Zuo Wuji was certain that Liang Xiao could not have exposed his identity.
At least, not before finding Zuo Jing.
This would be a desperate move, inconsistent with Liang Xiao's character, who cared for his wife and child.
"An imperial edict has arrived! Marquis Zhenbei, Yue Daliang, receive the decree!"
An imperial edict was delivered, changing Zuo Wuji's expression.
"By order of the Emperor, who reigns by divine right, it is hereby decreed: Hearing that Marquis Zhenbei, Duke Yue, has a eldest daughter, Yue Linxin, of unparalleled beauty, who is deeply in love with Liang Xiao, Marquis of Anguo of Daqian, and as our nation is currently in need of alliances through marriage, a union shall be arranged. Today, we bestow Yue Linxin upon Marquis Anguo, to be joined in matrimony! Within twenty days, Duke Yue shall ensure the wedding of his beloved daughter is prepared, in harmony and without delay, and must not seek a substitute. This is of utmost urgency! Respect this!"
"Thank you for Your Majesty's grace..." Zuo Wuji accepted the decree and, while smiling outwardly at the Chief Eunuch, roared inwardly.
Damn it!
Hadn't the Emperor of Da Liang always doted on him?
Zuo Wuji couldn't understand why Mu Cheng would offend him, a trusted minister. Liang Xiao was, after all, a subject of Daqian, and his actions had always been those of a loyal official.
Wasn't Mu Cheng afraid of forcing him into the ranks of the aristocratic families?
At this moment, Zuo Wuji's fury had nowhere to vent, and he could only swallow his anger.
With the imperial edict issued, he could neither find a substitute nor refuse.
Zuo Jing's identity as "Yue Linxin" was merely that of a daughter of the Yue manor. To Mu Cheng and the common people, she could be given away; it was no great matter.
After all, Mu Cheng, in his effort to please Liang Xiao, had praised him highly. A mere imperial marriage decree was an excellent means of currying favor.
And he, who had finally climbed to his current position, would certainly not give it up easily.
Even if the court was thrown into turmoil after Mu Cheng's death, he believed that with his own foresight and the power in his hands, he could definitely align himself with the right faction, adapting to circumstances for a stable future!
"Damn it, I still underestimated Liang Xiao's shamelessness!" Zuo Wuji was filled with resentment.
Before the might of the imperial power, his petty schemes to vex Liang Xiao had ultimately backfired.
Now, because of this marriage alliance, he would surely become a thorn in the side of the aristocratic families!
The Chief Eunuch stared at Zuo Wuji and whispered, "Marquis Zhenbei, His Majesty has created a rare opportunity for you to form a marital alliance with Marquis Anguo. This is a tremendous blessing!"
Looking at the smiling Chief Eunuch, Zuo Wuji wished he could take off his iron-soled shoe and slap him across the face.
"This Marquis will prepare diligently. His Majesty's thoughtfulness is appreciated, and Chief Eunuch, your hard work is acknowledged..."
Zuo Wuji eventually greeted the Chief Eunuch with a smile and discreetly slipped him ten banknotes of one hundred taels each during the feast.
"Please, Chief Eunuch, keep an eye on Marquis Anguo and His Majesty's movements for this Marquis, so that I may better foster good relations with Marquis Anguo!"
"Certainly, certainly! This servant will certainly send word to Marquis Zhenbei at any time!" The Chief Eunuch was in high spirits and readily agreed.
After seeing off the Chief Eunuch, Zuo Wuji, looking glum, summoned the Yuntian Guards: "For the next few days, keep a close watch on the young lady, do not let her wander off."
The Yuntian Guard who received the order was from the Azure unit.
After Qing, the Yuntian Guard, promised, he traveled through the corridors and entered a spacious underground passage.
In the dim passage, candlelight illuminated Zuo Jing, her chained limbs faintly visible.
Zuo Jing looked at Qing as he entered and asked urgently, "Where is my child..."
"They are all safe, young lady." Qing replied casually, glancing around and whispering, "His Majesty has decreed a marriage, betrothing you to..."
Zuo Jing's heart sank!
