The Double

Chapter 73: Equestrianism and Archery

The music examination concluded amidst everyone's sighs and murmurs.

Regardless of how one looked at it, Jiang Li's performance of "Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute" that day became a much-discussed topic throughout Yanjing City. Suspicion toward the top three noble families dissipated considerably overnight. The musical skill Jiang Li displayed also prompted many to reevaluate the wager between Second Miss Jiang and the Meng family's young lady. In gambling houses, some even began placing bets on Jiang Li's victory.

These changes occurred gradually yet permeated every corner. It seemed as though everyone had reached a consensus overnight: Jiang Li was in no way inferior to the other noble young ladies of Yanjing.

While this was naturally a positive development for Jiang Li, it was far from welcome for others. Leaving aside the other Mingyi Hall students Jiang Li had overshadowed, even Meng Hongjin—the other party in the wager—found herself restless and uneasy.

At the Meng residence, Meng Youde had not yet returned home, and Lady Meng sat in the main hall sighing deeply. Meng Hongjin locked herself in her bedchamber, petulantly sweeping all the writing brushes and paper off her desk, her face etched with irritation. Yet upon closer inspection, that irritation held a trace of panic.

Unconsciously, matters had escalated to this point. Recalling it now, Meng Hongjin still felt everything was like a dream. She couldn't comprehend why something that had seemed absolutely certain had transformed into its current state. From servants' private chatter, she had learned that gambling houses were now accepting bets on Jiang Li for their wager. What did this signify? It meant that, at least in outsiders' eyes, she might lose to Jiang Li.

It wasn't just outsiders who thought this way—even Meng Hongjin's initial confidence had completely evaporated. She understood now that she had likely been deceived by Jiang Li. The claims of incompetence and ignorance were nothing but lies fabricated to mislead her. Jiang Li had probably intended to humiliate her from the very beginning, setting a trap and provoking her into it through taunts. The truth was, Jiang Li was capable in everything.

But the challenge had already been issued—all of Yanjing City knew about her wager with Jiang Li. It was too late to withdraw now.

Her maidservant attempted to console her: "Miss, you needn't worry excessively. Tomorrow features equestrianism and archery—the two disciplines you excel at most. As long as you achieve top marks in these, Lady Jiang cannot claim first place overall."

"Even if she isn't first, I've still lost," Meng Hongjin retorted coldly. In their wager, if Jiang Li wasn't ranked last in Mingyi Hall, Meng Hongjin would have to kneel and apologize to her. If Jiang Li outperformed her, the apology would have to take place at the Imperial College gates. And if Jiang Li not only surpassed her but also achieved the highest overall score in the examinations, Meng Hongjin would have to remove her outer garment and apologize at the Imperial College gates!

The three stakes grew increasingly vicious. Now that Jiang Li had taken first place in the first four subjects, she was clearly not last—and had indeed outperformed Meng Hongjin. Even if Meng Hongjin won first place in equestrianism and archery, at best Jiang Li would merely fail to claim the top overall position. According to their wager, Meng Hongjin would still have to kneel and apologize to Jiang Li at the Imperial College gates.

Meng Hongjin could never accept such an outcome.

The only way to avoid complete disgrace would be to find an excuse to renege on the wager—but wouldn't that make her the laughingstock of all Yanjing?

She absolutely could not allow such a thing to happen!Suddenly, that chilling thought once again crept into Meng Hongjin's mind.

On the archery field, blades and arrows had no eyes. There had been women who fell from their horses during previous examinations, though their injuries weren't serious—just some fright, recovering after resting at home for a few days. But if Jiang Li had bad luck and fell from her horse during the examination, not to mention breaking her neck and dying, even if she just broke a leg and became permanently disabled, or had her face scarred by sharp stones on the ground? And regarding archery, what if someone "missed" and Jiang Li got hit by another's arrow in the chaos? That would be good too.

This way, Jiang Li wouldn't be able to appear in public for a long time, and no one would bring up that bet again. If she were ruined, who would care about the bet?

The more Meng Hongjin thought about it, the more excited she became, as if she could already see Jiang Li's miserable, tormented appearance. She couldn't help but laugh aloud. She had always been skilled in archery and riding, so making things happen would be as easy as turning her hand.

The maid in the room, seeing Meng Hongjin's somewhat sinister smile, felt inexplicably chilled and instinctively lowered her head, not daring to look at her mistress again.

