However, since it was a secret mission from the other party's sect, he didn't press for details, so he nodded and gestured for her to go and return quickly.
Zuan was forced to play Gomoku with Black and White, while Xie Xiu served tea and water to him as if he had been granted a pardon.
The female disciples outside began to discuss among themselves:
"Who is that person that even Hei Baizi treats with such seriousness?"
"Could he be some kind of chess master?"
"How could that be? Who in the world can beat Black and White in chess? Even the Grand Master of Ceremonies might not be his match in terms of skill alone."
"Hey, I suddenly realized this guy is so handsome, he's just as good-looking as Xiu Ge!"
"You traitor, Xiu-gege is the most handsome guy in the world."
"But this man is handsome too, and his handsomeness isn't the same as Xiu-gege's; he seems more masculine..."
Before he could finish speaking, another group of women launched a verbal attack: "What, are you saying that Brother Xiu lacks masculinity?"
"I...I didn't mean that."
"Haven't you all heard? This man is Zu'an, who has just made a great contribution. He is already a marquis at a young age, and he is also the most favored person in the Crown Prince's Palace. His future is limitless."
"Oh, it was him."
...
Hearing the female disciples' discussion, Chu Chuyan chuckled, as if she had returned to her life at Mingyue Academy.
Although she wasn't involved in any of these things at the time, her younger sister was quite interested in them and would often talk about them in her ear, just like she is now.
Hmph, as long as they're not after Ah Zu, that's fine.
What does it matter to her how many women like Xie Xiu?
Just then, a figure rushed down the mountain at great speed. If Chu Chuyan hadn't nimbly dodged to the side, she probably would have been hit.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry." The person who came was a woman. She hurriedly bowed and apologized. She had a delicate and elegant appearance, and even though she was in a hurry, she had an indescribable scholarly air about her.
"Oh, Miss Xie?" Chu Chuyan exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the person's appearance.
The woman was taken aback, looked up and saw Chu Chuyan, and was also stunned: "Miss Chu?"
The person who came was Xie Daoyun. She was overjoyed to hear that Zu An had come to the academy, so she rushed out of her calligraphy practice room, only to almost bump into Chu Chuyan's arms.
"Long time no see, Miss Xie, you are still as charming as ever." Meeting an old friend in a foreign land, Chu Chuyan was also very happy.
Back in the day, within the Mingyue City social circle, the two weren't exactly best friends, but they were still considered friends and admired each other's talents.
"Miss Chu's charm is truly captivating," Xie Daoyun remarked. Chu Chuyan was already known as a fairy in Mingyue City, and now her ethereal aura is even more pronounced, giving her an enviable, otherworldly quality.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chu Chuyan recalled how Xie had rushed off earlier, and realizing that this was out of character for her quiet nature, she couldn't help but laugh and ask, "Miss Xie, why were you running so fast just now? Were you going to see your lover?"
She rarely makes jokes like that, but she said it offhand because she was in a good mood today.
Xie Daoyun trembled, her pretty face turning red at a visible speed: "No... there is no lover, Miss Chu has misunderstood."
Chu Chuyan smiled without saying a word. As someone who had been through it all, how could she not understand Chu Chuyan's reaction just now? Naturally, she didn't believe Chu Chuyan's explanation.
Xie Daoyun then came to her senses and explained, "I only rushed over to see what was going on because I heard that my younger brother had gotten into trouble again."
"I see. Xie Xiu is indeed the same as before at Mingyue Academy," Chu Chuyan couldn't help but smile. "There are so many female disciples surrounding Hei Baizi, and they all seem to be after him. There's even been a fight between them."
Xie Daoyun stamped her foot: "This kid never gives me a moment's peace. I'll go check on him first, and we can meet up with Miss Chu again later if there's a chance."
After saying that, she lifted her skirt and ran towards the mountainside with small, quick steps.
Seeing how quiet and elegant she was even when she was jogging, Chu Chuyan wondered who in the academy was so lucky to have her eye on them.
As she was thinking, her smile suddenly froze. She abruptly turned to look in the direction of Zu An, but she immediately shook her head. These two had never interacted before, so how could it be? She shouldn't be so suspicious all the time.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side, Zu'an resigned, saying, "You truly are a master of chess; you've come up with a solution so quickly."
The black and white pieces opposite him stroked their mustaches with a hint of pride, but still said modestly, "Mr. Zu, you flatter me. Compared to your invention of a chess technique out of thin air, my skills are just minor ones."
After the two exchanged compliments for a while, Hei Baizi left the time to the two of them, clearly preparing to go somewhere to boast. Before leaving, he even helped drive away the female disciples who were surrounding them.
Xie Xiu brought out a large pile of exotic flowers and fruits to entertain Zu An: "Brother Zu, if you hadn't come today, I'm afraid I would have been beaten to a pulp."
Zuan found it somewhat amusing: "What heinous thing have you done?"
Speaking of this, Xie Xiu was a little depressed: "In the end, it all comes down to my master having a distant niece who insisted that I go to see her at night, saying that if I didn't go, she would jump into the water and commit suicide. I thought she was just trying to scare me, but who knew she was serious. Fortunately, there are many capable people in the academy, and they eventually managed to save her life. Naturally, my master came to settle accounts with me later."
Zu An said in a deep voice, "Brother Xie, I have to say something to you. It's only natural for a gentleman to be attracted to a beautiful lady, but you can't start something and then abandon it."
He recalled that when he first entered Mingyue Academy, he saw a girl who had been abandoned by him and was trying to commit suicide. In addition, he had just encountered two women fighting over him on the mountain. In his mind, he had already labeled him a scumbag.
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