Chapter 1615: Chapter 1622: Duke Li Guo Mansion’s Plan (2)
The village leaders of various towns have actively responded to the County Magistrate’s call, each expressing that they will strive to mobilize the people of their entire town (village) to raise more geese and ducks, and produce more goose and duck down…
These actions by Lord Shen were all done behind his beloved daughter’s back. If Juhua knew that her father was helping Liu Xi’s feather factory, she would definitely be furious. The grudge she has with Liu Xi hasn’t been resolved yet, and even though several months have passed, she still grits her teeth with anger whenever she thinks of Liu Xi!
This day, Shen Juhua went to play in the back garden and ran into Mo Zili again. This garden is the only place Miss Shen can relax while being confined at home. Miss Shen had also told Mo Zili about this, believing that once he knew, she wouldn’t run into him, at least he should understand to avoid it.
However, unexpectedly she ran into him again quickly, even a third and fourth time. Young Master Mo seemed to deliberately make things difficult for her, as she almost always saw him whenever she came.
Out of courtesy, she had to exchange a few words with him, after all, he had saved her.
However, Young Master Mo was really not suited for chatting. Often, after just a few words, the two would fall into a stalemate of having nothing to say. Whenever this happened, Shen Juhua would shut her mouth and let him rack his brain to come up with a topic. Unfortunately, Mo Zili was a rather wooden character and every time he tried to think of a topic, it would make things difficult for him for half the day, watching the sweat on his forehead become increasingly dense. Shen Juhua found it very amusing, her round little face showing a mischievous smile.
After a few back-and-forths, Mo Zili learned to be smart, and one time, unexpectedly brought out a set of Chinese chess wanting to play with her.
Playing chess doesn’t require speaking, just two people sitting opposite each other, quietly thinking is enough. This way of interacting suited Mo Zili well but it didn’t suit Juhua. She didn’t know how to play chess, neither Go nor Chinese chess, she only knew how to roll dice.
Upon hearing that Juhua didn’t know how to play chess, Mo Zili kindly offered to teach her, and since Juhua was free, she learned from him.
By the night, she could barely play against Mo Zili, but whenever they played, she always lost. Juhua was very frustrated, pushing the pieces away and sulkingly said: “I’m not playing anymore, no matter how I play, I can’t beat you.”
Mo Zili, good-naturedly, put the pieces away as he collected them. He said casually while putting them away: “If you can’t win, then why don’t you steal the pieces?”
“Steal pieces? You’re telling me to steal pieces?”
Juhua raised her chin, proudly saying: “Although I’m just a woman, I would never do something as disgraceful as stealing pieces. I dare to play, so I dare to lose.”
Upon hearing this, Mo Zili’s palm shrank, tightly gripping the cannon piece in his hand.
“Bright spears and dark horses steal cannons, isn’t this what Chinese chess is supposed to be like? Besides, who told you not to watch over your own pieces, supposedly all’s fair in war refers to people like you who don’t learn lessons…”
Unbeknownst to him, her voice echoed again around his ears, and that innocent little face reappeared in front of his eyes. Mo Zili’s heart ached, clutching the position on his chest, slowly bending down…
Juhua saw his face suddenly change, with a painful and suppressed look, she couldn’t help but exclaim: “Young Master Mo, what’s wrong with you? Are you feeling uncomfortable? Do you need me to call someone…”
Mo Zili only lowered his head, clutching his chest without saying a word.
Juhua panicked, quickly standing up, intending to call someone for help. At this moment, Mo Zili slowly raised his head, saying in a low voice: “Miss Shen, there’s no need to bother.”
Saying this, he placed the piece he held in his palm on the table, slowly stood up, and walked towards his own courtyard. After taking a few steps, he suddenly turned back and inexplicably said: “Actually, you can steal pieces…”