Chapter 114: So That's How It Is!

No problem.

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"Seven Arrows Simultaneous Release, Seven Arrows Simultaneous Release!!! Damn it, how on earth does Ye Qingran manage that?! That useless thing, how can she pull off Seven Arrows Simultaneous Release! I'm the top talent of Xiliang City! I, Ye Huanhuan, can't even do it, so how does Ye Qingran manage it?!"

Ye Huanhuan was so angry she nearly bit off a silver tooth, the waves in her eyes roiling, jealousy making her whole body tremble.

Mu Qingrou and Ye Sisi stood nearby, watching her reaction in their eyes, moving their lips, yet they no longer knew how to comfort her.

Before Ye Qingran acted, perhaps they could still find various reasons to convince themselves, but facts speak louder than rhetoric; everything has already been decided!

"Damn! Miss Ye, you…" Gu Dongliu, who was always eloquent, was unusually at a loss for words. He stared with both eyes, his expression as exaggerated as possible, his gaze at Ye Qingran shining like two lanterns.

"I don't care any more; from now on I'll call you Ye Boss!"

Gu Dongliu clasped his hands in a bow, already having been won over by this divine archer.

Perhaps, long ago, when she publicly shot the Crown Prince on the bustling Xuanwu Street in front of countless citizens of Xiliang City, he was already won over.

"Dongliu, watch your words!"

Gu Huanghou warned abruptly.

She looked at Gu Dongliu with displeasure. How could the illustrious Grand Tutor's son, the Empress's nephew, call a useless 'boss'? Isn't that laughable?

Ye Qingran is merely gifted in archery; she doesn't deserve such a title from Gu Dongliu!

Gu Huanghou's gaze shifted, landing on Ye Qingran, and she examined her carefully.

One must admit, in terms of beauty, perhaps only Lin Xueyan, who went to Xi Ji to enjoy wealth and honor, could compare in Xiliang City.

Moreover, Ye Qingran's performance today far exceeded her expectations.

However, even if her looks are at their peak and she can achieve Hundred Shots, Hundred Hits and Hundred-step Willow Piercing, that cannot erase the blemishes on her record!

A hint of disgust flashed in Gu Huanghou's eyes.

This indiscreet woman, not only got pregnant five years ago by a Wild Man, but five years later, after swallowing bear's heart and leopard's gall, dared to publicly shoot her Qing Xuan and beat her Xuan'er!

It's simply an unforgivable crime!

If she weren't the daughter of Yun Sui Feng, she couldn't act recklessly; otherwise, given her crimes, she would have died countless times already!

Gu Huanghou concealed the chill in her heart, curled her fiery red lips, and said, "Since the Top Three have already been decided, we shouldn't delay; let's officially begin this Royal Hunting Grand Event!"

When she spoke, everyone was slightly stunned.

She didn't even mention that Ye Qingran had taken the top spot in the Archery Competition, instead beating around the bush, calling the Archery Competition merely an inconsequential activity.

From this, it's clear that the Empress holds strong opinions about Ye Qingran!

When Ye Huanhuan heard Gu Huanghou's words, she felt a surge of joy; she had been afraid someone would overemphasize today's Archery Competition final results, so she loudly agreed, "Your Majesty, the Empress, is right; the Archery Competition is just a pre‑match warm‑up, the main event is the hunting that follows. It's getting late, let's quickly start the grouping!"

Since Gu Huanghou spoke up, everyone else had no objections.

"I think you didn't get the top spot yourself, so you're trying to quickly gloss over this part to avoid embarrassment, right?"

Dongfang Ling'er suddenly stood up and sneered.

When those words came out, Ye Huanhuan's expression on her face cracked instantly!

She looked at Dongfang Ling'er in disbelief, as if she never expected her to say that.

After hearing Dongfang Ling'er, everyone was first stunned, then looked at Ye Huanhuan, all showing amused expressions.

Before the Archery Competition, Ye Huanhuan had boasted shamelessly that she would definitely claim the top spot this year!

Actually, originally when Ling Shaoyang and the Crown Prince withdrew, everyone didn't think much about Ye Huanhuan taking the top spot. After all, Ye Huanhuan was third place last year.

But no one expected Ye Qingran to appear midway and shatter all of Ye Huanhuan's plans.

