Yue Wenxin silently drew the Beiwang sword from Liang Xiao’s hand, twirled it a few times, and then sat on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, like a child of four or five.
Liang Xiao watched, a flicker of understanding in his eyes.
It seemed he had unexpectedly shattered the child’s confidence.
He had never encountered such a peculiar thing: a sword could so drastically alter someone’s temperament.
“What exactly is going on? Can you tell your brother-in-law a little? Has someone been bullying you?” Liang Xiao squatted down and asked.
Yue Wenxin merely shook her head, returning the Beiwang sword to Liang Xiao.
Helpless, Liang Xiao spoke softly, “Alright, if anyone dares to bully you from now on, just tell me, and I’ll deal with them. A gentleman’s word is his bond!”
At this, Yue Wenxin finally stopped crying. She stared blankly at Liang Xiao, slowly stood up, and walked towards the main door on her own.
“Hurry up and find a way to get my sister out of her misery~”
Without waiting for Liang Xiao’s reply, Yue Wenxin had already run far away.
“Husband…” Luo Qingxue hurried forward but was stopped by Liang Xiao.
“Let her go. Her aunt is waiting for her outside, no need to worry,” Liang Xiao sighed.
He had already heard Yue Hongxiu’s distinctive heavy footsteps, their frequency indicating her extreme agitation.
“Auntie, I’ve returned the sword to him…”
Outside, Yue Wenxin suddenly hugged Yue Hongxiu’s arm affectionately, her voice sweet and childish.
Yue Hongxiu observed Yue Wenxin’s reaction, paying no mind to her past impudence, and let out a deep sigh.
This child had reverted to her former self once more.
Damn Liang Xiao!
“Let’s go home, silly child…”
Liang Xiao, eavesdropping with his keen hearing in the courtyard, heard Yue Hongxiu’s sigh and frowned.
Jian Qinwan accepted the Beiwang sword from Liang Xiao, her brows furrowed. “This sword seems ordinary. How could it possess such an influence?”
“It’s not an influence, it’s that it once gave her an extremely inflated sense of confidence,” Liang Xiao sighed. “However, she already had a foundation in swordsmanship, along with a peculiar brute strength. This happened to unleash the full power of this unexpectedly born personality. Whoever taught her swordsmanship must have been a top master.”
Luo Qingxue and Jian Qinwan listened, utterly bewildered. Seeing Liang Xiao’s guilty expression, they quickly comforted him softly.
“It’s not your fault. If you hadn’t fought back, it would have been…”
The two women blushed after speaking.
At the Yue residence, Zuo Wuji was sulking. Seeing Yue Wenxin enter the courtyard with Yue Hongxiu’s arm around her, he was puzzled and stepped forward to greet them.
Upon seeing Zuo Wuji, Yue Wenxin shrieked and immediately hid behind Yue Hongxiu, her face pale with fear.
Zuo Wuji’s expression changed, and he exclaimed with delight, “What? Have you been beaten back to your original form?”
Yue Hongxiu said coldly, “From today onwards, she is my daughter and has nothing to do with you. You have no say in this!”
Zuo Wuji’s brows furrowed. Without a word, he returned to his own courtyard, muttering curses.
“Damn it, ever since that brat came to Daliang, everyone connected to me has become more and more bizarre. Have you all caught Liang Xiao’s evil influence!”
Yue Wenxin clutched Yue Hongxiu’s arm tightly, trembling.
“There, there, Auntie won’t let him bully you anymore,” Yue Hongxiu comforted her softly, gently patting Yue Wenxin’s little head.
Yue Wenxin finally peeked out, nodding obediently.
After Zhuo Zifang’s guidance, Zhuo Yun finally regained her former spirit. She accompanied Zhuo Zifang to see Liang Xiao to apologize.
Liang Xiao said with a serious expression, “During this period, you will stay at the chess hall with your master. When the time is right, you can visit your master again. We will return together then.”
Mu Cheng had been too kind to him, so he felt embarrassed to discuss Daliang’s situation openly.
