A day later, Yue Hongxiu entered the chess hall. Hearing the surrounding chess players discussing animatedly, her heart sank. She quickly hurried over to find Zhuo Xun, inquiring about the situation.
"I heard the chess hall recently accepted a Yunxiu Zhaizhu, and this person is from Daqian's Jiangnan?"
Zhuo Yun nodded silently, her expression clearly one of disappointment and displeasure.
Yue Hongxiu said in a deep voice, "Take me to see him!"
Yue Wenxin, Zhuo Yun, and Li Xin followed along.
In Liang Xiao's courtyard, Yue Hongxiu stared intently at Liang Xiao, her sharp gaze seeming to pierce through him.
Liang Xiao, in disguise, had an ordinary appearance, and his gaze was no longer sharp.
Upon seeing Yue Hongxiu in person, Liang Xiao, with only his eyes visible, remained outwardly calm but was filled with emotion.
He had not come here solely for Zhuo Yun, but also for Liang Qing and Liang Anguo.
It was the grudges and disputes between the Chess Saint, Yue Hongxiu, and his elders that had led to the chess hall barring him.
Mu Cheng, upon hearing that the chess hall would not allow him entry, did not intervene to dissuade him. Instead, he advised Liang Xiao to be more strategic.
From the details, Liang Xiao could tell that Mu Cheng also attached great importance to the Chess Saint.
It was said that over thirty years ago, the Chess Saint had already achieved sainthood through chess. Not yet forty, he was widely admired and had even used his influence to promote Mu Cheng.
Mu Cheng's ability to seize power and stabilize the populace after Xiu Ping's death was greatly indebted to the Chess Saint and the Li family. Mu Cheng was always generous to his meritorious officials, otherwise, Zuo Wuji would not have been able to rise so rapidly.
He had also learned about his father Liang Anguo and Yue Hongxiu's past from Zhuo Zifang and Liang Qing.
That scoundrel father had not only wronged Lu Xue but had also left at least a string of romantic entanglements in the Great Liang Kingdom.
Inviting Yue Hongxiu to Daqian to be his third concubine, becoming Liang Anguo's third wife in name, was unrealistic. Yue Hongxiu would certainly not agree.
The former number one beauty of the Great Liang Kingdom had now become like this, even referring to herself as "this old man," clearly seeing herself as a man.
How much emotional pain must she have endured?
But why, as the dignified General Anbei, had she served as the commander of the Northern King's Imperial Guard for over thirty years? Was Mu Cheng so trusting of a woman?
The Northern King's Imperial Guard was second only to the Xuan Guard. Was it not the imperial army established by Mu Cheng in the name of the Northern King?
There must be hidden circumstances behind the events of that year, a complex web that might be related to the task Mu Cheng ultimately wanted him to undertake.
"These are extraordinary times. Why would your master take in a chess player from Daqian?" Yue Hongxiu could not help but ask Zhuo Yun.
Zhuo Yun replied, "Because he has extremely profound insights into the way of chess, but his skill, well... it needs improvement."
Yue Hongxiu said coldly, "It must be another of Liang Xiao's tricks. I advise you to confess and receive leniency!"
Beside them, Yue Wenxin chimed in with a smile, "Look, even Auntie suspects him. My intuition... pfft, how precise is my judgment~"
"I am indeed here to learn about the way of chess. After all, this place gathers chess players from two countries, including people from our Daqian. Is it too much for one more person?" Liang Xiao sighed.
Yue Hongxiu merely stared coldly at Liang Xiao, answering his question with a non-sequitur.
"I'll state my terms clearly first. If you dare to have any improper thoughts about Xiao Yun, even if I have to break the law, I will tear you to pieces!"
Liang Xiao remained silent.
He had indeed come to witness Zhuo Yun's so-called "way of chess" and had no intention of marrying her. He only hoped she could return to Daqian with peace of mind.
After returning to the chess hall, Yue Hongxiu remained by Zhuo Yun's side almost constantly. The women spent their days in the Chess Saint's room.
