Chapter 7: How Is This Style Of Chess Any Different From How They Played At Fifty In Their Past Life

Li Rong watched him quietly.

At twenty years old, Pei Wenxuan was much more handsome than the people in her memory, but the inherent arrogance in him hadn’t changed at all.

Just by looking at Pei Wenxuan’s eyes, she knew he was angry. In the past, as the prime minister, he could argue with her when angry, and she understood. But now, as a mere eighth-ranking official, where did he get the confidence to contend with her?

Li Rong chuckled lightly. She stood up, looked at Pei Wenxuan kneeling on the ground, and said gently, “Alright, I’m a woman of my word, clear about grievances. If you want to have a good conversation with me, fine. But before that, how should we settle the matter of what you did wrong?”

“I don’t know where I went wrong.”

“You tore my book.”

Li Rong pointed to the torn page on the table, “Also, how did Ning Shizi suddenly faint? Why can’t the others come? I’m sure master Pei knows in his heart.”

Upon hearing this, Pei Wenxuan’s heart skipped a beat. He actually didn’t know; Li Rong was unexpectedly so clever. Did she have someone watching him just now?

Various speculations arose in Pei Wenxuan’s mind, but he maintained a calm demeanor, “I don’t know how the princess wishes to punish this humble servant?”

“Jump in.”

Li Rong lifted her chin, and Pei Wenxuan tightly pursed his lips, remaining silent.

Seeing that he didn’t respond, Li Rong understood that he was quite angry. She chuckled, “Can’t even endure this bit of grievance if you want to be my husband?”

“Does the princess know that this humble servant wants to be your husband? Pei Wenxuan looked up at Li Rong, and Li Rong found it somewhat amusing, ‘Otherwise, why are you here?’ Without wanting to engage in further conversation, Li Rong directly said, ‘Either jump down and talk, or leave. I’ve made it clear, roll out. If you want to come back, it won’t be easy.’

Pei Wenxuan clenched his fists, his face turning pale with anger. In an instant, he felt like he was back in a previous life, arguing with Li Rong. Li Rong was always sharp-tongued and could always make his blood boil.

It was strange; he was usually calm and composed, having been insulted and scolded in court before, facing various provocations. He rarely lost his temper, but when it came to Li Rong, he felt like arguing with her would shorten his lifespan by ten years.

This woman was stubborn and unreasonable when arguing, making him wonder that perhaps married life had changed her. Now, it seemed that it was not a change after marriage, but rather she had disguised it well when they first got married, and he failed to notice.

This woman was inherently quarrelsome, domineering, and irrational.

Pei Wenxuan could see her dislike for him, and he had had enough. He knew that Li Rong would definitely choose someone today, and that person would likely become her future husband. Among the others outside, no one was as suitable as him. At this moment, she could only turn to him for help.

Pei Wenxuan took a deep breath and said only one sentence, ‘Then this humble servant will leave.’ After that, he bowed and turned to leave.

Li Rong didn’t expect him to leave so decisively, and she was a bit stunned. She hurriedly said, ‘Don’t you want to talk to me?’

‘I don’t want to.’

Without looking back, Pei Wenxuan refused loudly. Li Rong tapped her hand with a golden fan and signaled to Jinglan. Facing Pei Wenxuan, who was walking on the corridor above the lake, she called out loudly, ‘But this princess wants to talk to you.’

‘Apolog…’

Before the word ‘apology’ could be spoken, a dark guard suddenly rushed out from the side, caught Pei Wenxuan off guard, and forcefully pushed him into the pool!”

Laughter immediately erupted around. Li Rong looked from a distance, took graceful steps, and slowly walked to the spot where Pei Wenxuan had fallen. Pei Wenxuan, being able to swim, quickly adjusted himself upon the sudden plunge into the water. Although a bit startled, he emerged from the water, adjusting his posture.

He then saw Li Rong, dressed in a red phoenix-embroidered palace gown, standing on the upper corridor, smiling as she looked down at him. “Alright, let’s talk like this. I’m very satisfied.”

Pei Wenxuan remained silent, staring fixedly at Li Rong above. Whispers among attendants could be heard, some maids giggling softly, their laughter a mystery. Li Rong, watching Pei Wenxuan drenched and the water-weeds clinging to his handsome face, found an indescribable beauty in his disheveled state.

He seemed like a water spirit emerging from the lakeside, captivating hearts with just his face and eyes. However, those eyes did not carry seductive deceit; they were filled with anger and unwillingness, burning like fire in Pei Wenxuan’s eyes.

When such emotions were revealed, the earlier joyfulness in Li Rong slowly dissipated.

Suddenly, she felt it was not amusing anymore. The present Pei Wenxuan was not the same as the person later on. Bullying him now felt like bullying a child.

Looking down at Pei Wenxuan with an aloof expression, she said coldly after a while, “Enough, stop making a scene. Come up.”

Having said that, she instructed Jinglan, “Take him to change clothes.”

After giving the orders, she turned and left. Glancing back, she saw Pei Wenxuan swimming to the shore, helped up by others.

The spring water was still a bit chilly, and he shivered as he reached the shore. Attendants quickly offered him a coat, and he thanked each person in a low voice, not missing anyone, displaying a cautious and careful demeanor, revealing a hint of bitterness.

