Chapter 78: Su Mo Displays His Might (Ten Thousand Updates)

  The night color is hazy, as if giving a layer of frost and snow to the trees.

  The moonlight pours down on the scenery around the Imperial Garden.

  Su Mo slowly walked out of the thicket, the moonlight flowing silently across her skin as white as snow.

  At this moment, Yu Huayuan was also bustling with excitement. A group of imperial guards were holding torches and patrolling around to search for someone.

  The person they are looking for is Su Mo. In any case, if you want to add a crime, what's the worry about not having an excuse? Giving her a charge of trespassing in the imperial garden can also get her kicked out.

  "Little Anzi, did that woman really come here just now? How can't we find her?" someone asked.

  "Yes! The queen asked about her specifically, but she's nowhere to be found. I'm afraid she might get into trouble, but it looks like she's coming this way."

  The little eunuch in front of him was called Xiao Anzi, but he had a lot on his mind. He pointed to the direction of the imperial study.

  "Look, you guys take a look on your left, that woman might be a spy sent by them, and when the time comes, she'll get caught."

  Su Mo smiled, unexpectedly bringing so many people with just a little effort, she really had the physique of "attracting bees and butterflies". These people seemed to be waiting for an opportunity to arrest her and pin a crime on her, so she slowly followed them from behind, wherever they searched, she would follow, as it is said that the most dangerous place is also the safest.

  The youth's voice came soon, filled with amusement. "How interesting! The imperial palace is indeed a very sinister place. I didn't expect these pursuers to be so ruthless. If they find you in the imperial study, won't it be hard to explain?"

  A flash of cold color flickered in Su Mo's eyes, and he transmitted his voice through his divine sense: "It was all because you called me out that we encountered these things. The mastermind behind this is actually you, yet you're standing aside making sarcastic remarks?"

  "Women, women, anyway you have a lot of ideas, I believe you won't have any problems doing things." The young man said with apparent relief.

  "I didn't expect you to think so highly of me, I'm truly honored." Su Mo said softly.

  "Women, human nature is complex. Being a daughter-in-law in such an imperial family, is it good fortune or bad luck? Moreover, there are six men and six contracts, how to deal with them? If you can't even handle these, it means your level is really too low."

  "It's none of your business." Su Mo snorted and walked towards a nearby shortcut.

  She walked through a thicket of woods, crossed a small bridge, and slipped into darkness.

  Just a few steps away, his consciousness caught a glimpse of movement, and he heard two people talking in the distance.

  Su Mo was originally not paying attention, but found that the other person seemed to be talking about someone she knew. Her footsteps slowed down involuntarily, and her hairpin swayed with each step. After all, what the other person said wasn't idle chatter, and it wouldn't be good for her to rush out recklessly at this time.

  A low, male voice came first: "Miss Xue, now that the legitimate Summer Yu'er is gone, we have one less same-clan opponent to inherit the Summer family's property. What a joyous occasion."

  The woman beside him said calmly and composedly: "I didn't expect that the whole ship would be destroyed, but can you find out who did it?"

  The man said: "It's unclear, no one has been found to be responsible so far, but Xia Ze is already in a desperate situation and Xia Yuer's appearance has also been damaged."

  The woman smiled calmly: "It's useless for a woman to just look pretty, she must also have brains, otherwise her fate will be the same as Xia Yu'er."

  The man couldn't help but laugh loudly: "Miss Xue'er, you're absolutely right. Not every daughter of the Xia family is as outstanding as you are, so this time, the family didn't choose Xia Yu'er, but instead chose you to marry into the royal family. This must have been carefully considered from all angles. If our Xia family were to produce a future empress, our power would be even more stable."

  At this time, Su Mo's lips curled up with a faint smile, and he poked his head out from behind the fake mountain. His beautiful eyes took a glance, and found that it was actually Xia Xue'er and a man in black. In her previous life, she had no intersection with Xia Xue'er, but only heard that this woman was extremely outstanding, known as Korea's number one beauty. There is a saying that beauties with good family backgrounds will always marry good men, while those with sad family backgrounds can only become playthings. Although men like her beauty, they also have to consider her family background, so it can be said that she is much luckier than Su Mo.

  Su Mo had always been extremely envious of this kind of woman in his past life.

  Now reborn in this life, she doesn't care, feeling that she is not inferior.

  On the other hand, the man asked: "Miss Xue seems to be somewhat dissatisfied with this marriage arrangement."

