Human Target Practice

"Xuan!"
At the sound of Zhang Bitong’s call, I finally noticed the figure in purple standing outside the door.

"Your son greets Mother Consort," Jiang Xuan turned and bowed respectfully to Zhang Bitong.

"Come in quickly. Look, your father, the Emperor, has rewarded me with so many things today. If you see anything you like, feel free to take it and play with it."

Jiang Xuan didn't even spare a glance at the gifts and simply replied, "Those were bestowed upon Mother Consort by Father. I would not dare to take what brings Mother Consort joy."

"There are so many things, I couldn't possibly use them all. If you don’t want them, I won’t force you. By the way, Xuan, where are you headed?"

"Third Brother invited me to practice archery with him."

Zhang Bitong's expression immediately soured. "Why are you always spending time with the Crown Prince? He studies better than you, and your father prefers him. Aren’t you afraid he's intentionally comparing himself to you?"

Jiang Xuan said, "Third Brother treats me as his younger brother."

"I doubt that," Zhang Bitong snorted coldly. "Didn't your father treat those other princes as brothers too? In the end, didn't they..."

Yun Qing hurried to interject, "Your Grace, it's not a bad thing for the Ninth Prince to be with the Crown Prince. You know the Crown Prince is a fine scholar and often receives the Emperor’s praise. If the Ninth Prince stays by his side, not only will he be influenced by him, but he’ll also have more chances to see His Majesty. It’s a good thing."

Zhang Bitong considered for a moment. "I'm not opposed. If Xuan excelled in his studies and received the Grand Tutor’s praise, he could also hold his head high before the Emperor. But look at him..."

"Does Mother Consort think being good at studies means everything? Besides, Third Brother is already the Crown Prince. What does Mother Consort expect me to compete for with him?"

"You..." Zhang Bitong could hardly say directly that she wanted Jiang Xuan to vie for the position of Crown Prince, so she fell silent.

"Ninth Prince, you’d better go. I’ll serve Her Grace here," Yun Qing said to Jiang Xuan.

"Why aren’t you taking anyone with you?" Zhang Bitong looked around and spotted me. "Little Xiao, follow the Ninth Prince and serve him. Running off to practice archery is dangerous. Little Xiao, you must protect your master with your life."

"Yes!"

Jiang Xuan ignored me, lifted his foot, and strode away.

"Aren’t you going to catch up? So slow, it’s infuriating!"

At Zhang Bitong’s urging, I hurried after him.

Halfway there, Jiang Xuan suddenly turned and asked, "Little Xiao."

"I am here."

"I heard last night it was your idea for Mother Consort to dance?"

I quickly replied, "It was Her Grace who danced. I only spoke a few words, and the idea came to her."

Being in the limelight is not suitable for a lowly eunuch like me.

"Is that so?" Jiang Xuan looked at me askance, making me nervous. I braced myself and nodded, "I am too dull-witted to come up with such an idea."

"You're not being honest!"

Jiang Xuan said no more, simply turning and continuing on his way.

I followed him to a vast archery ground. Upon arrival, I saw three young men in splendid robes waiting beneath the awning. Among them was the Crown Prince, Jiang Yun, who had helped me before.

Before I could even pay respects, one of them, looking displeased, said, "Third Brother, I didn't expect you to bring Ninth Brother. If I’d known he was coming, I wouldn’t have come."

"Fourth Brother, why say such things? I know you all enjoy archery, so I invited you together," Jiang Yun replied.

That must be the fourth prince, Jiang Ye. The other, who resembled him slightly, would be the second son of the Virtuous Consort, the sixth prince, Jiang Chen.

Jiang Ye, in his usual disdainful tone, said, "It's not that I disrespect you, Third Brother, but Ninth Brother never likes being with me. His temperament isn't even favored by Father—why would I be any different?"

Jiang Yun was about to speak when Jiang Chen interjected, "Fourth Brother, we’re all family, let’s not say such things."

"I’m not wrong. His mother is quite pleased with herself now, but wasn't it her tricks that made her a consort? If not, would our mothers have retreated to temples and taken vows?"

With that, Jiang Chen fell silent.

Jiang Yun said, "The past is the past. Besides, can you be certain those rumors are true? Even if they are, what does that have to do with Ninth Brother? Alright, if you’re upset, win against him in archery."

This tactic worked. Jiang Ye said, "Win against him? Even if I give him a few arrows’ head start, he still won’t beat me."

Jiang Ye’s words were harsh, but it seemed this animosity stemmed from the Virtuous Consort’s past. Throughout, Jiang Xuan remained silent, his thoughts inscrutable.

The four each took ten arrows and began to compete.

As expected, Jiang Ye hit the bullseye most—nine out of ten arrows. Jiang Yun hit eight, Jiang Chen six. Only Jiang Xuan hit the target three times; the other seven arrows missed entirely.

Seeing the results, Jiang Ye burst into laughter. "Third Brother, I’m not picking on Ninth Brother for nothing. With skills like that, there’s no fun in competing. He’d be better off practicing not missing the target in his own courtyard!"

