“Xinnan, you are very filial to your Imperial Grandmother. If you had this intention, why didn’t you tell me directly?” Why did she need Fu Siyan to twist and turn and go an entire round.
“I...marriage is a big matter. I was shy to speak about it to you directly. That’s why I could only ask Fu Siyan to help me. Imperial Father, does that mean you agree?”
The Emperor smiled and nodded. Simply put, the Peacock Screen Selection was just a matter of archery. He was ninety percent confident of Lu Qi’s ability.
However, the Emperor forgot about Fu Rou. Fu Rou was excellent in embroidery. The Peacock Screen was embroidered. But when it came to embroidery, Fu Rou had a thousand ideas to make even the best shooter confused.
Fu Rou was working with Shu’er. They lowered blinds all over the windows to prevent the sunlight from shining in. Thereafter, they made different coloured dyes to dye strings. In front of her was a peacock screen that had just been delivered to her from the Embroidery Department. She was the one that embroidered the screen and left it in the storage room. She did not think that there would actually be use for it.
Shu’er brought over some herbal medicine. “Do we have to put in herbal medicine for this dye?”
Fu Rou did not say more as she took the herbal medicine and ground it. She carefully measured it before pouring it into the water. She did not allow for any mistakes. After the threads were dyed, they were dried before they could be attached to a needle and used to embroider the screen.
Shu’er did not understand. “This screen is already very pretty, why do you need to embroider further?”
Fu Rou said, “Because she called me Elder Sister-in-law.”
Shu’er made an ah sound. Fu Rou immediately corrected herself. “Because I think that there are too few feathers on the peacock’s head.”
The next day, Fu Yin was helping Lu Qi put on his clothes.
Meanwhile, Lu Qi grumbled, “I don’t know what the Emperor is thinking. If he wanted to bestow marriage then he should just do it. Why must they set up the Peacock Screen Selection? It is all because of Fu Rou creating trouble.”
As Fu Yin heard Fu Rou’s name, her actions slowed.
Lu Qi immediately noticed and was happy. “Why? Are you jealous that I am marrying the Princess? Don’t worry. I won’t let the Princess bully you when she enters our residence.”
“With Young Master’s affection, I don’t have anything to worry about.” Fu Yin did not care about Lu Qi’s marriage with the Princess. “How did this Fu Rou girl offend you?”
Lu Qi sneered, “She is precious to Sheng Chumu. I don’t get along with Sheng Chumu and will sort out whoever Sheng Chumu likes.”
Fu Yin was stunned. “You want to sort her out?”
“Don’t mention her and ruin my mood.” Lu Qi suddenly embraced Fu Yin intimately. Fu Yin wanted to push him away. “It is early in the morning…” All of a sudden, a pair of jade bracelets appeared in front of her.
Lu Qi helped Fu Yin wear the jade bracelets. “Didn’t the bracelets given to you by your mother break? I specially bought this pair for you. Although it cannot replace what your mother left behind, whenever you look at it, you will know that there is someone in this world that cares for you.” Warmth filled his eyes as he smiled gently. “Although I cannot choose my own wife, I can choose who to dote on.”
Fu Yin stared blankly at the beautiful bracelets. When she pulled herself back to reality, Lu Qi had already left. She could not help but place her hand on her heart. The bracelets gave off a clear ringing sound when they hit each other. It was as if they fell into her heart and created a ripple. She actually thought that he was gentle! What should she do?
Chapter 39.1: Life Exchange Paper
A banner was raised in the wide courtyard of the Royal Palace. The last time that the place had been so lively was when the Imperial Competition was held. This time, even the Grand Emperor came to watch.
Lu Qi stepped up to greet them. The Emperor had high expectations for him. After all, this was the second time Xinnan’s marriage was brought up.
“Lu Qi, today’s Peacock Screen Selection was suggested by Princess Xinnan out of remembrance of her late Imperial Grandmother. It is also a way for me and the Grand Emperor to commemorate Grand Empress Taimu. I hope that you will not disappoint me.”
Lu Qi was respectful yet confident. “I will not let you down, Your Majesty.”
The internal attendants reported that Sheng Xiaojing and Sheng Chuling were seeking an audience.
Xinnan was sitting on the same platform as the Emperor. When she saw Sheng Chuling enter with a bow in his hand and arrows on his back, she could not help but smile.
The Emperor frowned, “Duke Lu, why are you here to join?”
“I heard that Your Majesty had set up the Peacock Screen to help Princess Xinnan select a consort. Although my son Chuling is untalented, his archery skills are still passable…”
The Emperor cut Sheng Xiaojing off. “So you thought that he could also try and shoot two shots.”
Sheng Xiaojing braced himself. “Your Majesty has always been fair. The Peacock Screen Selection is based on true abilities…”
“Do you think that my daughter is like a cabbage in the market? You can take one if you have the ability?” The Emperor shook his head. “Sheng Chumu has disappointed me before. Are you trying to disappoint me again? My daughter is a peerless beauty. First of all, Sheng Chuling will not inherit the position of Duke. Secondly, he has not achieved any merits from war. What is he going to use to compete with Lu Qi? Even if he can shoot the Peacock Screen accurately, he is not qualified to marry Xinnan.”
Sheng Chuling summoned his courage. “Your Majesty…”
Sheng Xiaojing tugged on his sleeve, indicating for him to keep quiet and back off to the wooden shed by the side.
Meanwhile, Chief Cao ordered people to set up the Peacock Screen a hundred and fifty steps away from the start line.
Yang Bo muttered, “Why is the Peacock Screen so far away? Wouldn’t it be easier if the shooter could stand closer?”
Chief Cao laughed, “You brat, you received so many benefits from Duke Chen. Are you trying to help Young General Lu?”
Yang Bo immediately waved his hands expressing that he would not dare.
Chief Cao smiled with a hidden implication. “Don’t worry. Even without you saying, I know to help them too.” Even if they did not know how to read others, they would at least know how to read the Emperor. From his expression, it was clear that the Emperor favoured Lu Qi. How could they remain by the book?
The internal attendants signalled to Chief Cao that they were done setting the screen.
Chief Cao reported to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, the Peacock Screen has been set a hundred and fifty steps away.”
The Emperor bestowed the arrows, asking Lu Qi to prepare.
“Wait!” Xinnan remembered Sheng Chuling mentioning that Lu Qi’s archery skills were extraordinary. “A hundred and fifty steps is too close, it has to be at least two hundred steps.”
Lu Qi halted. Two hundred steps? Even the best bow can only shoot about three hundred steps. Moreover, he was using a bow for hunting.
The Emperor asked Chief Cao, “You are the oldest person in the palace. Does the palace have any rules for how far the Peacock Screen must be?”
“The palace does not have any rules set for this. Your Majesty, do you want to change it to a hundred steps? We can have a good omen of a hundred percent success.” Chief Cao was trying to please the Emperor.
“What?” Xinnan frowned. “You just said that there weren’t any rules. How dare you suggest more?”
Yang Bo suddenly added, “Your Majesty, it is not certain how far the screen should be placed. However, the ancient books do state how to differentiate whether it is good to shoot.”