Chapter 7: Archery

The next morning, Tu Chunhua prepared an entire cart full of gifts for Shi Yuning and saw her off.

Before she left, Tu Chunhua carefully instructed her daughter to treat the Crown Princess with utmost respect and to learn from her example. She praised the Crown Princess as the very model of a refined lady from a good family, insisting that if Shi Yuning could pick up even a fraction of those virtues, she would earn herself a reputation as a wise and virtuous woman.

Shi Yuning couldn’t help but think that if her mother had ever witnessed Xie Zhaoran’s decisive and ruthless side in battle, she probably wouldn’t have sung such high praises.

Wise as she was, Shi Yuning kept those thoughts to herself. Her mother had no idea she was heading to the Eastern Palace not just to visit the invalid, but to learn archery and horsemanship.

The Eastern Palace was every bit as grand as Xie Zhaoran had described—carved beams and painted rafters, pavilions and towers everywhere, a feast for the eyes.

Shi Yuning was escorted straight to Xie Zhaoran’s quarters.

The serene bedchamber was divided into inner and outer rooms by a rosewood folding screen painted with a scene of lonely geese soaring over the Desert North. In the outer room stood a square table with coiled grass patterns and outstretched legs at the center, flanked on either side by grand chairs with intricately carved dragon armrests. Xie Zhaoran sat poised in one, dressed in a simple moon-white robe, and greeted Shi Yuning with a faint smile, gesturing for her to take the seat opposite.

Shi Yuning offered a polite curtsy before settling into the empty chair beside her.

“Crown Princess, is your injury feeling any better?”

Even after the lamps had been extinguished the night before and Shi Yuning had settled into bed, her mind had been plagued by the image of Xie Zhaoran’s leg, blood streaming down it. So as soon as she sat down, she asked with genuine concern.

“It’s nothing. Miss Shi, there’s no need to worry.” Xie Zhaoran caught the worry in Shi Yuning’s eyes and thought back to the cause of the wound, feeling a touch of discomfort. She had no desire to dwell on it.

After all, she’d already coaxed the girl here. There was no point in letting her fret.

Seeing that Xie Zhaoran didn’t want to talk about it, Shi Yuning suspected there was more to the story. She glanced around the room—only the two of them were inside, with the servants waiting out in the hall.

Lowering her voice to a whisper meant just for their ears, Shi Yuning asked, “Has the assassin you brought back confessed yet?”

Xie Zhaoran had smuggled the captive in secretly the day before. To the outside world, she’d claimed all the assassins had been slain without survivors. Shi Yuning figured she must want to interrogate the prisoner privately to uncover the mastermind.

“Not yet,” Xie Zhaoran replied, though it wasn’t the full truth. The assassin had already spilled everything, including Prince Yu’s motives for the attack.

He didn’t just want her dead—he aimed to ruin Shi Yuning’s reputation as well, forcing her into marriage with him.

What a fool’s dream!

Xie Zhaoran sneered inwardly, keeping her expression neutral. “Dark guards like that, sent on assassination missions, always have ironclad lips. Ordinary methods won’t break them.”

Shi Yuning got the picture immediately. She lifted her gaze to Xie Zhaoran.

With the Crown Prince so frail and the Crown Princess possessing such a refined demeanor, the assassin must have banked on them not resorting to harsh measures.

Xie Zhaoran assured Shi Yuning not to worry—she would handle it personally.

“As we discussed yesterday, I’m going to teach you some archery and horsemanship. Still interested, Miss Shi?”

“Yes!” Shi Yuning’s attention snapped to this far more exciting prospect. Ever since witnessing Xie Zhaoran’s skills, she’d been itching to master them herself.

“Then follow me to the Martial Training Field.”

Xie Zhaoran rose first. Just as she was about to take a step, Shi Yuning hurried to her side and steadied her arm.

“Careful. Let me help you walk.” Shi Yuning glanced nervously at Xie Zhaoran’s leg. The wound was hidden beneath her clothes, but with only a day passed, it had to still hurt.

Xie Zhaoran’s arm went rigid under her grip, and the easy expression on her face faltered.

Shi Yuning took the hint—walking must be aggravating the injury.