Jiang Yun, unable to defend Jiang Xuan, said, "Ninth Brother, how is your archery so poor? You know Father most wishes us to be both learned and skilled in arms."

Before Jiang Xuan could reply, Jiang Ye added, "He’s neither. If not for his mother’s favor, Father would have forgotten him long ago."

Jiang Xuan remained silent, his expression cold. I could see he was upset, but why did he not defend himself?

"Why don’t we have another round, Third Brother, Fourth Brother? Give Ninth Brother another chance," Jiang Chen suggested. "It’s still early, ending now is no fun."

"Even if we shoot again, he’ll lose. But you’re right, I’m not done yet," Jiang Ye agreed, then added, "But shooting stationary targets is dull. In battle, the enemy is always moving."

Jiang Yun said, "Fourth Brother is right. Why not have someone move the target, and we’ll see who shoots best?"

Jiang Chen agreed readily, but Jiang Ye said, "That’s good, but I have a better idea. Let’s have just one person move the target, and the four of us shoot as he runs. Whoever hits the most and most accurately wins. What do you think?"

"Excellent!" Jiang Chen applauded.

"Then let him do it," Jiang Ye said, pointing directly at me.

This was a disaster. Displeased with Jiang Xuan but unable to punish him openly, he’d settled on me, the servant.

Jiang Yun glanced at me, perhaps recognizing me, but only said, "Is that really appropriate?"

"What’s the harm? You and I are skilled, and Ninth Brother only misses—nothing can go wrong. Come, follow me!"

Jiang Ye beckoned, and I knew Jiang Xuan wouldn’t protect me now. I had no choice but to follow.

Jiang Ye, shamelessly, did not have me move the target from a distance, but made me strap a round target to my back and ordered me to run around the archery field until each of them had shot all ten arrows.

The three of them were skilled, but Jiang Xuan... What if he missed and shot me in the leg or head? And what if Jiang Ye deliberately missed to punish Jiang Xuan?

My life was on the line—I was to be a living target.

I watched the four of them warily, preparing to run for my life.

When they mounted their horses, I dashed off. Jiang Ye, always eager to show off and supremely confident, drew his bow and aimed at me first. His archery was the best, and I made him my main focus. Determined not to let him win, I watched his aim—if he aimed left, I ran right; if right, I ran left. He took a while to aim, finally loosed his arrow, and it landed on the ground beside me.

"Fourth Brother, let me try," Jiang Chen said as he rode up. I ran desperately, not caring where his arrows would land.

Several arrows whistled past my ears. Dangerous!

That wouldn’t do—I was at a disadvantage. So I strapped the target to my chest, allowing me to see them as I ran.

"Little eunuch, do you have a death wish? That way, you’ll be shot in the chest," Jiang Yun called from his horse.

"If the Crown Prince has the skill, come on! The same goes for the other princes!"

All four of them rode after me. I dodged, sometimes throwing myself to the ground, and several arrows landed right beside my hands.

Luckily, each had only ten arrows, and I managed to dodge them all. None of them had ever fought in battle—when the target suddenly moved, they were at a loss.

"I refuse to believe I can’t hit you," Jiang Ye fumed, grabbing an extra arrow and shooting at me.

"Fourth Prince, you’re cheating." I had no time to argue. Seeing the arrow flying toward me, I tore the target from my chest and hurled it at Jiang Ye’s horse. The startled animal reared, and, caught off guard with his bow drawn and not holding the reins, Jiang Ye was thrown from his horse.

"Fourth Brother!"
"Fourth Brother!"

Jiang Chen and Jiang Yun rushed over. Jiang Ye got to his feet, shouting angrily, "How dare you scare my horse?"

I dared not answer. Jiang Yun said quickly, "But you broke your word first. This servant was only trying to save his life. Enough, none of us hit the target—let’s call it a draw and be glad. Come, I’ll treat you all to tea at the lakeside pavilion."

"Third Brother, I’ll pass. Let’s meet another day," Jiang Ye said, bowing and walking off. As he passed Jiang Xuan, he snorted coldly.

"Fourth Brother! Fourth Brother..." Jiang Chen called after him.

"Fourth is always like that. He’ll calm down on his own. Sixth Brother, Ninth Brother, will you join me?"

"Another day, Third Brother. We’re all tired," Jiang Chen replied, his concern for Jiang Ye obvious.

"Very well, let’s all disperse," Jiang Yun said, then turned to me, "Sorry for alarming you earlier."

"I’m fine, Your Highness," I replied quickly.

"And your injuries—are they healed?"

I realized then that Jiang Yun remembered me.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am fully recovered."

"Third Brother, I’ll take my leave too," Jiang Xuan suddenly said, turning to walk away, leaving me behind.

"I’ll take my leave," I said, hurrying to catch up, but I glanced back at the arrows on the ground.

Each arrow was marked; Jiang Xuan appeared to have missed, but every one of his arrows had landed precisely beside me, not an inch more or less.

With such precision, how could his archery be considered poor?