CHAPTER 604: CHAPTER 502: TREASURE PIGGY’S DIVINE ASSIST

Shooting a copper coin was already absurd, but aiming at a barely visible, constantly swaying kite string—wasn’t that just outright fooling people?

The Minister of War said, "Prince Changsun, you must be joking. Even with a Houyi Bow, let alone a light bow, it’s almost impossible to hit a string from a hundred paces away."

Lu Yuan replied, "I’m not joking. I’m serious. You want to increase the challenge, then so do I. Surely you can’t expect the magistrates to light fires while forbidding commoners to light lanterns."

The Minister of War stopped speaking.

The Deputy Commander of the Imperial Army said, "Imperial Grandson, even when bluffing, there should be a limit."

Lu Yuan said, "Just say whether you agree or not. The day’s hot, let’s settle this quickly—if you’re a man, stop dithering."

Prince Jin’s expression darkened slightly.

Prince Rui gave Lu Yuan a long, searching look, wondering whether he was truly bluffing or using a strategy of retreating to advance.

General Hu spoke up, "Prince Changsun, as expected of someone who aced the literary examination, managed to come up with such a way to make the Commandery Prince withdraw in defeat—I am impressed."

"So the intent was to make the Commandery Prince back off, huh."

"Didn’t Prince Changsun already say it? If they agree to his condition, then he’d accept adding the Houyi Bow."

"He’s come up with an entirely impossible condition—this is putting the Commandery Prince on a grilling spit!"

The martial officers began whispering among themselves.

Old Minister Meng stroked his beard and said indifferently, "Prince Changsun couldn’t even pull the three-stone bow during the second round, yet General Hu immediately brought out an even heavier Houyi Bow and used reverse psychology to force Prince Changsun to comply. I really can’t see what’s inappropriate about Prince Changsun setting his own condition. In my view, there’s no point in continuing the contest—just announce the Commandery Prince as the winner. After all, it seems like what’s being competed on, or added, or not added, is all up to you lot to decide!"

Those words were heavy-handed.

He nearly stopped just short of pointing a finger at General Hu and the others and cursing them as shameless.

General Hu’s gaze turned cold.

A flicker of icy emotion also passed through Prince Jin’s eyes.

Minister Meng had served under his father for many years, always carrying the lofty air of a scholar, yet he had never defended anyone this way before.

Let alone the fact that Lu Yuan hadn’t even agreed to be his student, yet Meng already treated him like a closed-door disciple, always shielding him.

Recalling how Meng had avoided taking Lu Qi as a disciple in every possible way, Prince Jin’s expression turned even darker.

"Fine, I agree."

Lu Qi said.

Everyone immediately turned to look at him.

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Hey, don’t overestimate yourself and end up blaming me when you lose later."

Lu Qi replied, "Let’s see if you can even get your hands on the Houyi Bow. Let’s begin."

Lu Yuan crossed his arms. "Alright, bring it on."

Prince Ming beckoned to Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan walked over and asked, "Uncle, what’s the matter?"

Prince Ming whispered, "Can you really do it?"

"Great-grandpa! Great-grandpa!"

A soft, squeaky little voice interrupted the event at the horse field, as a tiny bundle burst onto the scene, running straight for the Emperor’s Platform.

It was none other than Treasure Piggy leading her little pony.

Meng Qianqian accompanied her on the side.

At the moment when Prince Ming asked the question, Meng Qianqian happened to walk past from behind the Crown Prince Mansion’s shaded pavilion.

There was no exchange of glances, yet both of them felt a familiar air about the other.

Lu Yuan snorted. "A man never admits he can’t."

"Great-grandpa! Great-grandpa!"

Treasure Piggy stood before the Emperor’s Platform, lifting her pudgy little body and bouncing repeatedly as she gazed up at the lofty Emperor Liang.

The sharp austerity between Emperor Liang’s brows melted into tenderness, his imperial dignity giving way to utter adoration. "Oh, it’s Zhaozhao. Come up quickly."

Xiao Dazi immediately went to lead the little pony away.

Treasure Piggy stretched her little arms towards Meng Qianqian. "Teacher, carry me."

Meng Qianqian picked up the tiny bundle, ascended the towering Emperor’s Platform, and after setting the child down, performed a respectful bow to Emperor Liang. "Your Majesty."

Emperor Liang nodded slightly.

