It was rare for his younger brother to encounter Fourth Miss Bai, who caught his fancy. Murong Yu was naturally delighted to facilitate his brother’s lifelong happiness, caring so much about it.

“My eldest sister has already become a county princess! His Majesty personally conferred the title today…” Bai Jinzhi’s voice was cheerful, “Princess Zhenguo!”

“How discourteous of me!” Murong Yu smiled, “I wonder if Princess Zhenguo would do us the honor?”

“Elder sister…” Bai Jinzhi tugged at Bai Qingyan’s sleeve.

“I’ve heard that Princess Zhenguo’s chess skills are superb. I wonder if this humble one might have the honor of playing a game with Princess Zhenguo?” Murong Yu smiled and bowed to Bai Qingyan like a noble young master, completely without the lofty airs of an emperor.

Bai Qingyan stepped aside to avoid Murong Yu’s bow, glanced at Xiao Rongyan, and seeing the smile in his profound eyes, she agreed.

Seeing Bai Qingyan glance at his younger brother, Murong Yu felt slightly puzzled.

“Nanny Qin, it will be sufficient for Chun Tao by my side and Lingzhi by Xiao Si’s side to accompany us,” Bai Qingyan turned to instruct Nanny Qin.

After all, boarding someone else’s boat, how could they bring all their guards and servants aboard?

“Yes!” Nanny Qin nodded and curtsied.

Nanny Qin was still at ease with Xiao Rongyan. Although boarding a merchant’s painted pleasure boat was beneath Bai Qingyan’s status, Xiao Rongyan was a benefactor to the Bai family, so… it was acceptable.

Xiao Rongyan’s accompanying steward hurried forward: “Princess, County Princess, young ladies and gentlemen… please!”

Dong Tingzhen glanced at the painted boat moored in the distance and sighed inwardly. Brother Changyuan was still eagerly waiting for cousin—what could be done about this?

Seeing this, Dong Changsheng smiled and bowed to Xiao Rongyan: “Then we shall bask in my cousin’s glory and shamelessly request a cup of wine on Brother Xiao’s painted boat.”

The two concubine-born daughters of the Dong family were stunned upon seeing Murong Yu and Murong Yan… It was only when Bai Jinzhi pulled them that they followed with flushed faces, but their eyes kept stealing glances toward Murong Yu and Murong Yan’s direction, yet they were afraid of being seen by others and acted timidly.

Although their great aunt Song Shi had never mistreated the two concubine-born daughters of the Dong family, she was unwilling to put effort into instructing them, letting them live with their respective birth mothers. The two concubine-born daughters inevitably appeared somewhat constrained, lacking the proper demeanor and gentle magnanimity of legitimate daughters.

Although everyone has a heart that appreciates beauty, the two concubine-born daughters of the Dong family were being rather too obvious about it.

As the world’s foremost wealthy merchant, Xiao Rongyan’s painted boat had two levels, so magnificent that… no one in the capital could match it.

The lower level was spacious, luxurious, and elegant, furnished entirely with rosewood furniture that was exquisitely beautiful. Even the hanging scrolls were authentic works by famous scholars. Upon entering, one was greeted by swirling fragrances, with luxurious embroidered gauze curtains hanging around to shield from sunlight, creating an extremely refined atmosphere.

Since Murong Yu had just mentioned wanting to play a game of chess with Bai Qingyan, Xiao Rongyan’s steward quickly had servants bring out a chessboard. Maidservants opened the chess boxes, served tea and refreshments to everyone, then withdrew.

Dong Changsheng began discussing Lu Yuanpeng with Xiao Rongyan. Hearing that Lu Yuanpeng was kneeling in the ancestral hall again, Xiao Rongyan smiled and shook his head while lifting his teacup.

“Although Lu Yuanpeng always causes trouble, this time… I quite admire him!” Bai Jinzhi couldn’t be bothered with drinking tea and took a bite of a pastry, speaking casually as if she were hungry.

“Bring the County Princess a cup of milk tea with extra sugar,” Xiao Rongyan instructed the maidservant beside him.

Murong Yu’s lips curved upward as he placed a stone on the chessboard.

