NOVEL NEXT Chapter 150 - 150: The Revelation of Origins
Chapter 150: Chapter 150: The Revelation of Origins
The Sacrificial Officer announced the rules for the final round, the rule being that the three students must ride on horseback and shoot arrows, with the highest scorer declared the winner.
And, the target had been moved several dozens of yards away.
At this moment, the wind began to pick up, and with the rising and falling of the horse’s back, it was difficult to control the bow and arrow; this was truly the time to test one’s skills.
Leng Yu Yan’s previous performance had already amazed everyone.
But to shoot arrows while riding a horse, that was indeed challenging.
Leng Zongfa furrowed his brows, he had never heard of his daughter being able to ride a horse.
He also didn’t know what she had experienced in the mountains over the five years that she had learned archery.
However, her archery skills had already left him in awe.
That was enough.
Seeing the princes’ considerable attention to Leng Yu Yan, an idea arose from the depths of Leng Zongfa’s heart.
With Leng Manting almost entirely out of the picture, if Leng Yu Yan didn’t have to marry the Crown Prince, then marrying her off to another prince with a better chance of ascending to the Crown Prince’s position would be the best outcome.
Leng Yu Yan had both looks and strength; with such qualities, was there any fear she couldn’t choose from among the princes?
With this thought, Leng Zongfa’s expression grew more relaxed.
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The final round officially began.
The three students walked to one side of the field and took their places next to the horses.
Man, horse, bow, and arrow were all ready.
Just as Leng Yu Yan was mounting her horse, a chorus rang out, “The Crown Prince has arrived!”
She turned her head to see him walking slowly, hand resting on Song Guo’s arm, his eyes veiled.
This person was accustomed to showing her deep affection in front of others; it was unknown what he would say or do today.
Thinking of how he had pinned her lips last night, Leng Yu Yan felt her palm begin to sweat as she held the reins.
At this time, the Emperor said to the Empress Dowager with a smile, “Empress Dowager, look, the marriage I arranged for the Crown Prince was not a mistake. Although Ah Heng cannot see, he does care deeply for his intended Crown Princess Consort.”
The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded her head.
Leng Yu Yan’s archery skills had impressed her.
Now seeing the Crown Prince coming over, the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but speculate—could it be that the Crown Prince had truly taken a liking to the Leng Family girl?
The Crown Prince was frail, and it seemed rather good if he had women by his side who were skilled in martial arts.
However, it was better for women to be gentle.
The Empress Dowager’s gaze flicked over Zheng Liqi, thinking that if these two women were both for the Crown Prince, then it would be perfect.
Before long, Ye Yiheng arrived by Leng Yu Yan’s side.
Leng Yu Yan quickly dismounted to pay her respects, and the other two students also dismounted and bowed, “Greetings to Your Highness, the Crown Prince!”
Ye Yiheng said indifferently, “Rise.”
While speaking, he personally helped Leng Yu Yan up.
Before everyone present, Ye Yiheng leaned in close to her ear and said in a low voice, “Crown Princess Consort, I have faith that you will achieve excellent results!”
Leng Yu Yan took two steps back and bowed again, “Thank you, Your Highness!”
Ye Yiheng’s eyebrows twitched slightly; indeed, this woman still resisted him.
Song Guo, always observant, whispered a reminder, “Your Highness, the Crown Princess Consort is about to compete; we should step back.”
It was only then that Ye Yiheng stepped away.
Leng Yu Yan couldn’t understand why he had suddenly come; what was it for?
Was it to see how she would lose, or to witness her make a fool of herself?
Regardless of him, her goal today was to be first place, to make it into the Ministry of War, so she could uncover the truth about her elder brother’s past!
The three students successively mounted their horses.
To a whistle, the first student charged forward.
As he notched his arrow, the horse stumbled, and the arrow flew obliquely, missing the target and hitting the ground.
Even if his remaining two feathered arrows both hit the bullseye, it couldn’t change the outcome.
He returned dejectedly to the starting point.
Another whistle sounded, and Zheng Likuo rode his horse, speeding like an arrow released from the bowstring.
