Learning Weiqi

Preparing for Meng Guoyao's return turned out to be a much larger spectacle than Meng Mei had expected.

All throughout the day she had to make sure she wasn't going to be trampled by the servants and cultivators running in every direction. It was the most she'd seen the Libaogong cultivators since she'd arrived.

Meng Xiāng's class schedule kept her so busy she barely saw anyone outside of the Meng’s and Amah. The people who actually studied cultivation at Libaogong were practically a world away from her sect heir lessons. Though she was still keeping an eye out for Zhu Huiqing to learn why he was here instead of YuHu she'd had no luck due to the conflicting schedules.

“Careful young miss!” A servant yelled as they ran right in front of her. Red streamers and fabric trailed behind them in a dramatic blaze.

“Amah…were my classes really cancelled for this?” Meng Mei asked, a little in disbelief. She made sure to look down the passageway twice before stepping out again.

“Of course, little miss. No expense should be spared for the sect leader’s return.” Amah said. She was keeping a steady hand on the back of Meng Mei's outer robe just in case she had to suddenly pull the young girl backwards.

“Do I need to do something to get ready for a-die’s return?” Meng Mei was suddenly a little worried. As the sect heir, would she have to do something different from Meng Weiyuan and Meng Yong?

“No, little miss only needs to be dressed and ready.” Amah chuckled, “The sentries are watching for his return so we will receive plenty of warning.”

Meng Mei could only nod in response as they walked into the main foyer. People were yelling directions to each other from every direction. Four different people were dusting the statues around the room. Two or three people were diligently scrubbing the floors. At least ten people were running back and forth, trying to hang various decorations. Two of those people were cultivators who were balancing on their floating swords as they hung good fortune declarations from the ceiling. In the middle of it all, directing people like a war general, was Madam Meirong.

Amah insistently pushed Meng Mei forward and out the door.

“Little miss should be more careful. Many of those people are not paying attention and may bump into you.” Amah warned as they walked down the steps.

“Yes Amah.”

They continued forward, Amah's hand a gentle pressure on Meng Mei's back. They turned just before the main gate. Meng Mei had no idea where they were going but she wasn't very concerned.

Eventually, after passing multiple smaller residences, they found a moon gate leading to a garden. As with all things at Libaogong, it was exceedingly extravagant. There was a pavilion, a large pond, multiple garden beds, and a…cherry blossom tree.

Meng Mei stared at that tree for a long moment. She could almost see the outlines of two girls sitting underneath it. One propped up against the trunk, a snack in hand, and one laying flat against the ground. Briefly she felt a flash of grief.

She wanted to apologize to the girl against the trunk. Beg for her forgiveness. ‘I’m sorry I left. I'm sorry we'll never see each other again. I'm sorry.’ But the next time she blinked, the girls disappeared.

Amah was gently pushing her towards the pavilion. The closer they got, Meng Mei realized that someone was already sitting underneath the pavilion. It only took her a second to recognize those distinctive curls.

She immediately planted her feet and looked up at Amah. “Why is he here?”

“The second young master asked me to teach him how to play weiqi today. I thought it'd be good to get the two of you out of the way of all the commotion today.” Amah explained patiently.

“But he gets so loud.” Meng Mei pouted. This garden was so peaceful and Meng Yong was so…not.

“The second young master respects the garden’s tranquility.” Amah chuckled as she started pushing Meng Mei forward again. Without much of an option, Meng Mei went along with it.

When Meng Yong finally spotted the two of them, his face lit up in a brilliant grin.

“Meimei! Xiaojie!” He called out, moving as if he was going to stand and run over to them.

“Er-ge just wait there!” Meng Mei hurriedly called back. If he ran over she'd definitely get lifted like a sack of potatoes again.

Meng Yong pouted but did as he was told. It only took Meng Mei and Amah a few more seconds to step into the pavilion.

A decently sized table took up the entire center of the pavilion. Atop it sat a weiqi board with the black and white stones just piled up in the middle. Around the table were two benches. Meng Yong was sitting on the farther side, his sword was already propped up beside him and he was leaning back on the stone detailing.

When Amah gave him a reproachful look for how the weiqi pieces were organized he became sheepish.

“I didn't know how to set them up so…” He shrugged. Amah just sighed and sat down on the bench across from him.

“Little Miss, why don't you sit by the second young master and learn alongside him?” Amah suggested as she set to work separating the pieces. Meng Mei’s face scrunched up but she knew it wasn't really a request.

So she walked around the table and sat next to Meng Yong. They both watched in fascination as Amah quickly and efficiently separated the white and black stones. She started stacking the white pieces on their side of the board while she kept the black pieces.

“Are you two ready to play?” Amah asked once the pile had been completely removed from the board.

“Yes!” Meng Yong’s response was almost instant.

“Okay then. The player with the black pieces always goes first.” She said as she picked up one of her pieces. “When you place a piece it must be put on the intersection of the lines. Once you put your piece down, you cannot move it.”

She put her piece near the center of the board.

“Now the player with the white pieces will go.” She instructed.

Meng Yong picked up a white stone and put it in the top left corner. Amah continued explaining the rules as they went back and forth, putting pieces down. It took a couple of turns before it really started getting serious as Amah started surrounding Meng Yong's pieces.

Meng Yong lost fifteen pieces before he started taking prisoners of his own. He couldn't bridge the initial gap though and he ended up losing to Amah pretty handily.

“Want to go again?” She asked as she started sorting the pieces again.

“Yes!”

The second game was very similar to the first. The third game went better but Meng Yong still lost badly.

By the sixth game Meng Mei found herself up on her knees as she whispered strategies into Meng Yong's ear.

“Watch out for that section!”

“She'll take you prisoner if you do that.”

“Maybe you could put it over there.”

Meng Yong took all of her suggestions in stride and he started closing the point gap, little by little.

It wasn't until the ninth game that Meng Yong managed to scrape out a hard earned win. When they finished counting the prisoners both Meng Yong and Meng Mei let out loud whoops of celebration.

“We did it!” Meng Mei squealed. She was using one hand to balance herself on Meng Yong's shoulder as she celebrated.

“It's because meimei and I make such a great team.” Meng Yong bragged.

“Good job you two. You're both very quick learners.” Amah complimented them as she started packing up the pieces.

“Awh you're putting it up? Why? I want to play another game.” Meng Yong questioned, disappointment layering his words.

“But second young master, it's nearly time for dinner.” Amah laughed.

Surprised Meng Mei looked out into the garden. Sure enough, the sky had started to turn pink with the sunset. They'd played weiqi for who knows how many hours.

“Uh-oh. A-niang will not be happy if we're late. C’mon meimei we've got to go!” Meng Yong said as he hastily grabbed his sword and vaulted himself over the side of the pavilion.

“Coming! I'm coming