Chapter 9: Prince's Hidden Affection
However, such rare chess manuals proved extraordinarily difficult to obtain. Cui Xingzhou remained uncertain whether he could locate the missing half to fulfill the Winter Creek Hermit's lifelong aspiration. Having secured the coveted chess manual, Cui Xingzhou's journey reached its natural conclusion. After presenting the hermit with fine Lu Mountain tea he'd brought as a gift, he took his leave with appropriate ceremony. His mother's birthday celebration loomed just two days ahead. Distant relatives and longtime friends had already begun arriving at the prince's mansion, and his presence was required to properly receive and entertain the guests. Therefore, after departing from the Winter Creek Hermit's mountain villa, he and Marquis Zhao Quan of Zhennan made their descent and transferred to a canopied four-horse carriage bearing the prince's mansion insignia, traveling together back to the estate. The Huaiyang Prince's mansion lay in close proximi...
