Tu Wenying shook her head repeatedly, refusing, "Let's forget it. Everyone knows how aloof Young Master Ling is. If it weren't for you, he probably wouldn't even have stepped foot in the carriage. Besides, I'm not particularly obsessed with paintings. The reason I want Young Master Ling's original work is to present it to my grandfather. But considering my grandfather's status, I still feel it's inappropriate..."
Under his grandfather's diligent care, Ling Mo had received the invitation for the third time, but each time it was like a stone sinking into the sea, without any response.
During their conversation, the group arrived at the Tu residence.
Tu Wenying had already instructed her servants to arrange the guest rooms neatly, prepare warm hot water and brand-new clothes, and carefully brew ginger soup to warm everyone up.
After a flurry of activity, everything was finally arranged properly.
Tu Wenying smiled and said, "Sister Jiang, you must have been quite frightened today. After you finish the ginger soup, you should rest early. Tomorrow is a ten-day rest day, so you don't need to go to the academy. You can rest a little longer."
Jiang Huaiyu noticed that she was yawning repeatedly, so he nodded in agreement: "I know, it's late. You've gone to so much trouble for us, you should go back and rest early."
"Okay, then see you tomorrow."
"Okay, see you tomorrow."
The night rain continued to fall softly. Jiang Huaiyu listened to the sound of the rain on the roof, and her heart gradually calmed down, as if the previous life-and-death ordeal was just a dream.
A faint smile played on her lips before she drifted off into a sweet dream.
...
That night, she slept very soundly.
She didn't wake up until the first rays of dawn appeared the next day, when the sunlight filled the sky.
When Jiang Huaiyu opened her eyes, she saw the bright sunshine outside the window and realized how long she had been asleep. She was surprised because usually, she would already be on her way to the academy by this time.
"Young lady, are you awake?"
Yingxiang pushed open the door and entered with a smile. She put down her toiletries and said softly, "Miss Tu is waiting for you in the courtyard to have breakfast together. Let me help you get ready first."
After getting dressed, Jiang Huaiyu was led to Tu Wenying's courtyard.
The guest room was just steps away from Tu Wenying's residence, so they arrived quickly. Tu Wenying had just gotten up and was sitting at her dressing table, having Yuwei comb her hair. Seeing Jiang Huaiyu arrive, she immediately smiled and waved, "Sister Jiang, did you sleep well last night?"
"I slept very well," Jiang Huaiyu said as she sat down at the table.
"That's good."
After Tu Wenying finished tidying up, the servants brought out breakfast.
After the two finished breakfast, they were sitting on the couch chatting when Old Madam Tu and Madam Tu sent people to inquire about Jiang Huaiyu's condition.
As a guest staying at the Tu family's residence, Jiang Huaiyu was obliged to pay a visit to the host according to custom. Thus, accompanied by Tu Wenying, she personally went to two places to reciprocate the visit.
Madam Tu, Tu Wenying's mother, was extremely warm to Jiang Huaiyu. She carefully inquired whether Jiang Huaiyu had been injured the previous night and repeatedly comforted her, telling her to stay at the Tu family home and keep Tu Wenying company.
...
Inside Moyou Garden, Old Madam Tu was seriously ill and bedridden for a long time. What she actually wanted to see was Scholar Tu. Upon entering the garden, she saw Scholar Tu deep in thought before a chessboard. His gaze lightly swept over Jiang Huaiyu, remaining silent about the events of the previous night. Instead, he pointed to the other end of the chessboard and calmly suggested, "Miss Jiang, why don't you play a game of chess with me?"
Before Jiang Huaiyu could respond, Tu Wenying was already terrified.
“Grandfather, isn’t this too much of a bullying? Your chess skills are extraordinary. Before you retired and returned to your hometown, almost no one in the court could rival you. Sister Jiang is so young, why do you have to make things difficult for her?”
Even Tu Wenying had to admit defeat in front of her grandfather.
She prided herself on her exceptional talent and chess skills, which were unmatched among young ladies. However, whenever she faced her grandfather, she could hardly gain the upper hand. Occasionally, she would win by chance, but it was only because her grandfather deliberately let her win out of pity.
Scholar Tu waved his hand, his tone indifferent: "Just because you can't win doesn't mean others can't either."
Jiang Huaiyu smiled and replied, "Since you are interested, then I will respectfully accept your offer. However, my chess skills are still shallow, and I am afraid I will have to disappoint you, sir."
She sat down on the other side of the chessboard.
Tu Wenying then ordered her servants to bring a chair, and she sat in the center, watching the two play chess intently.
Tu Laoxue played the white pieces, while Jiang Huaiyu played the black pieces. The two sides exchanged moves, engaging in a battle of wits.
Time slips away quietly; the time it takes for an incense stick to burn has passed.
The game is more than halfway through, but the outcome is still uncertain.
Tu Wenying was intently observing the movement of the pieces, but still found it difficult to determine which side had the advantage.
Seeing that Jiang Huaiyu made her moves with composure and remained evenly matched with her grandfather, she couldn't help but secretly give her a thumbs up.
"Sister Jiang, you are truly a woman of profound wisdom, it's amazing!"
Scholar Tu was not surprised, for when he played chess with Bai Yujing, the latter had praised Jiang Huaiyu's chess skills more than once. At the time, he still had doubts, wondering how skilled a woman who was so inexperienced in the ways of the world could possibly be at chess.
Now that I have seen it with my own eyes, I know that what Bai Yujing said was true.
Jiang Huaiyu's chess style is completely different from that of people her age. Her thinking is deep and hidden. Unlike most young people who directly express their intentions, she progresses step by step, making it impossible for others to guard against her. If you are not careful, you will fall into her trap.
Such a sophisticated strategy, in stark contrast to her youthful appearance, is truly admirable.
About half an hour later, the outcome of the game was finally revealed: Scholar Tu had won by one move. However, his face did not show any joy. Instead, he wore a faint smile and asked indifferently, "In that move, were you really out of options?"
Jiang Huaiyu replied sincerely, "The black pieces are surrounded and are like candles in the wind, in grave danger. Scholar Tu's chess skills are extraordinary, and I am ashamed to admit my inferiority."
Scholar Tu disagreed, merely nodding slightly.
Despite the sincerity in her words, a question lingered in his mind, as if Jiang Huaiyu was hiding some unknown chess skill.
However, the chess skills that Jiang Huaiyu displayed today are already breathtaking.
Scholar Tu smiled slightly, stroked his beard, and his eyes gleamed with admiration.
Tu Wenying's gaze also held a touch of reverence. After all, to persist for so long on her grandfather's chessboard, even in defeat, was something to be proud of.
Jiang Huaiyu took in all these subtle changes but couldn't offer any explanation.
After all, in the past, when she faced loneliness alone, how could she have endured those long years if she hadn't found something to do to pass the time?
Books, embroidery, and chess were her companions in her loneliness.
...
In the following days, the old scholar Tu would play two games of chess with her every day, and Madam Tu would often inquire about her daily life. This care from the master of the house made the servants of the Tu family respect her even more.
Jiang Huaiyu was grateful for the care the Tu family had given her, but a mystery always troubled her.
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