Xihua Palace, where the prince lives, is surrounded by clouds, mist, mountains and green trees.
Small bridge, flowing water, gentle breeze. The chirping of birds and the fragrance of flowers are refreshing.
After turning around a mountain col, a palace appeared behind the mountains, standing majestically, directly inserted into the night sky.
Ever since he ordered the groom to fetch the horse that night and never returned, the prince had a premonition that something was about to happen. The musicians, singers and prostitutes who served the prince in the palace followed Zhang Si's orders and continued to make music and dance every day.
At this time, a group of maids in Xihua Palace were singing and dancing happily. Accompanied by bursts of cheerful rhythm, Wang Erhan's daughter Mary danced with a beautiful and light figure, expressing her pursuit and yearning for a better life. The touching singing echoed in the hall for a long time...
Mary's eyes stayed on the prince's face from time to time, looking back frequently and affectionately.
There is a large round table in the middle of the hall, covered with flowers. The prince is sitting majestically, and on the left is the fairy-like Crown Princess Mary, with a hint of sadness between her brows and a lot of worries. From the right are Zhang Zhongliang’s half-brother Zhang Xiaowei, and cousins Zhang Zhiguang, Zhang Zhidong and Zhang Zhixing.
The five great warriors beside the prince, Hao Tianlei, Wang Yihu, Wang Tianbao, Ye Piao, and Xian Yongfeng, stood in sequence.
Except for the prince, everyone was chatting and laughing.
The song is over. The dancers dispersed. The chamberlain announced: "The emperor's grace is so great that today's royal family competition will take place. After a month of preparation, all princes and princes will definitely improve their martial arts. I hope that you will strive to be the first and not fall behind."
The beautiful Mary took off her makeup and returned to the main hall. She sat down next to the prince like a gust of wind, and her loving eyes returned to Zhang Zhongliang.
When Zhang Zhongliang saw the princess, they talked softly, with a rare smile on their faces.
The chamberlain announced: "The royal contest begins now: the first contest, a bow and arrow contest——"
In an instant, the beautiful music in the hall was replaced by the deafening sound of gongs and drums.
Everyone stood up, gearing up, and eager to try.
Another layer of curtains in the center of the stage was opened. A platform was revealed, with a row of weapon racks on the left, hanging various bows and arrows, large and small. In front is an empty backyard, with seven iron drums lined up in the center.
Zhang Xiaowei came to the stage, took a hard bow, tried it, opened the bow and nocked an arrow, and with a whoosh, the arrow shot forward like a meteor, directly hitting the bullseye, shooting through three iron drums one after another, and the arrow cluster penetrated deeply through the third Facing the iron drum, the arrow feathers are hidden in the iron drum.
The guard announced the target loudly: "The second prince shot through three iron drums."
The onlookers' guards and maids cheered loudly.
It was Zhang Zhiguang's turn. He smiled honestly at everyone, stood firm on his horse, took a deep breath, raised his bow and arrow, and shot.
The guard announced the target loudly: "Zhiguang Dala (Dala is the honorific title given to the princes and grandchildren) shot through both iron drums."
Everyone cheered.
Zhang Zhiguang bowed to everyone and stepped back.
Zhang Zhidong came on the stage, opened his bow and shot arrows.
The guard announced the target loudly: "Zhidongtala shot through an iron drum."
Zhang Zhidong smiled self-deprecatingly and walked off the stage disappointed.
Zhang Zhixing looked at Mary and winked at her flatteringly. Mary turned away angrily.
Zhang Zhixing was greatly disappointed, and walked on stage angrily with a sullen face. He picked a stiff bow and signaled the guards to bring up a chair. He sat on the chair, opened the bow with his feet, and used his hands and feet together to shoot an arrow with all his strength, and then returned to the palace proudly.
The guard announced the target loudly: "Zhixingtala shot through the iron drums on all sides."
Zhang Zhixing tugged his fist hard at Mary, defying the audience with a victor's attitude.
Mary snorted contemptuously.
Zhang Zhiguang's honest voice stammered: "This, this - hey, this is the prince's own unique skill, you use it, you use it. It doesn't count."
Zhang Zhongliang stood up and patted Zhang Zhiguang on the shoulder, signaling him to be silent. He looked at Mary lovingly again.
