Liu Cheng glanced at Nan Yuan'er, who looked as if she was about to faint from anger. It was the first time he had seen such a ferocious expression on her usually gentle and beautiful face. Suddenly, the aura that enveloped her seemed to dissipate, transforming her from a lofty celestial being into an ordinary mortal fallen to earth.
Truth be told, Nan Yuan'er was not as beautiful as Nan Shiying, her zither skills not as refined as Qin Yurou's, and her dancing not as graceful as that of the late Consort Zou. It was only her talent that was somewhat astonishing. How had she managed to surpass all the other women in Linyuan over these years?
Liu Cheng couldn't quite figure it out for a moment.
"Where's the bow?"
Nan Shiying's brow furrowed slightly, a hint of impatience flickering in her red-rimmed eyes. Her not-so-strong facial features became sharp due to those eyes.
Liu Cheng had witnessed her ruthlessness before, and his very soul trembled. He quickly replied, "Outside! In the backyard!"
"Lead the way!"
Liu Cheng dared not say anything more. Even the person involved, Nan Yujin, had issued a disclaimer. He could only steel himself and lead the two towards the backyard.
Wang Qiancheng stood up and followed.
Qin Mo also quickly stood up and chased after them.
"Sister, let's go watch too!" Liu Ling'er said with a smile, pulling Liu Lan's hand. Her bright eyes darted a glance at Nan Yuan'er, who was still standing quietly to the side. A cold, disdainful smile played on her lips as she pulled Liu Lan and walked out.
Mu Xiaoxiao and Mu Baiyu also stood up and walked towards the backyard with everyone else.
"Yuan'er, are you alright?"
The few people close to Nan Yuan'er finally gathered around, asking with concern. But these questions, falling upon Nan Yuan'er's ears, sounded more like sharp knives, exuding a cold, menacing glint and ill-intentioned scrutiny.
She tightly clenched her teeth, preventing the venomous look in her eyes from revealing itself. She merely lowered her head, tears falling profusely.
Shen Man slowly stood up, adjusted her hair bun, and a fleeting cold smile played on her lips. She glanced at Nan Yuan'er, then turned to her maid and said, "Let's go, let's go watch too~"
Soon, few people remained in the room.
Nan Yuan'er, feigning illness, hastily left the Liu mansion.
...
The open space in the backyard was enclosed by a fence, with bows and arrows and targets set up inside. On the left side, several slender bronze pots for the "tou壶" game and hockey sticks were also arranged.
Servants of the Liu mansion were guarding the area, their hands tucked into their sleeves, shivering with cold. Seeing the approaching young lords and ladies from afar, they quickly pulled their hands out and straightened up.
"Young Master, esteemed young lords and ladies!" they said, bowing as the group approached.
Liu Cheng waved his hand. The servant opened the fence gate and welcomed them in. Nan Shiying picked up a bow and arrow, testing its feel.
Upon seeing her draw the bow, Wang Qiancheng couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat for Nan Yujin.
Qin Mo leaned closer to Nan Shiying and asked, "Fengluan, how is your archery?"
Nan Shiying replied, "So-so!"
Qin Mo, thinking she was being modest, jokingly remarked, "With that skill, you're still asking Young Master Nan to wear an apple on his head for a blind shot? Are you playing a game or trying to kill someone!"
Nan Shiying glanced at him!
Wang Qiancheng also tugged at him!
Although Qin Mo was a bit simple, he wasn't entirely foolish. His eyes widened instantly. He looked at Nan Shiying in disbelief, then turned to Nan Yujin.
"No, you..."
Liu Cheng stepped forward and clamped a hand over his mouth!
Just shut up!
Nan Shiying picked up an arrow, drew the bow, and aimed at the bullseye.
She released, and the arrow pierced the air.
With a "ding," it struck the target, but it was far from the bullseye.
It couldn't be said that her archery was bad, only that it wasn't very accurate!
Nan Yujin's face turned a little ashen, but he still stood there without a word. After testing the feel of the bow, Nan Shiying said to Liu Cheng, "Aren't you going to have the servants prepare the items?"
Liu Cheng had no choice but to comply.
He couldn't persuade Fengluan, so he tried to persuade Nan Yujin, "Young Master Nan, don't you want to reconsider!"
"Look at that target. Once some things begin, there's no turning back!" Liu Cheng pleaded earnestly, fearing that Nan Yujin might end up bleeding within the Liu mansion.
"Fengluan!"
Nan Yujin suddenly spoke.
Nan Shiying, gripping the bow and arrow, looked at him. "What, you regret it?"
Nan Yujin said, "The bet just now has a problem!"
"What problem?"
"You said it was life for life, right?"
Nan Shiying nodded.
"So, in other words, if I die in this game, you should also go and treat my mother, right?"
Nan Shiying was slightly stunned, then she chuckled, "Yes!"
"If you win, you die, and I will fulfill my promise to treat your esteemed mother!"
"Good!"
After clarifying the bet, Nan Yujin remained silent.
Liu Cheng sighed deeply. He couldn't persuade Fengluan, and he couldn't persuade Nan Yujin either. At that moment, the servant brought the blindfold and the apple. Liu Cheng glared fiercely at him, thinking he had never seen the servant so nimble!
The servant, bewildered by the glare, could only lower his head in apprehension.
"Brother Liu, I'll have to trouble you!"
Nan Yujin took the black cloth, walked to the center, blindfolded himself, and Liu Cheng sighed again, but still placed the apple on his head.
Nan Shiying also blindfolded herself.
With her vision obscured, she adjusted slightly, hefted the bow and arrow, and joked, "Everyone, stand back, be careful not to get hurt by accident!"
Hearing this, everyone stepped back behind her.
Nan Shiying drew an arrow and pulled the bowstring taut, "Young Master Nan, I will only shoot five arrows!"
As she spoke, without giving Nan Yujin any time to prepare, she released the string, and the arrow shot out of the bow, flying swiftly towards Nan Yujin.
Nan Yujin suddenly heard the sound of the arrow, gritted his teeth, and shifted a step to the left. The arrow grazed his earlobe and whistled past, embedding itself in the target behind him.
Blood drops trickled down Nan Yujin's earlobe, following the lines of his skin and flowing into his collar.
Seeing Nan Yujin's action, everyone was slightly stunned. Why did he seem to move towards the arrow intentionally?
Liu Cheng, even more fearful, shouted, "Young Master Nan, what are you doing?"
Wang Qiancheng patted Liu Cheng's shoulder and said, "Stop shouting. Didn't you understand the game rules earlier? The arrow must hit the apple for Young Master Nan to win. In other words, Young Master Nan must ensure the arrow hits the apple!"
"To win, he has to do this!"
Hearing this, everyone gasped in shock, their gazes towards Nan Shiying filled with residual fear and dread. How could she, with such a dignified appearance, possess such a wicked heart? Wasn't this forcing Nan Yujin to his death!
Blindfolded archery!
This time it grazed his earlobe, but what about next time?
Thinking this, everyone involuntarily took half a step back.
Nan Shiying bent down, retrieved the second arrow, and once again drew the bowstring taut!