At this moment, Zhuo Zifang felt immense guilt, not blame, towards Zhuo Yun.
He was so fond of this young man, Liang Xiao, that he truly believed his granddaughter would only find true happiness with Liang Xiao. He was convinced his granddaughters would eventually understand his intentions and had repeatedly urged Zhuo Yun to marry Liang Xiao.
However, he had underestimated Zhuo Yun's resolve.
"Grandfather, you were once the only ray of light in my life, showing me that my grandfather was more enlightened than other elders. But in the end, you spoke to me with anger and command, telling me to marry Liang Xiao, or I would regret it. At that moment, I didn't feel you had my best interests at heart, only that my world had collapsed..."
"What good would it do if I returned with you? Grandmother, father, mother, and even my elder brother and cousin would still urge me to marry him, but I don't want to. Of course, I am also unworthy. I should have died, which would have been a release, but Grandmother is not well, and you are getting old..."
Zhuo Yun was utterly distraught, making Zhuo Zifang wish he could disappear into a crack in the earth.
Just then, the voice of the Chess Sage finally echoed from behind the screen, "Zhuo Lingjun, after so many years, how have you become so muddled? Can't you see that your granddaughter is naturally melancholic? In the past, only you and chess offered her some solace, and now only chess remains."
"Hongyi..." Hearing the Chess Sage's voice, Zhuo Zifang felt even more ashamed.
"This old woman also advised her. Since she doesn't wish to return, let her stay. This old woman doesn't want to hear the tragic news of her beloved disciple's demise one day. Furthermore, the man you want her to marry is Liang Qing's grandson, Liang Anguo's son. Neither this old woman nor Hongxiu approves."
The Chess Sage's sigh plunged Zhuo Zifang into a long silence.
"What is the point of you letting her see Liang Xiao? Liang Xiao has already said all that needs to be said in his letter. Do you expect him to conjure miracles if he were here? She believes herself unworthy of Liang Xiao, and you insist on making her face him, groveling in the dust?" The Chess Sage's tone clearly showed a rising anger.
Zhuo Zifang pleaded, "All blame lies with this old man. Liang Xiao is innocent, and he can surely resolve this matter perfectly. Give him a chance!"
"You have already lost the trust of both of us. I respect him as the Marquis of An Guo of Da Gan, but he is Liang Qing's grandson. I do not wish to see him, do you understand?" the Chess Sage's tone was firm.
"I also do not wish to see Liang Anguo's son!"
A cold snort came from outside the door, and Yue Hongxiu strode in, her eyes sharp.
"This..." Faced with Yue Hongxiu, who had been wronged by Liang Anguo, and the Chess Sage, who had been wronged by Liang Qing, Zhuo Zifang was finally in a predicament.
Luo Qingxue and others were waiting outside the door. Upon learning of Yue Wenxin's identity, they all began to question her.
"General Yue, do you have an elder sister named Yue Linxin? She and my husband are deeply in love. Can we please see her?"
Yue Wenxin frowned, "Deeply in love? So the twins she gave birth to are An Guo Hou's??"
"What?!" everyone present was shocked.
"Is my sister truly in love with An Guo Hou?" Yue Wenxin looked disbelieving.
Her half-sister had never told her!
"It's true!!" Luo Qingxue said urgently, "Where is your sister?"
"My damned father locked her up. I can't find her either..." Yue Wenxin said sadly.
Everyone almost choked.
Just then, Zhuo Zifang emerged from inside, his face full of dejection.
"Let's go home..."
Seeing Zhuo Zifang's reaction, everyone guessed the outcome and offered comfort, not daring to inform Zuo Jing of the situation.
"Liang Xiao, Xiao Yun dares not see you, and the Medical Sage and Yue Hongxiu do not wish to see you..." Zhuo Zifang said, on the verge of tears.
"Hey, it's no big deal. I can come to you!" Liang Xiao raised an eyebrow.
Zhuo Zifang could only offer a bitter smile, "It's all my fault for my selfishness back then!"
Liang Xiao quickly comforted Zhuo Zifang, "Don't be sad, this matter can be resolved!"
Luo Qingxue quickly informed Liang Xiao of Zuo Jing's situation.
Liang Xiao, who had been smiling confidently moments before, instantly became grim. His right hand unconsciously moved to the armrest of the chair.
"Crack!"
The wooden armrest of the chair was instantly crushed by Liang Xiao.
"Father-in-law, take me to Zuo Wuji!!"
Liang Xiao said through gritted teeth.
Everyone's breath hitched.
Zuo Wuji had finally crossed his bottom line...
Zuo Wushang quickly agreed, but unexpectedly, a guard from the Court of State Ceremonial announced from outside, "Marquis of An Guo! Our Marquis of Zhenbei asked someone to entrust a letter to you!"
Liang Xiao tore open the letter, glanced at it, and immediately became furious.
[I don't want to see you, and it's useless if you come!]
Next to these words was a drawing of a hand giving a middle finger.
Liang Xiao narrowed his eyes, almost cursing.
Zuo Wushang frowned, "This fellow seems to have planned this in advance, just to provoke you. Judging by the ink, he likely prepared this gesture for over a month!"
Everyone looked bewildered: Was this Marquis of Zhenbei so shameless?
Moreover, the letter was unsigned, and Zuo Wuji was fabricating friends, claiming someone had asked him to deliver it to Liang Xiao, distancing himself from the matter.
Zhuo Zifang also saw the content of the letter and hurriedly said, "Let's deal with Xiao Jing's matter first!"
Liang Xiao immediately went to the Yue residence. As expected, the gate was tightly shut, and the guard claimed, "Our master is not at home."
This was Da Liang's territory, and as an envoy of Da Gan, Liang Xiao naturally could not force his way in. He could only change course and head to the imperial palace to request an audience with Mu Cheng.
Mu Cheng, who was listening to music, received the news and said, "Didn't I say that when it's time to talk, I will find him myself?"
"Marquis of An Guo claims it is an urgent matter!" explained Ye Chengxiu, the commander of the Xuan Guards.
"He also has times when he needs to ask for my help?" Mu Cheng frowned, and with a hint of curiosity, finally granted Liang Xiao an audience.
"Yue Linxin and I are deeply in love. I hope the Son of Heaven of Da Liang will grant us his blessing and bestow marriage upon us! I am willing to privately donate three million taels of silver to you!" Liang Xiao requested.
Mu Cheng appraised Liang Xiao and smiled, "Just in time, I also have something to ask of you. Consider it a transaction. After it's done, you will have to do one thing for me."
Liang Xiao replied without hesitation, "As long as it does not go against my conscience and is not detrimental to our Da Gan, I will do my best."
Mu Cheng suppressed his overwhelming joy, "This is what I've been waiting for! Don't worry, I won't let you suffer a loss! However, before that, you'd best find Sword Master. Because, there are hidden circumstances concerning your father and those righteous individuals back then, but no matter how earnestly I inquire, he avoids answering. I, too, wish to know!"
Liang Xiao immediately agreed, "On the memorial day of the twelve righteous individuals, Sword Master may appear. I believe there must be an untold relationship between them."
Without a word, Mu Cheng immediately drafted an imperial edict and sent someone to the Yue residence.
At this time, Zuo Wuji was in a secret chamber of the Yue residence, with an expression of revenge fulfilled.
"So what if you know? Mother and son are in my hands. What can you and Zuo Wushang do to me?"