Chapter 344: 344: The Game of Chess

Words : 1608 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

Chapter 344: Chapter 344: The Game of Chess Zhan Xuerou felt as if her heart was being wrenched by knives. She had high aspirations, yet her fate was as fragile as paper. When could Si Jun’s promise be fulfilled? Her tears dropped one by one onto the rice paper, causing an unbearable tightness in her chest. The twists of fate in recent days had made her realize that people change. She used to think nothing of Zhan Lan, but now she saw virtues in Zhan Lan that she lacked herself. Even though she hated and envied her, she had to admit that Zhan Lan was outstanding and had qualities worth learning from! Only today did she understand that one cannot see these things when everything is going well. It is only in adversity that one can comprehend some of the true meanings of life: you cannot rely on anyone but yourself! Qiuyue, while grinding ink for Zhan Xuerou, spoke, “Miss shouldn’t belittle herself, I think not only are you beautiful, but your poetic talent is unparalleled.” Zhan Xuerou gave a bitter smile and said, “I haven’t produced any good work recently, if only I had one, just one...” A poem that could win the admiration of the capital would crown her with the title of a talented woman. Even if Si Jun didn’t love her, she could still find other admirers. Once she was surrounded by applause and compliments, now she missed that feeling immensely. Qiuyue didn’t understand the awakening of Zhan Xuerou’s sense of self, she just felt that the former wealthy young mistress was pushed into a corner with no way out. ... The next morning, the grand wedding of King Wei took place. Although the wedding ceremony wasn’t as grand as that of the Regent King’s, Bai Lu was nonetheless wed through a proper match, becoming Princess Wei with full legitimacy. Inside the Prince Wei Mansion. In the bridal chamber, Bai Lu was dressed in her wedding gown, feeling a bit nervous. Seeing Bai Lu’s anxiety, the wedding planner comforted her softly, “Princess, don’t be nervous, everything is well prepared, nothing will go wrong.” Bai Lu nodded; she was no longer a maiden intact, whether she could get through the night depended entirely on the Crown Prince’s arrangements. The Crown Prince had come to drink wedding wine at the Prince Wei Mansion, ostensibly to celebrate, but in fact, he kept pouring drinks. He wanted to give Si Jun time, so that after marrying Bai Lu for a while, he would discover that he had been deceived. He intended to kill with heartbreak and let the whole world know that Si Jun was cuckolded by another man, to humiliate him fully. Si Jun, being plied with drink by the Crown Prince, could only quietly endure it. Many people came today, and on the surface, the two had to maintain a harmonious relationship, but behind the scenes, they had fought several bouts with neither side gaining much advantage. Si Jun wanted to thrust a sword into the Crown Prince, but he wasn’t completely confident of his ability to handle the Crown Prince just yet. With too many people and too much talk, it wasn’t the time to strike. Overwhelmed by alcohol, Si Jun leaned on Hei Yu as he returned to the bridal chamber. Hei Yu stood guard outside, while Si Jun entered the bridal room and lifted the bridal veil to see the shy face of Bai Lu. Si Jun had never considered a future with a woman like Bai Lu, it was all just an act for him. Someday, he would choose a woman more capable of helping him stabilize the empire and more suitable to become Empress, but that woman would definitely not be Bai Lu. The wedding planner, with auspicious words, watched the two drink wedding wine together, then left. Si Jun and Bai Lu performed the bridal bow and, after Si Jun fell asleep, the corners of Bai Lu’s lips curled up; she had fooled him for the night. The secret recipe given by the wedding planner had indeed worked. The next morning, when Si Jun woke up and saw a smear of crimson on the bed, he thought to himself: It seems Bai Lu isn’t as ruined as rumors suggest, she still appears to be untouched. He rolled out of bed, got dressed and left. He had to find a way to deal with the Crown Prince, to make him despised by all, for how could a Crown Prince not loved by the people inherit the empire! Bai Lu sighed in relief as she watched him leave. When the Crown Prince learned that Bai Lu had slipped through, he was in good spirits; Princess Wei was indeed promiscuous, a