A gentle breeze swept across the sands, blurring one’s vision. A thunderous war drum echoed in the ears as several armored warhorses galloped swiftly from the distant field. Among them, one rider held aloft a large red embroidered ball, striking it with a red silk rope and throwing it to the ground. Immediately, the sound of whistling arrows filled the air. Around them, several mounted soldiers reared their horses. Military officers wielding bows gave chase and shot at the ball. That embroidered ball gleamed red as fire, rolling rapidly across the dull yellow earth, instantly capturing the attention of everyone present.

The grand archery ceremony had just begun.

The officers on the left stood with one foot in the stirrup, shooting upward at the ball. Those on the right bent forward, drawing their bows with both hands working in unison. The red embroidered ball was struck by arrows, bouncing and jumping wildly, rising and falling according to the force of the person controlling the silk rope, reaching heights of over ten feet, drawing continuous exclamations of admiration from the onlookers.

This group of officers was fierce and valiant, exuding an air of ferocity. On horseback, their every movement revealed a masculinity different from the civil officials of the court.

The female officials watching the horsemanship and archery from outside the arena were so excited they couldn’t utter a word, their lips only making sounds of admiration. Their gazes followed those galloping, leaping figures, unwilling to look away.

Meng Tinghui had never seen such a scene before. She widened her eyes, looking at those tall riders and powerful horses in the distance, feeling in her heart that there could be no more magnificent sight in the world than this.

…A true man should be like this.

In her daze, she heard Shen Zhili leaning close to ask her: “Earlier when I invited you to watch the horsemanship and archery, you said you wouldn’t come. Don’t you regret it now?”

She nodded with a smile, leaning forward like the other female officials, wanting to see more clearly.

Shen Zhili linked arms with her and took a few steps forward, pointing to the distance and telling her: “This is just the beginning. The best is yet to come. Just wait and see!”

Before her words finished, several more riders galloped out from that side, each wearing light armor with flowing tassels, looking extraordinarily distinguished. The one at the front was precisely that of Commander Di who had earlier made Shen Zhili both embarrassed and annoyed.

The female officials recognized him and immediately began to stir restlessly.

The drum beat sounded once more. The riders over there let out three loud shouts in unison, driving their horses to scatter, then began performing horsemanship at a speed that dazzled the eyes.

Some rose from their saddles, right foot leaving the stirrup, bending their bodies to lightly hang onto the horse’s mane, left foot in the stirrup, left hand reaching forward to grasp the horse’s long mane, right hand holding the reins as they galloped around the arena. Others bent down, grasping the stirrups with both hands, shoulders braced against the saddle bridge, standing inverted on the horse’s back, remaining perfectly still whether the horse galloped fast or walked slowly. Yet others used just one foot in the stirrup, with their entire body lying horizontally on one side of the saddle bridge, one hand gripping the saddle, one hand holding the mane, the other foot extending straight along the horse’s body—truly astonishing.

Shen Zhili quietly explained beside her: “‘Offering the Saddle,’ ‘Inversion,’ ‘Flying Immortal Cleaving Horse’…”

Meng Tinghui watched with unwavering attention. She knew that Shen Zhili must have been taught horsemanship and archery by her mother from a young age and must be well-versed in all these techniques. She smiled as she listened to her explain each one.

After everyone’s performances, that silver-armored Commander Di finally rode forward. He casually loosened the reins, leaped down from his horse, and urgently called out, commanding his horse to raise its neck and gallop forward.

The female officials were all stunned, not knowing what he intended to do.

But before anyone could react, they saw him already sprinting toward his horse. Within moments, he caught up to the warhorse that had not yet reached full speed, grabbed its tail from behind, flipped himself up, and landed steadily on the saddle bridge on the horse’s back.

He made a graceful turn, swiftly drew out a long bow, and strung an arrow, the white feathers dazzlingly bright. Then came the continuous sound of bowstrings, and those sharp-headed arrows flew through the air, clustering into the slender willow targets standing at the edge of the field.

The entire venue was amazed.

Meng Tinghui was also incredibly surprised, never expecting him to possess such skill. Her red lips parted slightly, but she didn’t know what to say.

Shen Zhili, however, let out a couple of soft “hmph” sounds beside her, muttering quietly: “What’s so impressive? My mother says these fancy tricks are completely useless. True skill is what can kill enemies on the battlefield!”

Meng Tinghui still couldn’t help gazing at Di Nian, who was full of vigor on horseback, unable to withdraw her gaze for a long while. In her heart, she had silently praised him countless times. When she heard Shen Zhili’s words, she finally turned back with a faint smile, “What grudge do you have against him that makes you ridicule him so?”

Shen Zhili had a dismissive look, pursing her lips, “You think I’m ridiculing him? My words are as precious as pearls. Don’t overestimate his skills—if we’re talking about fancy performances, perhaps Di Nian could rank first, but when it comes to mastery of horsemanship and precision in archery, none of the young officers in the army can compare to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Hearing this, she couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows slightly, turning to look toward Baojin Tower.

From such a distance, she couldn’t see his expression, but she vaguely felt that he was looking in her direction.

The autumn wind suddenly picked up, making the yellow canopy in front of the tower tremble.

He was staring at her.

Watching her face flush with excitement because of those young officers on the field, seeing her gazing at Di Nian with a prolonged daze, observing her look as if she couldn’t help but step forward to get a closer view of those men’s gallantry…

His heart suddenly burned with anger.

The cool wind blew against him, making that fire spread even more intensely throughout his body.

If she had remained still and silent, he would never have had such distracting thoughts.

But she was moving and speaking, her gaze, her expression, her face, her body… everything aroused distracting thoughts in him.

In his mind, he was condemning his own childish thoughts, but he had already stood up from his seat, flinging his robe as he turned, taking two large strides to the head of the tower, focusing his gaze downward.

Those military officers were shouting on horseback, the surrounding spectators were cheering enthusiastically, and the female officials were smiling beautifully—among them was her.

He saw clearly and couldn’t help narrowing his eyes.

An official beside him came to inquire: “Does Your Highness wish to go down to the field?”

He nodded, turning to walk down the tower, coldly ordering: “Prepare a horse, one long bow, and twenty feathered arrows.”