Chapter 461: The Chess Wager: The Most Heroic Is Lu Shenzhou!

【"Brother Guan, I heard your eyes were wept blind. I've been busy with important matters these past months and haven't come to see you—don't take offense!"】

【At thirteen, Xie Yuan was in the midst of voice change; his voice was hoarse and gravelly, unpleasant to the ear.】

【"Brother Guan, how are your eyes doing now?"】

【You replied: "Thank you, Sixth Brother, for your concern—I'm much improved."】

【Xie Yuan stared at the black cloth covering your eyes, raised an eyebrow, finding it novel—you looked every bit the martial hero of the rivers and lakes.】

【Xie Yuan called to the men behind him: "Why are you all standing there? Do you expect Brother Guan to invite you?"】

【With that, Xie Yuan pushed aside his robe, kicked off his boots, and settled onto the heated brick bed without ceremony.】

【Wutong puckered her lips, watching Xie Yuan act as if he were at home, utterly disregarding that this was not his estate.】

【You didn't mind; you ordered: "Wutong, brew tea."】

【Xie Yuan cut in: "Brother Guan, no need for trouble—Xie Hou'er, go brew the tea."】

【"It's all fine tea—I took it from Grandmama's store."】

【Before he finished speaking, a boy with a golden headband stepped forward from behind Xie Yuan—sharp-eyed and quick-witted. He immediately took the tea set from Wutong's hands and began brewing with practiced ease; the tea's fragrance curled upward in delicate wisps.】

【You sat across from Xie Yuan.】

【Hua An looked flustered, bowed deeply: "Young Master Wuyun, Young Master Guan, this old man takes his leave!"】

【Xie Yuan smiled and said: "Master Hua, I've barely sat down on the edge of this bed, and you're leaving? Isn't that plainly showing disrespect to me?"】

【Hua An's face changed; he waved his hands frantically: "No, no, Young Master, you flatter me too much!"】

【He stood awkwardly, too uneasy to sit, joining the group of beautiful courtesans in colorful robes beside him—clearly out of place.】

【"Dragon and Phoenix Cake Tea!"】

【Wutong's voice held disbelief; she stared in astonishment at the tea leaves Xie Yuan's servant had just dropped into the porcelain pot—the broken tea cake bore a vividly carved dragon, while in her hand lay a phoenix-shaped cake, exquisitely detailed.】

【Though you could not see, you had heard Wutong mention it before.】

【This "Dragon and Phoenix Cake Tea" was imperial tribute tea, pressed into shapes bearing dragon and phoenix patterns, distinct from common tea.】

【There were large dragon cakes and large phoenix cakes—eight cakes per jin, each of great value.】

【During Emperor He's reign, on the eve of grand ceremonial fasting, four officials from the Secretariat and four from the Privy Council were each granted one cake; the eight households of the two bureaus split it among themselves, dared not grind or brew it, kept it as a treasure, and only brought it out to admire when honored guests visited.】

【Eight households split one cake, dared not drink it, kept it displayed at home—only brought out to admire when dear friends came to visit.】

【Yet now, this precious Dragon and Phoenix Cake Tea was casually tossed into the pot by Xie Yuan—as if it were ordinary tea.】

【This tea was not meant to be boiled; to tea connoisseurs, such "waste" was truly "squandering heaven's bounty."】

【Xie Yuan didn't care: "Wine and meat pass through the intestines—tea is just tea; it all ends up in the belly."】

【"Snow-washed spring water, clear and sweet—I bring my own stove to brew. Isn't that a fine thing?"】

【The servants understood at once. They fetched crisp snowwater from the courtyard, carefully poured it into the pot, then swiftly added scallions, ginger, jujubes, tangerine peel, cornelian cherry, and mint, boiling it to a hundred rolls, then gently skimming off the foam with a wooden spoon—the aroma filled the entire room.】

【Meanwhile, another charcoal stove was set up with an iron rack, roasting red dates, tangerines, longan, peanuts, and chestnuts, releasing an irresistible scent.】

【On the small table beside the heated bed, a delicate tea snack box was already laid out, brimming with an array of delicacies.】

【In moments, the room had transformed into a scene of "gathering by the stove to brew tea."】

【Xie Yuan lounged comfortably, peeling an orange, his peach-blossom eyes half-lidded, curiously asking: "Master Hua, do you think Brother Guan's eyes will go blind?"】

【Hua An immediately waved his hands, his expression solemn: "Young Master Wuyun, rest assured—Young Master Guan's eyes are already fine; with time, he will regain his sight."】

【Xie Yuan smiled lightly, tossed the orange peel aside, and said with faint regret:】

