyone to take a few more breaths. As Zhang Su blocked Yuan Chongli’s left and right punches in succession, then struck Yuan Chongli in the abdomen before he could retract and change his move, causing Yuan Chongli to clutch his abdomen and kneel on the ground in pain, the match, which had lasted at most fifteen minutes, truly ended.

Fan Zhong shouted, "Well done!" Prince Yong and Deng Chong were stunned. Yuan Chongli, kneeling on the ground in too much pain to straighten his back, was also filled with disbelief. He forced himself to endure the pain, raised his head, and stared fixedly at Zhang Su.

Zhang Su cupped his hands and said with lowered eyes, "You honor me."

Yuan Chongli: "..."

Deng Chong said curiously, "Zhang Su, you’re three years younger than Yuan Chongli, right? How are you so skilled?"

Zhang Su turned and explained to Emperor Xingwu and the officials: "If today were the first time I met Yuan Chongli, I might not have been confident of winning. But we’ve practiced martial arts together in the palace for years. Every time Yuan Chongli spars with the Second Prince, I watch from the side. Plus, with Mr. Wu’s constant guidance, I’ve memorized Yuan Chongli’s defensive habits."

Deng Chong looked closely at the Zhang family youth, who was almost as tall as him, and became interested: "Well done. Later, practice a few moves with me."

Zhang Su: "This junior wouldn’t dare."

Lv Guangzu: "The young ones are sparring. If you're itching for a fight, go find Lv Zan or Fan Zhong. Don’t bully the kids."

Deng Chong: "This is me liking him. I can’t be bothered to teach just any kid."

Emperor Xingwu glared at him and had Zhang Su and Yuan Chongli step aside to watch the next group of young men compete.

Qingyang first glanced at Yuan Chongli for a while. Seeing him slowly straighten up, she assumed he was fine, then looked at Zhang Su, who was several meters away. But Zhang Su was fully focused on the two fighters and still didn’t look her way.

The seven winners of the first round were determined. In the second round, Qin Ren rejoined the drawing of lots and surprisingly drew Qin Bing.

Qin Ren looked pleadingly at his father: "Your son knows very well his martial arts are no match for Second Prince. Can I forfeit?"

Emperor Xingwu waved his hand dismissively.

From eight to four, then four to two, it finally came down to Zhang Su and Qin Bing.

Emperor Xingwu gently patted his daughter’s shoulder: "Liner, who do you think will win?"

Qingyang didn’t know. In martial arts classes, the three princes always sparred with their own study companions and never exchanged partners.

Emperor Xingwu smiled: "Father guesses your Second Prince will win."

Qingyang was torn between wanting Second Prince to win and also hoping Zhang Su would win.

This match was the longest. Two youths of equal height fought with tiger-like intensity for about fifteen minutes before Zhang Su, after taking a punch to his right shoulder, quickly stepped back and conceded defeat.

Qin Bing widened his eyes: "You’re giving up just that? You’re not intentionally going easy on me, are you?"

Zhang Su: "I wouldn’t dare. It’s just that my right shoulder is too sore and painful to bear. Continuing would only worsen the injury. I hope the Second Prince will understand."

Qin Bing’s arms were also sore and numb. He shook them and said, "Fine, we’ll stop here for today. I’ll spar with you again next time."

With that, today’s matches were all over.

There were three matches in total, and the top three in each received silver rewards from Emperor Xingwu. After encouraging all the young men, Emperor Xingwu left with a group of officials.

Qingyang stayed behind with her third brother. Qin Ren stayed to check on Zhang Su.

"Really too sore to bear?" Qin Ren looked at his good friend’s heavily punched right shoulder, wanting to touch it but not daring to. "Should I call the imperial physician for you?"

The little princess was standing right beside the third prince, so Zhang Su could no longer keep his eyes lowered. Addressing the third prince’s shoulder, he said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I have ointment for bruises prepared at my place. There’s no need to trouble the imperial physician."

As they spoke, Yuan Chongli bid farewell to Qin Bing and hurried off alone toward the officials’ quarters. Qin Bing sighed, glanced at his younger siblings and Zhang Su, who were always together, and led the other dozen or so young men toward the western mountains.

