Volume 2: The Phoenix Descends, the Swan Goose is Shocked - Chapter 27: First Battle of Wits

  "Hum, let's see about that!"

  Zhen Fei let out a cold snort, her phoenix eyes full of disdain.

  Ruan Qincheng's expression remained unchanged, calm and unruffled, as if the person in front of her was just a clown jumping around.

  The university scholar's calm and collected demeanor was beside him, but he couldn't help but worry. After all, Ruan Qincheng was his only daughter. How could he just sit back and watch her being bullied? It was strange that the master hadn't attended court today, wasn't something wrong?

  Although as the emperor's teacher, he didn't have to attend court every day, but since Ruan Qincheng got married, he hadn't appeared at all, which was really worrying!

  Feng Qingyu shifted his gaze to the woman standing alone in the center of the grand hall, he had long heard that his master's only daughter was stunningly beautiful, but unfortunately she was an idiot. Although he thought idiots shouldn't have such a spirited aura, her reputation as an idiot ran too deep, and not many people noticed this point.

  Even if they noticed, they thought it was just a manifestation, or they were willing to confirm that it was Wang Yunye who specifically taught her. They simply didn't believe that a notorious foolish woman could still make any waves!

  Liu Wang and Xian Wang stood very low-key in the corner watching the play, they didn't want to get involved in unnecessary disputes.

  "Taoyan is not talented, but slightly skilled in chess, and would like to ask Queen Wang for guidance!"

  Yunluo Palace's Taifei walked out of the crowd of concubines with a gentle and elegant demeanor, her pale red lips slightly upturned as she said with an air of superiority. With powdered face and crimson lips, curved willow eyebrows, and peach-pink cheeks. Her coiled buns were fragrant with morning dew, her entire head adorned with golden hairpins, truly dazzling to behold.

  Ruan Qinchun glanced at Taofei with a faint smile, her figure was plump and tender, if pinched, she could pinch out a layer of oil.

  The four consorts in the harem were not lowly, and their attire was extremely luxurious. Only Taohua wore a pink snow brocade bodice with golden peach blossoms embroidered on it, looking lifelike. She wore a soft smoke-colored gauze dress outside, and underneath, she had on a long pink skirt with silver tassels that sparkled as she moved.

  "Taofei wants to compete in chess skills, with a time limit of one hour! Set up the chessboard! University scholar Feng Qingyuan will act as the arbiter, hoping that you will treat me fairly!"

  At the command of Yun Huang, an imperial servant brought up a chessboard made of Linglong jade. The board had 19 parallel lines intersecting at right angles, forming a square shape. Black and white pieces were placed in a box. There were 181 black pieces and 180 white pieces, totaling 361 pieces, exactly the same as the number of points on the board.

  "I obey your order!"

  The university scholar nodded solemnly and then carefully explained the rules and methods of the game in detail. Even if Ruan Qinchun didn't know how to play chess, he would understand the steps and rules under his explanation, it can be said that he was also kind and meticulous.

  When he finished explaining, the inner attendant placed the hourglass used for timing on a nearby table, and the chess game officially began.

  The civil and military officials, all the concubines, stretched their necks to look at the chessboard in the center.

  War King Yun Qianye saw Ruan Qindeng listening to University Scholar Feng Qing's explanation, with a somewhat enlightened expression, and couldn't help but feel anxious secretly. This woman looked like she didn't understand the rules of Go at all, so how could she compete with others?

  Guo Shi Lan Ming Xuan sat in the best position with a calm and gentle demeanor, no one dared to block his line of sight. He naturally also saw Ruan Qin Chen's subtle expression changes, but he wasn't worried, he always believed she could keep her promises!

  Taofei sat down beside him, looking self-satisfied. She had been learning chess since she was a child and rarely met her match. Dealing with such a foolish girl would be an easy task.

  Yun Huang gave Taifei a certain look in her eyes, provoking her into a fit of giggles.

