Chapter 43: Life and Death Agreement

The autumn wind was always fresh and elegant, yet at this moment, due to the tense atmosphere, even the flower fragrance seemed to intensify.

Shen Yue covered her mouth, saying in surprise, "This... Fifth Sister is a woman. How could anyone challenge her in this event?"

"Indeed," Chen Ruoqiu added with concern, "Fifth Miss, don't force yourself. Although your First Uncle is a military official, you've never learned these skills."

Chen Ruoqiu's words were cleverly chosen. She mentioned Shen Xin was a military official, yet his daughter Shen Miao didn't know archery. Not being skilled in martial arts was acceptable—young ladies disliked wielding weapons, which was reasonable. But being incompetent in both martial and literary arts was truly appalling. Everyone knew Shen Miao understood nothing of zither, chess, calligraphy, or painting. Now, emphasizing her lack of martial skills as well thoroughly belittled Shen Miao as worthless, and by extension, disparaged Shen Xin's entire household.

"But... the rules of this competition cannot be changed," Shen Qing said with apparent anxiety, though her tone betrayed schadenfreude. "Once selected as an opponent, regardless of the category, the competition must be completed. However, people usually challenge those who excel in a particular category. Fifth Sister, perhaps you've been hiding your skills? Otherwise, why would Cai Lin specifically choose you?"

Her words cut harshly. Yet Ren Wanyun didn't stop her, only smiling and saying, "Eldest Daughter, what nonsense are you speaking? How would Fifth Miss know these martial skills? Fifth Miss, if you don't want to compete on stage, Second Aunt will personally speak to the examining official. You're still young, and for your First Uncle's sake, they won't give you a hard time."

Although Ren Wanyun's words sounded loving and supportive, upon careful thought, they weren't quite so. After all, in all these years of examinations, no exceptions had ever been made. If Shen Miao were to set a precedent now, who knew how the capital's citizens would gossip tomorrow? Moreover, using Shen Xin's name might lead some to claim he was exploiting his merits for special privileges. Status brought benefits, but also many drawbacks.

And she would never allow anyone to speak even one negative word about Shen Xin.

"Thank you, Second Aunt, but that won't be necessary." She stood from the women's section and walked slowly toward the stage. The venue gradually quieted, and only the young girl's voice could be heard, causing quite a stir.

"This battle, I accept."

Cai Lin's gaze shifted slightly. His actions were merely to avenge Shen Yue. In the martial category, a man challenging a woman was unprecedented. But he was accustomed to misbehaving—at most, his parents would scold him upon his return home. Yet thinking about avenging Shen Yue made Cai Lin happy from the depths of his heart. He had thought that if Shen Miao didn't dare accept the challenge, he would ridicule her ruthlessly.

Unexpectedly, Shen Miao accepted. Not only that, but she accepted with such calm composure. Watching that purple figure slowly approaching the stage, Cai Lin felt a strange sensation rise within him.

As if she weren't afraid at all.

But how could that be possible? Cai Lin knew better than anyone whether Shen Miao could shoot. Someone who had never practiced martial arts naturally wouldn't know anything about it. Shen Miao probably didn't even know how to hold a bow. Facing something she wasn't good at, something she had never tried before—no one could remain so calm.

Could she pretend to such an extent?

While Cai Lin was deep in thought, he suddenly felt someone watching him. He turned his head and met Shen Yue's gaze from the women's section. Seeing him look over, she shyly lowered her head. Cai Lin felt his heart flutter.

Every young man dreams of being a hero who saves a beauty, like in storybooks. In Cai Lin's eyes now, he was the hero standing up for a beauty, while Shen Miao was the vicious and ugly villain relying on status.

Whether she accepted the challenge today or not, he was determined to make Shen Miao lose face completely and become utterly embarrassed before everyone.

He would make her never dare to behave tyrannically in front of Shen Yue again!

Typically, in the "challenge" event, the challenger set the rules—whatever challenge they proposed was how it would be conducted, and the challenged person could only accept. Since no one knew how things would develop, this round was always the most riveting every year.

Shen Miao walked onto the stage.

The presiding examining official was troubled. Shen Miao was, after all, a delicate young girl. If a woman and a man were competing in the literary category, it would be acceptable, but this was the martial category. It seemed Cai Lin was deliberately trying to humiliate her.

"Today's entertainment is excellent," Prince Zhou clapped his hands, seemingly intrigued. "The reputation of the Shen family's first branch will likely plummet again."

Prince Jing shook his head and sighed. "The good name General Shen earned on the battlefield is unfortunately tarnished by his unworthy daughter." He thought to himself that she wasn't just unworthy but truly foolish. Today, whether she accepted the challenge or not, she was wrong either way. Now with this attitude, what followed would be even more laughable.

Cai Lin smugly curled his lip. "This year I've thought of an interesting rule. Competing in archery the same old way every year is too boring. For this year's archery challenge, we'll shoot at each other. You'll place a walnut on your head, and I'll shoot at it. Then I'll place one on my head, and you'll shoot at it. How about that?"

With these words, the entire venue erupted!

The examining official was startled—this could cost lives. Shen Miao was, after all, Shen Xin's daughter. If something terrible happened, who would bear the responsibility when Shen Xin returned at year's end?

He hurriedly said, "Student Cai..."

Cai Lin waved his hand. "Teacher, Guangwen Hall doesn't set precedents for specific individuals. The rules have always been thus—whatever rules the challenger sets are the rules. What's this? Is the great General's daughter such a coward?"

Shen Yue lowered her head, covering her upturned lips. Feng Anning frowned but didn't know what to do in this situation.

"Well said." This hoarse voice came from Prince Yu, who had been keeping his eyes closed. His ferocious face revealed a strange smile as he said, "Naturally, there's no precedent for changing rules for certain individuals. Could it be that on the battlefield, General Shen would flee because the enemy is powerful? That would be understandable." After speaking, he seemed to find it amusing and burst into laughter.

Shen Miao's gaze suddenly turned sharp.

These people were all mocking Shen Xin, truly thinking she was the weakness of the Shen family's first branch. Looking at Cai Lin's eager expression across from her, then scanning the malicious ridicule of everyone in the audience, the anger she had accumulated for so long finally bloomed.

The reborn Shen Miao could endure, but Empress Shen, the ruler of the back palace, had a nature that demanded vengeance for the slightest offense.

She spoke coldly. "My father is fighting bloody battles abroad, protecting our country, which is why we can have today's splendid Chrysanthemum Banquet and why students can showcase their talents in examinations." Her eyes flashed with derision. "Winning this competition today means nothing—true excellence is proven by going to the battlefield and killing enemies. As for your rules, why would I be afraid?"

Everyone was stunned.

"Why would I be afraid? Your archery skills are excellent, so naturally, you'll hit the walnut. My archery skills aren't good, so if I miss, it's your life at stake."

She smiled slightly, her voice seeming to come from far away, yet it exploded like thunder in everyone's ears.

"In that case, let's sign a life-and-death agreement. If either is injured or dies, they bear the consequences themselves."

"Do you dare, Cai Lin?"

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