Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Why So Soft, Why Look at Me
Ji Qingwu saw the bow the moment she entered Jiyin Hall. It turned out to be the Xuanyuan Bow.
Legend had it that when paired with the Sky-shaking Arrow, this bow possessed boundless power.
Li Yuzong had retrieved the bow himself. He carefully presented it to her with both hands. "Miss Ji, this is the Emperor’s favorite bow," he added, not forgetting to explain.
The Xuanyuan Bow was much heavier than the last one. Even for someone as strong as Ji Qingwu, it felt weighty in her hands.
"I’ve heard that bow is so heavy that even most men struggle to draw it. For a delicate girl like her, isn’t this just a waste of effort?"
"If I could just touch that treasured bow, who cares if I hit the target or not?"
"Is this girl here for our amusement? She couldn’t even hit the target with a regular bow, and now she’s switching to a harder one."
...
The crowd’s murmurs were incessant.
But regardless of whether they believed in her or not, Ji Qingwu suddenly felt her blood boil. ’To win a title through glorious battle, amidst the clang of arms and armored steeds—this grand ambition wasn’t exclusive to men. She had harbored it too.’
She held her breath and focused, preparing to nock an arrow. With a combined effort from her right arm, waist, and core, she slowly drew the bow into the arc of a full moon.
Her use of the ordinary bow hadn’t revealed it, but this woman possessed immense strength; she was no delicate, ornamental flower. The eyes of the military generals in attendance lit up.
’There’s a chance!’
Emperor Wu Su, however, showed no surprise at all. His dark eyes were fixed on the woman’s back, as if this wasn’t the first time he had watched her like this.
The arrow shot forth with the speed to pierce clouds and shatter the moon, flying straight for the target outside the hall.
A moment later, an excited cry came from a Palace Attendant outside the doors.
"A direct hit to the bullseye!"
The military generals inside the hall burst into applause, and the atmosphere instantly became lively.
No one dislikes praise. Ji Qingwu was overjoyed, her eyes shining as she turned to find Emperor Wu Su, subconsciously wanting to see his expression.
A beauty looking back, her fragrant sleeves fluttering. In the vast Phoenix Palace, one would be hard-pressed to find another with such vibrant, lively charm.
Prince Yong narrowed his eyes. Li Chengxun watched her, lost in thought.
Ji Qingwu turned around completely, and her heart skipped a beat again.
Because the Emperor had, at some point, walked up right behind her. ’How does this man move so silently?’
He commanded in a low voice, "Nock another arrow."
Ji Qingwu could only obey. She picked up another arrow and took a step back to steady her stance for the draw, but she forgot Emperor Wu Su was behind her and fell right back into his arms.
Her gossamer-like silk was thin, and the masculine body behind her was strong and solid. The jade belt at Emperor Wu Su’s waist pressed against the small of her back.
Ji Qingwu immediately tried to move forward, but he stopped her.
"Don’t move. The body guides the arm, and the arm guides the fingers. Then the bow and hand become one."
He was going to teach her archery personally.
’Did His Majesty find my last shot an eyesore again?’
Ji Qingwu suppressed the strange stirring in her heart and adjusted her posture. ’A teacher like this is hard to find in this world. To receive a few pointers from him is my gain.’
Emperor Wu Su’s gaze leisurely swept over her spine, followed her slender, raised arm, and landed on the fingers holding the bow. Her nails were rounded and not painted with the crimson dye favored by the concubines and noble ladies, instead showing a natural pink hue.
He said in a low voice, "When you draw the bow, your eye should follow a straight line from the shaft, past the arrowhead, and all the way to the target."
Ji Qingwu drew the bow and nocked an arrow again, calibrating her aim according to his instructions.
But firing two consecutive shots required stamina that Ji Qingwu hadn’t yet cultivated. Her right arm, drawing the bow, couldn’t help but tremble slightly.
Suddenly, a large hand rested on her shoulder, bringing them even closer. The scent of ambergris grew stronger, and Ji Qingwu’s hand couldn’t help but go weak.
