Chapter 264: Chapter 264
The next day, on the training grounds
Accompanied by the vibrating sound of bowstrings, another arrow shot into the air weakly fell to the ground.
Before long, the ground was already covered with fallen arrows, while the straw targets in the distance remained empty, with only two or three arrows sporadically sticking out from the edges.
The sparse scattering looked pitiful.
Yet the little girl in red before them seemed completely unaware, still drawing and releasing arrows in one fluid motion as if venting her anger!
This scene hardly resembled genuine archery practice; anyone watching could tell it was merely a young girl's petulant display of frustration.
Not far away, a middle-aged man wearing an ivory-colored palace brocade robe suddenly paused his steps.
The man appeared to be in his thirties, dressed in a narrow-sleeved long robe with plum blossom patterns, a red leather belt with jade decorations around his waist. His slender build gave him an elegant yet dignified presence.
This was undoubtedly the current emperor, Emperor Renzong of Song. He stood watching the little girl on the training grounds, who wore tight-fitting practice clothes and almost continuously drew and shot arrows. After a long moment, he finally sighed deeply, his expression showing some helplessness:
Hearing this, the eunuch Zhang beside him couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
The emperor's words... marriage matters concern half a woman's life, how crucially important they are! Besides, the princess truly resembled her father in preferences. Despite her young age, she would only keep handsome, clever palace servants around her - those pleasing to the eye.
No matter how well-behaved and sensible she might be, who wouldn't feel resentful looking at such a future husband?
Though thinking this, Zhang Maoze still slightly bowed his body, maintaining an attentive listening posture.
Because he knew that at this moment, the emperor was just speaking his thoughts and didn't actually need others to offer opinions.
Sure enough, the next moment he heard the other continue:
"Heaven plays cruel tricks. It wasn't until Mother Empress passed away that I learned the truth. For many years, I never had the chance to fulfill my filial duties, instead spending years bringing joy to another's knees, treating my birth mother as ordinary. Every night, I toss and turn unable to sleep..."
The palace is cold and lonely, I wonder how Mother Empress endured those years. When the weather turned cold, was there anyone to remind her to add clothing?
Speaking, he sighed softly again:
"Although the Empress Dowager treated me with dedication before... but Maoze, you understand... many things are still different..."
"If only I had the opportunity to bring joy to her knees back then..."
As he said this, the emperor's face unconsciously showed deep regret and pain.
After a moment of silence, Zhang Maoze finally spoke: "Your Majesty's difficulties, surely the princess will understand one day."
He just wondered how long that "one day" might take.
Perhaps a lifetime, for all we know, Eunuch Zhang thought silently to himself.
Each harboring unspeakable thoughts, the master and servant stood for a while longer. Seeing the emperor staring intently but hesitating to approach, the eunuch official tentatively suggested:
"Seeing that it's getting late, almost time for evening meal, would Your Majesty like to go take a look?"
After all, as the emperor's only raised daughter, Princess Fukang had always been deeply favored. Being thoughtful and considerate, father and daughter would regularly share meals every few days, chatting and laughing together.
Not much different from ordinary father-daughter relationships outside the palace.
However, hearing this, the emperor before him only paused briefly, seeming somewhat moved yet his feet never took a step forward. After a long moment, he finally sighed softly:
"Never mind, Fukang is unhappy. I'll come another day."
Finally, he instructed the eunuch Zhang beside him to bring the zebrawood bow recently acquired from the inner treasury, adding some fresh jade ornaments and playthings:
"If Fukang wants to play, let her play. Consider it relaxation..."
"Yes, Your Majesty..."
Only when their nearly imperceptible footsteps gradually disappeared did the little girl in red on the training grounds show any change in expression, still skillfully nocking arrows.
But this time, the flying arrow didn't fall to the ground—instead, it steadily embedded itself in the distant straw target.
Perfectly aligned, right at the target's outermost edge. If any military strategy experts were present, they would notice this final arrow formed a pincer formation with the few previously "accidentally" hit arrows.
Before long, winter arrived. No one could have imagined the always obedient princess could be so stubborn. Forbidden from martial arts practice, she practically never let go of her bow and arrows daily, even the usual smiles disappearing from her face.
The not-yet-ten-year-old girl, who originally still had baby fat on her cheeks, now inexplicably carried some of a young woman's cold severity.
Once again ordering eunuchs to escort the weeping Lady Miao away, Zhao Zhen wearily rubbed his temples before his desk.
Just then, Empress Cao requested an audience outside. Seeing the emperor's state, she couldn't help but offer advice:
"Fukang is young and inevitably stubborn. Suddenly accepting an almost complete stranger as her betrothed naturally makes her unhappy. Your Majesty, as the saying goes, feelings need cultivation. Why not summon the Li family's sixth young master to the palace first, have him bring novel and interesting playthings? With time..."
Though feeling somewhat inappropriate, after considering Fukang's recent obstinacy, Zhao Zhen finally nodded after a long moment. He ordered the eunuchs below to summon his cousin.
However, several hours later, a young yellow-robed eunuch came stumbling into the Chuigong Hall:
"Your, Your Majesty, something terrible has happened, there's been an incident..."
Two hours earlier, Li Residence
Before departure, Li Wei's birth mother Madam Yang pulled her son aside, full of complaints: "This princess certainly puts on grand airs!"
"If she's before even entering our household, she'll probably think she can reach heaven afterwards. This truly wrongs my son..."
Princess? Their old Li family were imperial relatives too!
Hmph, so what if she's a princess? So what if she's unwilling? She'll still have to marry in properly.
The Li brothers nearby didn't say much. Though imperial relatives sounded glorious, in the eyes of Bianjing's scholar-officials, they remained rootless impoverished upstarts. Their only support came from one person.
Thus, though this marriage arrangement didn't sound entirely proper, the benefits were substantial. They offered more advice to their younger brother.
Though inwardly displeased—who wouldn't feel upset being so openly looked down upon?
"Though the princess is noble, the marriage is settled. Our Li family cannot be arbitrarily humiliated either..."
Considering recent palace rumors, the sixth Li young master's narrow eyes also showed some impatience.
Chuigong Hall. After paying respects to his cousin, Li Wei finally ambled slowly toward the training grounds...
Before long, a young girl in red practice clothes came into view on the training field...
Seeing the newcomer, the sixth Li young master initially wanted to approach and say something. But the next second, an arrow came flying through the air at incredible speed.
So fast that even the eunuchs behind him hadn't reacted yet.
With the sound of a sharp blade cutting through air, before Li Wei's foot could even step forward, bright red blood uncontrollably gushed from his throat.
Everyone instinctively turned to see a long arrow had somehow pierced through the body of the person beside them.
Across dozens of meters, perfectly accurate—one arrow through the throat!