Chapter 120 Waiting for You
Just as the chess game between the grandfather and grandson was about to be decided, there was a movement at the door.

"Teacher, Wan He is here."

There were several light knocks on the door, and Lu Wanhe, wearing a plain linen dress, pushed the door open and came to the bedroom where Master Nie lived.

Given her current status in the Nie Mansion, she does not need servants to inform in advance when entering or leaving any part of the Mansion.

The first thing the beautiful Lu Wanhe saw when she entered the room was the grandfather and grandson sitting on the couch.

She raised her beautiful eyes, there was no fierceness in her clear eyes, but it made Nie Ziwen tremble with nervousness.

"Ziwen, why didn't you stay in your room to study today and come to Grandpa's place?"

Nie Ziwen's hands were tightly grasping the belt of his robe, and his fingertips looked pale from the excessive force.

He didn't dare look directly at Lu Wanhe, but glanced at his grandfather from time to time.

Compared with the world-famous scholars and literary giants, Nie Ziwen was more afraid of disappointing Sister Lu who had taught him his lessons for a few days.

"I asked him to come."

Seeing Master Nie coming to the rescue of his grandson, Lu Wanhe also bowed his head slightly and saluted to the other party.

"Since that's what the teacher wants, he won't be punished to copy books today."

When Master Nie saw his grandson's embarrassed look, not daring to breathe in front of Lu Wanhe, he knew he had found the right person.

In the past, this naughty child caused headaches for everyone in the mansion, but Lu Wanhe's arrival completely changed the child's temperament.

"cough……"

"Wanhe, your body."

"Well... it's okay, it's just that the weather in the north is cold and dry, and Wan He is not used to it."

A few short coughs brought Master Nie's fantasy back to reality. After giving a calm answer, Lu Wanhe also noticed the chess game between the grandfather and grandson.

She was stunned for a moment, then said, "Ziwen's chess game has improved a lot."

Master Nie smiled slightly and said, "You figured it out too?"

"The teacher's style of play is steady and his thinking is clear, but Ziwen has obviously done a lot of homework this time. Although the current situation is just barely acceptable, it can be seen from the big scene of the confrontation that Ziwen is full of fighting spirit and no longer sticks to the old rules."

Nie Ziwen was just an eight-year-old child, and it was not easy for him to understand the rules of Go.

So in Lu Wanhe's opinion, it is not easy to reach this level.

After all, Master Nie's reputation in the chess world cannot be underestimated. Even if he is not as good as some famous national players, he is hard to rival among the chess lovers in Kyoto.

Nie Ziwen knew that on the second day after Lu Wanhe first arrived at the Nie Mansion, his grandfather had played two games of chess with this female disciple.

No one knew the outcome of those two games, but after they were over, Grandpa never played chess with Lu Wanhe again.

Therefore, Nie Ziwen concluded that Sister Lu’s chess skills must be far better than Grandpa’s.

"Sister Lu, is there any hope for this game?"

Seeing Lu Wanhe coming, Nie Ziwen felt like he had grabbed a life-saving straw.

But after taking a closer look, the former shook his head slightly and replied, "Black has too many points. If he hadn't lost the key in the middle, the situation wouldn't be so passive."

The fire in Nie Ziwen's heart was extinguished, and what made him even more devastated was that the air point that Lu Wanhe mentioned was exactly the territory he had lost due to his distraction.

Lu Wanhe didn't understand why Nie Ziwen was so depressed after losing a game of chess, but right now she had something more important to talk to the teacher about.

So after a brief mental adjustment, she asked Master Nie, "Teacher, I heard that my husband is here to pick me up?"

Master Nie had no intention of hiding it from her, and replied with a smile on his face: "Yes, it is true."

"Teacher, why didn't you tell Wan He about this first?"

Even though Lu Wanhe was kind, gentle and intelligent, she became unhappy because of this.

She had traveled a long distance to the capital for her husband's affairs, and only with great difficulty did she learn that Xu Qing was safe and sound in the riot two days ago.

Another three days of agony passed, and now when Lu Wanhe heard that Xu Qing was coming to take her back, how could she not be happy?
"Wan He, the teacher understands your thoughts and knows that it is not easy for you two to be reunited... But you must understand that although you have no blood relationship with the teacher and the brothers, you should not have any concerns after following Xu Qing back."

Master Nie sighed and looked at his female disciple with eyes full of love.

"Even if the other wives and concubines in the backyard are from famous families and have the reputation of being a famous general, you don't have to be afraid of them. The teacher will support you."