  Xia Xue'er smiled elegantly and nodded, "I heard that this Third Prince was infatuated with a demon maiden before. If I were to marry such a man, it would be somewhat uncomfortable."

  The man's face showed a hint of understanding: "Miss Xue'er is a proud and arrogant person, just a minor demon who has already been thoroughly eliminated by the empress. It's said that she was sent to Evil Island, where it's harder to escape than to fly to heaven."

  However, Xia Xue'er's face was filled with an unprecedented seriousness, yet her tone was natural and calm. Her eyes sparkled as she said: "The matter of the demon girl has already been handled by the empress before the officials' impeachment. You can see a glimpse of it from her wrist. However, the third prince seems to be a clever person, yet he would do such a thing. It's clear that the demon girl has really bewildered him."

  That man said with disdain, "If you want to serve someone with your looks, in order to make a man feel inseparable from a woman, you have to keep giving him some freshness. In short, the third prince should have just been playing around at that time and wouldn't take it seriously, otherwise he would have tried every means to get that demon girl out by now, it's impossible that he still doesn't care about it until now."

  Nowadays, the matter of the Third Prince and the Demon Girl is known by everyone in the state of Qi.

  What's done is done.

  However, many family elders use such things to warn the women in their households.

  No matter how much a man spoils and loves you, but a man's heart will always change.

  "Right, you're not lacking in confidence, are you?" the man asked.

  "How could that be?" Xia Xue'er's voice was soft and gentle, her lips curled into a faint smile. "I think this man is probably still feeling guilty, but as the old saying goes, 'serving others with one's beauty can only last for so long.' What's more, our Xia family has always been very powerful, if the Third Prince wants to become the Crown Prince, he must show his stance to the Emperor. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gotten involved with me in the first place. Now I feel that this prince's ambition is growing bigger and bigger, men will always grow up, it doesn't matter if that demon girl appears, a man with ambition knows what's important and what's not."

  The man couldn't help but chuckle and said, "In terms of talent, intelligence, virtue, and conduct, that seductress is fundamentally inferior because she relies on her charm to entice people. On the other hand, Miss Snow is noble and elegant, possessing a majestic demeanor that can inspire awe in others. This is the first point; as for dowry, even if other aristocratic women were to exhaust their family's wealth, they still might not be able to match Miss Snow's lavish dowry. This is the second point; moreover, the Xia family has an impressive background, which would be sufficient to help him secure his position and protect his territory in the future. This is the third point, so you surpass that seductress in every aspect."

  Xia Xuer raised her eyes and smiled lightly, "No need to praise me, I am still the daughter of the Xia family. After becoming the crown prince's consort, my honor is tied to that of the Xia family."

  The man bowed slightly and said, "Very well, we've been out for a while, Miss, you should head back first!"

  The words fell, and the two of them actually walked towards Su Mo's direction.

  There was only one path in this place, and there was no hiding place. At this time, avoiding people here seemed to be somewhat inappropriate. So, Su Mo tidied up his clothes and deliberately made his footsteps heavier, walking out from behind the fake mountain.

  The stairs were too steep, and she almost bumped into the other woman. Summer Snow stumbled backward a few steps, her skirt fluttering in the wind, with an air of not being worldly.

  The man immediately rebuked her, "How are you walking? You almost knocked down the future third imperial concubine!"

  "Sorry, can't see the road clearly here." Su Mo smiled calmly.

  "Is just saying sorry enough? Apologize, you must kneel down and apologize." The man was menacing.

  Kneel down and apologize? What nonsense! Su Mo gave the man a cold glance.

  She was about to leave with a flourish, but the other party blocked her way. Su Mo's figure was light and agile, and she easily dodged his arm.

  However, the commotion here shocked other guards, and soon everyone came running over.

  "Where are you going, you bold woman?" a eunuch who was in charge stepped forward and shouted.

  Su Mo raised her eyes and smiled lightly, "Oh? I just went to the mourning hall."

  The eunuch said in a shrill voice: "Her Majesty the Empress has been looking for you for a long time, saying that you don't understand the rules and actually ran away without saying a word."

  The Heavenly Book boy laughed and said: "It's really a small matter that has to be made a big deal out of, these people in the palace are indeed boring to the extreme."

  So, Su Mo smiled and said: "I really don't understand the rules. It turns out that when going to the palace, I still need to report to the empress dowager. If every guest needs to report, this place is indeed lively, and the empress dowager is also very hardworking."

  "You..." The eunuch's face sank.

  "Wait, sir, this woman suddenly rushed at Miss Xue, how should she be punished?" The man was still staring coldly at Su Mo.

