Spring had just arrived, the snow had melted, and the plains were covered with green grass. However, the mountains in the distance were still covered in white ice. The spring breeze was gentle today, and the weather was clear and refreshing. White clouds floated in the blue sky. The grassland was covered with new grass, and the ground was moist and soft like a carpet.
Bi Dusi, the newly appointed County Magistrate Zhang, and some military and local officials had already circled around Jiming Mountain on their horses. In front of them was a grassland, and a few birds flew past the grass. County Magistrate Zhang was a scholar in the 12th year of Hongzhi. Although he was a scholar in his 30s, he was very familiar with riding this kind of war horse.
Bi Dusi and County Magistrate Zhang rode side by side. He turned his head and smiled at him." This Bi has always thought that the riding and archery skills in the academy were just a feint. Just now, I heard from your advisor that Lord Zhang can use a bow of 200 picul and not miss an arrow within 100 steps. He is truly skilled in both the pen and the sword."
As he spoke, he inadvertently glanced at Ma Lian 'er. Ma Lian' er was riding on a date red horse. She wore a dark green hunting suit, a dark green thin silk cloak, white bow shoes, a white belt, and a small machete that looked like an accessory. With a bow slung over her shoulder and a quiver of arrows on her back, her valiant attire that had the charm of a foreign tribe made her look even more dazzling.
The spring breeze blew her dark green cloak, and her riding attire accentuated her exquisite curves perfectly. Her curves that were full of youthfulness were very charming under the cloak. Bi Dusi thought that he would be able to hold this enchanting little beauty in his arms in two days, and he could not help but feel his desire rise.
He really couldn't be bothered with Magistrate. He wished that he and Ma Lian 'er were the only ones on the prairie. The two of them used the ground as their bed and the sky as their blanket. It would be great if the sky was dark and the ground was dark. However, he was still a high-ranking official of the imperial court. Ma Lian 'er was not his concubine yet. Even if she had been taken into his room, he should still be with his colleagues. If he only cared about accompanying his beloved concubine, it would be too beneath his status.
County Magistrate Zhang heard Bi Dusi's "compliment" and smiled reservedly. He stroked his beard and said modestly," Sir, you flatter me. Although I learned how to ride and bow in the academy, how can I compare to you and the valiant generals in the army? As for that three-picul bow, I can pull it open, but I can hit it with 100% accuracy. Hehehe, General Bi, you probably don't know that the target in our Min Academy is at least ten feet in circumference."
A giant target with a diameter of three meters? Bi Dusi was stunned at first, then he laughed out loud. The officials around him were mostly northerners or military generals, so they couldn't help but smile. Some of them hurriedly coughed to hide their smiles. It was nothing to boast about if an arrow could hit a target within a hundred paces of a ten-foot-wide target. They really didn't expect the target in the southern school to be so huge.
Ma Lian 'er sat on the horse, a faint smile on her face. She was absent-minded and only cared about her own thoughts. Ma Ang carefully peeked at his sister's expression. Seeing her calm expression, he thought that his sister had been moved by Bi Dusi's heroism after seeing his armor and his entourage. Only then did he feel relieved.
Ma Lian 'er had been tricked by her brother to come out this morning, saying that he had invited her to go hunting. Ma Lian' er's heart now belonged to someone, and she was happy. She didn't want to be too stiff with her only relative. Moreover, she rode and shot arrows almost every day outside the Great Wall. Since returning to the Central Plains, she had not tried this for a long time, so she gladly agreed. Unexpectedly, when she rode out of the city on the warhorse her brother had brought, she saw a large group of military and local officials, including Bi Dusi. Only then did she understand her brother's thoughts.
Ma Lian 'er had the intention to turn her horse around and leave, but in front of so many officials who didn't know what was going on, it would be too disrespectful. She was afraid that the moment she left, there would be many speculations and criticisms about her. In the past, she could still ignore the looks of others, but now that she saw herself as a member of the Yang family, she didn't dare to be as reckless as before. She could only follow them onto the grasslands.
Last night, she had received a hint of acceptance from her young mother. Her future marriage into the Yang family was already set in stone. Ma Lian 'er's heart was at peace and sweet. She was completely immersed in her own emotions. Her clear and bright eyes would occasionally smile or blush along with her thoughts. Coupled with her beautiful and moving facial features, she was indescribably moving.
She had also noticed Bi Dusi's passionate gaze when he looked at her. When she saw that Bi Dusi was so proud of his status that not only did he not dare to approach her to chat, but he even had to find an excuse to talk to others when he looked at her, she quickly glanced at him, as if she was afraid of losing his airs as a general. She only felt that his hypocrisy was funny.
Brother Yang, sigh! Brother Yang!
