Song Mo turned towards the sound and saw Dong Qi, the heir of the Marquis of Guangen.
Dong Qi was tall and handsome, wearing a phoenix-winged helmet and a blue brocade robe with golden cloud patterns, adorned with fish-scale armor. Fully equipped in military attire, he cut an imposing figure.
The Crown Prince, looking at his armor, asked curiously, “What’s this about?”
Dong Qi bowed slightly and respectfully replied, “This year, I’m also participating in the autumn hunt’s horseback archery competition.”
Dong Qi held a minor position in the Imperial Guard.
The Crown Prince nodded.
Shen Qing, grinning, circled Dong Qi and examined him. “Your armor looks great.”
Empress Shen came from humble origins, and the Shen family was ennobled due to their connection to the imperial family. The noble youths of the capital didn’t hold Shen Qing in high regard, so he didn’t associate much with them. However, there were two exceptions. One was Song Mo—who treated everyone with the same cool detachment, so Shen Qing had no complaints. The other was Dong Qi—who was sociable and got along with everyone, making his relationship with Shen Qing much better than most.
“I had this specially made in Tianzhou,” Dong Qi said with a smile. “If you like it, I can have one made for you too.”
The armor produced in Tianzhou, Guangxi, was usually reserved for the military. It would be troublesome for Shen Qing to acquire one, but for Dong Qi, whose father was the Right Commander of the Five Army Command and oversaw the Guangxi garrisons, it was a simple matter.
Shen Qing’s face lit up, and he replied without hesitation, “Then I’ll graciously accept your offer!”
The Crown Prince’s brow furrowed slightly.
Dong Qi, seemingly oblivious to the Crown Prince’s reaction as he chatted with Shen Qing, said, “I secretly ordered this using my father’s name. Make sure you don’t let it slip.”
The Crown Prince’s expression visibly improved upon hearing this.
Gu Yu watched, pursing his lips.
Song Mo glanced at Gu Yu.
Gu Yu immediately resumed his respectful demeanor.
Only Shen Qing, oblivious to the situation, worried aloud, “Then what should I say?”
Gu Yu looked up at the sky.
Dong Qi teased, “Just say you got it from Song Da.”
The Crown Prince, Shen Qing, and Gu Yu were all taken aback.
Song Mo, however, calmly said, “That’s fine.”
His serious tone made the atmosphere suddenly solemn, devoid of any hint of jest.
Shen Qing couldn’t help but groan, “Tiansi, can’t you be more casual? No wonder everyone calls you Song Da.”
The Crown Prince chuckled.
A group of elegantly dressed young men passed through the patrolling soldiers and approached together.
They were all sons of noble families, less formal than usual due to the autumn hunt.
Everyone bowed to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince greeted them warmly, remembering each person’s name and circumstances. His conversation topics ranged from “I heard your grandmother injured her leg, is she better now?” to “Are you getting used to your duties in the Imperial Guard?” and “Have you set a date for your wedding?” Everyone he addressed wore an expression of delight.
Song Mo glanced at Gu Yu.
Gu Yu grinned at Song Mo.
The group surrounded the Crown Prince as they headed to his tent.
Only Song Mo, Gu Yu, and Dong Qi remained in front of Song Mo’s tent.
The three stood in a triangle formation.
Seven or eight young soldiers, wearing padded jackets and chain mail, with large swords at their waists, approached. “Is this the tent of the heir of Duke of Ying? We’re from the left and right battalions of the Five Army Camp, summoned to participate in the autumn hunt’s archery competition. We’ve come to pay our respects to the heir of Duke of Ying.” The speaker’s gaze moved between the three, finally settling on Dong Qi. “We’ve long heard that the heir of Duke of Ying is a young hero. Seeing you today, it’s clear your reputation is well-deserved…”
Dong Qi’s face alternated between red and white. He was about to speak when someone called out “Young Master Song,” drowning out Dong Qi’s voice. The newcomer approached, saying, “You seem to have grown taller since last year. This year, I’m not qualified to participate in the autumn hunt’s archery competition, but I’ve brought some juniors to greet you. Be careful not to lose your position as the Emperor’s Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard!”
The speaker was eight feet tall, with a burly frame that shook as he walked, strong as a bear. He laughed heartily, his voice like a great bell, followed by five or six young men, their faces beaming with confidence.
This man was Ma Youming, son of Ma Yichao, the General of Xuantong. Four years ago, he had won first place in the autumn hunt, but nine-year-old Song Mo had become the center of attention, leaving Ma’s victory overlooked. The following year, he lost to Song Mo by a single arrow, again being ignored. In the third year, he still came in second.
This year, having been promoted to Deputy General of the Divine Mechanism Camp, how could he still compete with these young men without official positions?
Seeing Gu Yu, Ma Youming chuckled, “Little girl, you’ve come to watch the excitement with the young master again!”
Gu Yu’s face contorted with anger. He jumped up and started cursing, his vulgar language leaving even these battle-hardened men stunned.
Ma Youming ignored this and went straight to Song Mo, bowing. He pulled out a seventeen or eighteen-year-old young man from behind him and said, “Young Master Song, this lad is Jiang Yi, son of the Dengzhou Garrison Commander. He comes from a family of military tradition. Our Divine Mechanism Camp is counting on him to compete with you!”
Ma Youming’s men rushed forward to bow to Song Mo.
Song Mo returned the gesture and nodded with a smile at Jiang Yi.
The men who had been speaking to Dong Qi earlier were momentarily stunned. After a moment, they looked at Song Mo with wide eyes, “You… you’re the heir of Duke of Ying?”
Song Mo nodded.
Ma Youming had already put his arm around Song Mo’s shoulders. “We rarely get to meet. Let’s go drink in your tent.” He walked past Dong Qi as if he wasn’t there.
The men from the Five Army Camp erupted in chatter.
“How can he be so young?”
“Is this for real? Look at him, with that delicate skin. He’s probably never done any hard work. How could he have come in first?”