Mary still lowered her head and frowned, thoughtfully.
Zhang Zhongliang walked onto the stage calmly.
The audience suddenly burst into cheers: "Zhang Zhongliang—Zhang Zhongliang—Zhang Zhongliang—"
Zhang Zhongliang picked the largest bow, pulled it, slowly bent the bow to nock an arrow, and shot an arrow inadvertently.
The cluster of arrows, mixed with a strong wind, shot towards the iron drum, hitting the bull's-eye. There was a sound of breaking drums, and it penetrated seven iron drums. The arrow path was still full of energy, and it flew forward, directly inserted into the big tree behind the iron drum, and the arrowhead did not enter the tree.
The guard who reported the target was stunned.
The whole audience burst into cheers.
Zhang Zhongliang put down his bow and arrow and returned to the front of the palace, still expressionless.
The guard announced the target loudly: "The prince shot through seven iron drums."
The cheers returned: "Zhang Zhongliang—Zhang Zhongliang—Zhang Zhongliang—"
Zhang Zhongliang walked to Mary.
Mary raised her head, seeming to be affected by the scene, her brows widened: "Prince, why are you unhappy?"
Zhang Zhongliang: "If you are unhappy, how can you make me happy?"
Mary said "Oh?", raised her eyebrows, rolled her eyes, glanced at the iron drum on the stage, and looked at Zhang Zhongliang with inquiring eyes.
Zhang Zhongliang nodded slightly. Mary lightly jumped onto the stage, picked up the bow that the prince had used just now, bent the bow and nocked an arrow, and fired with her back.
I could only hear the sound of "Hu¬", and a strong wind hit the center of the iron drum directly, and penetrated the iron drum in a silent place!
The guard who reported the target was even more shocked and dumbfounded.
The whole audience cheered like thunder, resounding through the sky.
While Mary was putting the bow back to its original place, Zhang Zhongliang came to the stage holding a bouquet of flowers and presented it to her, and then walked off the stage hand in hand.
The guard announced the target loudly: "The Crown Princess shot through eight iron drums."
Suddenly, the scene became a sea of joy: "Crown Princess - Crown Princess - Crown Princess -"
Zhang Zhongliang: "I am proud of you, congratulations!"
The two cuddled up lovingly.
Mary smiled happily.
At this time, a guard ran in in a panic and reported: "Prince, the military situation in Nanzhao City Tower is urgent. All the civil servants in the inner palace have taken refuge here and are now waiting for the prince's instructions outside the door."
Everyone at the scene was shocked.
Zhang Zhongliang calmed down and said, "Instruct them to go to the Yizheng Hall. Let's go."
Zhang Xiaowei, Zhang Zhiguang, Zhang Zhidong and Zhang Zhixing followed quickly.
Mary slumped down in her chair, a cloud of sadness crossing her face.
A group of civil servants were waiting outside the palace, anxious and chattering.
A Huangmen quickly ran out of the palace gate: "My lords, the prince has invited you. Please come with me."
All the ministers entered the palace in confusion.
Fan Kaikai, Bukar, Yu Zhize and other ministers entered the palace one after another.
Huangmen: "The prince has arrived!"
As soon as the voice fell, Zhang Zhongliang and other Xihua Palace contestants filed in.
Zhang Zhongliang asked anxiously: "My lords, what happened? Where is my father now?"
Fan Qianye said: "Reporting to His Majesty the Crown Prince, His Majesty has left the city safely through the secret passage. He went to observe the enemy's situation after we left and will return in a moment."
Zhang Zhongliang: "Is there any warrior to protect my father?"
Fan Qianye said: "There are thirty warriors accompanying your Majesty. There are also national teachers accompanying you."
Zhang Zhongliang felt relieved and asked everyone to watch.
Outside the government hall, the maids, guards, and Huangmen gathered in several groups, and everyone had different opinions.
Zhang Zhongliang sat down and asked, "What's going on?"
Fan Qianye said: "Wang Erhao gathered 200,000 troops from neighboring countries to invade the country, vowing to avenge his son and destroy Nanzhao."
Zhang Zhongliang was shocked: "You mean the Crown Princess's second uncle Wang Erhao came with an army of 200,000 people?"
Fan Qingye: "Exactly. Also, Fan Qingye glanced at the prince and hesitated to speak."
