Crossing the East Palace

Dare to fight?

The third prince of Tubo felt a little uneasy.

The content and rules of the competition are the easiest to manipulate. If he agreed so, wouldn't he be fooled by Prince Datang?

but……

The third prince of Tubo looked down at Tang Luojin, who looked like a little bean, and suddenly felt relieved.

What's so scary about such a little kid, who is said to be a poor kid who only recently learned archery skills because of his lack of physical strength?Even if it is up to him to formulate the rules, what rules can he formulate?

Even if it's a little troublesome, can't he win against a seven-year-old child?

The third prince of Tubo weighed himself and smiled: "Why don't you dare? It's just that the content of the competition was determined by Xiao Wang alone, and the content of the competition... should also be determined by Prince Datang. Then he laughed and said, "Xiao Wang heard that His Majesty the Crown Prince has a vivid memory and is extremely intelligent. Thinking about these few words, he has already thought of an idea? Then please tell the Crown Prince how to compare." "

All the courtiers in Datang scolded the third Tubo prince for being cunning and insidious.

Originally, His Highness the Crown Prince had a good idea, as long as all of them get together and come up with a way to make the Tubo prince sure to lose, both the crown prince's face and Da Tang's face can be restored.However, the third prince of Tubo was obviously much more cunning, as soon as he opened his mouth, he was only willing to let the prince alone come up with an idea immediately, without giving them any time to think!

Emperor Tianyuan laughed when he heard the words: "Come on, come on, since even the princes of Tubo trust and respect my prince so much, and think that my prince is gifted by destiny and is very intelligent, then prince, you should immediately Tell me what you think, and you will live up to the admiration that the Third Prince and Tubo have for me, Datang!"

The third prince of Tubo: "..." Trust and admiration?When did he say those two words?

Many officials in Datang also murmured in their hearts, Your Majesty, you trust His Royal Highness too much.No matter how smart the Crown Prince is, he is only a child over seven years old now, and he will only be eight years old when the spring of the next year begins. I lost the archery competition, so what should I do?

All of a sudden, many people looked at Tang Luojin worriedly and suspiciously.

Tang Luojin's small white jade-like face was still expressionless.

"Father, my son's idea is very simple." After saluting Emperor Tianyuan, Tang Luojin turned to look at the third prince of Tubo, and said, "In terms of strength, the third prince is ten years older than Gu, although he hasn't learned much. Confucius and Mencius of Datang followed the way of a gentleman. However, looking at the behavior of the third prince, he is not a barbaric and vulgar person. He would definitely disdain that once he wins, but it is said that he won because of his age, strength, and intrigue. The real archery skills are astonishing, let alone a real Tubo warrior. Third prince, I just said that, but is that true?"

What else can the third prince say?In front of everyone, behind him was Tubo who was completely loyal to his father or elder brother. If he had won directly regardless of means before, that would be fine. Now, Tang Luojin said "age strength", "conspiracy and trick" Said, Rao is thicker than the city wall, but now he can only endure the thoughts in his heart and nod his head.

"Your Highness said exactly. But..."

But Tang Luojin didn't allow the third prince of Tubo to say "but", interrupted him: "One way of archery is strength, second is eyesight, and third is accuracy. Since the third prince is kind and doesn't want to be criticized for his strength, Then Gu and the third prince are just better than each other in terms of eyesight and accuracy."

Comparing eyesight and accuracy?This is a good idea, but how to compare it?

The third prince of Tubo asked everyone's questions: "Xiao Wang said before that it is to compete with archery. But if, as the prince said, it is not a comparison of strength, but only eyesight and accuracy, then what is the use of the bow? What is the use of the arrow?" Use? Doesn’t this archery competition become a side competition?”

Tang Luojin said calmly, "Naturally, we can still compare." He turned around, glanced at the dignitaries of Datang behind him, and fixed his eyes on the man who taught him bow and arrow himself, calling out, "Third uncle."

Although Ning Junchi had been with Tang Luojin for a long time, he hadn't guessed what Tang Luojin was up to before, until now when he heard Tang Luojin calling him, Ning Junchi's heart moved, and he immediately guessed Tang Luojin's idea.

