The female scholar greatly dislikes people who are furtive and evasive, finding them too petty and thus offensive.
As the saying goes, once a teacher, always a father, yet Qu Fulan does not even reveal her master’s real na. This shows she lacks respect for her teacher and the teachings.
Although the female scholar does not concern herself with worldly matters, she has heard quite a bit about the happenings in Pei Mansion, especially regarding Qu Fulan, who quickly beca the lady attending the Princely Heir.
It seems she pretended she couldn’t play chess to amaze the Heir.
However, the female scholar disdainfully refrains from exposing her. Though she is no longer a noble young lady, her upbringing is engrained in her.
There is no need to lower her status for soone so insignificant.
Originally, she thought Qu Fulan was unique enough to be favored by Mrs. Pei and the Heir. Now it seems she is quite ordinary.
The female scholar, having finished teaching for the day, left the academy.
Behind her, Third Miss and Fang Yuan were discussing the recent chess ga, humbly seeking advice from Qu Fulan on how to swiftly resolve a chessboard position.
Not far away, the female scholar’s disgust grew ever more strong, thinking that once the Marquis returned, she’d need to advise against keeping soone like this around, lest she bring harm to others.
Qu Fulan was caught between tears and laughter from the inquiries of Third Miss and Fang Yuan. After a little thought, she had the perfect answer.
"I once t a female teacher who liked to give seemingly complex but simple problems, saying such questions help foster new ways of thinking. After solving many, I reversed my approach in this chess match and found an easy solution."
Fang Yuan impatiently wanted to know, "What kind of problems are they, Fulan, please tell us!"
It’s evident Fang Yuan is one who is eager to learn, not forever stuck within narrow prejudices.
Third Miss also said, "I’m very curious about what kind of problems can expand one’s thinking like this."
Qu Fulan smiled and said, "Two people from opposite directions arrive at a narrow bridge that only one person can cross at a ti. They didn’t argue or give way, but went across smoothly together at the sa ti. Why is that?"
Fang Yuan answered quickly, "Is it because one person is already on the bridge, and the other hasn’t stepped on it yet?"
Third Miss laughed, "Are you ignoring the words ’smoothly at the sa ti across the bridge’?"
Since they crossed the bridge simultaneously and smoothly, one person couldn’t be on the bridge while the other wasn’t.
"But I can’t figure out how they both crossed it at the sa ti," Fang Yuan admitted honestly.
Qu Fulan didn’t keep them guessing and imdiately said, "It’s because they were going in the sa direction, South-North is actually the sa, so they crossed simultaneously."
Both Third Miss and Fang Yuan were taken aback, then suddenly understood.
Fang Yuan smacked her forehead, "Right, South-North is indeed the sa direction? How didn’t I think of it? I thought I was clever but clearly I’m not!"
Qu Fulan said, "It’s not that you’re foolish, but the question misleads with its trickery, suggesting the need for them to yield to cross the bridge. People are accustod to following such misleading cues, which leads them astray."
This reasoning made so much sense, Third Miss and Fang Yuan nodded in agreent.
Qu Fulan continued, "What dicine can’t be found at the pharmacy but people often consu?"
Everyone was stumped once more.
Fang Yuan shook Qu Fulan’s arm, "Good sister, please just tell us the answer. I really can’t think of it."
Qu Fulan smiled and said, "Regret dicine!"
Fang Yuan’s eyes opened wide, then she realized, "Indeed it’s regret dicine. I admit defeat, I’ve never encountered such a question before, no wonder I couldn’t co up with the answer."
Qu Fulan posed several similar riddles, all of which involved lateral thinking.
Everyone began exploring new ways of thinking, but as these were their first encounters with such problems, they lacked experience, so correct answers were infrequent. Yet, their thought processes gradually opened up.
Qu Fulan seized the opportunity to say, "Now, think again about the earlier chess ga. Doesn’t it seem much easier to solve now?"
Third Miss followed Qu Fulan’s cue to ponder, then laughed, "It certainly does."
Approaching it backward proved effective.
With everyone convinced, Qu Fulan felt at ease.
Yet she couldn’t help but wonder, was she really that skilled?
When Heir Pei returns, she’ll have to ask him, ensuring she knows where she stands, and that she has a strategy for similar situations in the future.
Otherwise, she might believe she’s a novice and humbly play before others repeatedly; after a while, they’d think she’s being intentional.
Today’s event was supposed to be just a formality, yet unexpectedly, she gained two benefits.
One was self-awareness.
The other was Fang Yuan’s favorable impression.
She did not intend to antagonize the inner great-granddaughter of Mrs. Pei.
Two days after the Heir left, Qu Fulan’s life remained unchanged, still frequenting teahouses and bookshops, then writing and drawing at ho.
Since the chess ga with the female scholar, the three young ladies frequently ca to play chess with her. When Qu Fulan had free ti, she was happy to oblige.
Having played with them all, Qu Fulan realized she was indeed sowhat superior to the others, so she moderated her play, keeping the balance of wins and losses such that they saw her as an equal opponent, growing more fond of playing with her.
A few days passed this way, and Mrs. Pei decided to visit Hanshan Temple to offer incense and pray for her grandson.
Second Madam intended to take this chance to find a match for Pei Yuan.
In this era, matchmaking occasions are limited to important banquets, certain activities or festivals, and religious outings.
Thus, opportunities like these are scarcely wasted.
"I’ve t the Tan Family’s daughter. She’s seventeen this year, pleasing in appearance, articulate, and my wife conversed with her a bit. She’s a child with opinions," Second Madam said excitedly to Mrs. Pei, appearing quite satisfied.
Mrs. Pei was intrigued but astutely pinpointed a key issue, "Why is she still unmarried at seventeen?"
Second Madam laughed and said, "Her grandmother passed away, she observed mourning for three years, so it was delayed."
Mrs. Pei nodded, "If that’s the case, let’s invite her to Hanshan Temple for a et."
"It’s all arranged, just waiting for your approval," said Second Madam.
Pei Yuan was inford and didn’t object, obediently following the family’s arrangents, heading for Hanshan Temple.
The group included Third Miss, Fang Yuan, and Cheng Ru.
Additionally, Qu Fulan would also go.
According to Mrs. Pei, as it’s an annual occasion, everyone attending would be beneficial.
Set to depart in grand style.
But this outing would bring unexpected results, as the proverb says, when you intentionally plant trees, they don’t grow; yet unintended willows spring to life.
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