Chapter 14; The Banquet

Hui Fang executed a deep, respectful bow before making her way towards Mei Xiang, her approach deliberate and filled with grace. As she neared Mei Xiang, Hui Fang's striking beauty commanded attention. Her features painted a portrait of elegance—agate slanted eyes, delicate button nose, fair skin, and cascading deep blue-black hair. Perfectly scant brows accentuated her gaze, with pinkish lips. Hui Fang's presence exuded a blend of strength and sophistication, a testament to her status as tenth of the esteemed elite assassins hailing from the renowned Black Mage camps. The Shadow Assassins, renowned for her ruthless demeanor and unwavering resolve, Hui Fang exuded an aura of coldness and viciousness that sent shivers down the spine of those who crossed her path. Her cunning nature and penchant for intricate schemes earned her a reputation as a master manipulator, skilled at weaving webs of deception. A prodigy in various disciplines, Hui Fang excelled in martial arts, cultivation, kung fu, sword fighting, the art of disguise, and the harrowing craft of assassination. Standing at the revered tenth position on the list of elite assassins, Hui Fang instilled fear in all who dared to gaze upon her countenance. Her very presence was synonymous with death, a chilling reminder of the consequences that followed any who encountered her. In the shadows of her calculated actions lurked a darkness that struck fear into the hearts of even the bravest souls. A living terror shrouded in the shadows of the darkest abyss, Hui Fang embodied a figure of ceaseless peril, a soul consumed by the mission she bore. As she stepped into the room, a chilling presence preceding her,

"Sister" Zhang Lin greeted her with reverence, clasping her hands in a show of respect.

"Mistress," she uttered softly, offering Mei Xiang a sealed letter that held secrets and directives within its folds. Mei Xiang's eyes bore a silent intensity as she inquired, "Do you have knowledge of the royal she serves?"

In somber acknowledgment, Hui Fang shook her head, "Proceed with your task," the directive was given with a tone that brooked no query.

"I take my leave," Hui Fang declared with a profound bow, as she slinked away, her presence fading into the shadows from whence she emerged.

Reflecting on her miscalculation, she whispered to herself, "Great grand uncle's cunning runs deep; I erred in underestimating him." With a determined flicker in her eyes, she consigned the incriminating paper to the flames, watching it curl and disintegrate into ash.

"Has she taken the bait?" she inquired. With a smirk of satisfaction, the response came, "Hook, line, and sinker."

"Excellent," Liling's smile bore a hint of malice, a glint of predatory delight dancing in her eyes. "Let us extend a gracious welcome, laced with a surprise of our own making."

Cheers and applause erupted as Ming Julian concluded his performance, his skill and artistry earning him admiration from the gathered audience. The grandeur of the occasion extended to an opulent banquet hosted by the emperor in honor of Mei Xiang, held in the illustrious imperial east hall. Among the distinguished guests gracing the event were members of the royal family, including Ming Han, whose presence was essential to avert any semblance of suspicion, particularly from his elder brother and cousin.

"Father, I propose a challenge to compete against Mei Xiang," Ming Julian boldly declared, seeking to test his mettle against the esteemed guest of honor. Murmurs and hushed conversations that rippled through the crowd, Ming Julian's eyes gleamed mischievously, his demeanor hinting at a playful challenge ahead. As the words "Pitch pot" echoed through the hall, a wave of laughter cascaded through the gathered guests, adding to the festive atmosphere.

"Well," Ming Julian interjected, his tone filled with anticipation and readiness. "I accept," Mei Xiang's confident response resonated.

"Very well, let the competition commence," the emperor's approval solidified the beginning of the challenge. Stepping into the arena, Mei Xiang exuded a quiet confidence, adorned in a simple yet striking ensemble that exuded both elegance and flamboyance. Her eyes, alive with a spark of intelligence and expertise.

Positioned behind Ming Julian, Mei Xiang surveyed the setup: five pots strategically aligned diagonally, precisely one meter from the competitors and at a calculated distance between them. An assortment of five arrows lay poised, awaiting skillful aim towards the waiting targets—each pot a potential victory in the making. The rules were simple; the contender with the highest count of arrows nestled within the pots would claim triumph. While Mei Xiang possessed unparalleled prowess in archery, Ming Julian harbored a reputation as a savant in the intricate art of pitch pot. Despite potential disparities in their arrow-wielding finesse, his expertise in this specialized challenge suggested a keen strategic edge. A knowing smile graced Ming Julian's countenance, a telltale sign of a plan already in motion.

