Chapter 47 Small Bow and Arrow

Chapter 47 Small Bow and Arrow

"The rumors are all false, but why do they all say those things about you? I feel it's really unfair to you."

Tu Xinya was quite indignant, but very innocent.

Shen Nanzi leaned back, revealing her snow-white swan neck, and tilted her head slightly to look at the sky.

"His arrogance is just a facade of strength; in reality, he is afraid of being bullied and verbally abused."

Tu Xinya stared at her in disbelief, her eyes welling up with tears, her voice trembling slightly, "You can be bullied too?"

Shen Nanzi laughed and said, "Yes, many times, so I can only be fiercer and more ruthless than others to avoid being hurt."

Tu Xinya's youthful face showed a certain degree of empathy.

Shen Nanzi: "Everyone is inherently kind, but they encounter something that turns their entire life upside down, which is why they gradually become distorted."

"She couldn't get out, and she couldn't change anything, so she ended up becoming unrecognizable in this predicament."

"What you see is only one side of me. Life's hardships can turn a person into a multifaceted monster."

"Don't make hasty judgments about people; that's just one aspect of their many facets."

"Could it be that everyone becomes like this after growing up?" Tu Xinya asked with a solemn expression and deep concern.

“Of course not, it depends on what you desire in your heart. Everyone’s needs are different.” Shen Nanzi thought of her sister-in-law, who was a very well-rounded person.

The eldest brother witnessed his mother's tragic death and hated polygamy, so he only had feelings for his sister-in-law.

The sister-in-law also understood her brother's difficulties, and the two supported each other, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere in the Grand Commandant's mansion.

She, fearing to repeat her mother's fate, carefully selected her options, only to find herself plagued by misfortune.

It's just that when I was young, I had endless fantasies about Xie Yan.

Having tasted bitterness now, I realize that letting go is the most dignified way to live.

Tu Xinya nodded, "I understand. It's like a hungry person who only thinks about how to get enough to eat."

"You could say that all obsessions stem from inner desires," Shen Nanzi said leisurely.

"But you must not force it. It is not good for either yourself or others. Perhaps your original intention was good, but you may do something bad by mistake, annoy people, and ruin your own life."

Xie Yan, standing beside the hedge, opened his eyes. His fingers, which had been completely relaxed, gradually tightened, and there was doubt in his dark eyes.

Tu Xinya, having regained her clarity after her initial confusion, said, "This subject understands that Your Highness, Princess Jing, must be unhappy."

Shen Nanzi smiled without saying a word, but in her heart she thought that she now knew how to be happy.

Once you stop having feelings of love or hate for Xie Yan, everything will become calm and peaceful.

"Mother, you're here!"

Xie Chenze, dressed in royal blue brocade, appeared before Tu Xinya with a handsome face that resembled Xie Yan.

She couldn't help but exclaim, "So beautiful!"

Shen Nanzi looked proudly at the child she had raised, touched his slightly sweaty nose, took out a snow-white handkerchief from her bosom, and wiped the fine sweat from his head.

"How come you're sweating so much after only a short while?"

Tu Xinya then remembered that she should bow to the young prince, "May Your Highness be blessed with good health and longevity!"

"No need for formalities!" Xie Chengze waved his hand calmly, exuding nobility in every gesture.

Lie Feng finally caught up with him. "Your Highness, please slow down. Lie Feng can't catch up with you."

Shen Nanzi glanced at Lie Feng and said, "Don't chase after him. He's so energetic for his age, he has inexhaustible strength."

Then she said to Xie Chengze, "You mustn't bully Lie Feng. He's so old, how could he possibly outrun you?"

Upon hearing the phrase "at an advanced age," Lie Feng's expression shifted dramatically, displaying a variety of emotions.

Xie Chengze nodded obediently, "I understand."

Shen Nanzi gently pinched his little nose, her eyes overflowing with doting affection.

Xie Chengze finally smiled like a child, standing properly as his mother's handkerchief moved across his face.

