Chapter Forty-Eight: Leisurely Tapping the Chess Pieces

The garden’s flowers had all fallen, save for the lone plum blossom, standing in stark solitude. In the vast expanse of the grounds, it was a rare, beautiful sight. Amidst this beauty, light snow began to drift down, each flake floating like the plum’s own petals, embellishing the scene with gentle grace.

The coldest days of winter had arrived, and within the house, a pine-scented brazier smoldered. Xuexue sat swathed in spotless white robes, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, her face serene and untainted by the world’s dust. She was a match for the snow outside, both in purity and quiet majesty.

Her delicate hand toyed with the chessboard, each piece falling with a crisp, clear sound, continuous and unwavering. The verse came to mind: “With an appointment unmet past midnight, idly tapping chess pieces beneath the lamp’s flowers.” So, who was she waiting for? Perhaps for the unfinished game before her.

Suddenly, the sound ceased. Silence settled, and she found herself unable to continue. She realized this was the death game she had begun with Ji Wuqing, still unresolved.

Ji Wuqing, do we still have a chance to finish this game?

Lost in thought, she sensed someone standing beside her. Without a flicker of emotion, Xuexue disturbed the board, started to divide the pieces.

“A pity for such a fine game,” Zuoqiu’s voice murmured in her ear, his gaze probing and curious.

He seated himself across from her, his long black hair nearly brushing the floor. His eyes, shaped like peach blossoms, shimmered with mystery. Xuexue pretended not to notice, even as his eyes flashed with razor-sharp intensity.

“If Young Master Zuoqiu has time, why not accompany me for a round?” She casually collected the pieces, her tone indifferent.

“When a beauty invites, how could I refuse?” Seeing the girl’s persistent calm, his interest was piqued.

“In that case, shall we place a wager? The loser must grant the winner one request. What do you say?” She sounded offhand, tapping a piece lightly against the board.

Zuoqiu replied with a question of his own, “Xiaoxue, in the drifting snow I see a beauty as pure as the flakes themselves. I shall call you Xiaoxue.”

He watched her, curious about her origins. Those he sent to investigate her background found nothing; the mountain housed but one family, and in a single night, they vanished—gone without a trace, as if swallowed by the sea.

“Xiaoxue? A name is but a title; call me as you wish,” Xuexue replied, expressionless. “But you haven’t answered whether you’ll play with me.”

“Xiaoxue, your intentions are far too clear. What makes you think I’ll follow your lead?” Zuoqiu sipped his tea, his handsome face relaxed, as if in no hurry.

“Because neither of us likes to lose. Or has Young Master already conceded before the match?” Besides, wasn’t he here to test what made her different?

“A game hardly means much, but I won’t give you quarter.” He raised an eyebrow, unconcerned as he regarded the girl before him.

Outside, the snow danced and swirled, like willows in the wind, like dandelions swept off course, directionless.

Xuexue turned the piece in her hand, explaining, “Let’s play Five-in-a-Row. The rules are simple: we take turns placing pieces; whoever can line up five in a row wins. Best two out of three.”

“Sounds interesting. But, Xiaoxue, I’ve never heard of such a game. Are you not taking advantage of me?”

“Or is Young Master Zuoqiu lacking the courage to try?”

Zuoqiu chuckled, his gaze unreadable.

Soon, the first game was decided; he won effortlessly. “Xiaoxue, is your skill lacking or did you graciously let me win?” The girl before him was shrewd—he couldn’t underestimate her.

“You were merely lucky; why fret?” She was calm, her expression unchanged, neither troubled by her defeat nor remorseful for his victory.

For in the following two rounds, she won with ease.

“Are you ready to honor the wager?” Xuexue’s smile was faint, barely perceptible, with a hint of triumph.

It must be said, even with Five-in-a-Row, they competed fiercely. Zuoqiu was meticulous, nearly matching her in the last two rounds, but she was a master of the game; his intelligence was no match for her expertise.

“Ah, I find myself seeing you anew. For a blind girl to possess such skill is truly remarkable.” He hinted at something, his phoenix eyes lifting, his narrow brows full of allure.

“What does blindness matter? Even sightless, I can do what any normal person can,” Xuexue replied with composure, her words neither proud nor humble. “Besides, will Young Master Zuoqiu abide by the rules?”

“What if I refuse? What will you do?” Zuoqiu leisurely savored his tea, his smile as lovely as a flower, though his tone was laced with mockery. A chill emanated from him; his gaze was soft, yet a coldness flashed deep within.