In a moment of mischievous inspiration, Ming Julian decided to liven things up by suggesting a playful change. With a sly smirk, he proposed,

"Why don't we make it more fun by moving the pot?" His eyes twinkled with anticipation, hinting at the mischief brewed in his mind.

"Sure" she nodded politely in agreement. Little did she realize the playful chaos she was about to be drawn into. Even the usually reserved Mr. No Fun, Ming Yuan, found himself intrigued by this unexpected turn of events. His usual air of seriousness softened slightly as he observed the unfolding scene, a flicker of curiosity igniting in his eyes. Ming Huan too was keen to witness her skills and guile in navigating the impending caper.

Ming Fei, aware of his brother Julian's antics, shook his head in mild exasperation. He knew all too well that when Julian was involved, mischief was never far behind. With a knowing look, Ming Fei silently acknowledged that this latest scheme was bound to lead to some playful trouble. Ming Chen caught wind of Mei Xiang's prowess and eagerly anticipated a spectacle, his eyes alight with anticipation and a hint of excitement. Known for his love of entertainment and flair for the dramatic, Ming Chen was ready to be enthralled by what was to come. Ming Yin, with a twinkle in his eye and a smile playing on his lips, observed the scene with amused indulgence. On the other hand, Ming Chou couldn't contain his anxiety, his concern palpable as he fretted over the possibility of his beloved savior facing any form of embarrassment as he clutched the edges of his garment. Beside him, Ming Han stood as a silent observer, his gaze steady and contemplative. In contrast, Ming Liguan felt a sense of honor wash over her, privileged to witness the legendary Mei Xiang in action for the first time. Her eyes shone with reverence and admiration, already envisioning the tales she would weave about this momentous occasion, eager to capture the essence of Mei Xiang's brilliance in her words. Ming Mian felt a sense of satisfaction as she watched Mei Xiang about to be humiliated, a small smile playing on her lips. She had never been particularly fond of him, and seeing him bring her down a few pegs brought her some measure of joy. Beside her, Mei, the imperial concubines, watched with keen interest, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. Empress Liling, watching the scene unfold before her, couldn't help but feel a sense of smug satisfaction. This brat may be more useful than she had initially thought. As the servants rolled the wheels and the pots began to pick up speed, she knew that a good show was about to begin.

Julian stood confidently, his arrow poised in the air, his aim steady as he took the first shot. A satisfying thud in the pot indicated that the arrow had hit its mark. The second shot followed, just as precise as the first. He missed the third, and the fourth went astray as well, but the fifth found its target perfectly. Three successful shots out of five was not bad at all, he thought to himself.

"Your turn," Julian said, gesturing to his companion, a skilled archer in her own right. Just as she was about to take her shot, Zhang Lin, ever the cunning servant, used a cloth to blindfold her mistress. The crowd murmured amongst themselves, their voices filled with speculation and curiosity. "What was she doing?" one person whispered, noting the far and diagonal direction in which the pots had been placed. "With the movement of the wheels and the flashing motions of the pots, she's not about to aim like that, is she?" another questioned, unsure of what to expect. The blindfolded Mei Xiang stood poised and determined, her senses heightened as she tried to make sense of her surroundings without the use of her sight. The anticipation in the air was palpable, with all eyes focused on her every move. Mei Xiang stood perfectly still, her senses heightened as she listened attentively and calculated her next move. Ming Julian's archery skills were impressive, his first and second shots executed with precision and speed. His control over his breathing and body movements was evident, allowing him to hit his marks flawlessly. The inconsistency but steadiness of the pots' movements added an element of challenge to the competition. As Mei Xiang observed Julian's technique in her mind, a calculating look crossed her face. She recognized the key to his success and strategized her own approach accordingly. Her mind raced with possibilities, analyzing the sounds of the moving pots and searching for any small advantage she could exploit. If only she could….

The atmosphere was charged with a mix of shock and disbelief as Mei Xiang flawlessly hit all five targets, her accuracy and precision leaving both spectators and her competitor in awe. The silence that followed was finally broken by a gentle applause from the Emperor,

"Good, very good" he praised her achievement with a sheer sense of admiration and approval. The crowd, catching on to the Emperor's lead, erupted into applause, acknowledging Mei Xiang's remarkable skill. As the reactions of those around her registered, Mei Xiang remained composed and focused, her confidence and determination evident in her every move. The Emperor's praise carried weight, a nod to her exceptional talent and effort.

"Interesting" Ming Han, with a hint of intrigue in his voice, noted the unexpected turn of events. Ming Huan and Yuan, in silent synchronization, pleased at Mei Xiang's excellence in archery.