Qin Zhan sneered, "Ninth Sister, don't blame Imperial Brother for not warning you, this is self-humiliation!
Among all the men present, none can match your archery skills!"
Qin Zhao said, "That would be best, otherwise I would find it boring."
Seeing Qin Zhao so arrogant, everyone wanted to start the contest quickly to humiliate her thoroughly.
Qin Su walked out from among the crowd and said, "I will compete with the Ninth Princess!"
He had lost face to Huo Chengjin at the Longevity Festival, and indirectly to Qin Zhao as well, so he wanted to regain some dignity today.
Someone asked, "What are the rules for the contest?"
Seeing no one respond, Huo Chengjin said, "How about this - set up ten targets at a hundred meters.
Each person shoots ten arrows; whoever hits the bullseye more times wins."
Qin Zhan said, "Fine, let's do that."
Soon, the equipment for the contest was ready.
Qin Zhao and Qin Su stood together in front of the line drawn with white powder.
Most people stood on Qin Su's side, shouting to support him.
On Qin Zhao's side there was only Huo Jun and Cong Han.
A servant brought over two bows and handed them to the two contestants.
Qin Zhao casually took the bow, but because it was too heavy, she almost dropped it!
Everyone saw this and some mocked, "Princess Zhao Yang, can't you even hold up the bow?"
Qin Zhao exerted some effort and steadily gripped the bow.
This bow was clearly chosen to make things difficult for her!
Qin Su had a one-stone bow, while Qin Zhao was given a three-stone bow, though the two looked no different.
Gripping his bow, Qin Su posed arrogantly and said, "If the Ninth Princess can't draw that bow, she can switch to a child's half-stone bow."
"Hahahaha!" Some laughed along, "The Fourth Prince is so considerate of the Princess Zhao Yang, he even thought of this."
Qin Ling snorted and said, "Why must the Ninth Sister insist on making a scene, when she could just practice with the princes?"
Qin Yu pulled at her sleeve and advised, "Why does the Sixth Sister dislike the Ninth so? She is our sister after all."
Qin Ling was silent and didn't answer Qin Yu's question, but she also stopped taunting Qin Zhao.
Qin Zhao tested the bowstring and found no issues. She said, "Enough nonsense, let's begin."
Qin Su was quite annoyed with Qin Zhao's casual attitude.
He drew an arrow from the quiver, took aim at the distant target, and shot.
Bullseye on the first target!
This drew cheers and praise from the crowd.
"Excellent!"
"The Fourth Prince's archery is unmatched!"
"What a superb shot, Imperial Brother!"
Seeing Qin Zhao ready her bow and arrow, everyone quieted down.
They all assumed Qin Zhao would miss, but witnessed an unbelievable sight!
Qin Zhao's arrow also hit the bullseye, knocking Qin Su's arrow out of the target!
Seeing this, Qin Su was so angry his hand shook slightly, but he pretended to be calm and said, "The Ninth Princess is really lucky!"
The others also quickly closed their gaping mouths, echoing Qin Su's words.
"Indeed, as expected of Princess Zhao Yang, her luck is unmatched!"
Attributing Qin Zhao's accuracy to luck was his desperate attempt to save face.
Eager to escape this awkward situation quickly, Qin Su rapidly shot his second arrow.
Another bullseye!
The crowd cheered even more enthusiastically for him!
Qin Zhao swiftly followed with her arrow, knocking Qin Su's arrow off the target again using the same method!
Only now did the crowd have to acknowledge that Qin Zhao's archery skills were genuine!
Unable to endure it any longer, Qin Su angrily scolded, "Zhao Yang, what is the meaning of this?!"
Qin Zhao spread her hands helplessly, "There is only one target, your arrow was in the way, what could I do?"
Qin Su gritted his teeth and said, "I don't believe you can keep knocking away my arrows. Continue!"
The spectators grew progressively quieter, until no one cheered for Qin Su anymore.
Because Qin Zhao had shot every single one of Qin Su's arrows off the target!
When the ten arrows were finished, the scene was dead silent.
