Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Winning and Losing
Qu Fulan played two games of chess with An Ruchang.
She won them both.
An Ruchang, unwilling to admit defeat, insisted on continuing, but Qu Fulan no longer wanted to play. What does it mean to have "great enthusiasm despite lack of skill"? Today, she truly witnessed it. Could this Prince An have just learned to play chess and now want to challenge everyone?
"Let’s play another round, I’m sure I can win this time!" An Ruchang said, rolling up his sleeves.
Qu Fulan had no choice but to humor him.
Heir Pei and Mr. Pei chatted idly nearby, occasionally glancing over. Mr. Pei was evidently surprised by Prince An’s poor chess skills and didn’t expect him to lose to a maid.
"You must have taught the girl beside you how to play chess?"
The familiar layout style was somewhat recognizable, but if Mr. Pei remembered correctly, this girl named Qu Fulan had not been by his second brother’s side for long, and her skill level was unexpected.
"When did you start teaching her?"
Pei Ji’an played casually with the folding fan in his hand and replied unhurriedly, "Just a few days ago."
Mr. Pei was incredulous.
Pei Ji’an offered no further explanation, sipping tea with a leisurely enjoyment, and slightly squinting his eyes.
Meanwhile, An Ruchang was deep in thought, not really listening to their conversation. He only caught the phrase "a few days" and asked without turning his head, "What day?"
Mr. Pei deliberately glanced over several times, trying to seriously assess Qu Fulan’s skill level. Hearing An Ruchang’s remark, he responded with a question, "Prince An, is this your first encounter with chess?"
An Ruchang retorted unhappily, "Mr. Pei, are you looking down on me? I started learning chess at the age of ten, not just a novice who knows nothing."
Pei Yuan: "..."
Qu Fulan: "..." So, you’ve been learning chess for so many years, yet you’re still at this level, and you’re proud of it?
Everyone else remained calm, evidently they had long been aware of this.
In that instant, Qu Fulan finally understood why Heir Pei wanted to teach her chess. It must be to handle this "great enthusiasm despite lack of skill" Prince An.
Prince An didn’t realize he was being silently ridiculed by three people. He asked in high spirit, "You’re quite good at chess, kid. Did you start learning chess from a young age?"
Qu Fulan suddenly didn’t know how to respond, afraid of discouraging this princely heir. Clearly, when it comes to certain things, talent truly matters. Without neurons for it, years of learning still result in beginner-level skills.
She didn’t consider herself skilled; rather, her opponent was exceptionally poor.
Soon enough, An Ruchang lost again, yet he wasn’t upset; instead, he became intrigued by Qu Fulan, "You’re a good girl. I seem to remember your name; was it Haitang?"
"I’ve now changed my name to Fulan," she replied.
"Good name, good name, a beauty deserves a good name." Prince An quickly opened his folding fan with a swoosh, shakes his head and fanned himself a few times, then gracefully said to Pei Ji’an, "This girl of yours is really agreeable, why not give her to me? Then I won’t have to worry about finding a chess opponent at home."
Qu Fulan’s playful mood instantly diminished considerably.
These aristocrats, ultimately never view servants as people.
Pei Ji’an scoffed, "With your skills, lack of opponents is no problem."
An Ruchang was displeased, "What’s wrong with my skills? There aren’t many who can beat me—except you and Haitang, oh no, Fulan."
"That’s because others dare not win due to your status," Pei Ji’an retorted mercilessly.
An Ruchang was visibly stunned, unwilling to admit the truth, and said defiantly with a raised neck, "Now that someone dares to win against me, isn’t that just right? My mansion has numerous maids, gentle and virtuous, considerate and attentive, any type you want is available. How about exchanging for Fulan?"
Pei Ji’an sipped his tea without raising his eyelids and responded dullly, "Say that again."
"Nothing, nothing, I didn’t say anything," An Ruchang quickly retracted.
No matter how reckless he was, he knew some words should be said in moderation; otherwise, he’d face consequences.
The person in front of him had once battled alongside his father, and possessed enough credibility to overshadow him significantly. If one day this person were to beat him, his father might even agree with the action.
After all, his father had expressed more than once that if Pei Ji’an were his son, it would be better. His father was clearly deeply disappointed in him, hindered by family members from disciplining him, and couldn’t wait for someone outside to set him straight.
Prince An felt that his father underestimated him. He wasn’t subpar either; if given a chance to perform, he could also make a name for himself.
Although he couldn’t claim to be as formidable as Pei Ji’an, he could certainly become an outstanding soldier, bringing honor to his family.
However, his father said that the day he can last ten moves against Heir Pei would be the day he gets to join the battlefield.
Isn’t this deliberately making things difficult?
Given Pei Ji’an’s skills, forget ten moves, he couldn’t last even one, and besides, he’s suffered quite a few setbacks under him; this guy schemes with no evidence left, extremely devious.
Recalling those years of being schemed against, Prince An felt only four words could describe his feelings: bitter and unbearable, which led him to respect and fear Pei Ji’an.
After a round of lowering his stance, An Ruchang felt it quite damaging to his reputation and started to forcefully regain his dignity. He joked to Qu Fulan with a shake of his head, "What a pity, my mansion is much better than Pei Mansion. If you were with me, you wouldn’t do any work, and would have others serve you."
This remark had a provocative undertone, to which Qu Fulan responded with a calm smile, "Prince An is joking; Fulan finds everything quite good at the moment."
"Go and fetch a few glasses of iced sugar water," Pei Ji’an set down his teacup, seemingly displeased with the taste. He slightly furrowed his brows.
Qu Fulan had already drunk the tea aboard the boat; although the tea leaves were quite fine, they fell short compared to the Pei Family’s, especially the ones in Heir Pei’s courtyard, which were rare treasures unattainable even with money.
Having tasted excellence, lesser brews were intolerable; rather than settling, it’s better to opt for plain water.
But plain water was too bland, hence the sugar water option.
Iced sugar water, as it’s called, is made simply by adding ice and sugar to plain water, forming a simple drink.
Even such a drink was only affordable for the wealthy, what with sugar being too extravagant for the poor, and even ice being a luxury beyond ordinary means.
Qu Fulan and Hai Xia worked together to make it, not only for Heir Pei but also for the old lady.
The old lady liked adding nuts and fruits to the sugar water for additional nutrition.
During the process of making iced sugar water, a thought suddenly struck Qu Fulan, inspired by the recent examination of several shop accounts; an idea popped into her mind.
She wanted to achieve something; achievement was essential for negotiation rights in the future.
If implemented according to her idea...
Qu Fulan’s mood suddenly improved.