Chapter 60 Princess Lanling 3

At that moment, the beaded curtain of the inner chamber swayed, and a maid stepped out, bowing politely to Jian Liang. "Our young lady requests your presence inside the official’s quarters," she said. Then, with a subtle smile, she withdrew back into the chamber.

Jian Liang found it curious. “The young lady of such a wealthy family certainly has a grand manner of summoning messengers. She invited me, yet meeting her proves troublesome. I wonder what game she’s playing.” Without further ceremony, he cleared his throat lightly, lifted the beaded curtain of the inner chamber, and stepped inside.

Upon entering, Jian Liang immediately sensed that he was in a spacious, bright, and elegant room, filled with the subtle fragrance of orchids. The scene before him stunned him into silence. The young, beautiful female player he had seen the previous day at Yellow Crane Tower now stood before him, dressed in a pristine, floor-length white gown. She stood tall and graceful, her jet-black hair cascading down her shoulders like a gleaming waterfall. Gone was her haughty demeanor from yesterday; now she exuded a noble elegance and captivating charm, like a freshly bloomed lotus radiating pure brilliance. Her eyes met Jian Liang’s with a gentle smile.

On a nearby table lay a finely crafted Xiangfei bamboo chessboard, alongside two jade jars containing chess manuals from the famed Yunnan kiln. By the window, a low seat was set with exquisite wine and delicacies. Several renowned calligraphy and painting scrolls adorned the walls, and a purple-gold incense burner emanated a delicate orchid scent.

Jian Liang was at a loss, staring as if in a dream. The female player stepped forward gracefully and offered a slight bow. “It is a great honor to have you, Master Jian, honor us with your presence.”

Jian Liang, hearing this, came back to himself and felt a pang of shame. “I am flattered. May I ask what purpose brings you to summon me here?”

She smiled softly. “I merely wished to invite the ‘Chess God’ to share a cup of wine.”

Jian Liang was taken aback. Steeling himself, he reached into his bosom and presented the “Cold-Warm Jade Pendant.” “I should not have accepted this precious jade from you at the Yellow Crane Tower’s game yesterday. Please allow me to return it.”

She chuckled lightly. “Master Jian, why such formality? Since you won it at the game, it belongs to you now.”

Jian Liang hurriedly replied, “This jade is no ordinary trinket; it is very precious. I dare not keep it.”

She shook her head with a smile. “You have won the jade fair and square. Returning it would undermine the rules of our game. Moreover, I do not wish to break my word. I did not demand it—how could I ask for it back?”

Jian Liang was puzzled by her casual attitude toward the “Cold-Warm Jade Pendant.” He said, “Yesterday’s game was hardly worth such a treasure. Please do not take it seriously. It was my hasty mistake to accept it; do take it back.”

She shook her head again. “That game at Yellow Crane Tower was more valuable than anything in the world. It is unforgettable. How can it be measured by a mere jade pendant?” Her words were earnest.

Jian Liang insisted, “The jade is too precious for a game’s stake. Since it belongs to you, please reclaim it. It makes me uneasy to hold it.” He placed the pendant carefully on the table.

Seeing Jian Liang so determined, her eyes fixed on him silently for a moment. Then she sighed softly, “If you truly do not want the jade, it seems I was looked down upon in the game. What use is it to me now? Better to cast it into the waters of East Lake than to be scorned further.” With that, she picked up the jade pendant, raising her hand as if to throw it out the window.

Jian Liang was alarmed. Believing she truly intended to discard it, he rushed forward and snatched the pendant away. “You must not throw it away. This jade is a treasured family heirloom. How can you so lightly abandon it? I had no intention of disrespecting you.”

She smiled secretly at his earnestness but feigned irritation. “Master Jian, it’s your choice. But if you insist on returning it to me, then cast it into East Lake. Since I lost at the game, I accept losing a jade pendant as well. I am not one to break promises.”

Jian Liang shook his head. “It was just a game. No need to take it so seriously.”

Her expression turned solemn. “That game at Yellow Crane Tower was crucial to me. Perhaps it seemed less so to you, but I truly felt its weight.” Her cheeks flushed, and she lowered her gaze.

Unaware of the deeper reasons behind her feelings, Jian Liang looked at the jade pendant in his hand. It would be a pity to have her throw it away now that he was responsible for it. “If that is the case, I shall keep it safe for you. When you wish to reclaim it, I will gladly return it.”

Her face lit up with joy. “Please treasure it well, Master Jian. Don’t lose it.”

“I will be careful. If lost, I could not afford to compensate for it,” he said.

She laughed softly, “I believe you can.”

With no other recourse, Jian Liang tucked the “Cold-Warm Jade Pendant” back into his bosom. Seeing this, she was delighted.

Jian Liang then asked, “After all this, I still do not know your name, Miss.”