First, Ling Shaoyang, because of Ye Qingran, chose to re‑enter the competition; later, Gu Dongliu, also because of Ye Qingran, was stirred to battle, challenged Ye Huanhuan, and knocked her down from third place.

Ye Qingran completely defeated Ling Shaoyang, emerging as a dark horse to claim this year's Archery top spot; this result was undeniably a resounding slap, fiercely smacking Ye Huanhuan's delicate face!

"Ling'er!" Gu Huanghou glared at Dongfang Ling'er.

"Your Majesty, I didn't say anything wrong; she's hypocritical! The last time at the Medicine King Pavilion, this woman kept saying she'd help me, but when I truly needed her, she was like a turtle pulling its head into its shell!"

Dongfang Ling'er pursed her lips and complained discontentedly.

Ye Huanhuan's complexion shifted from green to red, then finally turned paper‑thin pale.

"Enough, shut up; now immediately start the hunting grouping!"

Gu Huanghou's tone deepened, forcibly turning the page on the matter.

The annual Royal Hunting Grand Event, besides the Archery Competition, also includes a grouped hunting contest.

The two scores are added together to form the final result of this hunting grand event; only the first place can obtain the Spirit Gathering Pearl.

In previous years' hunting contests, groups of four hunted for two days, shooting Spirit Beasts in Jiu Fu Lin. Different strength levels and bloodline grades of Spirit Beasts corresponded to different points; the higher the beast's level, the higher the points.

As for grouping, it was randomly arranged under His Majesty the Emperor's supervision. This year, the Emperor was absent due to illness, so the Empress took over the duties.

Soon, the grouping results came out.

Ye Qingran glanced at her group's member list and unexpectedly saw the name 'Feng Wuhen'.

Besides Feng Wuhen, her group also had a man and a woman; the man was named Qu Jiang, the woman was Xia Meng.

She didn't know those two, only vaguely recalled that the current Xuanjing Department's senior official also bore the surname Xia, and he had a granddaughter named Xia Zhimeng.

However, although Xia Zhimeng is a noble lady of the capital, she lives a reclusive, very mysterious life.

Xia Meng participated in the Archery preliminary test, her ranking was painfully low—second to last, a tie with Wuhen.

As for Qu Jiang, although he didn't advance to the Second Round, he ranked eleventh in the preliminaries, already quite excellent.

Regarding this grouping, Ye Qingran lifted her eyebrows slightly, deep in thought.

Soon, everyone began gathering according to their groups.

Wuhen was the first to come to Ye Qingran's side, still with that unremarkable appearance, but his cool white skin under the blazing sun was flawless, expressionless, simply cool.

"Thank you for the bow and arrows."

Ye Qingran happened to return the bow and arrows to Wuhen.

"I still have a spare bow here; you can keep this one." Wuhen spoke lightly, his voice indifferent yet low and magnetic, like heavenly music.

Those eyes also seemed as if veiled by distant mountain clouds and mist, making it impossible to see deeper.

Ye Qingran couldn't help but feel surprised.

She always felt that Wuhen shouldn't have such an ordinary appearance.

Furthermore, although Wuhen looks ordinary, his voice is one of only two pleasant voices he has ever heard; the other is the National Master's voice. Wuhen's voice is somewhat similar to the National Master's—both low and magnetic—but compared to the National Master's sensuality and occasional allure, Wuhen's voice carries a touch of icy coldness.

Ye Qingran realized she also had no bow, so she gladly accepted.

At that moment, Xia Meng also arrived.

Xia Meng was an ordinary-looking girl, petite in stature, wearing a silver-thread soft armor, appearing about seventeen or eighteen, with a sweet smile on her face; her eyes were bright and lively, the finishing touch.

Ye Qingran's gaze fell on Xia Meng's face, and in almost a second she could tell Xia Meng was wearing a disguise.

She immediately raised her eyebrows.

Interesting!

Qu Jiang arrived late, strolling over leisurely, chin slightly raised, expression arrogant; upon seeing Ye Qingran and her two companions, he wore a look of contempt.

"Hey, what's that expression?"

Xia Meng was very dissatisfied with Qu Jiang's condescending, dog-eyed look.

Qu Jiang glanced at Xia Meng, ignoring her, his disdain growing stronger.

"Your Majesty the Empress, Miss Ye Huanhuan's team only has three people; may I apply to join their team?"

Ye Qingran's eyes flickered slightly upon hearing that.

I see!