Li Yichen rose to fame after passing the imperial examination. Born into a military family, he was also well-skilled in archery and horsemanship, which made him the most popular candidate to win today’s main competition. Therefore, Mu Rou held onto this sliver of hope, still dreaming of becoming the most celebrated girl in the capital tonight.
But after they stepped onto the stage with Xie Heng and Mu Wan, Li Yichen’s confidence began to falter, and Mu Rou’s imagined glory also quickly faded as the audience shifted their attention to Mu Wan.
“Who is that? She’s with Marquis Zhenbei.”
“Don’t you see she and the Marquis wear a matching peony flower? Who else could it be but Eldest Miss Mu?”
“That’s Eldest Miss Mu?! I heard she’s quite plain-looking. Could it be that Eldest Miss Xu has returned instead?”
“Stop spouting nonsense! This is a marriage facilitated by the Empress Dowager herself. How could the marquis do something so disgraceful? Besides, Eldest Miss Xu is known for her serene grace, like the goddess of the cold moon—unlike this person’s striking beauty.”
“But why does the marquis accompany Eldest Miss Mu? Wasn’t it said he dislikes her?”
“There were rumors that the Mu family’s eldest daughter was plain-looking, remember? Does she look plain to you? Seems like rumors can’t be trusted. Since the Empress Dowager decreed this marriage, there must be something between the two that others don’t know.”
“Honestly, seeing them together, they truly make a golden couple.”
“With the marquis here, I bet today’s Lotus Glass Cup will end up in Eldest Miss Mu’s hands…”
Listening to the chaotic chatter around her, Mu Rou bit her lip in frustration. She couldn’t resist glancing at Mu Wan, only to see her smiling and waving cheerfully back at her.
Mu Rou turned her head away, deciding it was better not to look at all.
In truth, Mu Wan was just as surprised that Xie Heng would accompany her to something he likely found utterly boring. In her expectations, he would, at best, sit with her in the audience seats for appearance’s sake—or, in the worst-case scenario, just pick her up and leave. She hadn’t expected he was even more tolerant than she imagined…
While lost in thought, the copper gong sounded, and the host loudly declared, “The final round of the competition begins!”
Young attendants in light blue robes brought out specially crafted bows and arrows, placing them on tall tables before each pair, allowing the participants to inspect the equipment and get a feel for the grip.
Noticing Li Yichen’s frequent glances at Xie Heng, Mu Wan couldn’t help but laugh. “After racking his brains for a way to avoid us, he still ended up in the same group. He must be frustrated.”
The rules for the Lotus Glass Cup competition weren’t particularly difficult, but each game took a long time. To improve efficiency, ten pairs competed simultaneously. They would be given time to observe the chessboard pattern for one tea cup worth of time1, after which the giant chessboard would flip, and the pairs took turns shooting.
If the shot hit the correct spot, the pair stayed for the next round. If they missed, they were immediately eliminated. The process continued until only one victor remained. If multiple pairs survived until the end, a final, more challenging round would decide the sole champion.
This last rule, however, might be unnecessary.
Before Mu Wan and Xie Heng arrived on the stage, four batches had already competed. The fastest was entirely eliminated in less than two-quarters of an hour, while the slowest didn’t exceed three. Some participants forgot the patterns, some missed their shots, and a few, despite remembering and aiming well, simply didn’t have the strength to finish.
In short, the competition was a test of both memory and archery.
Xie Heng and Mu Wan had signed up late and ended up in the final batch. Li Yichen, delayed by Mu Rou, was initially behind them. But likely wary of Xie Heng, Li Yichen had sent an attendant to rush ahead and sign up earlier, aiming to compete before Xie Heng and secure a win in advance. That way, even if Xie Heng later won, they would tie, and he wouldn’t lose face.
Unfortunately for him, Qingfeng Pavilion had ten pairs compete simultaneously—placing him and Xie Heng on the same stage.
Seeing the couple’s nervous expressions, Mu Wan chuckled. “Look at them, my lord. Poor thing, they look so nervous.”
Xie Heng picked up one bow and inspected it. Hearing her comment, he said, “You, on the other hand, don’t seem nervous at all.”
Mu Wan beamed. “Why would I be nervous? With you here, I’ve already won. As for the cup… whether I get it or not, it doesn’t matter. So, my lord, you shouldn’t feel nervous too.”
Xie Heng: “…”
Right, it didn’t matter to her. If they lost, the one embarrassed would be him.
Xie Tian, watching from the audience seat below, suddenly realized, “Miss Mu planned this brilliantly! If our lord didn’t come, she’d lose face, and so would he. But if he did come, no matter the outcome of the competition, she’d save face. And if our lord lost, he’d be the one embarrassed… She’s got a guaranteed win!”
Xiao Liu had never considered the possibility of Xie Heng losing and was equally taken aback. “So, as long as our lord showed up, he had no choice but to win. That means the Lotus Glass Cup is as good as hers. What a cunning woman!”
Xie Tian had never met Mu Wan in person. Though he had gathered information about her, it was all secondhand accounts, so he easily dismissed Xiao Liu’s remark, “It’s likely just a coincidence.” He shook his head. “How could she possibly have the audacity to scheme against His Lordship?”
Recalling how he had fallen for Mu Wan’s pitiful act before, Xiao Liu gave a firm nod, “I think she’d dare.”
On the stage, Xie Heng shared the same sentiment. Watching him inspecting the bow, Mu Wan seized the moment to ask a question that had been bothering her, “My lord, how did you recognize me?”
Not to exaggerate, but she looked completely different from her usual self today. Everyone who saw her failed to recognize her at first glance. Yet, with just one eye contact from downstairs, Xie Heng had headed straight to her without hesitation.
Upon her question, Xie Heng cast her a light glance. How had he recognized her? It was those eyes.
After the upheaval three years ago, apart from his family and close subordinates, nearly everyone who looked at him had eyes filled with either fear or flattery. Even the women who admired him showed cautious adoration, careful not to displease him.
But she wasn’t afraid of him at all.
Xie Heng’s thoughts drifted back to their first meeting. He was in a foul mood, having just personally executed a subordinate who had served him for seven years. That was when she bumped into him. He’d scared her deliberately, and she appeared utterly terrified, pitifully begging for mercy. But her eyes—those eyes showed frustration and regret, yet not a trace of fear. He could tell she wasn’t truly submissive and was probably cursing him in her head.
Then came the imperial edict for their marriage. When he didn’t promptly propose, she had dared to grumble sarcastically into his face.
And now, this…
Xie Heng sighed quietly. The more he thought about it, the more she reminded him of a wild civet cat. She was never clingy, yet the moment you keep your eyes off her, she acts unpredictably, catching you off guard. Though her antics were never major, they always left him unprepared.
The best course of action was, therefore, to go along with her whims and secure some peace of mind for himself. After all, situations like this were unlikely to happen again.
Nevertheless, scheming in plain sight was still scheming. Seeing her curiously waiting for his answer, Xie Heng replied coolly, “From your body shape. Big.”
Mu Wan froze, then realized what he meant. She immediately exploded, “Are you saying I’m fat? Where exactly am I fat?!”
Sure, she ate a lot and liked to sleep in, but in order to stay healthy and live a long life, she also exercised regularly!
Xie Heng gave her a thorough look-over. “Your neck and arms. Slightly thicker.”
Just as Mu Wan’s eyes widened, the gong rang again, interrupting her angry retort. The host announced, “The fifth round of the Lotus Glass Cup competition begins!” The enormous chessboard flipped, and the participants began frantically memorizing the patterns.
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Saved by the gong XH ? 🤣🤣🤣
Ouch! He just called her thick!