Chapter 83

Not far from where Dong Yi was standing, there were several archery targets.

Of course, this was not what Dong Yi was most curious about.

What Dong Yi was most curious about was that beside this archery range, there was a pile of discarded bows and arrows.

That's right, a pile of discarded bows and arrows.

Bows with snapped strings, or even bows that had been snapped in half, were thrown there, piled up to the height of a person.

A rough estimate would put the number at several hundred.

Diao Chan nodded gently and said with a smile, "My husband rises with the crowing of the rooster and rests at sunset. Whenever he has time, he comes to practice archery. He never stops, not even for a day; sometimes he even practices from dawn until dusk."

"These bows and arrows were all snapped by my husband."

Dong Yi widened her beautiful eyes in astonishment.

She knew Duan Yu's archery was god-like, but she hadn't expected it to be practiced in such a way.

Practicing every day, and snapping so many bows.

Such perseverance...

She had lived on the frontier for years and was accustomed to seeing those fierce generals.

Yet, even among the generals around her father, not one had ever reached such a level of diligence.

"Sister Diao Chan has truly found a good husband," Dong Yi said with an envious smile. "Big Brother Duan has such skills; he is the best I have ever seen in my life."

"Sister Diao Chan may not know, but my father is a general in the army, with ten thousand men under his command."

"Yet even so, I have never seen anyone who possesses the skills of Big Brother Duan."

"Big Brother Duan is not only capable but also trustworthy and brave. If he were to join the army as a general, his future would surely be bright and glorious."

"Sister Diao Chan... it is truly Sister Diao Chan's good fortune that Big Brother Duan is willing to stay in this small mountain village for your sake."

Whether unintentional or intentional, Dong Yi's words seemed to imply something.

Diao Chan was not stupid; on the contrary, she was very intelligent.

It was just that having been cooped up in a mountain village for so many years, her horizons were limited.

But that didn't mean Diao Chan couldn't understand the meaning behind Dong Yi's words.

Looking at Dong Yi, and then at the luxurious carriages outside,

Diao Chan felt a slight sense of inferiority in her heart.

"Perhaps..."

Perhaps if her husband married such a wife, it would be of the greatest help to him.

I... I am just a lowly village woman; how could I compare to such a daughter of a great family, a daughter of a military house?

Diao Chan lowered her head and remained silent for a long time.

"Cui'er, go tell the servants to move the things in."

Dong Yi turned around and glanced at the maid behind her.

Then she smiled and took Diao Chan's hand, saying, "Sister Diao Chan, Big Brother Duan saved my life last time, and although I expressed my gratitude,"

"afterward, I told my father about the matter, and my father said,"

"he asked how my life could be worth so little."

"Since he saved my life, I should naturally repay him with a fountain of gratitude."

"Therefore, I have come today to express my thanks in person."

"Sister Diao Chan, please do not refuse, otherwise, when I return home, my father will surely scold me."

"These are just a small token of my appreciation; please do not take offense."

Dong Yi held Diao Chan's hand tightly, just like good sisters.

"I am the only daughter in my family, with no other brothers or sisters. If Sister Diao Chan doesn't mind, we shall address each other as sisters from now on and visit each other often."

"Is that alright, Sister Diao Chan?"

Diao Chan nodded silently. "That would be fine."

"But these gifts..."

"It would be better to wait until my husband returns to make a decision. I..."

"Oh!"

Before Diao Chan could finish her sentence, Dong Yi let out a soft exclamation.

Then she pointed toward the gate of the courtyard: "Sister Diao Chan, Big Brother Duan is back." ===== CHAPTER 85 =====