Just as the Ninth Prince and the Seventh Prince were arguing, a burly, rugged-looking man approached. Seeing him, the Ninth Prince and the others immediately fell silent, not daring to argue further.
The man was named Qin Su, a General of the Martial Guard. In earlier years, he followed the emperor in battles across the land, earning numerous military achievements. Later, after injuring his left foot and becoming lame, he could no longer fight in battles and was assigned by the emperor to teach the princes archery.
Qin Su's archery was the most exquisite among all the military officers. Although he was lame, the princes dared not underestimate or belittle him.
The Third Prince led by example and saluted Qin Su, for Qin Su was their teacher.
Qin Su nodded slightly, then looked at the Seventh Prince and the Ninth Prince and said expressionlessly, "Your Highnesses Seventh and Ninth Princes appear to be in good spirits. Today, let Your Highnesses Seventh and Ninth Princes shoot first."
The Seventh Prince felt that Qin Su was subtly insulting him, his complexion turned somewhat unsightly, but he dared not act up in front of Qin Su and could only obey.
"Yes, Teacher."
The Ninth Prince was eager for the two of them to start first. Suddenly, he came up with an idea and grinned maliciously, "Teacher, I have a suggestion."
Upon hearing the Ninth Prince's words, the Seventh Prince knew what the Ninth Prince was planning and immediately frowned.
Qin Su asked, "What suggestion?"
The Ninth Prince, smiling slyly, said, "I want to compete with Seventh Brother, and whoever loses will be punished."
Just as expected.
With a displeased face, the Seventh Prince said, "I disagree."
"Seventh Brother, are you scared and don't dare to compete with me?" The Ninth Prince crossed his arms with undisguised disdain on his face, "I didn't expect you to be so cowardly, Seventh Brother."
The Seventh Prince ignored the Ninth Prince's provocations, took the bow and arrow handed by the eunuch, stood in front of the target, and began to practice.
Qin Su glanced at the Ninth Prince, "Your Highness Ninth Prince, it's time for you to practice."
The Ninth Prince, feeling disgruntled that his plan didn't work, pursed his lips in displeasure and continued to taunt the Seventh Prince: "Seventh Brother, as the Empress's son, you're really such a coward."
The Seventh Prince, though angry, was determined not to fall for the provocation and compete in archery with the Ninth Prince. He understood that doing so would only bring him humiliation.
Seeing the Seventh Prince ignore him, the Ninth Prince said no more, took up his bow, and started practicing as well.
The Seventh Prince shot three arrows, one missed the target, and two barely hit the target's edge. Meanwhile, standing beside him, the Ninth Prince shot one arrow into the bullseye and two into the eighth ring.
The Ninth Prince gave the Seventh Prince a sidelong glance, full of mockery, "Truly useless."
"Your Highness Seventh Prince." Qin Su's expression was stern and serious, "That was poor."
Being criticized in public, the Seventh Prince's face flushed with shame and anger, "I..."
"Seventh Brother, how can you have the face to be the Emperor's son like this?"
Qin Su sternly said to the Seventh Prince, "Your Highness Seventh Prince, diligence can make up for lack."
"Hahaha..." The Ninth Prince laughed heartily, his laughter filled with ridicule.
The Seventh Prince was furious inside, feeling that Qin Su was deliberately embarrassing him, yet he dared not say anything and could only grit his teeth and say, "I understand."
"Your Highnesses Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Tenth Princes, it's your turn."
"Yes, Teacher."
Zhao Yao stood together with the Eighth Prince. He asked the Eighth Prince worriedly, "Eighth Brother, are you really okay?"
The Eighth Prince smiled reassuringly at Zhao Yao, "I can do it." Then he drew his bow and shot an arrow, which hit the bullseye precisely with a thud. "Can you be at ease now?"
Zhao Yao gave the Eighth Prince a thumbs-up, "Impressive." Finishing, he shot an arrow as well, hitting the bullseye.
In terms of studies, Zhao Yao appeared to be quite dull, but in horse riding and archery, he no longer pretended to be stupid. As a prince, he couldn't be dull in every aspect, as such a prince would be looked down upon. The emperor valued the princes' skills in riding and archery, so Zhao Yao decided to perform slightly better in that area.
His skills in riding and archery were not the best among the princes. Being the best would draw too much attention, which he didn't want. Although not the best, he could still rank in the top three.
Zhao Yao's skills in riding and archery were inferior to the Ninth Prince and Eighth Prince but better than the other princes.
