In the royal city, there is a magnificent mansion called Liuguang Pavilion, which is divided into four academies: Qin (music), Qi (chess), Shu (calligraphy), and Hua (painting).
Several maids were guarding the door outside the study in the music academy, while people were talking inside.
Two people sat in front of the ebony table. One had her face veiled in white gauze and her eyes held arrogance, while the other was as delicate and beautiful as a white lotus with yellow stamens.
The two were Cai Qinshi, the acting dean of the Qin Academy, and Chen Yu, the second daughter of Anbo Hou.
"The Four Flowers Banquet is imminent, and the list of participants must be submitted in three days." Cai Qinshi said unhurriedly, "You know the rules: regardless of wealth or poverty, each family can only have one spot. What do you and Shen Jiao say about that?"
“My father said that he heard my grandparents praising my musical skills in private. Shen Jiao is not good at any of the four arts, so she would only embarrass herself if she went there. The place in the Marquis of Anbo’s mansion is rightfully mine.” Shen Yu smiled smugly.
Cai Qin smiled faintly: "That's very good. Marquis Anbo is a smart man. Yu'er, you are talented. Let bygones be bygones. You don't need to worry about it. Cheer up and face the Four Flowers Banquet."
These words reminded Shen Yu of the grievances she had suffered during this period, and a ruthless glint flashed in her eyes.
She clenched her fists: "Yu'er will certainly live up to Master's expectations."
"By the way, I heard from the bottom of my heart that Master Nan has come out of seclusion." Cai Qinshi took a sip of tea with elegance and composure.
"Really!" Shen Yu's voice was filled with surprise. "Master Nan is the number one chess master in the world. If I could get some guidance from him, my chess skills would definitely improve by leaps and bounds."
She originally planned to consult the director of the Go Academy after talking with Tsai Chin-shi, but recently she has reached a bottleneck and is stuck in a dead end that she can't solve no matter what she does, which is very frustrating.
I heard that the director of the chess academy was also stuck on a chess game for many years. By chance, he received guidance from Master Nan, which not only helped him break the game, but also greatly improved his chess skills.
If she could meet Elder Nan, she would definitely be even more powerful than the head of the chess academy!
“What kind of person is Master Nan? It’s not something you and I can just meet.” Cai Qinshi glanced at Chen Yu. “However, Master Nan’s servant will be coming to the chess academy the day after tomorrow. You should seize the opportunity to ask him for some pointers.”
Chen Yu was reluctant.
She was the second daughter of the Marquis of Anbo's mansion, and also a disciple of the virtuous Cai Qin. What an honorable status she held!
How could you possibly learn chess from a lowly servant?
Does he even deserve it?
Cai Qinshi continued, "Master Nan loved chess as much as his life. He had a habit of seeking someone to play chess with every day. After retiring to the mountains, he only had his servant by his side. So, who do you think Master Nan could be playing chess with?"
Chen Yu was slightly taken aback, "...servant."
“Don’t underestimate this servant. Even the head of the chess academy has to give him some face. He has served Elder Nan for many years and must have secretly learned a lot of Elder Nan’s original chess games. But in the end, he is still a lackey. You can bribe him with more money.” Cai Qinshi’s face turned cold.
If they could find out where Master Nan was, her personal disciple would never have gone to learn chess from a lackey!
This is a slap in the face for her!
Shen Yu understood what Cai Qinshi meant, immediately took his leave, and couldn't wait to go to Shen Qingye.
The accounts have been tight lately, and she can't come up with much money right now, so she has to ask a sucker for help.
...
Shen Qingye was beaten particularly badly by Shen Qingcheng that night, and now he can only lie in bed and cannot stand or sit for long periods of time, carefully recuperating.
Upon hearing the servant announce that Chen Yu had arrived, and then seeing a beautiful figure, a hint of joy flashed across his face.
"Yu'er, are you here to deliver a belt to your second brother?"