...

Among those unhappy about Jiang Li winning first place in zither music was Jiang Youyao.

In Yaoguang Residence, maids knelt everywhere. The Third Miss Jiang, feeling displeased, had found a random excuse to punish all the servants in the room.

When Ji Shuran entered, she saw Jiang Youyao overturning a celadon vase.

The vase shattered across the floor. Ji Shuran frowned, carefully stepped over the broken pieces, and ordered a nearby maid to clean up immediately. Jiang Youyao turned and only then noticed Ji Shuran's arrival.

Ji Shuran didn't speak, just stared at Jiang Youyao. This usually gentle-looking lady could be quite formidable when truly angry. Jiang Youyao shrank back and called out, "Mother."

"What are you doing now?" Ji Shuran pressed her temples, walked to the couch in the room, sat down, and shook her head. "If your father saw you like this, he would dislike it again."

"Father already doesn't like me," Jiang Youyao bit her lip. "He's been completely bewitched by that little slut Jiang Li now, listening to everything she says!"

"How many times have I told you, a young lady should mind her words," Ji Shuran said sternly. "If outsiders heard you say such things, imagine the trouble it would cause."

"I know, Mother, I'm only saying this in front of you." Jiang Youyao said furiously, "I'm just so angry. You saw it today—Jiang Li was clearly opposing me. I've always excelled at zither music, yet today she deliberately surpassed me. Now all of Yanjing City knows that this Second Miss Jiang is far more skilled in zither than I am. What am I to do now?"

"Don't rush..."

"First she surpasses me in zither, who knows what will be next? She just wants to use me as her stepping stone. Mother, you didn't see it today, but Lord Zhou kept looking at her. That slut, she's trying to seduce Lord Zhou! She still hasn't given up!" By the end, she was gnashing her teeth, making one suspect that if Jiang Li were present, Jiang Youyao would tear her to pieces.

Ji Shuran was slightly startled. For now, she had no mind to scold Jiang Youyao for her improper speech, only asking, "Is what you said true?""Truly." Jiang Youyao said aggrievedly, "She wants to replace me, to become the legitimate daughter of the Jiang family's main branch again. Mother, didn't you say that the main branch only has one legitimate daughter—me? No one can take what belongs to me, but now even my betrothed is about to be stolen by Jiang Li. Mother, how could I not care?"

Ji Shuran's heart clenched violently. Jiang Youyao's words, "No one can take what belongs to me," struck a chord deep within her.

Turning to look, she saw Jiang Youyao's genuinely distressed appearance, her eyes red-rimmed. Ji Shuran's heart softened, and she sighed. "Nonsense. How could the Heir of Marquis of Ningyuan be stolen away? Setting aside everything else, the Zhou family has already altered the marriage agreement once. Marriage agreements aren't child's play—how could they be changed repeatedly? Moreover, with Jiang Li's reputation, how could she compare to you? I've met the Marchioness of Ningyuan before, and their family favors you. If the marriage agreement were changed again, where would that leave our Jiang family? Your father wouldn't allow it either. Youyao, rest assured, no one can take Zhou Yanbang from you."

"But the Heir Zhou has already been bewitched by Jiang Li..." Jiang Youyao remained unwilling to concede.

"How could she compare to a single strand of your hair? You're overthinking this," Ji Shuran said with a light laugh. "If he had feelings for Jiang Li, he wouldn't have gone eight years without ever mentioning her. Such complete indifference—does that seem like someone who cares for her?"

Hearing this, Jiang Youyao felt slightly better.

However, Ji Shuran was pondering internally: she had only spoken this way to comfort Jiang Youyao, but if what Jiang Youyao said was true—if Zhou Yanbang truly had feelings for Jiang Li—then they needed to be vigilant. While it was common for men to have multiple wives and concubines, the thought of Zhou Yanbang marrying her daughter while harboring feelings for Jiang Li made Ji Shuran's throat tighten with discomfort.

"But you're not wrong either—Jiang Li truly cannot remain," Ji Shuran said. "I originally thought that if she were obedient and compliant, she could be of use to us in the future. But now it seems she's restless. She's only been back in the mansion for a short while, yet she's already stirring up trouble. Keeping her around would only bring more harm."

"Mother, are we going to deal with her?" Jiang Youyao's eyes lit up, and she pressed eagerly.

