Chapter 469: Winning the Game, Another Year

He Xiao's gaze accidentally swept past Xie Yuan's back and suddenly paused, noticing a woman behind Xie Guan.

She was in the prime of her youth, her figure elegant, wearing red lamb-skin boots embroidered with gold and cloud motifs, draped in a crimson feathered cloak lined with white fox fur, cinched with a green-gold braided sash shaped like four interlocking ruyi symbols.

Her face was as lovely as a flower and the moon, her skin like congealed fat, lips naturally red, teeth bright and clear, features exquisitely beautiful, eyebrows arched elegantly, lending her an air of spirited vigor.

Yet amid the painted elegance of her features lingered a trace of sorrow.

Xie Yuan tapped He Xiao on the shoulder and said: "Old He, what are you staring at?"

He Xiao snapped back to himself, quickly lowering his head, silently pondering.

This woman walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Xie Yuan and carried an air of distinction—she was no servant. He immediately adopted a respectful tone and asked:

"Who is this young lady?"

Xie Yuan smiled faintly and said: "This is my fourth cousin. You've never met her—Mother specially invited her to the Xie Fu for the New Year."

He Xiao's heart jolted. Xie Yuan's cousin—his mother's family—was the Zhuge clan, one of the Nine Surnames.

The current Empress Dowager bore the compound surname Zhuge; any woman from this family was a true noblewoman of the highest rank.

The "Fourth Miss"—they instantly knew who it was.

Zhang Yuzhi: her mother was born into the Zhuge clan, her father from the Zhang family of Yanjing.

Realizing this, Zhang Yuan and He Xiao hurried forward to pay their respects.

Though both held the rank of Licentiate and enjoyed the privilege of "not kneeling before officials," before the daughter of the Zhuge clan, they bowed humbly, with utmost reverence.

At this grand two-hundred-year celebration, the imperial court was truly ruled by the Nine Surnames; those seeking advancement could not avoid bowing to these mighty houses.

High offices, military command, regional governance—all held by the Nine Surnames, their disciples and former subordinates spread throughout court and countryside.

Within Jingcheng, the nobility thronged like clouds.

Though both men held scholarly titles, before true aristocratic clans, they were insignificant.

The woman smiled gently, her gaze radiant, merely nodding slightly in response.

Behind her, the maid wore a look of disdain; her mistress had met countless men, and those of advanced age, without illustrious lineage in Da Qi, rarely amounted to anything.

Especially He Xiao's earlier gaze had stirred her displeasure.

A toad dreaming of eating swan meat!

"This time, Fourth Cousin had rare free time, so she came with me to visit Brother Guan."

"You must attend to her with utmost care."

All present immediately replied in unison: "Yes!"

The group hurried off, heading straight for Xie Guan's residence.

……

……

【Wutong sat inside, sewing with practiced skill.】

【You chatted with Hua Daifu; today, Hua An specially brought a plump mandarin fish as a New Year gift, adding festive cheer.】

【You looked up at Wutong and asked softly: "Are there visitors outside?"】

【Wutong rose and opened the door.】

【The snow had stopped; the world lay frozen and white.】

【Outside stood a dense crowd of people.】

【Wutong exclaimed in surprise: "It's Young Master Yuan and the others!"】

【Hua An froze, startled—unexpectedly, this impromptu gathering had encountered Wolun Young Master—Xie Yuan—this was bad.】

【Everyone entered the small courtyard, filling it with noise and bustle.】

【Among them was Zhang family's Fourth Miss, Zhang Lanzhi.】

【Zhang Lanzhi's mother and Xie Yuan's mother were sisters, making her Xie Yuan's cousin.】

【Her father was a member of the Yanjing Zhang clan—the Zhang family, one of the Nine Surnames, also holding high office in court and prestige as a Confucian scholar in Bianjing.】

【The Nine Surnames intermarried frequently, weaving a vast, tangled web of kinship.】

【Zhang Yuzhi's father was a disciple of the Second Master, originally from the academy, but over the years entered officialdom and has long been at odds with Su Xiang.】

【Su Jing has controlled court affairs for over a century, a three-generation elder statesman, the foremost family among the Nine Surnames.】

【Thus, the Zhang family fell into hardship; her father was dispatched by court to guard Zehu Lake to prevent demonic disturbances from Liangzhou.】

【In recent years, the Zhang surname's status among the Nine Surnames has declined, now ranked last, its former glory vanished.】

【In November, her father was punished by court for failing to suppress the rebellion; her mother traveled tirelessly seeking aid.】

【Among the Nine Surnames, only the Xie clan and her mother's Zhuge family remembered old ties and offered help; the rest dared not offend Su Jing.】

【At year's end, her mother went to Zehu to visit her father; she herself temporarily resided at the Xie Fu, under the care of her third aunt—Xie Yuan's mother.】