"The two draw the bow together." Tang Luojin looked at the third Tubo prince and said, "Gu is still young and lacks strength, so I use Gu's eyes and the strength of the Duke of Xin to draw the bow and shoot the arrow together."

"Two people at the same time?" The third prince of Tubo did not expect this, and he was stunned for a moment before he realized, "No! There are two of you, and there is only one person on Xiao Wang's side. It is wrong to bully the small with the big, so, with the many Isn't it wrong to be right?"

At this time, many people on Datang's side understood what Tang Luojin meant.

His Highness the Crown Prince is too young and lacks strength, so another one of the same age and strong strength will draw the bow. His Highness the Crown Prince is only responsible for aiming the arrow at the target. This is exactly what the Crown Prince said just now, only competing for eyesight and aim.In this way, Tubo wanted to take advantage of Datang, but it was impossible.

Someone stood up and shouted at the third prince of Tubo: "What is two against one? Didn't you hear our prince say that two people are drawing the bow together? Since we are drawing the bow together, our Datang is the prince and Xinguo." On your side, the third prince will find someone to compete with you, so it will be two against two? Moreover, there are still two adults, one big and one small, in the final analysis, it is better for you Tubo to take advantage of it?"

The third prince of Tubo thought for a moment before he understood the meaning of this.

He glanced at Ning Junchi with a slightly cold gaze: "Do you believe in Duke Guo? The prince has a good eye, and he went directly to the Ning family." After that, he said, "The prince can find anyone, but the Ning family can't. The Ning family Naturally belligerent, let him draw a bow, who knows whether it is the eyesight and accuracy of the crown prince, or the eyesight and accuracy of him, the Ning family!"

Generations of men from the Ning family have been stationed at the border. Ning Junchi's great-grandfather, grandfather, and father all led troops to fight against Tubo at the junction of Datang and Tubo, and they won more times than they lost. It's no wonder that It's too late for the third prince of Tubo to hate Ning Jun who is a member of the Ning family.

Tang Luojin had thought about this a long time ago, and said, "Blindfolded." After a pause, he added, "Of course, if Duke Xin is blindfolded, Tubo still wouldn't dare to fight..."

What can the third prince of Tubo say now?

He was ten years older than Tang Luojin, and because he lived in a different place, he rode a horse-drawn bow since he was a child, so his archery skills and strength were not a bit better than Tang Luojin's.He used to bully the little ones with big ones, but now that Xiatang Luojin blindfolded that nasty Ning family, he retreated again and again. If he shirks this again, it's not just Datang, but even the people of Tubo who are waiting for him. Go back and laugh at him wantonly, bullying a little boy!

"Then compare!"

Emperor Tianyuan said "yes", and ordered his left and right followers to prepare bows and targets.

Emperor Tianyuan was busy with government affairs on weekdays, but he didn't have much time to care about his children's homework.But the prince is different to him.Tang Luojin's civil and martial arts homework, after being corrected by the master, Emperor Tianyuan would go to see it in person.

In terms of writing, I have my own paper to read.But in terms of martial arts, Emperor Tianyuan always personally went to see Tang Luojin's archery and boxing skills.

As Ning Junchi said before, Tang Luojin was probably born prematurely. Although she has been well maintained and practiced boxing frequently in the past few years, she does not show any weakness.But in terms of strength, Tang Luojin was obviously inferior to other peers.Because of this, when Ning Junchi was teaching Tang Luojin archery, he told Tang Luojin to practice boxing for another two years before learning archery.

The reason why Ning Junchi said this is that Tang Luojin lacks strength on the one hand, and on the other hand... it is Tang Luojin's eyesight and accuracy. Even Ning Junchi, who has practiced archery for more than ten years, must Say "excellent".Strength can be practiced, but half of eyesight is innate.Although Tang Luojin lacked strength, her eyesight was far superior to others.

That's why Ning Jun dared to let Tang Luojin learn archery for two years at night.

Emperor Tianyuan valued the crown prince, so naturally he knew all about this.

If Tang Luojin is really asked to compare strength, Tang Luojin doesn't have to play, and Emperor Tianyuan knows that the result will be a loss; but, if it is a comparison of eyesight, Emperor Tianyuan is full of confidence in his heart.

The men's side was very lively, and the women's side also heard the news.

