The Princess’ Shadow Guard – Chapter 25
by Little PandaListening to Ah Qin (A Game of Go)
It was another Double Ninth Festival1.
As Ming Qin dragged her along at a breakneck pace, Song Shuqing was filled with utter reluctance.
Today was the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, but the life-cherishing Song Shuqing wouldn’t have chosen to ascend Cangyue Tower even if every other high tower or hill in the world had exploded.
It had all started a few days ago when Ming Qin heard that she had met the Commandery Princess. With an eager face, Ming Qin had insisted on knowing who would win if the two of them matched wits over a game of Go.
Song Shuqing had rolled her eyes inwardly.
At the thought of Commandery Princess Chongwen’s face—commanding respect without anger, projecting a thousand miles of frosty distance—Song Shuqing figured the woman would probably find even a casual meeting beneath her. Why would she ever deign to play Go with her?
Song Shuqing had offered a half-hearted excuse. “That day, I went in a rush for the mission. There was no time for Go.”
To her surprise, a few days later, Ming Qin had gleefully told her that the Commandery Princess was delighted to meet her last time and would welcome her back to play Go on her next rest day.
The Commandery Princess?
Delighted?
Welcoming?
Was she sure she hadn’t misheard?
Song Shuqing had her deep doubts about this, but when she met Ming Qin’s bright, shining eyes—carrying a clear expression of 『Isn’t my Commandery Princess a wonderful person?!』—her mouth twitched, but she couldn’t bring herself to say a word.
Qinqin was a fool, and as her shijie, she could only indulge her.
She felt helpless.
Utterly helpless.
Yet, when she actually saw Commandery Princess Chongwen, all her helplessness vanished, leaving her completely dumbfounded.
This smile, warm as a spring breeze; this voice, gentle as flowing water; and the seductive charm curving at the corners of her eyes when she looked up… was the woman currently speaking to her shimei truly the same Commandery Princess Chongwen who had made her spine tingle with dread that day in Cangyue Tower?
Unbelievable!
Oh, my God, this world is truly too bizarre!
Could this be what they called becoming a bottom for love2?
Ming Qin pushed the completely petrified Song Shuqing toward the pre-arranged Go board. The Commandery Princess was already seated opposite them, and Ming Qin solicitously began pouring tea and serving water for both.
Murong Yan sat with a snowy-white fox-fur coat draped over her lap. Her face was full of smiles, and her eyes reflected nothing but the busy figure before her.
Once Ming Qin finally calmed down, she naturally reached out and gathered Murong Yan into her embrace, letting her sit in her lap. “Her leg can’t take sitting upright for too long. It’s better for her to lean against me.”
As she explained this to Song Shuqing, she gently rubbed the waist of the woman in her arms to make her more comfortable.
Staring at the two of them, Song Shuqing wondered if she had failed to consult the almanac before leaving home today to end up this unlucky, forced to play the role of a massive, blazing lightbulb right in front of this physically intimate couple.
She figured the brightness of this lightbulb could probably solve the energy crisis of her past life.
While her mind was wandering, Murong Yan turned toward her and spoke in a gentle tone she had never heard her use before. “Shijie, please.”
Who exactly is your shijie?!
Song Shuqing had a pounding headache, but she maintained a calm facade as they drew stones.
Murong Yan held the black stones, playing first.
Her very first move was placed in her own upper-right corner—which, from the Commandery Princess’s perspective, was the corner nearest to her left.
Just as she thought.
All that talk about being delighted and welcoming was just a facade; deep down, she was still incredibly provocative.
Song Shuqing sighed inwardly, pulling herself together to meet the challenge with absolute focus.
After an initial small-knight’s approach to the 3-4 point, Murong Yan began placing her stones seemingly at random.
She even allowed Song Shuqing to sweep through her territory and secure the opening shape with the first-move advantage.
Having gained the upper hand so easily at the start, Song Shuqing was slightly surprised, but she soon found herself unable to smile.
Just as military tactics have no constant form and water has no constant shape, the stones she had assumed were scattered at random suddenly formed a hidden ambush. The erratic, chaotic offensive caught her completely off guard.
Then, the black stones leveraged small sacrifices for massive gains, seizing the initiative and instantly reducing Song Shuqing’s secure influence in the center to nothing.
Song Shuqing sat up straight, her mind racing with calculations. Seeing traps everywhere, she adopted an unorthodox strategy, turning to baiting tactics as she waited for Murong Yan to slip up so she could strike directly at her core.
Though it was merely a wooden board and stone markers, the air felt thick with smoke and the flash of blades. Every exchange was meticulously calculated, with each step carefully fortified.
Even though the pace of their moves grew slower and slower, a thin sheen of sweat broke out on both of their foreheads.
The battle raged on until the sun dipped below the western hills. Once there was nowhere left to play, and before Ming Qin could even count the stones, Song Shuqing offered a wry smile. “My victory is unearned. Let’s call it a draw.”
She’d noticed how much Murong Yan’s body was straining during the latter half of the game.
“To lose by half a point is still a loss,” Murong Yan said calmly, her head leaning weakly against Ming Qin’s chest. Her expression was weary; the prolonged match had taken a severe toll on her body.
Ming Qin wiped her sweat with one hand while gently massaging her lower back with the other. She shook her head with self-reproach. “No more matches. We’re never playing again.”
Murong Yan looked up at her with a fond, amused smile, placing a cold hand against Ming Qin’s neck in reassurance. “Wasn’t it Ah Qin who wanted to see us play? It’s a pity I couldn’t win this match for you.”