【Zhang Yuzhi sighed softly; she knew her father's unyielding integrity, his aversion to luxury, his disdain for the powerful and his devotion to the people.】

【Even sons of the Nine Surnames who broke the law were punished severely by him—and thus he had made many enemies among the powerful clans.】

【Her father often lamented: "The Nine Surnames are leeches draining the people's blood."】

【Zhang Yuzhi could not understand: the Zhang family was itself one of the Nine Surnames—if they upheld Confucian rites and led by example, why should her father be so troubled?】

【She could no longer bear the rivalries among the Xie Fu's several sisters, so she followed this cousin out for some relief.】

【She asked with mild confusion: "Where is this place?"】

【She knew the Xie clan owned mines, horse ranches, salt wells, publishing houses, most shops along Changning Street, and fertile fields on Nanshan—wealth far exceeding the Zhang family's.】

【How could a Xie clan Young Master live in such a humble place?】

【The courtyard seemed to lack even servants to clear the snow; it sat isolated, as if shared with servants and laborers.】

【Zhang Yuzhi asked again, confirming: "Is this truly where a Xie clan Young Master lives?"】

【Xie Yuan, puzzled by her tone, replied: "Fourth Cousin, this is Xie Guan of the main compound—my father's ninth son."】

【"Then his mother?"】

【Xie Yuan hesitated, unable to answer.】

【At that moment, He Xiao reminded him: "This Young Master Guan's mother was originally a servant of the Xie clan; her origins are unrecorded, and she has passed away."】

【Zhang Yuzhi recalled the old scandal in Bianjing nine years ago.】

【A lowly woman knelt before the hall, pleading for her child's name.】

【It caused a great uproar—and angered the Lady of the Xie Fu.】

【The fire in the inner quarters was the Lady's fault.】

【Xie Yuan continued: "After his mother's death, he wept until he went blind; only recently has his condition improved."】

【Zhang Yuzhi nodded faintly.】

【"Xie Yuan, you lost to him last time—today you came back to reclaim your honor, didn't you?"】

【Xie Yuan flushed, quickly stepping into the room.】

【Zhang Yuzhi knew her third aunt had endured the loss of a son and now had only Xie Yuan; she doted on him endlessly. Though he disliked studying, he had no gambling habit, favored martial arts, and was still decent-hearted—not a "complete" wastrel.】

【But Zhang Yuzhi understood this cousin's true distinction.】

【Long ago, he was taken as a final disciple by a renowned master from a certain academy, who personally delivered a formal invitation to the Xie Fu, declaring that when Xie Yuan wished to study, he could come.】

【Even Xie Yuan himself was unaware.】

【His third aunt rejoiced inwardly but feared repeating the tragedy of her first son; she kept it secret.】

【Only the Old Matriarch and the Dingyuan Marquis knew of this.】

【Her mother and third aunt were like sisters; Zhang Yuzhi overheard and remembered her mother's warning, swearing silence and never revealing it.】

【Before Xie Yuan entered the room, his voice rang out: "Brother Guan, let's play three hundred more rounds!"】

【As Xie Yuan entered, his servants began arranging the room.】

【Hua An rose immediately to greet him: "Your Excellency, Wolun Young Master."】

【"Hua Daifu, you're here too!"】

【Hua An sighed inwardly: "Old man here by chance."】

【Zhang Yuzhi had feared the small room might carry unpleasant odors; she held her breath upon entering, but found it clean, orderly, and fresh.】

【"Sixth Brother, what brings you here?"】

【Xie Yuan didn't mince words: "Today I came to win against Brother Guan."】

【Wutong rolled her eyes, thinking how last time Xie Yuan overturned the board, yet today he acted as if nothing happened.】

【Wutong noticed one young lady among the crowd—exceptionally striking, her aura surpassing most of the girls in the courtyard.】

【"I'm being dim—I forgot to introduce you. This is Fourth Cousin, Zhang Yuzhi."】

【Xie Yuan kicked off his boots, eager: "Set the board, set the board—I've been itching to play!"】

【Zhang Yuzhi studied you: your eyes covered in black cloth, face unseen, yet your bearing was refined, free of self-pity or neglect.】

【"So you're Miss Yuzhi. Wutong, brew tea!"】

【Xie Yuan interrupted: "Brother Guan, don't bother with that. Xie Hou'er, brew the tea!"】

【"Brother Guan, just focus on playing with me!" Xie Yuan rubbed his hands excitedly.】

【You smiled and shook your head; the board was already set, as before, with Xie Hou'er reading the moves.】

【Zhang Yuzhi sat on a stool padded with deer hide, brought by a servant, watching the game; though she understood chess slightly, she had no interest.】

【She came with Xie Yuan only for peace.】

【Yet strangely, this boy played blindfolded, and every move was deliberate and skillful.】

【By the heated kang sat Xie Yuan's servants and entertainers, along with He Xiao and Zhang Yuan as guests.】

【He Xiao's eyes kept stealing glances at Zhang Yuzhi.】

Zhang Yuan increasingly sensed the boy's extraordinary nature.

