57 Rising (XV)

Almost an hour had passed and Hui Lan was still in the midst of the chess game with Elder Yi. Although they had both taken turns in playing their own steps, the game was not leaning to any winning side yet. Both had spoken no words since the beginning of the game.

This time it was Elder Yi's turn.

Hui Lan held onto the chess piece in the chess bowl as she watched where Elder Yi was going to put his chess piece next.

Many times this Elder had made her surprised by his chess move, but there were more times where she could see his next move.

Playing this game, he was truly a worthy opponent. Despite his slight childish behaviour, she could very much learn from him.

Elder Yi placed his chess piece down on an empty spot on the chessboard.

The chess piece was placed onto the board with a small thud.

Hui Lan looked up from the board to Elder Yi's face that was smiling as if he had won. She could not help but reveal a small smirk on her face before hiding it quickly.

Without any hesitation, Hui Lan placed her chess piece on the other side of Elder Yi's.

Once again, she looked up at the Elder whose smile became all stiff.

...Aiyoo, he really could not lie, huh?

However, she was not really interested in this game anymore. All she wanted was to hear the answer to her own question.

Seeing how neck to neck they were to each other, this game would probably prolong for even more ah.

Elder Yi's next step was rather humble than the one before.

As it was Hui Lan's turn, Hui Lan did not keep her cool anymore and began attacking him one after the other.

It was so that Hui Lan could finally land the winning chess piece.

Elder Yi was speechless.

He...thought...she…? How could it become like this ah?

Hui Lan smiled. She did her little trick that she would always do with her great grandma and it would always work.

Now, it also worked on Elder Yi huhu. It was just trick moves she had been playing before revealing her real move. Nothing special, just probably was not expecting it from her huh?

Hui Lan cupped her hands in front and spoke mannerly, "Thank you, master, for going easy on this student."

Elder Yi could only turn his head away in a huff, "What is it that you wanted to ask me."

Hui Lan finally revealed a warm smile, "Master, what is the name of this place? Are you...the Rui Ren?"

Hearing Hui Lan's question, Elder Yi's ears flinched slightly before a thought flash by his mind. Slowly he turned to face Hui Lan, "Young lady, that was two questions...let me pick one from your questions then. This place has many names, but from now on, it is called panther's den." Elder Yi smiled in his heart.

...So it seemed she had caught a whiff of who we were. However, he was not going to say it directly to her ah. That would be too easy. Nevertheless, she'll soon find the answer to this question sooner or later...just not from him, hmph!

Hui Lan could not believe what she had heard. Her mouth was utterly speechless. He...how could he take advantage of her questions like that ah!?

...As a master, why did he keep bullying her ah?

Seeing Hui Lan's sulky face, Elder Yi quickly told her to go away before he would feel bad about himself, "Now, young lady, you should head your way to where your mother went. Your last test...she will give it to you." He did not even wait for Hui Lan and left first to his chamber that was on the opposite side from Elder Zhang's.

Hui Lan's eyes squinted at Elder Yi's back as he walked inside. She was still staring at the door that had been closed in front of her.

...Just you wait...Elder Yi. I'll let you eat the same taste of fruit you gave to me, tch.

Hui Lan got up with a foul mood before heading towards the direction Feng Furen had gone.

...Feng Furen would probably not go hard on her as the first two will she? She was this body's mother...so...

.

.

.

Hui Lan was now sitting in front of Feng Furen with a small tea table in front of them.

Feng Furen was neither smiling or frowning but was looking at Hui Lan neutrally. The elder observed the young lady in front of her first before finally starting her test.

"Can you make me a nice tea?" Feng Furen asked.

Hui Lan tilted her head slightly. Was she hearing correctly? Feng Furen asked her to make tea? Was that it?

Feng Furen revealed a small smile before asking, "You think this is too easy?"

Hui Lan shook her head, "I'll start making you some tea."

"Hm." Feng Furen then opened a book and looked as if she was reading it. However, she was observing the person in front of her carefully.

Hui Lan looked at the tea set and the different types of tea in front of her. All had different benefits to the body.

Since all were good for the body, then it would be good to make a special tea for the elder in front of her.

...Feng Furen...she had just lost her daughter...since it was as such...then maybe making a tea that would resemble her loss yet encouraging her to look at the future.

Having thought over what to do, Hui Lan then began making the tea in her mind. Her every movement were graceful and each touch was as if she was a tea master.

Feng Furen rather enjoyed watching how efficient Hui Lan was, yet the girl was calm as she made the tea.

After some time, Hui Lan was finally done with her tea. She then poured the tea into the teacup. A pine colour tea was poured into the white earth tone teacup.

She then placed the tea in front of Feng Furen.

Before Feng Furen was about to speak, Hui Lan quickly cut in, "There's one more thing that I would like to do."

"Oh?"

Seeing that Feng Furen did not reject her, Hui Lan then spooned out a dried cherry blossom flower and dropped it in Feng Furen's cup.

Feng Furen followed Hui Lan's hands and when the cherry blossom was dropped into the teacup.

The once dried flower began to blossom inside the tea like a great blooming flower.

Feng Furen's eyes became slightly widened as she looked at how the cherry blossoms bloomed. Not that she had never seen it before when pouring water on the dried cherry blossoms, but it was just delightful to see it slowly blooming in the still water.

Hui Lan revealed a relieved smile. It seemed Feng Furen liked it.

Feng Furen looked up from her teacup and smiled, "Very delightful indeed. What was the meaning behind this tea?"

"Loss and overcome." Hui Lan answered short yet precisely to Feng Furen.

Hearing the simple introduction to the tea that had been made, Feng Furen nodded.

"Not bad." Feng Furen spoke softly before taking a sip of the tea.

Just like how it looked delightful, the tea was also delightful. The first taste of the tea was slightly bitter, but the aftertaste was rather sweet. Hm...bittersweet indeed.

Feng Furen then placed the teacup down, "In this time period, everyone enjoys tea. I did not think you would know or enjoy it too."

Hui Lan smiled. It seemed to be a compliment that was underlying behind Feng Furen's words, "I just enjoy tea."

"Hm, very well. Keep the knowledge with you for it will come to use to win people's heart…" Just like how you softly encourage me Hui Lan. The meaning of the tea, how could she not know what the young lady meant behind it.

...Loss and overcome. Hm, it sounded quite nice...but hard to do.

Nevertheless, Hui Lan's thoughtfulness was acknowledged by the elder. However, that was not all, "You first doubted in this test and you are right, this is not the only test...there is something that you must answer me first before you can head to finally pass all the test…"

Hui Lan nodded in response. It was bound to come… "I'm ready."

"Good! Listen carefully...

What never blows away with the wind, never merges with the light but cannot live without light, and is a cast out?

You have time until this hourglass is over. Come over to the Yun tree when you are done. I will wait for you there." Feng Furen closed the book in her hand and headed out with it. This was left for Hui Lan to answer…

It was as if Feng Furen had thrown a small bomb at her…

Aiyoo, these puzzles...