Chapter 47: Pitch-Pot Contest, Vying for Spirit

Chen Qianqian took the arrow, her eyes fixed tightly on the pot's mouth, then she threw it in one breath.

She used too much force, and the arrow flew straight past the pot's mouth, not even grazing the rim.

Chen Qianqian's face changed slightly, and she made an excuse for herself: "I, I just hadn't found the feel yet; it was an accident, I'll try again."

Princess Jingyu knew pitch-pot was hard; seeing her first arrow miss, she didn't blame her, but instead comforted: "It's fine, you still have five arrows; aim more carefully."

Chen Qianqian took a deep breath, wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve, and prepared to try again.

However, she was too eager to shine, her mind set on hitting the pot's ear to make a stunning debut.

The result was that all six arrows missed.

Among the watching ladies, someone couldn't help but snicker: "You didn't hit a single arrow, yet you dare say you usually play—how laughable."

Hearing that, Chen Qianqian's small face turned blue and purple; she wished she could dig a hole to crawl into.

Earlier she had heard that Princess Jingyu was very interested in pitch-pot, so she had painstakingly practiced in private for a long time, waiting for this day to strike up a conversation with the princess using this skill; she had finally gotten a chance to use it, yet why did she falter just now?

Chen Qianqian regretted it deeply and hurriedly explained: "Princess, I'm not usually like this; it must have been the strong wind just now that affected me..."

She was so anxious she was about to cry.

Princess Jingyu grew a little impatient: "You wouldn't just stand aside and humbly seek advice, instead of making all these excuses."

Being scolded by the princess in public, Chen Qianqian felt utterly embarrassed; she shamefully gave up her seat and stepped aside.

The young gentlemen saw the ladies playing pitch-pot over there and all came over to join the fun.

A young gentleman saw Chen Qianqian lowering her head to wipe her tears, learned she hadn't hit a single arrow, and thought to comfort her: "Pitch-pot is inherently difficult for women; missing is quite normal, don't be too hard on yourself."

Chen Qianqian cried even louder, turned and ran away.

Afterwards, who knows who brought it up, suggesting a pitch-pot match.

"Why don't we split into two teams and have the gentlemen and ladies compete against each other?"

A young gentleman surnamed Zhou heard this, as if he'd heard an extremely funny joke, and burst out laughing: "Competing against women—isn't that bullying? If you lose, you'll cry; besides, even if you win, it's an empty victory."

Princess Jingyu frowned at the words; she despised men who looked down on women, and she glared at him: "Are you saying women must lose at pitch-pot to men?"

Seeing that the princess had spoken, this Zhou gentleman realized his slip and said awkwardly: "Princess, I didn't mean it that way..."

Although Princess Jingyu had a chubby face, if she truly grew angry, the imperial dignity in her brows and eyes would emerge, making her quite imposing.

"Pitch-pot isn't archery; there's no gender difference—why look down on women? Since you think women are inferior to men, then this princess will insist on a match; we'll each pick a representative... no, just you, Lord Zhou, and me."

Princess Jingyu pointed her finger at Zhou Ren.

Pei Qing raised her hand: "I agree!"

She added: "Since we're competing, we naturally need a stake to make it interesting; I have a pure gold pot in my manor, and the winner can take it!"

The stake isn't important; what matters is to save face.

Princess Jingyu's gaze fell on that haughty Zhou gentleman from earlier: "If you lose, you will walk out of here and, whoever you meet, say: 'You are an idiot; you lost at pitch-pot to a woman, and you will never look down on women again.'"

"If we lose, the same applies."

Zhou Ren's expression shifted.

This punishment is too embarrassing, but if he refuses, it would be retreating before the battle, admitting inferiority to women.

That is absolutely out of the question!

Zhou Ren coughed lightly: "This is what the princess said; we compare, and if we lose we can't go back on it."

He didn't think he would lose; he was an expert at pitch-pot, and none of these gentlemen could match him.

"I don't know whether the princess will personally take the field or which lady will come to compete against me."

Princess Jingyu's eyes rolled, her gaze landing on Shen Shuangning, and she winked at her.

Shen Shuangning: "......." I knew it.

"Lord Zhou, I'll compete with you." Shen Shuangning stepped forward.

Upon seeing her, Zhou Ren naturally recognized her.

"Fourth Miss, are you sure you want to compete with me?"

Shen Shuangning gave a slight smile: "Lord Zhou, aren't you daring enough?"

Zhou Ren laughed heartily, turned to look at Shen Er: "Second Young Master, this concerns men's dignity; you can't blame me."

Shen Er chuckled: "My sister isn't someone who can't bear to lose."

Shen Er looked at him with pity, thinking: Playing pitch-pot with Ningning, you're overreaching; just wait to have your face thrown on the ground to be trampled.

"Fourth Miss, please go first." Zhou Ren, still rather courteous, let Shen Shuangning go first.

Shen Shuangning said: "I propose we change the way we play."

Zhou Ren raised his eyebrows, unfazed: "Oh? Fourth Miss, how do you want to play?"

Shen Shuangning said: "Blindfolded."

Zhou Ren blinked, thinking he'd misheard: "What did you say?"

Shen Shuangning patiently repeated: "I said blindfolded. Lord Zhou, dare you accept?"

