TN | The Malicious Empress

Chapter 43: Life and Death Agreement

The wind during autumn was usually elegant and fresh but at this moment because of the tense atmosphere, even the flowery fragrance became stronger...

Shen Yue covered her mouth and said sounding surprised, "This... Fifth Younger Sister is a female, why would any young lady accept this challenge?"

"Exactly." Chen Rou Qiu also worriedly said, "Fifth Lady, you must not force yourself. Even though Eldest Brother-in-law is a general, you all along do not have knowledge of these stuffs."

Chen Rou Qiu's words were said cleverly to get what she desired, to say that Shen Xin was a General but Shen Miao, as his daughter, did not know archery. The reason why females did not liked playing with knives and handling spears might be somewhat justified because of not knowing military skills. But if one does not have knowledge in military and literary skills then one would be quite terrible. Moreover everyone knew that Jennie had no knowledge on the four scholarly arts and to add on by saying that she was not good at military skills, this demoted Jennie's reputation to nothing and one would also slight Shen Xin's household.

"But... The rules for this challenge cannot be changed." Shen Qing looked anxious but her voice had a tone that was rejoicing in Jennie's misfortune, "Once an opponent was picked, no matter what the topic was, one must complete the challenge. But everyone would always pick an outstanding person to compete against. Could it be possible that Fifth Younger Sister had a hidden skill, else why would Cai Lin pick you out?"

Her words were somewhat piercing. But not only did Ren Wan Yun not stopped her, she smiled, "Eldest daughter is saying nonsense. How would Fifth Lady know how to play with knives and handle spears. Fifth Lady, if you do not wish to go up on stage to compete then Second Shen will personally speak to the academy examiners. You are still young and thinking of Eldest Brother-in-law's face, they would not make things difficult for you."

Even though Ren Wan Yun's words sounded as if she was rescuing her lovingly, if one were to think very carefully, it would not be the case. After all in the academy examinations, there was no one that was the exception. For Jennie to be a precedent, most likely the Ding capital residence would start to talk. Moreover to use Shen Xin's reputation, it might sound to others that Shen Xin used his meritorious efforts to gain privileges. After all, one would conform to the views of the majority and other than the advantage of having a good identity, there also were lots of disadvantages.

And she would never allow anyone to say anything 'bad' about Shen Xin.

"Thanking Second Shen, it is not required." She stood up at the female side of the banquet and slowly walked towards the stage. The entire arena quietened down and one could clearly hear the young lady's voice as it set off a wave in the arena.

"I comply to this fight."

Cai Lin vision faltered. The reason why he did this was nothing more than wanting to vent it for Shen Yue. In the military topic, it would always be a misfortune for a male to challenge a female. But he was used being a scoundrel, and most likely would be scolded by his own parents when he returned. But thinking of being able to vent it out for Shen Yue, made Cai Ling to be delighted from the bottom of his heart. He was thinking that it would be good if Jennie did not dared to accept this challenge, he would then ruthlessly ridicule Jennie.

But one could not imagine that Jennie would actually accepted the challenge. Not only that, she was portraying such a calm and magnanimous expression. Watching that purple clad person slowing walking up the stage, Cai Lin's heart felt strange.

It was as if she had no fear.

But how could that be possible? Jennie did not know archery and he knew it better than anyone. For someone who had never practice martial arts, naturally they would be ignorant about it. Jennie could possibly not even know how to properly hold a bow, and in the face of something that one was not good at and had never tried before, anyone would panic.