Lu Changfeng accepted the wooden box. As his fingertips touched the rosewood, he could feel the faint spiritual resonance within.
He cupped his hands solemnly. "Your Highness, I will never forget your generous gift."
His gratitude was utterly sincere.
This Visualization Diagram had come at just the right time. It was precisely the crucial aid he needed to break through to the grandmaster realm.
Taiping waved a hand casually. "You won the prize. Naturally, I would not go back on my word."
Lu Changfeng carefully put the wooden box away and rose. "If Your Highness has no further instructions, I shall return to the Spirit Pivot Institute."
"Go."
Taiping nodded slightly, watching him turn and leave.
Only after that blue-robed figure disappeared at the end of the winding corridor did Taiping slowly withdraw her gaze.
Standing alone in the waterside pavilion, she looked at the board, the click of stones seemingly still echoing in her ears. As she studied the great dragon that had been slaughtered, she felt no frustration. Instead, a meaningful smile curved her lips. "Next time..." she murmured, a spark of excitement and anticipation at finding a worthy opponent flashing in her eyes. "I'll win it back!"
Sunlight filtered through the gauze curtains, shimmering over her splendid court robes.
At that moment, she was no longer Princess Taiping Who Guards the Nation, the strategist who planned everything from behind the scenes. She seemed more like a young girl who had found an entertaining playmate, her whole being glowing with vibrant life.
"Your Highness..."
Jinghong hurried over and froze briefly at the sight.
It had been a long time since she had seen such an expression on the princess's face.
Taiping turned her head. "What is it?"
Jinghong collected herself and bowed. "His Highness Prince An Guo Xiang