The literary gathering at Little Wangchun Garden had become a topic of conversation throughout the capital. In wine houses and teahouses, people discussed it daily—who had won these past few days, who had lost to that little Chu family woman.
The anthologies from Cherish Ink Pavilion were being sold everywhere. Many people would flip through them when idle, commenting on the matches within.
At first, everyone laughed heartily.
Because the matches really couldn’t be considered spectacular. In the eyes of scholars, they were like watching a toddler learning to walk.
This wasn’t surprising either. A little woman of only thirteen or fourteen years old studied reading, writing, music, chess, calligraphy and painting for entertainment and self-cultivation. How could she compare with men who used scholarship to establish themselves and make a living?
But within a few days, the matches in the anthology could no longer be casually skimmed. They had to be read seriously. Though after reading them the girl still lost, everyone’s laughter was no longer so carefree.
Some people even stopped laughing.
“This little woman has not only avoided having her spirit worn down by losing, but is actually learning and growing,” sighed an elderly man.
This little woman was winning more and more. Her essays, calligraphy, and chess skills were making leaps forward almost every three days.
The anthologies were laid out before them, making it clearly visible.
Although this woman was arrogant and domineering in a way people disliked, this attitude of eager learning was admirable. These two character traits intertwined in one person could better educate children and grandchildren at home.
Thus the Chu Garden anthologies that had originally circulated in wine houses and teahouses were also sent into deep mansions and great estates. Young scholars studying diligently, young ladies who never left their chambers, and young wives serving their parents-in-law all began reading them, which sparked even more debate.
“She is very studious, but being studious should mean not being ashamed to ask questions. Yet she chooses to be provocative.”
“You’re wrong about that. It’s not her being provocative at all. Others came looking for trouble first. I think when people come looking for trouble, one should be provocative.”
“Her learning isn’t even as good as mine. She won’t become a master just because of one competition. Why does Grandfather want me to learn from her?”
“She’s showing off alone, disturbing so many people, which will only make everyone dislike her.”
But suddenly one day, the newly delivered anthology made readers pause.
“Come look at this,” a girl called to her sisters. “There’s an additional name here.”
The girls gathered around and indeed saw a new name.
“Zhou Jiang,” the girls read. “It seems familiar. Is she a Miss from the Zhou family?”
There were many families in the capital, and not everyone knew each other.
“She must be a Zhou family miss,” said the girls’ sister-in-law, coming over to look and pointing at the chess manual. “The Zhou family are masters of chess. To win twenty consecutive matches undefeated must mean she’s from the Zhou family.”
Her expression showed some surprise.
“However, in the Zhou family it’s always the men whose chess skills are exquisite. I’ve never heard of the girls, but it turns out they’re this formidable too.”
The girls all gathered around, both shocked and curious. Although they didn’t often play with Miss Zhou, they had occasionally seen her a few times in the capital. She seemed utterly ordinary without any outstanding qualities, and they had never heard anyone say her chess skills were exceptional.
……
……
At the Zhou residence, a middle-aged man with a short beard walked in with his sleeve covering his face, calling out to the old man feeding birds under the corridor: “Old Master.”
The old man glanced at him. The middle-aged man still kept his sleeve covering his face without lowering it.
“This disciple is incompetent. I lost,” he said shamefully. “I’ve disgraced you, sir.”
The old man glared at him: “Look at how little promise you have!”
More people, mostly young men, came surging in, calling out “Grandfather.”
“A’Jiang went too far!” “How could she do such a thing?” “This will bring disaster upon our Zhou family.”
The noise made even the birds in the corridor shrink into their cages. The old man raised his hand and knocked on the corridor pillar, saying angrily: “Silence, silence! Summon A’Jiang.”
Hearing the message in the inner residence, Zhou Jiang, who was sitting among the old lady and her sisters, stood up.
Since that day, she hadn’t returned to Chu Garden, nor had she mentioned this matter to her family when she came home. But she knew this matter couldn’t be concealed.
At that time, Chu Zhao had said that the matches at Chu Garden would all be transcribed and compiled into volumes: “Of course, Miss Zhou, if it’s inconvenient for you, I’ll have them not include it.”
Even if it wasn’t included, so many people at Chu Garden had seen it—it couldn’t be hidden. Zhou Jiang shook her head: “Since I’ve done it, I’m not afraid of people knowing. Please do as you wish, Miss Chu.”
Moreover, she had maids and attendants with her. When she did such things outside, the maids certainly wouldn’t dare hide it from the family.
Sure enough, that very evening when she returned home, her family knew about it. Her parents were furious and confined her. Three days later, when the anthology was sold, her name spread.
Her parents didn’t dare manage her anymore and sent her to the old lady’s quarters to discuss how to deal with her. Before they could come to a decision, the old master who devoted himself to studying chess and ignored external matters summoned her.
“A’Jiang, you’ve angered your grandfather this time,” said her grandmother helplessly.
Zhou Jiang knew. It had been Grandfather who taught her to play chess, and it was also Grandfather who forbade her from playing chess anymore. She bowed to everyone, then turned and left.
Her sisters watched from behind with complex feelings: “How did A’Jiang become like this?” “It’s all because that Chu Zhao led her astray.” “Poor thing, A’Jiang will probably be sent away from the capital to the countryside, won’t she?”
……
……
When Zhou Jiang arrived, Old Master Zhou was reading the anthology. A group of young men stood under the corridor—brothers from the family as well as Old Master Zhou’s disciples.
“When I told you not to study chess deeply, it seems you didn’t listen,” said Old Master Zhou.
Zhou Jiang lowered her head and acknowledged: “Granddaughter never put it down. I studied chess on my own, played chess with myself.”
Old Master Zhou slapped the anthology on the table: “I knew it! You learned on your own, and your vision is so narrow!”