Qin Zhao asked, "Why haven't the judges announced the winner and loser yet?"
Huo Chengjin lightly coughed and said, "Since only Princess Zhao Yang's arrows are on the targets, she is the winner of this round."
Unwilling to admit defeat, Qin Su argued, "This Prince also hit the bullseye each time. My arrows aren't on the target only because Zhao Yang intentionally disrupted the contest!
How can she be declared the winner?
I do not acknowledge this result!"
Qin Zhao glanced coldly at Qin Su - she had seen sore losers before, but none so shameless and unreasonable!
Huo Chengjin also didn't want to see her win, as he would soon take Qin Zhao as his wife. If she appeared too outstanding, it would not highlight his strengths.
Huo Chengjin's eyes glinted as he said, "The Fourth Prince makes a fair point. It is difficult to determine a clear winner. Why not have an additional round?"
Before Qin Zhao could object, the crowd quickly agreed with a chorus of seven or eight voices.
Qin Zhao silently watched their performance, utterly unmoved. She said, "Very well, but I want to add a wager.
This time, if you lose again, you must be my servant for a day."
Barely containing his anger, Qin Su asked, "What is the meaning of this?"
Qin Zhao said plainly, "It means you must do whatever I ask you to do."
Qin Su laughed furiously, "And if you lose, will you accept the same punishment?"
"Of course."
"Fine, so be it!"
Qin Su still believed that although Qin Zhao had some skill, she was no match for him.
He had only lost because she shot first!
Qin Su added, "But we'll do it differently this time.
Shooting fixed targets lacks difficulty.
Any man could hit the bullseye every time.
He called over a servant and whispered a few words in his ear.
The servant nodded and ran off towards the riding grounds.
Qin Su said, "This Prince has sent someone to catch some sparrows. We will compete to see who can shoot down more sparrows in half an hour.
No need to take turns, fire at will!"
Huo Chengjin walked over to Qin Su and said, "Your Highness, may this subject compete with the Princess in your stead?"
Qin Su had wanted to refuse, but recalling Qin Zhao's composed expression each time she loosed an arrow, he couldn't speak up.
He had already lost face once. If he lost again this time, he would have to cover his face when going out in the future.
After careful consideration, he said, "You may, but the condition is that if you win, Zhao Yang must serve me as an ox or horse today."
Huo Chengjin's aim was to re-establish his powerful image before Princess Zhao Yang, so he agreed with a nod.
He only said, "When the time comes, I hope Your Highness shows some leniency. Princess Zhao Yang is to be my proper wife after all. I do not wish to humiliate her too severely."
Caring about preserving the royal family's reputation, Qin Su did not plan to make Zhao Yang do anything too outrageous anyway. He said, "Do not worry, this Prince knows moderation."
As they whispered together, Cong Han was also advising Qin Zhao.
She repeated all her lifelong knowledge about improving aim to Qin Zhao.
"Your Highness, why not let me compete in your stead? They can substitute people, so we should be able to as well!"
Qin Zhao said, "No need, do you not trust me?"
Cong Han shook her head, "This subordinate does not dare."
Huo Jun cut in, "I believe in Your Highness."
Qin Zhao raised her eyebrows and asked, "So certain?"
Huo Jun said, "Your Highness has a natural talent for archery rarely seen in this world."
"How can you tell, are you an archer as well?"
Huo Jun: "A little."
As she spoke, the confidence in her eyes was almost overflowing.
This made Qin Zhao even more eager to see Huo Jun's skills!
Footsteps sounded, and several servants carrying cages full of sparrows ran over.
The servants bowed to Qin Su, "Your Highness, we have caught the hundred sparrows you wanted."
Qin Su: "Good, you have done well. Put down the sparrows and go collect your reward."
Unable to conceal his delight, the servant exclaimed loudly, "Thank you for the reward, Your Highness!"
Qin Su took the cages from him and turned to Qin Zhao, "Zhao Yang, I have decided to let Huo Chengjin compete with you in my stead.
But the wager remains between you and me."
Qin Zhao said, "Fourth Brother, you are too cowardly to compete with me yourself?"
