The entire academy was like a pot of water into which quicklime had been thrown, quickly coming to a boil.

On this freezing day of melting snow, even roosters crowed later than usual, not to mention these pampered noble sons. On such days, those who could come to school yawning continuously were already considered outstanding students at the academy. Most young masters couldn’t even get out of bed.

This wasn’t a serious educational academy anyway, and the teachers were accustomed to this, having long ago reached a state of calm acceptance after many years.

Unexpectedly, today was unprecedented—not only were nearly all the noble sons present, but they showed no signs of listlessness. Each one was excited with gleaming eyes, appearing more energetic than even the teachers.

Inside the “Tian” Courtyard classroom, students huddled in small groups, whispering to each other. On one hand, they were arguing about something until their faces turned red; on the other, they kept glancing toward the last row.

Having heard early that Princess Yongying was coming to study at the academy, these young men were both surprised and curious. Their drowsiness had completely disappeared. Some who lived far away and were unwilling to stay in the dormitories hadn’t even taken their carriages, using their not-so-skilled horsemanship to rush here, just to welcome the Princess.

Unexpectedly, when they arrived, they not only welcomed the Princess but also encountered another “surprise”—

Why had Shen Yuance returned to the academy?!

Tianchong Academy catered to the sons of nobles and high officials in the capital, requiring that students be unmarried and under the age of adulthood, and that they be the eldest legitimate sons of their families.

Shen Yuance met all three requirements, so there was nothing wrong with him being here. But for someone who had already led troops in battle and had been away for three years to return to school? It seemed strange, no matter how one thought about it.

Moreover, it was well-known that Princess Jiang and Shen Yuance didn’t get along. These two entering the academy on the same day was certainly no coincidence. So, who came first? Who came to cause trouble for whom? And what kind of trouble were they causing?

Looking at the two newly added desks in the last row, everyone turned their eyes back, heads together, engaging in the thirteenth round of intense but hushed discussion.

In the last row, with a wall behind her, a window to her left, and bead curtains hanging on her right and in front, Jiang Zhiyi sat upright at her desk, oblivious to matters outside the curtains, lifting her teacup to take a sip of hot tea.

In ancient times, the Empress Dowager ruled from behind a curtain; today, Princess Yongying listened to lessons from behind a curtain.

This classroom was designed for a group of noble people, with carved beams and painted rafters, bright windows, and clean tables. It wasn’t too shabby for her. This corner, specially set aside for her, though a bit small, was complete with everything needed—

The desk, incense burner, hand warmer, tea set, writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstone, and other items were all of the highest quality. Gu Yu also attended to her, dressed as a book servant. Jiang Zhiyi was fairly satisfied with this arrangement. Even if she had some dissatisfaction, one turn of her head to see her beloved beyond the bead curtain to her right would calm her down.

Shen Yuance was less than ten feet away from her, sitting at his desk with his eyes closed and expressionless, his thoughts unknown. From the moment he entered, he had maintained this unapproachable, unhappy demeanor.

It wasn’t yet time for class to begin. Just as Jiang Zhiyi was about to part the bead curtain to call to him, a robust middle-aged man with dark skin suddenly walked in.

The students in the front rows collectively groaned as if they had seen a demon from hell: “Oh no, how could we have forgotten about this!”

“What’s happening?” Jiang Zhiyi asked Gu Yu.

Gu Yu said she would go find out, but before she could rise, a gentle voice came from the front seat: “This is the martial arts instructor of the Tian Courtyard, surnamed Feng. Today is the regular morning examination of horsemanship and archery. Many who aren’t skilled in these areas probably planned to skip class—”

Only to have their minds clouded by the news of Jiang Zhiyi’s arrival.

The person in front who volunteered this information faced forward properly and didn’t turn to look at her. It was rare to find someone so measured among this crowd of dandies.

Jiang Zhiyi: “Do newcomers like me also have to participate?”

Among the six arts of gentlemen, “Yu” originally referred to chariot-driving in ancient times, but in the current era, this skill has lost much of its significance, so it has been adapted to horsemanship. “Qishe” (horseback archery) was the combination of the two arts of “Yu” (riding) and “She” (archery).

Jiang Zhiyi knew she didn’t need to participate in either examination, but she was concerned about where Shen Yuance would go next.

Instructor Feng glanced toward the corner, speaking with the rigid tone of a warrior: “Newcomers can stay in the classroom to study on their own. No need to participate.”

Jiang Zhiyi’s heart had just lifted with joy—

“Why is that?” A flippant male voice rang out from the front row. “We’re all fellow students under the same roof. Instructor Feng has always been impartial. Why the favoritism today? Could it be to shield someone?”

