Second day, Peach Blossom Plain.
"Little Sister Qingyan!"
"Sister Shen!"
Liu Qingyan got out of the car and warmly embraced Shen Ying, who ca greeting, showing no sign of having seen anything out of the ordinary.
Lu Zheng nodded, thinking to himself that this Divine World truly was remarkable, their equanimity was swift.
Shen Ying teased, "Sister, I haven’t seen you for so long that I thought you’d forgotten about ."
Liu Qingyan felt a bit embarrassed, "Please forgive , Sister, Renxin Hall has been quite busy lately, so I only managed to make ti now."
"Then you must keep company well today, at least three rounds."
"I’ll comply with Sister’s wishes."
The group first went to Shen Ying’s ho. As the weather was chilly, chess would naturally not be played in the courtyard. So, Xiaocui set up the chessboard in the side room, lit the charcoal brazier, and then sat with Liu Qingquan, enjoying snacks and tea.
Lu Zheng sat between the two won, pouring water for Shen Ying and serving tea to Liu Qingyan, observing the ga without speaking, a true gentleman, only catching the orchid fragrance at his nose tip.
Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying settled down to play chess, casually discussing things encountered at Renxin Hall.
"Little Sister has good fortune, seeing clinics and experiencing the human world." Shen Ying placed a piece, "Unlike , trapped in this corner, enjoying myself alone."
Liu Qingyan smiled softly, "Luckily, Sister now has the temple, with tourists visiting year-round, easing your boredom."
Shen Ying laughed, "But it’s not as good as having you play chess with ."
Liu Qingyan placed another piece, capturing two of Shen Ying’s pieces, "Thank you, Sister."
Shen Ying raised a brow, Liu Qingyan’s move seed to capture two of her pieces, but actually led her entire group into danger.
She played this move naturally for the sake of the earlier "thank you."
Shen Ying glanced at Lu Zheng, noticing his eyes seed to watch the chessboard, yet his gaze lacked focus, wandering between them, clearly not noticing Liu Qingyan’s move.
Pah! A flirt!
"You’re welco." Shen Ying smiled, making another move without advancing her advantage, "Little Sister’s chess skills have improved, playing with intricacies, I’m curious when the true intention will be revealed?"
Liu Qingyan blushed at the remark, "Sister praises too much, it’s not about intricacies, just the flow of the ga. What happens next depends on your moves."
Shen Ying picked up the teacup Lu Zheng had just filled for her, raised it slowly, covering it with her sleeve, and took a small sip, "Sister will naturally follow the flow, but it might be hard to break the situation."
Liu Qingyan pursed her lips, and Lu Zheng handed over a cup of fragrant tea.
Liu Qingyan bead, took the tea, and sipped, "Then let’s see when the person who breaks the situation will understand the ga."
"Oh?" Shen Ying’s eyes glimred with a smile, "Little Sister isn’t going to break it proactively?"
Liu Qingyan put down the teacup, placed a piece shyly, "My playing style is nowhere near as fierce as Sister’s, defending is the best I can do."
Lu Zheng blinked, looking at the chessboard, feeling they had so implied aning.
"Is that so?" Shen Ying smiled sweetly, her piece landed on the Celestial Star Position, trapping Liu Qingyan’s small dragon, "Then Sister won’t hold back. Little Sister should visit more to play chess with ."
Liu Qingyan seed unaware of her disadvantage, "All as Sister wishes."
Shen Ying shook her head and laughed, "Little Sister’s personality is truly gentle and kind, no wonder Young Master Lu is smitten with her."
Liu Qingyan glanced at Lu Zheng, imdiately blushing and looking down, "Not at all, Sister, you’re teasing."
Taking advantage of Liu Qingyan’s lowered head, Shen Ying shot a charming glance at Lu Zheng.
Lu Zheng swallowed, feeling dry-mouthed and his heart beating faster, dismissing his previous doubts.
...
At noon, the group finished eating in the front hall of the estate, Xiaocui tidied up the tableware, and Shen Ying rose, leading the group out of the manor.