When Ma Lian 'er thought of Yang Ling, she felt a sweetness in her heart. Big Brother Yang did not care what others thought of him. That day, when the two of them returned to the city from the mountains, Lord Min and Chief Jiang were at the city walls. But when Big Brother Yang entered the city, he only hugged the crying young lady tightly in his arms, coaxing and teasing her, as if there was no one else around. When he looked at the young lady, it was as if he was looking at a treasure in his heart.
When Ma Lian 'er thought of this, she couldn't help but feel her heart heat up. As long as one day, he could also look at me with that kind of tender and loving gaze. Even if I had to wait for three years, even if I had to wait for thirty years, or even for a lifetime, I would be willing.
As she thought about it, Ma Lian 'er couldn't help but smile.
Jiang Bin, who had been staring at her from the side, saw her beautiful smile and his eyes widened. That day, Ma Lian 'er returned from outside the city. Her clothes were dirty and her hair was messy. In his eyes, she was already a celestial being. Now, she was wearing light makeup and tight clothes. She was breathtakingly beautiful. Oh my god, if he pressed such a beautiful girl under his body.
Jiang Bin gulped and looked up at Bi Chun hatefully, thinking to himself,"" F * ck, if I were also a general, I would have to marry such a woman no matter what. I wouldn't have lived my life in vain."
He had heard some rumors from Bi Dusi's soldiers that Bi Chun wanted to take Ma Lian 'er as his concubine. Today, Bi Chun had invited all the local officials for a spring outing, but he had only brought this woman. In fact, he was not the only one. Most of the officials present had also guessed it.
Suddenly, a fat roe deer jumped out of the grass and rushed to the nearby mountain bay. Guan Shouying shouted,"Sir, look over there! There's a roe deer!”
These people all carried military bows on their backs, and at this moment, they all held their bows in their hands. However, none of the officials made a move. The soldiers shot arrows continuously, blocking the roe deer's path and scaring it away. Prey? Of course, it was left for the general to shoot.
The poor silly roe deer was frightened by the accurate archery skills of the personal guards and fled in all directions. The head of the generals, Bi Dusi, and the head of the civil officials, Magistrate Zhang, held their bows and arrows in their hands, but neither of them made a move. They were still pushing each other and humbly saying things like please shoot an arrow first, hit the jackpot, and let us experience it.
Ma Lian 'er saw that they were so hypocritical and polite even when they were hunting. They did not have the fun of hunting. She could not help but snort and turn her head away in disdain. Bi Dusi's personal guard, Zheng Dapeng, rode to the front and said to Bi Chun and County Magistrate Zhang,"" Milords, Miss Ma is the only woman among us today. I think we should invite Miss Ma to help us with this arrow. Miss Ma is dressed in military attire, and her archery skills are definitely extraordinary."
Lord Zheng, who was known to be able to shoot arrows within a hundred steps with a three-stone bow, was a little scared when facing the fat roe deer dozens of steps away. He was afraid that he would really hit the jackpot with an arrow. Everyone was booing, so when they heard Zheng Dapeng's words, it was as if they had been pardoned. They quickly clapped their hands and smiled." Very good, very good. A woman is no match for a man. Miss Ma, please shoot this arrow. We'll wait and see."
Bi Dusi's triangular eyes became gentle. He finally had the chance to look at Ma Lian 'er openly and speak without being afraid of being ridiculed and criticized. He turned to look at Ma Lian 'er and said with a smile,"Miss Ma, how about you show me your skills?”As he said this, everyone immediately moved aside, leaving Ma Lian 'er in the middle.
Actually, the reason why Bi Dusi had asked Ma Lian 'er to shoot first was because of Zheng Dapeng's unintentional words. That was why Bi Dusi had suddenly thought of currying favor with her. However, Ma Lian 'er did not know the inside story and even thought that Bi Dusi had colluded with his personal guards to set up this trap. She felt even more disgusted.
She narrowed her eyes and smiled.""General Bi has been through hundreds of battles, and his killing intent is oppressive. Lord Zhang can pierce through a tree with a hundred steps, and his arrows never miss. This little girl was only bluffing by carrying a bow. How could she dare to make a fool of herself in front of the two adults? I still want to see the two lords 'divine bravery.”
Her voice was soft and sweet. Actually, it was just to make her voice a little crispy on purpose. However, when it came from such a beauty's mouth, others would feel that her voice was coy and indescribably moving.
When Ma Ang heard this, he knew that it was bad. He knew his sister's temper the best. He knew that when his sister spoke in this tone, her patience was about to run out and she was about to lose her temper. He was just about to rush up and smooth things over when Jiang Bin, who was beside him, heard Ma Lian 'er's soul-stirring voice. His bones went soft and he almost fell off his horse.
At this moment, everyone was listening to Ma Lian 'er. He was the closest to Ma Lian' er, so all eyes were focused on him. Even though Jiang Bin was thick-skinned, he still felt a little embarrassed. Fortunately, he was quick-witted and quickly smiled."Aiyo, when Lord Zhang said that women are not inferior to men, I thought of Yang Yicheng's wife.
