Chapter 13: Chess

After meeting Princess Taiping in Changchun Palace, Xue Chongxun did not confirm Princess Taiping's attitude. His judgment was relatively optimistic, but such important decisions cannot be judged by guessing. They must be made with clear decisions, otherwise it will be a risk.

Then he did nothing and accompanied Princess Taiping to have a banquet and play chess.

People have a lot of things to do every day. Even aristocrats like Xue Chongxun have a lot of things to do by themselves, but he never does it and is only willing to grasp one of the key points of a series of things.

He believes that the key now is Princess Taiping. If she cannot make up her mind to give up defending Li Tang in the end, then Xue Chongxun will not only face a huge opponent if she wants to seize power, but will also lose many allies, and may become a lonely person. Only a few direct descendants cannot support the country.

Xue Chongxun didn't know how to ask directly, because he had said he had no intention of seeking a position in order to show his loyalty. If he asked again now, he would obviously show different words and deeds.

So he often accompanied Princess Taiping, waiting for her to make her clear attitude.

But Princess Taiping was also very mysterious, but pretended to be fine. She was happy to have fun and leisure in Huaqing Palace with Xue Chongxun. It was like the world Taiping and the others were just on vacation here now.

The palace where Princess Taiping lived in Changchun Palace was spotless, and all the furniture was neatly arranged. Although there were many precious calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall, the wood on the table was made of expensive mung wood, and the curtains were made of high-quality silk silk, it gave people a feeling of innocence...

Maybe it's because it's too neat, it looks lifeless.

However, Princess Taiping was content with such a arrangement. Xue Chongxun didn't feel uncomfortable. She was sitting cross-legged on the cushion and looking at the chessboard and thinking, holding a white piece in her hand and unable to fall (the difference between black and white guest in the Tang Dynasty was exactly the opposite).

Princess Taiping smiled and said: Your chess is getting worse and worse.

This has nothing to do with chess skills. Xue Chongxun’s mind was very confused. He had all kinds of random thoughts but he didn’t think about chess. It would be strange if he could play well.

He casually put the black piece in his hand on the chessboard, raised his head and breathed a sigh of relief, and was attracted by the arrangement in the hall.

He had seen Princess Taiping's residence countless times before, but he never felt that there was anything wrong, because his living room looked like this.

It was not until Yao Wan went to the Jin Palace to be his close servant, and he became a little familiar with it once Yao Wan said that your place was too neat, not like a place where people live forever, and lacked anger, that he realized it.

But now it seems that Princess Taiping's heart is similar to him, which can be seen from the place where she lives.

Xue Chongxun suddenly felt a little comfort in his heart, just as there were two sounds with similar frequencies and resonance.

Next to the vermilion railing not far away, a piano player with elegant white felt (cotton cloth) was sitting behind the piano platform and playing elegant music seriously. The sound of the dingdong piano was undulating and scattered, and the quiet rhythm did not feel the hustle and bustle of the world.

Xue Chongxun pulled his collar and found that his lining was also cotton fabric...

This material is produced in Xizhou and is not something that ordinary people wear now. It is as expensive as silk, and people at the bottom often wear hemp.

Give up.Princess Taiping took a step without hesitation.

Xue Chongxun looked down and was stunned. Seeing this, Princess Taiping raised her light red wide sleeves to cover her lower half of her face and smiled happily.

My son's chess skills are too poor and he cannot meet the opponent. He cannot let his mother enjoy the fun.Xue Chongxun said.

Princess Taiping smiled and said: I am very happy. Finally, there is someone who is even worse than me... Even if those who play chess with me deliberately give in, I know that he knows the whole game of chess and cannot enjoy it if he wins. Only Chongxun plays seriously and can't win me, haha.

Xue Chongxun: ...

Let's have another game.Princess Taiping said enthusiastically, and waved her sleeves and greeted the eunuchs standing beside her to clean up the chessboard and open the black and white pieces into the porcelain jar.

Xue Chongxun straightened his body and said seriously: I will concentrate on this game and win my mother's game.

Princess Taiping smiled and said: Just let the horse come over.

When she smiled, Xue Chongxun was attracted by the swaying gold jewelry on her hair.

He looked with the flow and saw in addition to seeing the ornaments, but also the skin on Princess Taiping's ears and the snow-white neck under her black temples.

Xue Chongxun liked these subtle parts very much, and he also loved Princess Taiping's eyes, the unpredictable flavor.

Many places make Xue Chongxun feel very comfortable, so in addition to rationally analyzing the pros and cons of mother-son power, he even subconsciously does not want to oppose Princess Taiping.

Perhaps it was Xue Chongxun's bright eyes that attracted Princess Taiping's attention. She reached out and touched her hair gently, and asked in a little confusion: What are you looking at?

The gold ornament on my mother's hair is very beautiful.Xue Chongxun said calmly.

Yeah?Princess Taiping showed a Qianqian smile, don’t be distracted. You have to take this game seriously, I will not show mercy.

