Chapter 8 : Competition

For no reason, why did Yue Shaozhi take out the silver hairpin?

Song Ruoer pondered as she walked. She took off the silver hairpin and examined the exquisite pattern, suddenly wondering had Song Ying worn this hairpin before?

“Husband.” On the way back, Song Ruoer gently placed her hands on Yue Shaozhi’s legs. She looked at the man’s handsome profile, unsure how to begin.

“What’s wrong?” Yue Shaozhi took her hand and gently rubbed it. As he lowered his eyes, he noticed that the silver hairpin on her head was missing. “Where’s the hairpin I gave you?”

Song Ruoer lowered her head and whispered, “Sister said she saw you take out this hairpin…”

Yue Shaozhi realized she had misunderstood. He calmly explained, “Yes, I did think of giving it to her back then, but I felt she wasn’t worthy of it yet.”

Song Ruoer stared at the embroidery on his robe and nodded. “I’m sorry, I was too suspicious.”

Yue Shaozhi lifted her chin and kissed her lips. “Don’t bottle things up again. If you’re curious, just ask me directly.”

With those words, Song Ruoer’s heart felt much lighter. She hugged Yue Shaozhi’s neck and responded to his kiss…

—

Princess Ziyang hosted an autumn banquet at her private estate, and she had personally written Song Ying’s name on the invitation. So even if Song Ying didn’t want to go, she had no choice.

When she was the Regent Princess, she had many dealings with these noble ladies.

Among them, some were friendly, some hostile. Princess Ziyang belonged to the latter.

Riding in a carriage into the East Suburb Paddock, Song Ying lifted the curtain and looked out. There were many people, men and women, some already practicing archery.

“Miss, Miss Li is here too.”

Following Faer’s gaze, Song Ying saw Li Xingrou sitting in a pavilion with several young ladies, chatting and snacking on melons.

Faer pouted. “When Miss Li sees you later, she’ll definitely start chattering again.”

Song Ying replied, “It’s fine, it’s not her first time.”

Faer muttered, “Before, Miss Li didn’t dare act up because you were the Regent Princess. But now that you’re divorced, she’ll definitely take this chance to humiliate you. And Princess Ziyang clearly invited you just to embarrass you. So petty!”

Song Ying gently smoothed her bangs. “Don’t say such things. If someone hears, you’ll get smacked and locked in a dark room with no meat to eat.”

Faer clenched her fists. “I’m not afraid.”

Song Ying gave a small nod. Her affection for the girl wasn’t misplaced.

After getting out of the carriage, Song Ying followed Zhou to greet Princess Ziyang, Yue Miaoxi.

“Oh my, what a rare guest! I thought you wouldn’t come.”

Now that Song Ying was no longer the Regent Princess, she had to bow respectfully to Yue Miaoxi.

“Since the princess personally invited me, I naturally couldn’t refuse such an honor.”

Yue Miaoxi glanced at her, then looked behind Song Ying and suddenly laughed. “Look who else is here.”

It was Song Ruoer, the new Regent Princess.

Yue Miaoxi personally stepped forward to welcome her. Now that Song Ruoer had status, everyone else naturally lowered themselves to flatter her.

“Mother, sister, we’re all family. No need for such formality.”

Yue Miaoxi said meaningfully, “The princess is so sensible, unlike some who forgot their place once they had power.”

That remark was sharp, and everyone in the pavilion stilled, anticipating a good show.

What about Song Ying?

She didn’t respond. In fact, she mimicked the others and turned to look at Yue Miaoxi as if she, too, were watching a drama unfold.

This made Yue Miaoxi quite unhappy. She had fully intended to embarrass Song Ying today.

Just then, a woman entered. “Hey, what’s going on here?”

Song Ying turned and saw Li Xingrou.

Li Xingrou walked straight up to her. “I knew it. I saw you from a distance and thought I was seeing things. Turns out it really was you.”

Faer felt heartache for her mistress. Between the princess and Miss Li, her young lady was about to suffer a double assault.

Song Ying nodded calmly. “Yes, it’s me. Miss Li, is something the matter?”

