Chapter 417 I can’t do it, but my daughter can

"I wonder what you want from me?"

Madam Li was wearing a plain brocade dress of sky-blue color without any unnecessary decoration. Her black hair was neatly tied behind her head, with only a warm mutton-fat jade hairpin in her hair. Her face was calm.

As soon as Lu Qiniang saw her, she felt that this woman was something special.

She has never been to school, but she has met many people.

Some people make you feel comfortable at first sight.

For example, Mrs. Li.

Daya stepped forward to greet Madam Li, introducing herself with a bright smile. She then said, "I've loved playing chess since five or six years ago, when I was still a maid in the Zhou residence. I've had the pleasure of reading Madam Li's book, 'The Exquisite Chess Game,' and have longed to receive instruction from her. However, Madam Li rarely comes out, so I didn't dare disturb her. I never expected to meet her today. It's truly a great honor."

She spoke frankly about her past as a servant and expressed her admiration and respect for Madam Li, but she did not rashly ask for the next game.

This obviously left a very good impression on Mrs. Li.

"Come and sit down," said Madam Li, "let's play a game of hands."

Daya's eyes showed surprise, "In that case, thank you very much, ma'am."

She took a deep breath, suppressed her excitement, and sat down opposite Madam Li as she was told, watching the maid set up the chessboard.

The sandalwood chessboard was as smooth as jade, and the black and white chess pieces were cool and heavy in the hand. All of this made her feel a little unreal.

Mrs. Li signaled her to play black first.

Daya was no longer modest. She concentrated and held her breath, and her fingertips steadily placed the first piece.

The crisp sound of chess pieces falling echoed in the quiet room, as if opening up another world.

Lu Qiniang was shocked.

Because she really didn't know that Daya could play chess, and she didn't know that she had fallen in love with it since she was in Zhou's house.

A surge of pride and guilt surged in Lu Qiniang's heart.

Daya was really treated unfairly for following her.

If she had an environment like the Cui family, she would be much more outstanding now.

Although she is so outstanding now, but when she thinks about the hardships they went through together in the past, Lu Qiniang always feels sorry for her daughter.

"Second sister, can eldest sister win?" San Ya was impatient with things like playing chess, she only cared about winning or losing.

You have to win, sister!

"What's the point of winning?" Erya said in a low voice. "Madam Li has been playing with chess pieces since she was born. She even taught the late queen how to play chess. How could my eldest sister possibly win?"

"Then why did the elder sister take the initiative to ask her to play chess?"

"Because if you lose to others, you will be laughed at. But to Madam Li, as long as you dare to challenge her, you have proved your strength. Moreover, my eldest brother-in-law has done Madam Li's son a favor, so even if it is just politeness, Madam Li will praise my eldest sister a few words."

Lu Qiniang said, thank you San Ya, otherwise if she asked, she would seem like an idiot.

Now, she understands too.

She is worthy of being her eldest daughter.

Look at her three daughters, each one of them is famous.

Lu Qiniang straightened her back unconsciously.

At this moment, she has completely lost her charm towards these so-called noble people.

It's a mixed crowd, with all kinds of people, and many of them are not as good as her.

For example, that fool Mrs. Xie just now.

Even if it were me, I wouldn't be so stupid as to step forward and get scolded.

If they were all idiots like this, Lu Qiniang felt that she could even develop a sense of superiority in terms of intelligence!

San Ya was about to say something, but Lu Qi Niang pulled her aside and said, "Don't talk. Watch your elder sister play chess."

"I don't understand. Mother, can you understand?"

Lu Qiniang glared at her. "...I know how to pretend!"

Her main motivation for pretending today was not to embarrass her daughter.

At the beginning of the game, Daya adhered to the principle of "thick position and slow attack" advocated by Mrs. Li in "Linglong Chess Game", and made a solid and steady layout, not daring to make any rash advances.

Mrs. Li's moves were as smooth as flowing water. Her moves seemed random, but she was subtly building up invisible pressure.

Daya quickly felt the difference in chess skills. Madam Li's chess moves were unfathomable, and every move seemed to have predicted several moves ahead of hers. Her own chess moves became sluggish unconsciously.

However, although she was at a disadvantage, she did not panic. Instead, she showed surprising resilience and a flash of inspiration in the face of difficulties.

She suddenly gave up a seemingly important corner, decisively sacrificed a piece, and instead put her strength into the middle of the abdomen, making a "sharp attack" move that Mrs. Li had not expected, and unexpectedly disrupted the chess game that Mrs. Li had carefully arranged.

A trace of genuine surprise flashed across Mrs. Li's eyes, and then turned into admiration.

She nodded slightly, and did not rush to fight back. Instead, she watched with interest how Daya used this hard-won opportunity to "disrupt the situation."

Daya seized this glimmer of hope and rushed left and right. Although she failed to completely turn the tide, she relied on her unyielding spirit and cleverness to tear several cracks in Madam Li's iron wall, saving some isolated pieces and preventing the situation from collapsing.

The game has entered its final stage and the winner has been determined.

Daya silently counted the number of eyes, and the difference was clear.

There was no frustration on her face, but instead a calmness and satisfaction that came from giving her all.

She put down the last chess piece in her hand and said frankly, "Madam, your chess skills are superb. I am not well-versed in the art, so I admit my inferiority."

Mrs. Li did not put away the chess pieces immediately. Her eyes fell softly on the chessboard, as if she was savoring the fierce battle just now.

She said softly, "Don't underestimate yourself. You play chess very well."

Everyone was surprised.

Because most people know that Mrs. Li rarely praises others when it comes to playing chess.

When it comes to playing chess, she is inherently proud.

"The foundation is solid, but what's rare is his composure, his ability to neither be arrogant nor impetuous." Madam Li pointed to several spots on the chessboard. "This 'sharp charge' move is bold and agile, with impeccable timing. This sacrifice and conversion move is clear-minded and decisive. Especially when facing a disadvantage, he remained calm and steady, even finding opportunities to counterattack. This kind of tenacity and composure is particularly rare."

She paused, looking into Daya's clear eyes, "Chess is like life. Your chess style reveals a rare openness and tenacity. I like it very much."

Daya's cheeks flushed slightly. She was much happier than winning the game of chess to receive such detailed and pertinent comments from her idol.

She stood up and bowed respectfully again. "Madam, you are so kind. It is a great blessing to have your guidance and teachings. I have benefited so much, like seeing the light through the clouds."

Madam Li smiled broadly, "If you have time someday, you can come and play chess with me."

"Thank you, ma'am. I will definitely come to visit you." Daya's face showed joy.

After this, who would dare to talk about music, chess, calligraphy and painting again?

More importantly, Daya's "strategy" also allowed these cunning people to clearly see her intelligence, and they all looked at her and Lu Qiniang with admiration.

Lu Qin's mother was complacent: I may not be able to do it, but my daughter can!

Sure enough, someone praised her for raising her daughters well.

At this time, someone pointed at San Ya and asked Lu Qiniang, "I wonder what your third young lady is good at."

Lu Qiniang: “…”