Qin Su corrected the princes' stances one by one. The princes, after being corrected, shot arrows that hit the bullseye.
Under Qin Su's guidance, the Seventh Prince could hit the bullseye, but when on his own, he could barely avoid missing the target.
The Ninth Prince intentionally humiliated the Seventh Prince by shooting his arrow into the Seventh Prince's bullseye, angering the Seventh Prince to the point he wished he could shoot the Ninth Prince with an arrow.
Just as Zhao Yao and the others were diligently practicing archery, the Crown Prince suddenly appeared in the martial arts arena. He had come to check on his brothers.
Qin Su maintained a stern face towards the other princes with no expression, but toward the Crown Prince, he was amiable, which the Seventh Prince found most unacceptable.
The Crown Prince first inquired about Qin Su's condition with concern. Qin Su's lame foot would ache whenever it was rainy weather.
Qin Su was flattered by the Crown Prince's concern and quickly assured that he was fine.
The Crown Prince then asked about his brothers' riding and archery lessons with care. Qin Su answered truthfully.
Upon learning of the Seventh Prince's poor skills in riding and archery, the Crown Prince first comforted the Seventh Prince and then personally taught him how to shoot arrows.
The Crown Prince appeared gentle and frail, as if a gust of wind could topple him, easily leading others to believe he had no strength to even kill a chicken and couldn't possibly excel in riding and archery. Contrary to these appearances, his skills were actually quite decent, though not as good as Prince Dai's.
Among the princes, only the Crown Prince and Prince Dai received personal guidance in riding and archery from the emperor.
When the Crown Prince was young, the emperor had not yet ascended to the throne. Whenever he could, the emperor would personally teach the Crown Prince. One could say that the Crown Prince's skills in riding and archery were taught hand-in-hand by the emperor.
The Seventh Prince didn't like being taught by the Crown Prince but had no choice but to accept it.
"Crown Prince Brother, since Seventh Brother dares not compete with me, how about you take his place and compete with me?" The Ninth Prince, believing his skills to be superior to the Crown Prince, sought to embarrass him. "It would also let us brothers witness your archery skills, Crown Prince Brother."
The Crown Prince did not favor Prince Dai nor the Ninth Prince, as their arrogance was truly too much.
"Ninth Brother, do you want to compete with me in archery?"
"Yes, I wonder if Crown Prince Brother dares to."
Qin Su was very dissatisfied with the Ninth Prince's attitude and tone towards the Crown Prince, sternly reprimanding, "Ninth Prince, mind your tone and attitude."
The Crown Prince waved his hand, smiling gently, "It's fine." Looking at the Ninth Prince, he said, "Ninth Brother, if you lose, you shouldn't cry."
The Ninth Prince lifted his chin arrogantly, "I won't cry, and I won't lose." His confidence stemmed from the fact that his riding and archery were taught by Prince Dai.
"Then I'll play along with you all."
Qin Su respectfully handed the bow and arrows to the Crown Prince, "Your Highness Crown Prince, please use these."
The Crown Prince smiled slightly, then directly drew out three arrows and placed them on the string. In an instant, the three arrows sliced through the air, sharply hitting the bullseye.
Seeing this, the Ninth Prince widened his eyes in shock, his mouth agape in disbelief: "How is this possible?"
Zhao Yao wasn't surprised at all by this scene. The Crown Prince was the emperor's first son, and the emperor no doubt taught him many things in his youth, certainly including riding and archery.
Ninth Brother thought the Crown Prince wasn't skilled in riding and archery and sought to humiliate him through archery; he was truly too naive.
The Crown Prince smiled and said, "I haven't shot arrows in a while, I'm a bit rusty."
Qin Su remarked, "Your Highness, you are too modest." Smiling slightly, he continued, "Your Highness, your archery was personally taught by the emperor back then."
Upon hearing Qin Su's words, the Crown Prince suddenly recalled his childhood, his face unconsciously revealing a reminiscent smile: "Indeed, when I was four, Father began teaching me archery."
When he was young, Father quite favored him, personally teaching him how to read, shoot arrows, and ride horses. Yet, as Father became busier, he no longer had the time to teach him.
While Prince Dai had also been instructed by Father in his youth, the number of times he was taught was not as frequent as for him.
In childhood, Prince Dai was no match for him, but now Prince Dai... Thinking of this, the Crown Prince's face unknowingly turned cold.