Shen Nanzi wiped his sweat, her tone becoming extremely gentle, "What brings you here to see your mother?"

Xie Chengze glanced at Tu Xinya.

Tu Xinya understood and quickly stood up. "Princess Jing, Your Highness, I shall take my leave."

Shen Nanzi nodded, "Go!"

After Tu Xinya left, Xie Chengze spoke up, "Mother, I just heard them say that all of us children are going to perform shooting today to celebrate Grandfather's birthday. Why didn't I know anything about this?"

Such a thing is unbelievable?

Shen Nanzi frowned and looked towards the biting wind.

Lie Feng said, "I have already inquired about it, and it seems that this is indeed the case."

Shen Nanzi gritted her teeth, presumably the news had fallen to Xie Yan, who completely disregarded the lives of her and her child.

They didn't even send her a word, leaving them completely unprepared.

"Mother, I didn't bring my little bow and arrows." Xie Chengze lowered his head, his mouth pursed, his face full of grievance.

Lie Feng was also somewhat worried, "Your Highness hasn't practiced recently, I'm afraid..."

Feeling inferior in skill, Lie Feng didn't say anything for fear of hurting Xie Chengze.

However, Xie Chengze was quick-witted. "It's alright. As long as I send someone to get it when I get back to the manor, I will do my best. Even if I don't get a ranking, it doesn't matter. I will practice more in the future."

Shen Nanzi didn't want to discourage him. His little bow and arrow were just toys; how could he compete in front of the Emperor?

She didn't care about winning or losing the game, but it was a big deal in the eyes of the children.

Because it was happening in front of the Emperor and everyone else, even though they were young, they still had face to save. If they lost too badly, they would be looked down upon in the future.

Small bows and arrows are usually custom-made; they are not readily available, and you can't buy them outside these days.

That Xie Yan really ruined them, mother and son.

Shen Nanzi had promised not to get angry, but now that Cheng'er was involved, she couldn't help but get angry again.

"Shall we inform our Imperial Grandfather today that we will not participate in the shooting competition?"

She spoke gently to Cheng'er, asking for his opinion.

"The bow and arrow you used to play with at Prince Jing's residence are not suitable for competition, understand?"

Xie Chengze pondered for a moment, then nodded with some disappointment, "Then what should Cheng'er say if Grandfather asks?"

Reporting the truth would definitely not work; it would only make people think that the couple could no longer communicate, and the emperor would blame Xie Yan.

None of that matters. The main thing is that Xie Chengze is by her side, and she doesn't want Cheng'er to suffer from those uninformed stares.

I can't deceive the emperor, it's a real dilemma.

"You and Liefeng go play first, and I'll tell you when I think of a solution, okay?"

Xie Chengze nodded and left with Lie Feng in his hand.

Once they were out of sight, Xie Chengze said to Lie Feng, "Now teach me how to shoot."

"What does Your Highness mean?" Lie Feng asked.

"Have someone go back to the manor to get my little bow and arrows. The shooting principle is similar, and I'll borrow someone else's bow and arrows later." Xie Chengze didn't want to put his mother in a difficult position, so he came up with a little solution.

Lie Feng knew his temperament; once he made up his mind, he would definitely do it. "Alright then!"

...

Shen Nanzi sat beside the hedge, her face contorted in distress, at a loss for what to do.

Deceiving the emperor is absolutely unacceptable.

How can one say that it's impossible to be completely perfect?

"This old servant greets Princess Jing."

A palace maid's shrill voice rang out.

Shen Nanzi looked up and saw an older eunuch holding a small bow and arrow in his hands.

Judging from the size of the bow, it's not for girls; it looks more like a children's bow used for beginner shooting lessons.

"What is this?" Shen Nanzi asked, puzzled.

"This is... a used bow. I heard that Your Highness did not have a suitable one, so this old servant took the liberty of bringing it over."

As he spoke, the eunuch raised both hands and presented them to Shen Nanzi.