Zhou Ren's eyes widened: "What's there to dare not?"

Shen Shuangning: "All right, I'll go first."

Zhou Ren stepped aside, staring intently at her, thinking: Could this Fourth Miss Shen also be an expert?

Impossible; even if she's somewhat skilled, it's hardly exaggerated that she could hit the pot blindfolded.

All that could be seen was Shen Shuangning standing directly in front of the pot; after observing for a moment, she covered her eyes with a black cloth.

Then she raised her hand and threw.

Immediately after, only a clear "ding-lang" sound was heard.

One arrow went into the pot's three-inch-wide mouth.

Shen Shuangning's ears twitched slightly.

Everyone immediately sucked in a breath of cold air.

Zhou Ren's expression changed instantly: "This is absolutely impossible; it must be a coincidence!"

Princess Jingyu glared at him: "Shut up, don't disturb Elder Sister Ning!"

Zhou Ren's face darkened, and the hand hanging at his side clenched involuntarily.

Shen Shuangning was unaffected by the surroundings; after hitting the target with her first arrow, she knew she had it.

Soon after, she looked at the tied cloth.

All six arrows went into the pot's mouth.

Princess Jingyu led the applause: "Elder Sister Ning is so amazing!!"

Even the other young ladies couldn't help but show admiring looks; truly impressive!

Shen Shuangning curled her lips, turned her gaze to Zhou Ren's pale face: "Young Master Zhou, it's your turn."

With Shen Shuangning setting the bar high, Zhou Ren's pressure surged straight up.

"Brother Zhou Ren, show us a trick, don't lose face in front of all these ladies!" Shen Er shouted.

Zhou Ren pressed his lips, forced himself to appear calm as he walked over.

The servant blindfolded him.

As his vision went dark, Zhou Ren could see nothing, his panic mounting. He regretted it a little, wondering why he had said that extra line earlier?!

As expected, Zhou Ren's first three arrows all deviated from the trajectory and missed.

A sigh seemed to rise from the crowd.

Zhou Ren swallowed his saliva, growing even more anxious.

Losing was certain, but he absolutely couldn't lose embarrassingly; if he didn't hit a single arrow, it would be utterly humiliating.

He heard a "clang," Zhou Ren's ear twitched—the sound was unmistakable; he must have hit!

However, he didn't realize he had merely struck the pot's body.

Zhou Ren's last arrow grazed the pot's body and finally landed at the edge of a black boot.

That person unhurriedly bent down, picked up the arrow on the ground, and said: "Pitch-pot requires a steady body and correct mind; if the heart is restless and eager for quick success, the outcome will be contrary to one's wishes."

"Steady body and correct mind" was also what Shen Shuangning had just taught Princess Jingyu.

Zhou Ren hastily untied the blindfold, ran over to look, and exclaimed in disbelief: "How come none of them went in?"

Zhou Ren plopped down on the ground, his face full of dejection.

Shen Shuangning had no time to look at Zhou Ren; she turned her gaze toward the man approaching from that direction.

"Third Brother!" Pei Qing ran over, raising the corners of her mouth: "Third Brother, why did you only just arrive?"

The noble ladies, seeing the handsome young lord walking slowly over, couldn't help but flash a look of astonishment.

The newcomer had a fine appearance, his features like a painting; he wore a moon-white brocade robe over a shawl patterned with ink‑black bamboo leaves, a translucent warm jade pendant at his waist. A dark jade sash hung loosely, and as he moved the warm jade pendant tapped softly, like a pendant.

A few strands of hair at his temples were loosely held by a white jade pin, with some wisps falling over his forehead; his eyes were like a clear spring, limpid and bright.

This is Pei Zhi, the Third Young Master Pei.

Among these ladies, some had once caught a glimpse of Pei Zhi's charm at Wanghe Tower, but only from afar; now, seeing him up close, they finally realized how handsome the Third Young Master Pei truly was.

Looking at the warm, jade‑like young lord before them, who would have thought he was once a foolish, madman, unseen by others?

They had come to the banquet today largely to see him.

Shen Shuangning looked at the newcomer's face, her heart stirred—indeed it was him.

That day, across the street, the young man who had been watching the rain from the window of Zichen Pavilion and gave her an umbrella was the Third Young Master Pei.

Princess Jingyu walked up beside Zhou Ren, looked down at him, and said: "Young Master Zhou, have you admitted defeat?"

Zhou Ren glanced at Shen Shuangning, wearing an expression of conviction: "I lost."

Princess Jingyu snorted coldly: "What should you do after losing? Need I remind you?"

Xiao Jingyuan and Su Chen had just arrived outside the Duke of Zhen's mansion when they saw a young man stride straight toward them, stop in front of them, looking as if he wanted to speak but hesitated.

Su Chen took the initiative to ask: "Who are you?"

"I'm an idiot! I lost at pitch‑pot to the Fourth Miss, and from now on I'll never look down on women again!!!"

Because two people stood before him, per the princess's demand, Zhou Ren had to say it twice.

"I'm an idiot, I lost at pitch‑pot to the Fourth Miss, and from now on I'll never look down on women again!"

Xiao Jingyuan and Su Chen were forced to hear a nonsensical remark, both looking bewildered.