Chapter 10: Utter Humiliation

After the recent wolf-slaying rescue, the princess’s impression of Lin Pianran and the others was unexpectedly favorable. Seeing Lin Pianran, Feng Pan, Lü Xueyan, and Xue Yunci gathered together, she approached warmly and invited them to accompany her.

“Let’s return to the camp together!”

“You all performed exceptionally well this time. I shall report to my father and ensure you receive commendations!”

“Your heroic deeds will be widely known among the people and sung in countless tales.”

The princess’s overt friendliness was naturally met with their eager agreement. Having fought alongside one another, they had grown familiar and built a very amicable relationship.

Lin Chuyan watched the princess’s seemingly special regard for Lin Pianran with burning jealousy. She had long tried to curry favor with Princess Huai’an and Princess Minghua, hoping to climb into the royal family through them and marry into royalty.

Though she had made some progress over the years—becoming Huai’an’s companion and frequently entering the palace, often seeing several handsome, valiant princes who all praised her—her efforts before this princess, deeply favored by Emperor Qinwu, had yielded little.

She had hoped to approach the man she dreamed of day and night, a godlike figure of unparalleled beauty, through the princess’s influence. But he was so unattainable, she had never managed to draw close even a little.

Her dreams were filled with his graceful, handsome form, haunting her thoughts endlessly.

Unexpectedly, today Lin Pianran had saved the princess, winning her favor—a fact she found utterly intolerable.

Unable to contain her jealousy, she stepped forward before Lin Pianran and the princess. “I am Lin Chuyan, Lin Pianran’s third elder sister. I pay my respects to Your Highness.”

The princess looked at her and nodded politely but said nothing. Then she turned back, tenderly cradling the little white rabbit, smiling warmly at Lin Pianran.

“This little bunny is simply adorable. Are you really going to give it to me?”

“Of course. If the princess likes it, it can be your companion. That is its destiny.”

“I sense this rabbit is quite intelligent and will surely win your favor.”

Lin Pianran had just fed the little white rabbit a generous amount of spirit spring water. With more chances to feed it, the rabbit would surely develop intelligence, becoming more clever and endearing than ordinary animals.

“Very well, I will take excellent care of this rabbit, raising it plump, adorable, smart, and alert.”

The two young ladies chatted intimately, as if old friends reunited, heads close together and hearts connected.

Lin Chuyan stood awkwardly nearby, unable to join the conversation.

Soon, the topic shifted to archery, and Lü Xueyan, Feng Pan, and Xue Yunci eagerly joined in.

The group’s lively chatter and laughter filled the air.

“Lin Pianran, your archery is truly remarkable. I’ve never seen anyone surpass you! Even I, who have practiced since childhood, cannot compete. You are truly admirable!” Lü Xueyan spoke with admiration.

“Yes! Your skill is enviable. We should have a proper contest sometime,” Feng Pan said with a broad smile.

“Count me in! I want to compete too. Even if I lose, I want a good, hearty match,” said Xue Yunci, whose usual aloofness melted away to reveal a playful side.

The princess, seeing their enthusiasm, quickly spoke up. “I want to join your competition as well. Why wait? Let’s hold it two days from now at the camp’s shooting range. We can have a spirited contest to see who excels…”

Everyone was delighted and eagerly agreed.

At this moment, Lin Chuyan took the opportunity to step forward, smiling ingratiatingly, “Your Highness, I would also like to participate in your archery contest. May I?”

Lin Pianran scoffed without mercy. “Third sister, aren’t you more fond of poetry, calligraphy, and music rather than martial arts?”

“You often tell other noblewomen that women who practice martial arts are coarse and uncouth, acting like warriors without any feminine grace or gentleness, and will never marry well.”

“Besides, I remember you have never studied archery. Why join this? You’ll only embarrass yourself in front of everyone.”

Upon learning Lin Chuyan could not shoot, Lü Xueyan’s face darkened and she rejected her outright. “Exactly. If you can’t shoot, joining us would be ridiculous.”

Feng Pan also showed no favor, speaking harshly. “If you don’t know archery, don’t disrupt our contest! We don’t need a mere decoration to fill numbers.”

Lü Xueyan glanced coldly, expressionless, clearly refusing.

The princess smiled gently, speaking softly, “We all practice archery to better exchange skills and share common ground. Since you don’t understand archery, it’s best not to join. You wouldn’t fit in.”

Lin Chuyan hadn’t expected such a blunt rejection despite her efforts. It was infuriating—utterly detestable!

She looked at Lin Pianran with a pitiful, pleading expression. “Little sixth sister, seeing your superb archery today, I truly admire it.”

“And in the face of danger, I realized how important archery is. I want to study seriously with you all. Please speak for me so I can join.”

Lin Pianran snorted lightly, ignoring her. She would not be ensnared by such tactics. What worked on others was useless on her.

Lin Chuyan persisted, imploring, “Your Highness, I only want to watch your archery and humbly learn. I won’t disturb you. Please allow me.”

But the princess remained firm and unyielding. “You should first learn the basics. Without any foundation, what can you glean? You’ll only dampen everyone’s enthusiasm!”

“Perhaps you can join when you have more experience.”

With the princess’s words delivered so firmly, Lin Chuyan’s face fell, embarrassed and displeased.

She could only temporarily withdraw, unwilling to continue pressing.

Yet in her heart, she had not given up. Such an opportunity to get close to the princess—and thus to that sacred, noble, and handsome man—was too precious to abandon.

He was her obsession.

Lin Pianran caught the unwillingness in Lin Chuyan’s eyes and guessed she would not give up so easily. Back at the camp, she would most likely continue her relentless pestering.

This was Lin Chuyan’s usual tactic: first crying, then making a scene, even threatening drastic measures—persistently clinging until others gave in.

And each time, she managed to achieve her goals.

Just the thought was headache-inducing and deeply wearisome.