“Thank you, Master Xiao. I was just getting hungry—the palace banquet wasn’t fit for human consumption! Everything was stone cold by the time it was served…” Bai Jinzhi said everything freely in front of Xiao Rongyan.

Dong Tingzhen covered her lips with a handkerchief and smiled: “Cousin, did you think the palace banquet was for you to eat?”

“If it’s not for eating, why call it a banquet?” Bai Jinzhi was completely nonchalant.

While playing chess, Murong Yu was distracted, paying attention to Xiao Rongyan and Bai Jinzhi’s conversation, feeling quite puzzled… Would his younger brother truly fancy a girl with such a spirited personality as Fourth Miss Bai?

Xiao Rongyan smiled, his gaze falling on Bai Qingyan. Seeing her concentrating wholeheartedly on the chess game with her head lowered, he quietly instructed someone to bring Bai Qingyan a plate of milk-steamed cakes.

Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes to place a stone, instinctively feeling… that the Yan Emperor across from her was paying excessive attention to her sister Bai Jinzhi.

She placed her stone, speculating about Yan Emperor Murong Yu’s intentions.

There were rumors in the capital that the Yan Emperor’s visit to the capital, besides sending his son to Jin… to celebrate the Jin Emperor’s birthday, was also to seek a marriage for his younger brother, the Ninth Prince Murong Yan.

Bai Qingyan’s hand gripping the white stone tightened. Could it be that the Yan Emperor wanted to seek marriage with Xiao Si for his younger brother, Murong Yan?

“Chun Tao, go get me a fresh cup of tea! This one has gone cold…” Bai Qingyan spoke.

Chun Tao immediately responded, taking the teacup from in front of Bai Qingyan and leaving.

She placed her stone.

The Bai family had no power in court and no one in command of the military. After the great Southern Border victory, she and Fourth Sister had only been granted titles of County Princess and Princess, with no real power in hand.

Now that the Yan Emperor was a hostage in Jin, whether he sought marriage with Xiao Si for the Ninth Prince of Great Yan or even sought to marry a princess, the Emperor would probably agree.

Bai Qingyan was about to place the white stone, but switched direction. The previously gentle game suddenly transformed, causing Yan Emperor Murong Yu to lose more than half his territory.

Murong Yu was startled and looked up at Bai Qingyan, who was concentrating on the game with lowered eyes. After some deliberation, he placed his stone.

Bai Qingyan immediately followed with her move. Murong Yu lost another large group of black stones—defeat was certain.

Murong Yu had been distracted by Xiao Rongyan’s area while playing chess with Bai Qingyan. He hadn’t expected that when he looked back at the board, he was about to lose.

“The chessboard is like a battlefield. Princess Zhenguo is truly a natural-born general. I admit defeat…” Murong Yu placed the black stone in his hand into the chess box, conceding.

Originally, the chess game… was merely Murong Yu’s excuse to invite Fourth Miss Bai onto the painted boat. He hadn’t put his heart into the chess, so winning or losing wasn’t particularly important to him.

“The chess board is more than just a battlefield—this mortal world is a vast chess game, with kings, marquises, generals, and ministers all being pieces in this turbulent game…” Bai Qingyan picked up one of the black stones that Murong Yu had been playing, “But even these small chess pieces, if the player cannot fully control them, when they stir up great waves… they can destroy a nation and take lives!”

With that, Bai Qingyan placed the black stone.

With one decisive move, the chess board’s situation changed dramatically. The white stones’ complete victory was instantly overturned.

Bai Qingyan looked up, her calm and profound eyes gazing at the slightly shocked Yan Emperor Murong Yu across from her, without the slightest retreat or fear, even… carrying a hint of threat.

Murong Yu’s heart pounded heavily twice, not understanding why Bai Qingyan suddenly showed such hostility.

He glanced at Bai Jinzhi, who was chatting and laughing, and immediately understood. This Princess Zhenguo probably thought he had developed inappropriate feelings for Bai Jinzhi.

As an elder brother, Murong Yu understood Bai Qingyan’s current mood. Instead of being angry, he quietly chuckled.

Murong Yu was famously handsome, so when he smiled, it was particularly pleasing to the eye and breathtakingly beautiful.