93: Chapter 74 Imperial Archery_6 93: Chapter 74 Imperial Archery_6 Jiang Li was slightly surprised and shook her head without thinking much about it.
She followed and got into the carriage, heading towards the Inspection Field.
Today, nearly all of Yanjing City’s residents had emptied their homes to flood the area outside the Inspection Field, likely because yesterday’s Zither Music competition had attracted many people, resulting in even more spectators at today’s Imperial Archery than there were yesterday, perhaps even twice as many.
After getting off the carriage, Jiang Li walked towards the area under the reviewing stand.
Liu Xu saw her and greeted her excitedly, “You seem in high spirits today, you shouldn’t have any problems, right?” Her words carried a hint of probing.
Jiang Li responded, “I’m doing okay, I guess.”
Liu Xu appeared completely satisfied and soon noticed Meng Hongjin in the crowd.
Today, Meng Hongjin stood out distinctly, wearing a fiery red, tight-fitting riding outfit that made her look as passionate as fire.
When Jiang Li arrived, Meng Hongjin glanced at her and quickly averted her gaze.
Jiang Li was somewhat puzzled.
Today, fewer people were ridiculing Jiang Li compared to yesterday, perhaps because Jiang Li’s impressive performance yesterday had intimidated the crowd.
Even the girls from Mingyi Hall only gathered quietly to one side, examining Jiang Li from a distance, not daring to discuss her openly.
Liu Xu snorted, “Now they’re scared.”
Seeing Liu Xu behave like this for the first time, Jiang Li found it rather novel and said, “What’s so scary about me?”
“Now you won’t be at the bottom of the Mingyi Hall anymore.
There’s no way you can lose the bet with Meng Hongjin.
Do you know how many people in Yanjing’s taverns went out to drink themselves silly yesterday?
It was all because they bet a lot of money on Meng Hongjin.
Now they’ve lost everything and are in agony.
If my father hadn’t prohibited me from gambling, I should have placed a bet as well.
Who knows how much I might have earned now,” Liu Xu gloated.
Jiang Li laughed, “I’m not a gambling chip.”
“Leaving that aside, you must take it easy today,” Liu Xu said seriously.
“The art of Imperial Archery has always been Meng Hongjin’s forte.
If you can’t beat her, don’t force yourself.
If you get hurt or bruised, it’s not worth the loss.
After all, you’re already in a no-lose position.
These little details are not worth fussing over.”
It seemed that she was the umpteenth person to remind her of this, yet Jiang Li still sincerely replied, “I know, thank you for reminding me.”
This year’s Imperial Archery was held together, unlike the Zither Music, and was divided into groups.
A total of thirty people were neatly divided into five groups, with a draw deciding who would be in each group.
The five groups would be inspected in the order of the drawn sequence.
The drawing of lots went smoothly.
Jiang Li took a wooden lot from the cylinder and handed it to a child.
Liu Xu checked and said, “I’m in the second group, you’re in the fifth.
We’re not together.” She seemed a bit regretful.
Jiang Li didn’t really mind this detail.
But she heard a commotion near Meng Hongjin, probably from someone close to Meng Hongjin, saying, “Hongjin, you’re in the last group.”
Ended up in the same group as Meng Hongjin—this was indeed a case of ‘enemies often cross each other’s path.’ This thought had barely crossed Jiang Li’s mind when she saw Jiang Youyao approaching her, saying, “Second Sister, I didn’t expect you to be in the fifth group too.
Our fifth sister and I are also in the fifth group.”
Jiang Li almost wanted to lament in her heart at this twist of fate.
In a group of six, Meng Hongjin, Jiang Youyao, Jiang Yue, and herself were all in the same group.
Without even considering who the remaining two members were, just within this group, there were three people who viewed her as a thorn in their side.
It would be unusual if they didn’t try to trip her up while in the same group.
Liu Xu had also realized this and couldn’t help but look slightly alarmed.
As she pondered, the crowd nearby began to stir.
Liu Xu turned to look and said, “The examiners for today have arrived.”
Today’s panel of examiners wasn’t as large as yesterday’s; there were only three.
One was a military soldier clad in armored clothing, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, exuding an aura of majesty and extraordinary valor—he was the current Commander of Light Chariots, Kong Wei, called Kong Liu because he was the sixth son in his family.
Another was a former Martial Champion, now the Cavalry Commandant, named Zheng Huchen.
He was about the same age as Jiang Yuanbai, with dark skin and a robust build, emanating a natural authority.
These two men, at a glance, were unmistakably martial practitioners with an extraordinary presence.
Standing still, they instilled fear in others, yet the last person was truly unexpected.
Clad in red with a golden silk folding fan, a faint smile, and attractive features, Duke Su’s Jih Heng stood there, not looking the slightest bit inferior next to Kong Liu and Zheng Huchen.
On the contrary, his elegance made Kong Liu and Zheng Huchen appear as if they were his bodyguards.
Yet he seemed completely out of place here.