Just as they were leaving, Zhi Ma hopped over and rushed into Shen Ying’s embrace.
"This is... the Zhi Ma?" Liu Qingyan asked in surprise.
The other day, Lu Zheng had explained Shen Ying’s identity and ntioned Zhi Ma, so Liu Qingyan was aware of it.
Shen Ying nodded, "Yes, this is Zhi Ma, I suppose Young Master Lu has already told you?"
"Indeed!" Liu Qingyan took Zhi Ma from Shen Ying and examined it with interest, "How cute."
"Chirp chirp chirp!"
"Put down! Put down!"
Liu Qingyan let Zhi Ma down, and it scampered away at lightning speed.
...
After this little episode, the group set out on an excursion.
In the winter at Peach Blossom Plain, the snow covered the ground in white, creating a unique charm.
Shen Ying waved her hand, sensing the winter chill reduce slightly.
Lu Zheng’s eyes sparkled, realizing Shen Ying could already influence local weather.
The group strolled through the forest, with Liu Qingquan running energetically back and forth beside them.
Soon, Taohua Temple ca into view from afar.
Even in the heart of winter, Taohua Temple drew visitors, though not as bustling as when it first opened. Co spring next year, during the peach blossom season, it would surely be crowded with tourists and devotees.
The group entered Taohua Temple together, and Lu Zheng sensed Shen Ying covered his face with a thin layer of Incense and Candle Qi, making it hard to recognize him unless familiar.
Inside the temple, Uncle An and Uncle Qian bustled around, adding incense sticks, sweeping snow, ensuring locals could peacefully and smoothly offer incense and prayers to Peach Blossom Fairy.
"Wow!" Liu Qingquan looked at the Peach Blossom Fairy statue inside the temple and exclaid.
Liu Qingyan also examined the statue, then looked at Shen Ying, "It really resembles Sister."
The Peach Blossom Fairy’s appearance was almost identical to Shen Ying’s, albeit Shen Ying in person had an added touch of grace, while the statue had a layer of serene dignity.
Uncle An and Uncle Qian ca over to greet, "Madam, Young Master Lu, Miss Liu!"
Shen Ying waved them off, "You continue working, we’re just casually looking around."
Lu Zheng and the group had an impressive deanor, and those visiting Taohua Temple in winter were mostly ordinary folks; naturally, no one sought to cause discomfort, especially with Liu Qingyan’s reputation in the county. Among those offering prayers to Peach Blossom Fairy were many who recognized Liu Qingyan.
Hence, greetings were frequent.
The group strolled around Taohua Temple, thoroughly satisfying the curiosity of the Liu Family Sisters.
...
"Sister, Sister Shen, Brother Lu, let’s have a snowball fight!"
Liu Qingquan was always lively.
"Sure!" Shen Ying agreed with a smile, "I’ll team up with you, let’s go against your sister and Young Master Lu, shall we?"
"Okay!" Liu Qingquan nodded eagerly.
"Then let’s start now!"
Lu Zheng shouted, scooping up snow and tossing it towards Shen Ying.
Shen Ying shrieked delicately, dodging swiftly, then bent down to gather snow and flung it at the laughing Liu Qingyan.
"Ah!"
Liu Qingyan exclaid, feeling a chill on her neck as snowflakes drifted inside her collar.
"Brother Lu, watch out!"
Turning, Lu Zheng saw a snowball co right at his face.
"Boom!"
Snowflakes scattered, Lu Zheng fell back.
Liu Qingquan clapped and laughed heartily.
"Ya ya ya!"
Lu Zheng sprang up, charging towards Liu Qingquan with two huge snowballs.
Liu Qingquan squealed in surprise, her petite form agile on the snow, dodging Lu Zheng back and forth.
Yet...
"Bang!"
"Ah ah ah! So cold, so cold!"
Liu Qingquan jumped on Lu Zheng’s back, stuffing a bunch of snow inside.
...
Lu Zheng carried Liu Qingquan, lunging at Shen Ying, and swept Liu Qingyan into it as well.
At Peach Blossom Plain, laughter echoed all around.
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