Liang Xiao, meanwhile, was in his room reviewing the intelligence sent by He Zizhang and analyzing Zhuo Yun's past game records.
Since joining the army, he hadn't played much Go.
An hour later, Zhuo Yun, Li Xin, Yue Wenxin, and Yue Hongxiu arrived at Liang Xiao's residence.
"Is Yunxiu Zhaizhu in?" Li Xin knocked on the door and asked.
The door creaked open slowly, and Liang Xiao emerged, smiling. "You have all come together. Is there something you wish to impart?"
Zhuo Yun stared at Liang Xiao, her expression clearly displeased. "You came to the chess hall, what have you been researching in your room all day?"
"Practicing chess," Liang Xiao replied without hesitation.
"Not playing against others, just hiding in your room alone all day, what can you accomplish?" Yue Hongxiu interjected unexpectedly.
Zhuo Yun quickly explained, "It's not impossible. Perhaps he is deducing chess positions?"
"You don't need to defend him!" Yue Hongxiu said coldly.
Yue Wenxin strode into the room, inspected it, and came out, saying dejectedly, "He is indeed playing chess alone, and there are chess manuals..."
Only then did Zhuo Yun give Liang Xiao a satisfied glance. "My master wishes to speak with you in person."
Liang Xiao readily agreed.
In the central room of the chess hall, Liang Xiao and the Chess Saint met each other's gaze, neither looking away.
After a long while, the Chess Saint sighed. "Although chess skill is not the sole aspect of the way of chess, if one's skill is unstable, it is difficult to enter the hall of the way of chess. You spending all day learning by yourself in your room, what is that but closed-door learning?"
"I request the Chess Saint's guidance," Liang Xiao nodded repeatedly.
The Chess Saint glanced at Li Xin, who was nervously watching from the side, and said, "Xin'er's chess skill is slightly inferior to my disciple's, but she is still a top player in the chess hall. Starting tomorrow, you will play against her daily in Chess Tower Number One and learn from her."
Upon hearing this, Li Xin, who was already nervous, became even more flustered. Her beautiful eyes lit up. "Really?"
The Chess Saint frowned. "You seem very happy?"
Li Xin thought quickly and laughed. "A chess prodigy acknowledged by Grandmother, and I get to learn from them. How can I not be happy~"
The Chess Saint sighed helplessly. "If not for this accursed Liang Xiao, Yunxiu would have been the one teaching Yunxiu, and the effect would have been better."
"Master, whether it's Anguo Hou or not, I would never agree to teach him. I only teach women," Zhuo Yun quickly stated.
Yue Hongxiu and Yue Wenxin kept their eyes fixed on Liang Xiao, trying to find any flaws in this stranger.
But the human-skin mask prepared for Liang Xiao by Zuo Wushang made his appearance appear truly unremarkable.
The next day at noon, Li Xin, her face flushed and filled with disbelief, left Chess Tower Number One and returned to the Chess Saint's residence.
Seeing Li Xin's unusual complexion, Zhuo Yun quickly asked, "Sister, did he study diligently? Or did he take liberties with you?"
Li Xin shook her head repeatedly. "How could he take liberties? He is a true gentleman..."
"Then why is your face red? Have you fallen for someone else?" Yue Wenxin blurted out casually.
Li Xin's admiration for Daqian's Anguo Hou was already common knowledge in the capital.
"Don't talk nonsense. I'm just under a lot of pressure from playing chess and sweating. Yunxiu Zhaizhu is studying very diligently and humbly..." Li Xin huffed.
"It seems he still takes my master seriously," Zhuo Yun said with a nod, no longer questioning.
Yue Hongxiu stared at Li Xin, left in silence, and summoned a Northern King's Imperial Guard, giving secret instructions.
"Go and investigate the area around Ziqing Platform. Has the Chess Demon played against a young man recently and lost five consecutive games? Observe secretly, do not alert them!"
The Northern King's Imperial Guard scurried out of the chess hall and headed towards Ziqing Platform.