Chapter 19 Congratulations, Young Marquis, on your resounding victory! ...
Chapter 19
A few days later, Shen Yan was going to take Shen Suining to pay a visit to the Yong'an Marquis's residence. Before they left, he urged them again and again, but they still didn't see them for a long time.
As it grew later and later, Shen Yan became anxious and ran to Tingyuxuan, where Shen Suining was staying, saying, "Ningning, we need to hurry."
“…Right away.” Shen Suining mumbled a reply.
After waiting for quite a while, until even the usually good-tempered Shen Yan was about to rush into the room and drag her out, Shen Suining finally timidly poked half her body out and asked, "Father, do I really have to dress like this to see people?"
Shen Suining wore a lotus-pink embroidered wide-sleeved double-silk robe, held a gold-woven ivory fan, and styled her hair into an elegant yet playful lily bun, adorned with numerous pearl hairpins.
She was born with a sweet face and a pair of very bright and beautiful eyes. Even without makeup, she was so beautiful that people couldn't take their eyes off her. Now, with a little embellishment, she has gained a touch of charm in her sweetness. She would probably be one of the most beautiful women in the entire capital.
Shen Yan smiled and looked her over for a long time. "You look good dressed like this."
Shen Fengyu, who was standing to the side, was stunned. She couldn't help but reach out and pinch Shen Suining's cheek. "Young Master, you didn't change your skin?"
"..." Shen Suining instantly lost her composure and swung her fan to smash it over.
Shen Fengyu, who quickly dodged, gave an awkward laugh, "I've seen so many fake faces of our young master that I've almost forgotten what he actually looks like."
"Shen Fengyu, don't think I can't beat you up just because you're dressed like this." Shen Suining gritted her teeth. She was wearing embroidered shoes that she had never worn before and was not used to them. She stumbled after taking only a few steps and almost fell.
"Oh dear, my good young master, you can barely walk. You should save your energy." Shen Fengyu helped Shen Suining up and couldn't help but tease him a few times.
"Alright, stop fooling around," Shen Yan smoothed things over with a smile. "Feng Yu, you should change back into women's clothes too. I don't feel comfortable leaving Ningning with anyone else."
"..." Shen Fengyu, who had just finished mocking him, was on the verge of tears. Looking at Shen Suining's smug expression, she sighed and replied, "Yes."
...
At the Yong'an Marquis's residence, the eldest princess stood at the gate early in the morning, waiting. When Shen Yan and his entourage's carriages arrived in the distance, she finally showed a happy smile.
The old friend was deeply moved to see each other again. Shen Yan was so excited that he could hardly speak. After a long while, he finally said, "Greetings, sister-in-law."
"Please rise, please rise." The princess was also a little choked up. Her husband and old friends had reunited, but they were already separated by death. She felt a little sad.
Shen Suining followed closely behind Shen Yan, awkwardly performing a woman's greeting, "Greetings, Princess."
"This must be the Princess?" The Eldest Princess smiled through her tears when she saw Shen Suining. She immediately pulled her close and looked her over again and again, nodding repeatedly: "She truly has the demeanor of Shuyu back then. She is so beautiful and charming. I wonder if she is used to the climate in Huadu?"
"It's alright. I may look pretty, but I'm actually quite tough. It's hard to feel uncomfortable." Shen Suining spoke the truth, which amused Shen Fengyu next to her.
Shen Suining's smile remained unchanged as she turned her head and glared fiercely at Shen Fengyu.
Shen Yan covered for her by saying, "Ningning is a child who speaks without thinking, and I'm sorry that the Princess has made a fool of herself."
"It's alright, it's quite cute this way," the princess smiled. "It's hot outside, come inside and sit down."
The group entered the mansion one after another.
Shen Suining and Shen Fengyu walked behind. They were very familiar with the layout of this mansion. Last time, Shen Suining was beaten to the point of vomiting blood by that bastard He Hansheng right here within these high walls.
"It would be a disgrace to not avenge this wrong," Shen Suining thought, finding it hard to swallow his anger. He said to Shen Fengyu, "Go tell Father that I'm going to take my revenge."