Since when were women allowed on the battlefield? But that day when the Tartars attacked the city, Madam Yang disguised herself as a man and assisted our army in bravely killing the enemies on the city wall. Wasn't she the Hua Mulan who was no match for men? Madam Yang once shot an arrow to death to a Tartar who was challenging the city. When I was cleaning up the body, I saw that person's arrow enter the back of his neck, then swallow three inches before penetrating his body. One arrow was fatal. What good archery skills, haha, good archery skills.
Bi Dusi chuckled when he heard this and said,"Yang Yicheng has no strength at all. I didn't expect Madam Yang to be so skilled in martial arts. Miss Ma, don't decline. Why don't you show your skills?”Actually, he didn't care about Ma Lian 'er's archery skills. He just wanted to make her happy and have some fun. Even if he missed, he would just laugh. After all, she was a woman!
Ma Lian 'er was grateful to Young Miss Han and had already treated her as her closest sister. However, human psychology was the most subtle. Subconsciously, she was deeply afraid that Young Miss Han would receive more recognition than her. In the future, her status would no longer be able to match Young Miss Han. If Young Miss Han was more outstanding than her in every aspect, she would feel even less secure.
Therefore, when she heard Jiang Bin mention that the young lady's archery skills were outstanding, Ma Lian 'er's competitive spirit was immediately aroused. She no longer declined and took down her bow and arrow. Her right hand reached back and actually took out five arrows from her quiver. Everyone couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, not knowing what she was going to do. Some of the civil officials who did not know martial arts snickered secretly, thinking that she did not know archery at all.
Ma Lian 'er lifted the reins and galloped forward. She abandoned the reins and raised her bow. Her right hand held the feathers of four arrows and only one arrow was placed on the bowstring. She took a deep breath and pulled the bowstring as if she was hugging a full moon. She shot an arrow.
Before anyone could turn their heads to see if the arrow had hit, Ma Lian 'er twisted her right hand as if she was performing a magic trick. Another arrow was nocked on the bowstring. Her technique was extremely fast. The bowstring was strung, and the five arrows were like meteors chasing after the moon. One arrow after another was shot out. The arrows were connected in one go, and no one could catch them.
After five arrows were shot, Ma Lian 'er slung the bow over her shoulder and turned her horse around. She smiled and said, I've failed."
Everyone was dumbfounded. When they heard this, they looked up and saw the tails of five arrows rushing in this direction. They formed a pentagon and surrounded the deer that was trembling in fear. The distance between the five arrows was almost exactly the same, as if they were measured.
After a while, one of Bi Dusi's generals exclaimed,""Successive archery! It was said that the fastest archer of the Tartars could only shoot nine arrows in one hand, but Miss Ma could shoot five arrows in a row. How amazing! So powerful!"
When everyone heard this, regardless of whether they understood it or not, they kept praising it. Bi Dusi was surprised and happy, and he was even more generous with his praise. Ma Lian 'er's big black eyes glanced at Jiang Bin as if she was showing off her power, and her face was filled with pride.
At this moment, a horse galloped over from afar. Everyone turned to look and saw that the person was getting closer and closer. When he got closer, they saw that the person was wearing the uniform of the post station. He was riding a post horse and ran to the front to pull the reins. The people were patrolling anxiously.
When Ma Lian 'er saw him, she recognized that it was the young lady's elder brother, Han Wei. She quickly took two steps forward and asked,"Big Brother Han, why are you here?"
Han Wei's face was covered in sweat. It was unknown whether he was anxious or tired. He raised his sleeve and wiped the sweat off his face as he said,"Miss Ma, I've been looking for you for a long time. A eunuch suddenly came to the capital with the emperor's imperial edict, announcing that Yang Ling will enter the capital immediately. Sister and brother-in-law asked me to tell you, but I don't know where you're hunting. I ran around everywhere."
Before he could finish speaking, Ma Lian 'er cried out in alarm. Her legs pressed against the horse's belly, and she galloped straight towards the crowing of the rooster without looking back. The officials looked at each other, and the officials of the county government whispered to each other with strange expressions. When Ma Lian 'er heard that Yang Ling had left, she acted as if her butt was on fire and did not even leave behind a single word of courtesy. She was not related to Yang Ling by any means, and there was no reason for her to do so. Who would believe that there was no love between them?
Bi Dusi's face was ashen, his triangular eyes shining brightly as his body trembled slightly. Ma Ang rode his horse to his side and said timidly,""Lord Bi Bi."
Bi Dusi laughed coldly and turned his body to draw his bow. The bowstring let out a mournful cry and the sharp arrow shot through the roe deer that was trapped in the circle of five arrows and did not dare to move.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]