https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-496-The-Rebellious-Son-s-Quiet-Scheming-Definitely-Up-to-No-Good/13151186/
Chapter 497: Let Your Maternal Grandfather Handle It
Chapter 497: Let Your Maternal Grandfather Handle It
After two rounds of competition, the time reached noon.
The civil and military officials, having experienced a thrilling and stimulating morning, were all drenched in sweat, their voices hoarse.
The Liang Emperor granted everyone a short break, and after an hour, the horseback archery contest would continue.
During this time, the Empress sent refreshments, fruits, and meals from the Imperial Kitchen, and the officials unanimously praised the Empress's virtue.
In the Jin Wang's shaded pavilion, Jin Wang, Rui Wang, Qi Wang, and Lu Qi were enjoying their lunch, consisting of dishes sent by the Empress and Empress Hu's tonic soups and delicacies.
However, at this moment, none of them had much of an appetite.
Qi Wang said, "Big brother, third brother, I think you shouldn't worry too much. Lu Lin Yuan only has some side skills. When it comes to brute force, he'll be at a loss."
Rui Wang glared at him, "Do you really think he can't draw the three-stone bow?"
Qi Wang was unconcerned, "So what if he can? Qi'er can draw it too. At worst, it'll be a draw. Besides, don't we have a backup plan?"
Lu Qi furrowed his brows, "Fourth Royal Uncle, I can win against him on my own. There's no need for you to secretly resort to underhanded means."
Rui Wang patted Lu Qi's shoulder, "He's the one who played dirty first. By using the bloodletting method to provoke the wild horse's ferocity, he's already breaking the rules."
Qi Wang quickly added, "Exactly, Qi'er. You want to be a gentleman, but others won't hesitate to use despicable means."
Lu Qi paused, then said, "But the Grand Agricultural Commissioner said he was just removing ticks from the horse."
Qi Wang scoffed, "Don't listen to that old fellow. He and Meng Ge Lao have already been bought by the Crown Prince's Mansion. If you believe them, you'll fall for their tricks."
Rui Wang added, "Moreover, that white horse isn't one of the ranch's wild horses. Who knows where it came from? Who can guarantee it wasn't arranged by the Crown Prince's Mansion in advance? Miaojiang is skilled in gu poisoning; besides using gu, I can't think of any other means that could make a wild horse fearless of the horse king."
Rui Wang's words struck a chord with Lu Qi.
Compared to Lu Yuan's proven abilities, he was more inclined to believe that Lu Yuan had cheated.
From the start, Lu Qi had wanted a fair contest, but if Lu Yuan had broken the rules, he didn't need to keep suffering in silence and endure the losses.
Seeing Lu Qi's wavering expression, Rui Wang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He smiled and said, "Rest assured, if he doesn't play dirty next, we won't do anything to him. On the contrary, if he remains stubborn, we'll make sure he suffers."
Lu Qi nodded, "Mhm."
"Second brother, what were they whispering about?"
In the Crown Prince's shaded pavilion, Ming Wang gave Jin Wang and the other two several glaring looks.
Lu Zhaoyan picked up some green vegetables with his chopsticks, "Eat your food."
Ming Wang, "I don't eat vegetables!"
Lu Zhaoyan ignored him.
Ming Wang then decisively picked up some food for Fu Wang, "You eat."
Jiang Guogong also gave the vegetables from his bowl to Fu Wang and then took the meat from Fu Wang's bowl for himself.
Fu Wang, "..."
Lu Yuan wasn't in the pavilion; after losing the second round, he went to the horse stable alone.
Zhang Qufeng mocked him for not being able to take the loss, saying that he hid in the stable to sulk, showing no composure compared to the calm and collected Commandery Prince.
Ming Wang smiled coldly, "Yes? Who can compare to him? After losing so much, his face is as thick as ever."
Qi Wang slapped the table, "Who do you think has a thick face?"
Ming Wang chuckled, "You know who I'm talking about. Why are you getting worked up?"
