My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 14 Rich Sister-in-Law
"He is indeed quite capable, so loyal and courageous, he is no less a hero."

Although Lou Zhao was young, he was born into a powerful family and had seen and eaten many things in his daily life.

They were like military households in a town.

As soon as you hear that he is from the Lou family.

They either trembled with fear, shrinking back and not daring to look him in the eye, for fear of angering him and bringing trouble upon themselves.

They either fawned over him to the extreme, trying every means to please him in an attempt to gain his favor.

Can understand.

This is how people at the bottom survive.

Honest people are afraid of getting into trouble, while those with quick minds want to take advantage of the situation.

But after seeing too many, one will eventually grow to dislike them. Just like a rich second-generation who has seen too many female admirers, a woman who doesn't fawn over him will suddenly attract more attention.

However, we still need to observe further.

He had seen many people pretend to be 'not currying favor with the powerful' to gain a good reputation and use it as a stepping stone. Once they actually entered the homes of the powerful, they would only become more shameless in their flattery and groveling.

Regarding the Hou Jing incident.

If an ordinary person knew that the horse had been stolen from the Lou family, would they still dare to plead for mercy and demand the release of the person?

They probably want to avoid it at all costs, for fear of being implicated.

Moreover, Gao Huan did not act like a brainless brute. You can tell from what he said when he pleaded for Hou Jing. Would a brainless person say such a thing?

When did I ever misjudge a situation?

Lou Zhaojun was already severely 'love-struck'. Gao Huan took a bow from the maid and thanked her.

Such a simple action, viewed through Lou Zhaojun's top-notch filter of "beauty is in the eye of the beholder," reveals the shining points of Gao Huan's personal charm!
Gao Huan took the bow; it was a horse bow, not a foot bow.

The difference between the two lies in the fact that the horse bow is lighter and requires less effort to draw. Even though double stirrups have been developed now, making it easier for riders to use their waist and abdomen strength on horseback, it is still different from shooting arrows while standing on the ground.

Then came the horse training!

Gao Huan reached out and stroked the horse's mane. He had already put the bridle and saddle on the horse. Gao Huan walked to the side, grabbed the reins with one hand and held onto the horse's back with the other. With a leap, he flipped over and sat on the horse's back!

The onlookers, especially the helpers who had been reprimanded by Gao Huan, were all waiting to see him make a fool of himself.

This horse has not yet been domesticated.

however.

Gao Huan sat firmly on the horse's back, and the horse beneath him was very docile, making no move to resist.

Gao Huan himself, head held high and chest out, bow in hand, coupled with his top-notch looks, is the perfect Taobao seller's photo.

"it is good!"

Lou Zhaojun's heart fluttered, and she couldn't help but praise him, which startled everyone.

Lou Zhaojun made no attempt to hide her feelings; her eyes were filled with admiration and affection for Gao Huan!

After attaching the quiver to the saddle, Gao Huan pulled hard on the reins, turning the horse in a different direction.

Lou's stall was indeed very large, with enough space for Gao Huan to demonstrate his archery skills. On the left side were 10 haystacks with round targets hanging on them.

Gao Huan adjusted his breathing, then turned to look at Lou Zhaojun, "Then I shall begin!"

Lou Zhaojun nodded slightly.

Gao Huan raised his whip and lashed the horse's rump. The horse, in pain, began to gallop forward. Gao Huan, who had been sitting upright, was suddenly jolted along with it. As he got closer and closer to the target, he held the bow in his left hand, drew an arrow from the quiver with his right, nocked it, and pulled hard to aim!
The greatest difficulty in mounted archery lies in the fact that the horse's constant up-and-down movement during galloping causes the rider's center of gravity to shift continuously.

In addition to needing sufficient physical strength to draw the bowstring, one also needs extremely strong core strength to stabilize the body and ensure accuracy.

This is why sharpshooters have always been the elite of the army, and those skilled in mounted archery are the elite among the elite.

The first arrow was fired and hit its target!

Gao Huan knew very well that this was nothing; after all, the beginning was when his strength was at its peak, and the real test was yet to come!
really!

The second and third arrows both missed.

Lou Zhaojun's heart tightened upon seeing this, and she clenched her fists, fearing that Gao Huan would not be able to complete the challenge.

But then he thought, if Gao Huan couldn't fulfill his bet, he would have to go to the grasslands to herd livestock for her for a year. Wouldn't that mean they could see each other every day?
Instead, she became conflicted.

She didn't want Gao Huan to embarrass herself in front of everyone, but she also hoped that Gao Huan could go to the pasture to herd livestock with her!

And while I was daydreaming.

Gao Huan fired another arrow, and it hit its mark again!
finally……

Gao Huan still fulfilled the bet, hitting exactly four out of ten.

Lou Zhaojun breathed a sigh of relief for him, but couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.

"good."

Lou Zhao nodded in approval, "If it were me, I'd only manage three or four out of ten."

Lou Zhaojun didn't like hearing this.

Who are you criticizing?

what?
Even if it's her own brother, he shouldn't speak ill of her future husband in front of her!
Keep in mind that Lou Zhao was only twelve or thirteen years old, quite a difference in age from Gao Huan.

However, this is also because Lou Zhao received archery and horsemanship training from a young age and was quite talented.

Gao Huan rode up, dismounted, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "I have fulfilled my mission. Young lady, may I send someone to put Hou Gu down first?"

