Zhao Shouzhen and Cui Shenghe sat facing each other. On the chessboard, black and white pieces were intertwined, like a silver river falling from the sky.
At the beginning, the game was peaceful, like a babbling brook, calm and undisturbed.
As the game progressed, the atmosphere gradually became tense.
Even Zhao Zhi, an observer, couldn't help but sit up straight and stare intently at the chessboard.
Cui Shenghe's chess style was imposing, each move like a thunderbolt, carrying the domineering and majestic aura of a monarch.
Zhao Zhi had once played chess with her elder brother, Zhao Yi, and now, observing Cui Shenghe, she noticed that both his and Zhao Yi's chess styles subtly carried an air of royalty. She couldn't help but look at Cui Shenghe with new respect; this former crown prince of the Yun Dynasty was no mere figurehead.
She stared at Cui Shenghe absentmindedly, thinking that if Yun Ling hadn't been poisoned by Yun Shu, Cui Shenghe would be the new emperor of the Yun Dynasty right now. The busy emperor of the Yun Dynasty wouldn't have time to sit here and play chess and chat with Zhao, the chief minister of Da Xuan.
As she thought about it, she couldn't help but smile. But that smile was quickly replaced by a deep sense of loneliness.
A person like my brother shouldn't be trapped in the mundane world.
She wanted to help him get revenge and take back everything that was rightfully his.
Zhao Zhi stared at Cui Shenghe like a lovesick fool.
Li Huai'an looked at Zhao Zhi with a bitter expression.
He had never seen Zhao Zhi look at a man with such eyes before.
He thought dejectedly to himself, "What chance do I have of competing with a man like Cui Shenghe? Absolutely none."
Standing to the side watching the game, Shen Hanshan rested his chin on his hand, observing Cui Shenghe thoughtfully as well.
Cui Shenghe's chess style is bold and unrestrained, like an iron cavalry on the battlefield, galloping across the land, unstoppable by anyone.
This coincided with his chess playing style, and he couldn't help but feel a bit more favorably toward Cui Shenghe.
Cui Shenghe, who was focused on playing chess, gradually noticed the probing gazes of the others on him.
He was startled and realized he couldn't continue, lest others notice something amiss, so he subtly withdrew his momentum.
Zhao Zhi noticed that Cui Shenghe was unconsciously rubbing his fingers with his left hand, which was a sign that he was worried.
She pretended to be tired of sitting, stood up and stretched, accidentally bumping into the chessboard.
With a clatter, the black and white chess pieces fell to the ground.
Cui Shenghe and Zhao Shouzhen both breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhao Shouzhen thought to himself, "This child is such a sweet little cotton-padded jacket. If it weren't for her causing trouble, I would have lost miserably."
"Oh! Father, I didn't mean to!" Zhao Zhi looked annoyed and suggested, "Why don't you two play another round?"
Zhao Shouzhen and Cui Shenghe both refused, saying that it was almost time to eat and they would find another opportunity to cook later.
"What a pity, the outcome will be decided soon!" Li Huai'an sighed.
Shen Hanshan looked at Zhao Zhi with a half-smile.
Zhao Zhi immediately glared back.
Shen Hanshan sneered inwardly, "What a little wildcat with its fangs and claws!"
Not long after, Zhao Yun, with a tense face, reluctantly followed Zhang Wan, carrying snacks into the front hall.
Her mother called her to the kitchen just now, clearly to deliberately send her away!
Why is it that Zhao Zhi, also a young woman of marriageable age, can chat and laugh with several men without any restraint?
Why didn't she even get a chance to show herself off?!
Zhao Yun couldn't understand it!
Why would a mother be so biased?
Seeing that the refreshments were ready, Baozhu quickly directed the maids to place them on the tea table next to each guest.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed someone placing a plate of almond cookies next to Zhao Zhi. Startled, she was about to discreetly take the cookies away when Zhao Zhi quietly stopped her.
"It's alright, Baozhu, you can go about your business."
"No, Miss."
Baozhu whispered, "You forgot, you fainted after eating almond shortbread last time."
Upon seeing this, Shen Hanshan stood up and swapped the peach blossom pastry next to him with Zhao Zhi's almond pastry, then mouthed to her that she was thankful.
To his surprise, Zhao Zhi didn't appreciate his kindness at all. She snorted coldly and turned to talk to her father.
A moment later, the maids filed in carrying the dishes.
Zhao Shouzhen warmly invited everyone to take their seats.
Zhao Shouzhen sat in the main seat, with Cui Shenghe and Shen Hanshan sitting on his left and right respectively.
Shen Hanshan originally wanted Zhao Zhi to sit with him.
With eager anticipation in his eyes, Zhao Zhi happily sat down next to Cui Shenghe.
Meanwhile, Zhao Yun, who looked displeased, sat beside Li Huai'an.
Zhang Wan busied herself preparing the dishes.
Zhao Shouzhen glanced around and, seeing no drunken fish, called Baozhu over, "Go ask Madam why her signature dish, drunken fish, isn't here?"
Baozhu glanced at Zhao Zhi subconsciously.
He thought to himself, "The madam must have been afraid that the second young lady would feel nauseous from the smell of fish, so she didn't prepare that drunken fish dish."
Judging from the master's reaction, he probably doesn't know that the second young lady is pregnant.
How should I reply?
Her eyes darted around, and she quickly said, "Master, today's menu was specially arranged by Madam. She considered that some guests might not like the smell of fish since it was their first time visiting our home, so she didn't prepare drunken fish."
However, the lady had specially prepared several other specialty dishes, hoping the guests would enjoy them.
Zhao Shouzhen suddenly realized and said, "Madam's consideration is absolutely correct."
Zhao Zhi, who had been anxiously waiting for Baozhu, secretly admired her wit and resourcefulness after hearing such impeccable words.
At the same time, Zhao Zhi was also thinking that when she went to her fiefdom of Chaoyang County in the future, she would need a few clever and capable people to assist her.
While Zhao Zhi was struggling with the selection of people, Zhao Yi was already secretly helping her find suitable candidates.
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