Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The stream audience was thrilled.
Anjing Zhuanggebi: “I am impressed, my host!”
Qinshihuang: “Mom! That is her! She steals my heart but refuses to marry me! (Cry)”
This was a crazy channel with bizarre content and abnormal viewers. Jiang Pengji was glad she was not affected by them at the moment.
Clop clop! Jiang Pengji’s horse approached the young men like white lightning. The horse’s athletic, fine physique leaped over the wall of guards and landed precisely in front of the Zheng Bingjun. The horse impatiently kicked the sand and stones on the ground, and it blew hot air in the langjun’s face.
Jiang Pengji was on the horse, and rage was on her face. Zheng Bin looked at his disheveled hair and felt the aching skin on his head, and he furiously flung his sleeves behind him. “You almost killed a man!”
“Did I?” Jiang Pengji squinted her eyes. One hand gripped the bow while the other supported a startled Shangguan Wan. Then she scorned, “No, I never harm my fellow creatures. I saw you insulting my page boy while I was away, and I must let you have a taste of it, too!”
Jiang Pengji looked down at the overly girlish langjun. Her arrogance and indignation intimidated everyone around her. No one could meet her eyes except Feng Jin, who was suppressing his laughter with all his strength.
He was finally at ease and released the teenager, whom he had been holding back. He needed to end this before she made a scene.
But Jiang Pengji did not appreciate his assistance. She hopped from the horse and patted it, and then she leisurely walked to one side and stayed there. Shangguan Wan now realized what had happened and blushed with excitement.
“Zheng Langjun, you are taking the exam this year, aren’t you?” She drew an arrow from the holder, gripped the shaft with one hand, and aimed precisely at the boy’s fragile face. “I wonder what would happen if I drew a line on your face right now.”
Everyone was aghast. Was she going to start a fight?
Contrary to the nerve-racking atmosphere at the gathering, the livestream viewers were relaxed and curious.
Meishaonu Zhanshi Ayuan: “What exam?”
Mofashaonu Afeng: “Probably like the imperial examination in our history. It was used to select bureaucrats.”
Feichang Meinu: “Why am I excited by the upcoming scene of the host tormenting a teen?”
Were they over-thinking? She was just threatening to ruin his face.
Feng Jin knew that Jiang Pengji shouldn’t harm Zheng Bin, but he was afraid that any attempt to stop her would only provoke her to do it right away.
Many rules of Dongqing originated from the former dynasty of Xia, and there were over a thousand detailed articles. The most common rule stated that “anyone with a slave background, physical disability, obvious damage to appearance, or records of showing disrespect to his parents, shall not enter the court to serve the kingdom.”
“You... You cannot do this!” Zheng Bin stepped back. His face was pale.
“Let us see,” she replied coldly. As Zheng Bin took another step back, she took a step forward. Compared to Zheng Bin’s shaky movements, hers were bold and firm. “A decent man would challenge me with integrity, but you abused my page boy instead. You have learned a lot over these years!”
Zheng Bin nervously swallowed as he felt the sharpness of the cold metal. His eyes did not leave the arrowhead for a second. The examination was coming, and he must not be rejected because of a wounded face!
“What do you want then?” Zheng Bin was irritated and humiliated. Since when had Liu Lanting the timid lamb become so thorny?
“You love aiming at fruits on peoples’ heads, huh?” Suddenly, Jiang Pengji raised the corners of her lips, and everyone knew there was a scheme behind it. “Well, I like the game, too. You have also brought your own page boy, right? I will play with you, and it will be a fair game this time. The rules should be amended, or else others might say that I deliberately tried to injure your servant.”
That was too dangerous. Feng Jin tried to persuade her. “Lanting, he is a fool, but you are not. Think about your career!”
If others in the town knew about her suggestion, they would deem her as a violent youngster.
“I am not stupid, of course.” Jiang Pengji did not look at Feng Jin. “Each of us will have three arrows. The first distance will be 50 steps, the second 70, and the third 100. The fruits will be our target. Is that clear?” She kept a cruel smile on her face and continued to hold the arrow steadily.
Before Zheng Bin could respond, she commanded Xu Ke. “Take the kiwi. I will go first.”
Xu Ke had thought he could get rid of the role; he never suspected that his Langjun would make him do it, too.
Still, he only hesitated a few seconds before obeying. As instructed, he placed the fruit on his head and walked until he counted 50 steps.
Whoosh!
Before he had even fixed his posture or noticed Jiang Pengji’s move, Xu Ke heard the fruit being penetrated, and its juice splashed over his hair. When he realized what had just happened, his inconsiderate master ordered him again.
“70 steps!”
Bloody hell! When did she aim?
But now he felt confident in Jiang Pengji. The moment he took another kiwi from an attendant and stood 70 steps away from the crowd, an arrow sped exactly into the fruit. He had to admit that he had underestimated his langjun.
“Finally! 100 steps!”
The final distance was too challenging for most people because the fruit was too tiny to be seen from far away, and the light bows they used for practicing could not shoot arrows to such a long distance. The arrow would most likely drop midway from the force of the wind.
But that was not a problem for Jiang Pengji. She would not miss her targets even if her eyes were closed. As for the bow...
Hers was a heavy bow. After some practice, she could even master a three-stone bow.
Feng Jin knew about her abilities, but that did not stop him from worrying.
“What do they think this event is? It is most displeasing to see them competing against one another. Still, why is Liu Lanting acting so boldly today?” The ladies who had not been kidnapped still thought Liu Lanting was the shy youngster he had always been.
Wan Xiu’er was among the eldest of them, and she was more mature in her response. After sipping her tea and drying her lips with a handkerchief, she faked a smile. She said, “Perhaps it is because of his confidence in his archery skills. This is the only chance he has to fight back against the others. Jingxian, am I right?”