Chapter 4, Yonghe

Time passes quickly... Her two years... were as long as a lifetime.

Meili originally thought she was being scolded, but when she turned around, she found Jingxian staring at Su Ying in the center with a look of disdain. Su Ying was frowning, her delicate little face more endearing, as she carefully put on her gloves, afraid of scratching her tender little hands.

Sigh... Yong He sighed with regret, "You are too anxious; just aim for the right moment."

Because she had anticipated encountering such an embarrassing situation, Meili remained calm instead. She couldn't help but look up at the person speaking, also because she was unsure if it was truly Jingxian.

Upon hearing the name Ziyu, Meili raised her eyes to glance at Yonghe, who stood at the lower end. He was clean-cut and handsome, with a hint of youthful innocence. Ziyu had already become the emperor's trusted confidant, and naturally, he had other significant roles to play. Entrusting the task of guarding the imperial city to a young man like Yonghe, who had deep roots and connections, was truly fitting

Meili smiled, and also drew her bow. With another effort, there was a sharp "crack" sound, and the light bow, specially prepared for the young ladies, was unexpectedly broken by her. Meili was startled, and a sharp pain shot through her ear. She couldn't help but reach out to touch it, finding a damp streak of blood, merely a result of the bowstring snapping.

Jing Xian cursed again, drew her bow, and shot an arrow that hit the target. From a distance, cheers of approval echoed from the group of men.

"Well, it has been released." Meili smiled.

Accompanying the maid was a young man in his twenties. Meili silently sipped her tea and did not pay much attention. The surrounding voices of approval did not pique her interest; as long as the ancestor praised him, even if he were missing an arm or a leg, he would still be described as a rare talent.

You all go as well! Make sure to determine a winner for me, the ancestors will reward you generously!" The Empress Dowager smiled broadly at the young girls, who were all eager to give it a try. "Yonghe, tell the eunuchs that Su Ying's bow must be particularly light, as she is frail, and it is no joke if she gets hurt!

... ... Very well, very well. The Emperor's arrangement aligns quite well with my wishes. In the past, Ziyu, the young man, served as the captain of the guards, which was very reassuring for me. With Yonghe taking over, it is excellent!

Thank you. She returned the bow to him and said a few words to the young eunuch, pretending that she needed to go treat her wound, and left the competition arena

Meili's target was at the far edge of the area away from the men, right next to her was Jingxian. Meili did not want to speak with her and instead took the bow that the young eunuch was holding to try it out. In the past, she had been too busy running around Jingxuan and had never properly competed; it turned out that each person had six arrows.

Meili smiled apologetically, realizing that her strength was no longer comparable to what it used to be, which led her to accidentally break the bow. When she first entered the Anning Hall, she struggled to lift even half a bucket of water, but later she was able to lift several full buckets in succession

Ah! The young ladies all stopped, each stretching their necks to look at her, their expressions varied, "She broke the bow!"

"Thank you, ancestral deity, for your grace." The sweet voice is soft and lively, and the person is also charmingly beautiful. ... Meili looked in the direction of the voice, filled with admiration; no wonder the ancestral deity is particularly fond of and concerned for her, she ... . ... Truly too beautiful and delicate.

This time there is no fear of it breaking, she mounted the arrow, "No, no!" Yonghe, who was watching from the side, called out, feeling embarrassed to correct her directly, anxiously tugging at his ears a couple of times, which made Meili smile like a child.

Are you alright? Just as Yonghe was about to walk towards the men's area, he came over with his bow on his back and looked at the injury on her neck with concern.

How can one be so energetic? Is the food in the Cold Palace really that good? It is unclear who spoke so bluntly and harshly, provoking a few stifled laughs.

Use mine!" Yonghe smiled as he casually handed over his bow. Meili felt it was awkward not to accept, so she could only smile awkwardly and take the powerful bow.

Looking at the situation... Meili lowered her head. The governor of Chahar has returned to the capital after being promoted, and his wife is thriving here with the ancestors, enjoying a moment of great prominence.

