Shen Miao stared at him without moving.

She had warned Xie Jingxing, and naturally was prepared for him to come on stage, but she hadn’t expected it to be in this scenario, leaving her somewhat bemused. It seemed as if Xie Jingxing was deliberately coming to her rescue, but that wasn’t the case.

Xie Changwu also hadn’t expected Xie Jingxing to suddenly appear. He had only come today to please the Cai family, thinking that since Shen Miao had already offended them, if he could humiliate her and punish her on the Cai family’s behalf, they would naturally be favorably disposed toward him. Although Shen Miao’s archery seemed impressive, there was a natural disparity in strength between women and men, and Cai Lin had failed because he had underestimated his opponent.

But Xie Changwu was not one to underestimate others. If possible, he would even make subtle alterations to the arrows—after all, Shen Miao wasn’t someone who regularly practiced martial arts, so she definitely wouldn’t notice.

He had calculated so carefully, yet never expected his elder brother to emerge from nowhere.

Not only were the Xie brothers stunned, but all the other spectators below the platform were also shocked. If the Marquis of Lin’an were here today, he would likely be dumbfounded as well. Year after year of examinations, Xie Jingxing had never participated, but despite this, everyone knew he excelled in both civil and military arts, especially the latter. Though he didn’t compete, he had accompanied the army a few times, and his performance had always been eye-opening. If not for concerns about drawing too much attention and arousing imperial suspicions, Xie Jingxing’s reputation on the battlefield would be no less than that of veteran generals.

But his non-participation in the annual examinations wasn’t to allay royal suspicions. It was purely because he was unconventional, seemingly born with a rebellious streak, or perhaps deliberately opposing his father—in any case, he looked down on performing at the examinations. Because he didn’t participate, people turned their attention to the two illegitimate sons of the Lin’an Marquis’s household. Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao had worked hard, and each year they usually achieved several top rankings.

But this year, with the carefree young marquis competing against his two outstanding half-brothers, who would win?

Although Xie Jingxing’s reputation preceded him, people tended to believe what they saw with their own eyes. Xie Jingxing hadn’t displayed his talents in Jing City. Women could only glean information about this young man’s brilliance from their husbands’ casual remarks, but hearsay was uncertain, and they ultimately harbored some doubts.

Those young men of similar age, while envying Xie Jingxing’s freedom and nonconformity, also felt some jealousy alongside their admiration. Now, seeing the possibility of dampening Xie Jingxing’s edge, they were somewhat pleased. Moreover, the two Xie brothers were sociable, with many friends among the young men, who were largely supporting Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao.

As for the young women, they had already blushed at Xie Jingxing’s handsome features. Observing his extraordinary demeanor, so different from the soft, effeminate quality of Jing City’s young dandies—like ice with a hint of vigor, yet always smiling mischievously—made him exceptionally charming. Thus, the girls wholeheartedly favored Xie Jingxing.

Shen Miao took in everyone’s expressions. Perhaps they all thought that Xie Jingxing’s challenge to his two brothers was merely a whim, the temperament of a noble young master. However… Shen Miao smiled slightly. Xie Jingxing wasn’t someone to be trifled with. Now that he had ascended the examination platform, there was no possibility of his two half-brothers leaving unscathed. The difference between Xie Jingxing and herself was that, although she appeared to act arrogantly on the surface, she still had a methodical approach, knowing that she needed to proceed gradually to achieve her goals.

But Xie Jingxing, perhaps relying on the support of the Lin’an Marquis’s household, was fearless.

Yet was the Lin’an Marquis’s household all he had behind him?

While she was pondering, Xie Changwu spoke from below the platform: “Elder Brother, this… may not be appropriate.”

“What’s inappropriate about it?” Xie Jingxing glanced at Shen Miao, then at Xie Changwu, and suddenly smiled. He said, “Or do you think Shen Miao presents more of a challenge than this young marquis?”

A burst of laughter erupted from below.

Xie Jingxing continued scrutinizing Shen Miao critically: “No inner strength, no martial arts skills, yet you challenge her in archery. You’re also trained in martial arts, but choosing to compete with a girl who couldn’t even tie up a chicken—I cannot comprehend this.” He suddenly smiled, his voice low and magnetic: “However, the little girl is quite pretty. If you were challenging based on appearance, it would be justified.”

At this, the young men who had been holding back their smiles burst into laughter, some even casting suggestive glances at Shen Miao. Indeed, now that Shen Miao had shed her stupid image, her entire countenance seemed to glow. She was naturally pretty, with a charming and adorable appearance, yet incredibly composed—this contrast made it hard to look away. But her previous image had been so firmly established that people couldn’t immediately adjust their perception. Xie Jingxing’s words had pierced through that veil, and the young men unhesitatingly agreed that Shen Miao was a very special beauty.

The girls, however, were displeased. Xie Jingxing’s words were praising Shen Miao’s appearance. Shen Yue and Shen Qing both changed expressions simultaneously. Although they now admired Fu Xiuyi, there were many exceptionally handsome men in the world, not just Fu Xiuyi. A young man like Xie Jingxing was unique in Jing City, even in all of Ming Qi. For such a young man to praise that fool made the already proud Shen Yue and Shen Qing extremely jealous.

Yi Peilan frowned and muttered, “Has Young Marquis Xie gone blind? How could he think Shen Miao is attractive?”

“She must have bewitched him somehow,” Bai Wei bit her lip and stared hard at the young man on the platform. “Shen Miao is truly shameless, previously clinging to Prince Jin, and now pursuing Young Marquis Xie.”

Shen Miao wasn’t aware of their gossip, but even if she had been, she would have simply smiled it off. Because she knew that Xie Jingxing’s purpose in saying these words was neither to tease her nor to rescue her, but to use a method that the two Xie brothers couldn’t refuse, forcing them onto the stage.

Objectively speaking, the two Xie brothers naturally didn’t want to face off against Xie Jingxing. Setting aside who would win or lose, Xie Ding had always favored his legitimate son. If the illegitimate sons challenged the legitimate son on the examination platform, what would Xie Ding think? Only that the brothers weren’t getting along. And the biased Xie Ding would certainly be displeased with the two brothers.

Therefore, Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao would try to find ways to decline, but Xie Jingxing was clever—he didn’t force them, but directly provoked them.

Indeed, Xie Changwu’s reluctance to challenge Xie Jingxing while wanting to challenge a defenseless Shen Miao seemed too strange. His ulterior motives were displayed before everyone.

To dispel this notion, to prove that he wasn’t trying to curry favor with the Cai family, Xie Changwu had no choice but to take the stage and compete with Xie Jingxing. This was a reluctant move, but once he agreed, his scheme to use Shen Miao to get close to the Cai family would fail—he would lose either way.

He reluctantly stood up: “Since Elder Brother has spoken, how could I not comply?”

Xie Jingxing wouldn’t give him any opportunity to complain. On the battlefield, whoever he wanted to lose would lose without mercy.

“One person is not enough,” he raised an eyebrow: “Third Brother, join us as well.”