She smiled brightly. “I thought you, the world-renowned Chess God, might not care to know mine.”

Jian Liang replied, “I have been wanting to learn the name of the female national player I encountered.”

Her joy grew. “My surname is Zhu, and my given name is Ling.”

“Ah,” Jian Liang said, “So you are Miss Zhu.”

She added, “But I was born fond of the scent of orchids, so my mother also calls me Lan’er. Over time, people have come to call me Lanling. You may call me that, Master Jian.”

A warmth stirred in Jian Liang’s heart. “I would not dare be so informal. Miss Lan will do.”

Lanling saw Jian Liang still standing, and laughed. “Please, Master Jian, have a seat. Let this defeated player toast to the unbeatable Chess God.”

Jian Liang, flustered, said, “I cannot take advantage like that. If there is nothing else, I should take my leave.” He turned to depart.

Suddenly, Lanling sighed. “Master Jian, can you stay a little longer?”

Jian Liang felt an inexplicable softening in his heart. When he met her pleading gaze, filled with tenderness and a trace of sorrow, he shuddered and quickly looked away, unable to refuse her invitation. “Very well... I shall stay. They said they might call me at the Yellow Crane Tower game.” He felt reluctant to leave and thought it best to speak with Lanling a while longer.

Seeing his agreement, Lanling’s joy was boundless. She invited him to sit by the low table and smiled brightly. “I feared you might not come at all. Today’s meeting is worth the trip.”

Jian Liang realized that this painted boat was specially prepared for him. Surprised and grateful, he felt Lanling was a mysterious figure. He asked, “Forgive my boldness, but may I ask where you come from, Miss Lan?”

She laughed. “That, I shall not say for now. You will understand in time.”

Jian Liang knew better than to press further.

At her urging, Jian Liang reluctantly drank a cup of wine. Lanling’s happiness grew. “Besides my fondness for orchid fragrance, I have always loved the game of Go. I was taught by many masters in my youth. By ten years old, I had few rivals and fancied my skill unmatched. But yesterday at Yellow Crane Tower, I was utterly defeated by you, Master Jian. Only then did I realize there is a divine hand such as yours in the world. Your skill has reached a transcendent realm!”

Jian Liang replied, “With your strength, Miss Lan, you are a national player among female Go players. You are the highest-caliber opponent I have encountered since setting the game at Yellow Crane Tower.”

Lanling felt a secret joy but shook her head. “Please do not praise me, Master Jian. One compares oneself to others and falls short; it’s a humbling lesson I learned today.”

Jian Liang said, “Chess is a refined art. Whether one wins or loses, there is pleasure to be found in the game itself. Victory is not the sole measure; it is the enjoyment that matters most to players.”

Lanling smiled wryly. “What meaning does a game hold if not for winning or losing? Perhaps you say so because you have no worthy rivals.”

Jian Liang replied, “A true player should not be overly attached to victory or defeat. Life is like a game of Go. A player’s attitude toward life directly affects his skill. Many find it difficult to progress beyond a certain level, not only due to character flaws but also because they fail to grasp the deeper life lessons within the game. This is a truth I have come to understand during my month at Yellow Crane Tower.”

Lanling listened, both puzzled and enlightened, her respect for Jian Liang growing ever deeper.

As they discussed chess and philosophy, their initial reserve melted away. Jian Liang felt a rare closeness in speaking with Lanling and continued eagerly, unwilling to stop. Lanling, too, was captivated, as though hearing words that cleared her doubts and brought clarity.

The painted boat glided slowly across the lake. Looking out the window, the water was clear and green, shimmering with sunlight. Lotus blossoms emerged near the shore, willow branches trailed softly; distant hills encircled the scene, lush with verdant trees. The sky was high and cloud-dappled, the breeze gentle and the sun warm—as if they were inside a living painting.

Jian Liang exclaimed in admiration, “What a fairyland on earth!”

Lanling smiled. “I wonder, does such beauty aid one’s game?”

Jian Liang said, “Once a player reaches a certain level of cultivation, they can set aside the manual and seek their own insights. Through contemplation and appreciation of the scenery, their mind is inspired to new depths. At times, a sudden thought during a match leads to a brilliant move, as if guided by divine intervention. Ancient masters called Go the art cultivated by both mortals and immortals, seeking a single harmonious realm. This is the true essence of the game.”

Lanling gasped in admiration. “Master Jian’s words are profound!”

She looked at him with deep respect and sighed, “Today, to hear your discourse on the way of Go feels like waking from a dream. You play the chess of the heavens, already possessing its spirit. We play mere earthly games, only grasping its form, endlessly fighting over wins and losses. The difference is vast.”

Lanling shook her head again. “Previously, I defeated more than a dozen renowned masters in my family, thinking myself great. Now I see how naive I was. It is truly humbling.”

This is the first release of the book.

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