The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 95: Chapter 95: Owing a Favor

Murong Ye’s heart leaped. He almost subconsciously yanked the reins and backed away, his voice fierce but his courage failing. ”Ye Yunfeng! You dare—”

WHOOSH—!

Without the slightest hesitation, Ye Yunfeng relaxed his fingers. The black arrow shot out, grazing the top of Murong Ye’s head!

CRACK!

His hair crown split in two and fell to the ground, his black hair tumbling down around him.

Combined with the look of terror on his face, he was a pathetic sight. Where was the arrogance and pride from before?

Murong Ye froze, his heart skipping a beat. He slowly raised his head, only to hear a dull THUD from behind him.

He turned around almost instinctively and was instantly stunned.

—Ye Yunfeng’s arrow had knocked the target clean over!

A chill shot up from the soles of his feet, nearly freezing the blood in his veins.

’It wasn’t hard to imagine the terrifying power behind that arrow. If it had been off by even a fraction of an inch, the one lying on the ground right now wouldn’t be the target—it would be me!’

Ye Yunfeng flexed his wrist, a cold smirk playing on his lips.

”My apologies, I wasn’t aiming either. But it was just a hair crown. You won’t mind, will you?”

After a moment of dead silence, the surroundings erupted in an uproar!

”My heavens... Is Ye Yunfeng really that skilled?”

”If that arrow had hit someone, they’d be crippled, if not dead!”

”Murong Ye completely lost face this time! He was the one who challenged him, only to get effortlessly crushed. Who could stand that kind of humiliation?”

”I remember hearing Ye Yunfeng is only thirteen this year, right? To have such skill at his age... his future is limitless!”

Murong Ye’s face was ashen.

He swung himself off his horse and stalked away without a backward glance.

”Hey! Murong Ye! Your score isn’t—” the Assistant Teacher shouted, about to give chase, but Feng Zhang stopped him.

”Anyone who leaves the field on their own is considered to have forfeited. Record his score as last place.”

Since he had spoken, the Assistant Teacher could only nod.

”Yes.”

Qiao Zimo watched with relish. ”For Murong Ye, anything other than first place is all the same.”

After all, it still meant he had lost! And it was a crushing defeat!

...

When the second round of the exam ended, Ye Yunfeng dismounted with ease.

Beating Murong Ye was expected. What he cared about more right now was the bow in his hands!

”The Princely Heir truly lives up to his title; even his gifts are extraordinary. I used all my strength just now and still couldn’t draw this bow to its fullest!”

Ye Yunfeng’s eyes shone with obvious excitement.

He looked toward the pavilion, wanting to thank him again in person, but the figure was already gone.

Qiao Zimo followed his gaze and explained, ”Don’t bother looking. The Princely Heir already left with the Lord Dean!”

’Oh, right. It seems he came to the Imperial College today specifically to see the Lord Dean.’

’Oh well. I’ll thank him in person next time I get the chance!’

Ye Jingyan could see how much he adored the bow. After a moment of deliberation, he swallowed the words he was about to say.

Qiao Zimo asked with a curious expression, ”Hey, by the way, how do you two know the Princely Heir?”

Ye Yunfeng gave him a strange look. ”Don’t you know everything? You haven’t heard that my older sister treated the Princely Heir before?”

”Of course I’ve heard that! But... but...” Qiao Zimo scratched his head, feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

’Shen Yanchuan is the noble Heir of Duke Dingbei. He associates only with the rich and powerful. It’s common for people to die protecting him.’

’Just for a single consultation, he would show them this much favor, even coming to the Imperial College himself to give these two bows to the Ye Jingyan and Ye Yunfeng brothers?’

”Even an Imperial Physician might not receive this kind of treatment...” Qiao Zimo muttered under his breath.

Ye Jingyan smiled. ”Didn’t Lord Lian Zhou just say this was mainly to thank my older sister for treating the Eldest Princess?”

Realization dawned on Qiao Zimo. ”Oh, right! I almost forgot!”

The Eldest Princess was Shen Yanchuan’s maternal grandmother. It was only natural that Shen Yanchuan would thank Ye Chutang with a lavish gift for saving her life!

Qiao Zimo couldn’t help but click his tongue.

”My friends, you’ve got a powerful backer now! From now on, if that Murong Ye wants to cause trouble for you, he’ll have to think twice!”

...

”Why does the Princely Heir suddenly ask about this?”

Inside Sincerity Hall, Feng Zhang frowned.

He hadn’t expected Shen Yanchuan to seek him out this time to ask about the incident from three years ago.

Shen Yanchuan said, ”Two days ago, I visited General Feng at his residence. He is very worried about you.”

Feng Zhang was silent for a long moment. ”Am I not fine now? There’s nothing to worry about. Besides, those things are all in the past. There’s no need to bring them up again.”

Shen Yanchuan gave a faint smile. ”You are his only remaining worry. It’s only natural that he is so concerned.”

He poured a cup of tea, glanced at the silent Feng Zhang, and asked casually, ”Do you really plan to spend the rest of your life at the Imperial College?”

Feng Zhang looked out the window, his gaze distant.

”There’s nothing wrong with this.”

Shen Yanchuan asked, ”Are you truly content with this?”

Feng Zhang’s fingers curled slightly.

Shen Yanchuan took a sip of tea and said unhurriedly, ”My father has guarded the Northern Border for years and has slain countless enemies on the battlefield. He once said you are a rare military talent and that General Feng could rest easy knowing he had a worthy successor. But ever since the battle at Tongtian Pass three years ago, you voluntarily laid down your armor and have not requested a command since. Hiding away at the Imperial College... is this truly what you want?”

Feng Zhang was silent for a long time before letting out a bitter laugh.

”What if it is, and what if it isn’t?”

He closed his eyes, as if unwilling to remember.

”This is the punishment I deserve.”

Shen Yanchuan’s eyelids lifted slightly.

”Punishment?”

...

「A few days after the monthly exam, the holiday arrived.」

This time, Ye Jingyan and Ye Yunfeng were finally able to go home.

Naturally, Ye Chutang found out about Shen Yanchuan sending the bows.

”Older Sister, those two bows must be priceless—definitely not something money can buy! Do you think we should go and thank him formally?”

Ye Yunfeng couldn’t guess the price, but having used one, he knew its worth.

’It was true that Older Sister had saved both the Princely Heir and the Eldest Princess, but the consultation fees and thank-you gifts had already been sent. Now, with these two bows added on, they truly owed him a favor.’

Ye Chutang looked at him and asked, ”Well, do you like it?”

”Huh?” Ye Yunfeng paused, a little embarrassed. ”Of course I like it!”

Ye Chutang nodded. ”Then that’s settled. We’ll keep them.”

Surprise lit up Ye Yunfeng’s face, and he leaned forward eagerly. ”Really, Older Sister?”

The corners of Ye Chutang’s lips curved. ”Of course, it’s real.”

’She also wanted to get the best for A Feng, but various circumstances had prevented her from doing so.’

’Even the most expensive bow she could afford would have been nothing in the eyes of someone like Murong Ye.’

’But Shen Yanchuan was different.’

’He had offered them a ladder, and there was no reason not to climb it.’

’Worst case, she would find an opportunity to repay the favor later.’

”Older Sister.”

Ye Jingyan walked in from outside.

”I think I just saw Han Yao arrive?”