Xue Chongxun slowly said in a deep voice: Is your mother referring to chess or something else?

Princess Taiping hurriedly raised her sleeves and smiled so hard that she leaned back and forth. You guys are here again, it's interesting... let's play chess.

Xue Chongxun bowed and bowed: My mother is an elder, so I will take the initiative.

The palace gradually became quieter, and the piano player in front of the railing also changed. Now the style is even quieter, with the sound of the piano seemingly faint, as if it comes from a very distant place, but in fact she is just a dozen steps away.

The sound was like the sound of rain, creating rain out of thin air in the vast snowy world, and spring was about to come early.

So the crackling sound of the chess pieces falling on the board can be clearly heard.

Princess Taiping and Xue Chongxun were both focused for a long time and were speechless.

Perhaps Xue Chongxun's chess skills are really poor, and she puts little pressure on Princess Taiping, so it's time for her to be distracted.

After a while, she said something that had nothing to do with playing chess: Chang'an is not difficult to deal with, but it will mess up people's hearts.It is necessary to tell Zhang to bring a secret decree back so that he can be wary of changes.

As long as our family is together, others will not cause any storm.

Xue Chongxun said disapprovingly.

What he is most concerned about now is the relationship with Princess Taiping. As for other forces, it is really not taken seriously. The powerful force of the gentry is huge after all, losing the imperial organization is a mess. If it is too much, it will be solved directly with state machines or force.

Princess Taiping pondered for a moment and nodded slightly, not saying anything more.

This game took more than half an hour, and in the end it was Xue Chongxun who still surrendered.He was involved in both piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, but he was not very good at all. Those who were proficient in only swords, guns, sticks and sticks.

When Princess Taiping called the eunuch, she looked out the window and said: It is better to have a rest earlier than the snow today, so there will be no banquet. Just stay with me and talk about dinner before going back.

Yes, thank you for your hospitality.Xue Chongxun responded several times.

Let me take a walk with you and wait for them to deliver food.

Xue Chongxun hurriedly stood up respectfully to support Princess Taiping's flattery and his heart was filled with words and deeds.

When he gently held Taiping's arm, he got closer and immediately smelled a fragrance. What made him feel comfortable with his body and mind was not this fragrance, but another faint smell except for the fragrance. It was very nice to smell that should be the smell of Princess Taiping's body itself...

Although it is very light, it can be felt completely.

Princess Taiping dragged her long skirt and walked slowly towards the window on the spotless floor. Her posture was dignified and generous. Her snow-white neck was as straight as a swan, and her back and neck were straight. It was probably a habit formed by the court since childhood training etiquette.

Xue Chongxun gently supported her next to her, at least on the surface he looked very filial.

Does the smell smell good on me?Suddenly, Princess Taiping asked indifferently.

Xue Chongxun was slightly shocked when he heard this: Could it be that she can read the mind?

Otherwise, how could I know what I was thinking?

He didn't sniff hard to make a move, but just smelled it naturally between breathing, and then muttered a few words in his mind.

He gritted his teeth and pretended not to care, saying: Good smell.

Princess Taiping waved, and when Xue Chongxun understood, she smiled and said softly in Xue Chongxun's ear: It's not just sprinkle some gouache or add spices when taking a shower. The diet should also be paid the most attention. I don't eat some things, and the imperial doctor will give me careful advice on the recipe.

After hearing this, Xue Chongxun thought that the noble man had plenty of time to study these things...

However, it is true that the details of her mother are always refreshing. The people around her are only afraid of her, but few people hate her.

Those literati who didn't even have the qualifications to meet were scolded privately, and they were just conjectures.

Xue Chongxun said: My mother lowers interest rates and has a high body condition.

What I am not talking about is Ankang, why do you want to change the topic?Princess Taiping smiled.Her smile always makes Xue Chongxun feel like he is seen through.

I would also smell good if my mother didn’t use those things. We are connected by flesh and blood... smells like the same.Xue Chongxun said with shamelessness.

Princess Taiping immediately stretched out her finger and poked his forehead: Is this the case you said?It is hard to see her make such intimate actions towards others, and Xue Chongxun should be honored.

At this time, the palace maids brought the rice one after another, and saw that it was an ordinary dish, four dishes and one soup, and the staple food was rice.

Rice is not commonly consumed in Guanzhong, and corn is more common, but in the palace, it is probably thought that rice is white and crystal clear. Will eating this kind of rice be beneficial to the skin according to the view of replenishing shape?

Anyway, many of the pastries made in the palace are translucent and very beautiful.

The two of them sat down on the table and just had a meal like this. Xue Chongxun's eating behavior was a bit rude, but he didn't sprinkle rice and soup on the table.

Princess Taiping seems to like watching Xue Chongxun eat. She looks generous but is a person who cares a lot about details...

I don’t think there is anything wrong with Xue Chongxun’s eating habits. The man is too elegant and seems a little petty after all.

The snowflakes were floating outside the window again, and the mother and son were eating a common meal together, which seemed a little warm.