Chapter 84

This scene where the flower arrangement turns into a banner was actually designed by Jiang Xiurun herself after listening to her teacher’s advice. Since the teacher spoke frankly, stating that everything was for the sake of money, it made things easier. By adding more gimmicks, the crowd would naturally enjoy the spectacle. She only hoped that her well-intentioned efforts would make life better for the impoverished scholars across the land, sparing them the tragic fate of students who, due to financial constraints, might end up wrapped in quilts and falling from horses next year.

The second person to arrive after Jiang Xiurun was Xu Ying. After steadying himself, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled at Jiang Xiurun. She glanced at him and silently turned her head away. Previously, she hadn’t noticed anything unusual, but since yesterday, she had increasingly felt that Xu Ying resembled Feng Liwu, especially when he smiled—there was an indescribable air of youthful handsomeness…

Jiang Xiurun averted her gaze, no longer looking at him. For some reason, her thoughts drifted to where Feng Liwu might be inspecting the canals at that moment, and which of the many beauties in his mansion had managed to win his favor and accompany him on his inspection tour…

“Senior brother, it’s about to start. Hurry and raise your bow!” At that moment, Xu Ying suddenly whispered a reminder.

Jiang Xiurun snapped out of her reverie and saw that the examiner was indeed holding a bamboo leaf whistle in his mouth, ready to signal the start of the archery contest. She quickly prepared, aiming at the wooden targets set up on the opposite bank of the river.

The arrows of the contestants were of different colors. Jiang Xiurun’s arrows were red, while Xu Ying’s were black. The outcome of the contest would be determined by who had the most arrows hit the bullseye on the six targets.

Jiang Xiurun wasn’t in a hurry to shoot—there were only so many targets, but countless arrows aiming for the bullseye. She was using a small bow, which lacked the power of others’. So rather than shooting and having her arrows knocked off by others, she decided to wait until most had shot before taking her turn, ensuring a late but sure victory.

However, this approach left her with little time. The contestants were given less than half the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, and Jiang Xiurun’s initial delay meant she had even less time remaining.

Xu Ying’s aim was steady. After shooting all the arrows in his quiver, he noticed that Jiang Xiurun hadn’t fired a single shot. Surprised, he quickly whispered, “Senior brother, if you don’t shoot now, you’ll run out of time.”

At that moment, Jiang Xiurun calmly pulled out four arrows from her quiver, gripping them between her fingers, and nocked them on her small bow. She stretched her arms and took aim, her waist bending slightly, her expression serious. Her posture once again drew whispers from the noble ladies on the high platform.

Some knowledgeable onlookers shook their heads as they watched the nearly burnt-out incense stick, muttering that the young man lacked experience and that no matter how good his posture was, it wouldn’t matter if he ran out of time.

But Jiang Xiurun remained calm. When she finally released her fingers, she displayed an extraordinary skill in front of everyone. The four arrows flew in rapid succession, and as soon as they were released, she immediately pulled out four more, repeating the process with a clear rhythm. In the blink of an eye, she had shot all twelve arrows. As she released the last one, the bamboo leaf whistle signaling the end of the contest sounded.

Before anyone could react, the young man had already turned and walked lightly across the water stakes, descending from the platform.

When they looked again, all twelve red-feathered arrows had hit the bullseye, with two red arrows on each of the six targets—no more, no less.

Among the contestants were many martial artists who were there to make up the numbers, and Jiang Xiurun didn’t appear as strong and imposing as Dou Siwu. So, even though she had initially shot the flower arrangement with her small bow, no one had high expectations of her. After all, such skills were no different from a child using a slingshot to hit a bird’s nest.

Yet this slender, elegant young man had such incredible skill! It was truly eye-opening.

Before Jiang Xiurun could even step off the platform, clusters of flowers were already being thrown down from the high platform. Some of the more impulsive noble ladies, unable to contain their excitement, ignored their maids’ protests and ran over, boldly stuffing handwritten handkerchiefs into Jiang Xiurun’s arms.

Their eyes were moist, filled with affection, like the misty dreams of a sorceress.

Once again, Jiang Xiurun became the envy of her classmates, who joked about her good fortune but warned her not to follow Dou Siwu’s example of getting drunk after the contest and wasting the noble ladies’ alluring invitations.

The flowers had been sprayed with water mixed with fragrant powders. Xu Ying, who had followed Jiang Xiurun down, was also affected, with flowers hitting his face, causing him to sneeze and look somewhat disheveled.

That strange sense of dissonance once again crept into Jiang Xiurun’s heart—Feng Liwu was also like this, unable to tolerate the scent of perfumes and powders…

She couldn’t help but let her thoughts wander. Xu Ying had only a mother and no father… Could he be an illegitimate child of Emperor Duanqing, raised by the Xu family?

If that were true, then why had Qin Zhao sent Xu Ying to the academy?

In her past life, Qin Zhao had revered Feng Liwu like a god, always obedient to his every word.

But in this life, not only had she and Qin Zhao grown apart, but Qin Zhao and Feng Liwu also seemed to be drifting apart.

What Qin Zhao was thinking now, Jiang Xiurun had no idea.