Master Nie was not just saying this. He felt that he owed a lot to this registered female disciple by leaving Lu Wanhe in Suzhou.

Now that he sees that he has reached this point through his own efforts, his admiration for him is beyond words, and he has become the most beloved one among his disciples.

If it weren't for the current court not allowing women to be recommended as officials, he would have invited Lu Wanhe to work in the Imperial Academy at the risk of his reputation.

"I heard that when you got married, there was no elder who could take the responsibility. This time, let the teacher meet him and let the child from the Xu family offer me a cup of tea."

"teacher……"

Lu Wanhe understood the implication of Master Nie's words. It seemed that the teacher had found out about the family backgrounds of the other sisters in the backyard and was afraid that she would be wronged.

As a great scholar, one of only three famous scholars in the world, Master Nie is indeed qualified.

After all, with his influence in the literary world, even the empress dowager would have some reservations.

"Okay, go back to your room and get ready. I know what's going on and I'm sure I won't ruin the marriage that I've been dreaming of."

Seeing how much attention Lu Wanhe had been paying to Xu Qing in recent days, Master Nie naturally understood her concerns.

When Lu Wanhe heard Master Nie's assurance to her, she felt relieved and went back to the house after thanking him.

She had been unable to sleep well at night in recent days, fearing that her haggard appearance would ruin her husband's good mood. She always had to simply wash and dress herself before she could face him.

"See, you little brat."

After the graceful Lu Wanhe left, Master Nie tapped his grandson on the forehead with the fingers holding the chess piece.

"Grandpa, why did you hit me?"

"Grandpa is reminding you that when you grow up, you must not let a woman down."

Nie Ziwen rubbed his head, bared his teeth, and deliberately acted disdainful.

But he also vaguely understood at this moment that the beauty he admired in his heart also had a lover in her heart.

……

"Mr. Xu, right?"

Not long after Xu Qing entered the Nie Mansion, a man wearing the uniform of a third-rank official of the Great Qi Dynasty came forward and bowed to him.

As the saying goes, don't hit a smiling person, and Xu Qing was not idle enough to slap anyone in the Nie residence.

However, the Nie Mansion was indeed different from what he had imagined. In addition to a pair of stewards blocking the way at the main entrance, one could also see court officials when entering.

"Yes." After Xu Qing responded, he was ready to stand by and watch to see where this person came from.

After all, when it comes to the size of official positions, who in the entire Da Qi can compare with his Xu family?

No matter whether he is of the third rank or the first rank, isn't it the Empress Dowager who has the final say?

But Xu Qing is not an ordinary playboy who bullies others by taking advantage of his power. If he really relies on these relationships, it would not be bullying but destroying others.

"If so, let Sui take you to see the teacher."

To Xu Qing's surprise, the attitude of this third-rank official was respectful and he didn't seem to be looking for trouble.

Xu Qing also thought of something from the man's surname and asked quietly, "Are you Sui Shilang from the Ministry of Rites?"

If it were any other official, Xu Qing would have no impression of him, but he suddenly remembered that Wangyue Tower’s immediate superior was Minister Sui, who was in charge of the Jiaofangsi.

Although Sui Shilang was affiliated with the Ministry of Rites, he held much more power than his colleagues.

After all, the Jiaofangsi records and manages the hometowns of prostitutes and is responsible for the election of the most beautiful courtesans all year round. If this place were replaced by the Wangyue Tower in the Qinrenfang, Minister Sui's treatment would definitely be sky-high.

"Mr. Xu actually knows Sui. It's really an honor for Sui."

Minister Sui had a warm and friendly smile, was well-dressed, had a square face and thick eyebrows, which was the image of a high-ranking official in Xu Qing's impression.

When he was leading Xu Qing, he introduced them without any reservations.

"I am not in the Ministry of Rites or the Imperial Palace right now. Mr. Xu, you don't need to mind my official position. It's just because it's troublesome to take it off and change it, so I wore it in the Nie Mansion."

Sui Shilang smiled kindly and led Xu Qing to the main hall of Nie Mansion. He took the initiative to knock on the door and said, "Teacher, Master Xu is here."

"Ah."

After a simple response from inside the house, Xu Qing was able to enter the house and see the true face of this legendary great scholar.

An old man in a Confucian robe with silver hair sat quietly on a pear wood chair facing the sunlight. The wrinkles on his face showed the traces of time, but his eyes sunken in his eye sockets were bright and lively.

Master Nie was humble and did not respond coldly to Xu Qing who came to visit.

"My friend, please."

Xu Qing stood there without moving, somewhat curious about the title that Master Nie called him.