Although the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager could not mount a horse or hold a bow, the paddock was high and wide, and it was a pleasure to look at, so the two naturally came, and made the little eunuchs run back and forth Pass on the words of Emperor Tianyuan.

The two of them frowned at first, but when Tang Luojin thought about the idea of ​​drawing the bow together, they both showed their faces again.

"The crown prince has been different from other people since he was born." The Empress Dowager laughed, "However, this difference is a blessing to my family and a blessing to Datang!"

Everyone naturally praised the prince.

In order to please the queen, many people kept praising the prince in front of the queen.

Although the queen is not happy in her heart, she still has to do superficial work.Therefore, with a graceful and kind face, he nodded to the people around him.

The fifth princess sat next to her.

She has no way to control what others think.But now she gave birth to four daughters, three of whom died young and left, the queen must catch her last living daughter.

Even in the eyes of outsiders, the fifth princess was not born of her.

Mrs. Yuehou wanted to persuade her, but the old doctor who treated the empress said that the empress probably has a heart disease, which is why she tends to be irritable.Although the strange fragrance is no longer used, it will take some time for a complete cure.During this period of time that has not been cured, it is best not to stimulate the queen too much.

Of course, if someone the queen likes can accompany her and make the queen happy, it will also be good for the queen's body.

Mrs. Yuehou then let the queen take the fifth princess by her side, and then released the news that the queen had lost three daughters, so she took pity on the fifth princess who was the same age as the crown prince, and took her by her side to teach, This can be regarded as reluctantly, blocking the mouth of outsiders.

The fifth princess was originally raised naively and timidly, but when she arrived in Qingning Palace, the queen always gave her whatever she wanted in order to raise her temper. And gave it; and those slaves, the queen taught the five princesses how to be royal.

As a result, the fifth princess only knew the empress, the aunt, and refused to recognize the aunt, Concubine Xin.Even when she saw Concubine Xin's mother's Shen family, she was only willing to call "Mrs. Shen".

Although the Shen family felt sorry for the fifth princess who was sent to the nunnery to endure hardships before she was one year old, it was not the fault of the Shen family or Concubine Xin that the fifth princess went to the nunnery. Help.The Shen family didn't expect the fifth princess to be grateful, but on the day they found out that the fifth princess returned to the palace, they humiliated Concubine Xin in public and said that they would "serve" their aunt all the time, how could the Shen family still treat the fifth princess the same as before?

Moreover, princes and princesses are different from the children of wealthy families.The children of rich families can only recognize the aunt's mother's family as their natal family.However, princes and daughters, especially those born to concubines above the rank of concubine, are completely able to recognize their biological mother's mother's family as their natal family and call them grandfather and grandmother.However, the fifth princess was only willing to call Concubine Xin's mother "Mrs. Shen" in front of everyone, and she would not see Concubine Xin often.

The Shen family felt cold.Just worried about Concubine Xin, she hasn't said much yet.

But the fifth princess didn't know this. She heard the commotion in front of her, her heart itched unbearably, and she said coquettishly: "Mother, Wu'er wants to go to the front to have a look. Brother Qihuang seldom draws a bow and shoots an arrow, Wu'er is very worried, and wants to personally Go and have a look."

The queen glanced at the hufu worn by the fifth princess, which was suitable for walking on horseback. After a moment of hesitation, she looked at the empress dowager: "Grandmother, it's very lively up front, so it's okay for us to go and cheer the prince up. These little girls... ...But I can't sit still at all. Besides, these little girls will also go hunting later."

——Of course they can only enter the front half of the paddock, and they are not allowed to enter the back part unless they are accompanied by their father and brother.

The empress dowager was happy in her heart, she was slightly displeased when she heard the words, but she still said: "Wait until the prince wins before letting them go. The girls from Datang should also have a competition."

The fifth princess lowered her head slightly, and the queen persuaded her a few words, saying that Ning Zhen'er would take her to hunt later, and then she smiled.

The fifth princess is the emperor's daughter, and she is raised by the queen's side. Her status is precious and she cannot leave easily.But the two lively and active ladies quietly left the seat at this moment and walked forward.

——The prince is fighting for Datang, how can they not go and see?

The two were light in stature, and they were noble ladies, so they ran to a place where they could see the situation on the shooting range, and stood quietly.

