Chapter 103: The Mystery of Five Years Ago

Jun Jun Zijin's fingertips gently traced the edge of the rune, her brows knitting slightly. "This kind of rune... it does not resemble the few scripts she is familiar with. What exactly is it?"

Jun Jun Zijin had no leads for the moment; she shook her head and asked:

"Regarding that incident five years ago, are there any clues?"

Quan Quan Aoyu frowned, not answering directly:

"The greatest beneficiary of that incident was Prime Minister Gao and Noble Consort Gao."

A hint of killing intent flashed in Quan Quan Aoyu's eyes. Prime Minister Gao and Noble Consort Gao; these two names had long been deeply etched in his heart.

"Mother disappeared. For some time, Father had no heart for court affairs, and Prime Minister Gao rapidly expanded his power. With no head in the harem, Prime Minister Gao's faction frequently proposed elevating Noble Consort Gao to Empress, but Father ultimately withstood the pressure. Although Noble Consort Gao was not made Empress, with the position vacant, she was the woman of highest status in the harem. If you had not saved me that time, I would have died in that accident. Prime Minister Gao's faction would surely have forced Father to make my third brother the Crown Prince. I have secretly investigated Prime Minister Gao for years, but have never found concrete evidence. Who was manipulating that matter remains a mystery to this day."

Jun Jun Zijin gently smoothed her sleeve, her gaze profound.

"The events of five years ago may be more complex than we imagine. Behind Prime Minister Gao and Noble Consort Gao, perhaps an even greater power is manipulating things. Having hidden for five years and now appearing again, perhaps this is an opportunity. This time they are targeting me; perhaps someone's fear of us has become unbearable, causing them to lose their composure. However, the tracking arrow shot at me today seems weaker in force by several degrees compared to the one that injured you five years ago, and the tracking skill is also several degrees weaker; otherwise, with your martial arts, you should not have been unable to avoid it."

This was also the point Quan Quan Aoyu could not fathom no matter how hard he thought. Throughout Emperor Tianqi, the number of people capable of injuring him could be counted on one's fingers, yet that time, he could not avoid those two arrows chasing him. He frowned slightly:

"But one thing is certain: the number of people capable of firing two arrows simultaneously with such power is few. Moreover, those arrows could chase a person. Throughout the world, there are likely only a handful. Even if not done by one person, there must be a connection."

Quan Quan Aoyu let out a cold sneer, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Since they dare to show themselves, we will play with them to the end. Issue the order: secretly investigate every move of Prime Minister Gao, especially clues from five years ago; not a single one must be missed."

Jun Jun Zijin nodded slightly:

"Regarding Noble Consort Gao, send people to keep a close watch on her movements, especially those around her; not a single one must be missed. Her power within the palace is vast; if she joins hands with Prime Minister Gao, the situation in court will become even more complex. We must act carefully and not startle the snake. And... Gao Gao Shanshan. Perhaps she is a breakthrough." Jun Jun Zijin said. Given Gao Gao Shanshan's nature, she might cause some trouble, which could be utilized.

Quan Quan Aoyu nodded, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. "Dandan, I have already pulled you into a vortex from which there is no escape. Do you blame me?"

Jun Jun Zijin walked to his side, took his hand, and said, "Do not fear. You are the one I have chosen for this life. No matter how many dangers lie ahead, I will fight side by side with you."

Quan Quan Aoyu pulled her to sit beside him, resting his chin on top of her head. "My third brother may appear amiable, but in truth he is meticulous in thought and ruthless in action. You must be extremely careful in the future."

Quan Quan Aoyu and Jun Jun Zijin had a simple lunch, then walked out of the tent side by side. The sunlight was so bright she squinted. She raised a hand to shield her eyes, her gaze sweeping over the soldiers practicing archery not far away, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.

Seeing the two emerge, the soldiers all stopped their training and shouted in unison, "General, Princess!"

Vice General Jiang Dong walked over holding a bow and arrow in both hands, bowed respectfully to the two, and then said, "Princess, you have finally arrived. The soldiers are eager to witness your archery technique that can turn."

Jun Jun Zijin let out a light laugh and joked, "Jiang Dong, are you issuing a challenge to me?"

Jiang Dong scratched his head and smiled sheepishly, "The Princess is joking. How would we dare? We simply all wish to broaden our horizons."

Quan Aoyu stood behind her, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on her, a hint of imperceptible smile in his eyes. Watching her, he seemed to be admiring a most beautiful painting.

"Very well, then I shall show a move."

As soon as Jun Jun Zijin finished speaking, all the soldiers stopped their actions and waited eagerly with heads raised.

Jun Jun Zijin took the bow and arrow from Jiang Dong's hands, weighed it in her hand; the feel was good. This was the design she had drawn based on the Turkish flying arrow of a later era. Quan Quan Aoyu had truly crafted it. Although its range could not reach the 800-plus meters of the later era, Quan Quan Aoyu had shot over 600 meters, which was unmatched in this age. In this era, if one could craft such a bow and arrow, and possessed an archery technique of supernatural skill, one would inevitably become an invincible presence on the battlefield. Not to mention snatching the enemy general's head from amidst ten thousand troops as easily as picking something from a bag, one would likely be unstoppable.

All the soldiers understood this principle, so they eagerly hoped Jun Jun Zijin would teach them archery.

Jun Jun Zijin smiled slightly, her gaze burning as she looked toward the distant target range. She took a deep breath, adjusted her breathing, and slowly drew the bowstring. The arrow shimmered with cold light under the sun, like a silver snake poised to strike.

"Watch closely," she called out, her tone carrying a hint of confidence and composure.

As her fingers loosened, the arrow pierced the long sky like a meteor, whistling with the wind as it rushed straight toward the target. At the very instant the arrow was about to hit the bullseye, Jun Jun Zijin flicked her wrist slightly. The arrow actually traced a beautiful arc in the air, bypassing a tree blocking the way, and precisely hit another bullseye hidden behind the tree.

"This... how is this possible!" The soldiers' eyes widened, staring at the scene in disbelief. It was as if time had frozen at that moment. They had never seen an arrow turn in mid-air, as if it had come alive. The arc traced by the arrow in the air, like a nimble silver snake, shattered their ingrained understanding of archery. After a moment of silence, the entire training ground erupted in thunderous cheers.

"Princess's divine skill! Truly an eye-opening experience!" Jiang Dong, his face flushed with excitement, shouted loudly, his eyes full of admiration and awe.

Quan Aoyu still stood behind Jun Jun Zijin, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes. He had already witnessed her archery, yet each time it left him shaken. Her skill was not merely proficiency in technique, but also a precise grasp of battlefield situations.

Jun Jun Zijin put down the bow and arrow, turned to face the soldiers, her expression calm yet carrying a hint of authority.

"Everyone, the way of archery is not merely a contest of strength, but a combination of wisdom and skill. The trajectory of an arrow flying through the air is not unchangeable; it can alter its direction through subtle adjustments of the wrist."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over every soldier, and continued, "On the battlefield, enemies will not stand still waiting to be shot and killed. They will have cover, they will move, and they may even counterattack. Therefore, our archery must be flexible and varied to cope with various unexpected situations."

Just then, Jiang Dong stepped forward respectfully, clasped his hands in a fist raised above his head, and shouted loudly and passionately, "Please grant us instruction, Princess!"

His shout was like a stone thrown into the water, stirring up a thousand waves, instantly igniting the atmosphere of the entire scene. Immediately, everyone present responded, shouting in unison, "Please grant us instruction, Princess!"