"..." Shen Fengyu was secretly shocked. "Young Master, a gentleman takes revenge even after ten years."
"Enough nonsense, it's already way too late for me to settle this score today!" With that, Shen Suining slipped away when no one was looking.
When Shen Yan turned around, he found that Shen Suining was gone and asked, "Where's Ningning?"
"Uh, Young...Princess saw that the flowers in that courtyard were in full bloom, so she went over to admire them." Shen Fengyu forced herself to make up an excuse.
“This child,” Shen Yan said with a hint of helplessness, then turned to the Princess and said, “I have spoiled Ningning. I hope you will not mind.”
The eldest princess smiled, "It's better for children to be lively. If you ask me, Ningning is the most lovable child, unlike our boy, who's such a quiet shrew."
Shen Yan withdrew his gaze and lowered his voice: "I would like to pay my respects to Brother He Nian first. I hope my sister-in-law will grant me permission."
...
When Shen Suining returned to the Marquis's residence for the second time, she easily found the Plum Blossom Garden where He Hansheng lived.
He Hansheng was discussing military matters with several subordinates in his study when he saw the person who had entered through the window. He frowned and asked, "Who is that?"
Jiang Yuchu looked over and replied, "My lord, today the Marquis of Pinghuai sent a visiting card to the Princess. That must be Princess Tangxi from the Marquis of Pinghuai's family."
“She was originally a princess,” He Hansheng stood up and went out. “Wait for me.”
Shen Suining walked to the bamboo forest where he had almost been shot through by an arrow last time. When he saw He Hansheng come out, he secretly rubbed his hands together, but on the surface he smiled and said, "Young Marquis He, it's an honor to meet you."
He Hansheng paused for a moment. It was clearly the first time he had seen this person in front of him, but for some reason he felt a strange sense of familiarity.
Since he was a guest, He Hansheng bowed politely and asked, "What brings you here, Princess?"
Shen Suining chuckled and returned the greeting in a proper manner, "I've heard that the young marquis is highly skilled in martial arts, and no one in the entire capital can rival you. May I ask to learn a few moves from you?"
He Hansheng: "Your Highness is too kind. Your Highness is of noble birth; how could I dare to fight with you?"
Shen Suining clenched her back teeth inwardly, thinking to herself, "You not only attacked me, you even made me vomit blood."
“It’s fine if we don’t fight,” Shen Suining said with a forced smile. “As long as you admit defeat, acknowledge that your martial arts are inferior to mine, and call me ‘Grandma’ three times, this matter will be over.”
He Hansheng's expression changed slightly, but he still maintained a polite smile. "This is my first meeting with the princess. Why does the princess humiliate me like this?"
"If you're not as skilled as me, you should just admit defeat. How can you say it's an insult?" Shen Suining argued irrationally. "Either you have a fair fight with me, or you'll have more backbone than losing without a fight."
“…Alright,” He Hansheng conceded, “I will accompany you however the princess wishes to compete.”
Shen Suining was finally satisfied and was about to make a request when she realized that her outfit today would definitely put her at a disadvantage in a fight, and she couldn't very well change it. After thinking for a moment, she suggested, "How about archery?"
"Princess Duyi," He Hansheng turned his head and instructed Jiang Yuchu, "Go to the training ground and prepare."
A moment later, on the training ground.
"My lord, everything is ready," Jiang Yuchu glanced at Shen Suining not far away, then stepped back to He Hansheng's side. "My lord, what do you think Princess Tangxi's intentions are? To come here and provoke us at this critical juncture, could it be..."
He Hansheng glanced at him, and Jiang Yuchu immediately fell silent, retreating quietly to the spectator area.
"How does the princess intend to determine the winner?" He Hansheng took two steps forward, maintaining a proper distance between them, neither too close nor too distant.
“Young Marquis, you’ve fought on the battlefield. When it comes to archery alone, I’m definitely no match for you,” Shen Suining said, pulling out two silk handkerchiefs from her bosom. “How about a blindfolded archery contest?”
"As Your Highness wishes," He Hansheng replied, but instead of taking the handkerchief from Shen Suining's hand, he gave Jiang Yuchu a wink.
