Li Ran looked at Chu Lingchuan doubtfully.
He dared to drink in the Imperial Palace and insulted Sheng Ye in public.
He had thought that this woman was not an Imperial concubine but should be a relative of Sheng Ye.
But the two princesses didn't recognize her?
"Breaking into the palace?" Chu Lingchuan pinched her smooth chin and nodded, "To be precise, I did break in."
Li Ran frowned.
Her footsteps moved slightly, blocking the princess without leaving a trace.
As expected, something was wrong with this woman.
His eyes glowed with golden light. Even though he had opened his eyes to the limit, he still could not see anything unusual.
She didn't have the slightest fluctuation of spirit energy. She looked like an ordinary woman.
But an ordinary woman could break into the Imperial Palace and even come to this important resting place?
Chu Lingchuan noticed his actions and said with a smile, "Looks like the relationship between Sheng Zi Li and the Princess is pretty good. Does Sheng Ye know about this?"
Li Ran's eyes darkened. "Who are you?"
Chu Lingchuan picked up the flagon and took a sip. She casually wiped the corner of her mouth, "Guess?"
……
Li Ran's mouth twitched. "Forget it. I don't care if you say it or not."
He turned to the two princesses and said, "Let's go. We don't need to care about her."
Although the two women were a little worried, they still nodded obediently.
Chu Lingchuan was stunned for a moment and curiously asked, "Aren't you worried that my intentions are bad?"
Li Ran's back was facing her as he shook his head and said, "This is the Imperial Palace. Sheng Ye doesn't care about you. Why should I care so much?"
Imperial Palace was Sheng Ye's nest, so it was impossible for anyone to sneak in under his nose.
This woman must have an extraordinary background.
Although she looked like an ordinary woman, it was also possible that the gap between the two of them was too great, causing him to be unable to see through her.
Moreover, this woman looked at him strangely.
She was a little surprised, a little unhappy, and also a little regretful as if she had known him before.
His instincts told Li Ran to stay away from her.
Chu Lingchuan smiled. "Master Li is different from what I imagined."
Li Ran asked, "Then what do you think I should look like?"
Chu Lingchuan thought for a moment and said, "A genius like you should be arrogant, but it turned out unexpectedly… Rational?"
In the face of her deliberate provocation, Li Ran had always restrained himself and had no intention of making a move.
This was the right choice.
However, without knowing her ident.i.ty, he was too cautious.
Li Ran shook his head. "You're overthinking it. I'm just too lazy to bother with you."
Chu Lingchuan was dumbfounded.
Veins on her forehead throbbed. Just as she was about to get angry, the three of them turned around and left.
"Just like his master, he doesn't know how to chat at all!"
Recalling Leng Wuyan's condescending and contemptuous gaze, she felt extremely displeased.
Chu Lingchuan gritted her teeth. "I will definitely nurture a disciple who surpa.s.ses Li Ran. I’ll let that Demoness take a good look. Martial cultivators are the strongest!"
"The number one genius in the vast land? I don't believe you have any weaknesses!"
She snorted and followed with her hands behind her back.
……
On the luxurious carved wooden table, a huge chess board was laid on the table. On it was drawn the patterns of the rolling mountains, as well as various names and pa.s.ses.
It was like a real map.
Next to them were three dice and a chess piece made of rhino horn ivory. The pieces were carved with different patterns.
Li Ran looked at the two excited princesses and asked doubtfully, "You specifically called me into the palace to play chess with you?"
Sheng Zhixia nodded vigorously. "That's right. This is called military chess. It's popular in the palace. Everyone loves to play!"
Sheng Anyi said, "Two people can't play chess. Three or four people are the best."
Li Ran asked in confusion, "It's such a big palace, yet four people can't come together?"
Sheng Anyi said helplessly, "We can make them, but they don't dare to be serious. We haven't lost a single game."
Li Ran said with a good smile, "Alright since I'm already here, I'll play with you guys. Who's going to tell me the rules?"
Sheng Zhixia patiently explained to him, "The action is determined by the dice. Chess pieces advance and trigger the event. Winner is determined by the score."
Li Ran didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Wasn't this just flying chess?
However, in comparison, the military game was more complicated and more confrontational. In addition to luck, it also required coordination and strategy.
"Looks like the entertainment life in the palace is quite rich!"
Sheng Zhixia said regretfully, "Actually, four players are the most fun and fair, but we can't gather enough…"
Before she could finish, a voice came from the side. "Who said we can't gather such a number? Count me in!"
They turned around and saw Chu Lingchuan standing to the side, eager to give it a try.
Li Ran frowned. "You haven't left yet? Aren't you afraid that Sheng Ye will come looking for you?"
"Sheng Ye is nothing…"
"Stop, stop!" Li Ran rubbed the s.p.a.ce between his brows. "You're ruthless. If you want to play, play with us."
Chu Lingchuan casually sat on a chair, "I understand the rules. Just wait for me to kill you!"
After a stick of incense, an angry roar sounded in the bedroom.
"Li Ran, you're too despicable! You actually launched a sneak attack!"
"Wait, where's my piece?"
"Did you actually burn my piece?"
"d.a.m.n it… Ah!"
When the last chess piece was eaten, Chu Lingchuan beat her chest and gave a long howl.
She glared hatefully at Li Ran. "You despicable person, you don't even talk about martial arts!"
Li Ran said in a straight voice, "There's no problem with deception. If you're not smart, don't blame the enemy for being too cunning."
"Who do you think has a bad brain?"
"Whoever loses has a bad brain."
Chu Lingchuan was so angry that her teeth were itching. She wanted to beat Li Ran on the ground.
"Hmph, I'm too careless with my calculation. Let's do another round!"
"Still coming?" Li Ran hugged his shoulders. "Looks like you're still unconvinced."
Chu Lingchuan said with a cold smile, "Just now, it was just a match. You really think I can't beat you?"
Li Ran nodded. "Alright, let's add some punishment next."
Chu Lingchuan waved her hand. "You can punish me whatever you want. I won't lose another round anyway!"
An hour later, Chu Lingchuan's face was covered with notes, and her chest rose and fell as she panted angrily.
Every time she took a breath, the note would fly up and down.
Cough! Cough!
Li Ran scratched his head. "I don't think there's any more room. Are you sure you want to continue playing?"
Chu Lingchuan gritted her teeth, "Why do you only hit me instead of them?"
"Because you're a bully."
"I have to…"