Chapter 59: The Chess Match

  "Wenda brother, who are you going to play against?" Yang Bofang's voice had already reached inside before he even entered the door. Then, wearing a purple shirt, Yang Bofang pushed open the door and walked in.

  Liu Yitiao hastily got up and paid his respects. Entering the study without the master's permission was always considered very impolite. Just like entering or taking something without notice, it would always make one feel somewhat uncomfortable psychologically.

  Gongsun Wenda sat there leisurely, moving his chess pieces while smiling at Yang Bofang and saying: "Brother Bofang, you've arrived just in time. Come, come, come, sit down beside me and watch as I crush this worthy nephew of mine."

  This old man really doesn't consider himself an outsider.

  Yang Bofang didn't get angry, first he nodded at Liu with a hint of praise, thinking that this young man had a bright future for being able to connect with the influential families in San Yuan County so quickly. Then he walked over to the table and teased Gong Sun Wenda: "You? A stinky chess player, wanting to play against Yiliu Xianzhi? Brother, listen to my advice, hurry up and put away your chess pieces, lest you cry on your way back later?"

  "Go, go, go! On your way! All you say are discouraging words. What a stinky chess basket! If we were to discuss national chess, wouldn't you still be defeated by me?!" After finishing speaking, Gong Sun Wenda no longer paid attention to Yang Bo Fang and enthusiastically called out to Liu Yi Tiao: "Come, come, come! My wise nephew, let's begin!"

  Liu Yitiao glanced at Yang Bofang and saw him nod, then sat down again and saluted Gong Sun Wenda: "Please come first, Uncle Gong Sun."

  "Alright, I know you're a great chess player, so I won't hold back." Gong Sun Wenda smiled and made the first move, saying "Watch my opening shot!"

  Cannon second rank fifth, placed in the middle palace, first put up the frame.

  "Malay jump!" Liu Yitiao jumped back on horseback. Regular walking method, horse hanging sharp corners, both attacking and defending.

  "Fly!"

  "Depart!"

  “......”

  Two people came and went, killing each other in all directions. At first glance, it seemed that they were evenly matched, with neither gaining the upper hand. However, Yang Bofang noticed something from the side - although every move of Liu Yitiaos had a dynamic effect, in reality, only two pieces were being used: the chariot and the horse.

  With two sons capturing the entire army, he was still able to appear without revealing his emotions. Yang Bo couldn't help but nod in approval - at such a young age, he already knew how to conceal his abilities, truly rare.

  Killed three games, although each time ended with a narrow escape, but every time Gong Sun Wenda killed very comfortably, completely without the feeling of depression after losing chess, compared to playing chess with Yang Bo Fang and several old guys is much more comfortable.

  "Alright, a wise nephew, let's stop here for today." Gong Sun Wenda put down the chess piece in his hand and smiled: "It's almost midnight, I shouldn't disturb you any longer. We'll have another chance to play again sometime."

  "As Master Gongsun said." Liu Yitiao nodded in response. Then he began to put away the chessboard.

  "I'll see Brother Wenda off!" Yang Bofang knew Gong Sun Wenda's temperament and didn't bother with polite farewells, directly escorting him out.

  "Gongsun Wenda waved his hand and said, 'No need, sending back and forth is troublesome. It's better for me to go alone.' With that, he stepped out of the study and headed straight for the Yang Mansion gate."

  "Sit down." Yang Bofang saw Gong Sunwendao walk far away, and smiled at Liu Yitiao: "This old guy is just this temper, straightforward, you don't need to mind. But you, how did you run into him? This old guy has always been elusive, very hard to find."

  Liu Yitiao replied: "This is all thanks to Er Tiao, he went out and bought a lantern and then led this great Buddha here."

  "What? Isn't he going to sell lanterns again?" Yang Bofang said, hitting the nail on the head. "It must be, every year during Yuanxiao, this old man can't bear to be idle and insists on going to the lantern market to sell some kind of lantern. However, the riddles on his lanterns are really clever, and few people can solve them. Hmm, Second Brother's nephew being able to buy one of his lanterns is quite rare."

  Liu Yitiao smiled and didn't argue. He smelled the strong smell of wine on Yang Bofang's body and asked, "Uncle Yang, is my father drunk?"

  "However, you don't have to worry, your father can't hold his liquor, although he's drunk, he didn't actually drink much. He's already been helped back to his room by the servants to rest. He'll be fine by tomorrow morning." After finishing speaking, Yang Bo stood up and said: "Alright, it's getting very late, go to sleep, we can talk about anything else tomorrow."

  "The son requests an audience with the Emperor." Li Tai entered, weeping. His appearance was no worse than when Li Chengqian had come. After entering, he directly knelt down on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

  "All right, get up." Li Shimin saw that he was also heartbroken and ordered: "Sit next to your big brother and wait. You three brothers are born of the same womb, and today's affairs with your mother are not unrelated to you either. Let all three of you stay here and serve."

  "Yes, Your Majesty!" The three brothers replied in unison.

  Li Tai got up from the ground, bowed to the prince and sat down beside Li Chengqian. Although Li Chengqian's face was not pleasant, he still moved his body to give Li Tai some space.

  Li Tai sat down and then bowed his head to Li Shimin, saying: "Your Majesty, it's late at night and the weather is cold. You should also take care of your body. Why don't you go rest for a while?"

  "Yes, Your Majesty, you have state affairs to attend to tomorrow, so there's no need for you to stay here. With the three of us brothers by Mother Empress' side, that's enough. Please return to the palace and rest." Li Chengqian also chimed in, trying to persuade him.

  "All right, you don't need to say anything more." Li Shimin waved his hand and said: "If the queen's illness can be alleviated, even if I don't sleep for one or two nights, what's the harm?!"

  "Your Majesty, the Director of the Imperial Medical Office, Wang, requests an audience." The eunuch who had been waiting outside came in to report.

  "Hurry up!" Li Shimin got down from his bed and walked quickly towards him.

  Wang Xu personally carried a bowl of well-cooked medicinal soup into the palace, and upon seeing Li Shimin, he was about to bow in greeting when Li Shimin stretched out his hand to stop him: "No need for excessive courtesy, Wang Ai. Just give me the medicine. I will feed it to the Empress myself."

  "Thank you, Your Majesty." Prince Kuai stood up straight and carefully handed the medicine bowl to Li Shimin's hand, saying: "The medicinal soup is slightly hot, it will induce sweating and drive out the evil, please be careful when taking it, Your Majesty."

  "Yes, I still know that much. You don't have to worry, my dear." Li Shimin walked up to Empress Changsun's bedside with the medicine bowl, handed it to Li Chengqian, carefully lifted Empress Changsun up and placed her on his lap, then picked up the spoon from the bowl and fed the medicinal soup to Empress Changsun mouthful by mouthful.

  At this time, the inner attendant outside the palace came in to report: "Your Majesty, Duke Zhong Sun Wuji of Qi State has arrived."

  "Ah." Li Shimin nodded and ordered the eunuch: "Summon him in!"