TICIEC Chapter 8.1

Although he didn’t think that Ning Wanyin had the ability to serve him, a chess piece that had landed in his palm was something that could be used.

Besides, men always have some pity for women who do everything to please them.

She had worked hard to learn chess and painting for him. Although her talent wasn’t great, her passion and sincerity were genuine.

Who would kill someone so devoted to him for no reason?

For both profit and affection, he could keep her for the time being.

“Get up.” 

Helian Qi stretched out his hand toward Ning Wanyin.

Ning Wanyin carefully placed her hand in the Emperor’s palm. At that moment, she knew that her life was saved for the time being.

But that didn’t mean the Emperor would always protect her.

This was their first meeting. The Emperor had a favorable impression of her, and she happened to be of use to him.

But if she takes a wrong step, she may lose the favor of the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, would you like to play a game of chess?” Ning Wanyin asked with a faint smile.

Helian Qi had already seen her ordinary paintings, so he had no expectations for her chess skills, but he was in a bad mood today and had no good mood.

It was better to play a game of chess first to clear out some of the tension.

“Um.”

Wang Degui hurriedly asked the palace maid to add a few more palace lanterns and led the other palace servants to retreat.

The bedroom was quiet.

All that remained was the crisp sound of the exquisite chess pieces falling onto the board.

You come, and I go, back and forth.

Gradually, Helian Qi’s lazy expression became more serious.

This chess game was surprisingly evenly matched.

He couldn’t help but look at the woman opposite him.

The palace lanterns illuminated the delicate face of the beauty, which was like dew on a lotus, delicate and charming, so bright and beautiful that it was dazzling.

“Your Majesty, it’s your turn.” 

The beauty put down the chess piece with her slender hands and looked at him with a sweet smile.

Helian Qi came back to his senses and gave a rare compliment, “You are a good chess player.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your praise.”

…

When you meet your match, you never know when the time will pass.

Wang Degui’s voice came from outside the door, reminding him, “Your Majesty, it’s time to attend court.”

Only then did Helian Qi realize that he had actually played chess with the woman in front of him all night.

Three rounds tied, with no clear winner.

If he originally just wanted to use this chess piece, he didn’t want her to break it easily.

It is rare to meet an opponent nowadays, so he is excited to see her.

Helian Qi stood up and looked at Ning Wanyin with a gentler look than before: “I will go to court first. I will play chess with you later.”

“Yes.” Ning Wanyin bowed.

Helian Qi was about to leave when he remembered something. He said, “You’ve played chess with me all night. You’ve worked hard. Rest now. You don’t have to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager today—”

He actually had given up hope.

Ning Guiren is obviously a gentle and well-behaved woman, surely someone who knows the rules and etiquette by heart.

Since she couldn’t be his chess piece, playing chess with her to relieve his boredom was nice.

Ning Wanyin was stunned. 

Not paying her respects to the Empress Dowager?

It is filial piety for a concubine to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. If she does not, it will be disrespectful, and the Empress Dowager will have every reason to send her to the cold palace.

But every word the Emperor said needed to be carefully considered.

Since he said this, there must be a deeper meaning behind it, and it was definitely not just a casual remark.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration. I am indeed feeling unwell. If I go to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager in this sick state, I am afraid it would be impolite in front of the palace. So I will not go.” 

Ning Wanyin looked at Helian Qi tentatively.

She spoke these words with extreme caution, cautiously observing His Majesty’s expression. 

If the Emperor meant otherwise, she would immediately change her tune and pay her respects to the Empress Dowager!

Helian Qi paused in his tracks and looked at the young woman in front of him in surprise.

Regardless of whether she was arrogant because of his favor or understood his hidden meaning, her actions were exactly what he wanted.

Helian Qi, feeling irritated all day, finally felt better.

He bent down and helped Ning Wanyin, who was bowing, up with his own hands. 

He smiled faintly, a rare smile, “You should have a good rest.”

Ning Wanyin felt a little relieved, knowing that she had made the right bet. After a lot of thought in her mind, she made a quick decision and decided to press forward.

Looking up at Helian Qi, she hesitated, “Your Majesty…”

“Hmm?”

“I wasn’t able to sleep with you last night…” 

Ning Wanyin’s face flushed with shyness, and she whispered softly, “Your Majesty, can you come tonight?”

 

 

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