Chapter 16

Emperor Longqing's body was weak; after sitting a while he felt utterly fatigued, he waved a hand at Tuo Ba Yu, letting him skip the rites, too lazy to say anything to him.

This hostage also annoyed him; keeping him was pointless, he couldn't restrain Bei Di at all, and Bei Di basically regarded him as a discarded pawn.

If anything happened to this person, Bei Di would use it as an excuse to act against Southern Qi.

These days, Southern Qi could only rely on its Third Prince Xiao Wei to put up a fight; the rest of its generals were useless, repeatedly losing battles against Bei Di, and the border between Bei Di and Southern Qi has become somewhat unstable lately.

He was plagued by waves of headache, and his mood grew worse.

Envoys had long been sent to Bei Di to discuss returning the hostage Tuo Ba Yu, but Bei Di said they were treating the hostage well and suggested keeping him in Southern Qi.

What nonsense is this?

The hunt officially began, and the noble youths flooded the field, their excitement impossible to hide.

After all, on such an occasion, with the emperor presiding, to appear would surely be a good thing.

Xiao Wei was the absolute winner of this hunt, unmatched in strength and aura.

His tall, mighty body rose slowly, exuding pressure; yet just as he stood, he bowed toward Xiao Yin and said with a smile, "Ninth Imperial Uncle, I've heard your archery was superb in your youth; today I'd love to witness your former prowess."

As soon as he finished speaking, those around gasped.

Xiao Yin hadn't drawn a bow in seven years; at his peak, he had once pulled a three‑hundred‑stone tyrant bow on the imperial hunting grounds and killed a tiger with a single arrow.

But after Xiao Yin suffered serious injuries, he would sit in a tent during each imperial hunt, merely watching others' vigor.

This time Xiao Wei provoked a scene publicly, causing even Emperor Longqing to frown slightly.

Gu Jiu Ling glanced at Xiao Yin seated beside her, only to see his brows and eyes slightly chilled, lacking any proper posture, leaning askew, his gaze shifting between light and dark.

She couldn't help but think, Xiao Wei really was overly arrogant; perhaps yesterday Xiao Yin hadn't given Duchess Duan a pleasant face, and he was seeking discomfort for Xiao Yin on behalf of his mother.

Xiao Wei saw Xiao Yin sitting motionless, his eyes flickered, and he laughed loudly, "Forget it, I was rash; Imperial Uncle hasn't held a bow in seven years, I shouldn't have brought it up."

"I'll take my leave first!"

Just as he turned, Xiao Yin slowly rose and smiled, "It's no big deal; since my dear nephew wishes to see, how could I refuse him?"

Emperor Longqing's expression shifted slightly, but he remained composed.

Seven years have passed; he also wanted to see how his good brother's health had been nurtured.

Xiao Yin had drunk a few extra cups at the banquet earlier; upon standing now, he swayed a bit.

Gu Jiu Ling hurried to support him, and Xiao Yin smiled at her.

"Bring the bow!" Xiao Yin chuckled, his peerlessly handsome face glowing in the sunlight, and he felt some of his illness lift.

Those around erupted in excitement, "Heavens, seven years—Xiao Yin hasn't touched a bow for seven whole years!"

Although this person has lain low for seven years, the shadow of that youthful hero still remains.

Xiao Yin took the bow and arrows, holding them casually; not far off, the guards had already set up straw targets.

Xiao Yin gave a light chuckle, stepped down from the banquet, raised his hand and fired two arrows in succession, both hitting the bullseye of the straw target.

"Excellent! Magnificent!! Prince, mighty!" Gu Jiu Ling couldn't help shouting; the crown prince glanced at her, previously always cheering behind him, now giving another man his support, and he felt a twinge of displeasure.

The surrounding spectators also burst into applause.

Xiao Wei's smile gradually stiffened, his pupils suddenly constricted, and a gasp rose from the crowd.

Xiao Yin suddenly turned and shot a third arrow at his face; in that instant, his whole body went rigid, unable to move.

Though he too was a general accustomed to slaughter, he now resembled a frightened child.

That ordinary arrow, imbued with dragon‑tiger aura, had not yet arrived, but its momentum already stunned him, leaving him unable to take a step.

Amid the mother consort's terrified scream, the arrowhead grazed his black‑jade crown, the crown remained intact but the pearls on it shattered to powder upon impact, and the arrowhead continued straight, embedding itself three inches deep into the table behind him bearing food and drink.

All fell silent; the arrow's tail vibrated, emitting low hums that eventually faded.

Everyone rose; Gu Jiu Ling dared not breathe, staring fixedly at the arrow, a sheen of cold sweat appearing on her back.

That arrow, had it deviated even slightly, would have had Xiao Yin shoot his own imperial nephew dead before everyone.

Xiao Wei panted heavily, "Such archery… such archery… is a height he could never reach even after decades of practice."

Beads of sweat the size of beans rolled down his forehead as he stared fixedly at Xiao Yin.

After a long while, Duchess Duan cried out, "Xiao Yin! What gall you have!"

Xiao Yin chuckled lightly, tossed his bow to a nearby guard, and slowly sat back beside Gu Jiu Ling.

He glanced at Gu Jiu Ling's terrified, pallid face, playfully tweaked her pert nose, then casually looked at Duchess Duan and smiled, "I've always been bold; this isn't news to you."

"You…" Duchess Duan wept even more, tears streaming like pear blossoms in rain, kneeling before Emperor Longqing, "Your Majesty! Look at him… he's trying to kill our child! Your Majesty!!"

Emperor Longqing's brows furrowed into a shape resembling the Chinese character for 'river'; he ignored Duchess Duan, slowly sat back in his chair, and fixed his gaze on Xiao Yin.

In his eyes lay no trace of the former brotherly care; he said blandly, "Ninth Brother, you seem to have recovered well; since that's the case, go out today and hunt a tiger for your elder brother."

Xiao Yin's eyes darkened, he rose slowly and bowed, "Your servant obeys."

Xiao Wei finally recovered, yanked off his black‑jade crown, flung it aside and stomped on it, then stared fixedly at Xiao Yin and smiled, "Imperial Uncle, your archery is indeed superb; later I'll compete with you—let's see who bags a tiger first to present to our father."

Xiao Yin gave a light chuckle; Gu Jiu Ling worried for him, now that she and Xiao Yin shared weal and woe, this fellow had better watch himself!

"Don't be reckless! If we were wiped out, our family of four—counting the unborn—wouldn't even fill a single swing of the enemy's blade."

"'Prince! Eat on the road, replenish your strength!' Gu Jiu Ling furtively grabbed Xiao Yin's big hand and slipped a few chocolates into his palm."

"These she'd taken from that laboratory in her space; when she worked night shifts there, she grew sleepy, so stamina‑boosting chocolate and coffee were kept ready in the lower compartment."

Xiao Yin looked at the candy in his palm, unwrapped one and popped it into his mouth, raised his eyebrows slightly, and smiled at Gu Jiu Ling.

Gu Jiu Ling felt that when he laughed, he was utterly charming; she didn't even notice her own ears turning faintly red.

Xiao Yin ruffled Gu Jiu Ling's hair, leaned close to her ear, exhaled a sweet chocolate‑scented breath, and whispered with a laugh, "Rest assured, I won't let you become a widow!"