  "What? You actually dared to bump into the future Empress! You are too impolite, you should be punished." The eunuch shouted in a shrill voice.

  "This kind of woman is so careless and sloppy, who knows if she has ulterior motives, wanting to steal Miss Xue's belongings."

  "Not bad, I'll inform Her Ladyship in a moment and have her dragged out for thirty... no, forty lashes."

  At this moment, the eunuch was delighted in his heart, finally having a crime name, wasn't he?

  Su Mo furrowed her brow and turned her needle-like fingers, taking a closer look at the people in front of her. However, since they didn't make a move, she also found it inconvenient to take action.

  "Nothing's wrong, let her off and spare her, just let her go." Suddenly, Xia Xue'er raised her eyes to look at everyone.

  She smiled at the crowd, very dignified and generous, not like other women who were shy. She had the real charm of a noble lady, it was this charm that made the third prince treat Xia Xue'er differently, even making the third prince forget about the previous demon girl.

  "Miss Xue is indeed magnanimous." The eunuch, though dissatisfied, immediately added a word of praise.

  "What a status San Huang Fei is, indeed with a broad mind." The surrounding guards also nodded in agreement.

  "Ah, you're the Fifth Imperial Concubine, aren't you?" Xia Xuer continued to look at Su Mo, her voice calm and flat.

  "It's me." Su Mo also slightly tilted his head and looked at her with an expressionless face.

  Only then did Xia Xue'er come to Su Mo's side and say in a low voice, "Fifth Imperial Concubine, we are all women, and I have always disliked making things difficult for women. Let's just speak plainly." She had an air of calmness about her, as if she didn't even bother with the usual tricks between women. "The imperial palace is not suitable for you, and in the future, the Third Imperial Prince and the Fifth Imperial Prince will definitely be at odds. However, the Third Imperial Prince is undoubtedly the future crown prince, whereas the Fifth Imperial Prince has no prospects whatsoever. Unfortunately, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager will not let you off."

  Su Mo's eyes rolled around, she didn't understand what she meant.

  Xia Xue'er, however, looked Su Mo up and down before saying: "I think you have a good temperament, you must have read books, and your family background shouldn't be too bad either. Unfortunately, at most, you're probably the illegitimate daughter of a declining noble family."

  Su Mo smiled, unexpectedly this woman was also a fortune teller.

  Then, Xia Xue'er said with a superior tone: "A girl like you, I know it's not easy to get by. Your thoughts are understandable, because there are too many girls like you in my family, and the ending is always miserable. In short, don't take a wrong path for vanity. The Fifth Prince can't possibly win the throne, so be extra careful here. No matter what, just be a good ordinary woman!"

  Xia Xue'er put down this meaningful remark, Sen Sen glanced at Su Mo, turned around and left with the crowd.

  This woman is indeed somewhat extraordinary and also very good at pretending.

  Su Mo looked at her figure, a cold smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, knowing that there must be some ulterior motive behind this.

  So it was for the throne? Did these people all think that Yun Ruoyan wanted to usurp the throne but failed?

  Under the moonlight, the palace is magnificent, but people's hearts are unpredictable and always hide despicable and mean thoughts!

  Su Mo's deep eyes gradually took on a hint of pale silver, like a bewitching mandrake, fragrant and intoxicating. She thought to herself: Since she had already married Wen Renyi, she would inevitably collide with these people. Su Mo turned the needle on her fingertips, and a sharp light flashed in her eyes. Suddenly, she very much wanted to trample the opponent's hypocritical face underfoot.

  Bathing in the night color, returning home, the night sky is full of stars and constellations, the moonlight is shining brightly, and the deep color is like a chessboard.

  "Mo Er, where have you been?" Wen Ren Yi asked as he saw Su Mo finally relax.

  Su Mo intentionally asked with a smile: "Yi, it's really noisy here, what's going on?"

  As Wen Renyu was about to speak, Yu Ran poked her head out from the other side, smiling and holding a bone fan: "Just now, a large group of eunuchs said you were trespassing in the imperial palace. A group of people went to find you, even the Imperial Guard was about to be deployed, searching for you back and forth, but since they couldn't find you, they had to give up. You didn't see it, everyone returned empty-handed, and the Empress's face turned green."

  Su Mo's eyes gleamed with mockery, and Wen Renyi's entire being seemed to grow even colder.

  Her eyes sparkled like ink dots, and she smiled faintly: "They deliberately took the wrong path to frame me, but unfortunately, I've been to the palace a few times, so I know how to get around."

