Xie Zhaolin's fingers paused briefly on the edge of the teacup, then she smiled calmly. "Well, that's quite the coincidence."
Her expression was serene, without the slightest hesitation. Beneath the human-skin mask, her eyes were bright as ever, betraying no hint of panic.
Zhou Moxuan's gaze lingered on her for a moment, as if scrutinizing, but he didn't notice anything unusual.
The dual aura from the mask and the guest elder token was enough to keep her completely flawless in front of Hehuan Sect disciples.
"It's an honor to play against a true disciple of the Hehuan Sect." She lifted her eyes, a faint smile flickering in them. "I just wonder whether Steward Xu's visit today is for official business, or for personal reasons?"
Zhou Moxuan's eyes shifted, a half-smile playing at his lips. "Steward Xu's always been clear about separating public and private matters. Today, naturally, it's…"
Before he could finish, footsteps approached from outside—steady, powerful, coming closer.
Zhou Zhilán's fingertips brushed the edge of the tea tray, and Xie Zhaolin understood—Xu Changming had arrived.
Zhou Moxuan rose, adjusting his sleeves. "Looks like there's nothing more I need to say."
The door opened, and a tall figure stepped into the study. He wore a long black robe, a jade token hanging at his waist. His features were handsome and sharp, carrying a faint sternness, and his left shoulder sagged slightly. It wasn't an old injury, but the weight of his storage pouch. Xie Zhaolin narrowed her eyes. Xu Changming was just as greedy as she remembered.
"This is…?" Xu Changming's gaze swept across Xie Zhaolin, lingering on the token at her waist for a moment.
"Mingyue Daoyou, a guest elder go master recently invited to our residence." Zhou Moxuan stepped aside. "I heard Steward Xu's skilled at go, so she came for a meeting."
Xu Changming's eyebrows twitched. "What a coincidence." His eyes scanned the room, a deeper smile forming. "Since that's the case, why not play a game right now?"
The board was already set.
Xie Zhaolin sat calmly, taking the white stones and moving first. Each placement seemed casual but aligned with star positions, every move perfectly measured.
Xu Changming initially played with some nonchalance, but after ten moves, his focus sharpened.
By mid-game, he let out a light sound of surprise. His gaze drifted past the board to Zhou Zhilán's waist. The little sachet swayed slightly as she poured tea, the twin lotus embroidery faintly catching the sunlight.
Xie Zhaolin's stone hovered in midair, oblivious to his distraction. She dropped it lightly, the crisp click echoing across the board.
Xu Changming snapped back to attention, only to see Zhou Zhilán turn to refill incense, leaving him just her back. The tassel of the sachet swayed with her steps before disappearing behind the screen.
"Steward Xu?" Zhou Moxuan reminded softly. "Your turn."
Xu Changming's fingers repeatedly traced the edge of the stone container. When he finally placed a stone, the force was noticeably heavier. His eyes kept drifting toward the screen, until Zhou Zhilán returned with the incense burner.
The sachet's cords were cleverly hidden by strands of her hair, and when she leaned over to place the burner, only a hint of the lotus embroidery peeked from her folds.
"This incense…" Xu Changming's voice was suddenly hoarse.
"It's Seventh Uncle's new Snow-tipped Emerald blend," Zhou Zhilán said softly, her fingertips brushing the incense's edge. "How does Steward Xu find it?"
Xu Changming's throat moved as he stared at the faintly visible sachet. "It's… special."
Xie Zhaolin placed another white stone, the board clicking softly. Xu Changming only then drew his gaze back, realizing his black stones were already in danger.
From that point, his moves grew erratic. He drummed his fingers on the table, glancing repeatedly toward Zhou Zhilán.
When Xie Zhaolin dropped the final white stone, Xu Changming didn't even notice he'd lost until Zhou Moxuan cleared his throat.
"I… wasn't paying attention." Xu Changming forced a smile and drew a smooth jade pendant from his sleeve. "Daoyou's skills are impressive. Consider this little token a good-luck charm."
Xie Zhaolin was about to refuse, but Zhou Zhilán stepped forward with a tea cup. As she bent over, her sleeves shifted, and the twin-lotus embroidery on the sachet flashed past Xu Changming's eyes.
"Steward Xu's jade pendant is said to nourish the meridians," she said softly, her tone as casual as commenting on the weather.
Xu Changming's gaze darkened as he looked at Zhou Zhilán. Suddenly, he stood. "That's enough for today."
Xie Zhaolin slid the pendant into her sleeve, her fingers brushing its edge to ensure no hidden tracking talismans were attached. She looked at Zhou Zhilán, who was quietly tidying the tea set, her hair hiding any expression in her eyes.
Zhou Moxuan, thoughtful, glanced at the sachet on Zhou Zhilán's waist. "When did you learn embroidery, girl?"
Zhou Zhilán's fingers traced the tassels. "A few days ago, flipping through an embroidery book…" Her voice dropped. "I intended it as a gift for…"
She trailed off, and Zhou Moxuan immediately realized it had been meant for Chu Huaizhou.
"Seventh Uncle…" Zhou Zhilán whispered, almost inaudible. "About the Chu family…"
The study fell silent. Zhou Moxuan frowned, watching her trembling fingers before sighing. "Enough for today. Zhilán, take Mingyue Daoyou to rest."
He rubbed his temples, waving his hand.
"Arrange it at Tinghe Pavilion. It's closer to your courtyard and easier to keep an eye on things."
Zhilán bowed and led the way. One after the other, they passed through the corridors. After turning two corners and confirming no one was around, Zhou Zhilán's steps became suddenly brisk.
"Tinghe Pavilion's right ahead." She didn't look back, her voice no longer carrying any trace of earlier sorrow. "From there, you can see the guest quarters where Steward Xu stays. It'll be easier for you to play."
Xie Zhaolin smiled faintly. "Miss Zhou's thoughtfulness is impressive."
"You flatter me, Senior." Zhou Zhilán suddenly turned. "How do you feel about today's game?"
Xie Zhaolin watched the shadows of the trees flicker ahead. "Steward Xu's mind wasn't calm."
Zhilán chuckled lightly. "Indeed, being distracted is the worst when playing go." Her steps didn't falter. "Though sometimes, distraction can be a good thing."
They passed through the last moon-gate and reached the entrance to Tinghe Pavilion. Once Xie Zhaolin entered, Zhou Zhilán flicked the latch.
Click. Several hidden talismans in the courtyard glimmered softly.
"Today's hurdle is cleared." Zhou Zhilán sat at the stone table. "From the look in Xu Changming's eyes, he trusts you about seventy percent."
Xie Zhaolin nodded slightly. "His question about the star-shifting move was accurate."
"Of course." Zhou Zhilán pulled a yellowed go manual from her sleeve and flipped to a dog-eared page. "Five years ago at the city-level tournament, he won with this exact finishing move." She traced the page lightly. "Seeing you handle it effortlessly today only convinced him you're a hidden master."
"Over the next half month, he'll need to see you every day."
Zhou Zhilán smiled faintly.
"Yet, he won't be able to trace a thing."