The Double-Chapter 679 - 209: Mutual Gaze_5

Jiang Li hesitated for a moment before saying, "Young Master Yin."

Although it was more familiar than calling him Princely Heir, it still wasn’t particularly intimate. Fortunately, Yin Zhili wasn’t the type to overstep boundaries. On the contrary, he seemed quite satisfied with Jiang Li’s address and did not bring up the earlier matter.

The two played Go seriously.

During the game, surprisingly no one came to disturb them, not even a maid to pour tea, which made the environment exceptionally quiet. This tranquility allowed for contemplation. Initially, Yin Zhili’s white pieces dominated, seemingly pushing Jiang Li’s black pieces into a corner every time. Yet Jiang Li’s black pieces would always find a way to survive. By mid-game, Jiang Li’s black pieces gradually caught up, swallowing some of the white pieces, making both players evenly matched. As a result, Yin Zhili’s previously quick moves also slowed down, and he even paused at times to think.

Until the very end.

With black and white pieces occupying their halves of the board, Jiang Li placed her last stone, looked up, and smiled, "I won."

Her smile, always gentle and polite but somehow veiled, now seemed sincere and from the heart. The young girl’s smile was as beautiful as blossoming flowers, her eyes bright. Sunlight filtered through the branches onto her, making her all the more enchanting.

Yin Zhili was also taken aback momentarily.

Then, with an expectant look, he suddenly shook his head and laughed. While laughing, he said, "I always thought myself to be a man of resolute goals, but now it seems, Miss Jiang the Second is truly the determined one."

The seemingly haphazard and erratic moves in the game all had one purpose from the beginning. She played carefully, cautiously—not as thoroughly as Yin Zhili, but like she had spent a long time weaving a net. When weaving the net, naturally, she caught nothing, but she was not in a rush. Patiently waiting, until the net was laid out perfectly, the prey walked into it, and she struck, leaving no piece behind.

It was indeed a gentle slice.

"Whether Second Miss’s style of play is gentle or sharp, I can’t tell," Yin Zhili said with a wry smile, "but Second Miss is very impressive. I concede defeat."

Soft or sharp? Jiang Li’s mind conjured up the image of someone, just like she always wanted to ask, was he passionate or indifferent?

Jiang Li smiled and said, "Young Master Yin is also very impressive."

The nature of one’s Go reflects their character. In Yin Zhili’s style of play, one could see glimpses of the man himself. Although gentle, he was far from timid. Anyone who thought to take advantage of him or deceive him would likely find it quite impossible.

Her words were genuine, and Yin Zhili also smiled. Just as the two were about to rise, the voice of Yin Zhiqing reached them. She said, "I’ve been looking for you both for so long. So here you are, playing Go."

Looking at Jiang Li, then at Yin Zhili, she continued, "Aren’t you always so proud, refusing to play Go with me, saying you’re unwilling?"

"Your skills at Go are just too poor," Yin Zhili said with a feigned headache, "and you always want to take back moves. Better to play against yourself instead."

Yin Zhiqing huffed but didn’t take his words to heart.

Jiang Jingrui and Jiang Jingyou, following behind, upon seeing them said, "It’s getting late, and the feast is probably about to start. Let’s head out."

Jiang Li nodded in agreement.

She was about to walk with the group naturally, but then she felt a tug at her sleeve. Turning around, she saw it was Yin Zhiqing.

Jiang Li looked at her somewhat suspiciously.

Yin Zhiqing stood still, not budging until Yin Zhili and the brothers Jiang Jingrui and Jiang Jingyou had walked ahead, creating some distance, then Yin Zhiqing turned to Jiang Li. She seemed hesitant, but eventually, she asked softly, "Miss Jiang the Second, there is something I want to ask you."

Jiang Li had a vague idea of what the question might be, a strange feeling rising in her heart, but she maintained her composure and simply said, "Please ask, County Princess."

"That day on the streets of Yanjing City when I ran into you... you were with a young master dressed in red. May I ask who that young master was?"

Jiang Li stared at her.

Yin Zhiqing seemed a bit embarrassed, her cheeks flushing slightly, making her beauty more striking. Seeing Jiang Li not answering, she frowned slightly and asked again, "Miss Jiang the Second?"

"That was Duke Su Himself," Jiang Li responded.

"Duke Su?" Yin Zhiqing paused, likely not very familiar with the officials of Yanjing City; it seemed as though she was hearing this name for the first time. But quickly, she said, "I don’t mean anything by it, but what is your relationship with the esteemed Duke Su?"

The question was a bit too bold. Jiang Li didn’t know if it was because Yunzhong naturally had a more open culture or if the County Princess was intentionally being so straightforward. Jiang Li pondered for a moment before replying, "We merely know each other, with some minor interactions."

"Are you very close?"

Jiang Li shook her head: "Not particularly close."

With that said, Jiang Li swore she saw a sparkle in Yin Zhiqing’s eyes. Yin Zhiqing’s lips curled into a smile, which, when she did, outshone all the surrounding scenery. Jiang Li inexplicably felt it was a bit glaring.

"We will be residing in Yanjing City from now on," Yin Zhiqing said with a smile, hinting at something to Jiang Li, "My brother doesn’t often play Go with others, nor is he usually so amiable with women. It seems he holds you in high regard."

One after another, they all hinted at something. Jiang Li couldn’t help but laugh inwardly, yet she still responded with a smile, "The Princely Heir is admirable. It’s an honor to be held in such regard by him."