Zhang Fengxi’s mood remained foul the entire day.
He aced the spear competition as expected, scored so-so with axes and whips, ranked third in archery, and finished in second place in horse riding.
"Everyone has worked hard!" Head Eunuch Gao said at the end of the day. "We welcome all participants at the Grand Tutor’s examination hall tomorrow. Please come in time, because the last oral examination takes place right after the written examination."
The judges left their seats to go back home. Zhang Fengxi threw Xie Jianyu a look filled with animosity.
Zhang Zhiyuan patted his son’s back sympathetically.
"Fengxi, don’t be mad. You were excellent today. No one expects you to win against the Crown Prince."
Zhang Fengxi’s glare shifted to his father.
"Father, he said that my sword form was ’poor’. Me! Can you believe it???"
"..."
Zhang Zhiyuan coughed into his fist.
"..."
Zhang Fengxi could not believe it. This was his father. His biological father!
"Father, do you -also- think that my sword form is poor?"
Zhang Zhiyuan gave Zhang Fengxi a look.
"Fengxi, you were not the most obedient child," he ruthlessly said. "You skipped the most basic lessons because you find them boring. You wanted to jump to the parts where you get to swing your sword around and act cool. In the end, you do not have a standardized posture to wield a sword.
Sorry to say but the Crown Prince was right. Thankfully, you choose to switch to spear, and spearsmanship does not particularly emphasize a good form..."
Those were not the words of consolation that Zhang Fengxi expected to hear from his father.
"Anyway," Zhang Zhiyuan patted his son’s back to placate him. "You need to rest well tonight, because you must fight with your brain and wits tomorrow. Forget the Crown Prince’s words. A proper sword form is not important for a spearman."
"..."
It was important.
It was very important!
How did his father not understand this???
Urged by Commandant Jiang, Zhang Fengxi obediently meditated before sleep to dispel the burning anger that gnawed at his soul. Despite his efforts, he still did not manage to sleep well that night.
His foul mood did not improve when he sat at a table at the examination hall the next day and heard the questions that came from the Grand Tutor’s mouth.
The Record Of The Worst Transgressions In The Human Realm For The Past 1000 Years, his foot!
None of the questions hailed from that wretched book!
Zhang Fengxi read all 1567 pages for nothing!
The heir of Longjing Palace was close to suffering from qi deviation on the spot. That Xie Jianyu lied to him! Had Zhang Fengxi not fought the Demonic Realm in his past life, he would not be able to answer even a single question!
How infuriating!
How despicable, Xie Jianyu!
Thankfully, Zhang Fengxi shone like the brightest star in the sky during the eighth and also last examination. Both the Supreme General and the Deputy Supreme General were impressed with his practical knowledge and battle strategies.
"I have to say that I am amazed, Prince Zhang Fengxi," the Supreme General nodded in acknowledgment while the Deputy Supreme General noted down the many good points that Zhang Fengxi made during the discussion.
"Your future is bright. I am glad to have someone like you to defend the Heavenly Empire."
Zhang Zhiyuan had never looked so proud. His lips kept curling up in smiles.
The other judges were busy congratulating him on such a capable son. All but Xie Jianyu.
The Crown Prince’s expression was unreadable.
After two nerve-wracking days, Head Eunuch Gao stepped forward and announced the end of the military recruitment period of the year.
"All participants, the result of the competitions and examinations shall be announced in a week. Please take your time to recuperate during the week. A celebratory banquet shall be held in your honor after the announcement was made!"
"WOOOOOOOO!!!"
None of the participants knew whether they were rejected or not, or what kind of position they would get. All of them were just very happy to see the end of the laborious two days.
Zhang Fengxi spent the next few days lounging lazily at his palace, sometimes at Wuyang Palace.
With Liu Wenyuan curled up against his chest, Zhang Fengxi felt like he was floating in heaven.
"Prince Fengxi, I am so worried," Liu Wenyuan whispered with glassy eyes. "The battlefield is an unpredictable place. I don’t want Prince Fengxi to get hurt..."
Zhang Fengxi laughed. He pulled Liu Wenyuan into his arms and cuddled him.
"Wenyuan, do not worry. Don’t you think that my performance during the competitions was exceptionally good?"
Liu Wenyuan gave him a beautiful smile.
"Ah... I don’t know much about martial arts, but I think that Prince Fengxi was extremely dashing as he defeated one opponent after another."
"Oh, Wenyuan..."
Zhang Fengxi pinned Liu Wenyuan on the huge pillow and climbed on top of him. Liu Wenyuan gazed up at him with eyes filled with longing.
"Prince Fengxi..."
"Wenyuan..."
Zhang Fengxi lowered himself on top of his beloved. Their lips were about to touch when a series of images flew through Zhang Fengxi’s head.
"My Lord..."
Xie Jianyu’s gentle images from the Three Realm Spear’s trial came to haunt him again.
Zhang Fengxi looked away and rolled off Liu Wenyuan’s body.
"Prince Fengxi, did something happen?"
"No, nothing," Zhang Fengxi said in a hurry. "Nothing."
His mood was ruined by Xie Jianyu’s ghost. Zhang Fengxi soon excused himself with a promise to come back as soon as possible. Liu Wenyuan watched his figure disappear into the clouds with mixed feelings.
"Wenyuan, what happened? Did you fight with Zhang Fengxi again?" his curious mother, the Wuyang Palace Mistress, asked.
Liu Wenyuan furrowed his brows in displeasure.
"Mother, it is not always my fault," he defended himself. "Alphas are fickle beings. One day he professed his love to me, the other day he was busy chasing after the shadow of another."
The lady put an arm around her omega son and patted his upper arm.
"Wenyuan, don’t furrow your brows. You will develop wrinkles. Why don’t we help Zhang Fengxi make up his mind a little bit?" she asked while winking at Liu Wenyuan.
Liu Wenyuan arched his brow at his mother.
"How?"