Li Xueyue realized how similar the archery competition was to the Spring Tournament in Wuyi.
Clay plates would be tossed in the air, and each shattered plate was worth one point, but the flying pigeons were worth three points. She just wished the tournament would allow them to bring in horses, as it would make everything easier.
Running on point with a bow and arrow made it very challenging. But to Princess Mengjie, it was nothing.
No matter where Li Xueyue walked or turned, clay plates would shatter on top of her. Pieces fell down, and she tried her best to avoid them and not get a cut. It was a dangerous situation, especially when it felt like the Princess was targeting her.
It had gotten to the point of where Li Xueyue was able to detect when a plate would shatter.
“That was close,” she breathed out when a sharp piece nearly grazed her face.
Li Xueyue had allowed this attack to continue instead of calling foul. It didn’t matter to her.
The Princess’s shots meant nothing if she only aimed for the clay plates whereas Li Xueyue went straight for the pigeons. Guilt filled her each time she shot them down.
Though it was a painless and swift death for those birds, she hoped the animal didn’t have to die in vain.
“Ow!” she hissed in pain when a broken piece of clay landed directly on her head.
But before she could touch the burning spot, another plate shattered near her, dropping close to her shoulders.
Murmurs were heard amongst the onlookers. Everyone could see the foul play of the foreign Princess who dominated the plates.
“Last ten seconds!” a voice called out from somewhere.
Li Xueyue gritted her teeth and aimed. She was constantly moving her feet, trying to dodge the plates. Subconsciously, her body twirled and turned, her dress elegantly spinning with her.
She was unaware of the eyes trained upon her. Everyone was mesmerized by the sight of her twirls, so elegant and beautiful, they could not look away. Despite the viciousness of her determined eyes, she was stunning.
Each time the Crown Princess loaded her arrow, a bird went down. She would aim for less than a second, and it would be a perfect shot.
“Who would’ve thought women from Wuyi were capable of this?” someone commented as chimes of agreement surfaced.
No one was aware of how great the Crown Princess’s archery skills were. Especially her precise, clean kill. She ignored all of the distractions.
Li Xueyue finally saw it. Amidst the whirl of clay plates and pigeons being tossed, she noticed the one thing that’s worth the most points.
A small ball, less than a fist was tossed into the air. It was blue and matched the sky, nearly blending into the canvas.
Li Xueyue immediately reached for another arrow but discovered her quiver was empty. She cursed under the breath and quickly swooped down to pick one up from the ground. But the arrow was wedged into the ground, making it difficult to yank it out.
“Come on…” she groaned, irritated that things weren’t going in her favor.
“Crown Princess, be careful!” a voice cried out just as Li Xueyue heard it. It was quiet and barely audible—the ping of an arrow as it tore through the air.
Li Xueyue saw it. An arrow was flying straight towards her. Whether it was intentional or not, it was too late. She couldn’t drop to the floor in time. But she didn’t need to.
Seconds before the arrow could pierce her, Li Xueyue caught it with her hand. She sucked in a breath, coming eye to eye with the sharp piece. The drums went off in the distance, signaling the end of the competition.
“Li Xueyue!”
She didn’t get to respond, for two hands forcibly lifted her to her feet. Li Xueyue wasn’t fazed by the arrow. She blankly stared at Yu Zhen. He seemed the least bit out of breath, despite running here from the top of the golden staircase.
“Does it hurt anywhere?” he demanded, brushing off the crumbled pieces of clay off her shoulders.
“That wretched Princess.” Yu Zhen snapped his head to the side where Princess Mengjie hesitatingly stepped back. If looks could kill, she would’ve dropped dead.
“I’m fine,” she reassured him whilst placing the arrow down.
Yu Zhen pressed his lips together. He was a hair away from declaring war with Nanhui. An eradication of their people, starting from the Imperial Family.
“Truly,” she added on, seeing the bloodlust in his eyes. His jaw was clenched. It ticked with irritation.
Li Xueyue watched as the foreign Prince came forward. Princess Mengjie seemed excited at the sight of him, thinking she had won the tournament. But her smile quickly faded.
