Princess Ji Lan challenged me to an archery contest on horseback. Before the competition even began, it had already attracted a crowd of spectators.
The Emperor, upon hearing of this, even added a jade ruyi scepter as a prize.
Women's polo was all the rage, and in the capital, any young woman whose family could afford it learned decent riding skills. However, archery was another matter. Drawing a bow required arm strength, and no young lady wished to develop 'qilin arms' that would be utterly detrimental to her appearance.
Twenty horses carried the targets into the arena. Princess Ji Lan and I took our positions on horseback, standing on opposite sides. The moment the gong sounded, the horses, startled, bolted across the field, causing the targets to move erratically.
I drew my bow, nocked an arrow, and released. The arrow flew from the string, striking the bullseye of a target. Princess Ji Lan followed suit, also hitting the bullseye. I glanced at her; it was clear she had practiced diligently. I timed my shots, maintaining a pace one arrow ahead of hers.
After six arrows, her speed began to wane.
Drawing a bow was incredibly taxing on the arms. While Princess Ji Lan possessed some rudimentary martial arts skills, her strength was only slightly greater than that of an ordinary noblewoman. Six arrows in quick succession, all while aiming, would naturally make her arms ache.
Yet, Ji Lan persisted, finishing all ten of her arrows. Only the last two missed the bullseye.
She lowered her longbow and graciously conceded, "I, this princess, heard in the Northern Frontier that women in Da Yin rarely leave their chambers, being delicate flowers. I did not expect you to be a woman of exceptional talent. I know you held back; with your skill, I could never have shot ten arrows."
I looked at her slightly trembling arms and found myself developing a more favorable impression of her. "You are our guest, Princess. You are too kind."
While the competition was over, Ji Lan was, after all, a princess of a foreign land, currently a distinguished guest of Da Yin. It would not do to let her lose too embarrassingly.
"You are a good person. This princess will be your friend."
I: "...Thank you for your high regard, Princess. You are welcome to visit my manor when you have free time in the future."
"Why wait for the future? Come, race horses with me. This princess refuses to believe there's nothing I can do better than you."
"How could that be? If the Princess were to compete with me in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, you would surely win widespread acclaim."
"Alas, I am not skilled in those arts either."
With the outcome of the competition decided, the noble ladies who had expected me to make some mistake and were disappointed to see Princess Ji Lan and I not only not fighting but enjoying ourselves, dispersed with murmurs.
I, however, was pulled away by Ji Lan.
The Emperor was quite pleased. "Nannan, that girl's temperament is exactly like her mother's. It's fortunate we made her the Crown Princess. Had it been someone else, who knows how smug that Northern Frontier princess would be?"
The Empress smiled, "Our Da Yin does not emphasize martial prowess. Few women are skilled in archery. It's not particularly impressive if the Northern Frontier princess wins on that basis."
"But it's still vexing, isn't it? Why didn't she challenge someone in music or chess? She immediately resorted to using force, attacking others' weaknesses with her strengths. This daughter of the Northern Frontier King clearly hasn't been taught well. Tell Xiao Er later, this princess is not suitable for marriage."
Princess Ji Lan was unaware that she had already received a negative rating in the Emperor's eyes. She was still racing horses with me.
The hunting grounds featured a vast, boundless grassland.
After tiring ourselves out from riding, Princess Ji Lan and I lay on the grass, catching our breath. Looking up, we saw the deep blue sky dotted with floating white clouds. Princess Ji Lan sighed, "The sky in Da Yin is truly beautiful. Unlike the Northern Frontier, where heavy clouds and fog perpetually shroud the land, and heavy snow can fall at any moment."
"Snowscapes are also beautiful. I've heard your main city has ice sculptures."
"This princess is tired of them," she said, breathing in the fresh scent of the grass with satisfaction.
After lying down for a while, I pulled her up. "Let's go. If we stay any longer, we'll miss lunch."
At the hunting grounds, the Emperor usually hosted banquets in the evening. For breakfast and lunch, everyone ate separately. There was a large kitchen at the hunting grounds, so one could simply send for whatever one desired.
Princess Ji Lan lazily lay there. "Where will you eat lunch? With your fiancé?"
"The Crown Prince has matters to attend to today and will arrive at the hunting grounds later. I need to find my elder brother." With his official rank, he was not qualified to participate in the hunt. However, when the Emperor traveled, there had to be a few Hanlin officials accompanying him. When the festivities reached their peak, they would undoubtedly be needed to compose poems and essays. Occasionally, they would also be required to draft documents.
My elder brother had been familiar with the Emperor since childhood and was the top scholar. Naturally, the Emperor prioritized selecting him.
Princess Ji Lan nodded. "This princess also needs to find her second brother."
Just as I pulled her up, I heard the clip-clop of hooves. Turning my head, I saw His Highness the Crown Prince dismounting. Perhaps he had ridden in haste, as fine beads of sweat glistened on his forehead, appearing to catch the light and making him look even more handsome and refined.
"A Chun, have you finished your competition with the Princess?"
I quickly nodded, stepped forward to pay my respects, and Princess Ji Lan performed a Northern Frontier salute.
Situ Yao said, "Princess Ji Lan, as I approached, I heard that your second brother was looking for you. Would you like to go find him?"
"Yes, I would. Where is my second brother now?"
"Pengcheng, take Princess Ji Lan to find the Second Prince of the Northern Frontier."
Uh, I was so busy looking at Situ Yao just now that I didn't even notice Pengcheng.