Upon arriving at Mr. Yuan's residence, Pei Zhi first searched the area and only felt relieved after confirming that she did not see any servants attending to Xiao Chengci.

The pageboy led Pei Zhi to the study, where Mr. Yuan was already waiting.

The chessboard was set up, and after Pei Zhi bowed, he sat down to play chess with Mr. Yuan.

After the game, Mr. Yuan praised, "Your chess skills have improved recently."

Pei Zhi respectfully replied, "Sir, you flatter me."

Pei Zhi picked out the chess pieces and put them back in the box. Mr. Yuan got up and handed Pei Zhi a different chess manual.

"Go back and study it carefully. If you encounter anything you don't understand, don't be impatient. This chess manual is a bit too profound for you."

Pei Zhi accepted the chess manual with both hands, saying, "I understand."

Just as Pei Zhi finished selecting the chess pieces, his page came to report that Mr. Yuan had a guest.

"Since you have guests, I will take my leave now."

Mr. Yuan waved his hand: "No rush, you stay here and make me a pot of tea. We'll play another game after he leaves."

Pei Zhi could only nod, lift her skirt, and get up to wash her hands.

Xiao Chengci entered the study when Pei Zhi was not there. Xiao Chengci bowed to Mr. Yuan in a rather disrespectful manner.

Mr. Yuan stood up and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Sir, are you angry?"

Normally, Xiao Chengci and Mr. Yuan do not observe such formalities.

Xiao Chengci learned chess from Mr. Yuan when he was a child.

Of course, besides learning chess, Mr. Yuan also taught Xiao Chengci many principles.

"This old man would not dare to act arrogantly in front of His Highness the Crown Prince. Who knows if His Highness will dig another pit for this old man?"

Xiao Chengci shook his head with a chuckle, then sat down opposite Mr. Yuan.

"Since you have nothing else to do, why don't we have a game of chess?"

Mr. Yuan declined, saying, "These days, I don't feel like playing chess."

Mr. Yuan has not forgotten that when he lost a game of chess with Xiao Chengci, Xiao Chengci asked him to enter the palace to play chess with the emperor.

Emperor Xiao was a terrible chess player; Mr. Yuan had already realized that long ago.

But he lost to Xiao Chengci and could only accept his defeat.

As a result, Mr. Yuan suffered inhuman torture.

"Sir, you're joking. You just finished playing, didn't you?" Xiao Chengci pointed to the chess box, where there was a white chess piece among a box of black pieces.

"I am teaching students chess."

Xiao Chengci's heart skipped a beat. "So, the teacher is giving a lesson? Well, I've come at an inopportune time and chased away the teacher's disciple?"

When Xiao Chengci entered the study, he smelled a faint fragrance, which he initially thought was just his imagination.

It seems Pei Zhi left before him?

"You overestimate yourself. She's gone to wash her hands and prepare to make me tea."

Xiao Chengci replied simply, "Since you don't want to play chess, then we won't."

Mr. Yuan frowned. "Then why have you come today?"

Normally, Xiao Chengci would come to see Mr. Yuan just to play chess.

If he's not going to play chess, what's the point of Xiao Chengci coming here?

Xiao Chengci replied, "I was bored, so I came to visit you, sir."

Mr. Yuan sized up Xiao Chengci. "You came to visit me empty-handed?"

Xiao Chengci also said, "A few days ago, I acquired a set of excellent chess pieces. I will have someone deliver them to you another day."

Mr. Yuan was somewhat excited upon hearing this: "Those chess pieces made of Hetian jade?"

Xiao Chengci smiled and nodded. "Haven't you always wanted it, sir?"

Mr. Yuan frowned first, then looked at Xiao Chengci warily, "Something's not right, something's not right about you."

Mr. Yuan had hinted several times before that he liked that set of chess pieces.

As a result, Xiao Chengci acted as if he hadn't heard anything.

Later, Mr. Yuan shamelessly asked to borrow it to admire it.

Once something is borrowed, it belongs to the owner, and there's no reason to return it.

Xiao Chengci declined them all.

Chess enthusiasts naturally cherish any excellent chess pieces they encounter.

Whether it's Mr. Yuan or Xiao Chengci.

Mr. Yuan said worriedly, "Are you trying to set me up again?"

Xiao Chengci feigned surprise: "Why would you think of Chengci like that, sir?"

Mr. Yuan practically watched Xiao Chengci grow up. This kid may seem innocent and pure on the surface, but in reality, he's a black-hearted man.

Before Mr. Yuan could say anything more, Pei Zhi returned, followed by a servant carrying a tray.

"I heard that your mother has arranged for someone to teach you tea ceremony at home. Today, I will test your progress."

When Pei Zhi entered, she saw Xiao Chengci, but pretended not to see him.

Pei Zhi bowed slightly to the teacher and replied, "This student is dull and lacks skill; I have made a fool of myself."

After Pei Zhi finished speaking, she bowed in the direction of Xiao Chengci, which was considered her greeting.

He sat with his knees on the tea table. The water in the tea stove beside him had already boiled.

Pei Zhi knelt up straight and used a wooden stand to scald all the teacups, tea bowls, and tea lids.

This process removes any unpleasant odors and preheats the tea, helping to bring out its aroma.

Pei Zhiwei took out a pair of tongs and put some tea leaves into the teacup. She then raised her arm slightly, lifted the teapot high, and added boiling water into the teacup.

After the tea leaves have unfurled, gently skim off the foam from the teacup with the lid.

Then, Pei Zhi poured the tea from the teacup into a cup, stood up, and served tea to her husband with both hands holding the cup saucer.

Mr. Yuan accepted the gift with both hands, nodded slightly to Pei Zhi, and seemed satisfied with her performance.

Although there are some flaws in the movements, the procedures are all correct.

Mr. Yuan glanced at the tea in his cup, then leaned closer to smell it before taking a sip.

"That's good. With more practice, you'll be able to perform in front of others."

"You flatter me, sir," Pei Zhi said, then handed Xiao Chengci a cup of tea.

Xiao Chengci was taken aback for a moment before accepting the gift and thanking him softly.

Just now, Xiao Chengci watched Pei Zhi make tea and couldn't help but admire her beauty.

Pei Zhi's hands were white and delicate, and her profile, framed by the steam of the tea, made her appear even more otherworldly.

Xiao Chengci never admitted that he was an ordinary person.

At this moment, Xiao Chengci watched Pei Zhi, dressed in a light yellow outfit, brewing tea.

Brewing tea was originally an elegant act, but it reminded Xiao Chengci of something else.

That day at the bookstore, Pei Zhi also seemed to be wearing a light yellow dress, and then she knelt down at his feet, serving him.

Pei Zhi, who is currently brewing tea, is like an unapproachable goddess.

Fortunately, Xiao Chengci was sitting down, and his clothes concealed his condition, so no one could tell that he was acting strangely.

Xiao Chengci took another sip of tea, inwardly cursing himself. He was truly insane; he could actually discern a reaction just by watching someone brew tea.

Mr. Pei Zhichao said, "Since you have distinguished guests, I will go find your wife first."

Mr. Yuan waved his hand: "No rush, come on, let's play another round."

Pei Zhi subconsciously looked at Xiao Chengci, but Xiao Chengci smiled and said, "Alright, then I'll be her strategist."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Yuan also became interested.

"How about this: she makes a move, and you make a move?"

Mr. Yuan's idea is that Pei Zhi should make the first move, and then let Xiao Chengci make the next move.

Xiao Chengci nodded: "Since it is your suggestion, I dare not refuse."