Yue Ruxue stepped forward and said loudly, "Since that is the case, let the first game be where Miss here seeks guidance from Doctor Gu!"
Gu Youyou raised an eyebrow, thinking to herself: A direct challenge? We’re not drawing lots?
Fine, it’s your rules anyway.
"Second Miss, please!"
Gu Youyou’s petite frame was nevertheless imposing. At the moment when she walked toward the chessboard with a confident smile, one could seemingly see a commander who led armies, a true master of the life-and-death game of chess.
Jin Zijin sat quietly, not taking his eyes off her for a moment.
Seeing Gu Youyou’s posture, Yue Rujing became restless.
She poked Jin Zijin again, saying, "Brother, it seems she even knows how to play Chinese chess, this spy placement is indeed a grand gesture."
Jin Zijin glanced briefly and stood up, walking to the side of the chessboard.
The large-sized pieces were not for them to play with, but for the spectators to see.
Two guards stood by the side, and beneath the pieces, there was a smaller chess set made of ivory—that was the one for their use.
As Gu Youyou and Yue Ruxue moved the pieces in the smaller set, the two guards would replicate their moves on the larger set, making it easier for those behind to follow the game.
The opening moves were just a few old routines. Yue Ruxue, who was accustomed to being first in everything, didn’t ask Gu Youyou and simply took the first step.
Moving the cannon to the central file is a common move, but from this single step, one could tell that she was used to taking the initiative in everything, which also fit Yue Ruxue’s personality perfectly.
Gu Youyou quietly advanced a rook one step forward.
This was an unconventional move; the normal move would be to jump a horse. But Gu Youyou thought, to handle an impatient young lady like her, unconventional tactics would be required so that she couldn’t see through her strategy.
Seeing the opening two moves, a smile curled up at the corners of the mouth of the old Madam on the high platform.
The others laughed as well, thinking to themselves: indeed, she doesn’t know how to play. Moving the cannon to the central file and not quickly advancing the horse, moving a stunted chariot instead? Is she giving up the central pawn to her opponent?
And it’s not just the pawn she’s giving away, but also an excellent line of attack.
Even those among them who weren’t proficient in chess would not use such a tactic; this was really something.
Yue Ruxue lifted the corners of her mouth in a smug smile, unceremoniously capturing Gu Youyou’s central pawn.
Why not eat what’s freely given? Why would anyone refuse such a free offer?
The subsequent moves also went as they anticipated.
Yue Ruxue adopted an attacking stance using dual cannons to control the central file, pressing down on Gu Youyou’s guards and elephants so they couldn’t move. With just the use of two cannons, it seemed as though she had already taken control of the whole game, as if the outcome was immediately clear.
She looked at Gu Youyou, her face brimming with a triumphant expression she couldn’t suppress.
Humph, does she honestly think this chess game, akin to a battlefield struggle, is but a child’s game?
Jin Zijin glanced at Gu Youyou from the side and saw that she remained composed and carefree, without any hint of the anxiety of someone about to lose at chess. Instead, in her eyes, he saw the confidence of someone with everything under control.
He lowered his head and could also see that although it seemed Yue Ruxue had gained the upper hand in the chess game, upon a closer look, her dual cannon tactic was threatening in demeanor only and posed no real threat to the overall game.
Gu Youyou chuckled softly, her slender fingers slowly picked up a chess piece, placed it down gently, and in a tranquil manner, gained control of the opponent’s half of the board.
The distant spectators could no longer laugh; their smiles froze on their faces.
The one unchanged was Marquess Yue, seated high above.