All the women were stunned, looking toward Qiao Zhao.

Qiao Zhao’s expression remained calm, but Princess of Xijiang couldn’t help asking: “Why?”

Prince Mu smiled: “Your Highness may step forward to take a look. This target has only one hole, while the other target though all ten holes in the bullseye area, but they are scattered about. Since this round was a competition of accuracy, who won and who lost is clear at a glance.”

Hearing Prince Mu’s explanation, everyone present immediately began discussing among themselves.

“Only one hole in the target—what’s going on? Could it be—I understand now! This means Third Miss Li’s ten arrows all hit the same spot, leaving only one hole!”

“Heavens, Third Miss Li’s archery is simply divine skill. How did she train to achieve this?”

A nearby noble lady chuckled softly: “I’d guess Marquis Guanjun taught her.”

Shao Mingyuan had sharp ears and felt quite uncomfortable hearing such speculation, gazing distantly toward Qiao Zhao.

Qiao Zhao happened to look in his direction at that moment. Their gazes collided, and she smiled slightly at him.

Seeing his beloved’s smile under everyone’s watchful eyes, Shao Mingyuan felt like a child caught misbehaving by elders, his face warming as he looked away.

The Princess of Xijiang still couldn’t believe it and quickly walked over to look. Indeed, as Prince Mu had said, the target Qiao Zhao had shot showed only one hole, while her target’s bullseye area had been shot full of holes like a honeycomb.

The Princess of Xijiang suddenly looked toward Qiao Zhao.

Could it be that this girl had anticipated from the beginning the scenario where both would hit the bullseye with all ten arrows, and thus kept this backup plan to ensure foolproof victory?

No, even if she had thought of it, she couldn’t have managed to shoot all ten arrows into the same small hole.

Princess of Xijiang’s heart surged with intense unwillingness and powerlessness.

She had confidently promised her eldest royal brother that this visit to Great Liang would surely humiliate the Great Liang noble ladies and bring honor to the Xijiang people. But why did she have to encounter such a person?

Her opponent possessed such ability and such cunning. In the future, joining forces with Marquis Guanjun, she would surely become a great threat to their Xijiang!

Killing intent suddenly arose in Princess of Xijiang’s heart, but her face showed embarrassment: “I have lost.”

She picked up her wine cup and drained it in one gulp. The Xijiang noble ladies who had accompanied her also drained their cups, each looking dispirited.

Winning the first two rounds only to lose three consecutive rounds truly made them feel humiliated.

Seeing this, Princess Mu smiled graciously and raised her cup: “This was merely to add some interest to the banquet. Winning or losing doesn’t matter much. Your Highness needn’t take it to heart. Come, let us all raise our cups to toast Your Highness.”

Ha! They won! Simply refreshing!

While drinking, Princess Mu caught sight of Prince Mu’s gaze lingering on Qiao Zhao and couldn’t help but frown secretly. After finishing her wine, she smiled at Prince Mu: “The outcome here has been revealed. Your Highness still needs to attend to the guests over there, so please return to your duties. I’m here to handle things.”

“Mm, take good care of everyone.” Prince Mu didn’t look again and led several men out. He smiled at Shao Mingyuan: “I never expected the Marquis’s fiancée to be so talented—she’s surpassed many men.”

What a pity that little girl was still young and undeveloped, still looking like a child. Who knew if she would grow into a graceful lady in another two years?

“Talent knows no gender,” Shao Mingyuan said indifferently.

Prince Mu was slightly stunned, then laughed: “The Marquis speaks truly—talent knows no gender. They’re still competing at chess in the East Garden. Let’s hurry back.”

He was currently engaged in covert competition with Fifth Brother—this wasn’t the time to offend Marquis Guanjun. Let him be arrogant for a few more days.

The competition at the West Garden concluded, and they returned to drinking and casual conversation.

Qiao Zhao returned to her seat and received an enthusiastic welcome from the noble ladies.

