For the rest of the journey, the atmosphere between the two of them was a little stiff.

Of course, it was Su Xi who felt stiff. Although Zaizai said he wasn't angry, he didn't say a word for the rest of the journey. He was very quiet with his head lowered. No one knew what he was thinking.

Su Xi was a little helpless outside the screen. She felt that he was still angry, but she suspected that it was just her imagination … After all, there were no white bubbles above Zaizai's head on the screen to express his mood. He even glanced at his left sleeve from time to time, indicating that she should hurry up and follow.

On the screen, Zai Zai looked like a small ball as he walked between the tents. The path ahead was very narrow, and his back looked a little lonely as he walked alone. Su Xi's face was blank, and a few black question marks slowly appeared in his head …

She didn't understand. What did she do?

She just pulled Zaizai's sleeve and let him see a beautiful girl.

Even if Zaizai didn't like the girl and didn't want to talk about marriage now, what was wrong with taking a look?

It wasn't like he would lose a piece of meat.

The girl was the one who lost a piece of meat, okay?

Could it be that he was shy?

But it didn't seem like it. Zaizai didn't blush.

Although the little guy lowered his head and didn't say anything, Su Xi could tell his emotions.

Could it be that he thought she was meddling in other people's business?

Su Xi remembered that when she came home from school, she heard her mother square dancing and chatting with the auntie downstairs. She put her and Huo Jingchuan together and said something about childhood sweethearts who would become in-laws in the future. Su Xi felt very annoyed and bad, thinking that her mother was talking nonsense. What kind of thing was this?

Su Xi put herself in her mother's shoes and immediately felt that she was meddling just now. Don't do to others what you don't want others to do to you. This principle had been taught by her teacher for many years. How could she not understand it?

She thought to herself that it was better not to talk about this for the time being and let nature take its course.

Zaizai was a dragon among men. In the future, would he still be afraid of lacking a wife?

Although she reflected on herself, Su Xi still felt a little melancholy.

She finally understood how her mother felt every time her mother and Auntie Huo talked about how she and Huo Jingchuan were childhood sweethearts. She would say to her mother without looking back, "Don't try to matchmake me, it won't work out. Your daughter only wants to study and won't get married until she's thirty."

Just like what she was feeling now, she had a faint sense of frustration that said, "What should I do when my child grows up and has her own opinions?"

Su Xi didn't mention this matter again, but Lu Huan pursed her lips tightly. Her face was pale, and her heart still couldn't calm down.

Before this, even though an indescribable desire to monopolize her had arisen in his heart, he'd never thought too much about it. Or perhaps it could be said that as long as the slightest thought had arisen in his heart, he'd tried his best to restrain it and didn't dare think too deeply about it.

After all, the fact that she could appear by his side and accompany him on this difficult and muddy road was already a kind of redemption for him.

No matter how delusional he was, he only hoped that she would never disappear, never leave, and always stay by his side. He also hoped that one day, he could help her find a suitable body to live in.

All of these were already extravagant hopes.

But seeing how excited she was to let him see another woman and how excited she was to matchmake him, he still felt like there was a thorn stuck in his heart that couldn't go up or down.

He looked down at the boots on his feet and thought:

She was so happy to push him to someone else. Was it because she only had sympathy and kindness for him?

She didn't want to hide him like he did, but didn't have any possessiveness towards him?

If one day, she discovered the gloomy thoughts that he had carefully hidden in his heart, how would she treat him?

Would she leave, or — —

Lu Huan's eyelids twitched as he thought about this. He almost couldn't breathe.

His throat was dry as he looked down at his left sleeve that was being carefully pulled. He made up his mind. No matter what, before he could help her find a body and ensure that she would never disappear, he couldn't reveal any of his thoughts.

Just like that, the two of them arrived at the camp with completely different thoughts.

The camp outside the capital was filled with scattered soldiers that had been recruited a few days ago. They were currently stationed here, waiting for the General's Estate and the Ministry of War to make arrangements.

As a result, these soldiers weren't well-trained. Instead, they were a bit messy. The tents were in a mess, and there were a few bonfires outside that hadn't burned out yet.

