Volume One, Chapter 16: The Proud Fourth Prince—A Cowardly Mouse in Disguise!
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After Xiang Zhu appeared holding the target, Zhao Ye’s attention was fixed on who had chosen the arrow target she was holding. When he saw it was Jiang Menghan’s, he silently thought, this is not good.
The target was held sideways above the head. Eight people, men and women alternating, walked along a deliberately drawn path on the ground. Although speed was not specified, they definitely couldn’t move too fast; if anyone caught up to the person in front and pressed the target against the same spot, it would be easy to get hurt and would anger their masters, leading to punishment.
When Xiang Zhu heard that this game was Jiang Menghan’s idea, she knew she was doomed.
Back when Minister Jiang was still leading troops into battle, Jiang Menghan had often followed him, brandishing swords and spears by his side.
Jiang Menghan had been spoiled since childhood. Today, because a lowly palace maid was publicly scolded by Zhao Ye, causing her to lose face, Jiang Menghan naturally wanted to find an opportunity to vent the frustration bottled up in her chest.
From the corner of her eye, Xiang Zhu saw Jiang Menghan already nocking an arrow and drawing her bow.
Her heart began pounding violently.
Her mind raced, considering whether she could fake a slip and fall to avoid the arrow, or perhaps claim her injured wrist couldn’t hold the target properly and bend down to drop it.
No.
If she acted like that, she would become the focus of the entire scene, and rumors would spread that would disgrace both herself and Zhao Ye.
If the Empress in the palace were to hear about it and inquire, the consequences…
Xiang Zhu dared not gamble.
The only thing she dared to bet on was that in such a situation, there might be bleeding, but Jiang Menghan would not take her life on the spot.
It would only be skin-deep pain; she could endure it.
After fully preparing herself mentally, Xiang Zhu no longer feared the arrow, no matter which part of her body it would strike.
The sharp arrow pierced through the air. The targets held by the two people in front and behind Xiang Zhu were both hit.
They were attendants of Ouyang Yanwan and Cui Nanlu, shot by Han Xiuwen and Zhao Ye respectively.
Further ahead were Zhao Yuanshuang’s maid and Zhao Jing’s page boy.
The brother and sister had lent each other their servants.
As their targets were struck, Xiang Zhu also sensed the fierce arrow’s presence nearing her.
Life-threatening, Xiang Zhu summoned all her strength to steady her hand and firmly grasp the target, holding her breath to calm her pounding heart, and kept moving forward.
“Snap.”
The arrow tip seemed to have been struck by something, embedding itself into the ground by Xiang Zhu’s foot.
Lowering her gaze to the humming arrow shaft, she carefully searched and finally caught sight of a tiny white object, no larger than her pinky nail, faintly glowing with golden light… a pebble?
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Someone had struck the arrow shot by Jiang Menghan.
Xiang Zhu suppressed the urge to investigate what it was and who had saved her, ignoring the scene to continue moving forward.
The targets, before their masters ordered a stop, had no right to stop on their own.
The people around her, their red bullseyes already pierced, still held their targets and stepped forward, awaiting the masters’ second shots.
“Who was it?”
“Zhao Ye! Why did you shoot down my arrow?”
Jiang Menghan’s first reaction was to blame Zhao Ye, raising her bow to aim directly at him.
“Han’er!” Jiang Tianzhi broke out in a cold sweat, quickly stepping in front of Jiang Menghan’s arrow.
Ouyang Yanwan also stepped forward two paces. Though she didn’t place Zhao Ye behind her for full protection, the distance was close enough that if Jiang Menghan really released the arrow, Ouyang could immediately deflect it to shield Zhao Ye.
Zhao Ye, watching Xiang Zhu, felt his heart, which had been in his throat, return to his chest. Meeting Jiang Menghan’s furious glare, he said calmly, “Miss Jiang, instead of looking for the reason why your arrow missed your own target, you blame others for knocking it down?”
He had the chance to deflect Jiang Menghan’s arrow, but with Ouyang Yanwan and Han Xiuwen beside him, his small actions would not go unnoticed by them.
