Volume One, Chapter 15: Isn't This a Death Wish?

Shen Qi’s expression shifted, but after a moment’s thought, she recalled that she had some basic knowledge of archery. Shen Zhi was a complete fool, utterly incapable, only recently putting on a bluff. He had no real understanding of archery and was spouting nonsense here.

Pei Jing folded his arms, watching her with keen interest.

This was becoming ever more fascinating.

He realized that Shen Zhi was somewhat different from the rumors.

“What? Shen Zhi? That useless man? Competing in archery against Wu Xuewei?”

“Hahaha, I’m afraid I’ll laugh myself to death!”

“This young lord might die laughing too! Him? What a disgrace to General Shen. Honestly, I think General Shen must have mistaken his daughter. Clearly, Shen Qi looks more like his true daughter!”

“General Shen has countless military achievements, having quelled so many wars, yet his daughter turns out so brainless!”

The crowd started chattering. Wu Xuewei overheard and laughed without restraint.

“Seventh Princess Consort... it’s not too late to regret withdrawing now.”

Shen Zhi remained silent, merely pulling out Pei Jing’s bow and arrow, making a few gestures.

“Everyone, since there is to be a competition, there should be wagers! But the Seventh Princess Consort is delicate. The arrows in an archery field have no mercy. If the consort gets injured, or—”

Wu Xuewei pointed to her neck with a teasing smile.

“Seventh Princess Consort, don’t take it to heart.”

Now everyone saw clearly that Wu Xuewei intended for Shen Zhi to perish on the archery field. After all, it was a competition, and accidental injuries were unavoidable. Even if the emperor investigated, if she slipped, there was nothing he could say.

Pei Jing frowned. The imperial physician standing beside him noticed and teased, “Jing-ge, if she accidentally shoots at the neck, Wang Sao will be dead. Besides, who in Xuanyue’s capital doesn’t know Wang Sao can’t shoot? Why don’t you save her?”

“Whatever. If she knows she’s going to die, why should I stop her?” Pei Jing cast a cold glance at Shen Zhi, who seemed oblivious, leisurely wiping the bow and arrow. He then pulled it but found he couldn’t draw it back.

The physician rubbed his forehead. “Isn’t this just courting death?”

Shen Qi, Wu Xuewei, and Zhao Wan also noticed. Although Zhao Wan was not skilled at archery, she could at least shoot an arrow. Seeing Shen Zhi unable even to draw the bow, she burst out laughing.

“The proud daughter of the Shen family, and this is the level she shows? Not afraid of being laughed at until your teeth fall out, huh?”

Shen Zhi glanced at the three and spoke directly.

“If we are to compete, then naturally we can wager. But I wonder if Miss Wu really stands by her words just now?”

“What words?”

“That on the competition field, arrows have no conscience or mercy. If by accident someone is hurt or even dies, it’s the opponent’s responsibility. Is that right?”

Wu Xuewei looked at her with arrogance. “Of course!”

Shen Zhi nodded. “Good. Everyone remember to watch closely, don’t deny it later.”

“Shen Zhi! Mind your own business! If you lose, I want you to strip and run around the capital! Do you dare?”

“If that is your hobby, Miss Wu, I won’t force you. But I am no performer,” Shen Zhi sneered.

Wu Xuewei’s face darkened. That shameless woman was calling her a performer! “Do you dare?”

“And if you lose?” Shen Zhi countered.

“If I lose, I will strip and run around the capital!”

Shen Zhi nodded. “Deal.”

The crowd eagerly placed their bets. “I bet on Wu Xuewei! Haha, the dignified Seventh Princess Consort, daughter of General Shen—if she strips and runs around the capital, what a beautiful sight that would be.”

“No need to think twice. Shen Zhi can’t win anyway.”

In the end, everyone bet Wu Xuewei would win. Seeing this, Pei Jing placed his silver on Shen Zhi’s side.

Shen Zhi glanced at him in surprise and then hurried over. “My lord, watch carefully. I will show you something impressive.”

She was like a cunning little fox; sly and clever. The original Shen Zhi was illiterate, timid, and weak, often embarrassing the General’s household by chasing Pei Huai all over the capital.

Everyone in the capital thought so, but in her past life, she had trained hard in horseback riding and archery to win Pei Huai’s favor—she just hadn’t shown it.

This time, she would use this arrow to let the entire capital know that she, Shen Zhi, was no disgrace to her father.

She lifted her head and stepped into the center of the field.

“Begin!”

Before the signal ended, Wu Xuewei rushed forward and shot an arrow at her.

“Shen Zhi! This time next year will be your memorial day.”

The arrow flew swiftly toward her, but Shen Zhi drew her bow, quickly took out an arrow from behind her back, and released it.

The arrow cut through the air like lightning, piercing directly through the center of Wu Xuewei’s arrow.

Wu Xuewei’s arrow snapped in two and fell to the ground.

The entire field fell silent.

The imperial physician’s jaw nearly dropped in shock.

“Jing... Jing-ge... this is...”

In an instant, everyone tacitly stopped speaking. Zhao Wan and Shen Qi were stunned.

Seeing this, Shen Zhi aimed her arrow at the sky and released it with a sharp “whoosh.” She quickly shot a second arrow.

The two arrows, like white rainbows crossing the sun, met mid-air and swiftly reversed course.

They passed behind Zhao Wan, one striking the apple on her head perfectly, the other whistling past her ear.

Like a gust of wind, it scraped a layer of skin off Zhao Wan’s face, causing it to bleed.

“Ah…”

Frightened, Zhao Wan shut her eyes tightly and reached for her neck, then fainted.

Shen Zhi drew another arrow with disdain.

“So, Miss Zhao, that’s all the courage you have?”

Pei Jing immediately went forward to help carry Zhao Wan off.

Shen Zhi turned her bow and arrow toward Shen Qi and Wu Xuewei, a cold smile curling her lips.

“You two, come together.”

Hearing her arrogant challenge, Shen Qi and Wu Xuewei nodded and flanked her.

Shen Qi had some basic archery skills. As they approached, Shen Zhi swiftly slid aside and spun around without missing a beat, releasing an arrow that pierced the apple atop Shen Qi’s head.

Shen Qi was so terrified she collapsed.

At that moment, the collar on her shoulders slipped down, exposing her left shoulder clearly to all.

Pei Huai’s face darkened. He immediately went over to help her up and draped his cloak over her.

Seeing him, Shen Qi immediately began to feign grievance.

“Brother Huai, how could she shoot at my clothes? So many people are watching. I really can’t live anymore…”

Pei Huai ground his teeth and looked toward Shen Zhi.

“Zhi’er! Don’t go too far!”