It seemed he’d been outmaneuvered by a blind girl. How amusing!

“No need for anger, Young Master. I have a suggestion—will you hear it?” Xuexue calmly gathered the pieces, inwardly disdainful of Zuoqiu’s shamelessness. “Let us consider this a wager. Allow me to leave just once, and you’ll have kept your word. After all, once the rules are followed, you may invite me back; you lose nothing.”

Zuoqiu made no reply. He turned to study her; his silk-like hair tilted, a few strands trailing in front, exuding a seductive charm.

“Xiaoxue, all you wish for is to leave, is it not? If I grant your request, wouldn’t I be playing into your hands? And you’ve revealed you’re fully prepared to escape.” He propped his head on his hand, fingers twisting the long hair at his chest—a gesture that was almost enchantingly irresistible.

Sadly, his display meant nothing to Xuexue, who could not see him.

“Are you afraid I’ll not return? Is this a lack of faith in yourself, or too much in me?” Xuexue retorted.

“Don’t try to provoke me—it won’t work. Xiaoxue, Xiaoxue—true to your name, you’re like the snow outside, adrift in a boundless world. I fear, if I let you go, you’ll melt away into that vastness, never to be found.” His lashes lowered; his tone grew troubled, his eyes deep and shadowed, like mist-laden rain, mysterious and dangerous.

“Let’s give it a try.” Xuexue’s demeanor remained unchanged, calm and unhurried, as if she merely wished to play a game with him.

“One hour. I’ll let you leave; if I find you after an hour, you know what that means.”

“A gentleman’s word is as swift as four galloping horses.”

This was a game of cat and mouse—but who would emerge the victor?

The snow, scattered and sparse, would eventually yield to the light breaking through the clouds.

A carriage threaded its way through the nearly deserted streets. Inside, the young woman wore gold and silver hairpins, their pendants swaying with the motion. Her cheeks were brushed with peach-hued powder, her lips glossed with honeyed red, her eyes bright and lively, shining with clarity. She wore a silken robe with a blue mantle; she was radiant.

Xuexue lowered her head, calculating that she must be near the city’s edge.

She had prepared well for this hour. So long as Zuoqiu did not play tricks, all should go smoothly.

In a mountain villa—

A long-haired man stood by the window, his dark hair secured by a feathered crown, cascading beautifully like melting snow, ethereal and exquisite.

The snow scattered; the person departed.

An hour had passed. Xiaoxue, let’s see if you can escape.

“Yunwu, find her.”

At the city gate, the guards were conducting thorough inspections. The townsfolk speculated—what was the court searching for?

“What’s going on? Just a while ago everything was fine; why have so many soldiers suddenly appeared?”

“Who knows? Maybe they’re after some criminal.”

“…”

The carriage advanced slowly with the queue, and soon it was their turn.

“Is the lady inside from some noble house? We’re carrying out orders from above; please cooperate,” the guard barked harshly.

“What’s happened in the city for the authorities to mobilize so many troops?” Xuexue was unruffled; she drew back the curtain with poise, meeting the soldier’s gaze head-on.

Her eyes were clear, her whole bearing noble and elegant—the gentle grace of a lady from a distinguished family.

The guards outside were momentarily stunned. She was not a peerless beauty, but her presence was unmatched.

“Is the lady alone in the carriage? May I ask which family you belong to?” The gate guards dared not meet Xuexue’s eyes; the keen brilliance in them flickered and vanished before they could fully grasp it.

“I always travel alone, so I brought no maidservant. My family is modest, not at all prominent. I am leaving the city on urgent business—do you have further questions?” Xuexue responded with dignified composure.

“Your word alone is not enough; how can we be sure?” The guard, though reluctant to look directly at her, refused to yield.

“Sir, here is your proof.” She dusted a fine powder from her palm, wafting it towards him like a frosty mist.

“My apologies, please proceed, miss.” The guard’s eyes clouded over, feeling an unprecedented pressure from this young woman.

The carriage rolled forward, drawing farther from the gate.

Xuexue leaned back, gently rubbing her eyes. When she lowered her hand, her lively gaze had become hollow and dead. What she had used was merely an illusion technique to make others see her eyes as normal.

And those guards were surely Zuoqiu’s doing, so she must remain vigilant.

The carriage traveled along a desolate old road, white grass, red leaves, yellow flowers.

Now—where should she go? Seek her mother, or… try to reach Ji Wuqing again?

At the thought, her heart stirred.