  Yu Ran raised an eyebrow and smiled: "I knew you wouldn't be in trouble."

  Su Mo pulled his cloak tighter and said: "However, this ghostly place, I don't want to stay any longer, when can I leave?"

  Yu Ran fanned herself and said, "Unfortunately, we can't go back immediately now."

  Su Mo asked in surprise: "Why?"

  Wen Renyao also said: "Indeed can't go back."

  "What happened?" Su Mo slowly gathered her gaze, remembering that in her previous life at this time she had just married Mu Wuhen and knew little about external affairs, but vaguely had some impression. She remembered that the Su family's merchant caravan in Qi country was delayed for three months before returning. Suddenly, a thread of understanding flashed through her mind: "I understand, Qi country is going to be in chaos, so all checkpoints are prohibited from exiting."

  Wei Renyi praised and said: "The state of Qi will be in chaos, the Holy One let me stay here to serve the state of Qi."

  Su Mo's eyes narrowed slightly as she asked in a soft voice, "Did you agree?"

  "Uh, my mother is here. Originally, I wanted to take her away, but she's not in good health and can't travel far. This place happens to be suitable for her to stay and recover, so I must guard this sea area."

  Su Mo smiled faintly: "Filial piety is the first of all virtues, you've done well. Moreover, the common people are innocent, I'll accompany you in protecting the sea domain. As for the mechanisms and magical tools, you can leave them to me."

  Wen Renyi's expression was somewhat moved, "Mo Er, you've suffered a lot following me."

  Yu Ran let out a soft snort, "If you follow me, not only will you eat and drink well every day, but also watch plays every day and travel all over the country. Therefore, it's very important for a woman to marry a good man. Wen Renyi can't be considered a good man, so it's still possible for you to regret now."

  Su Mo and Wen Ren Yi stared at him simultaneously, but Yu Ran didn't think much of it.

  Su Mo continued to ask: "Who is protecting the Imperial Capital Sea Area?" After all, wasn't Lady Fang in this place?

  "The Third Prince." Wen Renyi replied.

  "It was actually him." Su Moeruo looked thoughtful, never expecting that man to make a comeback so quickly.

  "Qing Qing, don't you feel uncomfortable seeing your old love fall in love with someone else?" Yu Ran continued with a soft laugh.

  "Third Prince, you used to be with him..." Wen Renyi's face also showed a hint of jealousy.

  "Nothing." Su Mo didn't expect that Yu Ran would so easily provoke Wen Renyi's jealousy, this person was truly shameless.

  Yu Ran fanned herself and said, "However, the Empress is not a good woman. The Third Prince is her biological son, so she naturally attaches great importance to him. With the support of the Xia family behind him, the Third Prince has already gained a new favorite and abandoned the demon girl. He is heartless and untrustworthy. It can be said that men from the Yu family are not good things at all." She had an ulterior motive.

  Wen Renyi narrowed his eyes, "The Third Prince is not a heartless and unrighteous person."

  "Oh? You seem to know that Third Prince quite well," Yu Ran said disdainfully. "Are you going to whitewash him now?"

  Wen Renyi said coldly, "At first, he must have liked Mo Er, but as a man, he would also like other women. This person's personality doesn't like to be restrained, just like Yu Ran, being infatuated with someone in the morning and forgetting them by night is inevitable. Moreover, the Third Prince likes the Six Arts, and this woman seems to be proficient in the Six Arts as well. They should have more common topics to talk about when they're together, otherwise, they wouldn't be playing the qin and se together. Although there are also some reasons for their cooperation due to interests."

  Yu Ran immediately raised an eyebrow and said, "Yun Yi, are you slandering us two because of jealousy? Ben Gongzi and the Third Imperial Prince are not even in the same league. I am a good man with a single-minded devotion."

  Wen Ren Yi seemed to have not heard, his face expressionless as he said: "Mo Er, in his heart, can't forget you."

  Su Mo smiled and said: "Of course you can't forget me, how could you?"

  "It doesn't matter, in my heart there is only you."

  The man suddenly stretched out his arms and hugged her, Su Mo didn't expect him to make such an intimate move in public, although she was surprised, she was secretly delighted, so she leaned lightly into the man's arms, her figure was extremely beautiful, slender and elegant, the two were truly a perfect match.

  In the distance, many princes couldn't help but stare with wide eyes. Is this still that cold and icy Wen Renyi?

  Even the third prince's eyes twitched at this action, which he couldn't have done himself.