After he was injured, Shen Yu said she would sew him a belt herself as a consolation, adding that she would sew it with all her heart and that it would bring him peace and good luck!
Shen Yu's lips stiffened.
She almost forgot about it if it weren't mentioned. She's so busy all day long, how could she remember such trivial matters?
She smiled and said, "Not yet. Some of the patterns are quite intricate, so it will take some time. I came here specifically to check on my second brother's injuries."
"It's alright, it's alright, Yu'er, take your time sewing. Your second brother isn't in a hurry, he's just really looking forward to it."
Despite this, Shen Qingye couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
A belt isn't a complicated thing to make; if you're willing to put your mind to it, you can do it in one night.
Yu'er must be too busy, Shen Qingye comforted himself.
"Is something wrong, Yu'er?"
Shen Yu sat there, but kept looking out the window, feeling restless and uneasy. Although she hid it well, Shen Qingye noticed her impatience.
They said they came to visit him, but didn't say a single word of greeting.
Thinking of this, Shen Qingye pinched the bridge of his nose. How could he think like that? Yu'er's kindness to him over the years was obvious to all, and all his friends envied him for having such a good sister.
How could he blame her for such a trivial matter?
That's a complete scoundrel!
After Shen Qingye finished his self-criticism, he immediately smiled and said, "If you need anything, just tell your second brother. There's no need to be so formal."
Shen Yu cut to the chase: "Second Brother, can you give me three thousand taels?"
Shen Qingye was taken aback.
His older brother had taken all his savings and given them to Shen Jiao. During this time, his grandmother disliked him and cut off his allowance.
Let alone three thousand taels, he couldn't even come up with three taels of silver at this moment.
Seeing Shen Qingye in a daze, Shen Yu waved her hand in front of his eyes: "Second Brother? Second Brother!"
"What do you need so much money for?" Shen Qingye asked.
Shen Yu's expression remained unchanged as she softly said, "I'm going to attend the Four Flowers Banquet in a few days, but Mother's mind is all on my sister. It seems she forgot to prepare clothes for me. With so many people there, I can't possibly wear old clothes, can I? That would be a disgrace to the Marquis of Anbo's mansion. Second brother, don't be angry. I'm not saying Mother is wrong. What I mean is, if my sister came back earlier, Mother would be in a better mood, and I could benefit from that!"
In the end, it was still Shen Jiao's fault. In just a few words, Shen Qingye became angry with Shen Jiao again. This ungrateful wretch who always causes trouble!
"Don't worry, Yu'er, your second brother will prepare beautiful clothes for you!"
Shen Yu's lips twitched, and she clasped her hands together in a pleading manner, "Second Brother, please give me some money. I already promised to go shopping with Miss Sun..."
It's not that he doesn't want to give it to me, it's just that he doesn't have it.
It's all Shen Jiao's fault for being so heartless. She even took her own brother's bank token. She's utterly shameless.
Shen Qingye coughed lightly, forcing a smile and saying, "Second brother understands. You can come and pick it up tomorrow night."
Shen Yu smiled brightly: "Thank you, Second Brother."
After Shen Yu left, Shen Qingye hesitated for a moment before deciding to go and borrow from his elder brother.
Ultimately, his lack of money was partly due to his elder brother, so lending him three thousand taels was only right... right?
It was unclear what Shen Qingcheng had been busy with these past two days, leaving early and returning late, but he hadn't gone to the military camp. Shen Qingye entered the room leaning on his cane, and said hesitantly, "Brother, I... I want to borrow three thousand taels of silver."
"No money, if you want to leave, then leave now." Shen Qingcheng was reading military documents, and his tone was impatient.
Shen Qingye whispered, "I really need it urgently, brother."
Shen Qingcheng gave him a cold look. "What's so urgent? Are you more urgent than Chen Yu? You believe everything she says? Is your brain just for decoration?"
As he finished speaking, a glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes: "Want money? Sure, but I won't lend it to you for nothing."
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