This is impossible!
Minister Su glanced at Li Guangwen.
This bumbling fool could raise such a naturally gifted and elegant daughter?
Li Guangwen was once the Third-Place Scholar? Hah, the Hanlin Academy has no shortage of anything except First-Place Scholars, Second-Place Scholars, and Third-Place Scholars.
Li Guangwen was completely unaware that he was being scorned by the highest-ranking official of the Hanlin Academy. He stood to the side, so excited his eyebrows were dancing: “Zhaozhao, tell us quickly, how did you manage it? Three consecutive draws – that’s truly remarkable!”
As he spoke, he looked toward the Academy Director and chuckled: “Academy Director, you see I wasn’t lying to you, right? With my daughter’s skill level, wouldn’t she be able to defeat you within a quarter-hour?”
Qiao Zhao couldn’t help but cover her forehead with her hand.
What was the point of her playing three consecutive draws?
When her father had explained the wager yesterday, she had wanted to throw up her sleeves and leave.
What did he mean by saying she could defeat someone within half an hour? If she did that, how could this Minister of Rites maintain his dignity? But if she concealed her true ability, her father would appear to be speaking nonsense in front of his superior, which would be equally problematic.
Ending with three draws was a way to preserve the Academy Director’s face while letting him understand her true skill level – a solution that served both purposes well. Who would have thought her father would insist on exposing everything, as if afraid people wouldn’t know?
Minister Su’s face indeed darkened, and he sneered: “Scholar Li, you haven’t deceived this official?”
“What deception?” Li Guangwen was baffled by the question.
Minister Su pointed at Qiao Zhao: “You said when you play against your daughter, you lose nine out of ten games?”
Li Guangwen blinked in confusion: “That’s right. My daughter’s chess skills are far superior to mine. I wouldn’t lie about something like this just to save face as an elder.”
Minister Su snorted coldly and looked sideways at Li Guangwen: “Stop joking. With your level of skill, how did you manage to win that remaining game?”
Someone who could play three draws against him, yet still sometimes lost when playing against this fool? This was an insult to him!
“That’s naturally because—” Li Guangwen suddenly realized something and stared at Qiao Zhao in shock: “Zhaozhao, are you saying you’ve been letting me win all this time?”
Only now do you realize—
Qiao Zhao helplessly met her father’s gaze, then gave Minister Su an apologetic smile.
Though the young lady didn’t speak, her meaning was quite clear: Academy Director, with my father being like this, why would you bother arguing with him?
The girl’s eyes were distinct in black and white, like the clearest spring water. With just a turn of her eyes, she conveyed what was inconvenient to say aloud.
Minister Su burst into laughter.
So there were such naturally gifted people in this world, with such expressive eyes.
He glanced at Li Guangwen again and shook his head.
Tsk tsk, why do all the good cabbages get taken by pigs? Why wasn’t such a wonderful girl born into the Su family?
“Academy Director, what are you laughing about?” Realizing he had been constantly losing to his daughter on purpose, Li Guangwen was somewhat unhappy.
“Being able to play three consecutive games with your daughter is certainly worth laughing about!” Minister Su looked deeply at Li Guangwen and said meaningfully: “Scholar Li, you have indeed raised a fine daughter.”
Otherwise, this old man would kick you out of the Hanlin Academy!
“You flatter me, you flatter me.” Li Guangwen’s mood suddenly improved again.
Well, there was nothing to be unhappy about – the daughter was his after all.
“Girl, what is your name?”
“Academy Director, this junior’s given name is simply the character ‘Zhao.'”
“Zhao?” Minister Su nodded and stroked his beard: “Good name, good name. Oh, which ‘zhao’?”
Qiao Zhao: “…”
“The ‘zhao’ from ‘the sun and moon shine brightly.'” Li Guangwen answered quickly.
Minister Su and Qiao Zhao both looked at him.
Li Guangwen blinked: “It is the ‘zhao’ from ‘the sun and moon shine brightly.’ Academy Director, you should know that my eldest daughter is named ‘Jiao’ and my second daughter is named ‘Zhao.'”
“Indeed, good names.” Minister Su nodded, thinking to himself: This fool – what does he care what his eldest daughter is called?
Qiao Zhao smiled impassively, but suddenly felt a touch of melancholy in her heart.
She was now Li Zhao of “the sun and moon shine brightly,” no longer Qiao Zhao of “the wise use their clarity to enlighten others.”
“Girl, from whom did you learn your chess skills?”
“In response to your question, sir, my mother has always valued education in this area. From childhood, she hired many teachers for me and also purchased rare chess manuals for my study.”
This meant she had no famous master, only some elementary tutors.
“I see, so it’s natural talent.” Minister Su looked deeply at Li Guangwen.
It certainly doesn’t come from the father.
Hearing this, Li Guangwen’s expression became dazed.
So He Shi wasn’t completely useless after all.
Though he disapproved of He Shi’s habit of throwing money at problems, his daughter’s current abilities were inseparable from her efforts. Thinking this way, it was actually he, as the father, who had never done anything for his daughter.
A flash of shame crossed Li Guangwen’s face, which Qiao Zhao noticed and smiled silently about.
He Shi was wholeheartedly devoted to her daughter. Since she had received this care, she naturally hoped for He Shi’s well-being too. She only hoped that through gradual influence, this current pair of parents, even if they couldn’t love each other, could at least get along well and not waste their marriage.
“The Academy Director is too kind.” Qiao Zhao smiled calmly, showing no trace of pride.
Minister Su picked up his teacup and took a sip, only to discover the tea had gone cold. He set the cup aside and smiled: “This old man has a young granddaughter about your age who also enjoys playing chess. You two should interact more in the future. With your guidance, that girl’s skills could improve somewhat.”
“Certainly, I would be happy to exchange moves with Sister Su if the opportunity arises.” Qiao Zhao smiled.
Agreeing to come play chess for her father, besides helping Li Guangwen out of his predicament, using Minister Su as a stepping stone to create a connection with his granddaughter, Su Luo Yi, was something she had planned.
Both being girls from scholarly families, young Li Zhao had encountered Su Luo Yi at various flower gatherings. In young Li Zhao’s impression, Su Luo Yi was a quiet girl with a temperament similar to Seventh Miss Zhu Yán of Marquis Taining’s household.
For Qiao Zhao, however, another matter was more important.
Two years ago, some noble ladies of the capital had established the Fushan Society, whose members were all girls with some literary reputation. Su Luo Yi, as vice president, had the right to recommend new members.
As long as Minister Su mentioned this matter to Su Luo Yi upon returning home, given Su Luo Yi’s obsession with chess, she would very likely examine her abilities and then invite her to join the society.
Qiao Zhao had no interest in the refined pursuits of the capital’s noble ladies, but the Fushan Society had no fixed meeting place, instead rotating among the various noble households. This single point was enough to attract her.
She needed more opportunities to go out in order to have more chances to meet with her elder brother and younger sister.
Oh, and another member of the Fushan Society was also Second Miss Li Jiāo of the Li household, who had gained entry qualification last year when her Buddhist scriptures were selected by the high monks of Dafu Temple and sent to Shuying Nunnery, though she didn’t receive praise from Master Wumei.
Qiao Zhao’s modesty made Minister Su laugh heartily: “Don’t worry, my little granddaughter won’t cry if she loses.”
Minister Su stood up with a smile: “It’s getting late, let’s call it a day. Scholar Li, don’t skip work again tomorrow.”