She steadied her hold even more firmly. Once they reached the doorway, Xie Zhaoran thanked her and gently brushed her hand away. “Qiangdi can take over. Thank you, Miss Shi.”

Qiangdi blinked in surprise when she saw Xie Zhaoran being supported out of the room. Only when called did she snap to attention and carefully take over from Shi Yuning.

She was baffled—her mistress had been moving about freely that morning. How had the injury suddenly worsened?

Perceptive as she was, Qiangdi quickly summoned a soft sedan chair.

When they arrived at the Martial Training Field, Shi Yuning was awestruck once more.

She set aside the sheer size of the grounds—comparable to half their Marquis Mansion—and focused on the racks lining one wall, brimming with weapons that were clearly no ordinary gear.

Swords, spears, halberds, and more gleamed with razor-sharp silver edges, keen enough to draw blood at a touch or slice through iron like butter.

Xie Zhaoran led Shi Yuning to a wall entirely devoted to arrows.

“Miss Shi, pick out a bow you like.” Xie Zhaoran’s tone was casual, as if suggesting she grab a pair of chopsticks.

Shi Yuning, however, could hardly stay composed. Her eyes widened, sparkling with excitement, her mouth agape as words failed her.

It took her a long moment to swallow hard and blurt out, thrilled, “Any one?”

Xie Zhaoran nodded. “You can try them all if you want. Let’s start over here.”

Shi Yuning gulped again and nodded vigorously. She couldn’t choose—she wanted them all.

Amused by her enthusiasm, Xie Zhaoran turned her head aside, lips curving as she regarded the bows and arrows before them.

“These are Light Arrows. They have a longer range but weaker penetration—perfect for taking down lightly armored infantry on the battlefield.”

“Over there are Heavy Arrows. Shorter range, but they punch through heavy armor, ideal for cavalry. Since you’re just starting out, we’ll begin with the Light Arrows.”

Shi Yuning watched Xie Zhaoran trail her fingers over the cold, unyielding weapons, explaining their traits with such familiarity. She seemed to glow like the morning sun, dazzling and impossible to look away from.

Shi Yuning had never been one for studies, but for the first time, she found herself eager to absorb Xie Zhaoran’s lessons.

Once the theory session wrapped up, Xie Zhaoran had her pick up a bow and give it a go.

“Keep your back straight, head level, eyes forward—align the three points.”

Xie Zhaoran watched Shi Yuning nock and draw the bow, correcting her form where it faltered. Shi Yuning adjusted accordingly.

Whoosh! A white-feathered arrow streaked out toward the distant straw target.

It didn’t hit dead center, but it struck the target all the same. Shi Yuning beamed with joy and turned proudly to Xie Zhaoran. “Not bad, huh?”

“Mm.” Xie Zhaoran nodded earnestly.

Shi Yuning reached for another arrow. Suddenly, a shadow fell over her, accompanied by a fresh, crisp scent.

Xie Zhaoran had moved to stand right beside her.

Before Shi Yuning could react, that familiar voice sounded from above her head. “Remember, keep your eyes on that spot. Don’t move your elbow.”

Shi Yuning felt half her body enveloped as Xie Zhaoran guided her hand to full draw.

“Don’t look at me—look straight ahead.”

The words halted Shi Yuning’s impulse to turn. She drew a deep breath and fixed her gaze forward as instructed.

“Good—that’s the angle. Release.”

Xie Zhaoran let go of her hand, and Shi Yuning released the bowstring at the same instant.

Whoosh! The arrow nailed the bullseye!

“Hit it!” Shi Yuning whipped around in excitement. Xie Zhaoran hadn’t stepped back in time, and Shi Yuning’s cheek nearly brushed against her lips.

Their eyes locked. Xie Zhaoran’s body went rigid—the distance was far too intimate, Shi Yuning’s breath warm against her jaw.

She retreated a step, putting space between them.

“Mm, you hit it.” Spotting the thrill in Shi Yuning’s eyes, Xie Zhaoran added, “You’re a natural.”

Shi Yuning thought Xie Zhaoran was truly kind. It was her guidance that made it work, yet she credited Shi Yuning herself.

Still, a spark of pride bloomed in Shi Yuning’s chest. She really was talented, just as her old masters had said.

“Let me try again.”

