Chapter 40 – Gambling and Losing (2)

Ye Zhen went to the woods with her bows and arrows. Tang Zhen followed suit, watching her with keen eyes, observing her every move and seeing if she could really hunt.

He had seen women hunting before, but most of them wanted to show off their kindness in front of the man they liked. Some were more cruel than men. Both young and pregnant female animals were all shot mercilessly. This girl is different though, he thought to himself.

The more Tang Zhen looked at Ye Zhen, the more he felt that he liked her. It was really strange that he had just laughed at Lu Lingzhi. When he knew that this girl was his sister, he felt very lucky.

Ye Zhen did not know what Tang Zhen was thinking while walking behind her. She found another male deer so she stopped to find a hiding place in the woods.

Tang Zhen also found several sika deer in the woods. He turned to look at Ye Zhen. Although he didn’t mind giving her the silver whip, if he really lost, he would also lose his face. Ah! The embarrassment of losing to a girl!

But he promised to give her three arrows.

Ye Zhen has picked up her bow and arrow and aimed it at a male deer that seems to have just had a fight. He doesn’t look alert and is licking the wound on his leg. Male deer often fight for female deer this season.

Lu Lingzhi’s eyes fell on Ye Zhen unblinkingly. He felt that the third miss was very much like to the late Wang Fei Ye Zhen, not only with their looks but also with their ardor in hunting.

Ye Zhen was a woman who is kept in a deep family so she was raised to be an ideal noble woman. Lu Yaoyao, however, was not as beautiful as Ye Zhen but she was more vivid and bright than Ye Zhen was.

Fortunately, Lu Wushuang doesn’t know what Ye Zhen looks like, or Lu Yaoyao will not be allowed to stay in capital the moment Lu Wushuang notices their resemblance.

Ye Zhen’s black and clear eyes glowed with burning determination as she pulled the bowstring full and quickly released the arrow from its position. Before it could reach the male deer, she had already taken out the second arrow and shot it out quickly.

Hearing the string whooshing on air, the male deer jumped up in shock, dodged the first arrow but could not hide behind the second and third arrows. Each arrow hit crucial parts, making the deer lay lifeless on the ground, dying without pain. It was a quick death.

Lu Xiangzhi laughed and was glad that his sister was more accurate than before. “Yao Yao, your archery is better than before!”

That’s for sure. Lu Yaoyao did not have any training while Ye Zhen was taught by her father. If Lu Yaoyao was not sent away, she would probably be better than Ye Zhen!

Ye Zhen looked a little sad and Lu Lingzhi looked at her with concern, “Why are you not happy to win?”

The competition between her and Tang Zhen was over. Tang Zhen also said that she would have three arrows. now she won without having to

“Oh brother, we’ll take the male deer back and make a coat of deerskin for grandmother,” Ye Zhen said to Liu Xiangzhi.

Lu Xiangzhi nodded and moved the male deer atop his horse. Tang Zhen has also shot a male deer, eventhough the competition was over. He lost anyway.

“I lost to my third sister” and was convinced that this little girl’s archery was not a joke.

Ye Zhen smiled, “Thank you for your silver whip.”

“Only when you call me brother Tang Zhen will I give you the silver whip.” Tang Zhen has taken the whip from his waist dramatically as though he has to give it to a beautiful woman as a gift.

“Don’t play tricks on me, Tang Zhen..” Ye Zhen frowned. Where did she come from so many brothers?

Lu Lingzhi casted a cold look to Tang Zhen, “You were willing to Bet and Lose!”

This caused a laughter from Tang Zhen who then shook his head and offered the silver whip to Ye Zhen. “Please accept it, Third Sister.” Ye Zhen took the silver whip and put it into her horse’s bag. “Thank you, I like the silver whip.”

Who doesn’t like such precious treasures?

“Do you still want to continue hunting?” Tang Zhen asked. Lu Lingzhi tried to stop Ye Zhen from agreeing and saying “yes”. Ye Zhen on the other hand didn’t find the idea so bad, she hasn’t been so carefree in a long time, just taking this opportunity to relax.

Deeming Ye Zhen’s silence as a yes, Tang Zhen gleefully fetched her horse for her, “Third younger sister, please.”

Ye Zhen looked back at Lu Xiangzhi “Brother, let’s go.”

Lu Xiangzhi smiled and nodded back to see Lu Lingzhi reluctantly mounted his horse and seemed to be planning to go with them. He laughed, “Eldest brother, you haven’t fired an arrow yet!”