Qi Wang rolled up his sleeves and charged over to fight.
"Hey, stop, stop, stop!"
Jiang Guogong hurriedly tried to stop the fight, clearing the table of the red-braised meat and fish, "Alright, now you can fight.
"Your Majesty, what are you doing here?"
Rui Wang dragged Qi Wang back to Jin Wang's shaded pavilion, and Qi Wang grumbled as he sat down.
Lu Qi put down his bowl and chopsticks, "Father, I'm full. I'll go feed the horses first."
Jin Wang said, "Don't overwork yourself."
"I understand," Lu Qi replied.
Lu Qi stood up, bowed respectfully as a junior, and then turned to leave for the stable.
The horse they were about to use was the wild horse they had just tamed that morning, but being a wild horse, it hadn't undergone rigorous training, so it wasn't as well-trained as the warhorses in the mansion.
Lu Qi also wanted to take this opportunity to practice more with the horse.
As he approached the stable, he suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure.
"Oh?" Lu Qi quickened his steps and approached, "Mother, why are you here? Did you change clothes?"
The person turned around and gave him a strange look, "Who are you?"
Lu Qi was taken aback.
It wasn't his mother.
But... the two had a similar temperament and build.
"Mother," Lu Qi called out again.
Lu Yuan walked over.
"Son!"
Liu Qingyun's eyes lit up, and she showed an expression as clear and cheerful as a young girl, "You're really here!"
The latest chapter is now available!
Son... Lu Qi looked at Lu Yuan and then at Liu Qingyun, understanding her identity.
But why did she resemble his mother so much?
It wasn't a physical resemblance but more like a deliberate imitation.
Lu Yuan stood by Liu Qingyun's side and glanced at Lu Qi, "Hey, why are you staring at my mother? Go find your own mother."
Liu Qingyun said, "Exactly!"
After speaking, she hugged Lu Yuan's arm and joked, "Son, he called me mother, but I didn't respond."
Lu Yuan smiled coldly, "Did a horse kick you in the head, or did you damage your brain by drawing the bow? Who told you to randomly recognize a mother in broad daylight?"
Liu Qingyun exclaimed, "Exactly!"
Lu Qi felt a bit embarrassed and said expressionlessly, "I just made a mistake."
Liu Qingyun turned to Lu Yuan, "Son, I would never mistake you!"
Lu Qi's words were stuck in his throat.
Indeed, like mother, like son, a pair of oddballs! He walked away with a cold face.
Liu Qingyun pulled Lu Yuan to the side and examined him from head to toe, "Son, are you injured?"
"No," Lu Yuan replied.
Liu Qingyun said with displeasure, "The Empress set up the pavilion so far away that I couldn't see anything, but I heard someone yelling like a pig-slaughtering from your side."
Lu Yuan's mouth twitched. Had Jiang Guogong's pig-slaughtering yell reached the female quarters?
He said, "The riding and archery field isn't far from where you are. You should be able to see it soon."
Liu Qingyun relaxed, "That's more like it! By the way, son, was that person just now the son of Jin Wang?"
Lu Yuan confirmed, "Yes, it's him."
Liu Qingyun continued, "No wonder he's so annoying. The Empress told me you lost a round. Did they cheat?"
"No," Lu Yuan replied calmly.
Liu Qingyun asked suspiciously, "Really?"
Lu Yuan assured her, "I'm not lying, really."
He didn't want to involve his mother in his grudge with Lu Qi.
It wasn't that he was worried about his mother being unable to hold back if she took action; it would be difficult to resolve the situation.
Liu Qingyun dragged out her words, "Reeeally—no?"
Lu Yuan said, "Don't you know who my son is?"
"Yes," Liu Qingyun replied proudly, straightening Lu Yuan's clothes, "Son, it's no big deal if you lose. If necessary, I'll have your maternal grandfather kill him. The Qilin position is still yours."
Lu Qi, who had just led the black horse out of the stable, was speechless.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
