The second princess, who looked like a man, cast a haughty glance at all the women present, especially Wang Qingyao, her gaze lingering on her face for several seconds before she let out a cold snort from her nose.
*Hmph, what's that supposed to mean?*
The two princesses of Xia were only seventeen or eighteen years old, equivalent to middle schoolers in modern times, mere children. In the past, Wang Qingyao, a woman nearly thirty who had already entered society, would never deign to argue with them.
However, perhaps due to her prolonged stay in ancient times, Wang Qingyao had already accepted her persona as an eighteen or nineteen-year-old.
*Who isn't a young girl anymore!*
She immediately mimicked the second princess, scrutinizing her from head to toe, and finally let out a "humph" from her nose.
The second princess truly hadn't expected Wang Qingyao to retaliate on the spot, her long face immediately growing even longer.
After the "humph," Wang Qingyao felt a twinge of regret. They were foreign envoys, and young children at that. As the Princess of Ding'an of the Great Sheng Dynasty, she should have been more magnanimous and not stooped to their level!
Thinking this, she offered the second princess a smile as if to make amends, but it was too late. The second princess pouted, her gaze sweeping coldly over Wang Qingyao's face before letting out another cold snort, looking utterly dismissive.
Wang Qingyao found herself a bit perplexed. This second princess seemed to dislike her intensely.
*Could it be because I'm a transmigration woman, so all men love me and all women hate me?*
*That doesn't seem to be the case.*
There were so many handsome men in the Great Sheng Dynasty, yet only Xiao Yun loved her. No one else was vying for her affections. Other transmigration women, however, were surrounded by admirers, some secretly, some openly, creating grand romantic entanglements.
*Why is it so meager for me?*
Wang Qingyao felt a pang of regret.
The Emperor was not present for the archery today; he had appointed Prince Rong to preside. Prince Rong, after his leg injury, had been recuperating and could now walk, albeit with a limp. However, due to his royal status as a prince, no one dared to mock him.
He himself had never harbored any grand ambitions, his sole focus being to find true love. Now that he had found it with Wei Qing, they were blissfully happy and everything was going smoothly. Despite a slight tinge of regret, he lacked any sense of inferiority or sensitivity.
At this moment, he was directing people to move a dozen crossbows in front of the prepared targets, stealing a loving glance at Wei Qing in between.
Wang Qingyao finally understood the nature of this archery event.
She had initially assumed it would be the kind of archery where one shoots at large birds.
She exchanged a look with Feng Jiangduo.
The first to compete was a Xia envoy dressed in a short, tight red robe and a small, short golden crown. He used his foot to cock the crossbow, gesticulated animatedly, then placed an arrow on the bowstring before handing it to a nearby attendant. He had already aimed at the target; all the attendant needed to do was pull the trigger.
This was Wang Qingyao's first time witnessing such a method of archery. She exchanged another glance with Feng Jiangduo, instantly feeling that she could do it too.
The first Xia envoy to compete did not hit the bullseye, but he wasn't far off, missing by only a small margin.
Then it was Fang Zheng's turn, who shot with a bow and arrow.
Wang Qingyao now understood: Xia used crossbows, while the Great Sheng Dynasty used bows and arrows.
*This is a bit of a disadvantage.*
However, this archery was not a competition but more for entertainment. Anyone present who felt capable could participate.
The Xia delegation consisted only of the two princesses and their envoys. Prince Qi and Prince Wu, maintaining their dignity, merely sat in the viewing stands and did not participate.
The Seventh Prince, however, had no such reservations and was eagerly preparing to showcase his skills.
Xiao Yun also had no intention of participating. Although he knew how, his skill level was amateurish, and he didn't want to embarrass himself.
Wang Qingyao had been somewhat worried earlier, but after Fang Zheng stepped up and steadily hit the bullseye, she felt relieved.
*There are many talented individuals in the Great Sheng Dynasty.*
After several rounds of alternating play, the Great Sheng Dynasty consistently held the upper hand against Xia.
The men of the Great Sheng Dynasty were also quite cunning, always winning by just one ring.
If you hit the seven-ring, they would hit the eight-ring.
If you hit the bullseye, they would shoot your arrow down.
After several rounds, the expressions of the two princesses began to sour.
"I'll do it," the second princess, unable to contain her frustration, jumped down from the viewing stand without needing assistance.
Feng Jiangduo noticed this and whispered to Wang Qingyao, "She knows martial arts."
The second princess used both the crossbow and the bow. The Xia envoys had not exaggerated; she was indeed very skilled, shooting ten arrows, each hitting the bullseye.
The Xia envoys cheered.
The elder princess also showed a smile.
The second princess looked towards Wang Qingyao, "Princess of Ding'an, do you dare to compete with me?"
Wang Qingyao smiled, appearing both amiable and regal.
"I am an elder; how can I compete with a young girl like you? Even if I won, it would not be glorious."
Wang Qingyao immediately elevated her own status. The second princess wanted to retort, but Wang Qingyao quickly added, "There are many young ladies in our Great Sheng Dynasty who are skilled in archery. If the second princess wishes to compete, you can find them."
At her signal, County Princess Mu Jin and Feng Jiangduo descended from the viewing stands.
*See, Xia only has one princess who can shoot, while we in the Great Sheng Dynasty can produce two at once.*
The second princess naturally understood the implication and coldly snorted, "Then Princess of Ding'an, don't be embarrassed later."