Sensing her sudden loss of strength, her previously taut waist pressed closer against him.
A deep, muffled chuckle sounded by Ji Qingwu’s ear.
"Why are you going soft?"
Emperor Wu Su must have had a few cups of wine as well. The sharp scent of alcohol and his low, mellow voice seemed to scrape against her eardrum.
Her right ear immediately, and traitorously, turned bright red.
Ji Qingwu straightened her back. "I’m not."
But straightening her posture caused her hips to jut backward, and the person behind her briefly stiffened.
The initial burst of energy was gone, and now her strength waned. Ji Qingwu couldn’t muster the force anymore. She bit her lip in frustration.
The people in the hall were still waiting for her to shoot another arrow. Moreover, with the Emperor himself as her teacher, if she failed to release this arrow, she would truly become a laughingstock.
Emperor Wu Su directly grasped the hand she used to draw the bow.
To be precise, he enveloped her hand with his.
Ji Qingwu’s eyes widened slightly. She instantly felt the vast difference in strength between a man and a woman. Emperor Wu Su effortlessly pulled the bowstring back even further, stretching the bow to its absolute limit.
She secretly tilted her head up but could only see his chin. Having never witnessed Emperor Wu Su’s prowess on the battlefield, she wanted to see the look on his face as he drew the bow.
"What are you looking at me for? Aim."
She had been gently reprimanded.
Ji Qingwu sheepishly turned her head away. ’Why am I having such random thoughts at a time like this?’ she chided herself, steadying her mind and calming her breath.
She just missed the moment Emperor Wu Su glanced down at her, and so she didn’t see the slight upturn of his lips.
The arrow left the string, and the bowstring released with a sharp TWANG.
The bow, a distinct full moon; the arrow, a burst from a cold star.
Her tense emotions seemed to fly away with the arrow. Without needing to wait for the Palace Attendant’s report, Ji Qingwu already knew the result.
The fabric of her dress was light. The rush of wind from the arrow’s flight blew her gauze skirt against his bright yellow Dragon Robe. It swirled, clinging for a moment before pulling away, only to drift back and press against him again.
"The target has been pierced through!"
Hearing the Palace Attendant’s report, Ji Qingwu didn’t turn to look at Emperor Wu Su this time.
The two of them were too close now. She lowered her head and took a few steps forward, trying to create a respectable distance and avoid any suspicion.
The hand and shoulder he had held were still burning.
Everyone in the hall grew excited. The military generals, in particular, erupted in cheers. They never expected to witness the Emperor himself draw a bow and shoot an arrow at such a dull palace banquet.
And the woman wasn’t half bad, either.
Earning a "not bad" from soldiers who had fought on the battlefield was already high praise.
After these two shots, Ji Qingwu’s reputation among the group of military generals had improved considerably.
However, the expressions of the Empress Dowager, Ji Qingyuan, and Princess Consort Wei soured considerably.
Prince Yong’s cloying gaze lingered on Ji Qingwu’s waist. He hadn’t expected his cousin to hold such a surprise; she was certainly special. He hadn’t seen her for a few days, during which he had taken a new Hujie as a concubine. The novelty of the new woman hadn’t worn off yet, but now it seemed she was far less alluring than his Fifth Cousin.
Emperor Wu Su strolled leisurely back to the throne and shared a cup of wine with his ministers. Seeing his master in a good mood, Li Yuzong also relaxed considerably.
Ji Qingwu lowered her head and returned to the southern seats. Mrs. Qiao’s heart was in a flutter. It seemed she had much to say but suppressed it all, merely patting her on the back.
She said only two words: "Well done."
For a family of civil servants to raise a daughter with such outstanding archery skills was something Mrs. Qiao could be very proud of.
A belated sense of shyness washed over Ji Qingwu, and she touched her ear.
Mrs. Qiao’s gaze shifted back and forth between the sovereign on the throne and Xiao Wu, hoping she had been mistaken.
The palace banquet was nearing its end.
It was only then that Young Master Yuan Heng made an appearance.
