Chapter 53 Awkward Moments

Chapter 53 Awkward Moments

The palace attendant announced, "The third place winner of this shooting competition is the eighteenth prince, Xie Ying."

"The second place winner is Xie Hongrui, the son of the Second Prince."

"The one who obtained the Little Archer God was Xie Chengze, the son of Prince Jing."

As the palace attendant announced, the three children walked to the center of the hall and stood side by side in front of the emperor.

Shen Nanzi clasped her hands together and placed them on her chest, looking at Shen Chengze with eyes full of pride.

Xie Yan looked away, unable to bear watching her overly exaggerated behavior.

Knowing her character as he did, he knew that if it weren't for the Emperor's presence, she would have been unable to contain her emotions and would have jumped up with joy.

He could picture her smug and overjoyed; there was no denying that she was an extremely vibrant person.

His joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness were all readily apparent in his words.

Unlike Xue Qingning, who only wore a faint smile even when Xie Hongrui achieved remarkable results.

She was dignified and elegant, perfectly befitting the status of a princess.

At this moment, the Emperor looked at the royal bloodline, a look of satisfaction appearing in his eyes.

"Good! You are all fine young men. With such young pillars of the nation, the country will surely be prosperous and peaceful, and the land will be forever secure."

"Everyone will receive a prize. Before I distribute the prizes, I would like to hear your understanding of archery."

When the other children heard that there would be a short essay after winning the award, they were immediately relieved that they didn't have to think of such a difficult problem on the spot.

The crowd below secretly held their breath for the three children. The Emperor's question in front of so many people was clearly a test of the children's quick wit and intelligence.

"Xie Chengze, you go first." The Emperor called out his name in a kind and gentle manner.

The first one!! Without even having time to think it through, Shen Nanzi looked at the child with some worry.

Xie Yan held his wine glass, gazing at the three children. It was the same tactic he'd used on Xie Chengze years ago.

He took a mouthful of wine in frustration, letting the bitterness in his heart ferment with the aroma of the wine.

Xie Chengze stood in the center of the three, his small frame upright. After thinking for a moment, he spoke: "Reporting to my grandfather, I believe that archery is not an easy skill."

"You must have a solid foundation and learn and practice more. This time, even with just a fixed target, it is already so difficult. Cheng'er will definitely not be able to hit those moving living things."

"The reason you were able to hit the bullseye this time was because you found the technique after three trials. You just built up the technique afterward. There was an element of luck involved, and it wasn't Cheng'er's true strength."

"Cheng'er will practice diligently to improve his archery skills, and when he grows up, he will go to the battlefield to kill enemies and protect the country."

After listening to Xie Chengze's words, Consort Wei smiled and said, "This child's serious appearance is just like that of little Xie Yan back then."

The Emperor nodded.

Consort Wei continued, "I remember back then, Xie Yan also won first place in the children's archery competition. Does Your Majesty remember?"

The Emperor certainly remembered, “He did indeed inherit Xie Yan’s excellent archery skills.”

Even the second place is the same; he was the second prince back then, and now he is his son.

But his beloved second son lost his life on the battlefield.

Xie Yan listened to the words of the person in the seat of honor and looked at Shen Chengze. Was he the same person she was when she was a child?

My heart is filled with mixed feelings, but why is it that Shen Nanzi is the one who feels this way?

Xie Yan drank another cup of wine, his gaze still involuntarily falling on Xie Chengze.

"His Majesty should reward him!" Consort Wei reminded him.

The Emperor regained his composure and looked at the face that was exactly the same as Xie Yan's: "Well said, keep your reward."

The palace servants who were holding the tray were already standing by waiting. Upon hearing the emperor's order, they took a few steps forward, presented the tray to Xie Chengze, and then unveiled the red cloth covering it.

"Wow!" Xie Chengze couldn't help but exclaim softly, his face beaming with delight.

The eighteenth prince and Xie Hongrui also looked over.

On the tray was a set of weapons: a delicate little dagger, an unsharpened sword, a child's bow, and a small crossbow.

These items have all been processed; they are either unsharpened or the arrowheads are not likely to cause injury.

The important thing is that they are all tailored to children, and the colors and styles are exactly what children love.

No wonder Xie Chengze couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Especially that little crossbow, it was every boy's dream item.

Because crossbows were controlled items, only soldiers were entitled to possess them; they had only seen them in books.

I know this thing is more powerful than any other weapon; it's a top-tier weapon that you can't buy even with money.

Xie Hongrui's eyes reddened as he looked at the prizes, and he reached out to grab the small crossbow.

Xie Chengze realized his intentions and immediately took the tray, holding it protectively in front of him.

Xie Hongrui's face immediately darkened when he couldn't find the crossbow. He pouted, pointed at Xie Chengze, and cried out, "Your Majesty! Grandfather!"

"My grandson just wanted to touch his crossbow, but he... he wouldn't let him. Xie Chengze is so stingy!"

Xie Hongrui's cries echoed through the Chongde Hall, and everyone watched this scene with amusement.

The Emperor was amused by the scene and looked at Xie Chengze, saying, "Hongrui just wanted to touch it, so just let him touch it."

Xie Chengze shook his head, "Grandfather, Hongrui didn't want to touch it, he wanted to snatch it. This is my prize, and I don't want to give it to him."

He refused very decisively.

This was something that neither the emperor nor anyone else had expected.

Xue Qingning stood up and said in a gentle voice, "I never thought Chengze would be so narrow-minded. Hongrui just wanted to touch you, but to you, it's become him trying to steal your prize."

"Although he is young, he is quite shrewd. If no one had seen it with their own eyes, this false accusation would have been considered true."

Her voice seemed calm and unhurried, but her words were sharp as knives.

Shen Nanzi looked at her, almost laughing in anger, "He didn't get it, but who can guarantee what his intentions were?"

"If you're so capable, earn the reward yourself. What kind of nonsense is it to steal someone else's!"

"Alright!" Xie Yan scolded, "This is just a children's farce; adults shouldn't get involved."

Shen Nanzi glared at him irritably, she really couldn't stand seeing Xue Qingning and her son suffer.

Xue Qingning glanced at Xie Yan with a hint of grievance, then said in a seemingly generous and dignified manner:

"It was just a small matter between children, and Hongrui won't hold it against us. We only spoke up because we don't want to be slandered for no reason."

"Besides, he hasn't claimed his prize yet." After she finished speaking, she sat down gracefully.

Xie Hongrui, who was sobbing, immediately stopped crying when he heard about his prize and made a face at Xie Chengze.

"I have a prize too, who cares about yours, you cheapskate!"

The Emperor quickly added with a smile, "That's right, the second place winner will also receive a reward. Let's just give it to the two children. They won't be in the mood for an acceptance speech; their eyes will be glued to the prize."

"That's enough! That's enough!"

The eighteenth prince and Xie Hongrui jumped up with joy, "We're giving out rewards!"

"Rewards are being given out!"

The palace servants, who had been standing to the side, walked up to the two of them with a tray in hand.

Xie Hongrui couldn't wait to lift the red brocade cloth.

The prizes displayed on the red lacquered tray were: