CH 276

“Prince Li Chige doesn’t want our wine only because it is delicious, but because the Snow Kingdom is a tight line of defence for the Great Yao Kingdom. The Yue Kingdom and the Great Yao Kingdom are the two major kingdoms, with the Yue Kingdom bordering the Kalou Kingdom and the Great Yao Kingdom bordering the Snow Kingdom. Our Kingdom is between the Great Yao and the Kalou kingdoms. The Yue Kingdom and the Kalou Kingdom have secretly allied, and once the Snow Kingdom is captured by the Kalou Kingdom, the Yue Kingdom is bound to attack the Great Yao Kingdom through this line of defence. ”

“So the wine and all that was just a way to gain allies.”

“Then why must you choose this route?”

“I’m doing this to open up a trade route with the Great Yao Kingdom. Instead of cheapening ourselves to the Kalou and Yue Kingdoms, I’d rather take advantage of my allies, don’t you think? Soon after you returned from your last mission to the Great Yao, the Third Prince silently entered the Snow Kingdom in disguise. I guess their emperor sent him here to investigate whether the Snow Kingdom wants to ally with him. After all, the Snow Kingdom has been indifferent to the world for so long. It was suspicious when we suddenly showed our goodwill.”

“Using the wine market to open up a channel with the Great Yao Kingdom is our ultimate goal.”

Bai Lixin opened the envelope, and as expected, there was a letter of goodwill inside. In a few words, Prince Li Chige expressed his admiration for Bai Lixin and regretted leaving in a hurry due to family matters. He promised to come and visit him in full costume one day.

One month later, the third prince of the Great Yao kingdom visited the Snow Kingdom on behalf of his Emperor. The flowers were in bloom, and it was the only time of the year that one had the opportunity to see such beautiful scenery in the Snow Kingdom.

The snow and ice melted, and spring returned. There were flowers and willows in bloom everywhere.

The Third Prince had come in full costume, just as he had said in his letter.

As the head of the Kingdom, Emperor Shengyuan brought along his two sons and ministers accordingly, while the Third Prince of the Great Yao Kingdom also brought several gifts to give face.

Emperor Shengyuan was overjoyed and hastened to introduce Prince Li Chige and his entourage to the Great Hall.

“I heard that the Third Prince loves to play chess, so I have specially prepared a set of crystal chess pieces.” Emperor Shengyuan smiled while looking at Prince Li Chige. With a clap of his hands, two palace maids carried the chessboard and chess pieces in.

Prince Li Chige stroked the crystal clear chess pieces and sighed, “Although chess pieces are good, it would be a waste if there was no opponent to match them. Your Majesty, I also visited with another purpose. I wonder if I will have the honour of playing against your prince?”

Emperor Shengyuan laughed out loud, “I did not expect that the Third Prince would bring a chess game on purpose. In that case, two imperial sons, which of you would like a match since the Third Prince has invited you? Xin’er, are you willing? ”

Bai Liwu did not move and glanced at Bai Lixin.

Bai Lixin was not good at chess and he had always defeated him, so he must be afraid of going forward. He did not need to plead; he would be the one to go play.

“This son is willing to play.” Bai Lixin said in a low voice after a moment.

Bai Liwu smiled. See, cowardly… he said, willing to play… Huh?! Willing to go play?!

Bai Liwu looked at Bai Lixin quickly and whispered, “Xin’er, have you thought about it? You are to represent our Snow Kingdom against Prince Li Chige. Don’t try to be brave. How sure are you of winning?”

Bai Lixin hesitated for a moment, “About seventy percent?”

For thirty days in a row, Bai Liwu had been smelling the refreshing aroma every night after going to sleep, and every time he got up in the morning, he was refreshed. He only felt hale and hearty, radiant with infinite energy, as if he could do anything in a flash.

Heh, arrogant.

A hint of contempt appeared in Bai Liwu’s eyes, “Xin’er, don’t fool around. If you lose, you are discrediting the Snow Kingdom.”

Bai Lixin glanced at Bai Liwu, his eyes slightly pleading.

Bai Liwu smiled knowingly and looked at Emperor Shengyuan with confidence, respectfully saying, “Father, I am willing to play on behalf of Xin’er.”

“Prince Xin has arms and legs; why does the Grand Prince want to play on his behalf?” Prince Li Chige asked with a chuckle.

“Xin’er is the unique chess saint of our kingdom, and I am merely Xin’er’s defeated opponent. If Prince Li Chige can not even win against me, how could he win against Xin’er?”

Although Bai Liwu looked humble and gentle, he was extremely conceited.

He was an excellent chess player in the Snow Kingdom and had never lost to anyone since he had learnt the art. In his opinion, Prince Li Chige would only be one of his many defeated opponents.

Although the conversation between him and Bai Lixin just now was whispered in a low voice, it still reached Prince Li Chige’s ears. Bai Liwu seemed to be helping Bai Lixin, but he was highlighting his incompetence.

Prince Li Chige glanced at Bai Lixin, and when he saw the other party nod gently, he shrugged his shoulders and said, “In that case, to be able to challenge your Kingdom’s chess saint, I will have to defeat you, the Grand Prince, first.”