After all, not every scion of a prestigious family would navigate the world with such anxiety.

Li Rong’s prolonged gaze caught Pei Wenxuan’s attention. When he turned his head to look, he saw Li Rong watching him. His gaze turned cold for a moment, and then he turned away, walking away briskly.

Seeing him glaring at her, Li Rong couldn’t help but lift the corners of her mouth.

Young in age, but with a temper.

Li Rong sat by the lake, having tea brought to her. She read a book while waiting for Pei Wenxuan. After a while, Pei Wenxuan finally returned. He had changed into a white cloud-patterned silk robe, his hair adorned with a jade crown. Walking from a distance, he seemed to step out of a painting.

Li Rong observed him for a while, and when Pei Wenxuan arrived, she subtly shifted her gaze. Pei Wenxuan bowed in courtesy, and Li Rong calmly said, “Sit.”

Pei Wenxuan rose and sat down, kneeling beside Li Rong. She lowered her head to read and remained silent. After a while, Pei Wenxuan, waiting patiently, heard Li Rong say in a plain tone, “If there’s anything to say, speak.”

What should he say?

Originally, he came to analyze the pros and cons with Li Rong, making her understand that he was the best choice. But after several encounters, he had come to realize that Li Rong probably knew everything very well.

“All that needs to be said, the princess is already aware of,” Pei Wenxuan said calmly. After a moment of silence, he continued, “If there’s anything more to add, this humble servant can only say to the princess that if she is willing to marry, this humble servant will treat her sincerely.”

Upon hearing this, Li Rong lifted her head, looking at Pei Wenxuan with a playful expression. “Treat sincerely?”

Leaning on the small table beside her, she supported her chin and asked, “Why don’t you tell me, how would you express sincerity?”

“The family should regard the princess as the highest.”

“Shouldn’t it also be you?”

“For a lifetime, Wenxuan will only have the princess by his side.”

Indeed, but it wasn’t because he intended to keep himself pure for her; it was for his former fiancé who had broken off the engagement.

Li Rong’s smile deepened. “Shouldn’t it be like this? Not only should there be only me by your side, but also in your heart, there should only be me.”

Pei Wenxuan stiffened a bit.

He was not someone who would lie, or rather, in matters of the heart, he wouldn’t lie. If he had been willing to tell a little lie, she wouldn’t have known about the other person in his heart back then, and perhaps she could have been deceived for a lifetime.

Such honesty, it’s hard to say whether to scold or praise.

Li Rong picked up her cup, thinking that Pei Wenxuan would, like in the previous life, openly admit that their relationship was just an alliance. She smiled, waiting for Pei Wenxuan to speak. However, after a long time, Pei Wenxuan said, “The princess is right. In the future, Wenxuan will not think of anyone else.”

Li Rong was somewhat astonished. After a moment, she couldn’t help but mockingly smile. She suddenly realized that, compared to being angry, she was more disgusted by deception.

She slammed the cup onto the table with a “clang” and said coldly, “Eat the eggs for me.”

Pei Wenxuan was a bit bewildered. He turned to look at a plate of eggs beside him. Li Rong sneered, “Didn’t you say I should be respected? I worked so hard to peel these eggs. You won’t eat them even if I offer them to you?”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t speak. He furrowed his brows and after a while, said, “There are too many.”

“Then eat them all for me!”

Li Rong scolded lightly. The people around had already retreated, watching the two from a distance. Pei Wenxuan didn’t know what had upset her, but he didn’t want others to laugh at them. After hesitating for a moment, he decided to endure her and could only say, “I just ate. Let’s eat later.”

Li Rong gave a cold snort, thinking that today she still had to put on a show for that old fox in the palace. She waved to Jinglan on the side and said, “Bring the chessboard.”

Playing chess was a way for the two of them to coexist harmoniously under any mood because all the battles and competitions were put on the chessboard.

Jinglan brought the chessboard, and Li Rong called Pei Wenxuan to sit in front of her. “Sit, let’s play chess.”

Pei Wenxuan was somewhat puzzled. In fact, he also wanted to suggest playing chess if the atmosphere was so awkward. However, before he could say anything, Li Rong had already thought of this way.

As if she had long known how to get along between them was better.

Pei Wenxuan’s doubts deepened. Li Rong directly took the black pieces and started placing them.

Just like in the previous life, she still liked to start with the star positions. Seeing her make a move, Pei Wenxuan had no intention of letting her have her way. He placed his piece on the star position diagonally across from Li Rong.

The two of them became deeply focused as they played chess.

In Li Rong’s mind, facing a twenty-year-old Pei Wenxuan, she probably had a winning advantage. She decided to give him a bit of leeway, maintaining some face for him, so it wouldn’t seem like she, an adult, was bullying a child.

In Pei Wenxuan’s thoughts, facing an eighteen-year-old Li Rong, he still decided to give in a bit. Li Rong was accustomed to being spoiled, and if she lost too badly, she might throw a tantrum. So, with the mentality of allowing the other to win, they played chess. However, before even a third of the game was completed, both sides realized something was off.

The chess style, the tactics, the patterns – weren’t they the same as when they played chess after years of practice in the previous life?!

Previous

Next