  The queen was also secretly gritting her teeth in anger, she didn't believe she couldn't handle these two people.

  "You two are really too mushy, it gives me the chills." Yu Ran suddenly felt like he was redundant in front of them, as if he didn't exist at all. He couldn't help but say angrily: "Tsk tsk, good one Wen Renyi, you're truly a man who forgets his mother after marrying his wife, and your brother is even more so, stabbed in the back by you. Wen Renyi, you are indeed the most shameless person in the world!"

  Yu Ran then took a big sip of wine, regretting not bringing Bing Huo over, otherwise he could have teased that fox.

  The fox and Wen Renyi have a spiritual connection, so if the fox is uncomfortable, Wen Renyi should also be uncomfortable.

  Not cool, really too not cool!

  This Wen Ren Yiping looks like a silent and unassuming person on the surface, but is actually extremely dark-hearted.

  In the end, he still had the audacity to bully the demon girl, and even managed to charm the woman into being infatuated with him. This woman surprisingly hadn't been driven out by the Qi Kingdom's royal family yet. The incompetence of the imperial palace was truly contemptible, making Yu Ran want to take matters into his own hands on behalf of the royals. Unfortunately, he couldn't afford to provoke the demon girl's anger. He suddenly felt that the road ahead was long and arduous.

  However, Yu Ran has always been more courageous in battle and doesn't feel that it's unbearably painful.

  If one day he runs into his own hands, he will also insert two knives in him to vent his anger.

  Nowadays, the queen's eyes are as sharp as a knife, shining with cold light. She is getting more and more displeased with that new woman, the more she looks at her, the more she feels that the other person is very unpleasant to look at.

  The ways women deal with each other are nothing more than a few, just not wanting the other side to be comfortable. She furrowed her brow, but suddenly became kind and gentle, extremely warm and friendly, calling on the queens or fiancées of the princes to sit together, specially taking out an exquisite box inlaid with precious jade, lightly opening it, instantly radiant and dazzling, the eyes of the noble women couldn't help but widen.

  Although everyone was a noble child, the jewelry in the imperial palace was after all a rare thing.

  Women especially love these things, of course extremely delighted.

  The queen smiled leisurely, "You are all the emperor's wives and fiancées, of course everyone has a share, good things I will never keep to myself."

  She only saw her gaze fall on the first woman, "You are the legitimate wife of the eldest prince, married for three years, this jade hairpin was given to you by me."

  Everyone looked at the jade hairpin and found that it was a tribute from the previous dynasty, which was very valuable. They were all amazed.

  The Grand Empress Dowager was immediately favored and thanked with great joy.

  The queen turned her gaze to another woman, "You are the legitimate wife of the second prince, I give you this jade pendant, take good care of your husband and children in the future."

  It was actually made from a corner material of the legendary He Shi Bi, and the Second Princess thanked her repeatedly with surprise.

  The queen gave a gift to each woman in front of her, especially when she came to Xia Xue'er's side, and even put the green glass bangle on her wrist, which was said to be given by the empress dowager to the queen. The elder gave it and did not dare to refuse, Xia Xue'er immediately accepted it with a generous attitude, instantly making all the women around her envy and hate.

  However, every woman had one, but Su Mo didn't have any reward.

  The queen deliberately pretended not to see Su Mo, but every imperial concubine knew it in their hearts.

  At the moment, everyone is dressed up in a dazzling manner, with pearls, precious stones, corals and jade adorning them, truly dazzling to the eyes. The gazes of the crowd towards Su Mo are all complex, with some filled with disdain, some with scorn, and some with sympathy.

  Wen Ren Yi's eyebrows furrowed, and he muttered: "Mo Er, I've wronged you."

  But Su Mo's expression didn't change, and he said indifferently: "Actually, she has already rewarded us. This empress is the main culprit who had me exiled to Evil Man Island. She can also be considered an indirect matchmaker for us. Besides, I don't care about these useless things."

  "Wait a minute." Suddenly, Wen Renyao took out a hairpin from his pocket. It was an extremely delicate red coral hairpin with top-grade fox fur balls on it, made from the tail of a thousand-year-old white fox, which was rare and hard to find. The hairpin was gently inserted into Su Mo's hair bun, and Wen Renyao said softly, "This was given to me by my mother before I left home. She knew that this moment would come, so don't mind it."

  "Great! It would be even better if you made it yourself!" Su Mo deliberately shook her head, her red fingertips brushed against her eyebrows, her eyes were enchanting, her lips were soft and moist, and her whole body exuded a seductive charm. The fox fur ball on the back of her hair swung gently, looking elegant and luxurious, most importantly, it was uniquely crafted, surpassing those ornaments in every way.