However, after returning, she would definitely find a way to subtly remind Feng Liwu that there was a student at the academy who resembled him.

Feng Liwu’s childhood had been far from ordinary, and he was naturally suspicious. If she allowed Feng Liwu’s half-brother to remain hidden by his side, it would inevitably lead to his suspicion.

Jiang Xiurun didn’t want to get involved in the power struggles of the Great Qi. She hoped that Feng Liwu would successfully ascend the throne, fill his harem with beauties, and remember the affection they once shared. Then, they could part ways amicably, preserving each other’s dignity.

This time, the students of Luo’an Academy once again stole the show, making a grand impression.

The donation box set up by the academy for the students was said to be filled to the brim, truly overflowing.

The Luo’an Academy had contributed greatly, so the celebratory wine that day was paid for by Master Mufeng, who encouraged the young men to buy good wine and meat to celebrate.

But they were warned not to overindulge, as there was a literary debate the next day, and they couldn’t afford to be hungover.

This time, Jiang Xiurun couldn’t refuse and had to follow her classmates to a nearby tavern.

After booking the entire second floor, the classmates began to drink heartily.

After all, they were all young men. Although they usually behaved properly in the academy, being the pride of the Tiangan branch, in private they were just as playful and reckless.

One of them, Chen Xuan, asked Dou Siwu, “With so many noble ladies inviting you yesterday, yet you got so drunk and wasted a good night, don’t waste tonight. Did any of them invite you out? Which noble lady was it? Let us hear if it was a beauty from Wei?”

Dou Siwu glanced at Qian’er, who was pouring wine beside Jiang Xiurun, and gruffly said, “Those women are all delicate, speaking like underfed sheep. It’s annoying just looking at them!”

This provoked laughter from the group.

Chen Xuan said, “Such women are gentle and considerate, the most endearing. If you don’t like sheep-like, docile women, do you prefer tigresses?”

His words once again caused everyone to burst into laughter.

Dou Siwu retorted, “You don’t understand a thing!”

At Chen Xuan’s suggestion, the students all raised their glasses and drank a large cup to this incomprehensible “thing.”

Jiang Xiurun listened to their banter with a smile, feeling that her old soul had been rejuvenated by their youthful energy.

At this moment, without Feng Liwu by her side, she didn’t have to be constantly on guard or carefully cater to his whims. She could simply relax, drink, and listen to their half-true, half-exaggerated tales of past romantic exploits, which was quite entertaining.

However, Xu Ying, sitting beside her, didn’t seem as relaxed. He kept an eye on her plate, adding food whenever it was empty.

What made Jiang Xiurun most uncomfortable was that Xu Ying was serving her the dishes she liked.

As he served her, Xu Ying noticed that Jiang Xiurun wasn’t eating and asked, “Senior brother, don’t you like tender roasted rabbit meat? Why aren’t you eating? Is it not flavorful enough?”

Jiang Xiurun casually raised her cup and asked, “How did you know I like rabbit meat, Xu?”

Xu Ying was momentarily stunned, his youthful face showing a shy smile as he replied, “Because I admire you, senior brother. I’ve been trying to learn more about your preferences these past few days. I heard you like rabbit meat from someone… maybe it was Qian’er?”

Qian’er, hearing this, rolled her eyes in confusion and said, “When did I mention that? If you hadn’t said so, I wouldn’t have even noticed that the young master likes tender roasted rabbit meat.”

Dou Siwu interjected, “Maybe it’s because Xu’s boyish face is so charming that you, ugly maid, couldn’t help but strike up a conversation and let it slip unintentionally?”

This caused another round of laughter.

The maid had a birthmark on her face and a robust build. If she had indeed tried to chat with the cute and youthful Xu Ying, it would have been like a toad lusting after a swan!

With so many people at the table, and not in private, Qian’er knew her place as a servant. Whether it was Xu Ying or Dou Siwu, they were her young mistress’s classmates, and she couldn’t be too presumptuous.

So she simply stopped talking, picked up a roasted beef bone from the table, and without using a hammer, broke it in two with her bare hands. Then she used a long spoon to scoop out the marrow for her young mistress.

But for some reason, seeing the ugly maid’s fierce expression as she broke the bone, everyone who had laughed earlier felt a pang in their thighs, and the laughter abruptly stopped.

Jiang Xiurun hadn’t paid attention to this commotion.

At that moment, her mind was filled with an indescribable sense of dread.

In this life, she had never been picky about her food or daily life.

After all, living under the prince’s roof, it wasn’t her own home. If the food was good, she ate more; if it wasn’t, she still ate to fill her stomach.

Moreover, she usually ate more with the prince, often flattering him by serving his favorite dishes.

But tender roasted rabbit meat was indeed her favorite. However, except for a few times in her past life when she had it prepared by her personal chef, she hadn’t eaten it much in this life because Feng Liwu didn’t like it…

She was certain Qian’er wasn’t lying, so where had Xu Ying heard about her preference?

Some things, when thought about deeply, become terrifying. At that moment, as Jiang Xiurun looked at Xu Ying’s shy smile, she felt a chill run down her spine.

This young man was not as simple as he appeared. Why was he going to such lengths to get close to her?