The next day, at Peach Blossom Ridge.
“Qingyan, my dear sister!”
“Sister Shen!”
Liu Qingyan stepped down from the carriage and linked arms with Shen Ying, who came to greet her, showing no hint of unease at meeting a supernatural being.
Lu Zheng nodded, thinking to himself that in this mystical world, people adjusted quickly.
Shen Ying teased, “It’s been ages since you visited, little sister. I thought you’d forgotten me.”
Liu Qingyan looked a bit embarrassed. “Please forgive me, sister. Benevolent Heart Clinic has been quite busy, and I only just found time to come.”
“Then you must keep me company today, at least for three games.”
“As you wish, sister.”
They first went to Shen Ying’s home. With the cold weather, they wouldn’t play chess in the courtyard, so Xiao Cui set up a chessboard in the side room, lit a charcoal brazier, and joined Liu Qingquan to eat pastries and sip tea.
Lu Zheng sat between the two women, refilling Shen Ying’s tea and passing a cup to Liu Qingyan. A true gentleman observes chess in silence, only catching the faint orchid fragrance at his nose.
Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying sat to play, casually chatting about happenings at Benevolent Heart Clinic.
“You’re fortunate, sister, working at the clinic, witnessing the ways of the world and the hearts of people,” Shen Ying said, placing a piece. “Unlike me, confined to this corner, entertaining myself.”
Liu Qingyan smiled gently. “Thankfully, sister now has the shrine. With visitors streaming in all year, it’ll keep you entertained.”
Shen Ying laughed. “Still not as fun as playing chess with you.”
Liu Qingyan placed another piece, capturing two of Shen Ying’s. “Thank you, sister.”
Shen Ying raised an eyebrow. Liu Qingyan’s move seemed to capture two pieces but actually put her own group in jeopardy.
This move was clearly for that “thank you.”
Shen Ying glanced at Lu Zheng, who was staring at the board, eyes unfocused, his gaze lingering on them, clearly not noticing Liu Qingyan’s move.
Tch! Lecher!
“You’re welcome,” Shen Ying said with a smile, placing her next piece without pressing her advantage. “Your chess has improved, sister, blending feints and truths. When will you reveal your true intent?”
Liu Qingyan blushed. “You’re too kind, sister. It’s just the flow of the game, nothing more. What happens next depends on your move.”
Shen Ying lifted the teacup Lu Zheng had refilled, raising it slightly, her sleeve concealing her sip. “I’ll follow the flow, but breaking this game might be tough.”
Liu Qingyan pursed her lips as Lu Zheng handed her a cup of fragrant tea.
Her smile bloomed as she took a sip. “Then it depends on when the one to break the game sees through the board.”
“Oh?” Shen Ying’s eyes gleamed, a smile playing on her lips. “Not planning to make the first move, sister?”
Liu Qingyan set down her cup, placing a piece with a shy air. “My momentum can’t match yours, sister. Holding my ground is enough.”
Lu Zheng blinked, glancing at the board, sensing they were hinting at something.
“Is that so?” Shen Ying smiled, placing a piece in the Star position, trapping Liu Qingyan’s small dragon. “Then I won’t hold back. Come play chess with me more often, sister.”
Liu Qingyan seemed unperturbed by her disadvantage. “As you wish, sister.”
Shen Ying shook her head, smiling. “You’re so gentle and virtuous, sister. No wonder Lu Zheng’s heart is set on you.”
Liu Qingyan glanced at Lu Zheng, blushing and lowering her head. “Not at all, sister, you’re teasing.”
While Liu Qingyan looked down, Shen Ying shot Lu Zheng a flirtatious glance.
Lu Zheng swallowed, feeling parched and his heart racing, his earlier suspicions forgotten.
…
At noon, after dining in the manor’s front hall, Xiao Cui cleared the dishes. Shen Ying rose, leading the group out.
Before leaving the manor, Zhi Ma hopped over and leapt into Shen Ying’s arms.
“This… is that Zhi Ma?” Liu Qingyan asked, surprised.
When Lu Zheng told her about Shen Ying’s identity yesterday, he mentioned Zhi Ma, so she knew of it.
Shen Ying nodded. “Yes, this is Zhi Ma. So, Lu Zheng already told you?”
“Exactly!” Liu Qingyan took Zhi Ma from Shen Ying, examining it. “So adorable.”
“Chirp chirp chirp!”
“Put me down! Put me down!”
Liu Qingyan set Zhi Ma down, and it scampered off.
…
After the small interlude, they set out together.
In winter, Peach Blossom Ridge was blanketed in snow, a silvery scene with its own charm.
Shen Ying waved her hand, and the winter breeze seemed to soften.
Lu Zheng’s eyes lit up, amazed that Shen Ying could influence local weather.
They strolled through the forest, Liu Qingquan darting around them energetically.
Soon, the Peach Blossom Shrine came into view.
Even in deep winter, worshippers flocked to the shrine. Though not as crowded as when it first opened, come spring with peach blossoms in bloom, it would surely teem with tourists and devotees.
The group entered the shrine, Lu Zheng sensing Shen Ying veil her face with a thin layer of incense aura, making her unrecognisable to those not close to her.
In the shrine, An Bo and Qian Bo bustled about, replenishing incense and clearing snow, ensuring worshippers could pray comfortably.
“Wow!” Liu Qingquan exclaimed, seeing the Peach Blossom Immortal statue.
Liu Qingyan looked at the statue, then back at Shen Ying. “It really looks like you, sister.”
The statue was nearly identical to Shen Ying, though Shen Ying herself had a touch more charm and elegance, while the statue exuded dignity and serenity.
An Bo and Qian Bo greeted them. “Madam, Young Master Lu, Miss Liu!”
Shen Ying waved them off. “Carry on, we’re just looking around.”
Lu Zheng and the others carried an air of distinction, and in winter, only ordinary folk visited the shrine. No one stirred trouble, especially since Liu Qingyan was well-known in the county, and many worshippers recognised her.
Greetings came one after another.
They toured the shrine thoroughly, satisfying the Liu sisters’ curiosity.
…
“Sister, Sister Shen, Big Brother Lu, let’s have a snowball fight!”
Liu Qingquan was ever energetic.
“Sure!” Shen Ying agreed, laughing. “You and I against your sister and Lu Zheng, alright?”
“Yes!” Liu Qingquan nodded eagerly.
“Start now!”
Lu Zheng shouted, grabbing a handful of snow and tossing it at Shen Ying.
Shen Ying yelped, dodging, then scooped snow and flung it at Liu Qingyan, who was giggling nearby.
“Ah!”
Liu Qingyan gasped as snow slipped into her collar, chilling her neck.
“Big Brother Lu, take this!”
Lu Zheng turned to see a snowball flying at his face.
“Bang!”
Snow scattered, and Lu Zheng fell back.
Liu Qingquan laughed, clapping.
“Argh!”
Lu Zheng sprang up, charging at Liu Qingquan with two huge snowballs.
Liu Qingquan squealed, her petite frame nimbly dodging across the snow.
But…
“Thud!”
“Ahhh! So cold!”
Liu Qingquan leapt onto Lu Zheng’s back, stuffing snow down his collar.
…
Lu Zheng, with Liu Qingquan on his back, lunged at Shen Ying, pulling Liu Qingyan into the fray.
Laughter echoed through Peach Blossom Ridge.
