CHAPTER 105 — WHEN ARROWS STIRRED HEART AND JEALOUSY
Feng Qingyan's thoughts burned with a single desire:
Today, she would defeat Tang Ke Xin. Utterly. Publicly. Irreversibly.
If she displayed her archery skills, Ye Lan Jue might finally look at her differently.
And if she crushed Tang Ke Xin in front of him, perhaps he would realise who truly deserved to stand at his side.
The procession followed the Emperor out of the great hall and into the imperial training grounds — a wide, open space reserved for martial demonstrations.
"Come," the Emperor said, surveying the gathered nobles with bright eyes. "Which of you will compete with General Gu?"
His mood was excellent; the earlier scandal had been neatly resolved, and now he sought entertainment.
But the crowd exchanged uneasy glances.
"Everyone knows General Gu's archery is unmatched," someone murmured. "Who would dare challenge him?"
"Indeed. Once General Gu takes the field, there is no competition left."
The Emperor laughed.
"This is only for amusement. No need to be so serious."
He stepped forward, lifted a bow, and released an arrow with practiced ease.
It flew straight and true, striking the centre of the target.
"Your Majesty's skill is admirable," Gu Xiuran said respectfully.
Gu Xiuran — the empire's youngest general, a prodigy of war.
At fifteen, he had followed his father to the battlefield.
At twenty, he commanded his own troops.
Now, at twenty‑five, he was a legend — victorious in every campaign, feared by enemies, adored by the people.
And despite his martial prowess, he possessed a refined, almost scholarly elegance.
Countless noble daughters dreamed of marrying him.
"Come, you," the Emperor said, handing him the bow. "No one else dares to compete with you, so you must perform. It has been too long since I last saw you shoot."
"As Your Majesty commands."
Gu Xiuran stepped forward.
The guards removed the standard target and carried it far into the distance.
Then they erected a tall bamboo pole and hung a dozen tiny rings from it — each no larger than a teacup rim, swaying gently in the wind.
Tang Ke Xin's eyes widened.
He intends to shoot through the rings?
At this distance?
With the rings moving?
This was no ordinary feat.
This was mastery.
Gu Xiuran raised his bow.
He did not even pause to aim.
He released.
The arrow whistled through the air — and passed cleanly through the centre of the first ring.
Gasps erupted.
Tang Ke Xin stared, astonished.
If he lived in the modern world, he would be a champion sharpshooter. He could win Olympic gold without breaking a sweat.
Before she could blink, he had already loosed several more arrows.
Each one pierced the exact centre of a ring.
Not a single miss.
Tang Ke Xin watched with genuine admiration.
Her father had taught her to handle weapons, and she had trained with firearms in her previous life — but she had never seen such precision with a bow.
She leaned forward slightly, eyes fixed on Gu Xiuran.
And then—
A figure stepped directly into her line of sight.
She frowned and shifted to the side without looking, adjusting her angle to continue watching.
Ye Lan Jue's expression darkened.
She had never looked at him with such focus.
Such admiration.
Such… interest.
But for Gu Xiuran?
She stared as though entranced.
His jaw tightened.
He moved again, deliberately blocking her view.
"You're in the way," Tang Ke Xin said impatiently, pushing him aside without even glancing up. "Move."
Ye Lan Jue's face turned thunderous.
She had looked at Gu Xiuran with shining eyes —
but she had not even noticed him standing right in front of her.
Twice.
"You want this king to move?" he said through clenched teeth.
"Hm?"
She finally looked up — and froze when she saw who it was.
"Oh. Sorry. I didn't see it was Your Highness."
That only made it worse.
Ye Lan Jue's expression darkened further.
From the distance, the Emperor's voice rang out:
"Excellent! General Gu's archery is truly magnificent!"
Tang Ke Xin turned back immediately.
"Aiya, it's over already? I missed the best part."
Her tone was filled with regret.
Ye Lan Jue inhaled sharply.
"Looks good?" he asked, voice dangerously low.
"Of course," she replied without hesitation. "It's beautiful."
Ye Lan Jue nearly choked.
She dares to praise another man's beauty in front of him?
Feng Qingyan chose that moment to step forward, her voice soft and sweet.
"Brother Gu's archery grows more impressive each year."
She moved to stand beside Gu Xiuran, smiling gracefully.
"This looks fun. I wish to try as well."
Imperial Concubine Ming laughed lightly.
"This is not something for young ladies. Girls should play the zither, dance, and embroider."
"Yes, which girl touches such weapons?" another concubine added.
Feng Qingyan ignored them.
She turned toward Tang Ke Xin, her eyes gleaming with challenge.
"Miss Tang, shall we try it together?"
Her tone was gentle — but the provocation was unmistakable.
Tang Ke Xin saw through her instantly.
Feng Qingyan was lying.
She knew how to shoot.
Her posture, her confidence, her eagerness — all betrayed her.
Gu Xiuran's lips twitched as though he wished to speak, but he remained silent.
The Emperor frowned.
"Qingyan, this is dangerous. You may injure yourself. The bow is not something you can pull."
"I am not afraid," Feng Qingyan said sweetly. "I only wish to try. Unless… Miss Tang does not dare?"
Ye Lan Jue's eyes turned icy.
"This is not a game," he said coldly. "If something happens, who will take responsibility? Miss Feng should mind her safety."
But Tang Ke Xin smiled faintly.
She knew Feng Qingyan wanted to humiliate her.
And she was more than willing to accept the challenge.
"Very well," she said calmly. "Let us try."
"Xin'er?" the Empress whispered anxiously.
Tang Ke Xin turned to her with a gentle, confident smile.
"Since Miss Feng is unafraid, neither am I."
The Empress fell silent, startled by the quiet certainty in her eyes.
Ye Lan Jue's brows twitched.
This woman knows how to shoot?
The Emperor clapped his hands.
"Since both young ladies agree, let us begin! Bring smaller bows and lighter arrows. Move the target closer."
The guards obeyed swiftly.
The crowd buzzed with anticipation.
"Miss Tang, who will go first?" Feng Qingyan asked, her voice dripping with false sweetness.
"You may," Tang Ke Xin replied lightly.
Feng Qingyan smiled — a sharp, mocking smile.
She was certain Tang Ke Xin had never touched a bow.
She would fail.
She would embarrass herself.
And Feng Qingyan would finally show Ye Lan Jue the difference between them.