The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

Chapter 314 A Deep Warmth and a Touch of Parting Sorrow

Hard work pays off. Under Huang Shuo's guidance, the blacksmiths finally overcame the difficulties and created a crossbow that could fire three bolts in succession.

The entire workshop was in an uproar!

Zhao Xuan personally went to test it out. She locked three crossbow bolts onto the mechanism, held the bolts with both hands, aimed at the target a hundred meters away, squinted her eyes, and with a "whoosh" sound, the arrow pierced through the air!

The second arrow pierced through the first arrow's fletching, doubling the size of the hole!

Zhao Xuan used her internal energy to launch the third arrow, which came immediately after the second arrow at super speed!

"boom"!

With a loud bang, the target shattered into pieces!

A hush fell over the surroundings. All the onlookers stared wide-eyed and gaped, dumbfounded at the target that was now just a single shaft, swaying back and forth.

"Hehe! I used too much force! If I hadn't used my internal energy, it wouldn't have been this powerful!"

Zhao Xuan's arms ached from holding the crossbow, and she almost dropped it, but she remained calm and explained to everyone.

But in my heart I thought, I won't dare to be reckless next time, or I'll be the one who suffers.

"Excellent! The Princess is truly magnificent!"

"The Princess is mighty!"

Everyone then came to their senses and shouted in unison, applauding loudly.

"I'll try!"

Seeing the power of the crossbow, Gu Zhanghua was itching to try it himself, so he stepped forward and took the crossbow from Zhao Xuan's hand.

Shi Shu quickly set up a new target with the help of several people.

Following Zhao Xuan's example, Gu Zhanghua loaded the crossbow bolts, held the crossbow with both hands, and fired three shots in quick succession!

then……

The target remained completely still.

Three crossbow bolts grazed the target and landed far away on the grass.

Silence fell again. Gu Zhanghua looked at the crossbow in his hand with frustration. Am I really that bad compared to Sister Xuan?

Zhao Xuan led the applause: "Good, good, good!"

The crowd applauded enthusiastically. With the princess's excellent example before them, the prince's technique was simply too awful to watch.

"What's so good about it? Not a single one of the three arrows hit the target!"

Gu Zhanghua said to Zhao Xuan in a huff, feeling resentful.

"That's your normal level! You're not an archer, so if your aim is a little off, you just need to practice more!"

Zhao Xuan smiled and comforted Gu Zhanghua. It was indeed true. Gu Zhanghua was just an ordinary person. First of all, he didn't have enough arm strength, so he couldn't hold the crossbow steadily, and the arrows would go out of bounds.

Even a seasoned archer needs time to adapt before mastering this type of crossbow on their first use.

Zhao Xuan waved her little hand and announced loudly.

"Everyone will receive double pay this month, and the three main blacksmiths, Uncle Zhao, Uncle Wang, and Uncle Chen, will each receive ten taels of silver!"

Everyone cheered and became even more energetic, then dispersed to attend to their own tasks.

Gu Zhanghua handed the crossbow to Shishu, and he and Zhao Xuan walked towards the rest room.

On the way, Gu Zhanghua discussed it with Zhao Xuan.

"Should we call Qin Tietie over to help? There's a severe shortage of skilled blacksmiths right now. Qin Tietie can handle things on his own at Qin's Blacksmith Shop, so his skills are definitely top-notch."

Zhao Xuan was a little hesitant.

“She’s from the Yue Kingdom. Aren’t you worried that if she comes to our workshop, she might leak our core secrets?”

Gu Zhanghua had considered this issue and then shared his thoughts with Zhao Xuan.

“We’ve further improved the crossbow, making it capable of rapid fire, but the bolts remain the same design. We can have her only participate in the bolt production, so what is there to worry about?”

"You've thought of everything!"

Taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking, Zhao Xuan kissed Gu Zhanghua on the cheek.

"It's broad daylight, be careful someone sees us!"

Gu Zhanghua blushed slightly and secretly glanced around. Everyone was busy with their work, and it seemed that no one had noticed the two of them.

