“Third Brother, join us as well.”
With Xie Jingxing’s words, Xie Changchao below the platform was also stunned.
When he had seen Xie Jingxing suddenly appear earlier, he thought Xie Jingxing was specifically coming to Shen Miao’s rescue—after all, his legitimate brother’s actions couldn’t be judged by ordinary standards. But now Xie Jingxing’s words left him dumbfounded. Only Xie Changwu had gone up to challenge; what did this have to do with him?
But now with Xie Ding absent, Xie Changchao could only look toward Xie Changwu and ask in a low voice, “Second Brother, what’s happening?”
Xie Changwu was usually more shrewd than Xie Changchao. Hearing Xie Jingxing’s words, he immediately felt angry. Xie Jingxing wanted to challenge him but said one person wasn’t enough and needed to add Xie Changchao—what did that mean? It was nothing but humiliation for the two brothers. Xie Jingxing was implying that even the two of them together were no match for him, which was far too arrogant!
Provoked by Xie Jingxing’s words, Xie Changwu had already lost his usual composure. His expression grew unfriendly, and his tone seemed to carry some heat: “Elder Brother speaks with such confidence, completely disregarding his younger brothers.”
On the platform, Xie Jingxing played with the fruit he had taken from the examining official. His beautiful eyes narrowed as he lazily said, “Indeed, I truly don’t regard you as worthy opponents.”
“You two have never sparred with me since you began practicing martial arts as children. I’ve heard people say you’re outstanding—today, let your elder brother broaden his horizons, shall we?” he continued.
Everyone in the venue seemed to have detected the discord among the Xie brothers. The affairs of the Lin’an Marquis’s household were probably known throughout all of Ming Qi. People had always had different speculations about the relationship between these brothers. Xie Jingxing had always maintained an indifferent attitude toward the Lin’an Marquis’s household, even disdaining to speak with his two half-brothers. This coldness had persisted without causing much of a stir.
Today was the first time Xie Jingxing had publicly humiliated his two half-brothers. The crowd below began to discuss, both eager to watch the drama unfold and curious about the expected outcome.
Shen Miao observed the handsome young man with his casual demeanor. This Xie Jingxing was truly somewhat strange. He seemed willful and unrestrained, yet there seemed to be a clear thread guiding him. Now the two Xie brothers were being led by the nose, completely unaware. After this competition, regardless of face or substance, the two Xie brothers would likely have nothing left.
Hearing this, Xie Changwu suddenly gave a cold laugh and said one word at a time: “It’s just a sparring match, what’s there to object to?” He looked at Xie Jingxing, his shrewd eyes churning with various unusual emotions. He said, “Since Elder Brother wishes it so, Third Brother will join. Just don’t say later that your younger brothers are bullying you.”
He spoke so confidently, implying that if Xie Jingxing lost to them, it would be because Xie Jingxing had initiated the challenge, and would have nothing to do with them. Xie Jingxing would even become a laughingstock.
Xie Changchao was still hesitant, but after seeing the signals from Xie Changwu’s eyes, he immediately understood and said, “Your younger brothers will certainly oblige.”
In the “challenge” round of the examination, the freshest aspect was that regardless of category, number of people, or even gender, it was completely free. Therefore, Xie Jingxing’s request didn’t violate any rules. Xie Jingxing raised his lips in a smile, his mischievous expression again attracting the gazes of many young ladies. He teased, “Shall we also make a life-and-death agreement?”
Xie Changchao and Xie Changwu both stiffened, their expressions turning unpleasant. But Xie Jingxing lazily added, “Just joking. Sparring between brothers doesn’t need to be life or death.”
Shen Miao’s lips also curved slightly. Xie Jingxing’s words were truly venomous. Since the two Xie brothers had already come on stage, there was nothing more for her to do here, so she straightened her skirt and left the platform.
When she reached the women’s section, Shen Yue and Shen Qing kept their distance and didn’t approach to talk. Instead, Feng Anning quickly ran over. She said, “Your archery is so good, are you planning to follow in your father’s footsteps?”
Shen Miao felt a slight ripple in her heart. Now that the imperial family was eyeing the Shen family covetously, not to mention her, even her eldest brother’s situation was extremely dangerous. Back then, her brother’s life had been ruined by a woman. Now that the Shen family had not yet fallen apart, she would use her methods to protect it, just as she had done on the platform earlier. Whoever dared to disrespect the Shen family would unhesitatingly return it a hundredfold!
“But among the three on the platform, who do you think will win?” Feng Anning suddenly changed the subject, chattering, “Although Young Marquis Xie has a reputation, we’ve never seen him perform with our own eyes, so perhaps the rumors can’t be trusted. Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao both earned top rankings last year. Two against one—surely Young Marquis Xie is at a disadvantage?”
Xie Jingxing at a disadvantage? Shen Miao laughed inwardly, merely shaking her head slightly.
On the platform, Xie Changwu said, “It’s hard to judge with two of us against one, so let’s compete with horseback lancing.”
At this, Shen Miao truly laughed out loud.
Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow: “Horseback lancing? Agreed!”
The examination officials quickly found three fine horses. The platform was originally quite large; with good control, it could almost accommodate horses galloping freely upon it. Three decorated lances were also thrown to the three men.
“Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao can use double lances!” Feng Anning exclaimed. The two Xie brothers coordinated with exceptional teamwork, able to combine two horseback lances into one, merging them. Using this method, they had always ranked first in horseback lancing every year. Therefore, Xie Changwu’s choice of this event was likely to thoroughly crush Xie Jingxing.
But in reality? Shen Miao lowered her gaze. Others might not know, but she did. In the Ming Qi imperial memorials, there was one specifically recording the Xie family’s battle formations. Xie Jingxing was extraordinary because he could form a formation by himself.
The Straight Line Serpent Formation—one decorated lance, one fine horse, one man, only three elements, yet he could make enemies scatter like falling flowers in flowing water. This formation was only suitable for fighting against enemy generals, and Xie Jingxing had never lost.
How could the two Xie brothers contend with a national general? Today, they would likely become a laughingstock.
The drummer struck the drum heavily, and as the drum sound arose, the competition began.
Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao exchanged glances. Their two horses galloped side by side. They had undergone rigorous training; the horses’ steps were almost identical, and their lance techniques were also the same. From a distance, it was as if one person had split into two, which was truly terrifying.
The purple-clad young man raised his hand lazily. The black stallion beneath him suddenly reared up, then galloped in the opposite direction. The crowd gasped in surprise. They saw him holding his lance horizontally in front of him, his clothes flowing like purple clouds and lightning, like a fierce storm, killing intent instantly spreading in all directions. Combined with his handsome features, he resembled a jade-faced Asura.