I'm competing with the male lead for a woman[GL]

Chapter 143: Shao'er, so you're here.

"Understood," Xiao Jin nodded.

Xiao Shuang then looked at Tang Ling and instructed, "Take Prince Yan to the guest room first."

Xiao Jin felt somewhat helpless. She wanted to tell Xiao Shuang that she was already in her twenties and didn't need Tang Ling to accompany her to find a room. However, Xiao Shuang's gaze was sharp, and her tone brooked no objections.

Xiao Jin could only reluctantly accept the arrangements made by her elders and watched as Xiao Shuang and the abbot walked away.

Tang Ling dismounted and smiled at Xiao Jin and Chu Shao, saying, "Prince, Princess, please follow me this way."

Of course, Xiao Jin didn't need to go, so she nodded and said, "Alright."

Chu Shao also smiled at Tang Ling and took hold of the wheelchair's armrest, slowly pushing Xiao Jin forward.

It was summertime, but there were still many fallen leaves on the autumn mountain.

Xiao Jin couldn't recognize the names of those trees, but the sound of the wheels rolling over the fallen leaves was particularly clear, making her aware that Chu Shao was right behind her.

Her heartbeat was steady, like the beating of a drum, and warm hues leaked through the cracks, filling her chest.

"Your Highness, here we are," Tang Ling interrupted Xiao Jin's thoughts.

Xiao Jin snapped back to reality and responded, "Hmm."

Tang Ling's task was completed, and she was about to step back, but she was stopped by Xiao Jin's voice, "Commander Tang, please stay."

Tang Ling halted her steps and looked at Chu Shao, then at Xiao Jin, smiling as she asked, "I wonder if Your Highness has any important matter to discuss with me. I am all ears."

Xiao Jin said, "Accompany me for a game of chess."

Tang Ling raised an eyebrow slightly.

Chess?

...

Inside the chamber, Xiao Jin and Tang Ling sat facing each other on cushions.

Chu Shao also sat beside Xiao Jin, gazing at the black and white pieces on the chessboard, watching the game and smiling without speaking.

Within a few moments, the outcome was already apparent.

Tang Ling frowned as she looked at the line of four black pieces on the board, seemingly still unfamiliar with the rules of Gomoku.

She lost in a rather embarrassing manner.

After observing for a while, Tang Ling sighed, "Your Highness, your chess skills are exquisite, and I have lost."

Xiao Jin paid no mind and candidly responded, "When it comes to chess skills, this prince is far inferior to Commander Tang. I simply resorted to a clever move."

"Oh, is that so?" Tang Ling smiled and said, "I believe that regardless of the means used, winning is the best outcome."

Xiao Jin also smiled in response, pointing at the chessboard and asking, "According to Commander Tang, how would you break this deadlock if there were no restrictions on tactics?"

On the chessboard, the black and white pieces were intertwined like a spider's web, entangled without end.

Tang Ling looked at Xiao Jin, then raised her hand and overturned the chessboard.

As the pieces fell to the ground, they sounded like pearls and jade crashing onto an icy surface, resonating throughout the chamber.

Tang Ling smiled apologetically, stood up, and bowed to Xiao Jin, saying, "I apologize for my rudeness."