Jessica Bolton was sharp-eyed and immediately noticed that the speaker was a young officer in full armor, with a pale face, slender build, rosy lips and white teeth, and an exceptionally handsome appearance. There was even a faint trace of feminine charm in the brows and eyes that a man should not possess. As Jessica Bolton's gaze swept downward, he saw there was indeed no Adam's apple, and instantly realized this must be a woman in disguise. Observing how the woman seemed completely unconcerned by David Carter's reproachful look, he had a vague guess about her identity.

At that moment, a family retainer who had been scouting ahead rode back to report, “Your Highness, a herd of deer has been spotted ahead!”

Soon after, the hounds released by the retainers drove a group of elk over. The woman again urged the crown prince to demonstrate his archery skills. Knowing his own archery was mediocre and that he could not show off in front of a famed general like David Carter, Jessica Bolton feigned profundity and smiled, “How would I know anything about archery? I have long heard of General Carter's superb skills—this is the perfect chance to witness them!”

David Carter modestly declined a few times, but seeing he could not refuse, he took up his bow, drew it to a full moon, and loosed an arrow—one of the deer fell to the ground with a mournful cry. The young officer in disguise was not to be outdone, firing two arrows in quick succession, both hitting their marks. Jessica Bolton cheered loudly, “Miss, what excellent archery!”

As soon as he said this, the woman realized the crown prince had seen through her identity. Her face flushed bright red, and she reined her horse back behind David Carter.

In this era, women were not allowed to meet their husbands before marriage, nor could they appear in public at will. The behavior of this Miss Carter was truly bold. Of course, even with her courage, under the constraints of the era’s moral codes, she could not help but feel ashamed. David Carter secretly cursed his sister for disgracing the family, but at this point, he could only ask the crown prince for forgiveness.

If it had been someone else, their impression of Miss Carter would surely have plummeted, but Jessica Bolton came from thousands of years in the future and would not care about such things. He stopped David Carter, who was about to dismount and apologize, and saluted the woman, saying, “I have long heard that you are a heroine among women. Today, seeing your divine archery, your reputation is truly well-deserved. I am deeply impressed.”

“Sigh, my younger sister Grace was spoiled by our father since childhood and does not understand proper etiquette. I hope Your Highness will not take offense.” David Carter sighed. He had been completely unaware of his sister sneaking into the hunting party, but fortunately, the crown prince was open-minded and did not take it amiss.

“No matter, this is true character. How could I be offended?” Jessica Bolton said, all the while sneaking glances at his fiancée Grace Carter's appearance. Dressed as a man, Grace Carter looked even more heroic than ordinary women, with a tall figure, delicate and exquisite features, and a blush that added a touch of charm. In terms of beauty, she surpassed both the Jiang and Yang ladies, completely contrary to his previous worries about a “fierce and burly woman.” He really couldn’t understand how King Zhou could bear to throw her from the Zhaixing Tower later—what a fool, not knowing how to cherish beauty!

In fact, Jessica Bolton did not know that before he returned to the Shang dynasty, the former Prince Shou and Ethan Smith had once encountered Grace Carter together, and both were stunned by her beauty, leading to fierce competition. Unfortunately, Grace Carter was not interested in either prince and refused to see them again. Now, having been granted in marriage by the emperor and knowing she could not escape, she was depressed and boldly took the opportunity to sneak into the hunting party when her brother invited the crown prince, hoping to embarrass him and vent her frustration.

Grace Carter noticed Jessica Bolton sneaking glances at her beauty, felt both shy and annoyed, her face growing even redder, but she still refused to let go, saying, “Please, Your Highness, show us your archery. Grace awaits eagerly.”

This little girl still hasn’t forgotten about that… Good thing I came prepared! Jessica Bolton smiled slightly, eager to show off in front of the beauty. He ordered the retainers to release the hounds and drive the deer herd over again, then took out a strange object. He folded the rectangular item in his hand several times and unfolded it, and it turned into a huge and peculiar bow. This bronze “bow” had a handle and a row of five long grooves in the middle.

Grace Carter watched in amazement as the crown prince took out three specially made arrows, placed them in the grooves, then pulled back a mechanism. The way he held the “bow” sideways to aim was completely different from normal archery, arousing her curiosity even more.

The deer herd was driven over again, and Jessica Bolton's bow trembled slightly. With three soft whooshes, three deer in the distance fell at once. The retainers all cheered in unison. Grace Carter had never seen such fast and accurate “archery” and was greatly astonished. David Carter also noticed that all three arrows had pierced clean through the deer and were embedded in the ground, his expression changing: “Your Highness possesses such archery skills! David is in awe!”

“It must be that strange bow…” Grace Carter muttered, her gaze fixed on the “bow” in Jessica Bolton's hand.

“Miss, you are indeed clever as ice and snow. Since my archery is mediocre, I specially made this triple crossbow to make up for my shortcomings,” Jessica admitted openly.

“This is also made by Your Highness? Your Highness truly has talents beyond mortal comprehension!” David Carter blurted out in praise. “If I may be so bold, could I borrow Your Highness’s divine bow for a look?”

Jessica Bolton nodded and handed over the triple crossbow. This was one of the “treasures” he had intended to show David Carter today. Although there were simple mechanical crossbows in the Shang dynasty, their structure was crude, with unsatisfactory range and power, suitable only for hunting and far from being fit for military use.