woman he had once favored. Crown Prince thought, Si Jun is left with nothing but leftovers! Next, he had to think carefully about how to eliminate the significant threat of Si Jun. He must win their game of wits! The Crown Prince’s eyes shone with fiercest determination, not only to win the inheritance struggle but also to conquer his heart! ... Zhan Lan was practicing her spear techniques in the courtyard when she received a message from Qiuyue. Zhan Lan opened the letter, and Qiuyue informed her of Zhan Xuerou’s recent circumstances in detail, Zhan Lan’s gaze was indifferent. It’s said that adversity breeds poets, and Zhan Lan believed that Zhan Xuerou would surely succeed. Her eyes roiled with emotions as she thought: Let Zhan Xuerou write, the more famous her work becomes, the better... ... Mu Yan returned from the palace and saw Zhan Lan peeking outside. Just when their eyes were about to meet, Zhan Lan suddenly bolted. A smile emerged on Mu Yan’s usually expressionless face, it seemed his little woman was up to something. Zhan Lan noticed Mu Yan’s return and pretended to be asleep still. Mu Yan gently pushed open the door and saw Zhan Lan lying in bed, feigning sleep quite convincingly. With a smile on his lips, Mu Yan’s cold hand pierced through the blanket, resting on Zhan Lan’s waist, causing her to react like a startled cat, suddenly sitting up in bed. She looked at Mu Yan with annoyed embarrassment and said, “You did that on purpose.” Touching the tip of her nose, Mu Yan asked, “What were you up to? I saw everything. Tell me, what have you been doing behind your husband’s back?” Zhan Lan buried herself back in the blankets and replied, “Find out for yourself.” Mu Yan looked around the room with interest and finally, on the desk in the study, he saw two neatly written characters: Mu Yan. Beneath the rice paper was a spotless white jade pendant. Mu Yan, holding the jade pendant, left the study and slipped into the bed, wrapping his arms around Zhan Lan from behind. With the scent of cold cypress coming from his body, Mu Yan whispered near her ear, “Is this the token of engagement you’re giving me?” Zhan Lan’s cheeks flushed as she turned around and said, “This jade pendant was left to me by my grandmother, and now I am giving it to you.” With the jade pendant in hand, Mu Yan kissed her forehead and whispered softly, “Are you confessing to me?” Zhan Lan’s words belied her feelings: “Not at all, you’ve given me so many things, I have to give something in return.” With a knowing smile, Mu Yan placed something in Zhan Lan’s hand, “Take this, go play if you’re feeling tired!” Zhan Lan saw that she now held a silver leaf identical to the one belonging to Chu Yin. She guessed correctly; when she drank Bamboo Leaf Green Tea at that small tavern, she suspected that the night market was Mu Yan’s doing. With a playful smile, she said, “Mu Yan, was that night market your doing...” Mu Yan cleared his throat and said, “This prince would never indulge you in reveling and pleasure-seeking all day!” Suddenly, he felt a soft touch on his cheek. Zhan Lan had planted a kiss there, her eyes as gentle as the stars gazing at him. Mu Yan’s eyes instantly warmed, and he leaned close to Zhan Lan’s ear and said, “Would you like to...” “No!” Zhan Lan’s face turned red, and she sat up from the bed. Mu Yan rolled out of bed, his clothing flowing with the breeze, standing in a carefree and handsome manner, like a banished immortal gazing at Zhan Lan with his uncontaminated eyes: “What’s on my lady’s mind? I was merely asking if you’d like to have breakfast.” Zhan Lan: “...” Mu Yan looked at her seriously, making Zhan Lan feel as though she was a woman whose head was filled only with romance and love. Even though he was the real big bad wolf. After a short while, Zhan Lan awkwardly began to eat her silver fungus porridge and said, “The Chu Family has finally agreed to Zhan Hui and Chu Yin’s marriage!” “Very good.” Mu Yan remembered his own jealousy towards his brother-in-law back then, finding it amusing. But if it hadn’t been for his jealousy towards Zhan Hui at that time, he wouldn’t have realized that he had already liked Zhan Lan. Mu Yan peeled an egg for her and placed it on the plate in front of her, saying, “Tomorrow, Zhan Xincheng will assume his office.” “Good.” Zhan Lan gave him a slight smile, with everything clear in her heart.

Chapter 344: 344: The Game of Chess

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