Chapter 32

Chapter 32

The archery range buzzed with people. As Ye Shuang and Jun Xian approached, the crowd respectfully parted. Through the dispersing throng, Ye Shuang saw Xiao Lin at the center, drawing his bow and aiming for the bullseye, his posture eerily identical to that night three years ago. A flicker of malice, even darker than before, crossed his eyes.

Ye Shuang's lips curled into a sarcastic smile. She had known all along that Xiao Lin would never change.

Jun Xian tugged at Ye Shuang’s arm. "Sister Ye, would you like to give it a try?"

Ye Shuang waved her hand dismissively. "No, thank you. If you’re interested, Princess, you should try it yourself."

Princess Junxian lowered her head, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "I don’t know how."

Ye Shuang was slightly surprised. "Has Liu Yiyi not even taught the Princess archery?"

Princess Junxian shook her head sadly.

What on earth has Liu Yiyi been doing all this time?

"Sister Liu mostly enters the palace to see Marquis Yongding. When Father and Mother Consort are around, she teaches me properly. But when no one is watching, she either makes me copy texts or has another tutor, Sister Wu Min, teach me instead. She refuses to teach certain things herself and forbids others from teaching them too. Sister Wu Min couldn’t stand it anymore and used her marriage as an excuse to resign from her tutoring position. In truth, getting married shouldn't have affected her work, and her husband’s family didn’t object either."

Ye Shuang suddenly understood. "So that’s how it is."

Xiao Lin finally noticed Ye Shuang’s presence. He grudgingly lowered his bow, a hint of discomfort on his face. "Ye Shuang... I..."

He stared vexedly at the bow and arrows in his hands, unsure whether to hold them or put them down. It had been three years since he last touched a bow. Just moments ago, he had seen Pei Yu practicing archery here and, wanting to compete, had forgotten himself in the heat of the moment. And now, of all people, Ye Shuang had witnessed it.

"It seems the Marquis’s archery skills have refined. You must have practiced day and night these past few years. What? Did you feel your aim was off back then, failing to kill two birds with one stone? What a disappointment that must have been for you."

Xiao Lin replied, "It’s not what you think. I haven’t touched a bow in years."

"Oh? Then why pick it up again today for no reason? Could it be that you’re dissatisfied to see me still alive and want to take another shot at me?"

Xiao Lin was tongue-tied, unable to defend himself. "Shuang'er, it’s not what you think."

Ye Shuang couldn't be bothered with his excuses and turned to leave.

Xiao Lin stepped forward to block her path, his tone urgent. "Shuang'er, believe me, I had no choice back then. I would never endanger your life. My aim is precise—I would never have hurt you. You have to believe me."

Ye Shuang gave him an exasperated look and laughed in disbelief. "The Marquis certainly has confidence in himself. By that logic, should I thank you for showing mercy?"

Xiao Lin fell silent.

Ye Shuang sidestepped him and continued walking.

Xiao Lin hurried after her, blurting out abruptly, "Do you know what day it is today? The eighth day of the second lunar month."

Ye Shuang paused.

The eighth day of the second lunar month...

"It’s the day we got married four years ago."

Her expression shifted slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and asked with a smile, "So what?"

"Did you have to choose today to attend this banquet?" Xiao Lin’s brows furrowed in pain, his tone accusatory.

Ye Shuang averted her gaze, her expression calm and unruffled. "That’s a rather unreasonable thing to say, Marquis. I didn’t choose the date. Besides, even if I had, what does it matter? Should I offer you three cups of wine every year on this day to mourn our dead marriage?"

"You..." Xiao Lin was at a loss for words. "I know you still resent me. If it would ease your anger, you can shoot an arrow at me to vent. I won’t complain."

Ye Shuang looked up, her eyes lighting up. "Really?"

Xiao Lin marched back, picked up an arrow, and handed the bow and arrows to Ye Shuang.

By now, everyone in the garden had gathered around, even those lurking in the shadows. They formed a circle around the two.

Ye Shuang looked at the bow and arrows, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "What is the Marquis implying?"

"Just shoot today. If I get wounded or maimed, I’ll consider it my own bad luck."

"Don’t joke, Marquis. You say that now, but if something happens, you might change your tune."

Xiao Lin’s gaze was firm. "I won’t. As long as it helps you vent your anger, I won’t go back on my word with so many people watching."

Without hesitation, Ye Shuang took the bow and arrows. "Fine." Then she added, "Just one arrow?"