  "Please!"

  Ruan Qincheng raised an eyebrow, glanced at the chessboard, and listened to Feng Qingju's explanation. She understood the rules and methods of playing chess in the Yunyan Empire. Although they were slightly different from those of her previous life, they were essentially the same. She couldn't believe that she, a modern person who had inherited the wisdom of China's 5,000-year history, couldn't even beat an ancient person from another world!

  Both sides hold a color of chess pieces, Taofei holds black pieces and makes the first move.

  Ruan Qinchun held the white piece in his hand, fully focused and excluding all distractions. With every step, he repeatedly deliberated deeply in his mind. Playing chess was like deploying troops for battle, requiring careful planning before making a move. The outcome would be decided within the tent, with victory or defeat determined thousands of miles away. One wrong move would lead to complete defeat.

  The golden beast incense burner in the main hall was floating with misty fragrance, and the sunlight passing through the window lattice made the crystal light in the Dragon Temple shine brightly. The wind blew over the golden plate dragon column, swept over the high silk curtain, and crossed over the large red carpet. The entire main hall was quiet to the extreme, and one could faintly hear the urgent breathing of the crowd, as well as the clear sound of falling pieces.

  The two players maintained a motionless posture, watching the intense battle on the chessboard, and the faces of the crowd involuntarily showed a look of astonishment. No one had expected that Ruan Qincheng still had this move!

  The scholar's clear and elegant gaze was fixed tightly on Ruan Qincheng, under the sunlight, a faint halo emerged from her body. Clouds and mist surrounded her temples, adorned with amethyst butterfly decorations, flowing silk sparkling, rose brocade cloud skirt even more dazzling to the eye.

  That lip, like a red lotus, held a faint smile, and the jade-like waves were intoxicatingly beautiful. Her entire being exuded an air of noble elegance that looked down on all other flowers. Her demeanor was calm and collected, her movements swift and decisive, each step hiding a deadly intent. He almost applauded in admiration, and the great stone that had been weighing on his heart finally fell away unnoticed.

  Compared to Ruan Qincheng's calmness, Taofei was already drenched in sweat. Her hands and feet had turned icy cold with tension, her silver teeth clenched tightly, her fingers trembling, causing the chess piece in her hand to make a wrong move.

  One misstep leads to another.

  Even if she desperately wanted to save it, she couldn't withstand Ruan Qindeng's momentum like a broken bamboo.

  Taofei's face finally turned pale when University Scholar Feng Qing announced Ruan Qincheng as the winner. Her lips trembled twice, her arrogant expression replaced by unbelievable shock.

  "Impossible! This can't be! If it weren't for the queen's mistake, how could I have lost to you? You must have cheated! It has to be that!"

  "Fallen pieces are irretrievable! Taofei should go back and properly learn the most basic chess etiquette!"

  Lan Mingxuan saw Tao Fei pointing at Ruan Qindeng, who was chattering and scolding incessantly. Lan's eyebrows furrowed involuntarily, and his charming voice took on a hint of anger.

  "Someone, take Peach Wife away!"

  Yun Huang saw Guoshi getting angry and hastily gave an order without any mercy.

  "Since the outcome is already decided, it's time to fulfill the bet!"

  On Lan Ming's exceptionally handsome face, his divine aura was extraordinary, his sexy lips moved slightly as he spoke slowly. His palm supported his cheek, his movements languid, the silver light flowing behind his head. He looked like a fallen immortal, but at this moment, he seemed to be an out-and-out devil.

  Digression

  Thank you to dear Wumao for sending sparkling diamonds, and thank you to dear zypabcd for the flowers! (*^__^*)

  Recommend a friend's light and small ancient article "The Devil King's Exiled Immortal Witch Wife". She has the dark memories of her previous life, with silver hair all over her head in exchange for a strange and mysterious power. In this different world, she once again makes the name of the witch wife resound!