He fired three arrows in succession, each hitting the bullseye.
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In an instant, applause and cheers erupted from all directions.
Unlike the student who had performed just before, Zheng Likuo returned to the starting point in high spirits.
Now it was Leng Yu Yan’s turn to take the field.
Under the tense gaze of the spectators, Leng Yu Yan spurred her horse and galloped away with a heroic presence.
Mounted on her horse, she took her arrows with a calm demeanor.
At that moment, the wind began to blow harder.
Ji Qingyu, who was watching from the stands, couldn’t help but clench his fists. The current wind was erratic and entirely unfavorable for archery.
Dust rose from the field, causing spectators to squint their eyes.
Leng Yu Yan’s form tilted slightly with the wind, and in a flash, she released three arrows in quick succession.
The crowd watched with wide eyes as her first arrow hit the bullseye, followed by the second arrow splitting the fletching of the first, also striking dead center.
The third arrow did the same, piercing through the fletching of the second and also hitting the bullseye!
In no time, the stands erupted with thunderous applause.
Screams and praises were unceasing.
The Emperor stood up excitedly and clapped: “What a shot by Leng Yu Yan!”
The Sacrificial Officer was also delighted, shouting loudly: “Today’s top performer in the archery monthly exam is Leng Yu Yan!”
Truly a fine talent.
If she were a boy, she would certainly have the makings of a General of Zhen Country!
The Mountain Master was so thrilled he ran onto the field and bumped fists with the Sacrificial Officer’s shoulder.
The two old men, in a rare show of camaraderie, slung their arms over each other’s shoulders: “A fine talent indeed, a fine talent!”
“Heros think alike!”
In contrast to everyone else’s excitement, Leng Yu Yan remained calm.
If her elder brother were here, he would probably find her little skill unremarkable in his eyes.
At this moment, the Emperor said joyfully: “Leng Yu Yan should marry the Crown Prince as soon as possible.”
This Lady Lai is quite capable; she has caused him to change his mind—should the Crown Prince pass away, she could remain as the Crown Princess Consort.
In the event of a foreign enemy’s invasion, her leading the charge in battle under the name of the late Crown Prince’s widow could probably stabilize the military’s morale.
With this thought, the Emperor added: “There’s an auspicious day in three days; I find that day quite suitable. Let’s set the Crown Prince’s wedding for that day.”
Ye Yiheng bowed: “Thank you, Father Emperor.”
Ji Qingyu frowned slightly, turning to look at his mother beside him.
Ye Yuan shook her head. This was not the time to speak of other matters.
Many of the Xinya Academy’s female students crowded around Leng Yu Yan’s horse, laughing joyfully, but Leng Yu Yan herself was stunned in place.
She had not expected her actions today to expedite the wedding.
Her gaze drifted towards Ye Yiheng, whose veiled face was also looking her way.
Leng Yu Yan gripped the reins tightly and looked away.
How could this be?
The wedding was pushed forward!
And it was to be in three days.
Such a rush!
At that moment, Madam Lai, leaning on her cane, stepped onto the field.
Just when everyone thought she was there to express gratitude for the Emperor’s grace, she set her cane aside and knelt to the ground, bowing her head and saying: “Emperor, Empress Dowager, this old woman has something to say.”
The Emperor cleared his throat: “Speak.”
“Leng Yu Yan is unfit to be the Crown Princess Consort!”
Upon hearing this, the crowd was in an uproar.
The Emperor also frowned and demanded: “Why?”
Madam Lai knelt on the ground, bowing her head again, and said: “Leng Yu Yan is indeed the legitimate daughter of my eldest son’s first wife, but she is not my eldest son Leng Zongfa’s biological daughter; she is the result of her mother Mrs. Zhang’s affair!”
Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan was stunned.
The entire assembly was in extreme astonishment.
Madam Lai bowed her head again: “Therefore, Leng Yu Yan cannot be considered the legitimate daughter of Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion, and such a lowly-born illegitimate child is not worthy of His Highness the Crown Prince. I beseech the Emperor to take back his decree!”
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