Grinning, Shi Yuning nocked another arrow, recalling the instructions. Her next shot veered slightly off but still clustered near the center.

Delighted, she kept firing, one arrow after another, determined to lock in the feel.

Xie Zhaoran watched Shi Yuning lose herself in the rhythm of shooting. The hand clenched inside her sleeve slowly relaxed, a dull ache throbbing in her palm. She glanced down.

Her grip had been too tight—nails had dug into her flesh, leaving four uneven crescent marks.

She rubbed at them absently as she stepped back and sank into the chair Qiangdi had prepared nearby. Silently, she watched the lively figure in the distance.

Only when the sun neared its zenith did Xie Zhaoran call out to the still-enthralled Shi Yuning.

“Miss Shi, time for a break.”

Shi Yuning paused reluctantly but obeyed, setting down the bow and jogging over to Xie Zhaoran’s side. She wiped the sweat from her face with the back of her hand.

“Here—wipe off.” Xie Zhaoran offered a handkerchief.

Shi Yuning waved it off. “No need. I’m drenched in sweat—don’t want to ruin yours. My sleeve will do.”

She scrubbed at her face with her sleeve without a second thought.

Xie Zhaoran tucked the handkerchief away and eyed Shi Yuning’s sweat-soaked collar. How did she sweat so much?

“Are you sensitive to heat?” Late spring’s warmth, even under the sun, shouldn’t cause this.

Shi Yuning fanned her neck in annoyance. “Wore too many layers.”

It was infuriating—she had only herself to blame. She hadn’t wanted to bundle up, but to avoid her mother’s nagging, she’d claimed that ladies in the capital all wore spring blouses and that she’d look ridiculous without an outer jacket.

Tu Chunhua had taken it to heart and stuffed her into a padded jacket underneath.

Normally, she’d wear the jacket on the outside and could shed it if needed. Now she’d hoisted herself by her own petard.

Xie Zhaoran noted the endless sweat and Shi Yuning’s flushed face. Her underclothes were probably soaked through.

“Qiangdi, prepare hot water and escort Miss Shi to bathe and change.”

Shi Yuning started to protest—it seemed like too much fuss.

“Don’t refuse, Miss Shi. Sweating like this in spring, then catching a draft? You’d be laid up with a chill for sure.”

Xie Zhaoran was dead serious, and Shi Yuning recalled how miserable colds could be. She relented and followed Qiangdi.

After a refreshing bath, Shi Yuning truly appreciated the thoughtfulness. Washed clean of sweat, she felt invigorated, her spirits lifted.

The fresh clothes Qiangdi provided fit perfectly.

“Sister Qiangdi, who were these originally for?”

Xie Zhaoran was much taller—they couldn’t be hers. Shi Yuning worried about borrowing another lady’s things and causing trouble.

Qiangdi smiled as she styled Shi Yuning’s hair. “Our mistress had them made when she was twelve. She grew so fast that many outfits were finished before she could wear them out.

“I was dithering over which to pick earlier, but the mistress said this one would suit you. And look—it fits like it was tailored today.”

Qiangdi marveled at her mistress’s keen eye.

Shi Yuning was stunned. These were Xie Zhaoran’s own clothes—from when she was twelve.

She was fifteen now, and a twelve-year-old’s garb fit her perfectly…

Humiliation and anger flushed Shi Yuning’s cheeks.

With a sour edge to her mutter, she said, “What does your mistress eat to grow so tall?”

Qiangdi paused mid-braid on the lily bun, pondering the question.

“Nothing special, really. Our mistress isn’t picky—she eats anything except green onions, ginger, garlic, chives, or leeks.”

From the mirror, Shi Yuning caught Qiangdi’s proud look when mentioning her mistress’s habits. Her mouth twitched. That counted as not picky?

Without those staples, how could anyone cook vegetables? Just steam or boil them plain?

The thought alone killed Shi Yuning’s appetite.

Then she remembered agreeing to stay for lunch with Xie Zhaoran. She prayed inwardly that the meal wouldn’t be all boiled veggies.

Once she was dressed, Shi Yuning followed Qiangdi to the side hall for the noon meal—and was surprised to spot the Crown Prince there as well.

Suddenly, the odds of a boiled-vegetable feast seemed much higher.