Qin Su was so stumped that he did not know how to respond. He did somewhat worry that he would lose to Qin Zhao, so he readily agreed to let Huo Chengjin replace him.
Huo Chengjin took over the conversation, "Princess, you have misunderstood. It was I who took the initiative to request standing in for the Fourth Prince in the trial."
Qin Zhao said no more and took up the three-stone bow.
Seeing this, Huo Chengjin also went to get Qin Su's bow.
At Qin Su's command, the first cage of nine sparrows was released.
Huo Chengjin drew the bow and released three arrows in succession, killing all nine sparrows in three consecutive shots!
Meanwhile, Qin Zhao had not even shot an arrow.
Clutching several arrows, she seemed to be trying something.
This really left everyone present at a loss.
They did not know whether to praise Huo Chengjin's superb archery or ridicule Qin Zhao's slow movements.
Qin Yu anxiously advised Qin Zhao, "Sister, stop competing. Why argue with these men over superiority? You are already the most capable woman I have ever seen."
Qin Zhan said, "If the Ninth Princess concedes defeat, we will not make it difficult for you."
Qin Zhao gave him an icy stare. "Silence. Every time you speak, I hear a dog barking."
Qin Zhan: "..."
The others enjoyed watching the lively scene, laughing and fanning the flames. The atmosphere on the scene was exceptionally exciting!
Huo Chengjin looked confidently at Qin Zhao and asked, "Your Highness, do you want to continue competing?"
Cong Han watched Qin Zhao worriedly, almost driven to tears, wishing she could grab the bow and arrow and go up herself.
In contrast, Huo Jun remained calm. She patted Cong Han on the shoulder and said, "Don't panic. Panicking is useless. Give Her Highness more time."
Amidst the people's strange looks, Qin Zhao said, "That will do."
Huo Chengjin did not understand her meaning and asked, "Your Highness, what do you mean?"
Qin Zhao meaningfully quirked her lips and said, "You will know very soon."
In Qin Su's eyes, Qin Zhao's confident expression was really irritating!
"Humph!" He snorted heavily and ordered, "Release the sparrows!"
The attendant opened the second cage as ordered, and the sparrows flew out from the cage.
This time, everyone stopped paying attention to Qin Zhao and focused entirely on Huo Chengjin.
As expected, Huo Chengjin shot out three more arrows!
Just as everyone anticipated those three arrows piercing the sparrows, three more arrows from nowhere suddenly shot them down!
At the same time, two more arrows punctured two sparrows!
Someone exclaimed, "How is this possible?!"
Huo Chengjin was so stunned by the unbelievable scene before him that he forgot the next step and froze on the spot.
When everyone came back to their senses and looked at Qin Zhao, they saw her release five arrows in unison!
The remaining sparrows all fell under her arrows!
Everyone gaped, feeling the world had become unreal, that what they saw was simply an illusion!
But no matter how unbelievable, it did not stop Qin Zhao's actions.
Afterwards, every cage of sparrows was completely harvested by Qin Zhao. As soon as Huo Chengjin's arrows were released, they were shot down!
As a result, everyone's emotions completely ran out of control until the last sparrow fell...
Huo Chengjin's arms went limp, and the bow and arrows slowly slipped from his hands.
In despair he said, "I have lost."
The others fell into prolonged silence, for they did not know what expression to have in the face of Qin Zhao's victory and Huo Chengjin's defeat.
It was as if Huo Chengjin's former legend no longer existed.
And Princess Zhaoyang's image was completely overturned at this moment!
No longer the arrogant and overbearing masked princess.
But the powerful, proud and dazzling Qin Zhao today!
The crowd couldn't help but applaud Qin Zhao.
Qin Zhao put down the three-stone bow and said, "You have lost. Next, listen to my arrangements.
Fourth Brother, go change into servant's clothes and follow me to take orders."
Qin Su's expression changed drastically, and he wanted to say something but was interrupted by Huo Chengjin.
He said, "Your Highness, it was I who lost, the punishment should be mine to bear."
Qin Zhao agreed.
Compared to Qin Su, Huo Chengjin was naturally more valuable to order around.
Moreover, she had another purpose...
The noble young ladies and gentlemen who had just been immersed in shock came to their senses.
Seeing this, they felt Princess Zhaoyang was still so annoying!
Cao Keyao had secretly liked Huo Chengjin for many years. She went up to Qin Zhao and pleaded for Huo Chengjin, "Your Highness, please take back the previous bet, okay? Huo Gongzi is the Grand General who guards Yue Kingdom, he should not suffer such humiliation!"
Cao Yan, as Huo Chengjin's fanboy, also came over and said, "Your Highness, my sister is right. For the reputation of Yue Kingdom, you cannot humiliate General Huo!"
Zhang Que, the son of the Minister of Rites, followed and said, "A great hero like General Huo cannot be ordered around by the princess. This is improper!"
They spoke more and more righteously, and soon worked themselves into a frenzy.
Their momentum was as if they would rush over and beat Qin Zhao if she said no.
But Qin Zhao was a rebel. The more they opposed, the more she wanted to do it.
After a while, Huo Chengjin walked up to Qin Zhao wearing tattered gray clothes.
Qin Zhao said, "Get down."
The crowd glared at Qin Zhao, but did not dare do anything to her.
Huo Chengjin closed his eyes, resigned to his fate, and lay down on the ground. Qin Zhao had Cong Han lead a horse over.
Qin Zhao used Huo Chengjin as a stool to get on the horse.
Some people almost fainted from anger when they saw this scene.
But that wasn't the end. Qin Zhao threw a rope to Cong Han and told her to tie up Huo Chengjin's hands.
Once she had tied him up, Qin Zhao told Huo Chengjin to stand up.
Before Huo Chengjin could steady himself, Qin Zhao slapped the horse's butt to make it run.
Huo Chengjin staggered along behind, following Qin Zhao, running around the riding ground more than ten laps.
When he returned to the crowd, his whole body was soaked with sweat, and his clothes were smeared with mud, looking extremely miserable.
Qin Zhao dismounted, smelled the stench from Huo Chengjin, frowned slightly, and said, "Don't try to show off in front of me again in the future. If there is a next time, I will not let you off as easily as I did today."
The crowd thought: She calls this easy? If it was someone less fit, they would be dead!
Qin Zhao continued, "Go change your clothes. I will teach you to practice riding and archery."
Huo Chengjin silently turned and left, seeming to be greatly impacted.
Huo Chengjin's servant followed him and asked worriedly, "Sir, are you alright?"
Huo Chengjin shook his head, murmuring to himself, "I think I like her even more now."
