77: Fan Xian loses to Lin Wan'er!

Chapter 77: Fan Xian Defeated by Lin Wan'er! Heaven Envies the Talented Guo Baokun!

Hearing Lin Wan'er's words, Ye Ling'er was so scared her tears retreated.

Ever since Lin Wan'er recovered from her illness, Ye Ling'er always felt that Lin Wan'er had a strange madness about her.

Just like what she said just now, that she would help Ye Ling'er vent her anger, did Lin Wan'er have that ability?

Lin Wan'er smiled confidently, then turned and rummaged through her wardrobe for a dress.

She changed into that all-black dress, and then took out a black bamboo hat. The black veil around the hat was enough to completely cover her face.

Dressed like this, Lin Wan'er looked like a Jianghu female knight, and coupled with her delicate beauty, she appeared exceptionally cold and alluring.

This outfit was custom-made for her by Lin Gong, to satisfy Lin Wan'er's occasional fantasies of being a female knight.

Lin Wan'er, with a bewildered Ye Ling'er, went downstairs from the attic and found Lin Gong. "Second Brother, lend me two female guards."

Lin Gong was equally puzzled. "Wan'er, are you also going to play at assassination during the day?"

Lin Wan'er replied seriously, "I'm going to vent Ling'er's anger. Don't ask too many questions, just assign the people to me!"

Lin Gong always doted on his younger sister, so of course he wouldn't refuse.

"You little girl, your brother just recruited two female guards for you recently, and now you're asking for them."

"Female guards are hard to find, and their salaries are high. It's not easy to find them."

Subsequently, Lin Gong assigned these two seventh-grade female guards to Lin Wan'er.

"You two, from today onwards, you will follow Princess Yichen's side, never leaving her!"

After Lin Wan'er left, he had another expert follow from a distance to prevent any accidents.

After getting into the carriage, Lin Wan'er instructed the coachman, "To Fan Manor!"

Ye Ling'er's arm was still drooping, and she felt even more anxious.

"Wan'er, you can't beat him. Although you brought guards, Fan Manor also has many experts."

"I'm not angry anymore. I believe you won't marry Fan Xian. Let's go back!"

Lin Wan'er smiled brightly, "Ling'er, I really didn't lie to you. This time, I can definitely help you vent your anger."

"To vent your anger, you don't necessarily have to beat Fan Xian. You can defeat him in an area he excels at."

Ye Ling'er suddenly realized, "Wan'er, are you going to challenge the reputation of the Great Qing Chess Saint?"

"But, do you know how to play chess?"

Lin Wan'er said, "Pai Gow, Mahjong, Madiao, Go, etc. Is there anything I don't know how to play?"

"As long as it involves winning and losing in board games, I have never encountered an opponent."

"Originally, I didn't care about gaining fame, but I just can't stand Fan Xian's arrogant demeanor."

"What's more, he actually broke your hand to retaliate against you. I must vent your anger for you."

Ye Ling'er asked curiously, "Playing chess is playing chess, why are you dressed like this?"

Lin Wan'er said firmly, "He and I have an engagement. If I go directly to him, I'm afraid he might have other ideas."

Ye Ling'er frowned and said, "Last time at the poetry gathering, the way he looked at you was very frivolous. I really don't like it."

Lin Wan'er said, "That's right, so I don't want him to see my face."

When the carriage arrived at the entrance of Fan Manor, Lin Wan'er said to Ye Ling'er, "Don't go in, wait for me in the carriage."

After speaking, Lin Wan'er, dressed neatly, was helped down from the carriage by two female guards.

The bamboo hat blocked her vision, allowing her to only see a small area in front of her. If no one supported her, she couldn't even walk.

As soon as Lin Wan'er got off the carriage, she heard Guo Baokun's voice.

"Everyone, look at this signboard, Great Qing Chess Saint!"

"It refers to Young Master Fan Xian of Fan Manor. He has already continuously defeated more than ten grandmasters of hand-talk!"

At the entrance of Fan Manor, an exaggerated vertical signboard was displayed, bearing the words Great Qing Chess Saint!

Next to it hung more than a dozen red strips of paper, listing the names of the defeated hand-talk masters and their winning margins.

As soon as Lin Wan'er arrived at the entrance, she heard an exaggerated shouting from the courtyard.

"Young Master Fan wins by three and a half eyes against Hanlin Zhang!"

"The Great Qing Chess Saint has won again, even Hanlin Zhang, who has never been defeated, is no match!"

"Young Master Fan's chess skills are superb, truly worthy of the title Great Qing Chess Saint!"

"Young Master Fan, his skills are divine!"

"Great Qing Chess Saint, invincible!"

The two people in the courtyard had just finished their game, and the surrounding area was crowded with onlookers.

Among these people, many were hired by Guo Baokun, and every time there was a victory, someone would create a stir and exclaim.

Fan Xian's chess skills were already high, and with Guo Baokun's promotion, the reputation of the Great Qing Chess Saint had become increasingly prominent.

After Hanlin Zhang left, no one else challenged, as all those who were going to challenge had already come.

Two female guards helped Lin Wan'er sit by the chessboard, and Lin Wan'er could see the entire board clearly.

