“I’m right here. Do you dare to kill me?”

Cai Lin stared at the young woman across from him as if seeing her for the first time, his eyes full of disbelief.

He was used to having his way in Guangwen Hall. Having been spoiled since childhood, he could practically strut around unchallenged. Regarding Shen Miao, today he merely wanted to teach her a lesson. Who knew that not only would Shen Miao not be afraid, but she would stand against him? Now she had spoken such words, making it seem as if he was the one at a disadvantage.

Did Cai Lin dare?

Aside from whether he had the courage, even if he dared, could he? The Cai family’s young master might act on impulse, but what about the Cai family itself? If Shen Miao were truly killed by him today, forget about a life for a life—Shen Xin might slaughter the entire Cai household before personally asking for punishment.

Moreover, he didn’t dare.

He was only good at running his mouth, having never been on a battlefield or even seen blood. His archery skills were indeed excellent, but he only shot at walnuts or animals, never at people.

But how could he back down now? If Shen Miao, a mere girl, wasn’t afraid, then he, a proper man, would have no face to leave his home tomorrow if he retreated.

With this thought, Cai Lin arrogantly said: “No matter what you say, all abilities will be proven on the archery field. You speak happily now, but who knows if you’ll be scared witless later.” His words were extremely crude, perhaps to hide his nervousness. The calmer Shen Miao appeared, the more anxious he became. He longed to see her panic, as if only then could his fear be soothed. Therefore, he hoped these words would make Shen Miao uncomfortable.

If it were an ordinary young lady being spoken to so harshly by a man, she would naturally feel embarrassed and act awkwardly, or possibly even cry. But hearing this, Shen Miao merely glanced at him indifferently, her heart as still as water, making Cai Lin feel as if he alone was making a fuss.

He was somewhat dazed, wondering if he was confused today—how could he feel intimidated when facing this good-for-nothing Shen Miao?

Shen Miao had already gone to take a walnut from the examining official. The walnut was about the size of an adult man’s fist, square at the bottom and round at the top. Shen Miao stood at the easternmost part of the stage and placed the walnut on her head.

The venue gradually grew noisy.

“She must be pretending to be calm but terrified,” Yi Peilan said with a laugh. “I’m eager to see her cry and panic.”

“Since the Ming-Qi examinations began, there has never been a case of a woman being challenged by a man in the martial category,” Jiang Xiaoxuan said, curling her pinky finger and tilting her head. “Shen Miao is the first. But being humiliated before everyone’s eyes must be terrifying.”

“Oh my, what is Fifth Sister still doing up there? What if Young Master Cai misses?” Ren Wanyun said. She felt conflicted—if something truly happened to Shen Miao, even if Shen Xin treated the Shen family well, he certainly wouldn’t spare her.

“What is Second Sister-in-law worried about?” Chen Ruoqiu said dismissively. “After all, it’s just children playing. Young Master Cai isn’t a clueless infant. As long as Fifth Miss yields, says a few pleading words, he naturally won’t make things difficult for her. I just hope Fifth Miss doesn’t insist on momentary pride.”

She described this life-and-death matter merely as “children playing.” After all, Ren Wanyun was the one managing the household; if something happened, Ren Wanyun would bear the responsibility. But her words did strike at Ren Wanyun’s heart. It was all because Shen Miao insisted on her pride. If Shen Miao had properly pleaded and said a few yielding words to Cai Lin, things wouldn’t have come to this point.

“Relax,” Chen Ruoqiu said. “I think that the Cai family’s young master probably just wants to frighten Fifth Sister a bit. In such an examination venue, everyone competes for dignity. It’s impossible to stop now.”

“Mother needn’t worry,” Shen Qing also said to Ren Wanyun. “Cai Lin’s archery is excellent; he won’t miss no matter what.”

Shen Qing was still thinking about how Shen Miao was blocking her dream of becoming a prince’s consort. Now she couldn’t wait for Shen Miao to completely lose face. She had heard that extremely frightened people might lose control of their bowels—she wondered how Shen Miao would react.

If Cai Lin truly missed… ruining her face wouldn’t be bad either, Shen Qing thought.

Shen Yue hadn’t thought as far ahead as Shen Qing; she only wanted to see Shen Miao kneeling and begging, as if that would restore her self-esteem. She glanced at Cai Lin from afar, but he didn’t look at her.

Cai Lin held the longbow in his hand, facing Shen Miao three yards away, cold sweat streaming down his forehead.

Shen Miao stood quietly. The wind lifted the wide corners of her cloak, her purple garments fluttering. Her features were beautiful, but that dignified bearing, like the calmness after weathering great storms, coated her entire person with a layer of dazzling light.

Cai Lin slowly drew his bow. He thought: if only Shen Miao would beg for mercy, if only she would shed a tear or say a pleading word, he could take the opportunity to humiliate her properly and avoid this awkward dilemma.

Unfortunately, his wish was ultimately unfulfilled. Shen Miao’s expression remained calm, as if she didn’t consider him worth her attention.

Shen Yue frowned.

Why hadn’t the imagined scene of Shen Miao crying and begging appeared? Why did Shen Miao seem even more composed than Cai Lin?

Many people had already noticed this point, and their impressions of the former good-for-nothing were quietly changing. Not every young lady could stand before a person holding a bow and arrow without any ripple of emotion. If this was inherited from Shen Xin’s steadfastness in the face of great enemies, one could only say that a tiger doesn’t father a dog.

Cai Lin’s hands began to shake. The walnut three yards away would normally be an easy shot for him, but today it seemed especially difficult. The distance seemed to have become very far.

Shen Miao’s words echoed in his ears: “I’m right here. Do you dare to kill me?”

Did he dare? Did he dare? Did he dare?

With a “whoosh,” the arrow sharply cut through the air.

But it only wavered in midair before falling.

It didn’t even touch the hem of Shen Miao’s clothes, as if lacking strength, let alone hitting the walnut.

The entire venue erupted in laughter.

Some classmates even joked: “Cai Lin, could it be you’re being tender-hearted toward a beauty? Usually, you can hit a target at ten yards, but today you can’t manage three?”

He wiped the sweat from his forehead and immediately began to nock another arrow. The second arrow shot at Shen Miao’s feet.

The third arrow grazed Shen Miao’s hair bun as it flew past, knocking down the walnut on her head. Shen Miao’s hair bun was scattered, her black hair cascading over her shoulders.

Yet even when the arrow narrowly brushed her cheek, she didn’t show the slightest change in expression.

Black hair, purple clothes—the young girl with snow-white skin and a beautiful face stood straight in the wind.

Cai Lin’s hands went limp, and both the longbow and arrows fell to the ground. The entire venue was silent.

Even a fool could see that the frightened one was not Shen Miao, but Cai Lin.

I’m right here, do you dare to kill me?

No, he doesn’t dare.

I dare.

She smiled slightly, a hint of cruelty appearing in her bright eyes like those of a young beast. Combined with her still somewhat innocent face, it created a strange beauty.

“Now, it’s my turn.”