Xiao Lin was taken aback but quickly pulled over a quiver of arrows and shoved it into her arms. "Take them all. Shoot until you’re satisfied."

Jun Xian’s mouth hung open in astonishment.

Whispers could be heard from the crowd: "So many arrows? Wouldn’t the Marquis become a pincushion?"

Ye Shuang chuckled softly, set down the quiver, and shook her head with a smile. "I'll shoot one arrow first. The Marquis can decide after seeing it."

She walked to the shooting line, bow in hand, and drew the string back like a full moon.

A sudden breeze swept through the garden, tousling the loose strands of hair at her temples and billowing her sleeves, filling the air with fragrance.

Pei Yu, intrigued, also stepped closer.

Ye Shuang fixed her eyes on the bullseye and loosed the arrow cleanly.

The arrow whistled through the air, cutting against the wind, and struck the center of the target dead-on.

The crowd fell into stunned silence. Xiao Lin was also frozen in place.

Not yet satisfied, Ye Shuang bent down to pick up another arrow. Her fingers brushed over the fletching as she deftly grabbed three arrows with one hand, using four fingers, nocking them simultaneously onto the bowstring. Her upper arm guiding her forearm, she drew the bow to its fullest.

Three arrows shot forth together, all hitting the bullseye and knocking off the previous arrow.

Only then did the onlookers realize that the arrow Xiao Lin had shot earlier had been dislodged at some point.

...

The spectators were speechless. Xiao Lin was equally dumbfounded, unsure whether to feel joy or worry. "When did you learn archery? Was it during these three years? I never imagined you could reach such a level in such a short time!"

Jun Xian looked at her with admiration. "Sister Shuang, you’re truly amazing! If only you could be my tutor—my archery skills would improve leaps and bounds!"

"This is impossible!" Pei Shu shouted from the crowd. "Who knows what trickery you’re using!"

Ye Shuang cast a sidelong glance at her and noticed Ye Cheng standing nearby.

Ye Cheng sneered. "Showing off has its limits."

Unfazed, Ye Shuang picked up another arrow and turned toward Ye Cheng. The crowd immediately scattered to both sides.

"Y-you... what are you doing..." Ye Cheng stammered, stepping backward.

Pei Shu wanted to shield her but hesitated, too afraid to step forward.

Ye Shuang narrowed her eyes as if taking aim. "What do you think would happen?"

"Don’t do anything reckless!" Ye Cheng's voice trembled. "If you hurt me, Father won’t let you get away with this!"

Ye Shuang's gaze darkened, her tone turning cold. "Actually, you're right. My archery is hit or miss—not very consistent. That earlier shot was just luck—next time might be different. Care to test that theory?"

Ye Cheng was too frightened to move, clinging tightly to Pei Shu, who was almost crying, shouting for Pei Yu: "Brother, get over here! Help us!"

Pei Yu stepped forward. "Miss Ye, your archery skills are truly impressive. Please don’t hold it against them—they’re just kids; they don’t know any better."

"Anyone can see Miss Ye’s archery wasn’t mastered in a day or two. But besides time, archery also requires a knack for it. It seems Miss Ye has a natural talent for it! My sister was rude and offended you. I offer my apologies for her behavior."

Ye Shuang suddenly felt bored and lazily set the equipment down. "There’s no need for that, Sir. It’s all just parlor tricks for entertainment, nothing of real substance. I just had an itch to try it today."

Ye Cheng, as if pardoned, grabbed Pei Shu and ran off.

Ye Shuang put her things away and turned around as if startled. "Oh! I almost forgot the Marquis is here! What do you say, Marquis? Should I keep using you as a target to take out my frustrations?"

Xiao Lin looked uncomfortable, stammering, "I—"

Ye Shuang quickly smiled. "Just kidding! I was just joking with you, Marquis!"

Xiao Lin’s face fell, while Pei Yu bit back a laugh.

Just then, Ye Shuang caught sight of Song Yun in the distance and decided to drop the exchange with Xiao Lin.

She turned to Princess Junxian and said, "Your Highness, would you come with me? I’ll take you to meet someone."

Jun Xian, already impressed by Ye Shuang’s archery prowess, agreed without hesitation.

The two went over and sat down with Song Yun.

Song Yun asked, "So? Have you seen Her Majesty the Empress?"

Ye Shuang nodded and added, "This is Princess Junxian. Your Highness, this is Song Yun, daughter of General Song Yuanshan."