【"Then it won't be fun at all!"】

【At once, his retinue of courtesans burst into laughter in agreement.】

【Wutong, listening nearby, felt deep anger. She thought bitterly: "If your eyes really were wept blind, I'd like to see if you'd still think it's funny—still be able to laugh!"】

【"Actually, being blind isn't so bad," Xie Yuan said carelessly. "I recall there was a blind huqin player in the opera troupe—his skill was quite remarkable."】

【"Many storytellers in Bianjing are blind too—they hold entire audiences spellbound and still earn plenty of rewards."】

【As he spoke, he watched your reaction. Seeing you remain silent, your expression utterly unchanged, utterly calm, he felt inwardly surprised.】

【Xie Yuan, seeing this, leaned closer: "Brother Guan, let me see your eyes…" He reached out as if to pull the cloth from your eyes.】

【You stepped back—he grasped nothing.】

【You sighed: "Sixth Brother, don't play around."】

【Xie Yuan chuckled, noticing no anger on your face.】

【"Brother Guan, you've become much more easygoing than before."】

【In the past, Xie Yuan had occasionally met this half-brother he barely knew—he meant no mockery, only light teasing—but this Brother Guan would always ignore him, lips tightly shut, never yielding, never as composed as today.】

【This Brother Guan didn't seem afraid of him. In the estate, many Shuchu "younger brothers" and "younger sisters" all treated him with caution, "fearing him like a tiger."】

【Discovering this pleased him greatly.】

【Xie Yuan, who prided himself as a man of chivalry and was this brother's own blood, would never lift the cloth from Xie Guan's eyes.】

【"I heard recently that Third Brother from the Second Courtyard wants our courtyard's Wutong—you refused him, which boosted our courtyard's prestige."】

【Xie Yuan and Xie Renfeng had long been at odds; Xie Yuan refused to attend the academy for study, and Xie Renfeng repeatedly reported this to Grandmama.】

【Seeing you silent, Xie Yuan continued: "Today I came not only to check on your eyes, but also to give you a maid or servant."】

【"Look at these people—any you like? I still have several maids of outstanding beauty, carefully chosen by my mother. If you like them, take them."】

【Xie Yuan pointed to the boy with the golden headband, who was focused on brewing tea—his appearance was the most striking, and he was notably sharp-witted.】

【"Besides this Xie Hou'er, pick any one you like."】

【At these words, the servants and courtesans behind him turned pale, their faces filled with dread.】

【If they were assigned to that poor courtyard, serving such a master, they feared they would suffer constant abuse.】

【They immediately knelt, pleading: "We cannot bear to leave our master!"】

【"We will serve Young Master Wuyun for life!"】

【Xie Yuan flew into a rage: "Are you all rebelling? If you dare cry again, I'll have you all strangled!"】

【The servants fell silent—defying a master was a capital offense.】

【In a wealthy household, killing a servant was no big matter. This was family business; behind closed doors, even the Emperor had no right to interfere.】

【The courtesans all lowered their heads like quails, terrified of being chosen by this Young Master Guan.】

【Wutong watched, puzzled—what was this Young Master Yuan playing at?】

【You shook your head and declined: "."】

【Xie Yuan frowned, his tone turning cold: "Do you look down on me, Xie Wuyun?"】

【"Don't you think I'm worthy as an elder brother?"】

【Hua An, seeing Xie Yuan's darkening expression, was startled and quietly tugged your sleeve.】

【He worried deeply: Don't anger this "Young Master Wuyun." Last year, a Shuchu young master from the main courtyard had a verbal quarrel with Xie Yuan at the horse grounds—Xie Yuan rode his horse and kicked the man's spine, leaving him bedridden for a year.】

【The man's mother wailed and raged within the clan, but Xie Yuan received only symbolic punishment—merely a "self-reflection" order.】

【Though Xie Yuan seems reasonable now, when he turns cruel, he shows no mercy.】

【You remained unmoved, merely saying: "I appreciate your kindness, but I truly have no need for maids or servants."】

【"Brother Guan, don't make me turn heartless," Xie Yuan said, his eyes dark.】

【"I meant well. Even if you take this to Grandmama, you won't have the right on your side."】

【Xie Yuan's servants and courtesans behind him brightened—they knew their master's temper, and even his wife couldn't restrain him, let alone this "illegitimate son" of the Xie family.】

【Hua An grew more anxious; Xie Yuan's moods shifted like flipping a page—he dared not intervene, fearing he'd be caught in the crossfire.】

【Faced with this, you decide…】

1. Agree to this. (Hint: May attract unnecessary trouble.)

2. Disagree to this. (Hint: Will attract unnecessary trouble.)

3. Invite Xie Yuan to play a game of xiangqi as a wager—win all three games. (Hint: Will bring positive change.)

4. Invite Xie Yuan to play a game of xiangqi as a wager—lose all three games. (Hint: Will attract trouble, but a turning point will appear.)

