Among the seven legendary bows named after the stars Greedy Wolf, Giant Gate, Prosperity Existence, Literary Melody, Chaste Integrity, Martial Song, and Troop Breaker, Greedy Wolf’s reputation was the most illustrious. Carved from a single piece of mulberry heartwood, it stood sixty-eight inches tall and was the most accurate with the longest range among the seven.

Yi Xiao’s gaze moved inch by inch from the silver-threaded bow arms to the totem-carved bow body. Suddenly, she raised her arm and shook it, causing the yellow sinew bowstring made of India’s unique resilient rattan to hum. She couldn’t help but praise, “What a magnificent bow!”

Qin Yu asked in confusion, “Was the Consort thinking about the saying of divine weapons entering one’s fate?”

“Divine weapons entering one’s fate?” Yi Xiao looked at him puzzledly. “What does that mean?”

Qin Yu was taken aback. He pointed at the Greedy Wolf in her hands and explained, “Legend has it that those whose fate is entered by Greedy Wolf not only experience great ups and downs in life, but their personality is also gradually influenced by the Greedy Wolf star, becoming unpredictable in their kindness and evil, with mood swings and a tendency towards extremes.”

Feng Suige exclaimed in shock, “Is this true?”

Qin Yu nodded solemnly.

Yi Xiao gently stroked the arrow resting on the bow’s body and smiled, “I was born with a temperament of loving fiercely and hating intensely. I’ve long yearned for a life of great ups and downs. How could I refuse Mr. Qin’s kindness because of a legend?” She held the bow and pushed it forward, bowing to Qin Yu. “I thank Mr. Qin for his generosity.”

Qin Yu hurriedly stepped forward to return the bow, saying, “Oh my, the Consort is too kind…”

Feng Suige snickered from the side, “You’re so quick to express gratitude now. Aren’t you afraid of misunderstandings?”

“What misunderstandings?” Qin Yu asked curiously.

Yi Xiao glared at Feng Suige in embarrassment and explained in a voice only those nearby could hear, “In common folklore, when a man gives a bow to an unrelated woman, it means he has recognized her as his lifelong… lover.” Suddenly, her face showed an expression of extreme pain and shock.

Qin Yu wasn’t the first man to give her a bow!

The first people to give her a bow were Xia, Jing, and Shi.

“Yi Xiao, there’s a beautiful silver bow among the Emperor’s rewards this time. Do you want it?”

“I want it! Give it to me!”

“If you want it, then earn it with your skills… If you can take down a running beast within five breaths, the bow is yours.”

When a man gives a bow to an unrelated woman, it means he has recognized her as his lifelong lover – why didn’t she understand it then? Why didn’t she think of it later? And why did she have to remember it now?!

Her heart was in chaos, leaving her at a loss. Yi Xiao pressed hard on her chest, yet still felt her heartbeat was too fast to bear. The pain was as if every inch of her muscles was being carved and minced by memories, and the bloody, broken limbs were being chewed and swallowed by an invisible primordial beast.

It was as if she met those bottomless eyes again, seeing him smile and say, “As you wish.”

As you wish, as you wish, as you wish, as you wish… His words became clearer and more intense with each repetition.

Yi Xiao dazedly raised her hand, wanting to cover those eyes, then hesitated whether she should cover his moving lips first. But her hand was grabbed mid-air, squeezed painfully. “Please don’t say anymore… You’ve already killed me, do you still want to flog my corpse?” she mumbled.

“…Yi Xiao, what’s wrong with you? What are you saying?” Feng Suige’s face was full of alarm as he tightly grasped her aimlessly waving hand, holding on with all his might as if she would disappear if he let go.

Yi Xiao’s gaze fixed on his face for a long while. Suddenly, she slung the Greedy Wolf bow onto her back and revealed a sly smile. Feng Suige was stunned, unable to react for a moment. Qin Yi beside them had already burst into laughter, “That was brilliant! Feng brother, you were so scared your face changed color, hahaha…”

Feng Suige glared at Qin Yi in embarrassment, then turned back with gritted teeth, “Fu Yi Xiao, you did that on purpose!”

Yi Xiao tilted her head back slightly and chuckled, “Who told you to speak nonsense?”

