The Xihua Palace, where the prince lives, is shrouded in clouds and mist, mountains and green trees.

The small bridge flows and the breeze blows. The birds are singing and the flowers are fragrant, refreshing.

Turning a mountain col, a palace appeared behind the mountain, standing majestically, straight into the night.

Since that night he had told the groom to lead the horse and never returned, the prince had a premonition that something was about to happen. And the musicians and courtesans who waited for the prince in the palace, in accordance with Zhang Si's will, still played music and sang and danced every day.

At this time, a group of palace maids in Xihua Palace were singing and dancing to their heart's content. Accompanied by bursts of cheerful rhythm, Wang Erhan's daughter Mary danced with a beautiful and light posture, expressing her pursuit and yearning for a better life, and the touching singing echoed in the hall for a long time......

From time to time, Mary's eyes stayed on the prince's face, looking back frequently, with affection.

There is a large round table in the middle of the main hall, on which the flowers are splendid, the prince is sitting majestically, and the fairy-like princess Mary is sitting on the left, with a trace of sorrow between the eyebrows, and his heart is heavy. At the top of the right are Zhang Zhongliang's half-brother Zhang Xiaowei, and cousins Zhang Zhiguang, Zhang Zhidong and Zhang Zhixing.

The five warriors beside the prince, Hao Tianlei, Wang Yihu, Wang Tianbao, Ye Piao, and Xian Yongfeng, stood in turn.

Except for the crown prince, everyone talked and laughed.

The end of the song. The dancers dispersed. The chamberlain announced: "The emperor's grace is vast, today's royal family competition, the princes and princes have prepared for a month, and their martial arts will inevitably improve." I hope that everyone will strive to be the first and not fall behind. ”

The beautiful Mary took off her makeup and returned to the main hall, sat down beside the prince like a gust of wind, and her affectionate eyes returned to Zhang Zhongliang.

When Zhang Zhongliang saw the crown princess, the two spoke softly, with a rare smile on their faces.

The chamberlain announced: "The royal competition, start now: the first game, open the bow and arrow—"

In an instant, the beautiful music in the main hall was replaced by the deafening sound of gongs and drums.

Everyone got up, geared up, and was eager to try.

Another curtain was lifted in the middle of the stage. A platform is exposed, and on the left side there is a row of weapon racks, hanging all kinds of 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 took the arrow, swished, the arrow shot forward like a meteor, directly hit the bull's-eye, shot through the three iron drums one after another, the arrow cluster passed deeply through the third iron drum, and the arrow feathers were hidden in the iron drum.

The guards shouted at the target: "The second prince shoots through three iron drums." ”

The onlookers and palace maids cheered loudly.

When it was Zhang Zhiguang's turn to play, he smiled honestly at everyone, stood firm, took a deep breath, lifted his bow and arrow, and shot an arrow.

The guards shouted at the target: "Zhiguang Tala (Tala is the honorific title for the king's grandchildren) shoots through the iron drums on both sides. ”

The crowd applauded.

Zhang Zhiguang bowed to everyone and retreated.

Zhang Zhidong came on the field and shot arrows with a bow.

The guard shouted at the target: "Zhidong Tara shoots through an iron drum." ”

Zhang Zhidong laughed self-deprecatingly, and walked off the stage not without disappointment.

Zhang Zhixing looked at Mary and squeezed her eyes flatteringly, and Mary turned her face away angrily.

Zhang Zhixing was greatly disappointed, with a gloomy face, and walked onto the stage angrily. He picked a hard bow and motioned for the guards to bring a chair up, and he sat down on the chair, opened the bow with his feet, and shot an arrow with all his strength, and then returned to the temple triumphantly.

The guards shouted to the target: "Zhixing Dala shoots through the iron drums on all sides." ”

Zhang Zhixing slammed his fist at Mary, defying the audience as a victor.

Mary snorted disdainfully.

Zhang Zhiguang's honest voice stammered: "This, this-hey, this is a unique stunt created by the prince, you use it, you use it." It doesn't count, it doesn't count ”

Zhang Zhongliang stood up, patted Zhang Zhiguang on the shoulder, and motioned for him not to speak. He looked at Mary affectionately again.