Lu Huan composed himself. After making sure that the people beside him were still with him, he followed the Second Minister to the archery range.

Although they were here to patrol, Lu Huan knew that it wasn't that simple.

It wasn't a coincidence that the Minister of War's daughter appeared outside the city. He was afraid that the Minister of War had followed her to this place.

Then, what was his goal?

Lu Huan raised his dark eyes and casually glanced at the tall pavilion not far from the archery range. There was clearly a screen on the tall pavilion — — he didn't know who was behind it.

The Second Minister told him to wait for a while at the archery range. Then, he was called away by a soldier. After leaving for a while, he came back. Behind him were four large men dressed in black, who were dressed as military leaders.

Three of them carried quivers on their backs and held bows and arrows. They had a reserved temperament. Lu Huan had never seen them before, but when he glanced at them, he saw that their black robes were embroidered with leopards, bears, and wolves. Their positions in the military should be Third Rank Commander, Fourth Rank Wei Wu Army, and Sixth Rank Guard Army.

The other person had a fierce build and was also an expert in combat. He was a Fourth Rank Commander.

In the Zhenyuan Army, these people could be considered the core of the camp. Today, they were all sent here. Lu Huan's eyes were unclear — — the Zhenyuan General and the Minister of War thought too highly of him.

The four people stared at Lu Huan and lined up on the archery range. The Minister Counsellor smiled and said to Lu Huan, "We heard that the Minister Counsellor is a young genius. A month ago, you hunted down the Snow Wolf at Mount Autumn Swallow and received a reward from The Emperor. These four soldiers wanted to ask the Minister Counsellor for advice. I wonder if the Minister Counsellor dares to compete in horse archery and spear techniques?"

Before Lu Huan could answer, Su Xi outside the screen was already stunned. Wasn't this bullying?

These four large men were almost squeezed out of the screen. They were the type that could kill a child with one punch. Although three of them weren't as tall as Zai-Zai, in terms of width, Zai-Zai looked very thin in front of them!

Men in their thirties wanted to compete in horse archery and spear techniques with children in their teens?

Did they have any shame?!

Although Su Xi knew that she could help Zai-Zai outside the screen, the Minister Counsellor still hadn't said how they would compete. Thus, she couldn't help but feel a little worried. She subconsciously hooked Zai-Zai's finger.

Today's trip to the barracks was to test Zai-Zai's Hongmen Banquet.

Lu Huan felt her grip on his hand. She seemed to be nervous and worried about him. Just now, outside the barracks, the gloominess in his heart eased a little.

He tugged at the corner of his mouth and said to the four people, "Please."

Outside the screen, Su Xi kicked her legs. That's it. There was no way to avoid this competition.

The three people who wanted to compete in horse archery with him had brought their own soldiers. The soldiers had brought their horses and carried high-quality phoenix feather bows.

Even the arrows were incomparably sharp.

However, Lu Huan hadn't anticipated that the people behind the screen would have such considerations for him. Thus, he had only brought horses, not bows and swords.

The Minister Counsellor smiled and said, "No problem. I've already prepared."

After he finished speaking, he clapped his hands. Not long after, two soldiers brought three arrows and a long sword.

Su Xi and Zai-Zai looked at the three arrows and the long sword. They suddenly fell silent, "…"

Wasn't the meaning of this competition a little too strong?

If they really wanted to test him, why would they send him three arrows? Only one of them was in perfect condition. As for the other two, one of them was missing a tail feather, and the other one was extremely blunt and heavy. He was afraid that it would fall to the ground because of its weight before it could even fly fifty meters.

As for the long sword, rather than calling it a long sword, it would be better to call it a flat stick without an unsheathed blade.

Outside the screen, Su Xi was a little anxious. How could they compete?!

Meanwhile, the four generals standing opposite them were staring at Zai-Zai. Among them, the fourth-rank Minister Counsellor coldly sneered and said, "Most of the heirs in the capital have delicate skin and tender flesh. It's normal that they don't dare to compete with us.