Shen Suining didn't take it seriously, threw off the handkerchief and tied it over her eyes, then drew an arrow.
He Hansheng glanced at Shen Suining, whose face was half-covered, and was slightly taken aback, as if he realized that her features were somewhat familiar. However, before he could think about it, Jiang Yuchu's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"My lord, here is your handkerchief."
He came to his senses, suppressed his doubts, and covered his eyes.
The two men drew their longbows and, with the drum as their signal, fired their arrows simultaneously, one after the other, which landed squarely on the bullseye of their respective rakes.
Jiang Yuchu saw it clearly and was surprised. She couldn't help but look at this seemingly harmless princess with new respect.
Shen Suining is, after all, the young master of Shuyu Manor who can support half of it on her own. Although she is beautiful, she is proficient in everything that others think men are good at. Whether it is swords, spears, halberds, bows, arrows, or whips, she can handle them with ease.
After three drumbeats, the two were evenly matched, and every arrow hit the bullseye.
“I heard that although the young marquis is a soldier, he is not like a brute, but rather a gentleman,” Shen Suining drew his bow fully, preparing to shoot the fourth arrow. “Today I saw that the young marquis even brought his own blindfold. It seems that the rumors are not entirely unbelievable.”
The drums sounded, and an arrow shot out with a "whoosh." He Hansheng drew another arrow from the quiver on the ground. "How can I easily touch the princess's private belongings?"
“It seems that the young marquis is not only a gentleman, but also a very cautious one,” Shen Suining smiled. “I’m curious, young marquis, have you never had a mishap?”
"Of course it has."
"When? What happened?"
“That is my private matter,” He Hansheng said, shooting another arrow. “No need for the princess to worry about it.”
Six arrows were stuck in the rake, and the two were still evenly matched.
The two drew their bows and arrows, and He Hansheng suddenly asked, "I do not yet know the princess's honorable surname."
Shen Suining chuckled and fired an arrow first. After the arrow hit the bullseye, she replied, "If you beat me, you will naturally know."
More and more people gathered around, after all, He Hansheng's archery skills had never been matched to this day, and now someone who was on par with him had appeared, and she was a woman who looked like she couldn't even draw the bow properly.
Even Jiang Yuchu was secretly sweating for his master. He couldn't even imagine how embarrassing it would be if the Marquis, who was so concerned about his reputation, lost in front of so many subordinates.
Perhaps wanting to speed up the competition, Shen Suining drew three arrows from the quiver at the same time and fired them simultaneously when the seventh drumbeat sounded.
The arrows hit the bullseye perfectly, drawing gasps of amazement from the onlookers.
Shen Suining smiled, took out the last arrow, and aimed it.
"Young Marquis, have you considered how you would handle the situation if you lost, with so many of your men watching?"
He Hansheng gave a disdainful smile.
"It seems the young marquis is convinced he has won."
As the eighth drumbeat sounded, Shen Suining suddenly turned the arrow and fired it in the direction of He Hansheng.
The move was too sudden. Everyone else was caught up in the tense atmosphere of who would win or lose. Even Jiang Yuchu was a beat slow to react and watched helplessly as the arrow shot by Shen Suining pierced through He Hansheng's waist and knocked the jade pendant hanging from his waist to the ground.
"Lord Marquis has won." Shen Suining, still in the position of drawing the arrow, laughed triumphantly.
Jiang Yuchu, who witnessed the whole thing, was still shaken and her face turned pale.
With Shen Suining's archery skills, if she had deliberately shot slightly off-target, the spot that was hit could have been...
"Princess, you—" Jiang Yuchu was immediately enraged. More than losing the competition, he was concerned about Shen Suining's actions.
That was no longer a simple provocation; it was a blatant humiliation, a public insult and desecration of the Marquis, a trampling of a man's dignity underfoot!
But Shen Suining didn't care at all.
She pulled off the handkerchief covering her eyes, bowed to He Hansheng, and said indifferently, "Congratulations, young marquis, on your great victory."
He Hansheng stood calmly in place, seemingly unperturbed, and simply faced forward, asking, "So, what is the princess's surname? May I ask?"
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