Times——
Jiang Shiyuan had never been so eager for a banquet, nor had she ever taken a banquet so seriously. From her hair to her heels, she looked in the mirror countless times, wanting to appear solemn but also wanting to appear too deliberate.
Finally it was evening and I left home early by bus.
When the carriage arrived at the palace gate, Jiang Shiyuan met Miss Yang from the Censor's family and Miss Bai from the Vice Minister's House. They greeted each other and entered the palace together.
It was still early before the banquet, so the palace ladies had set up games such as pitching pots and archery in the imperial garden. The daughters of the royal family who came into the palace could enjoy the flowers and chat, or play games to pass the time.
In addition to the daughters of various mansions, young princes of the capital's families and talented people in the court were also invited to the palace. This kind of banquet has always been a good opportunity for the families to secretly meet each other and form relationships.
Presumably, Imperial Concubine Lan organized this palace banquet under the pretext of choosing a son-in-law for Xie Ruoruo.
Jiang Shiyuan followed Miss Yang and Miss Bai. Miss Yang shared the delicacies of Beijing along the way. Miss Bai had a cough every few steps because of an illness she had suffered from falling into the water. Jiang Shiyuan patted Miss Bai's back to help her breathe while looking around.
The further we walked into the Imperial Garden, the more people we met, and more people came to greet us.
Finally, beside Wanshou Lake, Jiang Shiyuan caught a glimpse of the familiar figure as he wished.
Jiang Shiyuan was surrounded by a crowd, and his sight passed through the crowd and fell on another group of people in the distance.
Jiang Shiyuan only knew that her sense of smell was excellent, but she didn't know that her eyesight was also so outstanding. There were so many people in the Imperial Garden, but Pei Che's figure was firmly locked by her almost as soon as he entered her field of vision.
He was dressed in a neat official uniform, looking dignified and solemn.
Because they were far away, Jiang Shiyuan took a look openly. Just as she looked over, Pei Che seemed to have sensed something and also turned his head to look over.
The two of them made eye contact across the crowd, communicating with each other without any hesitation, as if no one was around. Although they didn't say a single word, there was something so charming about their relationship.
Jiang Shiyuan suddenly felt satisfied, as if the melancholy of the past few days was suddenly smoothed out by this glance.
"Miss Jiang, do you want to play archery? There is a prize. The prize is a piece of fine Hetian jade."
Not knowing who had invited him, Jiang Shiyuan went to see who was the one who made the noise.
The lucky charm is a jade pendant, on the cool and lustrous jade there is a pair of white cranes with their necks stretched out.
There was immediately a voice in Jiang Shiyuan's mind: I want it!
Jiang Shiyuan agreed without thinking, but when he got on the field, he found out that his opponent was Jiang Xingzhuo.
What a fun place for everyone.
It's just a little trick for blind dating.
On the way here just now, Jiang Shiyuan heard several girls mention Jiang Xingzhuo.
The young general is positive, kind, and well-behaved. He is really eye-catching.
But Jiang Shiyuan was unwilling to close the door. She just wanted to win the jade today.
"One person shoots ten arrows. The one who hits the target gets one point. The one who misses the target loses two points. The one with the highest score wins."
Jiang Shiyuan was fully focused and did not show any fear just because he was a layman. Once he was on the field, he had to give it his all.
To win!
If you win, give it to the tutor.
This jade pendant must look very nice hanging around his waist.
Jiang Xingzhuo seemed like a different person. He was very cautious in his words and did not show any leniency towards Jiang Shiyuan just because she was a girl.
The two men held their breath, drew their bows and released their arrows, neither of them willing to give way to the other.
"According to reports from various prefectures, this year's autumn taxes have basically been paid. The weather has been favorable and the harvests have been good. God blesses our dynasty. Next year, the people will surely live a better life."
“Almost.”
"Um?"
In a low pavilion on the hillside, several adults were discussing this year's autumn harvest when they heard Master Pei suddenly say "almost". Everyone was startled and looked up, only to see Master Pei standing in the pavilion, his eyes fixed on the outside.
