The Chess Wager: Lu Shenzhou, Greatest of Heroes!

"Brother Guan, I heard you cried yourself blind. I've been busy with serious matters these past few months and never came to see you. Don't hold it against me!"

Xie Yuan was thirteen, right at the age when his voice was changing. It had a low, hoarse, ducklike rasp that was none too pleasant.

"Brother Guan, have your eyes gotten any better?"

"Thank you for your concern, Sixth Brother. They're much better now," you said.

Xie Yuan raised an eyebrow at the black cloth over your eyes. It struck him as novel; it gave you the air of a wandering swordsman.

Xie Yuan called to those behind him, "Why are you all standing there? Must Brother Guan invite you in himself?"

With that, Xie Yuan swept his robe aside, took off his boots, and climbed onto the heated platform as though he owned it.

Parasol Tree pursed her lips. Xie Yuan had made himself thoroughly at home, paying no mind to the fact that this was not his residence.

You did not mind. "Parasol Tree, make some tea," you instructed.

Xie Yuan cut in. "Brother Guan, don't bother. Xie Hou'er, put the tea on."

"It's all excellent tea. I swiped it from the old matriarch."

Before he had finished speaking, a quick-witted boy wearing a gold circlet stepped out from behind him. He immediately took the tea set from Parasol Tree and began brewing with practiced movements. Wisps of fragrant steam rose.

You sat opposite Xie Yuan.

Hua An looked at a loss. He bowed and said, "Cloud-Reclining Young Master, Young Master Guan, this old man will take his leave!"

Xie Yuan smiled. "Doctor Hua, I've barely set my backside on the edge of the platform and you're leaving already? You're making it plain you look down on me."

Hua