Jiang Zhiyi recognized this person—

He was the eldest legitimate son of the Kangle Baron’s household, Zhong Boyong, her aunt’s natal family.

If she remembered correctly, among those whose legs had been broken by Elder Brother A-Ce before, there was Zhong Boyong’s younger brother.

Sure enough, Zhong Boyong curled his lips toward Shen Yuance: “I heard that Young General Shen can kill a man at ten paces on the battlefield and hit the bullseye at a hundred paces. Surely you don’t need Instructor Liang to cover for you?”

Jiang Zhiyi frowned slightly.

The hall fell silent. More than a dozen gazes darted toward Shen Yuance.

Shen Yuance opened his eyes, meeting Zhong Boyong’s challenging gaze, calmly stood up, and gestured toward the door invitingly.

Two incense sticks of time later, at the academy’s training field.

Jiang Zhiyi sat on a bench at the edge of the field, wrapped in her fox fur, holding a hand warmer, coldly watching Zhong Boyong at the starting point, eager to begin.

Before her stretched a wide and long racetrack with five targets erected on each side at different intervals.

Students needed to start from the beginning, riding their horses toward the finish line where everyone was gathered, while shooting arrows at the ten targets.

This level of examination was already a formidable challenge at Tianchong Academy. Students from the Di, Xuan, and Huang Courtyards, who were younger, didn’t have to participate.

But age didn’t necessarily correlate with skill. More than half of the seventeen and eighteen-year-old young masters in the Tian Courtyard would be doing well if they could ride through this track and manage to shoot an arrow for form’s sake. As for actually hitting the targets, that generally depended on luck.

If luck was particularly scarce, they might even fall off their horses in the confusion.

Naturally, Instructor Feng was highly skilled in martial arts and watched over the entire process to prevent injuries. But even so, the fear was real.

Near the finish line, on the benches, the young masters who had been attracted by beauty and jumped into this deep pit today were already shivering, even beginning to suspect that Jiang Zhiyi was a spy sent by the instructor.

Zhong Boyong, the first to go, showed no fear at all. Standing at the starting point, he called out, “Instructor Feng, we’ve done this same examination so many times. There’s nothing new. Give me something more challenging today!”

Instructor Feng, a man of few words, had people place ten waist-high wooden hurdles at intervals along the racetrack.

This meant that the horse would have to move extremely fast; otherwise, they wouldn’t even clear these obstacles, let alone perform horseback archery…

Jiang Zhiyi frowned slightly, curious to see how capable her aunt’s nephew was.

As she thought this, Zhong Boyong strapped on his quiver, took up the gleaming golden bow, and mounted his horse.

With the strike of a bronze gong and the lowering of a flag, the steed instantly galloped forward, leaping over the first hurdle. The rider fixed his eyes on the nearest target, waited for the right moment, pulled the bowstring hard, and released an arrow.

With a thud, it hit the bullseye.

Zhong Boyong narrowed his eyes, quickly aiming at the next target while racing forward, gritting his teeth as he shot another arrow.

The horse cleared the hurdles without mishap, and the rider remained orderly amidst the rush. All ten arrows were shot, and each one hit the bullseye!

“Is Boyong deliberately challenging Shen Yuance today?”

“I don’t think Boyong even needs to show his true skills. Shen Yuance has never attended a horseback archery class. How could he possibly match Boyong’s well-honed skills? There’s no way he can compete!”

“Hasn’t he been on the battlefield?”

“Isn’t the battlefield just chaotic killing?”

—Whispers ran through the crowd, and laughter erupted at this last remark.

On her separate bench, Gu Yu whispered in Jiang Zhiyi’s ear: “This servant just inquired. This Young Baron Zhong is indeed skilled in horseback archery. He ranks first in every examination, no wonder he’s so proud…”

Jiang Zhiyi pressed her lips together in displeasure. She wasn’t worried about Elder Brother A-Ce’s riding and archery skills, but Zhong Boyong had not only requested the addition of hurdles but also had the advantage of going first and scoring perfectly. Even if Elder Brother A-Ce also hit all ten bullseyes, he could at best tie with him and couldn’t suppress his arrogant air…

Like brother, like brother; like aunt, like nephew—this nest of troublemakers was truly annoying!

Jiang Zhiyi exhaled angrily and looked toward Shen Yuance, who was waiting for his turn.

Shen Yuance stood with one hand behind his back, quietly watching Zhong Boyong approach the finish line, showing no change in expression.

As the horse crossed the finish line, Zhong Boyong pulled the reins, looked back at the ten targets with perfect scores, smiled with self-satisfaction, and looked down at Shen Yuance condescendingly: “Young General Shen has been away from the academy for a long time and may not know the rules of the examination. These hurdles were added at my special request. If you feel it’s beyond your capability, there’s no need to show off. Just have them removed!”

