The chess game had entered its final stage, the outcome hanging by a thread.
Yun Shan Zhang held a black piece between his fingers for a long time without placing it.
His brows were tightly furrowed as his gaze swept repeatedly across the board, searching for that last sliver of hope to turn the situation around.
He had to admit—he had truly met his match today.
This young girl’s style of play, seemingly gentle at first glance, was in fact filled with hidden sharpness. Her layout was far-reaching, her calculations precise, and her temperament remarkably steady. It was something he had rarely seen in his life.
Song Nian Yun sat upright, eyes lowered, breathing calm, as if in meditation.
Only the faint tremor of her long eyelashes revealed that her mind was still actively calculating every possibility.
After a long silence, Yun Shan Zhang finally placed the warm black piece down with a soft “pa” on the edge of the board.
That move carried a faint sigh—yet also relief and admiration.
“Very well… this old man has lost by half a move.”
The words were soft, but they struck Jiang Xiu Ran inside the room like a thunderclap.
His grandfather… actually admitted defeat?
Song Nian Yun did not show the slightest trace of pride. Instead, she stood and bowed respectfully.
“Master is gracious in yielding. It was merely luck on the student’s part. If not for your earlier match with Young Master Jiang consuming your energy, I would not have had a chance to win.”
Her words were not entirely false modesty.
Yun Shan Zhang was already advanced in age, and his previous match had indeed cost him energy.
Even so, defeating a contemporary great scholar was enough to prove her terrifying ability.
Yun Shan Zhang looked at the composed young girl before him, admiration deepening in his eyes.
He waved his hand and laughed heartily.
“Won is won. This old man is not someone who cannot accept defeat. You need not find excuses for me. You are very good—exceptionally good!”
His gaze sharpened as he looked at her, as though he had discovered a rare uncut jade.
“Girl, who taught you? The one who could teach you must not be an ordinary person.”
Song Nian Yun’s eyes flickered slightly, but her expression remained calm.
“Replying to Master, I have no formal teacher. I merely read books at home and learned on my own through idle study.”
“Self-taught?”
Yun Shan Zhang’s voice rose in disbelief.
To reach such a level purely through self-study was unheard of.
Chess was not like memorizing texts—without guidance, one would easily fall into wrong paths.
Yet when he thought again of her earlier essay and policy analysis, the shock gradually turned into understanding.
Someone capable of writing such insightful and penetrating policy essays indeed could not be measured by ordinary standards.
Yun Shan Zhang’s expression turned even more appreciative.
He suddenly spoke with great seriousness:
“Girl, this old man has seen countless people in his life. Someone with your talent and calm temperament is extremely rare.
I wish to take you as my closing disciple. I will teach you everything I have. Would you be willing?”
Inside the room, Jiang Xiu Ran straightened slightly upon hearing this.
His grandfather had not taken a disciple in many years, let alone a personal one. Yet now he was offering it to a girl he had just met.
This showed just how much shock Song Nian Yun had brought him.
Song Nian Yun’s lips curved slightly.
Becoming the disciple of a great scholar of the present age was indeed an excellent opportunity.
It would justify her sudden display of talent and help her establish herself in the region.
She had no reason to refuse.
She immediately bowed respectfully.
“Song Nian Yun pays respects to Teacher. To be accepted is my fortune.”
“You are called Song Nian Yun? But your paper was signed Song Yi Bai.”
“Replying to Teacher, Song Yi Bai was the name given by my father when I was young. However, women of my family do not have formal style names. Song Nian Yun is the courtesy name I chose after deciding to enter Qinghui Academy.”
“Nian from ‘thinking of the endless heavens,’ Yun from ‘clouds drifting freely.’”
Her voice was clear and steady.
“I wish to remind myself to hold both worldly responsibility and a free heart.”
Yun Shan Zhang nodded slowly, eyes filled with admiration.
“Good.”
“This name carries both depth and clarity—very fitting for your chess style and your essays.”
He stroked his beard.
“I will remember your name.”
“However, since you chose your own style name, it may invite criticism from traditionalists. It is better for your studies to have it endorsed by a teacher.”
Song Nian Yun understood immediately and lowered her head slightly.
“I will follow Teacher’s instruction.”
Yun Shan Zhang smiled.
“Then I shall say this: I am the one who gave you the name ‘Nian Yun,’ meaning ‘mind embracing heaven and heart resting like drifting clouds.’”
“With a teacher’s blessing, no one will be able to question it.”
Song Nian Yun bowed again, this time with genuine gratitude.
“Thank you, Teacher.”
Yun Shan Zhang waved his hand.
“From today onward, you are my disciple. Come to class on the 5th and 10th of each month. The rest of the time, attend the Class A scripture hall.”
He handed her a jade token engraved with the character “Yun.”
“With this, you may freely enter the back mountain.”
“Disciple takes her leave.”
Song Nian Yun accepted the token with both hands, bowed, and turned to leave.
Her figure disappeared calmly into the bamboo shadows.