Chapter Thirty-Nine
The attendants immediately fell into chaos.
Consort Jing chuckled, "Consort Zhuang is usually quite bold—why did she faint all of a sudden?" Feng Qishan shot her a displeased glance and rose to check on the situation.
A crowd had gathered around Consort Zhuang, fanning her and offering water. After much fuss, she slowly regained consciousness. The moment she saw Feng Qishan, she covered her face and burst into tears. "This concubine is useless, disgracing the nation. Please punish me, my Lord..."
Feng Qishan had mostly been angered by her harsh treatment of Consort Jing earlier, but seeing her weep so pitifully now, he couldn’t bring himself to scold her further. He murmured a few words of comfort while the palace maids carefully gathered the shattered remnants of the golden flower and helped Consort Zhuang out of the hall.
Qin Yu, noticing Feng Qishan’s stern expression, quickly turned to whisper instructions to his servants. Before Feng Qishan could return to his seat, Qin Yu stood and asked, "My Lord, is Consort Zhuang alright?"
Feng Qishan gave a noncommittal hum. "Your concern is appreciated, Qin Lao. She was merely startled—nothing serious."
Qin Yu smiled. "They say divine treasures possess their own aura, and now I see it’s no mere legend. On my return journey, I happened to acquire a calming jade pendant. I’ve already sent someone to fetch it—I hope my Lord will not refuse this humble gift."
Feng Qishan was delighted but restrained himself, repeatedly declining out of courtesy. Qin Yu, however, was adamant. As the two engaged in polite refusal, Qin Yi grew impatient and blurted out, "My Lord, just accept it! No matter how divine a treasure is, it’s just an ornament if left unused. Only when put to purpose can it truly shine!"
Feng Qishan laughed. "Little girl, you’re young but already master nine-tenths of Qin Lao’s silver tongue. Very well, I won’t stand on ceremony. But I can’t take this jade without giving something in return. Tell me—what would you like?"
Qin Yi’s eyes sparkled. "Really? Anything I ask, my Lord will grant?"
Qin Yu hastily cut in, "Xiao Yi! Mind your manners—how can you speak to the Lord of the Nation like that?"
Feng Qishan waved a hand. "No matter, no matter. Her innocence reminds me of Xiyang. As long as it’s not too outrageous, I’ll grant her request."
The moment these words left his lips, the banquet hall erupted in murmurs. The noblewomen’s faces twisted with envy, while Qin Yu frowned slightly, bracing himself for some earth-shattering demand.
Qin Yi’s face flushed with excitement. She sprang to her feet and pointed ahead. "I want to learn archery from Sister!"
Silence.
Yixiao, who had been idly toying with a feathered arrow, froze. Feng Suige, who had been tense, froze. Qin Yu, who had been frowning, froze. Feng Qishan, who had been smiling benevolently, froze. Everyone in the hall wore expressions as if they’d seen a ghost.
She wanted to learn archery from Yixiao.
She only wanted to learn archery from Yixiao!
Had she asked to marry Feng Suige, the entire nation of Su Sha would have begun preparations for the third royal wedding in recent times—but no, she only asked to learn archery from Yixiao.
Qin Yu was the first to recover, offering a relieved smile and a nod of approval.
"That won’t do," Feng Qishan said, his smile fading as he softened his tone. "A woman’s most important virtues are gentleness and virtue, so she may marry well in the future..."Qin Yi retorted indignantly, "But hasn't elder sister already married Brother Feng? Isn't the Lord of the Nation's household the most prestigious in Vermilion Sand Country?" Feng Qishan was momentarily speechless before angrily replying, "She knows nothing but wielding swords and spears—what's so admirable about emulating her?... In any case, this request will not be approved. Think of something else immediately!" Qin Yi's face crumpled into a tearful expression of grievance as she gazed imploringly at Qin Yu, whose attention was clearly fixed on the winding corridor outside the hall.
Yixiao's fingers twitched, causing the bowstring to emit a faint resonant hum that drew everyone's notice. She looked directly at Feng Qishan, her voice clear and firm: "The imperial concubines are accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—each more charming and beautiful than the last, like dew-kissed blossoms. Yet they serve only as ornaments for the Lord of the Nation's harem. No matter how exquisite, they remain soulless playthings." She smiled slightly. "But Yixiao can defend borders, fight on battlefields, and would never be frightened by..." Her lips curved mischievously as she deliberately left the sentence unfinished.
Feng Qishan's face darkened, his jaw twitching slightly as he prepared to speak. Just then, Qin Yu's servant hurried in carrying a box. Qin Yu exclaimed delightedly, "Ah, it's finally arrived! Quickly, present it to the Lord of the Nation at once!"
Feng Qishan's expression softened somewhat as he accepted the box. After a brief glance, he instructed a palace attendant to deliver the jade pendant to Consort Zhuang. Qin Yu, looking thoroughly pleased with himself, turned to the servant who had retreated to his side and asked, "What about the other item?" The servant bowed respectfully and replied, "It will arrive shortly!"
Curious gazes immediately converged on the entrance hall as footsteps approached from the distance. A servant entered carrying an enormous leather case.
The shape of that case seemed to suggest...
A vague thought flickered through Yixiao's mind, though she couldn't be certain. Yet she recognized such cases all too well—was it... a bow?
Qin Yu took the case and loosened the leather cord binding its opening, revealing a gleaming silver longbow. He lifted it and gestured toward Fu Yixiao. "Does the Minor Imperial Concubine recognize this bow?"
Yixiao stared at the bow in astonishment. "The divine weapon Greedy Wolf?"
"The Seven Stars Bow..."
"It's Greedy Wolf..."
Exclamations of surprise rose simultaneously from various corners of the room.
Feng Suige eagerly stepped forward to examine it closely, asking repeatedly, "Qin Lao, is this truly the Seven Stars Bow Greedy Wolf? Where did you obtain it?" He reached out to grasp it.
"Ah!" Qin Yu chuckled, pulling the bow back slightly. "This bow no longer belongs to old Qin." As he spoke, he tilted his chin toward Yixiao. "If the Imperial Son wishes to see it, you must first ask whether its owner agrees."
Hearing this, Feng Suige laughed heartily and snatched the bow away. "Qin Lao certainly knows how to give meaningful gifts. Suige thanks Qin Lao on Yixiao's behalf!" Qin Yi also cheered and darted forward. "This bow has hung in the armory for so long—it's finally found its true owner!" She traced the ancient patterns on the bow's surface with envious fingertips before turning to vigorously wave at Yixiao. "Sister, come quickly and see if it suits you!"
Yixiao still seemed dazed. Frowning slightly, she looked from the bow to Qin Yu. "Is this for me?" Qin Yu smiled and nodded. "As Xiao Yi said earlier, an unused treasure is mere scrap. A divine weapon only achieves fame when wielded by one who knows its use. Consider Greedy Wolf old Qin's greeting gift to the Minor Imperial Concubine."Yixiao didn't immediately take the bow, instead looking at Feng Suige with some hesitation. Noticing her strange expression, Feng Suige asked in surprise, "What's wrong?" Yixiao seemed to struggle with whether to speak, but finally couldn't resist pulling him aside and whispering a few words. Feng Suige immediately burst out laughing, "How could you think of that?" Yixiao's face turned red as she glared at him angrily, biting her lip without saying another word.
Seeing everyone looking at them in confusion, Feng Suige suppressed his laughter and shoved the Greedy Wolf into Yixiao's hands, forcing out four words: "Just look at the bow first."
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