Li Xin's reaction also made Zhuo Yun suspicious.
The next day, Zhuo Yun personally went to the First Chess Tower to observe their game.
The First Chess Tower was surrounded by lush trees and had a pleasant scenery.
Li Xin looked at the majority of black stones on the board and said with a blush, "You truly are always full of surprises..."
Hearing the faint sound of footsteps in the distance, Liang Xiao immediately flipped the chessboard and swapped his container of black stones with Li Xin's.
When Zhuo Yun arrived, she saw that the black stones had gained at least dozens of points. The outcome of the game was no longer in doubt, and she couldn't help but frown.
"Sister, what do you think of his chess skills?"
"Very!" Li Xin almost blurted it out, but quickly recovered and murmured, "He has a lot of potential..."
Zhuo Yun saw this but remained noncommittal. She sighed, "You lost so miserably... Be serious and teach him well. Don't disappoint Master."
"Oh." Li Xin nodded woodenly, glanced at the calm Liang Xiao, and hesitated to speak.
She had long heard that the Marquis of Anguo was always cunning and shameless. She hadn't expected...
It was truly...
No! It was even more so than the rumors.
Zhuo Yun felt something was amiss. "The outcome of this game is decided. Why don't you play another round?"
Liang Xiao immediately covered his face with his hands. "I've already lost ten games in a row. Can you give me some space to reflect?"
Li Xin opposite him quickly covered her mouth, her face flushed, and felt a sense of awe.
He was truly "shameless," able to trick people so easily!
"Keep trying!" Zhuo Yun sighed and left helplessly. Due to the accumulated water on the ground, she suddenly slipped and cried out.
A hand immediately grabbed her right hand, steadying her.
Zhuo Yun, still shaken, turned around and saw that Liang Xiao had, at some point, gotten up and rushed over.
"You..." Zhuo Yun stared at Liang Xiao in surprise.
She had almost fallen. It all happened in the blink of an eye. Liang Xiao's seat was at least ten feet away from her. How could he have moved so fast?
Had he been following her just now?
As Zhuo Yun was wondering, a woman's angry roar sounded from afar: "You scoundrel! Your true colors are showing!"
The three of them looked towards the source of the sound and saw Yue Wenxin charging over, her face full of rage, glaring at the hand Liang Xiao used to hold Zhuo Yun's sleeve.
Seeing Yue Wenxin's fierce demeanor, Liang Xiao was startled and quickly pushed Zhuo Yun aside, saying, "It's a misunderstanding!"
Upon approaching within ten feet, Yue Wenxin, in her anger, drew the sword at her waist. Her demeanor instantly changed, and killing intent filled the air.
A sharp, cold glint flashed past. In the blink of an eye, the sword tip was pointed directly at Liang Xiao's chest!
Li Xin and Zhuo Yun screamed, their hearts leaping into their throats.
At the critical moment, Liang Xiao merely dodged the fatal blow like a phantom. With lightning speed, he grabbed Yue Wenxin's sword-wielding right hand, kicked away her sweeping leg, and casually struck her wrist.
"Clang!"
The Northern King's Sword fell to the ground, caught by Liang Xiao.
"Impossible?!"
Yue Wenxin, who had been filled with murderous intent, was suddenly dumbfounded.
Liang Xiao was also secretly astonished.
This woman possessed astonishing strength, far exceeding that of an ordinary man. She likely inherited the brute strength of Zuo Wuji. If he had been even slightly careless, he would have been crippled, if not killed.
"How could I have lost..." Yue Wenxin murmured to herself, sinking to the ground, utterly dejected. Then, she covered her face and began to cry softly, like a four or five-year-old child who had been wronged.
Li Xin quickly tried to explain the situation to Yue Wenxin, but Yue Wenxin just squatted on the ground, hugging her knees and crying non-stop.
Liang Xiao was examining the Northern King's Sword when he saw the characters "Liang Anguo" on it. His heart pounded in shock.
What made this child so different from herself was merely this sword left by her father...
After losing, she actually cried like a five or six-year-old girl? Was this her true self?
Yue Wenxin slowly got up, still sobbing.
Liang Xiao silently reinserted the Northern King's Sword into Yue Wenxin's scabbard and said softly, "I am truly sorry, but I have no ulterior motives towards the second young lady Zhuo. You need not worry."