Li Xingrou snorted. “Song Ying, do you dare compete with me?”

Song Ying. “Compete in what?”

Li Xingrou pointed to the archery targets on the field. “Three arrows. Hit the bull’s eye and you win.”

Song Ying. “And if I lose?”

Li Xingrou smiled maliciously. “Then the loser must serve the winner like a servant for ten days. Do you dare?”

Faer gasped and covered her mouth. “You’re taking it this far?!”

Everyone’s eyes were focused on Song Ying. Everyone knew that Li Xingrou’s father was the Minister of War, and she had practiced martial arts since childhood, she was skilled in riding and archery. Song Ying, on the other hand, was known as a sheltered noblewoman who only dabbled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Archery? That was completely beyond her.

Yue Miaoxi, however, was thoroughly enjoying this situation, certain that Song Ying was doomed to lose.

“Song Ying, do you dare? If you don’t, then go ahead and kneel before Miss Li and admit defeat, save yourself the humiliation of being a servant in her household.”

Song Ying looked at Yue Miaoxi, her gaze steady, then smiled. “Why not?”

Gasps spread through the crowd, first from surprise that she actually accepted, and then from glee at the drama about to unfold.

Song Ying took off her outer robe, rolled up her sleeves, and took the bow and arrows handed to her by a servant.

Seeing her almost lose her grip on the bow, Faer rushed forward anxiously. “Miss, are you alright?”

“It’s… a bit heavy.”

Half the people at the banquet were not fond of Song Ying. When word spread that she was going to compete in archery with Li Xingrou, many rushed over to watch.

The match hadn’t even started yet, but whispers were already flying.

“Song Ying knows archery? More likely she just practices embroidery at home.”

“If I were her, I’d have already begged for mercy and left in tears.”

“Is being divorced by the Regent not humiliating enough? Does she want to make herself even more of a laughingstock?”

“She’s gone mad, clearly.”

Their mocking words drifted to Song Ying’s ears one after another. Faer’s cheeks flushed red with rage. “Miss, let me go beat them up!”

“Don’t be silly. You’ll just get beaten. I won’t have the strength to save you.”

Faer stomped her foot. “Miss, let’s just leave. Win or lose, it doesn’t matter.”

“Hush, I’m trying to draw the bow.”

The crowd erupted into laughter at her awkward stance.

Meanwhile, Song Ruoer and Zhou stood on the viewing platform, quietly watching Song Ying in the middle of the field.

“Mother, should we…”

Zhou replied coldly, “Leave her. She agreed to this herself.”

“Sister is definitely going to lose. If Father finds out about this…”

“She did this of her own accord. It has nothing to do with the Marquis’ Mansion.”

Just then, Song Ruoer’s maid arrived to report that Yue Shaozhi had come.

Naturally, Song Ruoer was delighted and hurried off to meet him.

Yue Shaozhi had come after handling some business. Seeing the crowd around the archery field, he asked his attendant, Yu Liang, “What’s going on over there?”

Yu Liang ran off to check and returned quickly.

“Your Highness, it’s Miss Song competing in archery against Miss Li.”

“Oh?” Yue Shaozhi raised an eyebrow. He remembered clearly, Song Ying didn’t know anything about these things. Most of the time, he only saw her using needle and thread, patching up his clothes.

He used to be annoyed by her fussing. As the regent, did he really need someone to mend his clothes?

Yu Liang added, “The two made a wager. The loser will serve in the winner’s household for ten days.”

Yue Shaozhi paused. Just then, Song Ruoer came over to greet him, and he quickened his pace.

“Husband.” Song Ruoer threw her arms around him. “Why are you here?”

Yue Shaozhi kissed the tip of her nose. “Naturally, I came to see you.”

Song Ruoer blushed. “No, we’re still out in public…”

Yue Shaozhi held her close. “What are you afraid of? If anyone dares to look at you, I’ll gouge out their eyes.”

Song Ruoer shook her head. “Don’t say that, it’s too frightening.”

Yue Shaozhi took her hand. “Shall we go home?”

Just as Song Ruoer was about to agree, a sudden scream erupted from the archery field—

“Ah…”