  The faces of other imperial concubines changed again, the rewards given by the empress and those sent by their own husbands were still different.

  Those men who are high up don't really put them in their hearts.

  And it looks so good when others wear it.

  As a result, the gaze towards Su Mo was accompanied by some envy and inquiry.

  The queen gazed at Su Mo with great displeasure, finding that this little wretch had the same talent as Lady Fang, able to infuriate people to death.

  Xia Xue'er gazed thoughtfully at Su Mo for a moment, snorted inwardly, and then confidently walked towards the side of the Third Prince.

  Unconsciously, the imperial banquet had come to an end, and at this time, there should naturally be a grand finale.

  Emperor Zidi had already entered the imperial palace's horse grounds, surrounded by his attendants and bodyguards. The Empress, as the head of the six palaces, sat at the head of the table with him.

  The palace is truly like a nine-story palace, every place is majestic and magnificent.

  This place is located between the Great Hall and the Observatory, and it is also the closest place to the Imperial Garden.

  "Gentlemen, nobles, ladies, and guests, the people of Qi have always been known for their virtue and talent. We have never been stingy with those who possess great abilities. I currently have twenty pieces of second-grade spirit stones, some excellent equipment materials, and a set of four-tiered beast bones. Let us have a competition in the six arts, specifically 'driving' and 'shooting', but this time, let it be a joint effort between men and women. Let us see which young couple can emerge victorious and claim these rewards. You young people, come and give it a try!"

  It turned out to be a man and a woman paired up to compete in archery, which sparked everyone's interest.

  Of course, there were also some people who shook their heads, they were all lonely and childless, or old in years.

  This is not only a test of the tacit understanding between men and women, but also a test of the superb archery and riding skills.

  All the benefits were left to the nobles.

  "Xu?r, I know you're proficient in the six arts. Since the reward is so generous, why don't we compete in a match?" The Third Prince whispered in Xia Xue'er's ear, and Xia Xue'er slightly nodded her head, the two of them seeming to be in perfect harmony.

  Su Mo saw those things, although they were inferior to what she had obtained from the Xia family's ship, but they were by no means something that ordinary people could get.

  Suddenly, the voice of a young man with an arrogant tone came from the Heavenly Book again, "Woman, twenty second-grade spirit stones are not as good as giving me those other things. The remains of that fourth-stage exotic beast are suitable for making a bone bow, suitable for long-range attacks. Do you want to prepare and give it a try?"

  "Why not take the stage? I'm going to deal with some self-righteous, high-and-mighty people!" Su Mo's eyes flowed with a hint of coolness. A gentle breeze brushed against her face, and a strand of hair fell, she lightly combed it back with her fingertips, her breath as gentle as an orchid.

  The inner servants gave arrows and horses to the many princes, saying: "Two people ride one horse, if one person shoots an arrow empty, they will be out."

  The noble ladies were anxious in their hearts. Their archery skills were not outstanding, and they often missed the target. It would be better to let the men shoot arrows, and they could just pretend to do so.

  However, the attendants continued: "If one person makes a loud noise after shooting an arrow and still does not shoot, they will also be out."

  It's all over, it's all over. The princes let out a collective sigh, knowing that their chances of winning this time were slim.

  Their eyes fell on the third prince and Xia Xue'er, for these two were the predetermined winners of this competition, while they were just there to make up the numbers.

  So several pairs of players have taken the initiative to withdraw from the competition. Withdrawing is much better than losing badly.

  At this moment, Su Mo had already pulled Wen Renyi's hand and stepped forward, saying: "Wait a minute, we also want to participate."

  The princes did not expect Su Mo to participate as well, and their eyes widened in surprise.

  Xia Xue'er's gaze turned to Su Mo, her eyes narrowing slightly, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes.

  ……

  Two men were sitting in the high pavilion of the observatory, one was a man in white and the other was a man in magnificent clothes.

  "This place is really lively." All I saw was that handsome man in gorgeous clothes leaning casually on the chair, his slender figure and elegant demeanor set off by his exquisite attire. His beautiful fingers, holding a rhinoceros horn wine cup, were long and slender, while his thin lips were slightly raised, the dim light obscuring half of his face, but unable to conceal his evil charm.

  "Yes! They are all the talented people found by the princes of Qi State, and this time they have come out to defend Qi State." Another white-clad man smiled slightly, his eyes also looking outward.

