CHAPTER 107 — THE AREOW THAT BROKE THEIR CERTAINTY
The arrow left Tang Ke Xin's fingers with such speed and fluidity that many did not even see her release it. One moment the bowstring was taut; the next, the arrow was already slicing through the air.
Her movements were effortless — almost lazy — as though she were performing the most ordinary task in the world. There was no dramatic posture, no exaggerated aim, no hesitation. She simply drew, released, and let the arrow fly.
And yet—
Thud.
The arrow struck the exact centre of the target.
Dead centre.
For a heartbeat, the entire training ground fell silent.
Then—
Gasps.
Stunned whispers.
Wide eyes.
No one had expected this.
Even at close range, hitting the centre required precision, control, and experience. And she had done it casually — without even appearing to aim.
Most archers needed three to seven seconds to steady their breath, fix their gaze, and seize the perfect moment. Miss that golden second, and the shot would blur.
Gu Xiuran's earlier shots had been fast because he was a master.
Tang Ke Xin's shot had been fast because… because…
Because she was something else entirely.
Feng Qingyan stood frozen, her face drained of colour.
Her mind refused to accept what her eyes had seen.
Impossible.
Impossible!
Tang Ke Xin had been a fool for ten years.
She had never learned archery.
She had never trained.
How could she shoot like that?
How could she hit the centre?
It must have been luck.
Yes — luck.
A coincidence.
A fluke.
That had to be it.
Tang Ke Xin lowered the bow with a faint, almost bored expression.
"So archery is that easy," she said lightly.
Feng Qingyan's nails dug into her palms.
That tone — that casual tone — made her even more certain Tang Ke Xin had simply been lucky.
But Ye Lan Jue's expression told a different story.
His eyes were fixed on Tang Ke Xin, dark and unreadable.
This woman…
She had hidden her strength well.
She truly knew how to shoot — and she was frighteningly accurate.
The Emperor broke into delighted applause.
"Excellent! I did not expect this girl to be so skilled. What a splendid shot!"
His laughter echoed across the field.
"Prime Minister, your daughter surpasses you. If I handed you a bow, could you shoot like that?"
The Prime Minister jolted out of his shock.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject certainly could not."
He was a civil official; he had never even held a bow.
But when had Xin'er learned such a skill?
The Empress finally allowed herself a relieved smile.
Xin'er was safe.
That was all that mattered.
Ye Lan Chen was practically glowing with admiration.
"Xin'er, you're incredible!"
But Feng Qingyan could not accept it.
"I do not believe archery is decided by a single shot," she said sharply. "Competitions require three rounds. Two wins determine the victor."
Her voice trembled with suppressed fury.
She had never lost.
Never.
And she would not lose today.
Gu Xiuran stepped forward at once.
"Qingyan, do not take this too seriously."
He knew — better than anyone — that Tang Ke Xin's shot had not been luck.
Her understanding of wind, breath, and timing had been genuine.
If the target were placed at the Emperor's distance, she could still hit it.
But Feng Qingyan was deaf to reason.
"Brother Gu, I am not serious," she said with a brittle smile. "I simply find it fun. Miss Tang, do you dare to shoot two more rounds?"
Ye Lan Jue's gaze sharpened dangerously.
A cold, lethal aura radiated from him.
Feng Qingyan felt it — the warning, the threat — but she no longer cared.
She wanted Tang Ke Xin humiliated.
She wanted Ye Lan Jue to see her superiority.
"Miss Tang," she pressed, "do you dare?"
The Emperor looked at Tang Ke Xin with interest.
"What do you think, Xin'er?"
He had sharp eyes.
He knew her shot had not been luck.
Tang Ke Xin smiled — a bright, confident smile that made several hearts skip a beat.
"Since Miss Feng wishes to play," she said softly, "why don't we play something more interesting?"
Feng Qingyan blinked.
"What game?"
Everyone leaned forward, puzzled.
Ye Lan Jue's brows rose slightly.
What was this woman planning now?
Tang Ke Xin pointed toward several thick wooden stakes in the distance.
"Do you see those stakes?"
"Yes," Feng Qingyan said slowly, confusion deepening.
Tang Ke Xin lifted an arrow and weighed it in her hand.
"Each of us will use one arrow. One shot only. Whoever breaks more stakes wins."
Silence.
Then—
"What?"
"Break the stakes?"
"With an arrow?"
"That's impossible!"
The wooden stakes were thick, solid, and deeply embedded in the ground.
Even Gu Xiuran's arrows could only pierce them — not break them.
To break a stake required immense force — far beyond what a bow could produce.
"Dong'er," Tang Ke Xin said calmly, "explain it to Miss Feng."
Dong'er blinked, then nodded.
"Miss means: one arrow each. One shot. Whoever breaks more stakes wins."
The crowd erupted.
"Impossible!"
"She must be joking!"
"Even General Gu cannot break a stake!"
Feng Qingyan laughed coldly.
"Miss Tang, are you speaking nonsense?"
Even the Emperor looked doubtful.
"Miss Tang, you intend to break the stakes with an arrow?"
Gu Xiuran stared at her, stunned.
"That is… impossible."
Tang Ke Xin smiled politely at him — a bright, dazzling smile.
"Yes."
Ye Lan Jue's expression darkened instantly.
She had never smiled at him like that.
Never.
Why was she smiling at Gu Xiuran?
Gu Xiuran's heart gave a strange jolt.
Her smile was… captivating.
But he shook his head.
"No one can break a stake with an arrow."
Tang Ke Xin's smile deepened.
"We will only know after we try."
The Empress stepped forward anxiously.
"Xin'er, stop this nonsense. End it here."
"Yes, Xin'er," the Prime Minister added. "This is too dangerous."
He did not know she had once shattered a stake before.
Only Mu Shao Yi, Dong'er, and the steward had witnessed it.
Feng Qingyan folded her arms, sneering.
She would not fall for Tang Ke Xin's tricks.
Breaking a stake was impossible.
Only a fool would agree.
"Miss Tang, we should—"
"En, what Xin'er said is right," the Emperor interrupted suddenly.
His interest was piqued.
He wanted to see what Tang Ke Xin would do.
Since the Emperor had spoken, no one could object.
Ye Lan Jue's gaze locked onto Tang Ke Xin.
What was she planning?
Even he believed it impossible.
Unless…
Unless she possessed a strength he had not yet seen.