Volume One, Chapter 16: Ah Zhi...

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Hearing those two long-absent words, Shen Zhi’s eyes darkened. She immediately drew her bow, aiming at Pei Huai’s head. “You have no right to call my name!”

Just as she was about to release the arrow, Pei Jing furrowed his brow, quickly stepping beside her and holding her hand.

Shen Zhi looked up, her eyes burning with unhidden hatred.

Pei Jing’s heart skipped a beat as he gently soothed her. “Ah Zhi, be obedient.”

He shielded Shen Zhi behind him. “Since Shen Qi’s apple was also struck, Brother Emperor, it’s best to take her away first.”

Pei Huai lowered his head, noticing Shen Qi’s disheveled clothes and wearing a gloomy expression. He carried her away, then approached Shen Zhi. Pei Huai’s steps faltered as he glanced at her, a subtle, secret emotion flickering in his eyes.

Pei Jing observed as her mood gradually calmed and asked, “Shall we continue?”

“Of course!”

Shen Zhi’s gaze cut like a blade toward Wu Xuewei. “Next, it’s your turn!”

Wu Xuewei was stunned under her stare but replied with reluctant determination, “Fine! Let’s continue!”

She refused to believe she couldn’t defeat Shen Zhi.

This time, Shen Zhi wasted no words. Wu Xuewei fired several arrows in succession, all easily dodged by Shen Zhi or split in two by Shen Zhi’s own arrows.

Growing anxious and recalling the earlier wager, Wu Xuewei’s eyes darkened. She aimed her arrow at Shen Zhi’s neck.

She must die!

Shen Zhi responded by taking out an arrow and aiming it at Wu Xuewei. Then, she aimed at Wu’s arm. The moment the arrow left the bow, Wu Xuewei’s garment tore open, revealing a fresh, crimson wound.

Though Shen Zhi’s archery wasn’t flawless, her skill was exquisite—each arrow grazed the skin just enough to leave a shallow but agonizing cut.

Wu Xuewei’s arm instantly weakened from the pain.

Shen Zhi looked at her as if staring at a corpse. She drew another arrow, grazing Wu Xuewei’s leg, face, and neck.

Before long, Wu Xuewei’s body was covered in small cuts, leaving her in a disheveled state. Just as she tried to draw her bow again, Shen Zhi shot an arrow that pierced her right hand.

“Ah!”

The arrow went straight through Wu Xuewei’s hand. The onlookers gasped in shock—this was merciless.

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Then, Shen Zhi pierced the apple atop Wu Xuewei’s head.

“You lost!”

Shen Zhi raised an eyebrow, no longer caring about her opponent’s fate.

Wu Xuewei writhed in agony on the ground, too pained to remove the arrow, screaming desperately.

“Shen Zhi! You’ve gone too far! How can you pierce someone’s hand like that?” the crowd began to voice their indignation.

Shen Zhi ignored them, ordering Chen Er to collect the wagers.

“Shen Zhi! How dare you collect our bets! You’re clearly causing harm!”

“Causing harm?” Shen Zhi’s gaze turned innocent as she addressed them, “How is this causing harm? Before Wu Miss and I stepped up, didn’t you all say that arrows in the archery ground have no shape or eyes? If anyone got hurt or lost their life, it was their own fault.”

Her expression turned icy cold. “One must keep their word. She provoked me repeatedly, saying that as the daughter of General Shen, I embarrassed the Shen household and my father’s honor. She insisted on competing in archery against me. If I had injured her, she’d be unhappy. How hypocritical is that? Besides, she’s still alive, isn’t she? Before I stepped up, didn’t many of you happily bet on us? Now you go back on your word?”

Her face was like frost, terrifyingly cold. “There’s no such thing as a free ride in this world! Wu Xuewei still owes me stripping through the capital. If I had lost, you’d all be so proud. I, the Shen household’s daughter, won’t offend unless offended. If she’s bent on dying, then I’ll grant her wish! Anyone who pleads for mercy will have their eyes pierced!”

For a moment, the crowd fell silent. Yet some still voiced dissent, shouting, “But Wu Xuewei didn’t do anything to you!”

Hearing this, Pei Jing took the arrow from Shen Zhi’s hand and shot it at that person’s clothes, driving them into the wall. The person was so terrified their face turned pale, suspended against the wall.

He spoke slowly, “Now! Who still has an issue?”

No one dared to breathe. Shen Zhi was more than capable of handling herself, but Pei Jing, the Seventh Prince, was known for being ruthless and blind to mercy. Who would dare to bring misfortune upon himself?

Shen Zhi stood frozen, looking at him. Her expression softened. At times like this, Pei Jing was rather to her liking.

Unbeknownst to her, Pei Jing noticed the smile on her face.

She had changed quite a bit.

Shen Zhi then spoke again. “Wu Miss, don’t forget the bet. If you’re unwilling to strip, I’m willing to help you.”

The vast archery field fell so silent that one could hear a pin drop.

Wu Xuewei was taken away for treatment, barely conscious. Without prompt care, her right hand would likely be ruined.

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Shen Zhi was satisfied. “Now, no one can say I’m a disgrace to my father.”

Her eyes reddened slightly. When her father returned, she would show him how capable she was.

“General Shen hasn’t returned yet?” Pei Jing asked.

Shen Zhi shook her head, her voice hoarse. “When he comes back, I’ll tell him that I’m strong. The daughter he’s proud of has never been weak.”

Pei Jing nodded, placing a hand on her shoulder. He couldn’t find the right words to comfort her, so he awkwardly said, “Yes, General Shen will surely praise you when he returns.”

Hearing this, Shen Zhi laughed out loud. “Pei Jing, you sound like a robot.”

“A what?”

Seeing his puzzled expression, Shen Zhi explained, “A robot, meaning you’re not very smart.”

“My wisdom in the Xuan Yue Kingdom is second to none. I dare claim second place; no one dares claim first!”

Shen Zhi nodded, about to compliment him when the court physician ran over. “My goodness, Lady, you’re incredible!”

“This is what it means to be full of hidden talents! Let those who are blind see real strength! This is the aura of the Shen family’s legitimate daughter! Not something some lowly concubine’s daughter could match!”

“If my lady isn’t worthy of the Seventh Princess’s position, then no one is! It’s just a pity some people are blind, mistaking a fish’s eye for a pearl!”

The physician’s tail nearly wagged to the sky.

Pei Jing and Shen Zhi were truly a perfect match! When Lady Shen tormented the foolish, she showed no mercy—a perfect match made in heaven! A fitting pair in talent and beauty!

Pei Huai and Shen Qi, having changed their clothes, overheard the physician’s words and instantly paled.

Pei Huai’s gaze deepened as he looked at Shen Zhi. When had she learned archery?

As the crowd chattered, the Emperor appeared, smiling. “What’s all the commotion? Such excitement.”