TN | The Malicious Empress

Chapter 43: Life and Death Agreement

She could actually keep up the act to such a point?

Just as Cai Lin was pondering, he suddenly felt a pair of eyes on him. He turned and met with Shen Yue's eyes from the female side of the banquet. When Shen Yue saw him looking over, she got embarrassed and lowered her head. Cai Lin's heart was captivated by that one scene.

Every youth's heart had a lovely dream of being a hero saving a beauty. As of now in Cai Lin's eyes, he was that hero who stood out on behalf of the beauty and as for Jennie, she was that evil and ugly villain.

Regardless of whether she accepted or declined this challenge, he would definitely make Jennie lose her face, and her embarrassment would be in full view of everyone.

This was to make her not to run rampant in front of Shen Yue again!

Generally speaking, the topic on 'challenging' was that the person who challenged would set the rules and also dictate on how the challenge would be carried out, and the person who was challenged could only accept it. So, because no one knew how it would develop, in every year this round would attract the highest amount of attention.

Jennie walked up the stage.

The chief examiner of the academy examinations was in a somewhat difficult situation. Jennie was after all a delicate little young lady. It was justifiable for female and male to challenge each others in the literary topics but for military ones, it was feared that Cai Lin was deliberately making a fool out of her.

"Today's play is extremely good." Prince Zhou clapped his hands, seemingly showing his interest, "I am Afraid that the reputation of Shen Family's First Household would fall a thousand feet into the bottomless pits of hell."

Prince Jing shook his head and sighed, "General Shen's good reputation was gained in the battlefield but his daughter is failing to live up to expectations." In Prince Jing's heart it was not only she failed to live up to expectations and was also actually very silly. It was obvious that it would be wrong for her to either accept or decline the challenge and with that kind of attitude, whatever that followed next would be even more laughable.

Cai Lin's lips complacently curled up, "This year I have thought up of an interesting rule since it would be boring to follow the usual rules. The archery challenge this year would be for us to shoot at one another. You put a fruit on top of your head and I will shoot you with an arrow, after which I will then put one on my head and you shoot me. What about it?"

When those words were said, the entire arena went into an uproar!

That examiner jumped in shock. This could result in death. Jennie was ultimately Shen Xin's daughter and if anything happened to her, when Shen Xin returned at the end of the year, who could be able to handle him if he were to look into it?

He quickly said, "Student Cai..."

Cai Lin waved his hand, "Teacher, Oak Wood Academy does not prioritize specifically for anyone. It is the case for previous regulations for the challenger to define the rules. So Why? A dignified Grand General's daughter is such a timid younger generation?"

Shen Yue lowered her head and covered her tilted lips. Rose frowned but she did not know what to do.

"His words are not wrong." The voice was somewhat hoarse but it was from Prince Yu who had kept his eyes closed all the time. There was a trace of an eccentric smile on his grim face as he said, "Naturally there was no argument that rules are meant to be fixed specifically for anyone. Is it possible that in the battlefield, because the enemy is strong, General Shen would temporarily flee? If so, then it is understandable." Finishing, he himself felt that it was funny and started laughing.

Jennie's eyes suddenly sharpened.

These people's words were all mocking Shen Xin and they really thought that she was the weakness of the First Household of the Shen family. Before the anger that was accumulated finally burst forth she looked at Cai Lin, who was enjoying this good play, and swept her eyes towards the people in the banquet who were mocking.

The Jennie that was reborn could tolerate but the mistress of the Inner Palace, Empress Shen had a temperament of seeking revenge for the smallest grievances.

She coldly said, "My father fights in bloody battles in foreign lands to guard families and defend the country so that the Chrysanthemum banquet like today's can be held and students can compete." There was a flash of mockery in her eyes, "The win in today's competition does not mean anything. The outstanding people are the ones that have killed on the battlefield. As for the rules you set, why would I not dare?"

Everyone blanked out for a moment.

"Why would I not dare? With your exquisite archery skills, you will naturally be able to shoot the fruits, whereas my archery skills are not up to par. If the arrow goes sideways, the person that would fear for their life is you."

She smiled lightly as her voice seemed to be flown from afar but was as loud as thunder to everyone.

"In this case, sign a life and death agreement. Whether injured or dead, the consequences will be at our own peril."

"Cai Ling, do you dare?"

CHAPTER COMPLETED & EDITED