"If you don't know how, you can learn. I've heard that General Su and his wife are deeply in love. Whatever his wife likes, General Su spares no effort to get it for her. Could it be that his beloved wife doesn't reciprocate at all?"
She was determined to prove herself today!
Everyone could tell that Ye Yuanlin was trying to sow discord.
Yet, a few women still lowered their voices and gossiped.
"They all say General Su dotes on his wife, and that the General's wife lives a happy life. But looking at this, isn't General Su pouring all his affection into a one-sided love?"
"Then the General is truly pitiful. In my opinion, Zhou Wan'you is indeed no match for the Princess. She's royalty, after all, and her status is far nobler than that of a minister's daughter."
Su Qingtian's cold gaze swept across the spectators, and their voices quieted down.
Ye Yuanlin, however, seemed emboldened. She raised her chin and said, "This Princess believes that if two people are in love, there should be a back-and-forth, with both sides making an effort. Isn't Madam looking down on the martial arts arena, making General Su lose face?"
Zhou Wan'you had merely stated truthfully that she wasn't skilled, which could hardly be called disdain. Ye Yuanlin's words were far-fetched, yet they made people feel particularly uncomfortable.
Su Yunmo narrowed her eyes dangerously, a flash of red light crossing her gaze.
The little dumpling spread her small hands and reached for the bow in Xie Zhengping's hand. "Daddy, Daddy, Mo Mo also wants to shoot arrows. Since Mama doesn't want to compete, then Mo Mo will compete."
Everyone's gaze fell on the little dumpling.
Su Qingtian frowned and pinched her tender cheek. "Don't be silly."
She weighed less than the bow; what was the point of her shooting arrows?
Su Yunmo flailed her limbs, giggling. "Mo Mo wants to shoot arrows, Mo Mo wants them! That mean auntie wants to bully Mama, and Mo Mo wants to stand up for Mama."
Xie Zhengping chuckled and rubbed the little one's head. "You are truly filial. Your mother's love for you hasn't been in vain. Your godfather is on your side."
He placed the little dumpling on the ground, and she immediately opened her hands to take the bow from Su Qingtian's hand.
Su Qingtian glared disapprovingly at Xie Zhengping. "She's young and doesn't know any better, but you don't either?"
Xie Zhengping raised an eyebrow. "A daughter is a mother's little padded jacket. If she wants to shield her mother from the wind, should I, as her godfather, stop her?"
He looked up at Zhou Wan'you and smiled. "Since the little one wants to try, let her go all out."
Even if she lost, it wouldn't matter. With two men standing here, how could they let their mother and daughter be bullied?
Zhou Wan'you nodded.
Seeing that even his wife agreed, Su Qingtian could only comply.
Ye Yuanlin sneered sarcastically. "Madam has quite the tactic, sending a child when you yourself dare not compete. Do you think this Princess will go easy on her because of that?"
She would never give up the competition for fear of being accused of unfair victory. Su Yunmo, that brat, was no good either.
She would seize this opportunity to utterly disgrace this mother and daughter pair.
Su Qingtian shot Ye Yuanlin an displeased glance.
Mo Mo was right. This woman was indeed annoying, like a persistent stain that couldn't be removed.
"Mo Mo, do you really want to compete? Then stretch out your hands. Hold the bow properly; it's very heavy."
The General squatted down, looking at his little dumpling's outstretched hands with concern and affection. The little one's palms were tender and pink, more suited for holding a milk bottle than a bow and arrow.
The General felt a pang of heartache. He slowly placed the bow into the little dumpling's hands, afraid she would fall under its weight.
This bow was at least 40 pounds. The moment Su Yunmo took the bow, her arm felt heavy, and one end of the bow 'thudded' onto the ground.
The three adults immediately tensed up.
The little dumpling didn't hold the bow upright. Instead, she let one end rest on the ground due to its weight, while the other end stood up. She used her body to brace against the bowstring and lifted her little feet to step on one side of the bow, straining to draw the string.
She looked up at Ye Yuanlin and said in her childish voice, "Auntie, please don't bully Mo Mo. This is Mo Mo's first time shooting an arrow."
Ye Yuanlin nocked an arrow and drew the bow with practiced ease. "Just don't cry if you lose. I don't want to listen to a child whine."
When she hit the bullseye, Su Qingtian would finally understand how much she had done for him!
Su Yunmo tilted her head and pouted. "Mo Mo won't cry. But Mo Mo wants to bet with you. If you lose, you have to take a detour whenever you see Mama from now on."
"So be it." Did this brat think she would lose to her? What a joke!
Ye Yuanlin's eyes were filled with disdain, not even bothering to bargain, eager to showcase herself.
She drew the bowstring to its full extent and released the arrow, hitting the bullseye perfectly!
Everyone in the audience stood up, looking at Ye Yuanlin in disbelief.
"Her Highness the Princess actually hit it! She's so amazing! It seems she's put in a lot of effort usually."
"Look at the Princess's graceful demeanor. She's just like General Su. The two of them look like a perfect match."
Women in the capital valued gentleness. Let alone wielding weapons, they rarely even visited the training grounds. Yet, the Princess could actually hit the bullseye, which was truly remarkable.
Ye Yuanlin, hearing the crowd's praise, raised her head high. "General Su, what do you think of my shot just now?"
She stared intently at Su Qingtian, hoping to hear a word of praise from him, or at least a look of satisfaction.
But unfortunately, Su Qingtian's attention had not been on her at all from beginning to end.
The man was squatting behind Su Yunmo, his arms half-encircling her, afraid the little girl would fall.
Seeing this, Ye Yuanlin felt unwilling and clenched her fists tightly.
Zhou Wan'you was one thing, but Su Yunmo was the child born of someone he detested. Why was he so fond of an illegitimate child and refused to even glance at her!
Fine, if that was the case, then just wait!
Wait for that brat to lose and be ridiculed by everyone. Then, let's see what face Zhou Wan'you would have!
"Madam, watch carefully. When the results are out, this Princess hopes Madam will also abide by the same agreement and retreat three steps whenever you see this Princess from now on!"
Zhou Wan'you cast a casual glance at her, then shifted her gaze back to the little dumpling, saying softly, "Mo Mo, take your time. Don't hurt your hands."
"Don't worry, Madam. Your husband is watching," Su Qingtian said, his eyes fixed on the little one's hands and feet, a mixture of nervousness and excitement.
This was Mo Mo's first time shooting an arrow, such a memorable event that he had to watch with wide eyes.
Xie Zhengping brought an arrow and helped place it on the bowstring for the little dumpling.
Su Yunmo rubbed her forehead against her arm, sweating slightly. "Mo Mo can do it herself. You don't need to help."
No one in the family paid any attention to Ye Yuanlin.
Ye Yuanlin was furious!
People in the viewing area were whispering, none of them believing Su Yunmo could win.
Let alone being General Su's daughter, even if she were the daughter of the King of Heaven, she was only six years old. She was shorter than the arrow; it was still too early for her to hit the target.
This time, the General's wife was going to be embarrassed.
Su Yunmo ignored them. She aimed at the target, and as her gaze slightly lowered, a flash of red light crossed her eyes.
She released her grip, and the arrow shot out with a 'bang,' hitting the bullseye!
What was more, the arrow coincidentally struck Ye Yuanlin's arrow, causing it to detach from the bullseye and fall to the ground.
In that instant, the entire venue fell silent.