"As I said," Ji Shuran smiled, gently stroking Jiang Youyao's long hair, "the more Jiang Li shows off, the more envy and hatred she attracts. Don't worry, she's already made enemies with her recent display. There are others who want her gone even more than we do. Just wait and see what happens during tomorrow's imperial archery."

Jiang Youyao was puzzled. "Others want to deal with Jiang Li too?"

"Youyao, remember this," Ji Shuran said, avoiding a direct answer. "The best strategy is to defeat the enemy without fighting, to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight."

Jiang Youyao nodded, though she only partially understood.

...

While Jiang Youyao was unhappy in the Jiang residence, the Fragrant Garden Courtyard remained harmonious and joyful.

Jiang Jingrui had clearly become a frequent visitor to the Fragrant Garden Courtyard. Even Bai Xue knew he preferred tea that wasn't bitter and would add a large spoonful of honey to his cup.

"I say, Uncle and Aunt are really too unfair," Jiang Jingrui remarked. "You achieved first place in zither music, yet they didn't give you any congratulatory gifts." He spread his hands. "Every year when Jiang Youyao wins first place, the rewards never fail to come." He stared intently at Jiang Li. "You're both Uncle's daughters—how can the treatment be so different? Unless... you're not actually a Jiang?"This person's words were truly unpleasant, as if he had come specifically to twist the knife in one's heart. Tong'er was so angry she nearly cursed aloud, while Bai Xue also furrowed her brow.

Jiang Li looked at him calmly and said, "Perhaps."

"Huh?" Jiang Jingrui was surprised. "Why aren't you angry at all?"

"There's nothing to be angry about." She wasn't truly a member of the Jiang family to begin with.

"You really have remarkable composure." Jiang Jingrui shrugged, then suddenly thought of something and burst into unrestrained laughter. "Just thinking about Jiang Youyao's expression today makes me laugh—"

Jiang Li couldn't help but wonder if Jiang Youyao had deeply offended Jiang Jingrui in the past, otherwise why would he take such pleasure in her misfortune.

"Speaking of which, what exactly do you plan to do tomorrow?" Jiang Jingrui asked. "Tomorrow is equestrianism and archery, you..." He looked Jiang Li up and down, shaking his head. "Surely you can't excel in these as well, can you?"

Although Jiang Jingrui was surprised that Jiang Li had achieved top marks in music, surpassing Jiang Youyao, he wasn't completely bewildered by it. Since Jiang Jingrui himself knew nothing about music, he didn't understand what it meant for Jiang Li to perform the complete and magnificent "Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute." However, Jiang Jingrui had competed in horse racing and archery with his friends. Because his own skills were mediocre, he knew how difficult these arts were, which was why he came to advise Jiang Li.

"When you mount the horse, just take a few steps and then pretend you can't continue and concede defeat. Or simply avoid competing altogether. I've seen many young ladies at Mingyi Hall do this every year—sometimes they don't even gallop after mounting, just slowly walk the horse to the finish line, and that's enough." He shook his head. "You girls shouldn't push yourselves too hard. Protecting yourselves is what matters most. The examination field is so vast—if you fall and get injured, it wouldn't be worth it."

Listening to his words, Jiang Li knew Jiang Jingrui meant well. She thought to herself that Jiang Jingrui and Xue Zhao were truly different.

If it were Xue Zhao, he would definitely say: "Since you're going to compete, of course you should master it properly. If you fall and get injured, it's no joking matter, so you must practice your riding and archery until they're perfect. That way, if anything happens, you can handle it with ease. What does being a girl have to do with it? Girls should strive too!"

Jiang Li couldn't help but smile.

"What are you laughing at?" Jiang Jingrui asked, puzzled. "Was what I said so funny? Did you even listen to what I just said? Jiang Li, I'm only giving you this advice because we're relatives. If you're this stubborn, don't come crying to me later."

"Don't worry, I definitely won't come to you," Jiang Li said.

"You!" Jiang Jingrui flicked his sleeve. "I can't argue with you. Do as you please!" He stood up angrily and strode toward the door, but stopped halfway. "There's a riding instructor at the estate. If you want to seek him out later, just go directly. I've already spoken to him. At the very least, you shouldn't fall off the horse after mounting." After delivering this final remark, Jiang Jingrui truly left.

