Chapter 41 – Failure (1)
Even before Ye Zhen claimed her price by piercing the arrow deep in the deer’s head, the male comrades around had already settled their bets, and that is on their commander Tang Zhen. That’s why, their jaws hit the ground as soon as the silver whip was handed to Ye Zhen as a token of her victory!
It was simply unthinkable! Tang Zhen was already the best among them in archery. How could he lose to a little girl?
Or did he intentionally gave way to Ye Zhen?
Oh but in all truth, Tang Zhen was guilty of this. He was mesmerized by the young miss Lu that his attention was solely spent on her grace the whole time they were hunting.
Yet, he felt impressed nonetheless for Ye Zhen could easily be referred to as the best woman archer in the capital. She was that good.
Amidst the bustle, Lu Lingzhi was silent in one corner as he watched events unveiled. Seeing his third sister attracts too much attention and thus, making herself recognized, he sighed helplessly. He was still afraid that her being the spitting image of the late Wang Fei would bring her trouble.
He could only hope that the word of her resemblance would not reach Lu Wushuang’s ears. Or else, Lu Wushuang would not be able to hold her grudge and Ye Zhen would be hurt in no time.
One of his comrades tapped him on his back, so Lu Lingzhi hid his disappointment quickly and temporarily eased down the worries which lingered in his mind. Just like anyone else, he was also infected with a smile the moment he saw the tiny frame of Ye Zhen rode away to a distance where rabbits were holed up.
It was near sundown when Ye Zhen returned to the group bringing with her two rabbits. She looked for Lu Xiangzhi to boast her hunt, but then she saw someone else instead..
Not far from where she stood was the proud figure of Lu Lingzhi, who was on the act of pulling an arrow to shoot a black hawk soaring in mid-air.
Ye Zhen’s eyes flashed, her blood boiled and she was again driven with anger and hurt..
She looked back at the men and saw everyone in the heat of the hunt, including Lu Xiangzhi who was deeply absorbed in hunting a doe.
With shaking hands, she took hold of her arrow and aimed it at the black hawk as well.
If only I could kill him..
Ye Zhen’s heart beat faster, and the excitement of seeking revenge filled her senses. Not a day after her death did she not want to kill Lu Lingzhi herself, in cold blood. Now, she had a chance laid in front of her.
The only thing she had to do next was to seize this chance.
Her arrow slowly moved down until it aimed the back of Lu Lingzhi’s head.
She drew the bow and the arrow shot up..
Go to hell!
Just as she thought her revenge would now take its end course, a black arrow interjected with the arrow she shot, causing it to miss Lu Lingzhi’s head, wounding his arm instead. Ye Zhen was stunned, the source of the arrow she didn’t know.
“Eldest brother, are you all right?” Ye Zhen concealed her disappointment, face drawn in concern.
Lu Lingzhi’s arm was drenched with his own blood. Throughout the haze of pain, he looked at Ye Zhen’s pale face who looked back at him with panic and fear.
He turned to see a white rabbit hidden in the grass not far from him. It could be that his third sister was already tired from hunting too long. Or it could be that she really abhorred him for a reason he didn’t know.
“If third sister is tired, she should take a rest,” Tang Zhen came out from the other side. He just deviated Ye Zhen’s arrow.If not for him, Lu Lingzhi could have been dead right at this moment.
Hearing of the accident, Lu Xiangzhi sprinted towards Lu Lingzhi, his face reflecting the dread he saw. “Eldest brother! Yao Yao, she didn’t do it on purpose!”
“I know she didn’t mean to do it it. She’s tired today. Please take her home first,” Lu Lingzhi said, ignoring the pain from his bleeding arm. Several men gathered to help him.
“Eldest brother, let me dress your wound first,” said Lu Xiangzhi.
“Don’t fret! This is only a minor injury.” Lu Lingzhi became worried when he saw his third sister’s shaking form.
Lu Xiangzhi had to nod, left the men to aid his eldest brother and lead Ye Zhen out of the woods.