Meili looked closely at the woman, having heard of her before. She should be Yingru, a talented maid who entered the palace alongside Aunt Yu'an to serve the matriarch. The matriarch favored her and arranged a good marriage for her. Later, her husband became the governor of Chahar, and she attained the rank of a first-class noblewoman. Uncle Hai often used Aunt Yingru's story to remind her of the importance of winning the matriarch's favor.

This sentence was spoken to her by Jingxuan a long time ago, his tone filled with impatience seemed to echo in her ears. As she loosened her grip, the arrow flew aimlessly, grazing the edge of the target and landing on the grass behind.

Under the spacious awning, a crowd of people sat amidst a profusion of flowers. Meili lowered her head, following behind the eunuch. Even without looking, she knew that everyone was watching her. Is it not uncomfortable? Is it not nerve-wracking? ... All of it is false ... . .. Everything she was about to face, she gave a faint smile, considering it her punishment.

The young eunuch quickly presented a new bow, and Meili felt a lingering fear, pulling it back but not daring to exert much strength

Do not grasp the feathers

"Virtue! How delicate she is!" Jingxian scoffed coldly.

Jingxian did not wish to provoke Meili, lowering her eyes to avoid meeting her challenging gaze. The events that transpired in the Taihe Hall back then were widely known, and the proud Jingxian suffered a significant blow, yet she never expected to become so sharp-tongued. In the past, she at least appeared obedient and likable in front of the ancestors. The ancestors showed her great patience regarding the matters of harmony and the *Tu* *Shu*, believing that she was innocent and unfortunate in the events of that year, feeling a sense of indebtedness towards her.

"Didn’t you say that the land belonging to your household was going to be returned? Why do you look even more shabby instead? Could it be that during these two years when the master was away, the unscrupulous servants deceived you out of your wealth?" Jingxian said, laughing a few times derisively.

"Is anyone there!" She should, like a lady, take the initiative to mention her son in front of her ancestors, feeling both grateful and surprised, and quickly instructed her personal maid: "Hurry and call Yonghe here!"

Su Ying donned her gloves, and her posture of drawing the bow and releasing the arrow was graceful and charming, exuding an alluring elegance. Such a seemingly delicate girl was able to shoot an arrow that struck the heart, earning applause and encouragement even from the emperor. The cheers of the men resounded in unison, further deepening Jing Xian's disdainful expression

"The weather today is just right," Xiao Zhuang forced a smile as she spoke to several nearby noblewomen, diverting attention from the earlier awkwardness. "Look at you all, it has only been a few days since we last met, and it seems those children have grown into young men! Time really flies! In the blink of an eye, the children have grown up, and we have all aged too."

Do not grasp the feathers

"Oh, you really have been let out?" a voice said with great audacity, cold and harsh, showing no regard for the presence of the Empress Dowager.

The ancestor has not aged at all! A woman, whom Meili did not recognize, interjected with a smile, "I have accompanied my master out of the capital for nine years, and upon returning, I see that the ancestor still looks just as she did back then!"

"Girl, you should go too!" Xiaozhuang gently patted her shoulder, and Meili responded with a bow.

"It's nothing, it's nothing." Meili did not expect him to come over and ask, feeling a bit embarrassed

The several noble ladies and young women present clearly showed great interest in the imminent appearance of Young Master Yonghe, all having shifted their gaze from Meili.

The targets for the girls are quite large, and the distance is also closer than that of the men. As the young ladies walk out from the pavilion, the emperor does not rush to preside over the men's competition, instead watching from afar with a smile.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang laughed at her words, saying, "You still know how to make me happy just like you did back in the days when you were by my side. I heard from the Emperor that your son has also returned, but I haven't seen him yet."

"Meili, why have you just arrived?" Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang waved her hand to dismiss her bowing and gestured to the chair beside her, indicating for her to sit down.

Indeed, she is the daughter of the salt supervisor; even her spit is fragrant

"Enough! Stop acting crazy!" The cold-faced Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang could no longer hold back and quietly admonished her, furrowing her brow as she suppressed her anger for a moment. The ladies present seemed to have not heard Jingxian's words at all, engaging in mutual pleasantries and laughter.

"Look, the archery competition has begun," said Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, her excitement evident as she gazed towards the nearby field. The men lined up in front of the marked line, inspecting their bows and arrows, while the drumbeats gradually became rhythmic.