The foreign Prince was furious. He seemed to be harshly scolding her. Princess Mengjie slowly lowered her head.
“Don’t look at him.”
Yu Zhen gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his stare. He was enraged by the event, but seeing her attention on another man soured his mood. She innocently blinked up at him before wincing.
“It hurts.”
Li Xueyue touched her head, pouting a bit. Indecision flashed in his eyes. He was conflicted about what to do at the moment: declaring a war on Nanhui or soothing her. In the end, Yu Zhen reached a hand out and pushed hers away.
Yu Zhen slowly rubbed the top of her head, a worried look on his face. “We can’t have your brain getting any smaller now.”
Li Xueyue gaped up at him. There wasn’t a hint of amusement in his eyes. He was being serious! “My brain is not small,” she hissed, slapping his hand away, but he firmly placed it there.
She ignored his glare. “This is not how you treat a wounded person.”
Yu Zhen narrowed his eyes. He furiously rubbed the top of her head. “You should’ve stayed put.”
“As if I’d let some random woman take you away.”
Yu Zhen finally stopped frowning. His lips twitched. “Did you truly think I’d let you go?”
“Oh shut up,” Li Xueyue mumbled, ignoring the twinkle in his stare. His hatred was replaced with happiness.
Yu Zhen stepped closer to her as he wrapped an arm around her waist. “I’ve said it before, I will take no one but you, Sunshine.”
Li Xueyue’s heart fluttered when he adoringly stroked her cheek. When he treated her like this, how could she protest? She could feel everyone’s stare, watching their every move.
Li Xueyue couldn’t pull away even if she wanted too. It was simply too difficult. Not because he was strong, but because he was gentle. He treated her with so much care, like a sandcastle ready to crumble.
“We shouldn’t stand here for too long. I have to prepare for the sword fighting tournament.”
“Over my head body.”
Li Xueyue was conflicted by his words. He was already upset from the archery tournament. The injury on her head was light. The pain had long gone away. But she knew he wouldn’t budge once he made a decision.
Li Xueyue was well-aware of the fear that ran through his mind. He was worried for her life.
“I will win.”
“I know that.” Yu Zhen wiped the final piece of clay off her shoulders. She was so small in his arms, he couldn’t help but be extra careful.
“I won’t get hurt.”
“Yes you will.”
“Yu Zhen, the people need to know,” Li Xueyue whispered. “Hanjian will need a strong leader and—”
“I am a strong leader.”
Li Xueyue threw him a pointed look. He knew what she meant, but continued to argue.
“They need two.”
“You don’t need to prove anything to anyone.” Yu Zhen’s caress on her cheek became a pinch.
“Listen to me, my dear wife.”
“Not this time.”
“When have you ever listened?”
Li Xueyue lowered her head. She was unable to meet his gaze. Yu Zhen had rarely tried to control her.
“Just this time, behave.”
“But—”
“Please.”
Li Xueyue found it even more difficult to object. His voice was soft and desperate. It was the first time he had requested something from her.
“Everyone is already impressed by you.”
Li Xueyue nibbled her bottom lip. She raised her eyes and looked around, finally noticing the expressions on the Imperial Family and Minister’s faces.
The few aristocrats who were invited to be spectators were astonished. No one thought the small Princess from Wuyi was capable of archery, much less, skilled in the sport.
“There is no need to demonstrate further.”
Yu Zhen turned her chin toward the Imperial Family. There was a satisfied look on the Empress’s face. Even the Emperor himself was pleased by what he had witnessed.
Li Xueyue was already points ahead in the tournament shortly after it commenced. She didn’t have to endure the shattered clay plates falling on her. She should’ve pointed out Princess Mengjie’s wrongdoings and forced the tournament to come to a stop.
The authority that came with her title was limitless. But she didn’t exercise any of it.
Li Xueyue stayed until the last second, bracing through the torture just to score the final points. Victory already belonged to her. But aiming for the small ball target showed her clear determination.
“That’s more than enough,” he softly said.