"Miss," Tong'er said worriedly, "Is equestrianism and archery really that dangerous? Maybe you shouldn't go." She and Jiang Li had spent eight years in the nunnery, so of course she knew Jiang Li had never learned any of those troublesome equestrian or archery skills. Although Jiang Li hadn't studied music, calligraphy, arithmetic, or etiquette either, those at least weren't dangerous—competing in them was one thing. But when it came to risks, Tong'er couldn't help but worry."It's fine," Jiang Li said. "I have my own plans." She had a vague suspicion about why Ji Shuran's attitude toward her had been so unusual during the day. Since the training ground was a place where blades and arrows were blind to danger, accidents could happen at any moment. Any mishap occurring there would simply be dismissed as an unforeseen event.

"Accidents" could strike at any time.

But she was not afraid of accidents, because she could handle them with ease.

This was what it meant to have "confidence."

...

In the western part of Yanjing City, the residence of Duke Su was also enveloped in silence.

Duke Su had a fondness for vibrant and extravagant things, which was reflected in his lavishly ornate and meticulously crafted mansion. The estate faced the Anding River, flanked by numerous magnificent towers and pavilions. Yet, none of these elegant structures with their upturned eaves could compare to the striking prominence of the vermilion main hall.

Today, the familiar sounds of opera were absent from the duke's residence, making the quietude almost unnerving.

The old general—Ji Heng's grandfather, Ji Dachuan—was squatting in the courtyard practicing with his blades. The courtyard was exceptionally spacious, surrounded by an artful arrangement of fragrant flowers and plants, many of which were rare varieties. However, the gusts of wind stirred by Ji Dachuan's blades had already sheared off a significant number of them, leaving the delicate blossoms scattered on the ground, a pitiful sight.

The guards hiding under the eaves inwardly groaned. This batch of Persian chrysanthemums had been purchased at great expense by the duke from overseas merchants and carefully nurtured for months, finally budding. Now, the old general was ruthlessly destroying them. When the duke saw this, he would surely "appreciate" their negligence.

It was truly dreadful.

Though Ji Dachuan was now in his sixties, he remained robust and powerfully built. With his white hair and youthful complexion, one could still glimpse the handsome man he had once been. Even in old age, he retained the bearing of a distinguished elder. Wrinkles lined his face, but his eyes sparkled with vigor. In the summer heat, he practiced bare-chested, a red silk band tied around his wrists, wielding a pair of curved blades in a dual-sword routine.

If this continued, the duke's entire batch of Persian chrysanthemums would be decimated. Unable to bear it any longer, a seemingly earnest guard stepped forward and stopped Ji Dachuan. "General," he said, "it's already late. Perhaps you should go and have your meal first."

Hearing this, Ji Dachuan paused abruptly, sheathing his two curved blades with a swift motion. "Where's that rascal Ji Heng?" he demanded.

The guard replied, "...My lord has just returned to the estate."

"Wasn't he out listening to someone play the zither today? Who performed well?" Ji Dachuan's voice boomed, but his words made it sound as though Ji Heng had been visiting pleasure quarters to listen to courtesans sing, returning to discuss which lady had the loveliest voice or appearance.

The guard suppressed a sigh. "The second young lady of the Grand Secretary's Jiang family won the top honor."

"Second young lady?" Ji Dachuan shrugged on his outer robe and strode out, muttering, "Don't know her. The Grand Secretary's family... that old turtle Jiang..."

The guard gazed at the devastation of flowers on the ground and sighed helplessly.

Inside the house, Ji Heng reclined on a daybed, idly toying with a fan.

Had anyone been able to enter Ji Heng's room, they would have been astonished. Despite his penchant for luxury and opulence, the study of this Duke Su was unexpectedly austere, even stark. The entire room was spacious to the point of emptiness, furnished solely with black and white pearwood, devoid of any superfluous decorations, leaving one with a sense of void.

Yet, the moment one's eyes fell upon his strikingly handsome face, the barrenness of the room suddenly felt fulfilling.

The lamplight cast a subtle glow, and seated in the room was another person.Lu Ji was still dressed in a blue robe, sporting a goatee, and asked with a beaming smile, "Sir, you went to the examination grounds today to observe the music performance. How was it?"

"Extremely dull," Ji Heng replied lazily.

"But tomorrow, sir, you must continue to observe the archery and horsemanship. I apologize for the trouble."

Ji Heng lifted his eyelids slightly, appearing somewhat impatient.

He was not only an examiner for the music segment but also for the archery and horsemanship segment, so he had to return to the examination grounds the next day.

