Shen Miao stared at him without moving.
She had reminded Xie Jing Xing and naturally made preparation if Xie Jing Xin came up to the stage but she did not expect that it would be like this and was somewhat between laughter and tears. This seemed like Xie Jing Xing is specifically helping her out from this difficulty but in fact, it was not the case.
Xie Chang Wu did not expect that Xie Jing Xing would suddenly rush out. He only did it to fawn the Cai family as he thought that since Shen Miao had already offended the Cai family, as long as he was able to make a fool of Shen Miao and teach her a lesson on behalf of the Cai family, the Cai family would naturally have a good impression of him. Even though it looks like Shen Miao's archery was good, there were differences between the strength of females and males, not to mention that the reason Cai Lin failed was that he underestimated the enemy first.
But Xie Chang Wu was not a person who underestimated the enemy and if possible he would even make a subtle trick to the bow and arrows and since Shen Miao is not someone who practices martial arts, she would definitely be not able to look out for it.
He had calculated this so well but had never imagined that his Dàgē would kill it midway.
Not only the two brothers of the Xie family were stunned, but everyone in the audience was also shocked. If the Marquis of Lin An was present, one fear that he would also be stunned at this moment. In every annual academy examinations, Xie Jing Xing did not participate but despite that, everyone knew that his civil and military skills were good, especially in military topics. Even though it was not tested, he had followed the army a few times and his performance impressed many. If not fearing that too much limelight would inevitably attract the Imperial's fear, Xie Jing Xing's reputation in the battlefield would have exceeded the veteran generals.
However, it was not because of dispelling the Imperial's fear, that he did not participate in the annual academy examinations. It was purely because he was one who was not bothered about trifling things, and as if born with a few rebellious bones or deliberately went against his father and had no regard for the academy examinations. It was because he did not participate, that everyone's eyes fell onto the two Shu sons of the Marquis of Lin An, thus Xie Chang Wu and Xie Chang Chao then put in extra hard work and could get a few first ranks in the annual academy examinations.
But this year, the Xie family frivolous little Marquis and the two outstanding Shu-brothers were competing against one another. Who would win?
Although Xie Jing Xing's reputation was external, people were always more accustomed to accepting things that were in front of them. When Xie Jing Xing was in Ding City, he would not exhibit his talents. The females could only hear of this youth's talents and accomplishments from their masters. However, hearsay might be false but witnessing was the truth so they were a little sceptical.
Those who were also young, even though they envied Xie Jing Xing's freedom, this envy would have some sense of jealousy. To be able to see Xie Jing Xing's spirits pushed down, they were somewhat happy. In addition, the two Xie brothers know how to conduct themselves and many have good relations with them so these youth sided with Xie Chang Wu and Xie Chang Chao.
On the contrary, the young ladies were already blushing upon seeing Xie Jing Xing's handsome face and with his extraordinary bearing and heroic vibe, which was much different than the soft temperament of the youths in the capital, as it there was some air of being cold-blooded but still carrying a mischievous smile which made him extra charming. Thus, the young ladies all set their hearts on Xie Jing Xing.
Shen Miao took in the entire scene of the audience expression. Most likely these people felt that Xie Jing Xin came out now to challenge his own two younger brothers because of a sudden impulse or that his childe temper flared. But then… Shen Miao smiled slightly. Xie Jing Xing was not a person to be trifled with and since he has already come up on stage in this academy, there was no possibility that he would let his Shu younger brothers retreat. The difference between Xie Jing Xing and her was that even though she acts arrogantly on the surface, there was still a rationale to it as she had to slowly scheme to achieve her goal.
But Xie Jing Xing was only dreaded and fearless because the Marquis of Lin An residence had his back.
But behind him, was the Marquis of Lin An residence the only one?
Just as she was pondering, Xie Chang Wu at the bottom of the stage said, "Dàgē, this… I am afraid it is not good."
"What is not good about it?" Xie Jing Xing glanced at Shen Miao before looking back at Xie Chang Wu and laughed, "Or else do you think that Shen Miao is more challenging compared to this Marquis?"
In a 'hong' sound, everyone below laughed.
Xie Jing Xing continued to pick on Shen Miao as he sized her up, "No inner strength and no martial arts skills but you want to challenge her in archery. You are also one who practices martial arts and to challenge someone without the strength to truss a chicken, I, as Gēgē, would not understand the rationale." He suddenly smiled as his magnetic voice lowered, "But the little girl looks not bad and if you are challenging due to her looks then it would be worthy."
Like this, all the youths who had taut lips started to laugh and some even cast a dubious look towards Shen Miao. Indeed the current Shen Miao had already shed the silly and stupid image and her facial features seemed to be glowing. She was naturally born with good features, which made her look delicate and adorable but was very calm which made one always keep an eye on her. It was only because her past image was too strong that one was not able to change it in a short moment of time. But with Xie Jing Xing's words, the last layer of paper was peeled off and the youths did not hesitate to agree that Shen Miao was a special little beauty.
The females were however not happy. Xie Jing Xing's words were obviously praising Shen Miao's looks. Shen Yue's and Shen Qing's expressions changed simultaneously. Even though their hearts went towards Fu Xiu Yi, there were so many handsome and exceptional males in the world and Fu Xiu Yi was not the only one. In the Ding City, Xie Jing Xing kind of youth was considered to be unique in the whole of Ming Qi and for this kind of youth to praise that idiot, it made Shen Yue and Shen Qing, who held themselves in higher regards, to be extremely jealous.
Yi Pei Lan frowned and muttered, "Little Xie Marquis must be blind, else how would he think that Shen Miao is good looking?"
"It must be Shen Miao who used some tricks to mystify him." Bai Wei bit her lips and stared at the youth on stage, "Shen Miao is truly shameless. Previously, she entangled with Ding Wángzǐ without letting go and now she entangled little Xie Marquis."
Shen Miao did not know of their discussion but if she were to know about it, she would only laugh it off. This was because she knew that the purpose of Xie Jing Xing saying that sentence was not to tease her or rescue her, but a method to ensure the two Xie brothers would be incapable of refusing and force them to come up.
In all fairness, the two brothers of the Xie family would naturally be unwilling to compete with Xie Jing Xing. Not mentioning about win or lose, Xie Ding all the while doted on the Di-son so when the Shu-sons and Di-sons challenged one another during the academy examinations, Xie Ding would only think that the brothers were on bad terms. And the biased Xie Ding would certainly be dissatisfied with the two brothers.
Therefore, Xie Chang Wu and Xie Chang Chao would definitely find ways and means to decline but Xie Jing Xing was also a clever person. He did not use force but goaded them into action.
Yes. Xie Chang Wu was not willing to challenge Xie Jing Xing but wanted to challenge Shen Miao who did not have the strength to truss a chicken, which was really too strange. His selfishness was almost laid bare in front of everyone.
In order to dispel the thought in everyone's mind and also in order to prove that he really was not doing it to build a connection with the Cai family, Xie Chang Wu had to go up on stage himself and compete with Xie Jing Xing. This was a move without better options but after he agreed, the hope of using Shen Miao to pull a closer relationship with the Cai family would become fruitless and it would be considered as lost.
He braced himself and got up, "Since Dàgē has spoken, there is no logic for this Dìdì not to comply."
How would Xie Jing Xing give him a chance to grumble? On the battlefield, when he wants someone to lose, they will lose mercilessly.
"One person is not enough." He raised his eyebrow, "Sāndì, come and compete together."