“The game was beautiful. Winning or losing doesn’t matter.” Ming Qin frowned, leaning down to press her forehead against the other woman’s as she murmured, “I was just worried you’d tire yourself out.”
“Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
Murong Yan squeezed the tips of her fingers to reassure her, then turned her gaze to Song Shuqing. “This palace thoroughly enjoyed herself today. It’s been a very long time since I’ve had such an exhilarating match.”
Still immersed in the game they’d just finished, Song Shuqing snapped back to reality and cupped her hands in heartfelt admiration. “The Commandery Princess is indeed a rare master. This subordinate has learned a great deal from our match today.”
Murong Yan smiled, her tone sincere. “When you are free in the future, would Song-shijie still be willing to battle this palace again?”
“It would be this subordinate’s honor,” Song Shuqing replied with a light, teasing note. “Though next time, we’d best start a bit earlier.”
Before the sky had darkened completely, Song Shuqing took her leave, noting the exhaustion on the Commandery Princess’s face.
Only after the maidservant had delivered dinner and left did Ming Qin, who’d been avoiding the room by hiding in the treetops, slip back inside.
Although physically exhausted, Murong Yan’s mind was still continuously replaying the match in her head. She held her chopsticks without moving, utterly unresponsive even though Ming Qin called her name several times.
“Ah! Ah Qin…”
Feeling her body suddenly lifted, Murong Yan snapped out of her thoughts to find that her prosthetic limb had already been removed at some point. Ming Qin was holding her up with one arm, a trace of displeasure on her face.
“This won’t do,” Ming Qin grumbled, frowning as she hefted her in her arms. “You’re already so light. Why aren’t you eating properly?”
Murong Yan looked down at the slightly complaining face before her, her tone suddenly turning playful. “Is Ah Qin trying to control Yanyan?”
Ming Qin froze, then hastily explained herself. “Of course not. I just think it’s bad for you not to eat properly.”
“It’s perfectly fine if Ah Qin wants to control me, you know.”
Murong Yan leaned down, pressing her forehead against Ming Qin’s until their noses touched. “I’ll listen to Ah Qin.”
Their breaths mingled.
After a long moment, the woman held aloft could no longer resist. She leaned down to press her lips to Ming Qin’s. Having not yet eaten, her mouth tasted of nothing but the rich fragrance of peonies pouring aggressively into Ming Qin’s mouth, clamoring for her to swallow it all.
Ming Qin obediently accepted all that the woman offered. Knowing the other woman was easily left breathless, she always thoughtfully pulled back whenever her breathing grew too ragged.
Understanding the delicate temperament of the pampered woman in her arms, Ming Qin was as considerate as ever. Even when Murong Yan was practically gasping for breath, Ming Qin still lightly pressed against the corner of her mouth, refusing to separate from her.
“Shall we eat?”
Ming Qin’s voice was raspy as she nuzzled Murong Yan’s chin. Fearing that the woman might slip from her arms, she hefted her up again to raise her body higher.
Her cheeks flushed, Murong Yan looked down from above at the person before her. Her eyes glistened with watery light, like surging waves.
But seeing Ming Qin’s worried expression, she let out a soft sigh. Composing herself, she reined in the desires that had been stirred, yielding in a soft voice.
“All right. Together with Ah Qin.”
The author has something to say:
I don’t actually know how to play Go. I just looked up some AlphaGo records and made things up, so please don’t take it too seriously.
However, I did read that it’s polite for the black player to make their first move near the white player’s left hand. It’s a silent gesture of courtesy, leaving the more convenient spots open for the opponent.
I verified this with a friend who plays Go (and search engines). Placing the first stone directly on one’s own side, as the Commandery Princess did, is considered a bit cheeky. (It’s fine, the Commandery Princess can be forgiven no matter how bad she is.)
.
The Commandery Princess to Ming Qin: “I’ll listen to Ah Qin, but why can’t you see that I still want a kiss?”
The Commandery Princess to Shijie: “This palace is very pleased, but you can leave now.”
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Ming Qin playing Go against Shijie and losing, Ming Qin: “Damn it, I can’t win.”
The Commandery Princess playing Go against Shijie and losing, Ming Qin: “Winning or losing doesn’t matter! You’re too tired, we’re never playing again!”
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Conclusion: Both of them have double standards of the highest order.
Footnotes
- Also known as the Chongyang Festival, observed on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. Traditional customs include climbing hills or high towers, drinking chrysanthemum wine, and wearing cornus leaves to ward off evil.
- A modern internet slang term originating from slash and danmei subculture, referring to a proud or dominant partner who willingly takes on a submissive, receptive role out of love for their partner.
So it sounds like senior sister is a reincarnator from modern times. She mentioned an energy crisis in her previous life and a few chapters ago said that her intelligence is also due to memories from her previous life. Very interested to see how this comes to play in the story
Is Senior Sister a reincarnator? It’s twice now that she mentioned about a previous life. First she said something about not reading enough parenting books. Now she thought about light bulbs and power shortage issues. Far as I gathered they are still using oil lamps here and likening herself to a light bulb is a chinese slang for being a third wheel, right?
Is Senior Sister a reincarnator? It’s twice now that she mentioned about a previous life. First she said something about not reading enough parenting books. Now she thought about light bulbs and power shortage issues. Far as I gathered they are still using oil lamps here and likening herself to a light bulb is a chinese slang for being a third wheel, right?
senior sister being fed dog food.
senior sister being fed dog food.
Lol at Senior Sister being resigned to watching two people flirting in front of her
Lol at Senior Sister being resigned to watching two people flirting in front of her