"Are you out of your mind?" Concubine Xuan looked at Chu Qing as if she were a crazy person, her face full of disbelief.
Chu Qing squinted her eyes and slowly approached the other woman. "I just saw Concubine Xuan was quite articulate. I thought you must be very brave. Or is it that you're only good at talking?"
After saying that, Chu Qing straightened up and faced the Empress Dowager. "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager heard just now that the loser has no right to refuse the punishment. You also said as long as it's not excessive. I think this... should be okay. Concubine Xuan just needs to stand there and wait for the apple on her head to be shot. If you're worried about the archer's aim, I'll be in front of you. So why be afraid?"
"You...!" Concubine Xuan was so angry that she didn't know how to retort.
If the Princess of Ning really stood in front of her, she would surely be safe. But if the Princess of Ning got hurt, could the Prince of Ning let her off?
"What are you all playing? It's so lively!" The Emperor walked in at some point and asked with a smile.
Seeing the Emperor coming, Concubine Xuan immediately rushed over and complained tearfully.
After roughly understanding what had happened, the Emperor changed his usual smiling face and said seriously, "Aunt, are you serious? Uncle is not in the capital recently. If anything happens to you, how can I explain it to him when he comes back?"
Chu Qing still smiled. She pulled Huo Xiaoxiao to her side and replied, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. I know what I'm doing. And with her shooting the arrow, I'm sure it will be all right."
Hearing Chu Qing's words, Huo Xiaoxiao was touched. Involuntarily, she shyly lowered her head.
Only then did the Emperor look at the charming figure beside Chu Qing. Hmm... was she one of his concubines? Her appearance was not outstanding, but she was quite cute. No wonder he hadn't noticed her before.
Catching the fleeting surprise in the Emperor's eyes, Huo Xiaoxiao smiled slightly, but there was a hint of bitterness in her smile. "Your Majesty, I'm Concubine Wan."
"Can you shoot an arrow?"
"I'm from the Huo family."
"I see."
...
Seeing this, Chu Qing was filled with dissatisfaction.
She was never a reckless person and would never risk her life just for a moment of anger. She did this because she knew the other person's skills.
Huo Xiaoxiao's grandfather was an old acquaintance of hers from her past life, General Huo.
General Huo was a brave and good - fighting general. Although he often argued with her in the court, he was actually upright. General Huo often praised his little granddaughter's skills in private. Once at a banquet, he brought Huo Xiaoxiao into the palace. Chu Qing took a fancy to her at first sight and directly let Huo Xiaoxiao enter the palace as a concubine.
She had almost forgotten about this person. But just now, she caught a glimpse of her, which led to what happened later.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor seemed not to recognize her, and Huo Xiaoxiao had only the title of Concubine Jie after so many years in the palace!
The person she valued was ignored by the Emperor. Naturally, she was dissatisfied.
So, Chu Qing gently pushed Huo Xiaoxiao in front of her. "Your Majesty, don't underestimate this girl. I've heard that her skills were taught by General Huo himself."
"Oh? A person from the Huo family?" The Emperor's eyes lit up. There was such a capable person in his harem, but he didn't know!
"Are you sure? You know, if you hurt the Princess of Ning, neither I nor General Huo can protect you."
Chu Qing was a bit helpless. One after another, they always brought up Wei Ying, as if the Prince of Ning liked and valued her so much.
Huo Xiaoxiao was a bit at a loss. Her fingers involuntarily grabbed her clothes.
Seeing this, Chu Qing got closer to her and said in a voice only they could hear, "If you don't seize this opportunity, are you willing to be a Concubine Jie for the rest of your life?"
Huo Xiaoxiao trembled and then looked up at the Emperor. "Your Majesty, I'm ninety percent sure. I will surely live up to your and the Princess of Ning's trust."
She had always been confident in her skills. But for some reason, when she saw the person she had been longing for, she always wanted to shrink back.
"Ninety percent sure? What about the remaining ten percent?" The Emperor raised his eyebrows.
"If the target can stay completely still, I'll be one - hundred percent sure."
Seeing this, the Emperor couldn't help laughing out loud. "Good, good, good! The Princess of Ning and Concubine Wan are both heroines among women! They have courage and determination! Since you have the courage and confidence, I'll tell you the truth. I'm very interested in this punishment!"
Concubine Xuan, who had been ignored for a long time, gritted her teeth hard. She originally wanted to continue to ask the Empress Dowager for help, but unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager also spoke with a smile. "Since that's the case, I also want to see something new."
However, at this moment, the Empress Dowager was sneering inwardly. Since Chu Qing was so fearless of death, she was naturally happy to grant her wish!
Seeing that everyone had started to agree, Concubine Xuan swallowed her resentment and had to force a smile and agree.
...
Everything was ready. A large open space had been cleared in the main hall, and everyone had retreated far away to watch the fun.
Anyway, they didn't have to do anything. They would be happy to see any of the three make a fool of themselves.
Only the Queen, standing beside the Empress Dowager, was sweating profusely because of her worry about Chu Qing.
She had seen Concubine Wan's archery skills from afar. To be honest, there were few men in the Great Yan Kingdom who were better than her.
But concern makes one confused. She was afraid that Chu Qing would get hurt.
At this moment, Concubine Xuan was standing there with an apple on her head, her face flushed. Her originally graceful body was now stiff with nervousness. She insisted on pretending not to care, but to others, it looked a bit funny.
Seeing that Concubine Xuan was in position, Chu Qing walked unhurriedly to the front of Concubine Xuan. They were about the same height and build. So from the front, Chu Qing completely blocked the other woman.
However, Chu Qing's calmness at this moment was in sharp contrast to Concubine Xuan's nervousness.
Huo Xiaoxiao took a deep breath and took the bow and arrow handed by the servant.
She stood still, placed the arrow on the bowstring, drew the bow, aimed, and her movements were smooth and natural.
At this moment, Chu Qing curled her lips meaningfully. When she saw Huo Xiaoxiao release the arrow, Chu Qing suddenly dodged skillfully to the side.
Concubine Xuan, who had been staring at the back of Chu Qing's head, heard a "bang". She saw that Chu Qing, who had been standing steadily, suddenly swayed to the side, and a cold - glinting arrow flew towards her!
She wanted to dodge, but her body was frozen in place and couldn't move!
Accompanied by her scream, she tightly closed her eyes.
It wasn't until she heard the sound of the apple hitting the ground and Chu Qing's lazy apology:
"I'm really sorry. I sprained my foot just now because I was too nervous. I'm sure Concubine Xuan won't mind, right?"