Deep within the Sword Tomb, at the center of the former tombs of the Twelve Loyalists, a new tomb of bluestone appeared. Its surface was smooth and unmarked.
Mu Cheng, accompanied by Qin Feng and Zhi Rou, arrived at this place and paid their respects at the thirteen tombs.
“I never thought your words would come true. You couldn’t return, but your son has.”
Mu Cheng gazed at the unmarked bluestone tombstone, his voice filled with unprecedented sorrow.
Qin Feng and Zhi Rou stood by, adding incense to the tombs.
Anything related to Liang Xiao or the Beiwang made Mu Cheng seem unfathomable. The couple had long grown accustomed to this.
They were Mu Cheng’s most trusted family, yet Mu Cheng dared not tell them, nor did he dare tell Liang Xiao. They could only support and wait.
As the three were paying their respects, a long cry echoed from afar, startling them and the tomb guardians into looking back.
A ragged, disheveled old man in coarse cloth, leaning on a sheathed sword like a staff, walked slowly towards the tombs.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Qin Feng quickly stepped forward, personally helping the old man to the cenotaph of Liang Anguo.
The old man, ignoring everyone, sat down abruptly. He took a pot of wine from his embrace and sprinkled it before Liang Anguo’s tomb.
“My children…” the old man’s indistinct mutterings arose before the tomb, at times filled with sorrowful cries, at others with hoarse laughter.
The autumn wind caressed their faces, dead leaves danced in the air, adding to the desolation.
A moment later, Qin Feng and Zhi Rou lowered their heads in shame, not daring to speak.
Mu Cheng removed his nine-dragon brocade robe and draped it over the old man. He then led Qin Feng and his wife aside and instructed the tomb guardians, “Take good care of the Master; don’t let him catch a chill. Also, inform the Beiwang County Princess that her teacher has returned.”
Zhuo Yun still resided in the chess hall, but with the added protection of five shadow guards.
At night, Zhuo Yun and Li Xin stood on the balcony, gazing into the distance.
“Marquis Anguo has forgiven you. You still have a chance,” Li Xin consoled.
Zhuo Yun repeatedly shook her head. “I don’t deserve it.”
Li Xin merely sighed.
Even his chess skills were so exquisite, his understanding of the game so profound. Such a master of chess, and she had missed her chance…
“As for you, sister, you have a chance. I heard the Emperor has bestowed the Prime Minister of Zhenbei’s daughter upon him in marriage. You are the foremost of the Six Beauties of Hengjiang…”
“I don’t deserve it either,” Li Xin replied with a sigh.
Sensing the tears in Li Xin’s voice, Zhuo Yun dared not continue and lowered her head in shame.
The Chess Saint came upstairs and, looking at the chessboards of the two women, also couldn't help but sigh, “The three generations of the Liang family are always so surprising. This chess game, like Go, will surely be passed down through the ages and remain eternally prosperous.”
Liang Xiao finally returned to the Court of State Ceremonial and learned of the recent discussions between Zhuo Zifang and the Daliang court officials.
He was awaiting the anniversary of the Twelve Loyalists’ deaths, to meet the Sword Master whom Mu Cheng esteemed.
In the secret chamber of the Yan family in Daliang’s capital city.
Iris, Yan Jun, and Duan Hong gathered here. The three of them, along with the followers behind them, were all masked, but their eyes were filled with murderous intent.
“Leader, Liang Xiao is too cautious. We simply cannot find an opportunity to strike!” Yan Liu sighed from the side.
“More cautious than Qin Feng?” Duan Hong narrowed his eyes, looking at Yan Liu.
“Even more so!” Yan Liu said with a wry smile.
Everyone fell into a brief silence.
After a long while, Iris spoke, “Do we have any news of Wanqing?”
“The Emperor of Daliang seems to have discovered something. He is now preventing any outsiders from having private contact with Consort Su!” Yan Liu replied.
“Not even a note?” Iris asked in confusion.
“Impossible!” Yan Liu shook his head, then added, “The anniversary of the Twelve Loyalists is approaching, and the Sword Master has returned to the capital. All the Daliang swordsmen are gathering in the capital, which is also disadvantageous to our side!”