The military examination grounds resembled a blazing furnace, a searing heat wafting across the air. The blazing sun hung high in the sky, mercilessly pouring down its light and heat, scorching the entire ground until it seemed on fire. Amidst the clamor, loess flew freely, like the smoke of a battlefield, adding a touch of tension and solemnity to the scene.
Jiang Nianli, clad in her brand-new outfit, stood proudly among them, like a rose blossoming amidst a blazing fire. The outfit was perfectly tailored, perfectly framing her youthful, energetic figure, each line showcasing her skill and agility. The string of bright red chilies around her waist, gleaming in the sunlight like a string of flaming flames, was particularly striking. It swayed slightly with her steps, emitting a distinct, warm aura, a unique symbol of hers, as if announcing her uniqueness to the world.
Su Jinli stood quietly beside her daughter, her eyes filled with concern and encouragement, like a deep lake, imbued with endless tenderness and strength. She gently adjusted Nianli's wristband, her movements meticulous, each touch of her fingertips carrying a mother's warmth. Through this small act, she imparted a continuous stream of strength and courage to her daughter. "Don't be nervous, baby, just think of it as playing Frisbee," she whispered softly, her voice like a spring breeze brushing against her ears, bringing a touch of soothingness, trying to gently dispel the lingering tension in Nianli's heart.
Jiang Yan, hiding behind the crowd, couldn't hide his nervousness. He clutched the tranquilizing pill tightly in his hands, as if the tiny pill was his only hope, a source of comfort. He stared at Nian Li, his eyes unblinking, revealing a complex mix of anticipation and worry. He muttered to himself, "If the shot misses, we'll just say it was the wind..." He knew the immense significance of this exam for his daughter. While he hoped she would perform exceptionally well and win first place, he couldn't help but worry that something unexpected would happen, ruining her efforts.
"Dad, you are so nagging!" Nian Li turned her head and scolded Jiang Yan. The voice was crisp and loud, with the unique coquettishness and vitality of a young girl. Then, she suddenly snatched the bow and arrow, took firm and powerful steps, like a fearless little beast, and walked straight to the target. Every step was solid and powerful, as if announcing her determination to the world. Si Yan squatted on the ground, holding the account book tightly in his arms, and kept muttering: "If I win, I will get a bonus of 20 taels; if I miss, I will pay the target 5 taels..." The way he calculated the accounts seriously, it was as if the outcome of this exam had already been clearly transformed into a series of numbers in his mind, closely related to the family's income and expenditure.
The chief examiner, a burly, bearded general, sat at the exam table with a solemn expression, like an inviolable god of war. His hawk-like gaze swept across the examination room, scrutinizing each candidate. When his gaze fell on Nian Li, he couldn't help but frown slightly, a flicker of disdain in his eyes. "Go home and embroider!" His voice, resonant like a bell, carried an undeniable arrogance that reverberated through the sweltering air, threatening to shatter Nian Li's dreams in an instant.
Upon hearing this, Nian Li felt a surge of nameless rage, like a volcano erupting in an instant. She swung her bow and arrow, the taut bowstring rubbing against the air, creating a buzzing sound that seemed to be the roar of her inner rage, venting her resentment. "How dare you look down on me?" Her eyes widened, her gaze blazing as she stared directly at the general, revealing a stubborn determination to never concede defeat, as if determined to shatter the general's contempt with this resolute gaze.
"How dare you!" The general, completely enraged by Nian Li's actions, slammed his hand on the table. The heavy, solid wood table trembled violently under his force, and the pens and ink on the table also jumped, as if panicked by this sudden anger. He stood up with a jerk, pointed his finger at Nian Li like a halberd, and shouted, "Shoot three arrows, and hit one ring, and you pass!" His face was filled with anger and contempt, as if he was certain that this ignorant girl would never pass this seemingly simple test. In his eyes, Nian Li's resistance was a futile struggle.
Nian Li took a deep breath, trying to calm her surging emotions. She slowly put the arrow on the bow and drew the bow, her movements steady and skillful. At this moment, her eyes became particularly focused and determined, locking onto the target in the distance, as if the whole world had disappeared at this moment, leaving only her and the small bull's eye. Seeing this, Jiang Yan was so nervous that his heart seemed to be in his throat. He quickly put his hands up to cover his eyes, not daring to look directly at the upcoming result, for fear of seeing his daughter fail. However, Su Jinli smiled and calmly handed over a dried plum. That smile was full of trust and encouragement for her daughter, as if telling her that no matter what the result was, she was the best.
With a whoosh, the arrow, ready to be launched, instantly ripped through the air like a streak of black lightning, carrying Nian Li's determination and strength as it shot towards the target. However, fate seemed to be playing a cruel joke on her at this moment.
"Plop!" With a dull sound, the arrow did not hit the target as everyone expected, but instead accurately shot the general's hat away. The hat drew a funny arc in the air, like a kite with a broken string, and then slowly fell to the ground.
The entire place fell into a dead silence, everyone stunned by this sudden turn of events. Time seemed to freeze at this moment, the air itself frozen. The general's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at his own bald head, his face flushed red like a ripe tomato. His beard trembled with rage, like a flock of frightened caterpillars. "You..." His lips trembled with anger, but he couldn't utter a word for a long time. His finger trembled as he pointed at Nian Li, as if he wanted to vent all the rage burning in his heart through this one finger.
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