Chapter 6
If something was to happen between her and this darling of Tiandao, then only opportunity would be this one time she entered the capital .
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The first thing Yan Ge did after arriving in Jingcheng was to go buy a few sets of women's clothing .
When she wore men's robes, she felt that Ming Lan's appearance would have a special quality in women's wear, but after trying them on, she felt a sudden urge to cover her eyes .
Wearing men's wear had become a habit and se honestly couldn’t see Ming Lan’s feminine beauty in a dress . In the end, she bought two sets of ornate and luxurious nobleman's clothing .
Yan Ge wore a purple silk-embroidered gown paired with a belt studded with precious stones . Without the armor's dreary and murderous air, she found that Ming Lan’s tall and slender body had a somewhat distinguished air .
The most famous temple in Jingcheng was the Dajue Temple .
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After strolling around the city, Yan Ge rode a horse there .
Thanks to the good fortune of the host's father, Ming Lan had an exclusive courtyard and each time the host returned to Jingcheng, she would live in the incense burning temple for a few days .
Yan Ge didn’t go to the host's private courtyard this time . Instead, she used a pilgrim identity to ask for a side room .
The current emperor had been on the throne for five years . He was one year younger than Ming Lan and was to come of age this year .
Normally, a male youth became an adult once they turned twenty, but by the time the emperor ascended the throne, he already had the experience of a crafty old fox .
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Coming of age meant that imperial concubines could be established, and Chaotang1 turned chaotic over this matter . The emperor's heart was vexed and he went straight to Dajue Temple to relax .
Great Master Liaofan of the Dajue Temple just happened to return from a recent tour . The emperor wanted have a chat with this great master, but when he arrived, his men reported that Master Liaofan was playing chess2 with someone in the Houshan bamboo forest and would only be available when he completed three matches .
The emperor waited in the tearoom for a long time, but still didn't see Master Liaofan .
Not anyone could enter the Houshan bamboo forest and the emperor was aware of Master Liaofan’s chess skills . Those who could use chess to hang the great master were not ordinary .
The emperor stood up and decided that he may as well go to there .
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He never thought a young man would be the one playing against Master Fan .
The youth looked like he had not yet come of age . His facial features were somewhat effeminate, and his body was quite thin and frail . However, his voice was clear and sharp, and every movement was brisk and scholarly . When the youth stared at the chess table, it was like a light breeze and a clear moon3, and the emperor had a seldom-felt sense of appreciation for the young man .
When Master Liaofan and Yan Ge played against each other, the emperor watched silently from the side .
By the end of the third match, the sky was already dim . Master Liaofan looked up at Yan Ge and laughed heartily: "Easy to lose, and easy to win, neither winning or losing . This old man is curious to know how this benefactor achieved the same outcome in all three matches . ”
Master Liaofan’s words shocked the emperor . Even he could not casually win or lose against Master Liaofan, how could this young man do it? He couldn't help but raise his head to re-evaluate the teenager .
Yan Ge also laughed, and her voice was bright and cheerful: "Great Master believes me to be too incredible . The first time was luck, the second time was an accident, and the third time can only demonstrate that we are evenly matched . "
Had he not observed the three games of chess, the emperor would have certainly thought the youth didn’t know the immensity of heaven and earth4 . His chest surged, and for a moment, he really wanted to pull his up his sleeves and play three games with him .
1 Cháotáng (朝堂): hall where the emperor had an audience with his courtiers to discuss state affairs .
2Just so you know, this is Chinese chess, otherwise known as 'Go' . Husbando called it chess and I didn't feel a need to correct him .
3 light breeze and a clear moon (光风霁月—guāng fēng jì yuè): idiom that means a noble and benevolent character .
4 Not know the immensity of heaven and earth (不知天高地厚— bù zhī tiān gāo dì hòu): idiom that means having an exaggerated opinion of one's abilities .