Yue Wenxin merely glanced at Liang Xiao, then at the Northern King's Sword at her waist, and turned to leave, her back a lonely sight.
Liang Xiao understood as he watched her go.
She had trained in martial arts. This Northern King's Sword had given her unwavering confidence, and now that confidence had been severely shaken...
"You say he subdued you in one move?" In the room, Yue Hongxiu listened to Yue Wenxin's tearful account and exclaimed in shock.
Yue Hongxiu knew Yue Wenxin's swordsmanship better than anyone. Even her own father couldn't outrun her.
And she was subdued in one move?
When Zhuo Yun returned, she looked at Yue Wenxin with a peculiar expression and said, still shaken, "Fortunately, the Master of Yunxiu Studio knows some martial arts. Do you know you could have caused someone's death just now..."
Yue Wenxin, uncharacteristically, did not retort. Instead, a sigh came from behind the screen, from the Chess Saint.
"It's a sin. Let's not speak of this again."
That day, Zhuo Xun again visited Zhuo Yun with Luo Qingxue and Jian Qinwan.
Seven days had passed since Liang Xiao arrived at the chess館.
In the imperial study, Mu Cheng frowned as he looked at the stacks of secret letters and memorials on his desk. Qin Feng, Cheng Qing, and others remained silent.
"What is the meaning behind the Emperor of Daqian promoting Liang Xiao's 'Da Suo Mao Yue'?" Mu Cheng asked, perplexed.
"If Daqian had not abolished the head tax in the past, then 'Da Suo Mao Yue' would indeed be a good policy to increase national revenue and improve fiscal income in the short term. However, since the head tax has been abolished, and this is being implemented, I cannot understand it for the moment," Cheng Qing sighed.
Qin Feng pondered for a moment, a hint of understanding dawning on his face. "Your son believes that Daqian's Emperor is likely trying to eliminate any hidden dangers, preventing landlords in various regions from using these unregistered households to cause trouble in the future. This 'Da Suo Mao Yue' is also not suitable for our country, which has also abolished the head tax. Even if our country had not abolished the head tax, if this measure is not implemented carefully and without room for error, it would deplete the people's strength."
After speaking, Qin Feng sighed deeply.
"Unfortunately, Da Liang does not have the energy to implement 'Da Suo Mao Yue.' It is too taxing and costly. Only Daqian can afford it," Mu Cheng said with a wry smile.
Qin Feng was right. Even if Da Liang still collected the head tax, it would not have the conditions to implement 'Da Suo Mao Yue.'
The income of the people of Da Liang was not comparable to that of Daqian. Some common people, even if they evaded taxes, still lived difficult lives. Adding the head tax would likely be the last straw that broke their backs.
Qin Feng comforted him, "As long as the relationship with Daqian remains stable, our country can focus on stabilizing the south, and there will be great potential in the future!"
"But that will take time. Your Majesty, cough cough..."
As Mu Cheng spoke, he began to cough violently again.
Everyone couldn't help but worry.
Their Emperor was no longer as healthy as he once was.
Inside the chess館, Liang Xiao's three wives were chatting with Zhuo Yun. They breathed a sigh of relief when Liang Xiao returned with Li Xin to report.
However, Yue Hongxiu and Yue Wenxin looked at Liang Xiao with hostility, which made them worry again.
"Xin'er, how is he learning?" The Chess Saint's voice came from behind the screen.
"Very diligently..." Li Xin replied vaguely.
Liang Xiao smiled. "Actually, I came to the chess館 to learn about the chess of both countries. As for my chess skills, they can no longer improve."
Li Xin couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.
Zhuo Yun, standing beside them, couldn't hide her disappointment.
What kind of behavior is this!
But she really couldn't criticize Liang Xiao and Li Xin any further, lest she be accused of being jealous of talented people.
"Lord Zhuo Ling is visiting!" A maid's urgent report came from outside.
Zhuo Zifang had also arrived. Seeing that Liang Xiao had successfully managed to stay at the chess馆 for so long, he was secretly pleased and said with a smile, "As a chess prodigy like Yunxiu, and with the guidance of the Chess Saint, is he not making rapid progress?"
"No progress at all," the Chess Saint sighed.