"The prince looks really good-looking." One of the green-clothed girls tilted her head and thought for a while, "It just looks familiar."

Another girl sneered and said: "Sister Shen is confused, isn't your family still related to the crown prince? It's strange if they don't look familiar. Hey, look, Duke Ning is squatting on the ground, what is this for? Ah, he squatted down The body is for the prince to shoot arrows better!"

The girl in green also looked into the distance.

It turned out that the competition had just begun.

The target is placed a hundred steps away from the prince and the third Tubo prince. Each shoots ten arrows first, and whoever hits the target with the most arrows wins.If there is a tie, ten more arrows will be fired.

In order to show justice, the black cloth that blindfolded Ning Junchi was inspected by the third prince. Tang Luojin blindfolded Ning Junchi, covered his eyes, and then stood in front of Ning Junchi, adjusting the bow and arrow s position.

On the side of the third prince of Tubo, he chose a warrior who was about the same size as him, and stood side by side with the warrior.

The third prince originally thought it was a very simple thing, but when he did it, he realized that it didn't seem to be the case.Prince Datang was young, standing in front of Ning Junchi who was squatting down, the two of them held the bow together, just right.

But when he came to him, the warrior he chose was as skilled in archery as he was, and his figure was similar.However, the problem lies here, how can two men of similar stature stand one behind the other like Prince Datang and the others?Even if he could stand like this, the person behind him could hardly hold a bow.In this way, instead of two people holding a bow and shooting arrows together, it is better to say that everything is decided by the person in front, and the person behind can't even hold the bow!

The face of the third Tubo prince immediately turned pale.

What a Taitang man!He came up with such a tricky idea!

He was about to say "unfair" when he saw a child about the same age as Prince Datang stand up.

"If the third prince thinks it's unfair, why not be like my seventh brother, one big and one small, or find a man twice as strong as the third prince to stand behind the third prince and hug the third prince, or Is it to find a small child, and then blindfolded, isn't that truly fair?"

It turned out that the person who spoke was none other than the sixth prince, Tang Luojue.

Because of the Queen Mother's relationship, he had the best time with Tang Luojin.Before, he couldn't understand what was going on, couldn't think of a good idea, and couldn't get in the way. Now, seeing that his Seventh Brother retreated again and again, he was about to win. The Tubo man wanted to complain about the injustice, so he immediately stood up we have a deal.

The sixth prince spoke in a childlike manner, saying that he would find someone to "hold" the third prince, but of course there was no other meaning in it, but in some people's ears, these words fell into the "wrong way", and everyone burst into laughter.

The third Tubo prince blushed with anger, but he didn't open his mouth to defend himself. Instead, he whispered to the warrior in front of him, "Stand firm, let's shoot first!"

Tang Luojin was not in a hurry.

It's just ten arrows, it doesn't matter who comes first.

After all, Tubo is a nomadic people. Although the third prince has a noble status, in order to please his father, he also put a lot of effort into riding and shooting.

Among the ten arrows, nine arrows hit in a row.One of the arrows was accidentally dropped due to poor cooperation between the third prince and the warrior.

In this way, only Tang Luojin and Ning Junchi were left.

Ning Junchi was still blindfolded.

Tang Luojin stretched out her small arms, slowly adjusted the direction of the bow and arrow, and whispered: "We will win."

Ning Junchi smiled slightly and said, "Naturally. With Xiaoqi here, we can hit ten arrows."

Although it was the first time for the two to cooperate like this, Tang Luojin trusted Ning Junchi's strength, and Ning Junchi trusted Tang Luojin's eyesight. As soon as Tang Luojin said to shoot an arrow, he immediately obeyed.

Nine arrows passed, but none of them fell.

The third Tubo prince's face immediately turned ugly.

The First Prince's expression was also worried.

The second prince saw it, and satirized in a low voice: "It's pitiful for the friendship between the eldest brother and the third prince, and they all made wedding clothes for others. After this, the father will definitely like the prince even more."

The eldest prince's face became even uglier.

And at this moment, Tang Luojin and Ning Junchi shot the last arrow together.

Right in the bull's eye.

The Taitang people cheered immediately.

