Green Mountain

At the Inn, a tea room was available, with a minor official lighting fragrant incense. The subtle scent of sandalwood drifted from a hollowed-out copper stove.

Chen Ji and Zhang Zheng sat opposite each other on a plush couch, with a chessboard set between them. The game was nearing its end.

Amidst the swirling smoke, Chen Ji placed a white piece on the board. Zhang Zheng, deep in thought for a while, finally made his move. Chen Ji casually played another piece, and then Zhang Zheng fell into a long contemplation again...

Zhang Xia sat nearby, cracking melon seeds, watching her own brother getting utterly defeated but showing no intention of helping.

Zhang Zheng was getting frustrated, continuously winking and giving eye signals to his sister. Zhang Xia curiously asked, "Brother, what’s wrong with your eyes? Did you get sand in them?"

Zhang Zheng immediately felt deflated. "Could you at least give me some pointers on what to do? You can’t just watch your own brother get bullied like this, right?"

Zhang Xia snapped the melon seeds precisely with her teeth and said, "A true gentleman never speaks while watching a game of chess; I would never do such a thing."

Chen Ji looked up at Zhang Zheng. "Brother Zhang, wasn’t it you who wanted to play chess with me? Your skills... they don’t seem like those of someone who enjoys chess."

Zhang Zheng was at a loss for words. "I..."

Zhang Xia then asked Chen Ji, "What are your plans once you’re in the Imperial Capital? Will you be staying in the Chen family mansion or getting your own place?"

Chen Ji thought for a moment. "I should be staying at the Chen family mansion."