There was a tense atmosphere in the Yu clan manor. The Yu clan patriarch stood in the grand hall of their ancestral palace, surrounded by his clan elders. He had just received the news that his youngest daughter, Yu Mei, was pregnant with a child. The news was grave because the crown prince wanted her as his concubine.
"How could you let this happen, patriarch?" one of the elders shouted, his voice trembling with anger. "Your daughter has shamed our clan with her actions. She has betrayed us all!", other elders chimed in.
The patriarch stood tall, his face calm and resolute. He knew that his daughter had made a mistake, but he could not abandon her now.
"Why are you lot acting so strongly? Is not my daughter still a part of our clan?," he asked calmly. He had a resolute look on his face as he watched his own clansmen acting against him."
"Yu Haoran, cut the crap. You most know what your daughter has done this time", a midaged elder shouted. He had a sneer on his face as he looked towards the patriarch of the Yu clan.
The patriarch's heart sank as he realized that he was facing a rebellion within his own clan. He had always thought that the Yu clan was strong and united, but now he realised how selfish all of them were.
Instead of standing United, they wanted to capture his daughter and hand her over to the imperial family for punishment.
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'Throng!', the vibrating sound of bow's string was heard and a mountain boar fell on the ground at a distance. There was a large arrow lodges on it's head which was also the cause of it's death.
Kai Xiaolong watched in awe as old man Lei shot the distant boar with a single arrow. He had never seen anyone shoot like that before, and he was fascinated by the way how old man Lei handled the bow and arrow.
"Grandpa Lei, you are amazing. How can you shoot that far despite the heavy flow of wind?" Kai Xiaolong asked, his eyes wide with wonder.
"Young master, it takes years of practice" old man Lei spoke. He attached another arrow and took aim towards the distance.
Kai Xiaolong watched with excitement as the arrow flew through the air and struck the target. Another boar fell on the ground which was the proof of old Lei's shooting skill.
"Grandpa Lei, can you teach me?" he asked, his eyes shining with excitement.
"Gladly", old man Lei replied with a chuckle on his face. "But for that you need to wait untill we get back to the village", he spoke to the eager looking boy.
Kai Xiaolong was a twelve year old boy with an energetic and curious personality. He stayed along with his grandfather and his mother in a small village called Wuyuan village.
Old Lei who was shooting arrows so skillfully, was a subordinate of the Yu household. There were few others like him who stayed alongwith Kai Xiaolong, his grandfather and his mother.
Old Lei picked up the boars he had killed and walked out of the forest along with Kai Xiaolong. A smile appeared on Kai Xiaolong's face as soon as he saw the small village in the distance.
Wuyuan village, it was nestled between small hills and lush forests. The air was filled with the melodious songs of birds and the fragrant scent of wildflowers across the streets. It was where the humble Yu household was located.
Kai Xiaolong and Old Lei were greeted by few villagers on their way back to the Yu household. They told some praising words after seeing the large boars that Old Lei was carrying.
The Yu household was located at the southern end of the village. It was a modest yet elegant residence that blended seamlessly with its surroundings. It was built with sturdy wooden beams and walls made of clay, giving it an earthy tone.
The front courtyard of the Yu household was filled with blooming flowers, and a small fish pond sat in the center, adding a touch of serenity to the place.
The house had a single-story structure, and each room was neatly arranged around the central courtyard, creating a sense of harmony and unity.
Kai Xiaolong's mother, Yu Mei, was a beautiful woman in her early thirties. She had long, flowing black hair that she often tied into a simple bun at the back of her head. She wore a plain, white silk dress that accentuated her slim figure, and her eyes were on the distant pathway as she waited for her son to return.
As Kai Xiaolong and Old Lei approached the entrance of the Yu household, she came out to greet them. Her face lit up with a smile when she saw her son and the old Lei.
"Mother, look what Grandpa Lei caught for us!" Kai Xiaolong shouted, proudly pointing at the large boars Old Lei was carrying.
Yu Mei smiled after hearing her son's words. "Uncle Lei, thank you. you've stressed yourself again", she spoke softly.
Old Lei chuckled, "It's nothing, young miss. I am just doing my duty as a subordinate."
Kai Xiaolong couldn't contain his excitement for longer. He interrupted their conversation, "Mother, you should have seen it! Grandpa Lei shot the boars from so far away, even with the strong wind! He said he'll teach me how to shoot like that!"
Yu Mei smiled warmly at her son, "Long'er, that sounds wonderful. I'm sure you'll become a skilled archer under Old Lei's guidance."
She then turned to Old Lei, "Thank you, uncle Lei, for looking after my son and sharing your skills with him."
Old Lei bowed slightly, "It's my pleasure, young miss. Little lord is a bright and eager learner. I'm sure he'll bring honor to master in the future."