Mary still kept her head down, her brow furrowed, thoughtful.

Zhang Zhongliang calmly walked up to the stage.

The audience suddenly burst into cheers: "Zhang Zhongliang - Zhang Zhongliang - Zhang Zhongliang - "

Zhang Zhongliang picked the largest bow, pulled it, slowly bent the bow and set up an arrow, and inadvertently shot an arrow.

The arrows were mixed with a strong wind, shooting towards the iron drum, which was worthy of hitting the bull's-eye, and a sound of breaking the drum pierced through the seven-sided iron drum. The arrow path continued to end, and flew forward, straight into the big tree behind the iron drum, and the arrow did not enter the tree.

The guards who reported the target were dumbfounded.

The audience roared with joy.

Zhang Zhongliang put down his bow and arrows and returned to the front of the hall, still expressionless.

The guards shouted at the target: "The prince shoots through the seven-sided iron drum." ”

The cheers rose again: "Zhang Zhongliang - Zhang Zhongliang - Zhang Zhongliang - "

Zhang Zhongliang walked up to Mary.

Mary raised her head, as if she was infected by the scene, and her brows furrowed: "Prince, why are you unhappy?" ”

Zhang Zhongliang: "If you are not happy, how can you make me happy?" ”

Mary: "Oh? With a sigh, the willow eyebrows raised, the phoenix eyes turned, glanced at the iron drum on the stage, and looked at Zhang Zhongliang with an inquiring look.

Zhang Zhongliang nodded slightly. Mary jumped lightly onto the stage, picked up the bow that the prince had just used, bent the bow and shot it from the back.

I can only hear a "hu¬" wind that hits the center of the iron drum and penetrates the iron drum in a silent place!

The guards who reported the target were even more stunned.

The audience cheered like thunder, resounding in the sky.

While Mary put the bow back in its place, Zhang Zhongliang came to the stage with a bouquet of flowers to present to her, and then walked off the stage hand in hand.

The guard shouted at the target: "The crown princess shoots through the eight-sided iron drum." ”

Suddenly, the scene became a sea of joy: "Crown Princess-Crown Princess-Crown Princess-"

Zhang Zhongliang: "I'm proud of you, congratulations!" ”

The two snuggled up to each other affectionately.

Mary smiled happily.

At this time, a guard ran in in a panic and reported: "Report, prince, the military situation in Nanzhao Chenglou is urgent." All the ministers of the inner palace have taken refuge here, and are now waiting outside the door for the prince to show off. ”

Everyone at the scene was amazed.

Zhang Zhongliang calmed down: "Announce them to the council hall." Walk. ”

Zhang Xiaowei, Zhang Zhiguang, Zhang Zhidong and Zhang Zhixing then followed quickly.

Mary slumped into her chair, a cloud of gloom sweeping across her face.

A cadre of Wenchen was waiting outside the palace, anxious and gossiping.

A yellow door ran out of the palace gate: "Ladies and gentlemen, the prince is invited." Please come with me. ”

The ministers rushed into the palace in a hurry.

Fan Kaikai, Bucar, 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 martial arts personnel penetrated in.

Zhang Zhongliang asked eagerly, "Ladies and gentlemen, what happened?" Where is Father now? ”

Fan Kaikai: "Back to His Royal Highness the Prince, His Majesty has left the city safely from the secret passage, and he will go to observe the enemy situation after we leave, and he will return in a moment." ”

Zhang Zhongliang: "Is there a warrior to protect my father?" ”

Fan Kai: "There are thirty warriors accompanying His Majesty. There are also national teachers. ”

Zhang Zhongliang felt a little relieved and ordered everyone to take a seat.

Outside the council hall, the palace maids, guards, and the yellow gate were clustered, and there were different opinions.

Zhang Zhongliang sat down: "What's the matter?" ”

Fan Kaikai: "Wang Erhao gathered 200,000 troops from neighboring countries to invade the border, and vowed to avenge his son and set foot in Nanzhao. ”

Zhang Zhongliang was taken aback: "You mean that Wang Erhao, the second uncle of the crown princess, came with an army of 200,000?" ”

Fan Kai: "Exactly. Also, Fan Kaikai glanced at the prince and stopped talking. ”