Song Yun bowed to the princess. After formal introductions, they sat down to have some tea and snacks.

While drinking tea, Jun Xian said, "Sister Shuang, you were truly amazing earlier! Please agree to be my instructor! I originally had two instructors, but the other, Instructor Wu, got married recently. Soon, only Sister Liu will be teaching me. I really don’t want to be left with just her, but no matter how much I beg, Father won’t let her go. However, he did promise I could choose another instructor I like."

Ye Shuang smiled helplessly. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. It’s not that Ye Shuang is unwilling to be your instructor—it’s just that I’ve only just returned to Lin’an and haven’t figured out my plans yet."

Jun Xian blinked. "Are you planning to leave again?"

"I haven’t decided yet."

The princess looked disappointed. "Alright then."

Ye Shuang thought for a moment. "Your Highness, please wait here. I need to speak with Miss Song." She patted Song Yun and said, "Come here, I have something to tell you."

Ye Shuang pulled Song Yun aside. "You once said you wanted to be an instructor. Are you still interested? If so, I can ask the princess for you."

Song Yun replied, "Have you forgotten? I’ve got other things going on now."

"Oh, I almost forgot."

Song Yun said, "I think the princess would rather have you anyway. You should consider it a bit more."

Ye Shuang hesitated. "Actually, I’m only in town for a bit. I hadn’t planned on seeing Xiao Lin, but it seems unavoidable."

Song Yun chuckled. "I saw what happened earlier—he even dared you to shoot. At sixteen, you could hunt an adult roe deer; at seventeen, you could hit moving targets. This was nothing for you. I was worried your skills might have gotten rusty after all these years, but you didn’t disappoint. It seems you’ve been living it up these past few years!"

Ye Shuang gave a modest smile. "I just like to have a good time, that’s all."

"Don’t give me that. I used to think I was the best archer in all of Lin’an—until you came along and finally gave me a real challenge. And they had the gall to show off in front of you!"

"The two of them aren’t bad either."

Song Yun said, "But they didn’t expect you to be skilled—they underestimated you! They didn’t really want to see you succeed, did they? Little did they know they’d run into a female Houyi." (Houyi is a mythological archer known for his incredible skill.)

Ye Shuang shook her head helplessly. "I didn’t want to show off like that, but I think Her Majesty is right—why bother overthinking it? I couldn’t help showing off a little; there’s no harm in it."

Song Yun looked at her approvingly. "Not bad. Three years have passed, and you’ve become much more clear-minded. The last time I saw you was over a year ago, and I asked if you were coming back, but you didn’t give me a definite answer."

"At the time, I thought I’d never return. But later, I thought—why should I avoid it? It’s not as if I wronged anyone. Now, it doesn’t matter anymore. I shouldn’t neglect those who care about me just because of people I dislike. You and Her Majesty are both very important to me. Her Majesty has always been so kind to me, constantly concerned about me and inviting me back multiple times. Of course, I had to return to Lin’an to see her."

Song Yun voiced her concern: "I’m just afraid Her Majesty might try to persuade you to reconcile with Xiao Lin."

Ye Shuang said firmly, "She won’t. Her Majesty is sensible. She told me years ago that this matter is for us to resolve ourselves—she won’t interfere."

Song Yun relaxed. "That’s good."

"So, you don’t plan to be an instructor?"

"Please don’t recommend me. I don’t want to have to deal with Liu Yiyi all day."

Ye Shuang smiled. "True. It’s just unfortunate for the princess."

"There’s no helping it. His Majesty currently relies most on Liu Wenxuan. He can’t afford to offend the Liu family right now."

Ye Shuang nodded thoughtfully. "I see."

Song Yun blinked mischievously and nudged Ye Shuang. "Did you get any new impressions today? It seems Pei Yu is quite taken with you."

Ye Shuang replied indifferently, "I’m not interested in him. I only came today to see Her Majesty—nothing more."

Song Yun gave her a meaningful look. "You might not be interested, but that doesn’t mean others aren’t."

Ye Shuang glanced up and saw Pei Yu and Xiao Lin talking not far away. The vibe between them was tense. Pei Yu noticed her first and smiled at her from a distance, nodding in greeting. Ye Shuang and Song Yun nodded back.

The next moment, Xiao Lin abruptly turned his head, his eyes shifting between Ye Shuang and Pei Yu several times before finally glaring fiercely at Pei Yu.