However, since they're born delicate, they shouldn't come to the army to participate in boorish matters. Just go to the imperial court and be a useless civil official! "

This stocky Minister Counsellor seemed to be very disdainful of scholars.

These arrows were arranged by the Zhenyuan General. The Minister of War's Second Division didn't expect that they would deliberately make things difficult.

It seemed that the rumors about the Zhenyuan General not being very fond of Prince Ning Fu weren't groundless.

When he saw the appearance of these three crudely made arrows, he felt a bit of a headache. He opened his mouth, planning to smooth things over. After all, Lu Huan was still his capable subordinate. If he lost face here today, he wouldn't be able to keep his face.

But before he could find a way out, Lu Huan, who was by his side, had already caught the three arrows and the sword.

Lu Huan's sharp gaze fell on the four people. He asked bluntly, "How do we compete?"

The four people were also a little surprised that this kid wasn't afraid at all. They couldn't help but look at each other.

One of them said, "The three of us compete with you in archery. We need to ride horses and shoot while moving. Whoever hits the bullseye more wins.

This Minister Counsellor will use a silver spear and you will use a long sword. The two of you will compete in martial arts. "

"After four rounds of competition, if you can win two rounds, it'll be considered your win."

After he finished speaking, the stocky Minister Counsellor walked to the side and picked up the heavy silver spear from the soldier's hand. He swung it a few times in an awe-inspiring manner. The Second Division Minister Counsellor next to him wiped away some cold sweat for Lu Huan.

"Okay, let's do it like that." Lu Huan nodded and went to lead his horse.

Su Xi was a little worried outside the screen. She thought for a moment, then first bought some things from the store.

Including medicine for external injuries, darts, and concealed weapons.

Just in case.

At this moment, the Minister of War's youngest daughter, who had just appeared in the carriage outside the city, also appeared outside the archery field. Behind her were two servant girls holding up the corners of her skirt and an oil-paper umbrella. She walked towards the high platform in the distance, as if she was planning to watch the competition.

Su Xi glanced at the Minister of War's youngest daughter and saw that she was still biting her lips and blushing. She was obviously planning to watch an exciting competition.

Su Xi, this old mother, was suddenly dissatisfied with this daughter-in-law.

What time was it now? Why didn't she go find the Minister of War's father to dissuade her? Was it easy for Zaizai to take on four people by himself?

She felt uncomfortable. Zaizai was fighting tirelessly here, while the people on the platform were watching the show leisurely. She was unhappy that Zaizai was being watched like a monkey.

Forget it. The Minister of War's daughter was a girl without a name. It was obvious that she wasn't a good match for Zaizai.

In the future, there would definitely be someone who would wholeheartedly treat Zaizai well.

Thinking of this, Su Xi focused her attention on the upcoming competition between Zaizai and the people on the opposite side.

Lu Huan also couldn't help but notice the Minister of War's daughter walking towards the high platform. It wasn't that he wanted to pay attention to her, but there were a few servants following behind her. She was walking too conspicuously.

He frowned and felt that the wind beside him had stopped. He didn't know what she was thinking.

Could it be that she was focusing on the Minister of War's daughter again and was still thinking about how to be a matchmaker?

Lu Huan was unhappy and a trace of gloominess flashed through his dark eyes.

He pursed his lips and walked to the side. He took the arrow basket from the soldier's hand and fiddled with the three arrows. He put the arrow basket on the side of the horse's back and then picked up the longbow. He lifted his robe and jumped onto the horse's back. His sleeves were fluttering and his face was gloomy.

Although he could restrain himself and not show overly paranoid feelings towards her, he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to hold back one day if she casually chose another woman for him.

The wind beside him suddenly pulled his fingers.

Su Xi, who was watching from the screen, wanted to say, "Be careful. You have Ah Ma for everything."

However, Zaizai didn't know what she was thinking. She suddenly lowered her voice and said to herself, "I understand what you mean, but don't mention it again. I won't start a family. I want to die alone."

Su Xi, who was watching from the screen, "… Ah???"