Bai Liwu smiled confidently and sat down opposite Prince Li Chige.

An incense stick later, Bai Liwu stood up awkwardly with a head full of sweat, “Prince Li Chige is indeed an excellent chess player as rumored. This prince admires him.”

Prince Li Chige smiled confidently, “I am flattered. In that case, may I ask Prince Xin to come for a match?”

Bai Liwu’s face stiffened, while Emperor Shengyuan’s was slightly sulking. Of course, he knew that Bai Liwu’s praise of Bai Lixin’s chess skills was nonsense. The Great Yao Kingdom had come to show goodwill while they had deceived their envoy. Once the game starts, Prince Li Chige will be shocked to find out the truth.

If this affects the relationship between the two countries, would it not be a loss?

The hall fell silent when Prince Li Chige said this, and their eyes turned to Bai Lixin, who was sitting at the side.

After a month of recuperation, the injury to Bai Lixin’s head had already healed. He had used the secret medicine of the palace, so his clean forehead was not scarred.

His hair was tied up high with a jade belt and a jade hairpin was inserted into the bun. He looked very capable and handsome.

Bai Lixin slowly stood up, “Since the Third Prince insists on a match, I will respectfully comply.”

Bai Lixin sat calmly opposite Prince Li Chige, and they each put away the pieces on the chessboard.

Prince Li Chige set up the remaining pieces of the board, and with one piece moved, he gestured, “Prince Xin, it is your turn to play.”

Bai Lixin swept the chessboard and took a piece.

“Prince Xin doesn’t seem surprised to see me.” Prince Li Chige whispered as the two moved back and forth.

“Each to his own.” Bai Lixin held his piece and dropped it. The pieces tapped on the crystal board with a crisp, pleasant sound, “Concentrate.”

Prince Li Chige Song stopped chatting and devoted himself to the chessboard. It was very quiet in the game hall except for the crisp sound of the two tapping their chess pieces on the board. Emperor Shengyuan sat on top of the hall, looking down at the battle between the two. Unlike Bai Liwu, who had a hard time, Bai Lixin’s pieces fell smoothly and powerfully. The turbid qi in his heart was slightly exhaled and he was relieved.

Fortunately, his Xin’er worked hard and did not discredit the Snow Kingdom at the critical moment.

The two went back and forth, playing for half an hour before Bai Lixin finally landed a piece, ending the game.

Bai Lixin stood up and gave a slight formal salute, “I beg your pardon, Prince Li Chige.”

“Hahahaha, I’m happy! It was fun to play against you.” Prince Li Chige also stood up and clenched Bai Lixin’s hand in excitement, “As expected of the chess saint of the Snow Kingdom.” You are worthy of the name! I’ve never met such an opponent in my life. I’ve already lost twice to you.”

Xiahou Chun, who had been standing on the sidelines, saw their clasped hands, and his face suddenly darkened. He gritted his teeth, and his hands were secretly clenched into fists.

Bai Lixin swept a glance at Xiahou Chun and he withdrew his hand silently. Instead, he held Prince Li Chige’s, “Both times were narrow victories. Prince Li Chige overpraises me.”

Emperor Shengyuan listened to their conversation and asked in surprise, “You two already knew each other?”

Prince Li Chige withdrew his hand and told Emperor Shengyuan the whole story with a smile. Emperor Shengyuan listened to the story and said, “No wonder Xin’er said he was 70% sure, so he had already played you.”

Bai Liwu, on the other hand, looked at the back of Bai Lixin, who was cleaning up the chessboard. His body was cold all over.

How could this be?

When had Xin’er’s chess skills become so exquisite? He clearly couldn’t even get twenty moves under him. Or was it just an act in the past?

Bai Liwu’s body trembled and his heart was in shock. Could it be that Bai Lixin sensed what he had done long ago? Why else would he keep Xiahou Chun by his side? How much did he know about him? How did he know that he had hidden so perfectly? Could it be that Bai Lixin put spies around him?

Instead of investigating, he was being cautious against him and retaliating?

Bai Liwu was terrified. His brain was buzzing and a string in his brain suddenly snapped.

Bai Liwu, who had always been above the world, suddenly felt as humiliated as if he had been stripped naked. All of his secrets had nowhere to hide in front of Bai Lixin. His acting and hypocrisy were just a joke in Bai Lixin’s eyes, just like the competition just now.

……….

Prince Li Chige did not come only to compete in chess. He stayed in the Snow Kingdom for three days and had several talks with Emperor Shengyuan. He left on the fourth day with the special wine of the Snow Kingdom.

Having finally sent off Prince Li Chige, Bai Lixin stretched out and surveyed the equally relieved Xiahou Chun. He sneered in his heart, stretched his waist and said, “General Xiahou, you don’t need to be by my side for protection. I’ll stop here today. I want to take a short nap in my room.”

Xiahou Chun said in a deep voice, “Why don’t you let me send Your Highness back to the palace?”

Bai Lixin nodded, “Okay. Your room is next to my bedchamber anyway, so it doesn’t matter. Let’s go.”