Chapter 45: My Turn

“I’m right here. Do you dare to kill me?”

Cai Lin stared at the young woman across from him as if seeing her for the first time, disbelief clouding his eyes.

He was used to having his way in Guangwen Hall. Spoiled since childhood, he strutted unchallenged. Regarding Shen Miao, he had only wanted to teach her a lesson. Who knew she would not only refuse to be afraid, but stand against him? Her words now made it seem as though he was the one at a disadvantage.

Did Cai Lin dare?

Even if he had courage, could he truly act? The Cai family’s young master might be impulsive, but the Cai household itself was another matter. If Shen Miao were killed today, Shen Xin might slaughter the entire Cai family before punishment could even be discussed.

Moreover, Cai Lin didn’t dare.

He was only good at running his mouth, never having seen a battlefield or blood. His archery was excellent, but he had only ever shot walnuts or animals—never people.

Yet how could he back down now? If Shen Miao, a mere girl, wasn’t afraid, then he, a man, would lose all face if he retreated.

With this thought, Cai Lin arrogantly said: “No matter what you say, all abilities will be proven on the archery field. You speak happily now, but who knows if you’ll be scared witless later.” His words were crude, masking his nervousness. The calmer Shen Miao appeared, the more anxious he became. He longed to see her panic, hoping it would soothe his own fear.

But Shen Miao merely glanced at him indifferently, her heart still as water, making Cai Lin feel as if he alone was making a fuss.

He was dazed. How could he feel intimidated by this so-called good-for-nothing?

Shen Miao calmly took a walnut from the examining official. It was the size of a man’s fist, square at the bottom and round at the top. She stood at the easternmost part of the stage and placed the walnut on her head.

The venue grew noisy.

“She must be pretending to be calm but terrified,” Yi Peilan laughed. “I’m eager to see her cry and panic.”

“Since the Ming-Qi examinations began, no woman has ever been challenged by a man in the martial category,” Jiang Xiaoxuan said, curling her pinky finger. “Shen Miao is the first. Being humiliated before everyone must be terrifying.”

“Oh my, what is Fifth Sister still doing up there? What if Young Master Cai misses?” Ren Wanyun fretted. If something happened to Shen Miao, Shen Xin would never spare her.

“What is Second Sister-in-law worried about?” Chen Ruoqiu dismissed. “It’s just children playing. Young Master Cai isn’t clueless. As long as Fifth Miss yields, says a few pleading words, he won’t make things difficult. I just hope she doesn’t insist on momentary pride.”

She described this life-and-death matter as “children playing.” Her words struck Ren Wanyun’s heart. If Shen Miao had pleaded properly, things wouldn’t have escalated.

“Relax,” Chen Ruoqiu added. “The Cai family’s young master probably just wants to frighten her. In such a venue, everyone competes for dignity. It’s impossible to stop now.”

“Mother needn’t worry,” Shen Qing said. “Cai Lin’s archery is excellent; he won’t miss.”

Shen Qing, bitter that Shen Miao blocked her dream of becoming a prince’s consort, now longed for Shen Miao to lose face. She even imagined Shen Miao so frightened she might lose control of her bowels.

Shen Yue only wanted to see Shen Miao kneeling and begging, restoring her own self-esteem. She glanced at Cai Lin, but he didn’t look at her.

Cai Lin held the longbow, facing Shen Miao three yards away, cold sweat streaming down his forehead.

Shen Miao stood quietly. The wind lifted her cloak, purple garments fluttering. Her features were beautiful, but her dignified bearing—like calm after great storms—wrapped her in dazzling light.

Cai Lin slowly drew his bow. He thought: if only Shen Miao would beg for mercy, shed a tear, or plead, he could humiliate her and escape this dilemma.

But Shen Miao’s expression remained calm, as if he wasn’t worth her attention.

Shen Yue frowned. Why hadn’t Shen Miao cried or begged? Why was she more composed than Cai Lin?

Many noticed. Their impressions of the former “good-for-nothing” shifted. Not every young lady could stand before a drawn bow without flinching. If this was Shen Xin’s bloodline, then indeed a tiger does not father a dog.

Cai Lin’s hands shook. Three yards should have been easy, but today it felt impossibly far.

Shen Miao’s words echoed: “I’m right here. Do you dare to kill me?”

Did he dare? Did he dare? Did he dare?

Whoosh! The arrow cut the air—only to falter and fall.

It didn’t even touch Shen Miao’s clothes, let alone the walnut.

The hall erupted in laughter.

“Cai Lin, are you tender-hearted toward a beauty? Usually you hit at ten yards, but today you can’t manage three?” classmates jeered.

He wiped sweat, nocked another arrow. The second shot landed at Shen Miao’s feet.

The third grazed her hair bun, knocking down the walnut. Her black hair cascaded over her shoulders.

Yet even as the arrow brushed her cheek, Shen Miao’s expression didn’t change.

Black hair, purple clothes—the young girl with snow-white skin stood straight in the wind.

Cai Lin’s hands went limp. The bow and arrows fell. Silence filled the hall.

Even a fool could see—the frightened one was not Shen Miao, but Cai Lin.

I’m right here, do you dare to kill me?

No, he doesn’t dare.

I dare.

Shen Miao smiled slightly, cruelty flashing in her bright eyes like a young beast. Her innocent face only heightened the strange beauty.

“Now, it’s my turn.”

Next