Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 317 - 315

Chapter 317: 315

Parked watching the love of maple trees’ beauty in the evening,

Frosty leaves as red as February blossoms.

In these days of golden autumn and falling leaves,

Imperial Hunting Ground

Tents, one by one, have been set up already.

Xiao’er stepped out of her tent, looked at the distant golden hue, corners of her mouth curling up slightly.

It was just dusk, a red sun quietly suspended on the horizon, its dazzling glare had receded, leaving only a gentle red glow.

Shangguan Xuanyi, standing next to her, looked at her peaceful smile with the same warmth as the setting sun, "Do you like it here?"

"Well, I really enjoy hunting." Xiao’er replied cheerfully.

"Let’s go for a walk and digest our meal," Shangguan Xuanyi suggested, leading Xiao’er around the camp.

Having just finished dinner, a stroll would help with digestion.

"Brother Shangguan, let’s aim to become the number one tomorrow. Then, you will give me the death immunity token!" Xiao’er had been coveting the death immunity token for a while, but unfortunately, even if she claimed first place, she wouldn’t acquire it.

"Alright!" Shangguan Xuanyi nodded. He, on the other hand, didn’t see much value in the death immunity token.

This year, the emperor will reward the death immunity token to the top male hunter.

The death immunity token, needless to say, is a life-saving item in critical times; who wouldn’t want it?

Xiao’er believed that owning such a token was excellent under the feudal monarch’s rule. If she didn’t use it, she could always bestow it to her descendants.

For the top female hunter, the empress, will gift a painting by Master Zhang Yuqian.

Zhang Yuqian was a legend himself, a learned man with extraordinary painting skills, making his paintings vivid and lifelike! Alas, talented people are often envied by the heavens, and he passed away at a young age. His eighth masterpiece is rare and priceless.

It is said that only two have been collected in the imperial palace, one in the residence of the Imperial Master, while the other five have been lost.

Xiao’er, always interested in valuable things, naturally wanted to see how extraordinary the nearly deified Master Zhang’s works were.

As the two strolled not far off, a maid arrived with a message: "Lady Rui’an County, the empress invites you!"

Xiao’er was surprised, why would the empress seek her at this hour? What could the matter be?

Xiao’er looked at Shangguan Xuanyi, her eyes asking: Do you know why the empress wants to see me?

Shangguan Xuanyi shook his head, suspecting that his mother was simply bored and wanted someone to chat with.

Xiao’er arrived at the entrance to the empress’s tent; they were ushered in without the need for announcement and entered with Shangguan Xuanyi leading.

After the formalities, the empress eagerly invited Xiao’er: "Lady Rui’an County, come and play a game of chess with me."

Upon hearing this, Xiao’er fell silent. Was she invited to fill the empress’s leisure time?

She had heard the empress was terrible at chess and often with poor sportsmanship—always insisting on taking back moves and pondering half the day over her next move?

Among the noble women of the imperial capital, none was willing to play chess with her. The instant they heard the empress was seeking a chess opponent, they’d run faster than rabbits!

Xiao’er glanced at Shangguan Xuanyi, pleading with her eyes, should she try to win or lose on purpose? Could she opt-out?

Shangguan Xuanyi sat next to Xiao’er and met her gaze with a rare, inscrutable smile.

Xiao’er was now filled with a foreboding sensation.

The Empress was engaged in a game of chess with Xiao’er, both of them acting with proper decorum at the beginning.

Gradually, the Empress let loose, constantly regretting her moves. One step forward, one step back, two steps forward, three steps back...

"Wait a minute, Miss Rui’an, wait. My hand shook, I’ve made the wrong move." The Empress hurriedly retrieved her black piece, contemplating long and hard before making her next move.

"Are you sure it’s there, Empress? No more changes?" Xiao’er’s eyes were gleaming.

"Not sure, I think I made a mistake. Hold on, let me have another look." The Empress, seeing Xiao’er’s excited expression, naturally wanted to take back her move.

The person across from her was the Empress, the most noble woman in the world. Fine! Since she was the superior, Xiao’er decided she would put up with it.

Luckily, her patience was profound.

Again and again, she held her peace.

The Empress’ chess skill wasn’t too bad either. How could she lose when she could even take back her moves and win?

Xiao’er, after countless times of hearing "Wait a second, Miss Rui’an..." ended up losing spectacularly. She was downright frustrated and humiliated!

The Empress was in high spirits, naturally demanding to continue.

Frustrated, Xiao’er wanted to recover some dignity. Regretting moves was a disease that must be cured, right?

If this disease wasn’t cured, how could she tolerate her in the long days to come?

Thus, the two began a new game.

In a gamble, there is no kinship. Don’t blame her!

This time, when the Empress took one step back, so did Xiao’er. The Empress put up with it the first time, because why should she concern herself with the actions of a young girl?

The second time, when Xiao’er regretted two moves, the Empress let out a sigh. If a minister can hold a boat in his belly, let alone the Empress intrusted with the nurture of the world. The belly of the Empress should be able to hold four or five big boats! Don’t take a child too seriously!

"Miss Rui’an, have you decided your move?" The Empress couldn’t wait to make her move.

"Um, yes, it’s right here, I’m not changing it!" Xiao’er grinned sweetly at the Empress.

The Empress decisively placed her black piece on the board, flashing a beautiful smile, ready to go for the kill!

Xiao’er quickly put her hand on the chessboard, "Please wait, Empress."

The Empress was annoyed. "Xiao’er! A true gentleman doesn’t regret his moves. This is the fifth time you’ve regretted this move!"

What sort of player regrets their moves over and over and then thinks long and hard before finally making a move? One could regret a move five or six times, that’s earth-shattering! The Empress cried in her heart, then cast a reproachful glance at her son, "Why didn’t you tell me about your wife’s chess habits!"

Shangguan Xuanyi just shook his head with a smile.

"Huh? Is it the fifth time already? I didn’t even notice! But that’s okay, we’re not gentlemen, we’re ladies. There’s nothing wrong with regretting moves, we don’t need to be so pedantic! Empress, we are kindred spirits! Normally when I play chess with my brother or my cousin, they don’t like playing with me because I always regret my moves. But now, I’ve finally found someone like me! Empress, you regret yours, I’ll regret mine, and we can have a grand battle for hundreds of rounds. Playing chess with you is exhilarating, there are no complaints, Empress, you’re so wonderful. From now on, whenever I have free time, I’ll come to the palace to play chess with you!" As Xiao’er pondered over the chess pieces on the board, she cheerfully exclaimed.

There’s a palace to play chess in? No, Thank you! With a chess skill like this, once is enough! The Empress shuddered after listening to Xiao’er’s words.

The corner of Shangguan Xuanyi’s mouth curled up in amusement.

The Empress glanced at her son who was taking pleasure in her misery, thinking she ought to leave her daughter-in-law to him. She quickly stood up, "Oh, the Emperor was looking for me just now and I almost forgot. I’ll go and see what he wants. Xuanyi, you finish this game for me! Play fairly, don’t bully Miss Rui’an, understand?"

With those words, the Empress hurriedly left.

As soon as the Empress left the tent, Xiao’er covered her mouth with both hands and started to laugh.

Shangguan Xuanyi gently flicked her forehead, "Naughty!"

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