Therefore, he signaled Yuanbao to act at the right moment.
Yuanbao’s timing was perfect; once this was over, Zhao Ye would reward him.
“Zhao Ye, I was already on the battlefield with my father at twelve, fighting enemies. Moving a simple human target is nothing. If no one interfered, why would I miss?”
Jiang Menghan spoke with arrogance.
Among those present, only the Ouyang family’s descendants commanded her respect. Even though Zhao Ye was the Fourth Prince, so what?
A man who knew he had a fiancée but did not behave himself had no right to lecture her.
Would Jiang Menghan bow to Zhao Ye because of royal authority and acknowledge his actions?
Impossible!
If not for Zhao Ye’s status, the whip would not have struck only that lowly maid; she would have whipped Zhao Ye as well.
“Your Highness, my cousin has been spoiled since childhood and speaks without restraint due to her straightforward nature. I hope Your Highness can forgive her disrespect.”
Jiang Tianzhi, despite doting on Jiang Menghan, was now terrified and wanted to cover her mouth.
Even though the Fourth Prince rarely used his power to suppress them, as the legitimate son of the Emperor and the Empress’s own brother, he did not want the entire Jiang family of hundreds to be thrown under the executioner’s blade because of Jiang Menghan’s reckless temper.
“Cousin! What did I say that was wrong?”
Jiang Menghan was relentless.
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“That lowly maid was brought here by Zhao Ye. Just now, I wanted to lash her once to defend Wan’er, but Zhao Ye, disregarding his status, shielded her with his arms. Didn’t you all see that? So why would I use her as a target?”
“He must have feared I would hurt the one he cherishes most, so he used this sneaky trick.”
“The noble Fourth Prince, yet such a coward who dares to do but not admit it! Ha, ha, truly a laughingstock!”
Zhao Ye had witnessed Jiang Menghan’s spoiled arrogance firsthand. He took a deep breath, striving to keep his voice calm and steady.
“Miss Jiang, I have Yanwan and Xiuwen by my side. If I had truly done this, would they not have noticed?”
Hearing this, Jiang Menghan looked at Ouyang Yanwan. “Wan’er, tell me the truth. I trust you wouldn’t lie to defend Zhao Ye.”
Ouyang Yanwan nodded. “I truly did not notice any other movements from Ah Ye just now. Xiuwen, what about you?”
She smiled gently at Han Xiuwen.
Han Xiuwen also nodded in agreement. “Indeed, and not to boast, but at such a close range, I would certainly notice if the Fourth Prince made any other moves. So, Miss Jiang, this was not the Fourth Prince’s doing. You have misunderstood him.”
“If it’s not Zhao Ye, I will apologize. But other than Zhao Ye, who else would deliberately deflect my arrow?”
Jiang Menghan lowered her bow, her gaze sweeping over everyone present.
Zhao Jing and Zhao Yuanshuang, the brother and sister, shook their heads repeatedly.
They liked stirring up excitement, but not causing trouble.
Suddenly, Jiang Menghan thought of something and asked Zhao Ye, “What about the eunuch you brought from the palace? He looks sturdy, clearly a skilled fighter. Call him here; I want to question him face to face!”
Ouyang Yanwan, thinking of Yuanbao’s skill, glanced at Zhao Ye’s expression, not missing the fleeting anger in his eyes.
It was indeed Yuanbao.
Ouyang Yanwan’s heart sank.
“Han’er,” Jiang Tianzhi noticed the unnatural expression flickering across Zhao Ye’s face and quietly warned Jiang Menghan to stop.
But Jiang Menghan refused to relent.
“If it was Yuanbao, then it was on Zhao Ye’s orders. What wrong have I done by questioning Zhao Ye?”
Zhao Ye took a deep breath. “Fine, I…”
“Miss Jiang, please do not misunderstand the Fourth Prince. It was I who acted just now.”
The melodious voice, soft and clear as pearls falling on jade, attracted everyone’s attention. When they saw the person emerging from the woods, all were stunned.