Lou Zhaojun nodded. "Let's go outside and drop him off."

The crowd moved to the doorway, where many people were still watching. Watching a spectacle seems to be a tradition that has existed since ancient times. Many people also recognized that the one hanging there was the infamous Hou Gu.

Many people were secretly pleased. "I may not be able to beat you, Hou Gu, but surely the Lou family can kill you?"

The shopkeeper had someone loosen the ropes and slowly lowered Hou Jing down. Hou Jing was extremely weak at this point. He barely opened his eyes and saw Gao Huan standing next to him nodding at him, which immediately put his mind at ease.

Seeing the crowd gossiping, Lou Zhaojun stepped forward, put her hands behind her back, and said loudly, "Considering the deep brotherly bond between you and He Liuhun, and his past merits in defending the borders, I will let you off this time. If there is a next time, I will not let you off lightly!" Gao Huan bowed and said loudly in return, "Thank you, young lady of the Lou family. When I return, I will definitely discipline him more and dare not do it again."

He deliberately stood next to Hou Jing, just for this moment, and gently kicked Hou Jing on the ground.

Hou Jing was also very clever.

Despite the pain, he rolled over and knelt on the ground, adopting a humble posture, and loudly begged for mercy, "Thank you for giving me a second chance, Miss Lou. I have already repented and will never dare to do it again."

Lou Zhaojun's reason for speaking outside was still to try and salvage the situation for the Lou family.

Hou Jing was released.

But he was beaten half to death, and Gao Huan came to plead for his life.

Others need to think it over.

Are you as resilient as Hou Jing?

If you really get arrested, in your moment of crisis, will you have a brother like Gao Huan to save you?

"If that's the case, I'll take it home first."

Gao Huan prepared to carry Hou Jing away.

Lou Zhaojun took the initiative to speak up, "My family also has a clinic in town. Why don't I send someone with a medical doctor to treat He Liuhun?"

"We are guilty people, how dare we trouble you, young lady?"

Gao Huan shook his head and refused.

Just as he turned around to carry Hou Jing on his back, he spotted Gao Yu in the crowd.

It turned out that Gao Yu was really worried and curious about whether Gao Huan would be able to see Lou Zhaojun today, so he followed along.

The young lady of the Lou family must be Lou Zhaojun!

Look at this momentum!

The two of them have definitely already met!

The rich sister-in-law is here!

Gao Wang will become rich!!

The rich sister-in-law is here!

I'm finally growing and I don't have to go hungry or cold anymore!!

"Erlang."

Upon hearing this, Gao Yu immediately stepped forward.

Gao Huan then introduced, "This is my younger brother, Hou Gu stole the horse to give to Erlang."

"Second Brother, why don't you quickly thank Miss Lou for her magnanimity and let Hou Gu go?"

Gao Yu immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Miss Lou."

Lou Zhaojun looked at him curiously, her eyes widening in surprise!
Gao Yu looks to be about the same age as Lou Zhao beside him, and the two are about the same height. However, he has fair skin and handsome features, but his face still has a childish look. It can be concluded that he will grow up to be a handsome man like Gao Huan!
She was already attracted to good-looking people, and when she learned that Gao Yu was Gao Huan's younger brother, she developed an even stronger liking for him.

Gao Yu also secretly sized up Lou Zhaojun.

This future 'sister-in-law' of mine is beautiful and doesn't look like someone who would have a 'mental illness'.

But the fact that the emperors of the Gao family of Northern Qi all acted like lunatics can only be explained by genetics, right?

If it wasn't in the Gao family's genes, then it must have been in the Lou family's.

I really don't know if I'll become mentally ill in the future...

"He is quite handsome."

Lou Zhaojun praised her.

Gao Huan hadn't forgotten Hou Jing, who was on the verge of death, and quickly reminded him.

"Erlang, take Wanjing home to get him treated."

Gao Yu nodded, and together with Gao Huan, they helped Hou Jing up and carried him on their backs.

Although Hou Jing was young, he was extremely strong. Gao Yu carried him on his back as if nothing had happened, and he walked as if on flat ground!

I'm very curious about what will happen between Lou Zhaojun and Gao Huan.

But once these two meet, nothing else matters.

Gao Yu had to treat Hou Jing first, so he left.

on the way home.

Although Gao Yu quickened his pace, he did not make Hou Jing on his back too bumpy.

Hou Jing seemed to have caught his breath, his voice weak, but he didn't forget to tease, "I never thought that I, Hou Gu, would have such a miserable day. Mo Heduo, thank you."

"Wan Jing, why do you say that? Aren't you and I brothers?"

Hou Jing stole the horse to give himself a birthday present, and he was quite good to Gao Yu in general, just as he told Gao Huan.

I also regard Erlang as my own brother.

Let's not talk about stealing the horse.

He wasn't one to keep things to himself; he was thinking of giving his neighbor's wife to Gao Yu for some fun.

Hou Jing chuckled softly and said nothing more.

Gao Yu quickly took him home, summoned Gao Loujin to take care of him, and then set off to find a physician for Hou Jing.

PS: Lou Zhao, courtesy name Pusa, was a native of Pingcheng in Dai Commandery. He was the younger brother of Empress Wuming. Zhao was upright and honest, with great magnanimity and profound wisdom. He had an eight-foot waist belt and was unparalleled in archery and horsemanship. (Book of Northern Qi, Biographies, Volume 15)

(End of this chapter)