Feng Suige was both angry and amused, but before he could speak, Feng Qishan’s voice cut in, “I’ve already overlooked the matter with Consort Zhuang, yet you dare to publicly make fun of Suige again?” Not allowing Feng Suige to explain, Feng Qishan coldly continued, “Since Old Qin has gifted you the Greedy Wolf, why don’t you demonstrate the power of this ancient divine weapon for everyone here today? There are three feathered arrows left, but what should we use as targets?”

He looked around as he spoke. Yi Xiao knew he was putting on an act, so she didn’t respond.

When Feng Qishan’s gaze landed on Consort Jing’s face, it stopped. Consort Jing forced a smile and said, “Your Majesty wouldn’t want me to let her… like Consort Zhuang…” Before she could finish, Feng Qishan reached out and pulled a phoenix hairpin from her hair. He examined it for a moment and said in a deep voice, “This will do. Come, take this phoenix hairpin and put it on the Prince’s side consort.”

As he spoke, he pulled out the remaining two phoenix hairpins from Consort Jing’s hair.

The hall immediately filled with murmurs, and some ill-intentioned people had already started laughing. Qin Yi, seeing something was wrong, turned pale and threw herself into Qin Yu’s arms, “Grandfather, they…”

Qin Yu patted her back to calm her, but his brow was already furrowed into a knot.

Feng Suige stopped the palace servant carrying the phoenix hairpins and asked in astonishment, “Father, didn’t you want Yi Xiao to try the bow?”

Feng Qishan raised an eyebrow. “Did I say I wanted Fu Yi Xiao to try the bow?”

Feng Suige urgently said, “But…”

“No buts,” Feng Qishan interrupted him loudly. “All three phoenix hairpins must be shot and broken. Who volunteers to try the bow?” Immediately, a chorus of responses rang out, with many military officers stepping forward eagerly.

As Feng Suige was about to argue further, Yi Xiao had already taken the phoenix hairpins from the palace servant’s hands. She calmly inserted them into her hair one by one, then turned to smile at him devoid of mirth. “Do you know how to use a bow?”

“I do,” Feng Suige narrowed his eyes, “but I’m not skilled with it.”

As if she hadn’t heard the latter part of his response, Yi Xiao held out the Greedy Wolf bow to him. “Then it’s yours to handle.”

Feng Suige didn’t take it, his face changing color as he said, “I told you, I’m not skilled with a bow!”

Yi Xiao stared at him steadily. “Do you think I truly wish to die?”

Feng Suige gritted his teeth without answering, his gaze, tinged with killing intent, swept over several of the most eager officers.

Yi Xiao’s next words successfully drew his attention back. “If you want me to survive today, then take this bow.”

He stared intently at Yi Xiao’s face. “But what if I miss?”

“Then I’ll die by your hand,” Yi Xiao spoke as if discussing the weather.

After a long moment, Feng Suige slowly took the Greedy Wolf bow. “If I miss, I’ll put another arrow through my own heart.”

“Alright,” Yi Xiao winked mischievously, “You’re not planning to take this chance for revenge, are you?”

Feng Suige gave a bitter laugh. “Indeed. If I had known I’d have a chance for revenge today, I wouldn’t have given you that arrowhead.”

Yi Xiao pulled out the sachet containing the arrowhead from her bosom and waved it at him with a half-smile. “Do you want it back now?”

“Even if you were about to die, remember this: once I’ve given you something, no matter what it is, I will never ask for it back,” Feng Suige said, enunciating each word.

Seeing Feng Suige accept the Greedy Wolf bow, the clamor in the hall gradually dies down. The military officers who had been vying to try the bow quietly returned to their seats. Feng Qishan, watching the two whispering, showed no sign of impatience. He even thought somewhat indulgently that perhaps these were last words, so he’d let Fu Yi Xiao say all she needed to say.

Feng Suige gazed quietly at Yi Xiao, the tenderness and determination flowing from his eyes deeply scorching Yi Xiao’s skin. Yi Xiao avoided his gaze, smiled, and waved her hand, then turned to walk towards where Consort Zhuang had stood.

“Fu Yi Xiao,” Feng Suige said hoarsely, “Would you mind remembering one more thing?”

Yi Xiao hesitated for a moment. As she turned around, she was immediately pulled into Feng Suige’s tight embrace. She could barely withstand the surge of emotions emanating from him and pushed against his shoulders, trying to create a little distance between them.

“Yi Xiao,” he said softly, “Will you get your ears pierced with me tomorrow?”