Volume One, Chapter Fourteen: A Grudge Repayed, A Grievance Avenge

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Zhao Wan ignored her and looked directly at Pei Jing, a hint of grievance in her voice: “I’m just missing my father... Seventh Prince, please take me there.”

Shen Zhi rolled her eyes beside her, about to intervene, when Pei Jing casually said, “Whatever.”

Shen Zhi felt the words choke her throat.

It was as if he had lost all means and strength.

“Whatever” he said—could he really let Zhao Wan bully her like this?

...

Pei Jing and Shen Zhi walked shoulder to shoulder ahead, with Zhao Wan following behind. She glanced at a nearby maid and asked, “Is everything arranged?”

“Miss, it’s all set!” the maid replied.

Zhao Wan nodded, her days of good mood vanishing in an instant. She smoothed her hair and curled her lips into a cold smile. Shen Zhi, today you will die on this archery field!

Nearby, Pei Huai and Shen Qi were seated beside the Emperor. Pei Jing and Shen Zhi approached respectfully, bowing to the Emperor: “Your son pays respects, Father!”

The Emperor glanced at him, waving dismissively, “Ah Jing, perform well.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Pei Jing bowed respectfully.

Emperor Pei Ce rose and looked over the archery field, now fully prepared. He loudly proclaimed, “Esteemed ministers! Today is the annual archery competition. The rules remain the same!”

“I hope all will compete honorably! The ultimate victor shall receive my pair of Nine Mystical Scaled Cups!”

“As per tradition, the contest begins at the first moment of the hour of Wei. You may test your archery now.”

Shen Zhi’s eyes lit up at the mention of the Nine Mystical Scaled Cups—she had only heard of them in the past life but never seen one. She glanced at Pei Jing and cleared her throat twice: “Your Highness, you should... be able to participate, right?”

Seeing her hopeful gaze, Pei Jing chose to ignore it: “I have no interest in that cup.”

Shen Zhi’s face fell. She was familiar with the competition’s rules and began to explain: “The archery contest is held in groups of four, twelve groups total, gathered in the center of the field. Each group has four targets hung on poles behind them. If your target is shot down first, you lose and are eliminated, until only one group remains.”

Thinking this over, Shen Zhi hesitated: “Your Highness, where shall we find two more people to join us?”

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Pei Jing looked at her skeptically: “You?”

Seeing his doubtful gaze, Shen Zhi bristled with defiance: “What’s wrong with me? I’m the general’s daughter—riding and archery are no challenge for me!”

Pei Jing nodded but showed no sign of belief.

“It’s still a long time until the first moment of Wei,” Shen Zhi said, looking down. Soon after, the Emperor and Empress withdrew, signaling the start of the competition.

The archery field buzzed with groups forming. Ahead, Pei Huai and Shen Qi were surrounded by sycophantic royal nephews: “Great Prince! May I have the luck to join your group?”

“Ah! Gongsun Yuan, the Great Prince is already reserved for me!”

Shen Qi stood beside Pei Huai, grinning ear to ear: “Brother Huai, you’re amazing! Everyone wants to join your team.”

She then glanced at Pei Jing and Shen Zhi standing alone and scoffed: “Look at the Seventh Prince and Princess—no one even bothers to form a group with them.”

Pei Huai just smiled silently.

Hearing Shen Qi’s words, Shen Zhi rolled her eyes again, irritated. She whispered to Pei Jing: “Don’t you think Pei Huai’s smile is fake? It’s disgusting.”

“Elder sister, what kind of look is that? Do you disdain me and the Great Prince?” Shen Qi approached. “Have you found teammates yet? How about... we team up?”

Pei Huai also stepped forward, looking at Pei Jing: “Seventh Brother, why not join us?”

“Not interested. I disdain fools,” Pei Jing replied coldly.

Shen Zhi couldn’t help but laugh outright. As expected, Pei Jing didn’t care who it was—he would confront them straight away.

“Word is the Seventh Princess is skilled in horseback archery since childhood. How about a match?” A woman stepped forward, eyes full of challenge.

“We’ll each have an apple on our heads; the first to shoot the other’s apple down wins,” she proposed.

Shen Zhi looked at her. The woman had a strong, athletic figure, her long ponytail tied with a red ribbon.

This was Wu Xuewei, Zhao Wan’s close confidante. In the previous life, she admired Pei Jing and, seeing him ignore her, flirted with Pei Huai instead.

It seemed she considered every man in the world hers.

Clearly, she knew Shen Zhi would come to the archery contest and was here to assert dominance.

Shen Zhi curled her lips silently.

“Why, the general’s daughter doesn’t dare?” Wu Xuewei sneered. “Such cowardice is unworthy of the Seventh Princess!”

Shen Zhi burst out laughing: “Shen Qi is also a general’s daughter. Why don’t you challenge her? Everyone knows the Shen family’s legitimate daughter is frail and delicate. I am different—I was born with a golden spoon, delicate and precious. Miss Wu’s pressure is truly malicious. If you accidentally harm me, it would be a capital offense.”

Her smile was sweet, her face gentle and obedient, yet her words were cutting.

Wu Xuewei lost her biological father young, raised by her mother alone. Shen Zhi’s words mocked her lack of a father.

To be merciful to enemies is to be cruel to oneself.

Her words struck the deepest wound.

As expected, Wu Xuewei’s expression changed instantly.

“Sister, what you say makes it seem like we’re bullying Miss Wu. We of the general’s household should not be so petty,” Shen Qi said, taking Wu Xuewei’s hand with concern. “Miss Wu lost her father early; how can you, favored by our uncle, insult her so?”

Shen Zhi’s eyes darkened slowly, but her smile remained. She nodded: “Is that so? Then in your next life, Miss Wu should be luckier and born into a better family.”

“What! Shen Zhi! What do you mean by that?” Wu Xuewei’s nose twisted in anger.

Shen Zhi casually picked up an arrow: “Nothing. Miss Wu wanted to compete with me, right? Fine, but my condition is: you, Shen Qi, and Zhao Wan all come at once.”

Her gaze grew calm. She always repaid grievances and enmities in kind. Since they came to provoke her, she would not hold back.

“To prevent others from saying the Shen daughters lack courage and spirit, unworthy of the Seventh Princess and this high station!”

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