  These two were Hua Xirong and Shi Mian. The two had just entered the imperial palace together, but because of their special identities, they were not arranged to be in a crowded place with many eyes.

  However, Hua Xirong looked at Su Mo's figure and furrowed her brow, feeling a sense of familiarity.

  He suddenly remembered the woman who danced in Jinyu Hall that day, and it turned out she had also come to this place.

  "Ying, what do you think?" He suddenly smiled and looked at the man in white clothes.

  "What's going on?" the man in white asked quietly.

  "Do you think anyone on the court will win? Shall we make a bet?" Hua Xirong looked at him with a smile.

  "The dandy said, 'I don't like making bets from now on.'"

  "You're really boring." The man in white stood with his hands behind his back and looked at the figure across from him again.

  Until his gaze vaguely saw a red figure, that blurry red figure rode a fast horse and galloped, the surrounding night wind slowly came, blowing the outer layer of the Xiangting Pavilion's gauze curtain, he couldn't help but slightly pause, and a kind of feeling as if isolated from the world was born in his heart.

  ……

  Inside the arena, there are five shooting distances.

  Fifteen zhang, twenty zhang, twenty-five zhang, thirty zhang, thirty-five zhang.

  The farther away, the higher the score naturally is.

  As long as it is within the five times of ringing the bell, whoever scores higher in shooting will win.

  Only one eunuch's voice was heard shouting in a shrill tone: "The Crown Prince's Consort has shot an arrow off-target, she is out of the competition."

  The eunuch's voice came again: "The Sixth Prince shot one arrow off target and is out of the competition."

  Suddenly a loud shout, the inner attendant called out: "The Second Imperial Consort did not shoot an arrow, she is out."

  The Grand Princess's eyes dimmed, and the Second Princess hung her head in despair. The two of them dismounted their horses and left the racing field together.

  More than half of the people had already been eliminated, when suddenly a burst of applause erupted. Xia Xue'er was seen wearing a pale green dress with a silver silk belt around her waist, and a bun at the back of her head. Her face was clear and elegant, exuding a sense of agility and litheness. She rode on the same horse as the Third Prince, with the tassels of her hair ornaments gently swaying against her cheeks. With swift movements, she drew her bow and shot an arrow, smiling and frowning in turn, every gesture full of charm.

  "She hit it again, and she hit it again."

  "The third prince is 23 zhang and 3 arrows, Miss Xia Xue'er is 25 zhang and 2 arrows, this is the most impressive score in the first round." The crowd did not expect that Xia Xue'er was not only excellent in all aspects, but also excelled in horseback riding and archery. Almost everyone on the periphery cheered loudly for them, many men and women's eyes shone with admiration, gazing at Xia Xue'er with boundless respect.

  Xia Xue'er performed extremely well, and although her expression didn't show any emotion, she couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in her heart.

  She glanced back at Su Mo, only to see Su Mo and Wen Ren Yi riding a black horse together. She had been quietly engraving something on the arrowhead with her head down until it was almost time, then she casually shot an arrow, hitting the bullseye fifteen zhang away, the closest distance, and hadn't been eliminated yet.

  But Wen Renyi shot an arrow that hit the bullseye thirty-five zhang away, and in the first round, the Fifth Prince and the Third Prince were tied.

  Everyone knew that Wen Renyi was the commander-in-chief of Donglingwei, and his riding and shooting skills were among the best. So they thought this person could be compared with the third prince Xia Xue'er.

  Xia Xue'er was even more disdainful in her heart, it seemed that this woman wanted to rely on Wen Renyi's skills to win a game.

  Fine, in that case, she didn't mind giving them a show of color.

  But then Xia Xue'er raised her wrist, drew her bow with a fair hand, and the Third Prince immediately slowed down his horse in perfect tacit understanding. Only to see a flash of sharpness, shooting straight into the target thirty feet away. Her posture was extremely moving, her hair fluttering, her eyebrows like smoke, her green sleeves raised high, envying the beauty, with an air of elegance that only a woman could have, giving people a sense of pleasure and joy.

  "Thirty zhang, indeed it is thirty zhang." The crowd erupted in another round of applause.

  At this moment, the third prince hit the bullseye twenty zhang away again.

  However, Su Mo sat on his horse, casually appreciating Xia Xue'er's elegant demeanor, with a faint smile, those clear and enchanting eyes that seemed to have an innate ability to captivate people's hearts.

  She drew her bow and the arrow was immediately released.