"Why did His Majesty appoint you as an examiner?" Lu Ji wondered.

Ji Heng said, "Lu Ji, I recruited you not to have you question me."

Lu Ji felt a chill, then heard the careless reply from the man before him: "Because the emperor wants me to keep an eye on Prince Cheng."

Prince Cheng? Lu Ji was taken aback but soon understood.

Although Hongxiao Emperor now ruled, the crown prince was young, and as long as Prince Cheng remained, he would always be a thorn in the emperor's side. However, Prince Cheng had Consort Liu backing him, and Hongxiao Emperor was promoting "benevolent governance," unable to find fault with Prince Cheng, so he had to let him live for the time being. Yet, as a ruler, it was hard to rest easy. Since Prince Cheng was attending the examinations, Hongxiao Emperor decided to send Ji Heng along as well.

But Lu Ji couldn't help glancing at the young man before him. The emperor probably didn't know that the growth of Prince Cheng's influence was largely orchestrated by Ji Heng himself.

Having Ji Heng watch Prince Cheng? It would be a miracle if Ji Heng didn't take the opportunity to help Prince Cheng expand his power.

"The Right Prime Minister and Prince Cheng are on good terms," Ji Heng remarked casually. "I suspect the Imperial Secretariat Writer will soon join them."

"Shen Yurong?" Lu Ji said. "He and Princess Yongning seem..." Lu Ji couldn't help but click his tongue at the thought of the details. After all, she was a princess of the nation; such scandalous behavior was truly hard to believe.

"It's quite a spectacle, but I've seen too much of it and grown weary. Let them be." Ji Heng unfolded the folding fan in his hand. On it, large, opulent peonies were hand-painted, their petals curling vividly, shimmering with gold thread.

"What about tomorrow..."

"Prince Cheng isn't foolish enough to make a move at the examination grounds. The emperor is overthinking it," Ji Heng said. "My presence there will be pointless, but," he added, "keep a close watch on Ye Shijie's movements."

"Is there something wrong with Ye Shijie?" Lu Ji asked. "He's currently the top scholar at the Imperial College and will soon enter official service. He might be useful in the future."

"Never mind the future. He's suddenly distanced himself from Li Lian," Ji Heng said with an amused smile. "I'm curious to know who's advising him from behind the scenes."

Lu Ji fell silent, saying no more.

...

That night, Jiang Li slept soundly.

She even dreamed that she and Xue Zhao were each riding a horse, galloping through the forest. Xue Zhao ran out of arrows in his quiver and asked her for a few. The bag on her horse was filled with game.

Just as they were about to head back, a fierce tiger suddenly burst out of the woods. To protect her, Xue Zhao rode off to lure the tiger away. Jiang Li couldn't catch up and could only watch his figure gradually disappear from her sight.

When she woke, she was drenched in sweat, startling Tong'er, who hurried to adjust the ice in the bronze vessel and grumbled, "The kitchen is giving our courtyard far too little ice..."The kitchen was filled with Ji Shuran's people, and it was common for them to set small traps for Jiang Li in trivial matters. Jiang Li didn't pay much attention to it, but her mind lingered on the dream from last night, faintly sensing it as some kind of omen. It's said that deceased loved ones send messages to their family in dreams—could Xue Zhao be trying to convey something to her?

Is there danger today?

Jiang Li pondered this but wasn’t particularly surprised. Ever since her arrival in Yanjing City, countless people had secretly regarded Second Miss Jiang as a thorn in their side. If she wanted to achieve her goals, she would inevitably obstruct many others’ paths. Removing her as an obstacle was only to be expected.

Bai Xue approached, holding a brand-new riding outfit, and said, “Miss, the clothes are ready.”

Jiang Li’s gaze swept over the garments in Bai Xue’s hands. “Good, just place them on the table.”

Since equestrianism involved horseback riding, riding attire was essential. Jiang Li didn’t own any, so Old Madam Jiang had ordered new sets made. To ensure fairness, all four daughters in the household received one, each choosing their own fabric—though, of course, Jiang Youyao’s was naturally the finest.

Tong’er had expected Jiang Li to struggle with wearing riding clothes for the first time, but to her surprise, Jiang Li was quite adept, even managing without assistance and dressing swiftly. Tong’er tied her hair into a neat ponytail, making her look spirited and sharp, with a touch of heroic charm not usually seen, earning praise from several maids in the courtyard who exclaimed how stunning she looked.