Fan Xian couldn't see Lin Wan'er's face, but he could see her graceful and slender figure.

"How should I address this Young Miss? I can't just win against an unknown person."

Lin Wan'er ignored him and directly took the first move with black, placing a piece.

A female guard sternly rebuked, "Just respond to the moves, don't be glib!"

Fan Xian, finding no interest, could only start the game. At this moment, he was still full of confidence.

The era he came from had a much deeper study of Go than this era, and there were also many Go manuals.

Fan Xian, relying on the patterns in these Go manuals, had already defeated more than a dozen famous players.

Seeing someone challenge, Guo Baokun excitedly ran over, "Someone else has come to challenge!"

"Recently, Brother Fan has been sweeping the capital's chess scene, and hardly anyone dares to come anymore!"

"I wonder which grandmaster's Disciple this Young Miss is. Your teacher must also be a famous person in the capital!"

"You must be careful, Brother Fan's chess skills are divine, earth-shattering..."

Guo Baokun chattered on and on, when suddenly a female guard slapped out a palm, directly sending Young Master Guo flying out of the Fan Manor gate!

"So noisy, scram!"

The onlookers around Young Master Guo, who were responsible for creating a stir and shouting, also dared not speak anymore.

Fan Xian quickly shouted, "Quickly help Young Master Guo in, don't let him get hurt!"

For Fan Xian's reputation as a Chess Saint to rise, Guo Baokun contributed greatly. Although he was acting on the Crown Prince's orders, Fan Xian still remembered Guo Baokun's favor.

Moreover, Guo Baokun and He Zongwei were the first peers Fan Xian befriended after arriving in the capital.

Without Young Master Guo shouting, Fan Xian became increasingly passive on the chessboard.

He always felt restricted everywhere; the female chess player opposite him seemed to often anticipate his moves.

Before long, Fan Xian became a bit nervous, having several large Dragons cut down consecutively.

Guo Baokun, who had been slapped, saw Fan Xian's expression and no longer had the mind to argue with Lin Wan'er's guard.

What he had promoted was the title of Great Qing Chess Saint!

Since ancient times, there has been no first in literature; it's difficult to rank first in artistic fields.

But once one becomes first, fame is sure to rise!

Just like Li Chang'an is known as the Three Saints of Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting, which means no one in Southern Qing can surpass him in these three aspects!

The Second Prince helped Fan Xian obtain the Junior Martial Champion title, and the Crown Prince's side also had to reach the same standard.

It had to be first; second wouldn't do, so Fan Xian couldn't lose!

But Guo Baokun watched as the chessboard became fully occupied, Fan Xian's face was covered in sweat, and the tide had turned!

"Young Lady is brilliant, I, Fan, have lost."

Fan Xian reluctantly conceded defeat. Guo Baokun became anxious, "Brother Fan, don't worry, it's normal to occasionally lose a game when encountering a new opponent."

"I wonder if this Young Lady dares to play another game."

Lin Wan'er's female guard sternly said, "Lost is lost. Quickly take down the Southern Qing Chess Saint sign!"

"Fan Xian and other chess grandmasters only played one game. Why should our Young Lady have to play an extra game?"

"Today our Young Lady has already won. Quickly take down the sign, or we'll help you take it down!"

At this moment, Fan Xian said, "Young Lady, may we play another game?"

Lin Wan'er nodded indifferently, and Guo Baokun was instantly overjoyed!

Two wins out of three is still a win. If the opponent's chess style is unfamiliar, losing the first game is nothing.

However, as the second game progressed, Fan Xian was already struggling just past the middle game.

Guo Baokun was also staring wide-eyed. What was going on today? Fan Xian's chess skills suddenly weren't working!

The crowd of onlookers behind them all held their breath, no longer as arrogant as when they first entered.

In Fan Manor, Fan Sizhe excitedly went to find Fan Ruoruo.

"Sister! Sister! Sister!"

"Fan Xian is about to be humiliated. A female knight just arrived and routed Fan Xian!"

Fan Ruoruo was a bit surprised. She knew Fan Xian's chess style was indeed very peculiar and unpredictable.

As the game progressed, more and more people who heard the news gathered to watch.

However, not long into the middle game, Fan Xian directly resigned.

"Young Lady's methods are brilliant; all my escape routes are completely blocked. I, Fan, concede."

Seeing Fan Xian concede, Guo Baokun was more anxious than him. "Brother Fan, don't rush, maybe there's still a chance later!"

Fan Xian just shook his head. If he continued playing, being slaughtered to pieces would be truly embarrassing.

Lin Wan'er also said nothing, slowly stood up, and left the door with her two female guards.

"Demolish!"

Hearing Lin Wan'er's command, the two female guards drew their long swords and dismantled all the flashy signboards and records at the entrance of Fan Manor.

Having lost two games in a row, Guo Baokun was in utter misery, only able to watch as the Great Qing Chess Saint's signboard was torn down.

At this moment, Lin Wan'er said to Fan Xian, "Young Master Fan's chess style is peculiar, but it's too technical."

"I don't know who your teacher is, but before your Dao of chess reached Major Achievement, you were taught a large number of chess manuals."