Faced with this scene, you decide…

1. Win all three rounds. (Tip: Anger Xie Yuan, inviting unnecessary changes.)

2. Lose all three rounds. (Tip: Anger Xie Yuan, leading to unfavorable developments.)

3. Lose one, win two. (Tip: Win Xie Yuan's friendship, possibly beneficial for future developments.)

4. Lose two, win one. (Tip: Xie Yuan departs delighted by his decisive victory.)

5. Participate personally. (0/3)

The characters atop the great tripod slowly stabilized.

Yu Ke saw five triggered options.

Eliminate 【Participate personally】.

Examine the first two options.

Winning or losing all three rounds will anger Xie Yuan.

He was puzzled—Xie Yuan's mindset was truly peculiar.

Win, and he'd be displeased; lose to him, and he'd still be dissatisfied.

Could it be because his cousin Zhang Yuzhi was present, making him more concerned about his own performance? But wouldn't a full win be better?

Recalling his previous experience, Yu Ke remembered that winning all would bring favorable outcomes.

Yet this time, the situation was different—he couldn't simply choose to win all.

Eliminate the first two options.

That left option three and four: lose one, win one.

From the later tips: (Xie Yuan departs delighted by his decisive victory.)

It seemed no further developments followed.

In contrast, option three's tip suggested further benefits.

Yu Ke didn't hesitate.

He made his choice directly.

3. Lose one, win two. (Tip: Win Xie Yuan's friendship, possibly beneficial for future developments.)

The simulation continued.

【Xie Yuan, confident of victory, had specifically consulted his most admired elder and followed the red-character-first strategy, pressing forward with fierce aggression.】

【Anyone facing him for the first time would likely struggle to withstand such pressure.】

【Xie Houer not only announced the moves, but a second person behind him meticulously recorded every step of your game—such a setup clearly showed Xie Yuan's seriousness toward this match.】

【Mid-game, your pace of play slowed, clearly deep in thought.】

【Xie Yuan made no haste, calmly waiting for you, even refilling your teacup.】

【After another half incense stick's time, you sighed and said, "I lose, Sixth Brother has improved greatly—I cannot match you."】

Xie Yuan burst into laughter and comforted you: "Brother Guan, don't be discouraged. Victory and defeat are common in battle. Let's play again!"

【Xie Yuan declared with rising spirit: "Best two out of three!"】

【You smiled: "Fine, I'll move first this time."】

【Xie Yuan didn't care either way.】

【Hua An, seeing the Cloud Prince's delight, breathed a sigh of relief—another incident like the last one, overturning the board, would be disastrous.】

【The servants were also pleased; the small room was filled with warmth and cheer.】

【The second game began—you imitated Xie Yuan's earlier moves and patterns, forcing him into constant disadvantage, making him gnash his teeth in frustration.】

"Brother Guan, you can't cheat like this!"

【You smiled: "Isn't this using his own method against him?"】

【Xie Yuan burst into laughter and immediately conceded.】

【"Again! This time I'll move first!"】

【Zhang Yuzhi now understood: though Xie Yuan's skill might not surpass Xie Guan's, he had clearly learned some unusual tactic to catch his opponent off guard.】

【But now Xie Guan had mastered it—proof of his extraordinary wit.】

【So, when the roles reversed and Xie Yuan moved first, was the outcome already sealed?】

【Red pieces moved first—the opening seemed identical to before.】

【But gradually, Xie Yuan sensed something amiss: his opponent's strategy had subtly shifted, becoming deviously clever, turning him into the one on the defensive.】

【Xie Yuan was inwardly astonished—his own trick had truly been countered.】

【Seeing the game was lost, Xie Yuan reluctantly exchanged a few pieces, trying to make his defeat appear less humiliating.】

【"I lose! I lose!"】

Xie Yuan sighed, "Brother Guan, I truly concede this time—I'll avoid the chessboard from now on."

【"Since I can't beat you at chess, let's compete at memorizing texts."】

【"Old Zhang and Old He say you never forget what you hear. Let's compete again next year, how about it?"】

【You smiled: "Agreed."】

【Xie Yuan left with the group; Zhang Yuzhi cast one extra glance at you as she departed.】

【Before long, it was New Year's Eve.】

Zhang Yuzhi: her father is from the Zhang family of Yanjing, her mother from the Zhuge family; she takes her father's surname. When typing, she sometimes mistyped, causing confusion!

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(End of Chapter)