Look, their prince, who is so young next year, obviously gave way to that Tubo man, but what happened?In the end, their prince still won!That insidious Tubo prince still lost, didn't he?

Look at the look of that Tubo prince who can't afford to lose, as expected he should be made to lose harder!

"The prince is a thousand years old! His Royal Highness is a thousand years old!"

A cry sounded, Tang Luojin was still standing sullenly, and the face of the third prince of Tubo turned black.

Emperor Tianyuan laughed loudly: "Good! Good! Good! My crown prince is worthy of being my most outstanding son. He deserves the position of prince heir! I deserve a reward!"

Then he pointed out a lot of things and asked people to move them from his private treasury to the prince's private treasury.

Tang Luojin bowed to thank her.

The expressions on the faces of the several princes were different.

The third prince of Tubo had no choice but to bow his head and admit defeat, and said that the previous harsh criticism was his own fault, not Tubo's intention.Tubo is willing to send the two most beautiful princesses of Tubo, because he sincerely wants to attach himself to Datang, and has no other intentions.

Regardless of what Emperor Tianyuan thought in his heart, at least on the surface, he immediately forgave him magnanimously.It's just that after that, he casually pointed out a young man from the clan to accompany the third prince, and refused to let his own son accompany him any more.

The third Tubo prince's face was pale, but he couldn't do anything to stop him.

At the end of the day, when the time came, Emperor Tianyuan ordered everyone to disperse and go hunting separately.

Everyone obeys orders.

Tang Luojin trotted with Emperor Tianyuan in the woods for a while, and then parted ways with Emperor Tianyuan.

Fortunately, he brought Ning Junchi and a lot of people along, and he ran into Jiang Hanyi as he walked casually.

Although she was accompanied by the fifth princess and many other noble ladies.

Tang Luojin's gaze first fell on Jiang Hanyi, and then on a girl in green clothes. After a slight pause, she turned away.

Jiang Hanyi has always been generous and dignified, and after being laughed at by a few noble ladies, she rode a pony alone and came to Tang Luojin's side.

After the two exchanged a few words, Jiang Hanyi was urged to leave.

She turned her face slightly, glanced at the beads of sweat on Tang Luojin's forehead, loosened her right hand, clenched it tightly, and then loosened it again, but finally said nothing, "His Royal Highness has already won the third prince of Tubo. No matter how many things you hunt down, it doesn't hinder you. Your Highness, don't tire yourself out."

Tang Luojin looked at the nervous look of the little girl, and felt that the little girl was very cute for no reason, and her little face softened a little, she nodded: "Cousin is too." Then she glanced into the distance, "Cousin take care of yourself, lonely Go deeper."

Then the crowd separated.

Ning Junchi's "closeness" to this pair of children is just that he can't see... How can there be the kind of affection between a real man and a woman in a family of children?It's just a childhood sweetheart.

However, when he saw the sweat beads on Tang Luojin's forehead, Ning Junchi still called the people to stop, and wiped off the sweat beads on Tang Luojin's forehead across the horse.

Tang Luojin: "..." I'm really not used to men wiping his sweat.

Ning Junchi: "..." There is no way, who made your little Qingmei not do anything?Don't you have to wipe it with uncle?

Then he pressed Tang Luojin's forehead hard.

Tang Luojin: "..."

A group of people continued to walk deep into the paddock.

Although it was said to be in the depths, because Tang Luojin was young and his companion was not very old, he only walked a little further in and then stopped.

Then they met the eighth prince's companion, saying that they couldn't find the eighth prince, so they asked the prince for help, and gave him some manpower to find the eighth prince.He also said that the eldest prince and the second prince also knew about this matter, and had already dispersed everyone to look for the eighth prince.

Hearing this, Tang Luojin stared fixedly at the companion for a long while, seeing the anxiety and fear on the companion's face, she looked away.

"Divide into three teams and find the Eighth Prince."

Knowing that the road ahead is a pit, sometimes, you have to jump down.

Tang Luojin looked up at the vast blue sky, and finally lowered her head again.

No matter how big the sky is, it cannot accommodate him.The girl from the Li family can die by herself in order to seek relief, but he won't and can't.

"Let's go." Tang Luojin said, "Go and see, is it the lonely elder brother who finds the eighth emperor first, or the second emperor brother. We... who can we meet first?"