Come and go without indecent!

Gu Zhanghua also secretly kissed Zhao Xuan's cheek!

"Cough, cough, cough!"

A cough came from behind.

Zhao Xuan turned around to look, her face calm and composed. They were an old married couple, what was wrong with kissing? It was no big deal.

She was in a good mood at the moment, and the improvement of the crossbow was going unexpectedly smoothly, so she didn't mind that Shi Shu was oblivious to the situation. Instead, she asked Shi Shu with concern.

"Shishu, why are you coughing? Did you catch a cold? If you're sick, get treatment quickly. I'll have Little Fairy Doctor take your pulse later."

Shi Shu's eyes darted between Zhao Xuan and Gu Zhanghua with a resentful look.

You two can be as affectionate as you want, but don't you know how to avoid suspicion? He's even following behind you!

"Your Highness, Your Highness, I am a living, breathing person."

Shi Shu puffed out her cheeks as she spoke.

"Nobody said you were dead. Who are you trying to fool with that resentful look on your face?"

Zhao Xuan pursed her lips, then suddenly pointed at Shi Shu's face, suppressing a laugh.

"Ha! I know, you see how good we are to each other and you miss Chunlan, don't you?"

"Spring has come, so it's not surprising that he's like this."

Gu Zhanghua was in a good mood and added fuel to the fire.

"Once we finish dealing with the crossbows, the Princess and I will immediately arrange your and Chunlan's wedding!"

When Shi Shu heard Gu Zhanghua say this, she was not as happy as the two had imagined. Instead, she lowered her head, as if she had something difficult to say. She hesitated and stammered, her voice barely louder than a mosquito's buzz.

"Your subordinate... Your subordinate does not wish to get married yet..."

Zhao Xuan immediately got angry, stood still, turned around, put her hands on her hips, and pointed at Shi Shu's nose.

"What did you say? You don't want to get married? Chunlan told me you proposed to her a long time ago, and you changed your mind after only a few days? Are you even a man?! You started something and then abandoned it!"

Gu Zhanghua removed Zhao Xuan's hand from Shishu's. He also felt that Shishu's current attitude was very strange. Anyone in the manor could see that Shishu liked Chunlan. Why would she suddenly change her mind?

Is there any misunderstanding here?

"Sister Xuan, don't be angry. Shishu grew up with me, I know his personality. I'll ask him about it later."

Gu Zhanghua, wanting to avoid trouble, pulled Zhao Xuan along and continued walking forward, then turned back to instruct Shi Shu.

"Go to the manor and bring Miss Qin Tietie here. I need to speak with her."

"Yes, I obey!"

Shi Shu's voice was sullen, his expression bitter and somewhat disappointed. He agreed and turned to leave.

"Is he sick? He's like a silent gourd. If something's wrong, just say it. Is there anything the two of us can't decide for him?"

Zhao Xuan was indignant. Her Chunlan was such a good girl. Did anyone think they could just marry her? If it weren't for the fact that Chunlan also liked Shishu, she wouldn't have tolerated this.

“I also feel that Shishu has been preoccupied lately. He used to talk a lot, but it was all nonsense. Now he barely says two words a day.”

Gu Zhanghua has been busy with the workshop lately, and he has noticed the changes in Shishu, but hasn't had a chance to ask about them.

Youth is unaware of the taste of sorrow.

Could it be that Shishu has grown up, which is why she is hesitant to speak?

As Gu Zhanghua watched Shi Shu's figure dancing in the spring sunshine, he recalled their companionship over the past ten years. Although they were master and servant, they were as close as brothers, and a deep warmth welled up in his heart.

Now that he has settled down and started a family, Shishu should also have her own little family and life, instead of revolving around him every day.

"what are you thinking?"

Seeing that Gu Zhanghua remained silent, Zhao Xuan asked.

Gu Zhanghua smiled slightly.

"I'm thinking that we've all grown up, and our friends have all grown up too. One day, everyone will have their own lives."

Gu Zhanghua was right, but Zhao Xuan suddenly felt a pang of sadness.