For Nan Feng, this matter was beyond words, after all, what had been a sweet relationship had now bee quite awkward because of a child.
Yeguo kept forting Nan Feng, saying that things would get better when the child grew up and became more sensible, especially considering how much hardship she had endured as a little girl.
But Nan Feng knew that Yeguo must feel a sense of loss.
Sometimes she even thought that perhaps she should go out for a day and leave Xiaobao pletely with Yeguo. Once Xiaobao realized Yeguo meant no harm, their relationship would naturally ease. Yet she could never bring herself to be so harsh, melting at the sound of Xiaobao’s cries.
They could only slowly get accustomed to each other.
Now, with Yeguo gone the entire day, Nan Feng couldn’t help wondering if he felt a sense of emptiness inside, which is why he hadn’t returned for so long.
She herself felt terribly hollow, sensing that their relationship was not as close as before since her return.
Though she desperately wanted to return to how things used to be.
Soon, the palace maid she had sent out returned. The palace maid had been out and about for most of the day before she finally found Yeguo on the training field. On seeing someone, she hurried back to report to Nan Feng.
“So, who was with the Crown Prince?” Nan Feng asked.
“The Crown Prince, the Third, Fifth, and Sixth Princes were there. All the princes remaining in the palace were present.”
“Oh,” Nan Feng felt somewhat strange. Yeguo had finally gathered with his brothers, yet she wondered whether this was a good or bad turn of events for them.
Her mood seemed to once again be shrouded in a fog.
…
At the training field, several matches had finally concluded, including archery on horseback and flying knives. Yeguo triumphed resoundingly, far surpassing the Third, Fifth, and Sixth Princes. Only the Crown Prince did not lose too miserably, but still fell behind.
The Crown Prince was thoroughly convinced of his defeat.
Considering that the Crown Prince had been bedridden for six months and still performed this well, one need not mention how he would fare once his strength and vigor were fully restored. In terms of skills, he was even superior to the palace’s shadow guards.
As for the Emperor, his gaze had been fixed on Yeguo ever since his arrival.
The martial petitions had their highlights and their less appealing acts.
The attractive ones, for instance, featured swordplay typically practiced by women, characterized by lightness and agility. If the performer had a graceful figure, it made the display all the more appealing. The less attractive side included burly men who relied on brute strength to win, offering no aesthetic pleasure to the spectator.
From start to finish, Yeguo’s executed techniques were calm and collected. With a towering stature and nimble footwork, his power and suppleness intertwined so seamlessly that what he presented was exceedingly pleasing to watch.
The Emperor’s gaze grew increasingly appreciative. This son was indeed a gift from the heavens.
All the princes had already approached the Emperor and had also noticed the look he gave Yeguo—a mix of admiration and something more, a sense he might entrust him with significant responsibilities.
“What are you all doing here?” the Emperor asked.
The princes looked at each other, then the Third Prince said, “Father, our contests are plete.”
“Are they? Why not spar a bit more?” the Emperor said.
The princes returned to the training ground. The Fifth and Sixth Princes, understanding the Emperor’s intent, respectfully approached Yeguo to seek advice about horseback archery. Yeguo patiently instructed them, “For horseback archery, you must first understand the horse’s traits. Moreover, focus not on the riding but the shooting, imagining that you are still on flat ground…”
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