Lu Shuo spent half a day strolling the streets with Helan Zhen, getting a rough sense of the capital and broadening his horizons.
What shocked him most was seeing two Central Asian merchants with thick eyebrows and big eyes, curly brownish-yellow hair, and deep blue eyes—utterly different from anyone else on the street. Lu Shuo had no concept of "foreigners" in his mind; at first glance, he thought he'd seen a ghost in broad daylight. His legs went weak, and if Helan Zhen hadn't steadied him, he would have fallen flat on the ground.
Helan Zhen explained, and only then did Lu Shuo learn that these were merchants from foreign lands. Though not numerous, one could occasionally spot a few on the streets. The common folk were used to them; only someone as inexperienced as Lu Shuo would make a fuss.
The impact those two foreigners had on Lu Shuo was enormous. For the first time, he realized there was an even bigger world beyond the capital, and he spent the rest of the outing somewhat absent-minded.
When they had seen enough, Helan Zhen asked if Lu Shuo wanted to buy anything, but Lu Shuo kept declining, saying there was nothing he needed. In the end, Helan Zhen bought a few packs of pastries to take back, one for each person.
After lunch, the family retired to their own rooms. Lu Shuo sat in his room, the pack of pastries before him, staring blankly out the window.
The capital was beautiful. If only his parents could see it too.
He sat quietly for a while, then pulled out his books and reviewed what he had learned over the past few days. After reviewing, he continued practicing calligraphy.
In the afternoon, Zisu came and asked if Lu Shuo was free; the Fourth Miss wanted to play Chupu with him.
Lu Shuo hesitated only a moment before saying he was free.
He put down his calligraphy practice and was about to leave with Zisu when she paused and asked, "Where's Tianqing? Isn't he coming?"
Lu Shuo said, "He seems to be taking a nap, and Laishou as well. They're often busy and rarely have time off, so let them rest a bit longer. I don't need constant attendance."
Zisu smiled. "Young Master Lu is so easygoing."
When they arrived at the Eastern Corridor Side Room, Helan Pei was already sitting on a cushion by the tea table, waiting. When she saw Lu Shuo come in, she smiled at him, put away the tea set on the table, and spread out the game board.
Lu Shuo couldn't help asking, "Miss, were you waiting here specifically for me?"
Helan Pei blinked, as if finding the question strange, and nodded matter-of-factly.
"What if I hadn't come?" Lu Shuo paused, then added, "I mean, what if I had unfinished homework?"
Helan Pei tilted her head, pointed at him, then shook her hand firmly.
Lu Shuo lowered his head and pulled the game box closer to himself.
That was true—how could he have unfinished homework? They attended class together; she knew exactly whether he had homework and how much. Of course, she knew he had time to play with her.
In truth, he didn't mind playing with her. Chupu was indeed fun, and he was willing to keep this lonely caged bird company. But being at her beck and call still left him feeling a little wistful.
As if reading his thoughts, Helan Pei paused in picking up her game pieces, then turned aside to take a piece of paper and began writing.
"Don't you want to play with me?"
She finished writing and held the line up for him to see.
These were common characters he had encountered many times in his books over the past few days, so he could read them smoothly.
He opened his mouth. "I..."
There was caution and inquiry in her eyes, even a hint of nervousness, as if she feared he would confirm it.
Lu Shuo naturally couldn't refuse her. He couldn't refuse when the message was delivered by a maid, and even less could he refuse face-to-face.
"I just feel I'm not very good at it, and I'm afraid of spoiling your fun, Fourth Miss," Lu Shuo said softly. "But as long as you don't mind, I'm certainly willing to play—it's really fun."
Hearing Lu Shuo say it was fun, Helan Pei curled her lips and beamed.
Lu Shuo's gaze fell on the white paper in her hand as she folded the sheet with the writing and set it aside. A breeze made it wobble along the table's edge, about to fall.
Helan Pei didn't notice. She raised her hand, signaling Lu Shuo to make the first move.
So the two began their game again.
Lu Shuo was now familiar with the rules and no longer needed Zisu to remind him. But he still only played move by move without a grand strategy, let alone setting traps for his opponent—such advanced techniques were beyond him.
The result was that he lost two more games. Pleased, Helan Pei propped her chin on her hand and blinked at Lu Shuo across the table.
Lu Shuo was frowning at the losing board, not letting her clear it; he seemed to be replaying the game in his head to see where he went wrong.
Helan Pei started to wonder if she should throw the next game a little to keep his enthusiasm for the game alive.
But as if sensing her thoughts, Lu Shuo suddenly spoke, "I know I'm not good, but Fourth Miss, don't be in a hurry to let me win. That would take the fun out of it."
Helan Pei scratched her cheek.
But if she didn't let him win, he'd keep losing—was that okay?
She rolled her eyes, noticing Zisu sitting outside spacing out. A sudden inspiration struck, and she picked up the white paper she had just used and scribbled a few more lines on it.
Lu Shuo looked up in surprise to see Helan Pei, with her dark, shining eyes, holding the newly written paper up to him.
"What if you play against Zisu, and I coach you from the sidelines? How about that?"
Lu Shuo was taken aback.
This time there were a few characters he didn't recognize, but he could guess the overall meaning. He hadn't expected such an approach and didn't know how to respond.
But Helan Pei thought her idea was excellent. Lu Shuo was a beginner and couldn't beat her, but if he had to figure out the tricks on his own, who knew how long that would take?
Better to let her guide him so he could quickly grasp the true joy of the game.
When Lu Shuo didn't speak, she thought he might not have understood all the characters again. She tapped the windowsill to signal Zisu to come in.
Zisu entered and found that she was supposed to play against Lu Shuo and Helan Pei together. She exclaimed, "This isn't fair, Miss! If you made me play one-on-one with Young Master Lu, that's one thing, but why are you helping him? I'm fighting one against two—how can I possibly win!"
Helan Pei grinned and quickly wrote a few more lines, handing them to Zisu. "You're better at this than he is; beating him would be too easy. If I don't help him, he'll keep losing. I'm not fully helping—he has to throw the colors himself and make his own moves. I won't interfere directly, just write suggestions on the side. But if he can't read what I write, then tough luck. What do you think?"
Zisu rubbed her chin and seriously considered the feasibility.
Young Master Lu didn't know all the characters yet. Even if the Miss gave him the right advice, he might not understand it, or could even misinterpret it the opposite way... So he only got a little help, not much; she still had a decent chance.
"I think it works," Zisu said, turning to Lu Shuo with a smile, repeating Helan Pei's intention. "Young Master Lu, what say you?"
Lu Shuo took a deep breath. "...Alright. I'll just trouble Miss."
Zisu clapped her hands. "Good, it's settled!"
The tea table in the side room had one side against the windowsill, and the other three sides each had a cushion—Helan Pei's, Jiang Siji's, and Lu Shuo's.
Now the table was being used as a game board. Earlier, Helan Pei and Lu Shuo had sat opposite each other, Helan Pei on her own cushion and Lu Shuo on Jiang Siji's. Now Zisu replaced Helan Pei's seat, while Helan Pei dragged the spare cushion that had been Lu Shuo's original one and sat down beside Lu Shuo.
The table wasn't large, and suddenly squeezing two people on one side made it feel cramped.
Helan Pei held her brush, a sheet of white paper on her lap, looking ready to offer advice at any moment.
She watched Zisu clear the board, then turned her head to look at Lu Shuo, her brows and eyes full of encouraging smiles.
Lu Shuo lowered his head and silently moved closer to the wall.