  But it did not fly towards the target, only to see an arrow flash, shooting straight into the chest of the eunuch Xiao Anzi, who let out a miserable cry and fell to the ground without getting up.

  The bailiff has been stunned into silence, forgetting to speak up.

  However, the arrow pierced through Xiao Anzi's body, as if it were moving on its own, spinning in mid-air and hitting the bullseye fifteen zhang away.

  The crowd gasped in shock, never expecting such a thing to happen. But they thought it was just an accident.

  This woman can't possibly have such exceptional archery skills.

  The queen shouted in a shrill voice: "You wretch, why must you harm people?"

  Xiao Anzi was her confidant, but now this arrow has taken half his life.

  "It's not a miss, is it? So it doesn't count as losing, let's try again." Wen Renyi said coldly.

  He shot again and hit the target thirty-five zhang away for the second time, and it was another tie.

  However, Su Mo and Wen Ren Yi were on the left and right, opening their bows.

  Wen Renyi focused on the thirty-five zhang distant target, while Su Mo's every arrow hit the thirty zhang distant target, fully showcasing their exceptional archery skills.

  Seeing this, Xia Xue'er was somewhat unconvinced. That woman had actually hit all three targets. She had been studying the six arts since childhood and still wasn't very confident at a distance of thirty zhang. But now her opponent was gradually surpassing the Third Prince's score. The Third Prince was secretly anxious in his heart, as he could only hit targets at a distance of twenty-five zhang.

  At this time, all onlookers were filled with excitement, a ordinary horse shooting game had become a strong competition between the two princes.

  Xia Xue'er took a deep breath immediately, she knew she couldn't panic, absolutely couldn't panic.

  She steadied her nerves, her eyes fixed intently on the red bullseye thirty zhang away, recalling the best shooting feeling from just now. At this moment, her body slightly shifted, her breathing became stable, and her wrist gradually stabilized.

  She bit her lip, and with a flick of her finger, an arrow shot out with a "whoosh" sound. As she watched the arrow slowly fall downwards, although it didn't hit the red center, it still managed to land on the target. With that feeling appearing again, Xia Xue'er's gaze became even calmer, and her movements more coordinated and natural.

  Then several arrows hit the bullseye, and a burst of applause erupted around him like thunder.

  Xia Xue'er hooked her lips, slightly relieved in her heart, and glanced at Su Mo with a sideways glance.

  At thirty paces, she was just as good.

  The gong sounded, Xia Xueer hit the thirty zhang for the tenth time, Su Mo for the fifth time, and it was still a tie.

  However, Su Mo didn't look at her, only to see that a pair of enchanting eyes narrowed slightly, and an arrow flew out from Hong Su's hand.

  The arrow flashed like a shooting star chasing the moon, straight towards the sky. At the same moment the arrow left the bowstring, Su Mo's body leaned back, his figure fluttering and uncertain, almost at the same time he took out another arrow, both hands drawing the bow, the string full as the moon, and another arrow shot out, transforming into a long rainbow. The second arrow chased after the first, followed by the third, fourth, fifth, like shadows following forms, all flying out together.

  Five arrows shot one after another hit the bullseye, and finally the target could no longer hold on. With a "bang", it shattered into pieces and fell to the ground.

  In an instant, all around was silent at first, then a burst of astonishment, and this situation was still their first time seeing it.

  Innumerable eyes stared blankly at the fragments of the targets, with an indescribable shock welling up in their hearts.

  For a long time, many people were in a daze.

  Lost, thoroughly lost, the Third Prince let out a soft sigh, in terms of skill and strength, he was far inferior to Wen Renyi.

  However, in terms of archery skills and actual strength, Xia Xue'er was no match for this woman.

  For a long time, there was an unusual color in people's eyes, excitement was unstoppable, applause erupted, and the inner servants judges also shouted with hoarse voices, the cheering voices reached the sky, even other princes couldn't help but applaud for Su Mo repeatedly.

  However, at this moment, the man in black couldn't bear to see Xia Yuer lose, raised his hand, and a sleeve arrow flew quickly towards Su Mo's veil. He wanted to let people see what this woman really looked like, must be extremely ugly, and take the opportunity to humiliate her.

  Su Mo felt a gust of wind sweep past her, and she slightly tilted her head, but it was half a beat too late. The arrow had already pierced her veil.

  When her face appeared in front of everyone, it caused another stir.

  Some people were infatuated with her beauty and stupidly said: "So beautiful! Really too beautiful!"

  However, someone also shouted: "Demoness, she is actually a demoness."