"What are you doing? Sit!" Sun Jun cautioned, and she quickly took her seat.
Sun Jingxuan smiled. You sure know how to impress.
She actually did it? Rou Bing clenched her fist in anger. Why? Why is she good at everything?
The officials broke into laughter.
"Minister Xu, your daughter is quite remarkable."
"Indeed. To think she actually knows how to perform a sword dance—she's definitely destined for greatness."
Those who had once ridiculed Xu Huai now turned to praise him.
Lady Ling finally released a breath she didn't know she was holding, a warm smile spreading across her face as she looked at her daughter.
"Ruyi, you're amazing!" Shen Chun cheered from her seat.
Sun Jun stared at her intently. "Ruyi… I wasn't wrong about you. You're indeed interesting."
The Prince of Yun state smiled as his right-hand man leaned closer and whispered into his ear. "Your Lordship. She's the daughter of the minister of rites. heard she used to be sick but recovered recently. His Majesty and Her Grace are also very fond of her."
"Oh?" The Prince of Yun State murmured. She's that remarkable? I'd really like to know her. A woman who can make everyone around her fall under her influence is no ordinary woman."
"Good," Emperor Hong's voice rang out. "Ruyi, you have performed beyond my expectations. Tell me—what reward do you want?"
Ruyi sank to her knees. "I do not wish for any rewards, Your Majesty. I only pray that you and Her Grace live a long, healthy and happy life."
Consort Yao could'nt help but smile affectionately. "Thank you, Ruyi."
"You're such a good child," Emperor Hong said warmly. "Truly a role model for the younger generation."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Highness," Ruyi replied. She rose, bowed once more, then returned to her seat.
Fine. You won this round, Ruyi, Rou Bing smirked. Luckily I prepared in advance.
Yu Gonggong stepped forward, his voice clear and sharp as it echoed throughout the training ground.
Gòng qing kãishi bishì! (Let the Imperial Archery Tournament begin!)
The ceremonial drum was struck at once, sounding throughout the grounds as the archers took their positions.
The competition began between the two states—The Great Qing Kingdom and the Yun state. Representatives stepped forward in turn, each wearing fitted robes and riding boots. Reaching over their shoulders, the archers drew arrows from the quivers strapped to their backs.
At the signal, arrows shot our repeatedly. Some arrows struck the center of the target, earning applause from the crowd, while others missed, drawing disappointed sighs.
At the edge of the field sat two judges. One raised a green flag whenever an arrow struck within the scoring ring, while a red flag signaled a fail or miss. Beside him, the other judge scribbled the score onto bamboo slips. An attending court official announced the outcome each time a flag was raised, creating tension among the audience.
When the competition reached its midpoint, the style changed. Each representative was required to hit their target from a distance on a horse.
The archers mounted their horses and prepared to draw their bows.
As one horse stepped forward, its hoof came down hard upon a nail.
The animal let out a sharp cry, rearing violently and throwing its rider off balance. His arrow was released involuntarily, shooting wildly into the air. The sudden movement startled the nearby horses. They neighed in alarm, jerking against their reins, sending arrows flying without direction. One after another, horses sprang forward, each stepping on hidden nails, crying out in pain as they bolted across the field.
The orderly competition plunged into chaos.
"Control the horses!" "Protect His Majesty!"
Shout erupts as spectators rose from their seats, retreating in fear. Children's cries filled the air as they called for their parents. Court officials hid beneath tables, shielding their heads in panic.
Rou Bing's gaze darted towards Ruyi amid the turmoil.
Two guards turned to Emperor Hong. "Your Majesty, we must escort you to safety."
Emperor Hong rose, moving with them as Consort Yao and the other consorts followed closely. But seeing the panic spreading through the crowd, Emperor Hong suddenly halted.
"Protect the people!" he commanded.
"But, Your Majesty—" a guard protested.
"The people come first. Go!"
The guards obeyed at once, rushing to restore order and guide the crowd to safety.
Ruyi stood, attempting to move away, unaware that Rou Bing had followed close behind.
Then she heard it—the sharp whistle of an arrow slicing through the air.
Her gaze snapped upward.
An arrow was flying towards the Emperor and the consorts moving beside him.
Rou Bing lunged, attempting to shove Ruyi towards a charging horse—but Ruyi ran in the opposite direction, her eyes locking onto the arrow hurtling towards the Emperor.
"Your Majesy—watch out!" she cried.
Her voice was swallowed by the chaos.
The horse slammed into Rou Bing instead, knocking her to the ground. She rolled across the floor, spitting out blood as she cried out in pain.
Ruyi didn't hesitate
She threw herself forward, and the arrow struck her body.
