The Governor's Spring Exhibition was the grandest event of the season. Scholars, nobles, and officials' sons gathered under banners of silk, eager to prove themselves in poetry, archery, and swordplay. Winning even one contest meant prestige; failing meant humiliation that echoed for years.
Zhao Rui arrived in shining brocade, his chin high, arrogance dripping from every word.
"Today," he boasted, loud enough for half the pavilion to hear, "this young master will show the capital that no one can rival my talent."
The crowd flattered him with laughter, but Hua Lian, seated among the young ladies, merely sipped her tea.
In her last life, she remembered how Zhao Rui basked in praise, while she, humiliated by comparison, had shrunk into the shadows.
Not this time.
The First Event – Poetry
The contestants were asked to compose a verse on spring's blossoms. Zhao Rui strode forward, pen scratching swiftly. He smirked as he presented his work.
But Shen Wei, quietly standing among the judges, raised a brow.
"These lines…" he said softly, "belong to Master Liu's anthology. I copied them just last month."
Gasps. Whispers. A shadow fell over Zhao Rui's face.
He stammered excuses, but the judges' smiles grew cold. Hua Lian lowered her lashes, hiding her smirk. First thread pulled.
The Second Event – Archery
Zhao Rui pushed past others, bow in hand. "At least skill with arms cannot be faked," he sneered.
The target was set at seventy paces. Nobles held their breath. Zhao Rui drew back with flourish—
Thrum!
The arrow veered wide, missing the target entirely.
Mocking laughter erupted from the stands. Another shot—worse. His face reddened, his confidence cracking.
And then, like petals in the wind, Hua Lian rose gracefully.
"Since even young ladies may participate, might I try?"
The crowd buzzed—what did a sheltered miss know of archery?
Hua Lian accepted the bow with calm hands. In her past life, she had secretly trained with her elder brother when no one watched, her natural aim sharp.
Thrum!
Her arrow struck clean at the center. Applause thundered. Second Aunt's smile stiffened, Hua Mei's eyes widened in disbelief.
Zhao Rui's fists trembled. Outshone… by a woman?
The Final Blow – Swordplay
The final stage was martial demonstration. Zhao Rui boasted again, demanding the most skilled sparring partner.
The governor obliged: Yin Chen.
The crowd gasped—the rising young officer, cold as steel, famed for his unmatched blade.
Zhao Rui's confidence faltered, but retreat was impossible now. They clashed—swords flashing. Within moments, Zhao Rui stumbled, disarmed, his blade clattering to the ground.
The audience roared with laughter. "Like broken jade—shiny outside, worthless inside!"
Hua Lian's gaze was cool as she watched Zhao Rui kneel, his pride shattered. In her last life, she had been the broken jade—mocked and cast aside. This life, it would be him.
Second Aunt's face had gone ashen, her plans unraveling one by one. Hua Mei sat frozen, nails digging into her palms.
And Hua Lian? She only smiled faintly, her eyes glinting like sharpened glass.
The stage is only beginning. One by one, I will strip away everything you once took from me.