The third day of the hunt was for the archery competition, with the first place winner to receive a golden bow bestowed by the Empress.
Xue Zining sat in the foremost seat, looking coldly at the Regent, Xue Wenjie, below. "Your Majesty disagrees with your proposal," she said, her tone frigid.
Hearing this, Xue Wenjie's lips curled slightly. "Your Majesty can rest assured, they are all death row inmates. If the vital points are not hit, they can be escorted back to prison for execution later. If they are unfortunately hit, it is merely an early beheading."
"Your Majesty disagrees," Xue Zining stated.
Xue Wenjie responded, "Your Majesty, the late Emperor agreed to this."
Xue Zining trembled. Xue Wenjie turned to Hua Yunjin, sneering, "Prime Minister, tell His Majesty, is this true?"
Xue Zining looked at Hua Yunjin. The young man's delicate and handsome face was somewhat pale. "The matter is ancient, and this humble subject cannot recall."
Xue Wenjie laughed heartily. "Good. Since the Prime Minister cannot recall, then I shall ask someone else. Grand Commandant Lin, do you remember?"
Grand Commandant Lin Feng trembled, and after a long while, he knelt and said, "This matter indeed occurred."
Xue Wenjie laughed several times and then asked, "Censorate Director Li, what do you say?"
Censorate Director Li Shengming nodded, "It is indeed so. The late Emperor did agree to this proposal."
"Your Majesty, does Your Highness still wish for me to ask one by one?"
Xue Zining's face was pale. She knew that if Xue Wenjie asked a hundred people, a hundred people would say they agreed.
"No need. Let it be as Imperial Uncle suggests!" She lowered her head, not wanting her undisguised hatred to be seen by others.
Xue Wenjie's lips curved upwards. A young girl who hadn't even grown any hair dared to contend with him? Overestimating herself.
Half an hour later, Xue Wenjie, having made all the arrangements, walked over and said, "Your Majesty, the first arrow of the competition should be shot by you."
"My archery is not accurate. I will trouble Imperial Uncle to act on my behalf!"
Xue Wenjie heard this and, for the first time, did not accept the offer. "Your Majesty, all civil and military officials are watching. Are you certain you want this humble subject to shoot the first arrow?"
Xue Wenjie's tone was pregnant with meaning.
Xue Zining clenched her fists tightly and abruptly stood up. "I will shoot."
Xue Wenjie smirked. "Your Majesty, please proceed."
For some inexplicable reason, Xue Zining felt a sense of unease.
"Your Majesty," Hua Yunjin stopped her steps just a few paces away from the bound convicts.
"Prime Minister, what is the meaning of this?" Xue Zining asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Your Majesty, you can shoot here," Hua Yunjin said softly, his eyes downcast.
"Hua Yunjin, what are you doing? Don't you know I can't shoot at all?" If she wasn't close, how could she shoot? Would she allow all the civil and military officials present to laugh at her?
She tried to take a step forward, but Hua Yunjin stood firm, not taking a single step back.
Xue Zining was startled. Hua Yunjin's actions were peculiar. She raised her eyes to look past Hua Yunjin.
"Don't look," Hua Yunjin's voice cracked.
Xue Zining's gaze fixed on a woman. After a moment, her body couldn't help but tremble, for it was someone she knew.
The Young Tutor, Gu Yungge, who had accompanied her during her childhood studies, gone out of the palace with her, and told her of the outside world's splendors.
And at this moment, Gu Yungge was covered in blood, clearly having suffered severe torture.
"Young Tutor..." Xue Zining pushed Hua Yunjin aside and ran forward. Unfortunately, before she could get close to Gu Yungge, a tall figure intercepted her.
"Regent, have you made a mistake? How could the Young Tutor be a criminal?" Xue Zining said anxiously.
"Your Majesty, Gu Yungge colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country. The evidence is conclusive."