The little one toddled over with rapid little steps and launched herself into his arms. "Great-grandpa!"

Laughing, Emperor Liang lifted her up. "Missed Great-grandpa?"

"Uh-huh!"

The little one nodded vigorously, then earnestly spread her small hands and said, "Class ended, Great-grandpa didn’t return. The Jinluan Palace, not there! Imperial Study Room, not there!"

"Haha!"

Emperor Liang laughed heartily at her antics, thinking how the world could indeed produce such an adorable child.

"All, all, all not there!"

The tiny voice had an adorably stern face as she sputtered breathlessly, raising her small hand to wipe at her forehead.

Utterly exhausting for the baby!

Emperor Liang’s heart melted fully.

"Why are you here, too?"

Gongsun Yanming asked Meng Qianqian.

Meng Qianqian gave a bow. "Greetings, Pavilion Master."

Treasure Piggy placed her hands on her hips, her voice steady and serious as she said to Gongsun Yanming, "Zhaozhao invited Teacher here!"

She deliberately emphasized "invited."

Emperor Liang chuckled. "Zhaozhao respects her teacher, such a good child."

Treasure Piggy lifted her chin proudly. "Of course!"

"Hahaha!"

Emperor Liang couldn’t help but laugh aloud once more.

The gathered civil and military officials stared slack-jawed, as though witnessing ghosts in broad daylight.

Where was their awe-inspiring and domineering monarch?

Emperor Liang looked at the little one swinging her feet in his arms and said to Eunuch Yu, "Prepare a seat for Miss Yan."

Eunuch Yu glanced around, then placed a cushion close to Emperor Liang’s position.

The seat was even closer than those of Mr. Zi Wu and the State Preceptor.

Watching Emperor Liang continue to amuse the tiny girl in his arms, Eunuch Yu immediately knew he’d made the right call.

If the guest Miss Zhaozhao brought sat too far away, Miss Zhaozhao would be unhappy.

If Miss Zhaozhao were unhappy, then naturally His Majesty would also be unhappy.

What a doting emperor His Majesty was toward Miss Zhaozhao.

Meanwhile, ten arrow targets had been inspected, and a simple high platform for the Houyi Bow had been hastily erected.

The efficiency of Liang Country’s soldiers was truly unmatched. In the blink of an eye, a three-zhang bamboo tower stood firm.

One couldn’t help but think how ferocious such a trained army would be when storming a city.

"So this is the strength of Liang Country’s military?"

Meng Qianqian murmured softly, her thoughts turning to the Black Armor Army she had built with Chu Nan.

Indeed, the Imperial Army of Liang had traces of the Black Armor Army’s discipline.

Now, only the kites remained.

There were two in total: Lu Qi’s was blue, and Lu Yuan’s was red.

In this round, they first had to gallop across the field, shoot down the ten targets along the way, then climb the high platform to seize the Houyi Bow, and finally shoot down their opponent’s kite.

Everything was ready.

Lu Yuan and Lu Qi approached majestically atop their respective steeds.

Everyone held their breath, understanding that the upcoming battle would not only be critical but also the most thrilling and perilous round yet.

The mere sight of the towering platform was enough to make one tremble.

"Are the horses you trained this morning really up to it?"

Prince Ming asked.

Prince Fu responded, "You seem quite concerned about your nephew."

Prince Ming replied, "I’m more concerned about my silver!"

Prince Fu looked surprised. "You bet again? This time, with whom?"

Prince Ming’s gaze shifted beyond Prince Fu, toward another figure.

Prince Fu turned his head. "Uncle?"

Duke Jiang exclaimed, "Start, start! Hurry and start already! The anticipation is killing me!"

Prince Fu sighed deeply.

First his mother, now his uncle—could this family ever produce someone reliable?

As the copper gong rang out, Lu Yuan and Lu Qi’s horses charged forth, kicking up clouds of dust behind them.

The two horses galloped neck and neck.

Both riders released their reins, stabilizing themselves entirely through the strength of their legs and core.

Almost simultaneously, the two drew their bows and reached behind them for arrows.

Whoosh!

Lu Qi released his first arrow.

Bullseye!

Immediately after, he loosed a second arrow—another bullseye.

Lu Yuan smirked. "Second Brother, is that the best you’ve got?"

With that, Lu Yuan drew his bow and audaciously took aim directly at Lu Qi.