563 Flicking Red Leaves and Pinching Yellow Flowers (1/2)
Chapter 563: Flicking Red Leaves and Pinching Yellow Flowers
Translator: TransnEditor: Transn
Over the decade, through wind, rain, and the daily setting of the sun, Ning Que had never worried. This was because he had become used to it so it came naturally to him. It was his greatest strength. However, he had not expected that this trip to Lanke Temple in Tile Mountain would change habits he had for so long.
Beside the Jumping Tiger Stream, Sangsang had said that she wanted to solve the chess puzzle. This surprised him greatly. He knew that while she might be vain at times, she was never one for competition. Most importantly, in the past she would just sit quietly by his side and wait for him to solve the problem when they were in such situations.
He thought of many reasons for this change. For example... the other girl outside the carriage. However, he had heard Sangsang say many things in the meditation room earlier. That was when he understood that Sangsang had done this just to prove herself.
She wanted to prove to herself that she could do it. It had nothing to do with the world.
She wanted to make it clear she was no longer just the quiet handmaiden by Ning Que's side. She was now his wife who could shoulder burdens for him. She could even try to shield him from wind and rain.
Sangsang wanted to feel needed by Ning Que. She needed Ning Que to be proud of her.
Ning Que looked at the autumn tree with furrowed brows.
Then, he softly touched the red leaves falling into the yard. He said, ”You're such an idiot. I raised you. Do I need you to be considerate towards me and protect me?”
He had felt the urge to cry many times in the meditation room where they had spoken; he only managed to hide it due to his cold temperament and his expertise in performing. He was the only one in the courtyard right now, and he could bear it no longer. He wiped his eyes.
Ning Que felt really embarrassed. He looked at the leaves still on the tree and scolded angrily, ”Even if you die, I'll fetch you from the Underworld and give you a sound thrashing.”
There were light footsteps approaching.
Shanshan, who wore a white cotton dress, approached him and stood by his side. She did not look at him.
All was silent in the meditation courtyard. Sangsang's painful coughs could be heard occasionally as she slept.
The two watched the leaves in silence.
Ning Que suddenly said, ”Aiyayaya.”
Mo Shanshan said, ”Em em ah ah.”
Some things can only be shared in silence.
...
...
A loud noise was suddenly heard outside. It seemed as if someone wanted to enter, but was stopped by the monks in the temple. The two parties were embroiled in a fierce argument, disrupting the peace in the courtyard.
Ning Que could hear that it was the voice of the chess master from South Jin Kingdom. He frowned slightly and looked toward the door.
”Why do I want to see her? I want to become her teacher, of course!”
”You are all monks from Lanke Temple. Do you not understand what her calculation skills mean?”
”There hasn't been someone like her in the last millennia. How can she cultivate in Taoism? She has to play chess!”
”The girl might be someone with great calculation skills. But the art of chess is as deep as the sea. It is not something so simple. If she is willing to learn from me, I will teach her everything I know.”
”The girl has such talent. If she has a teacher like me, and focuses solely on chess, she will sweep the chess world within 10 years. She will be stronger than Master Dongming of Lanke Temple. She might even surpass the greatest chess master of South Jin Kingdom, Master Song Qian. She will become a legendary Sage of Chess!”
”Why would she become the Lady of Light if she could become the Sage of Chess?”
”Quick, let me pass. What would we do if she gets away?”
The South Jin Kingdom chess master yelled all of this angrily outside the courtyard. It was evident that no matter how much he scolded and raged, the monks of Lanke Temple would not allow him to bother Ning Que and his companions.
Ning Que thought that the man was indeed obsessed with chess. He was very similar to his peers at the back of the mountain at the Academy. At first, he was annoyed that Sangsang might be woken up by the man, but he could not bring himself to get truly angry.
Mo Shanshan suddenly said, ”Actually, I am very jealous of you and her.”
This shocked Ning Que.
”I know that you and Sangsang used to have a hard time in the past. I am sorry for the bitterness that you have experienced together.” Mo Shanshan smiled and said, ”I will get that man to pipe down. Don't worry.”
...
...
It is not clear what Mo Shanshan told him, but the South Jin Kingdom chess master did not insist on seeing Sangsang again. All was silent in the meditation courtyard once more. However, she did not return to watch the red leaves with Ning Que again.
Ning Que knew what this meant, and he felt slightly agitated. Then, he calmed down and looked at the branch that extended into the meditation courtyard. He looked at the leaves on the tip of the branch while he kept an eye out for any movement from Sangsang within the room.
There was a stone window in the shape of a fan on the white walls of the meditation courtyard. It was used for ventilation and one could also see the scenery outside the courtyard from it.
The face of a girl appeared at the window.
The face was emotionless; devoid of any happiness, anger, sadness, or joy. However, it was simply too beautiful, like a flower bathed in dew. It appeared in the stone window, looking like an exquisite scenery.
She was the Princess of the Yuelun Kingdom. She was Lu Chenjia, the Flower Addict.
Ning Que looked at Lu Chenjia and raised his eyebrows. He did not say anything.