Upon hearing her words, the surrounding soldiers were all taken aback.
The Young Madam had just hit the target while standing, which, although not as impressive as Huang Gongyi, still left people impressed. However, a loss is a loss, and everyone thought she would give up.
Unexpectedly, she not only refused to give up but insisted on shooting while riding a horse.
One should know that while riding and shooting might seem easy separately, combining them is not simply a matter of added difficulty; it increases tenfold!
This is because once either the person or the target starts moving, aiming becomes greatly reduced in usefulness, requiring the prediction of one’s position changes and the target’s position changes. It’s an extremely difficult skill. In the army, many are exceptional when riding or shooting separately, but when combined, they often become a mess.
But this Young Madam—
The crowd watched as Yu Wenye’s guard, Mu Xian, led a horse to her. Shang Ruyi gracefully mounted it, her posture light and agile, making them sigh in amazement again.
This Young Madam, indeed, is extraordinary.
However, once Shang Ruyi was on horseback, she didn’t gallop towards the camp gate but stood in the middle of the road, once again drawing an arrow backhandedly and stringing the bow.
Seeing this, the crowd burst into laughter again.
Someone in the crowd started mocking—
"I thought she was really going to shoot while riding; turns out, it’s just ’riding’ to shoot."
"Is there any point in such a ’riding shoot’? Why not just stand there and shoot another arrow?"
These words were neither loud nor soft but just enough to reach Shang Ruyi’s ears. She said nothing and slowly drew the bowstring with her slightly swollen index finger.
Then, she said to Mu Xian, "No need to hold the horse."
Mu Xian was startled, "Young Madam—"
He was holding the horse out of concern it might trot around. Even if Shang Ruyi was an excellent rider and wouldn’t fall, a moving horse might affect her aim.
Shang Ruyi said, "Let it go."
Mu Xian seemed to understand her meaning and could only release the reins, and immediately, the unrestrained horse began to sway its head and leisurely pace across the avenue.
In this way, although not as challenging as Huang Gongyi’s galloping shoot before, it was still more difficult than stationary shooting.
Mu Xian hurried back to Yu Wenye’s side and whispered, "My Lord—"
Yu Wenye didn’t speak, his expression somber. Although he usually maintained a cold and stern demeanor, at this moment, he seemed even colder than usual.
Those obsidian eyes of his were intently fixed on the figure on horseback.
Just then, the second arrow was released!
Everyone present held their breath, turning to look at the target in the center of the training ground, yet they saw only the previous arrow on it.
Yu Wenye’s gaze darkened, but the next moment, he silently exhaled a breath.
This arrow missed the target!
A sigh resounded through the crowd.
Someone lightly laughed and said, "I told you, how could a woman possibly—"
Shang Ruyi remained silent, only frowning, looking at the target ahead, while the hand hanging by her side began to tremble from numbness.
After drawing the bow twice, her fingers were beginning to lose sensation.
She instinctively looked back and saw Yu Wenye standing not far away, motionless, clearly not intending to come over and say anything. But when their eyes met, she felt as though he had said something.
Shang Ruyi slightly furrowed her brow, turned back again, and glanced at the target.
The central-left of the East Training Ground.
This moment, with a southern wind blowing.
The horse beneath her is a yellow bay, with strong legs.
Having thought through all this, she spurred the horse, beginning to run towards the camp gate.