As the equestrian event started early, Jiang Li rose early and headed to Evening Phoenix Hall to join the others. Her timing was perfect—the others had just arrived as well. Jiang Yu’e and Jiang Youyao immediately scrutinized Jiang Li.

Jiang Youyao wore a pink riding outfit, her delicate and lively appearance embodying the quintessential vivacious young lady of Yanjing City. Jiang Yu’e was in light blue, her eyes charming and her smile sweet. Jiang Yuyan, in goose yellow, had a complexion that wasn’t particularly fair, and the color made her appear even more lackluster, easily overlooked in a crowd.

Jiang Li’s riding attire was pale green. She had always favored shades of blue and green, even selecting such a hue for her riding clothes. Though Jiang Li’s features were delicate and refined, giving her a clean but understated look that seemed ill-suited to the boldness of riding attire, she stood there with her sleeves neatly arranged and a faint smile, like a straight green bamboo shoot, its leaves still glistening with morning dew—heroic, vibrant, and full of life.

Even Old Madam Jiang couldn’t help but show admiration in her eyes.

Jiang Youyao felt another surge of displeasure, but recalling Ji Shuran’s words from the previous day, she turned to Jiang Li with a smile and said, “Second Sister, you look quite different today—truly lovely. I wonder if your equestrian skills will astonish everyone as well.”

Jiang Li replied with a faint smile, “Third Sister, you flatter me.”

Jiang Youyao detested Jiang Li’s smile; its sincerity felt repulsive to her, knowing Jiang Li’s cunning nature. She turned away without another glance and said to Ji Shuran, “Mother, let’s go.”

Jiang Yuanbai, however, lingered behind. After a pause, he said to Jiang Li, “If you’re not skilled, there’s no need to force yourself.” Then he walked off without another word.

Jiang Li was slightly taken aback but shook her head, dismissing the thought, and followed them into the carriage heading toward the examination grounds.

Today, Yanjing City was nearly deserted, with crowds swarming outside the examination grounds. Likely due to the allure of yesterday’s musical performances, the number of spectators for today’s equestrian event had doubled.

After alighting from the carriage, Jiang Li made her way toward the examination platform.

Liu Xu, spotting her arrival, greeted her cheerfully and said, “You seem in high spirits today—surely there won’t be any issues?” Her tone held a hint of probing.

Jiang Li replied, “Just so-so.”Liu Xu was quite satisfied, and at a glance, she spotted Meng Hongjin in the crowd. Today, Meng Hongjin stood out strikingly in her fiery red, form-fitting riding attire, making her appear as passionate as flames. When she saw Jiang Li arrive, Meng Hongjin glanced at her briefly before quickly looking away.

Jiang Li felt somewhat puzzled.

There were fewer people mocking Jiang Li today compared to yesterday, likely because her impressive display of skill had intimidated everyone. Even the female students of Mingyi Hall merely gathered to one side, quietly observing Jiang Li, not daring to discuss her openly in her presence.

Liu Xu snorted lightly, "Now they're finally feeling afraid."

It was the first time Jiang Li had seen Liu Xu like this, and she found it rather amusing. "What is there to be afraid of?"

"You're no longer the bottom-ranked student in Mingyi Hall. You won't lose the bet with Meng Hongjin. Do you know how many people in Yanjing City went out to buy drinks yesterday and got completely drunk? It's all because they placed huge bets on Meng Hongjin and now they've lost everything. They're just heartbroken." At this point, Liu Xu gloated, "I heard the Meng family themselves bet a large sum of money, so they've suffered a terrible loss this time. If my father hadn't forbidden me from gambling, I would have placed a bet too—who knows how much I could have earned by now."

Jiang Li chuckled wryly, "I'm not a bargaining chip."

"Anyway, you should take it easy today," Liu Xu said, turning serious again. "Horsemanship and archery have always been Meng Hongjin's strengths. If you can't beat her, don't push yourself too hard. It's not worth getting hurt over. Since you're already guaranteed to win, there's no need to fuss over minor details."

Jiang Li didn't know how many people had reminded her of this by now, but she still replied sincerely, "I know. Thank you for the reminder."

This year, horsemanship and archery were combined and conducted differently from music. The thirty participants were divided into five groups of six, determined by drawing lots. The groups would then take turns for evaluation based on the order they drew.