"So when you play, you always have preconceived notions, intentionally or unintentionally leaning towards fixed chess patterns."

"But chess patterns are always limited. The opponents you first encountered hadn't seen your unfamiliar chess patterns, so naturally, they were no match for you."

When Fan Xian heard this voice, it was as if he had been struck by five bolts of thunder. "You are... Princess Yichen?"

Lin Wan'er was right. When Fan Xian looked at these chess manuals, his Dao of chess was not profound.

Even now, his Dao of chess is not top-notch; he just has many chess manuals in his mind.

Lin Wan'er did not deny it, and continued, "You should thank this Young Master Guo. The 'Chess Saint Record' helped me a lot."

"You rely entirely on chess manuals for your games, rather than using your own thoughts. The 'Chess Saint Record' completely exposed your weakness."

"Fan Xian, you have too many chess manuals in your mind, which have become deeply ingrained. You will never make any further progress in this life."

"Taking down this Chess Saint signboard sooner is also good for you."

Fan Xian couldn't help but smile bitterly. With Lin Wan'er saying this publicly, those chess grandmasters he had defeated would definitely study his chess style.

When those grandmasters came back, Fan Xian would probably find it difficult to remain undefeated.

Princess Yichen, she was here to tear down his stage!

Guo Baokun's face was ashen. He never expected that the 'Chess Saint Record' he specifically published to help Fan Xian gain fame would end up backfiring on him.

At this moment, Ye Ling'er excitedly jumped down from the carriage.

Looking at the dishevelled Fan Xian and Guo Baokun, Ye Ling'er intimately linked arms with Lin Wan'er, "Thank you, Wan'er!"

Lin Wan'er first defeated Fan Xian, then publicly exposed Fan Xian's weakness in chess, completely destroying the Foundation of the so-called Chess Saint.

This was much more satisfying than beating Fan Xian up!

The surrounding commoners also learned that the woman who broke the Chess Saint's myth was none other than Princess Yichen!

Lin Wan'er said to Ye Ling'er, "Are you happy now? Don't worry, I will absolutely not marry Fan Xian."

These words were spoken neither too lightly nor too heavily, but Ye Ling'er beamed with joy, and the two walked arm in arm back into the carriage.

Fan Xian looked as if he had lost his soul. He had heard those words clearly just now; it was obvious that Lin Wan'er had deliberately said them for him to hear.

Lin Wan'er was clearly here to cause trouble today, specifically to humiliate him and prevent his reputation as a Chess Saint from being established.

Thinking of Lin Wan'er's graceful demeanor and beauty when she recited poetry at the poetry gathering, Fan Xian felt a pang in his heart.

From seeing her portrait to meeting her in person, Fan Xian had truly fallen for Lin Wan'er.

Fan Xian didn't understand why this was happening. Was it merely because he had injured Ye Ling'er?

Or perhaps the well-educated and polite Lin Wan'er was disgusted by Fan Xian's previous reputation for debauchery.

Thinking of this, Fan Xian suddenly perked up again!

If it was because of his reputation, then he still had a chance!

He was framed, and one day the truth would be uncovered.

What's more, Emperor Qing's decree of marriage for the two of them was still very firm, so he definitely still had a chance!

At this moment, Guo Baokun looked at the mess before him as if his parents had died.

It's over, completely over!

With Lin Wan'er's disruption, the Chess Saint's signboard was completely ruined, and he had messed up the Crown Prince's assignment again!

"Oh, Heaven! You truly envy the talented!"

"My two plans to help Brother Fan gain fame both failed at the last moment!"

"Heaven, you just don't want to see me achieve success and fame!"

Guo Baokun was heartbroken, while Ye Ling'er beamed with joy. She wished she could kiss Lin Wan'er several times.

"Wan'er, I didn't expect you had already planned to deal with Fan Xian!"

"I misunderstood you today, it was my fault!"

Lin Wan'er said, "I just don't like Guo Baokun and Fan Xian's arrogance. There's always someone better, and becoming a Saint is not that easy!"

"Uncle Prince Yong has only been called the Three Saints of Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting in recent years, and that's after more than ten years of accumulating fame and strength."

"How long has Fan Xian been in the capital? Yet he dares to call himself a Chess Saint. He's truly resorting to any means to gain fame."

"My memory for board games since childhood far exceeds that of ordinary people. After reading the 'Chess Saint Record' a few times, I knew Fan Xian's weakness."

"The greater Fan Xian's fame, the less resistance there would be to the imperial marriage. I truly didn't want to marry Fan Xian, which is why I came to smash his Chess Saint signboard."

Ye Ling'er said with a smile, "Now I completely believe that you won't marry that scoundrel Fan Xian!"

About an hour after Lin Wan'er left, a dejected Fan Xian received a visit from Li Hongcheng.

The Crown Prince's plan to promote the Chess Saint had just fallen through, and the Second Prince's people had already arrived.

Li Hongcheng had naturally heard that Fan Xian had been humiliated, but he didn't mention this disheartening matter.

He came to see Fan Xian because the Second Prince wanted to invite Fan Xian to dinner.