“Third Miss Li, how did you train your ‘three-brush simultaneous writing’?”

“My music teacher often says my technique is adequate, but I can never achieve emotional resonance. Might Third Miss Li offer some guidance?”

…

Qiao Zhao was naturally quiet by nature, and having been accustomed to cold treatment since her rebirth, she felt somewhat uncomfortable being surrounded by everyone like this. Fortunately, Lan Xinong spoke up to rescue her: “The Xijiang people are still watching. Can’t you act more reserved?”

Only then did the ladies stop talking.

Lan Xinong raised her chin slightly while looking at Qiao Zhao. After a long moment, she nodded slightly: “Thank you for today.”

Their Fushan Society had recruited the most talented noble ladies in the entire capital. When faced with such a competition, they had to step forward. But without Third Miss Li today, their Fushan Society would have become a laughingstock in the capital from now on.

“I don’t deserve Miss Lan’s thanks. As a member of Great Liang, this was naturally my duty,” Qiao Zhao sighed inwardly, unwilling to develop a deep friendship with Lan Xinong. She said apologetically, “My grandmother at home is unwell. I shouldn’t have gone out originally. Now that matters are concluded, I’ll take my leave.”

Current Chief Minister Lan Shan’s hands were stained with her family’s blood. Someday, she would settle that account, so she was destined never to be friends with Lan Xinong.

Since that was the case, it was better to keep her distance all along to avoid future difficulties.

Hearing that Qiao Zhao’s grandmother was ill, everyone naturally couldn’t insist that she stay. Xu Jinghong approached carrying the qin “Bingqing”: “Third Miss Li, your qin.”

Qiao Zhao’s gaze met Xu Jinghong’s calm eyes, and she smiled as she took the instrument: “Thank you, Miss Xu.”

Seeing that she didn’t decline, Xu Jinghong showed a faint smile: “When there’s time, I’ll visit Third Miss Li to hear you play.”

“You’re welcome anytime.” Qiao Zhao departed carrying her qin.

Lan Xinong and several others sat together in a circle. Zhu Yán suddenly smiled: “I think the position of Fushan Society’s leader shouldn’t remain vacant any longer.”

The other three all looked at her.

“Don’t all stare at me. Don’t tell me you don’t have a candidate in mind now?”

Lan Xinong said indifferently: “We’ll write a joint invitation later and ask Miss Li to come for a discussion.”

“Good.” The other three had no objections.

After this banquet, in their hearts, none but Third Miss Li could be the leader of Fushan Society.

The sun was setting in the west, and the banquet ended. Returning to her lodgings, Princess of Xijiang entered Prince Gong of Xijiang’s room with an ashen face.

“Why is the royal sister so angry?”

“Royal brother, you don’t know how much face I lost today—I lost three rounds in a row!”

“Alright, royal sister, don’t be angry. Encountering a girl who can write with three brushes simultaneously, your loss wasn’t unjust.”

Hearing this, Princess of Xijiang felt somewhat better and smiled reluctantly: “I know the loss wasn’t unjust, but I just can’t swallow this humiliation!”

“Then what does the royal sister want to do?” Prince Gong of Xijiang asked with a smile.

“Royal brother, when we return to Xijiang, you must give me that dancing girl from your residence to vent my anger!”

“Which dancing girl?”

Princess of Xijiang pushed Prince Gong of Xijiang playfully, chiding: “Royal brother is pretending to be confused! Of course, it’s the dancing girl who looks exactly like Marquis Guanjun’s fiancée!”

Prince Gong of Xijiang shook his head: “That won’t do.”

“Could royal brother be reluctant to part with her?” She couldn’t deal with Marquis Guanjun’s fiancée for now—surely she could find a substitute to vent on?

“It’s not reluctance, but rather that she has great utility.”

“What utility?”

Prince Gong of Xijiang’s eyes flashed with brightness: “To eliminate Marquis Guanjun!”