The drawing proceeded smoothly. Jiang Li picked a wooden stick from the container and handed it to the attendant. Liu Xu went to check and said, "I'm in the second group, and you're in the fifth. We're not together." She sounded somewhat disappointed.

Jiang Li wasn't too bothered by this. Just then, she heard some commotion from Meng Hongjin's side, likely from her friends. One of them said, "Hongjin, you're in the last group."

To think she had ended up in the same group as Meng Hongjin—what an unfortunate coincidence. As Jiang Li was thinking this, Jiang Youyao approached her and said, "Second Sister, I didn't expect you to be in the fifth group too. Fifth Sister and I are also in the fifth group."

Jiang Li almost sighed inwardly. What kind of twisted fate was this? In a group of six, Meng Hongjin, Jiang Youyao, Jiang Yu'e, and herself were all together. Never mind who the other two were—with three people in the group who saw her as a thorn in their side, it would be a miracle if they didn't try to trip her up during the group activities.

Liu Xu had also realized this and couldn't help but frown slightly.

As they were thinking this, the crowd nearby began to stir. Liu Xu turned to look and said, "The examiners for today have arrived."

There were fewer examiners today than yesterday—only three. One was a soldier in armor, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, who moved with the imposing presence of a dragon or tiger. He was exceptionally valiant and was none other than the current Commandant of Light Chariots, Kong Wei. Since he was the sixth child in his family, people called him Kong Liu.One was the former top military scholar and current commander of the cavalry, Zheng Huchen, who was about the same age as Jiang Yuanbai. With dark skin and a robust build, he exuded authority even without showing anger.

These two men clearly possessed martial prowess, their imposing presence making them intimidating even when standing still. However, the last person was truly unexpected.

Dressed in crimson robes and holding a golden-threaded folding fan, Duke Su Ji Heng stood with a faint smile, his eyes deep and captivating. He wasn't overshadowed by Kong Liu and Zheng Huchen's martial vigor; instead, his radiant elegance made them appear like his personal guards.

Yet he always seemed out of place here.

Jiang Li also felt a surge of surprise. Why was Ji Heng here? His role as an examiner in yesterday's music test was already astonishing enough—was he planning to get involved today as well?

Clearly, Jiang Li wasn't the only one puzzled. From the spectator seats, Prince Cheng frowned and remarked, "What does my royal brother mean by this? Why has Duke Su come today?"

Prince Cheng was deeply wary of Duke Su, as everyone knew that the current Hongxiao Emperor trusted Ji Heng implicitly. Prince Cheng had attempted to win him over, but Ji Heng was impervious to both soft and hard tactics, and his methods were formidable. After several failed attempts, Prince Cheng stopped provoking him but kept a close watch, fearing Ji Heng might carry out tasks for Hongxiao Emperor that could lead to his own unexplained demise.

Princess Yongning didn't respond to Prince Cheng's comment; her thoughts had already drifted to Shen Yurong nearby. Yesterday afternoon, after the music test, Shen Yurong had promised to meet with her, but he had made excuses. Princess Yongning could sense his evasion, understanding that hearing the female students' performances had stirred complex emotions in him, reminding him of the deceased Xue Fangfei. The thought infuriated her—Xue Fangfei was already dead, how could she be surpassed by a ghost? She must marry Shen Yurong as soon as possible. If he insisted on observing three years of mourning for Xue Fangfei to appear devoted, she couldn't wait that long.

After the test, she would bring this up with her mother, Consort Liu, Princess Yongning resolved silently.

Meanwhile, Jiang Li was staring blankly at the slip in her hand.

There were six people in total: besides Meng Hongjin, Jiang Yu'e, and Jiang Youyao, there were two noble ladies from Mingyi Hall, Nie Xiaoshuang and Zhu Xin'er.

These two seemed like pampered official's daughters, not particularly easy to get along with, and they were much closer to Jiang Youyao than to Jiang Li. Jiang Li wasn't surprised; most noble ladies in Yanjing City preferred Jiang Youyao over her.

And they were in the last group... Jiang Li pondered quietly.

No one noticed Meng Hongjin, standing in the corner, quickly glancing at Jiang Li again, her eyes filled with unconcealed triumph and resentment, twisting her expression. As people passed by, Meng Hongjin withdrew her gaze but secretly tightened her grip on the lottery tube.