Time seemed to slow as she hit the ground with a thud, blood soaking through her robes. Only then did the Emperor—and everyone around— realized what had happened.
Her eyelids fluttered weakly as she struggled to focus, her breathing shallow.
"Ruyi!" Consort Yao screamed. "Summon the Imperial physician!"
That was the last thing she heard before darkness closed in.
---
Lady Ling sat by Ruyi's bed side, her eyes red and swollen from tears.
"Ruyi…" she called softly. "I've already lost you once. I can't lose you again. Please—wake up."
Xu Huai placed a hand on her shoulder, sighing deeply as he looked down at his lifeless daughter pitifully.
The Imperial physician turned to Xu Huai. "Don't worry, Minister Xu. Your daughter is not in danger. She was lucky the arrow didn't meet her heart—otherwise, it would have been bad. She should wake up soon."
"Thank you," Xu Huai said, then walked the physician out.
The news of Ruyi's good deed spread quickly throughout the capital. Some praised her courage, while others questioned her motive.
Emperor Hong remained in Consort Yao's chambers, withdrawn and distant. For two days, he neither attended court nor showed his usual cheerful demeanor. Even when Consort Yao summoned actors to perform his favorite play, he merely sat in silence, gazing into the distance.
Seeing this, Consort Yao quietly dismissed the troupe.
She turned back to him and spoke gently. "Your Majesty, don't you think Ruyi really did well this time? She jumped in front of the arrow without hesitating. Such courage is rare."
At the mention of Ruyi, Emperor Hong's expression softened slightly. He gave a faint nod, but said nothing.
Consort Yao did not press on immediately. She rose instead, moving behind him, her hands settling on his shoulder as she massaged them lightly. "Your Majesty…what do you think of Ruyi?"
"She's a good child," Emperor Hong said after a pause. "Minister Xu sure is fortunate to have a daughter like her. Still… I worry."
"The Imperial physician has assured us that she will recover fully. Don't worry, she'll be just fine."
"She's my lifesaver," Emperor Hong said quietly. "I do not know how to repay such debt."
Consort Yao allowed a brief silence to settle before speaking. "I do have a suggestion, Your Majesty."
---
Ruyi's eyes fluttered open as she scanned her sorroundings.
"Mother?" She called weakly.
Lady Ling entered the room carrying a basin of water. When she saw Ruyi trying to sit up, she let out a soft gasps.
"Ruyi? You're awake—thank goodness!" she cried, dropping the basin and hurrying to her side.
"Mother…" Ruyi called softly. "I'm sorry. I know I was wrong. I won't do it again."
Lady Ling, on the brink of tears, let out a deep sigh. "It's alright. Just don't do it again. The physician said you're fine—you just need proper rest. What would you like to eat? I'll prepare it myself."
"I'm so hungry," Ruyi smiled. "I'd like some braised pork."
"Alright. I'll go prepare it right away," Lady Ling said, leaving the room.
After days of rest, Ruyi was up and about again. She was playing a game of go with Xiao Lan in the courtyard when Yuming arrived.
"Miss Xu," he said with a bow. "His Highness is here to see you."
She paused the game and looked up to find Sun Jingxuan standing before her.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I came to see how you're doing," he replied. "But it seems the arrow caused little harm."
"You—" Ruyi snapped in annoyance. "If you're here to cause trouble, then leave."
He took a seat and glanced at Yuming, signaling him to excuse them.
Yuming bowed and left. Xiao Lan followed suit without being told, leaving the two alone.
"How are you?" he asked.
"You actually care?" She countered.
Sun Jingxuan her for a long moment before speaking. "You chose that moment, didn't you?"
Ruyi's fingers rested on the go piece without looking up. "If I hadn't," she said calmly, "there wouldn't have been a moment left to choose."
His jaw tightened. "So you took the arrow on purpose? You didn't care if killed you?"
She finally met his gaze, her eyes steady. "You're asking the wrong question."
"And what's the right one?"
"Why were there nails on the training ground in the first place."
"You're saying this wasn't an accident?"
Ruyi let out a soft chuckle. "Do you think nails would just scatter themselves accross a training ground?"
He watched her closely. "For all I know, it could have been your doing. There's nothing you're incapable of."
Without a word, Ruyi pulled her robe aside, revealing her scar.
Sun Jingxuan quickly turned his head away. "Shameless."
"If I planned it," she shot back, adjusting her sleeve, "would I have taken the arrow-head on? What would that make me—a fool?"
Sun Jingxuan remained silent.
Then he spoke quietly. "So someone deliberately plunged the training ground into chaos." He looked at her. "But for what reason?"