"May I ask, Master Nie, where did you say "young friend" come from?"

While the two were talking, the Minister Sui moved to stand behind Master Nie, his expression and attitude no different from that of an ordinary servant.

Master Nie was well prepared for Xu Qing's question, and replied calmly: "Judging from the level of those two poems, young friend Xu's literary attainments have long been superb, so I can be considered to have known you for a long time, and I am very curious about you."

Master Nie did not lie. He knew that with Lu Wanhe's personality, he would not expect anything from him.

Therefore, when the other party said that the poems originated from Xu Qing, a playboy, most people were skeptical, except Master Nie, who became curious about Xu Qing himself.

He wanted to know who was the person who could produce such a poetic work.

The Xu Qing in front of him was much younger than Master Nie had expected, and he did not have the talent of a scholar at all, but instead showed a bit of ruffian nature.

"You are indeed a man of culture."

Xu Qing smiled and sat on the chair.

Although he was speaking politely, he was actually complaining about Master Nie's choice of words in his heart.

He can even use words like "we have been in spiritual communication for a long time". He is worthy of being a great scholar in the literary world. His speech is very particular.

"Zheng Bo, take out the chess pieces that the Queen Mother gave you as a reward."

Minister Sui nodded in agreement, turned around and paused for a while in the back hall, then came back holding a beautifully decorated chess jar.

The chess pot filled with chess pieces is painted black with gold, and looks exquisite, luxurious and very elegant.

In particular, the chess pieces inside are all made of jade, and the preciousness of the jade used can be seen from the moist and translucent interior.

"My friend, the chessboard in front of you is also made of wood and white silk, which matches this chessboard set. It is a rare treasure in the world... This chessboard set was made when the late emperor was alive. The empress dowager heard that I like Go, so she specially asked a craftsman to make it and sent it here."

With just a few words from Master Nie, the chess game in front of them was elevated to a certain level.

Xu Qing was also a little shocked, because the chess piece in front of him was indeed a treasure in the world, and it would be priceless if placed outside.

However, he did not have much interest in this set of chess pieces. After all, this thing could not be eaten or used, and was of no use to someone like him who only had a superficial knowledge of Go.

"Mr. Nie, where is my wife in your house?"

Master Nie smiled, his smile was kind and gentle, making people feel extremely comfortable and peaceful.

"My dear Xu, I have already informed Wan He that he is coming. We still have some time, so why don't you play a game of chess with me to relieve my boredom?"

"it is good."

Although Xu Qing didn't understand the suspense that the Nie family was keeping, it was obvious that Master Nie had something else in his words, so he went with the flow and allowed the other party to take the initiative on the field.

After the chessboard was laid out, Xu Qing was about to play black first, but suddenly he noticed the surprised expressions of Master Nie and Minister Sui.

He suddenly remembered that this was ancient times and the rules were different from those in his previous life. According to the ancient people's chess playing habits, the white pieces usually moved first.

"Young friend, you are not very familiar with Go?"

"Ah."

Xu Qing only understood the general rules when he was interested in it, and did not have much time to study Go.

After all, he is just an ordinary person. How could he have the time to give up his job and explore his hobbies?
"No wonder."

Master Nie's goal was obviously not the chessboard. After playing chess with Xu Qing, he asked, "In the past two days, Wan He has been teaching my humble grandson the way of a gentleman in the mansion according to his aptitude. The gentleman's words and deeds he advocated have benefited me deeply."

Then, Master Nie looked at Xu Qing with a meaningful look and asked, "Xu Xiaoyou, are these gentlemanly etiquette and the sayings of great men also the principles you have realized?"

When Xu Qing heard this, although his face remained expressionless, he felt some fluctuations in his heart.

I have discussed the ways of a gentleman with Lu Wanhe, but I didn't make too many sharp comments. I just used the Lu Mansion and other things that happened at that time to enlighten the other party.

So this should come as no surprise.

"I am a child of an aristocratic family, and I skip classes all day long in the private school...I usually study some rhymes, and I can only make some couplets and write two crappy poems."

Xu Qing played dumb out of habit, but Master Nie scoffed at it.

He shook his head and smiled, "The poem "Bodhisattva Man" that Wan He handed to me fully describes the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan, and brought back endless memories... Although I don't know where your character comes from, from the poems that have been circulated and the couplets just now, it can be seen that Mr. Xu is a real person who does not show his true colors."

Hearing this, Xu Qing put on a serious expression and no longer faced the old man in front of him with a joking attitude.

"Mr. Nie, just say what you want to say."

(End of this chapter)