“Thank you for the reminder, Young Baron Zhong. I know my limits.” Shen Yuance smiled and turned his gaze away, slowly scanning the crowd until it settled on the jade-faced young master at the far edge. “Young Master Jiang, may I ask for your help?”

Jiang Zhiyi almost blurted out “what help?” but seeing the curious gazes from those around, she maintained her composure and cleared her throat: “What is it?”

“May I borrow the hair ribbon from your head?”

Jiang Zhiyi was stunned, uttered an “oh,” and turned her head to let Gu Yu remove it, blinking rather arrogantly: “I never lend things to others. Once someone else has used it, I don’t want it back. Consider it a gift to you.”

Before anyone understood what was happening, they saw Shen Yuance take the black hair ribbon and unexpectedly use it to blindfold himself, tying a knot at the back of his head!

Zhong Boyong raised his head abruptly, a trace of disbelief flashing in his eyes.

The crowd erupted in uproar—

“…Is this what I think it means?”

“This examination can be done this way?”

Amidst the shocked clamor, Shen Yuance took up the long bow, mounted his horse, rode to the starting line, and turned his horse to face the crowd.

Jiang Zhiyi seemed fixed to the bench, staring at the tall youth on horseback. Seeing the black ribbon covering his eyes, with the wind lifting its ends and brushing against his temples, she felt as if she were caressing his face herself…

Her heart skipped a beat. Jiang Zhiyi touched her suddenly warm ears, suppressing this inappropriate thought.

At the starting point, the bronze gong sounded, and the glossy black horse lightly galloped out over the crushed snow.

The young man on horseback reached back for an arrow, nocked it, gently pulled the string, and lazily released it with his slender fingers.

The arrow flew as if weightless, reached the target, and with a thud, embedded itself three inches deep, right in the bullseye!

The crowd gasped collectively, all rising from their benches to crane their necks forward as if witnessing a deity.

Jiang Zhiyi was also exhilarated, standing up and bringing her hands together in a clap.

With that sound, a group of young masters turned their heads, staring at her in shock.

…There was no reason to applaud one’s mortal enemy.

Jiang Zhiyi spread her clasped hands and lowered her head to breathe hot air onto her palms: “Well, I suppose even a blind cat can catch a dead rat…”

Many wanted to agree with the Princess and offer her a warm cloak for her cold hands, but this extraordinary spectacle couldn’t be missed for a moment. After a moment’s hesitation, everyone turned back to watch Shen Yuance.

On the racetrack, the fine horse effortlessly leaped over the hurdles, and the young man on horseback cleanly shot another arrow.

Unlike Zhong Boyong with his bulging veins and bated breath, the rider now seemed to be playing some uninteresting game, each arrow languidly released as if at random, yet each one firmly struck the bullseye.

“Can this ribbon be see-through?” someone in the crowd asked incredulously.

Jiang Zhiyi frowned in displeasure: “How could this Princess possibly use such a crudely made hair ribbon?”

Everyone immediately shut their mouths timidly.

Zhong Boyong stood rigid at the finish line, gazing at that calm face from afar, his hand slowly clenching into a fist.

In the blink of an eye, someone, refusing to believe what they were seeing, ran forward and moved one of the targets to a position that Shen Yuance had already passed.

“You—” Jiang Zhiyi’s snow-white index finger rose straight up, suddenly pointing at the person who had interfered.

The surrounding crowd was startled and looked at her again.

Jiang Zhiyi’s angry finger curved and slowly lowered: “Well done…!”

This move was indeed “well done.” With the target behind him now, there was no going back for an archer. No matter what, he would miss one shot!

Seeing that Instructor Feng wasn’t intervening at all, Jiang Zhiyi anxiously stamped her foot, about to give Shen Yuance a signal—

In the next instant, the young man on horseback tugged at the corner of his mouth, twisted his bow, suddenly leaned backward, and released an arrow.

With a thud, it hit the bullseye again!

Ten arrows, ten bullseyes!

The crowd’s breath caught, their mouths agape, swallowing the cold wind. They watched as the fine horse steadily crossed the finish line. Shen Yuance straightened up, pulled the reins, turned his horse around, tore off the blindfold, looked back in some direction among the crowd, and smiled.

Jiang Zhiyi’s heart, suspended in her throat, instantly settled when he crossed the finish line, only to leap up again when he looked her way.

Across the wet, cold air after the snow, across the lively crowd, their gazes gently collided.

Jiang Zhiyi inexplicably tensed, hurriedly looking away.

As her gaze flickered, she lowered her head to see him playing with the hair ribbon between his fingers, and her heart pounded thunderously.