Everyone followed Master Pei's gaze and landed on the shooting range below.
Almost, really almost.
If the arrow of the daughter of the General's Mansion was half an inch closer, it would have hit the target and scored another point.
"The daughter of the General's Mansion is really brave. Her accuracy is on par with that of General Jiang!" someone couldn't help but praise.
Pei Che pursed his lips lightly, with a faint smile on his lips.
He taught.
At the shooting range, the score was deadlocked. At first, everyone treated the competition as a joke. But after seeing Jiang Shiyuan pull the bow to its full length and hit the target with every shot, including five arrows in a row, they were all shocked.
Those who were chatting, admiring the flowers, and playing pitch pot all gathered together.
Even Jiang Xingzhuo was surprised. When did Jiang Shiyuan's archery skills become so good?
Jiang Shiyuan didn't notice the changes around him, all his thoughts were on the bow and arrow in his hand.
The Grand Tutor said that when shooting an arrow one must be focused, only then can the arrow go where it points.
The sixth arrow just brushed the target and got no points.
Jiang Shiyuan curled his lips: Almost.
She didn't learn it well, could she go back to the tutor to learn from him again?
He was distracted and the seventh arrow almost missed the target.
Go on, go on, the master likes to teach the rotten wood.
She is going to win!
Jiang Shiyuan exhaled a breath of foul air, refocused his mind, fired arrows in succession, and all of them hit the target.
"pretty!"
There was spontaneous cheering from the crowd.
Jiang Shiyuan straightened his chest and glanced at the pavilion in the distance.
Jiang Xingzhuo, like everyone else, couldn't control the amazement in his eyes, but there was also a sense of loneliness in his amazement compared to others.
He still has one last arrow. If he hits all of them, he will be able to defeat Jiang Shiyuan.
But, perhaps he was too anxious, or perhaps the cheers from the side affected his thoughts, he also imitated Jiang Shiyuan and fired two arrows in succession, but the last arrow missed the target.
"Miss Jiang, wins!"
Cheers were heard at the shooting range, and the palace servants immediately brought the prize over.
"Ah? You won?"
Jiang Shiyuan was stunned for a moment, and then his heart was filled with joy.
She won!
She finally defeated Jiang Xingzhuo!
Master, Master, she wants to tell you!
Jiang Shiyuan excitedly picked up the jade pendant and ran to the pavilion beside him without thinking.
"Pei Che——"
Jiang Shiyuan shouted Pei Che's name, rushed into the pavilion, and stuffed the jade pendant into his hand.
"Pei Che, you win!"
"Pei Che, I won you a jade pendant. Is that amazing?"
Pei Che watched her running towards him with joy and obliviousness, her raised hair and skirt were so lively that no amount of ink could describe them.
“I saw it. It’s amazing.”
Pei Che had an undisguised smile and admiration on his face.
This is far more exciting than winning a competition or a prize.
Jiang Shiyuan was about to say something when he suddenly heard a burst of laughter.
She turned around and was met by a group of ministers who were trying to hold back their laughter. Then she turned around again and saw people all over the Imperial Garden laughing.
Dead, dead, she is dead.
It's so embarrassing!
Jiang Shiyuan's face turned red, and he ran away with his head down.
Pei Che clenched the jade pendant in his hand and said apologetically: "Madam is young, I am sorry to make you laugh."
Although everyone knew that Pei Che and Jiang Shiyuan were not married yet, this was obviously a hobby between them. Moreover, looking at the whole process, Master Pei was smiling and clearly enjoying himself. Who would be so tactful as to spoil the fun?
Everyone smiled knowingly and went their separate ways.
Only at the shooting range, Jiang Xingzhuo stared at the arrow that missed the target for a long time, and finally smiled.
He likes Jiang Shiyuan.
If it were someone else, he would definitely step forward and fight for it.
But if that person was Master Pei, he would admit defeat.
Jiang Shiyuan deserves the best.
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