Zhang Su cupped his hands in salute toward Qin Ren: "If Your Highness has no other instructions, this subject will return to apply medicine."

Qin Ren: "Go ahead. I’ll visit you this afternoon."

Zhang Su thanked him, took two steps back, and was about to turn around.

Qingyang couldn’t hold back any longer and said angrily, "Stop."

Zhang Su paused.

Qingyang walked up to him, looked up into his eyes, and said, "After so long apart, don’t you miss me at all?"

Zhang Su: "..."

Qin Ren laughed: "Don’t panic. What my sister means is missing you as a playmate. After a month apart, I miss both my sister and you, and she misses both of us."

Zhang Su: "...Though we haven’t seen each other for a month, we are all in the same traveling palace. This subject knew both Your Highnesses were well, so I focused on my studies with little distraction."

Qingyang and Qin Ren: "..."

Zhang Su finally cupped his hands one last time and quickly left, but still heard the little princess’s annoyed voice: "Third Brother, see? He didn’t miss us at all."

Third Prince: "That can’t be. Zhang Su is just too reserved. He must miss us in his heart; he’s just too shy to say it."

The little princess: "He didn't even glance my way."

Third Prince: "That's normal. He doesn't usually look at me either. He's pretty reserved with both his words and his gaze."

Zhang Su walked even faster.

.

Qin Ren was concerned about his good friend's shoulder injury, and the not-so-reserved little princess was also worried about Zhang Su's shoulder. After the midday rest, she came to find her third brother, wanting to go with him to visit Zhang Su. She even specifically had Jie Yu prepare a box containing two porcelain bottles of bruise-relief ointment.

Qin Ren: "You brought some? Then I won't bring mine; I'll save mine for later."

Mr. Wu didn't dare to hit him for slacking off, but often used guidance as an excuse to deliberately land a few hard hits, leaving him with either sore shoulders or achy arms and legs.

Once ready, the siblings walked side by side to the official quarters.

This time, there was no need for a palace attendant to lead the way. Qingyang took her third brother to the Zhang brothers' small courtyard, but unlike last time, the courtyard's main gate was bolted.

Qin Ren had Fu An knock on the door.

Zhang Heng was still on duty at the military camp outside, so Zhang Su came out himself. As he approached the gate, he caught a glimpse through the crack of the little princess standing beside the third prince, and Zhang Su got an immediate headache.

Out of politeness, Zhang Su invited the siblings into the main hall. A tea set was laid out on the table, and Zhang Su asked, "Would Your Highnesses like some tea?"

Qin Ren: "No need. I mainly wanted to check how your injury's doing; otherwise, I wouldn’t feel at ease."

After saying this, he had his younger sister wait outside while he steered Zhang Su toward the west room.

Qingyang looked at Zhang Su, who still had his side to her, but the little princess had keen eyes. Just before Zhang Su followed her third brother into the west room, she caught sight of his noticeably red earlobes.

Having attended the wedding celebrations of both Zhang Su’s older brothers, as well as those of her own eldest sister and eldest brother—four feasts in total—the little princess had long understood that blushing meant shyness.

Last time, when she hid outside the window and accidentally saw Zhang Su changing clothes, he had also blushed, his face and ears turning red.

"Why are you closing the door?"

Snapped back to attention by her third brother’s voice, Qingyang looked at the door of the west room and indeed heard a brief sound of the bolt sliding shut.

Jie Yu bent down and leaned in and whispered to the little princess, "Once bitten, twice shy. Third Young Master was frightened by Your Highness’s prank last time."

Qingyang: "...Last time, I didn’t do it on purpose, and this time I certainly wouldn’t run in to see him knowing he was going to take off his clothes."

Jie Yu smiled: "Your Highness is still young and can treat Third Young Master as a playmate and be close to him. But Third Young Master has already grown up. He is being so cautious and keeping his distance from you ultimately for your sake, fearing that he might damage Your Highness’s reputation. Today, he doesn’t dare to look at you directly because he’s afraid that one day you might suddenly hold it against him and blame him for unintentionally offending your eyes that day."

Qingyang: "..."

She was only nine years old! At most, she thought his skin was very fair, his shoulders broad, and his waistline nice to look at. She hadn’t accused him of being frivolous, so why did Zhang Su have to make such a big deal out of it?