Even heaven was on her side, pairing her with Jiang Li, and coincidentally including Jiang Youyao and Jiang Yu'e, who were at odds with Jiang Li. Making Jiang Li suffer would be as easy as turning over a hand.Meng Hongjin's palms trembled slightly. It was her first time doing something like this. Strangely, though frightened, her resolve remained firm. She knew that if she didn't proceed, tomorrow she would have to kneel before Jiang Li and apologize publicly before the entire Imperial College. That would completely ruin her reputation!

It was a life-or-death struggle—a contest even more brutal than the Mingyi Hall examinations—and she was destined to emerge victorious.

The examination began.

The testing ground was vast. Groups of five students mounted their horses simultaneously and raced toward the finish line. However, reaching the finish first didn't guarantee victory; equestrian skill mattered most. After all, the essence of "equestrianism" lay in control, not speed. Near the finish line stood a row of archery targets. Each student shot arrows marked with their unique identifiers to avoid confusion. The final assessment relied on the arrows embedded in the targets—this was the "archery" component.

Firing accurately while galloping on a bouncing horse proved exceptionally challenging. For this year's Mingyi Hall exam, hitting the target at all—let alone the bullseye—would be considered an achievement for any young lady.

The first group commenced.

Jiang Li watched intently. Thanks to her past acquaintance with Xiao Deyin, she had some familiarity with Mingyi Hall's examination rules, though not in detail. Observing today felt different from before, as she would soon participate herself. She aimed to study carefully to avoid mistakes during her turn.

She hadn't spotted Xiao Deyin today, but since this was an equestrian and archery exam, Xiao Deyin had no reason to attend.

Jiang Yuyan and Liu Xu were in the second group. The first group finished quickly. Though the testing ground was large, the young ladies' equestrian and archery skills appeared mediocre—they merely trotted before haphazardly releasing their arrows. Not a single arrow struck the targets, and their horsemanship was unremarkable. Yet, they seemed content merely to mount and dismount gracefully.

After all, young women in Northern Yan rarely embraced martial arts. While military families' daughters earned admiration, most found the training too arduous for themselves.

Watching this, Jiang Li gauged the general skill level at Mingyi Hall.

The second group, including Liu Xu and Jiang Yuyan, performed slightly better. At least their riders urged the horses into actual gallops, competing to reach the finish line first. Surprisingly, Liu Xu proved the best archer in her group—her arrow, though skewed, struck the target's edge instead of missing entirely.

It remained the group's finest shot.

After dismounting, Liu Xu breathed heavily, visibly fatigued yet exhilarated. She exclaimed to Jiang Li, "Combining equestrianism and archery this year is so difficult! I can't imagine how cavalry soldiers train—hitting the bullseye on horseback seems almost superhuman..."

"You were the best in your group," Jiang Li congratulated her warmly.

"I've never excelled in these skills—today was just luck. I never aimed for perfection," Liu Xu replied. "But you... you're paired with Meng Hongjin this round. Many are waiting to watch you stumble. Please take care and don't rush.""I'm not anxious." Jiang Li smiled.

Liu Xu thought about it and realized it was true. Ever since she first met Jiang Li, she had never actually seen what Jiang Li looked like when flustered. Jiang Li's temperament was just this gentle and soft, unhurried and deliberate. This competition might not hold much importance in Jiang Li's heart.

She set her mind at ease.

Jiang Li was still intently watching the subsequent matches. Perhaps the first two groups had coincidentally grouped students poor at archery and horsemanship together, as the following two groups weren't so bad. A few young ladies even performed some elegant maneuvers on horseback, quite eye-catching. The targets placed in the field gradually filled with arrows—some landing outside the target, others closer to the bullseye.

The competition gradually intensified.

Soon, after one hour, it was the final group's turn.

It was time for Jiang Li to take the field.

Thank you everyone for the flowers and diamonds. Due to word limit constraints in the extra notes, I won't thank each of you individually~

Regarding everyone's comments about the Duke and Ali not having spoken yet, the Duke is currently still in the observation stage, secretly watching.jpg. When he unconsciously gets drawn into the drama, the romantic scenes between the two will increase. I personally don't really like love-at-first-sight settings, preferring this kind of love-hate relationship between bickering rivals who start off disliking each other, become enemies, then turn into friends hahahaha.

So, be a little more patient~\（≧▽≦）/~ The romance is coming soon!

(End of Chapter)