5. Invite Xie Yuan to play a game of xiangqi as a wager—win more, lose fewer. (Hint: Will attract trouble, but a turning point will appear.)

6. Invite Xie Yuan to play a game of xiangqi as a wager—lose more, win fewer. (Hint: Will attract trouble, but a turning point will appear.)

7. Participate personally. (0/3)

The characters atop the great tripod slowly stabilized.

Yu Ke studied the seven options, reading the hints carefully.

He was surprised.

Last time, the matter of "Wutong" triggered a choice; now, "giving a maid" has done the same.

Two trivial matters, already triggering two choices—each decision tied to major turning points in life.

Think of it!

For a helpless "illegitimate son," how many dangers lurked within the Xie Fu.

Even the smallest current could sweep "Xie Guan" into the abyss.

This was only while "Xie Guan" had not yet touched anyone's interests.

Weakness was the original sin!

Yu Ke looked at the final option—"Participate personally"—and eliminated it immediately.

Options 1 and 2, "agree" or "refuse," both carried the same hint: "unavoidable trouble."

Eliminated outright!

Now choose among the next four: 3, 4, 5, 6.

All involve inviting Xie Yuan to play xiangqi; the difference lies only in the outcome of the match.

"All lose," "lose more than win," "win more than lose"—all three options invite trouble.

Then eliminate them all.

Only "win all three" remains; better changes will follow.

Yu Ke did not hesitate—he chose instinctively.

3. Invite Xie Yuan to a game of chess as a wager: win all three matches. (Hint: Better changes will follow.)

Choice confirmed; simulation continues.

【Your face was calm as still water, a black silk band covering your eyes, as you spoke slowly:】

【"How about this? I play one game of chess with Sixth Brother, best of three. If you win, you may do as you please."】

【"If I am lucky enough to win, the maids and servants are no concern—only that you find me two storytellers to read books in my courtyard, until my eyes can see clearly."】

【"What do you say?"】

【Upon hearing this, Xie Yuan's face lit up with delight—he found it most intriguing. He had always loved the way of chess, spending each day in the academy playing with servants for amusement, then turning to martial training without pause.】

【He gave little thought to the two conditions of your wager.】

【He asked, puzzled: "Brother Guan, can you see now?"】

【You replied coolly: "It doesn't matter."】

【"Hah! I never expected Brother Guan to be a kindred spirit—beating me won't be easy. Whether I win or lose, I accept both conditions."】

【You shook your head slightly, voice firm: "Once the outcome is settled, it must be honored—that is the wager."】

【"A gentleman's word outweighs a thousand taels."】

【Xie Yuan laughed heartily: "Good, good, good! Then a hero's word outweighs ten thousand taels!"】

【Several servants hurried off to fetch the chessboard, not daring to delay a moment.】

【Hua An was startled, watching the situation quietly turn from peril to safety. The boy, blindfolded in black silk, sat like a pine, one hand lightly holding a teacup, calmly blowing away the steam, savoring the tea with composed grace.】

【Xie Yuan's gaze fell upon two books on the table: one, The Sacred Words, discarded without a second thought; the other, The Four States' Zuo Commentary, picked up eagerly and opened.】

【The Four States' Zuo Commentary chronicled nearly three thousand years of history since the Warring States period and was a classic required of all Confucian scholars.】

【It contained the "Annals" of emperors, "Tables" of major events, "Biographies" of feudal lords, and countless "Biographical Accounts," its contents vast and all-encompassing, naming nearly eight thousand figures.】

【All were extraordinary men who left their names in history.】

【Xie Yuan cared little for the hollow moralizing in The Sacred Words, but the lives and deeds of the historical figures in The Four States' Zuo Commentary held him spellbound.】

【Especially the "Biographies of Assassins" and the chapters on the martial world, which recorded countless righteous heroes, stirred his deepest longing.】

【Among them, one man stood as Xie Yuan's most revered hero.】

【Xie Yuan could not help asking: "Brother Guan, in these two thousand years of the Warring States, whom do you admire most?"】

【But he did not wait for your answer—he turned the first page of The Four States' Zuo Commentary himself.】

【There, boldly written, were the words: "Annals of Lu Chen."】

【Xie Yuan spoke slowly: "Since the Warring States, without question, the greatest man of all time—the most heroic figure in these three thousand years—is Lu Shenzhou."】

(End of Chapter)