"Betrothing you to Liang Xiao, Marquis of Anguo of Daqian~"
It was only when Qing softly finished speaking that Zuo Jing was both shocked and delighted: "What are my father's plans?"
"He has no choice!" Qing chuckled.
Only then did Zuo Jing's face break into a wide smile, which was immediately followed by a worried frown: "I'm afraid my father won't return the child to me..."
"Young lady, your man is Marquis Anguo," Qing comforted her.
Zuo Jing's beautiful eyes lit up: "That's right~"
Her Liang Xiao brother would surely find a way to get the child back!
Meanwhile, Zuo Wuji, fuming in his manor, received news of Liang Xiao's arrival.
"This old man has caught a cold recently, I will not see anyone!" Zuo Wuji's rough roar echoed from the main hall.
Outside the main gate of the Yue manor, Zuo Wushang sidled up to Liang Xiao and whispered, "These few are all Yuntian Guards."
Liang Xiao understood and smiled, saying, "Tell your master that if I do not see my Lin'er in twenty days, I will ensure your master loses everything as Marquis Zhenbei."
The Yuntian Guards felt a jolt of fear and rushed back to report to Zuo Wuji.
Zuo Wuji gritted his teeth, yet he was helpless.
He had visited Mu Cheng several times, but Mu Cheng refused to tell him why he was so solicitous towards Liang Xiao.
He even suspected that Liang Xiao might be Mu Cheng's illegitimate son, but their appearances were clearly dissimilar.
However, the seven princes also did not resemble Mu Cheng, which led Zuo Wuji to harbor doubts in that direction.
Just then, a report came from outside: "Patriarch, General Anbei has returned."
Zuo Wuji froze, only to see Yue Hongxiu enter the main hall, her eyes clearly filled with anger.
Zuo Wuji couldn't help but ask, "Have you seen Liang Xiao?"
"Nonsense!" Yue Hongxiu replied without hesitation.
"Does that Liang Xiao resemble Liang Anguo?" Zuo Wuji asked tentatively.
"Nonsense! The moment I see that face, I am reminded of Liang Anguo. The more I think of it, the angrier I become. You had best not mention it again!" Yue Hongxiu flicked her sleeve and entered the side hall.
Zuo Wuji narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.
This young man was indeed Liang Anguo's son. Then, what was the meaning of Mu Cheng being so good to a subject of Daqian?
Because of a deep brotherhood with Liang Anguo, he showed favoritism? He absolutely did not believe it!
Favoritism would not extend to holding the entire nation hostage.
However, this led Zuo Wuji to think of Zhirou, who bore some resemblance to Mu Cheng.
Coupled with the fact that the seven sons were sent as hostages, and Mu Cheng had not hesitated, Zuo Wuji began to doubt those seven princes.
Upon returning to the manor, Zuo Wushang repeatedly tried to comfort Liang Xiao: "Don't worry, he absolutely won't mistreat Xiao Jing and the child, at most he'll just lock them up."
Liang Xiao nodded slightly, still filled with anxiety.
He had to bring the child back as well!
"My Lord, the young lady has arrived," Yue Qingtian reminded him.
At the Honglu Temple guesthouse, Li Xin removed her veil and bowed to Liang Xiao: "It is an honor to serve Marquis Anguo!"
The next day, Liang Xiao's wives went to the chess hall again and exchanged pleasantries with Zhuo Yun.
Since Yue Wenxin learned that her sister's child was Liang Xiao's, she became more tolerant of Luo Qingxue and the other two, but she remained on the sidelines, not joining conversations.
Having witnessed the reasonableness of Luo Qingxue and Jian Qinwan, Zhuo Yun did not reject them either and chatted with Luo Qingxue about her experiences in Da Liang over the years.
"If you can be at ease, then we can also be at ease. Since you wish to focus on the way of chess, there is no need to overthink things," Luo Qingxue said softly.
Zhuo Yun gratefully bowed to Luo Qingxue: "Marquis Anguo and the Madam of Marquis Anguo have shown such great tolerance; I am deeply grateful."
Just then, a maidservant reported: "Miss Zhuo Second, my lady has returned, and... and..."
As Zhuo Xun was still wondering, she saw Li Xin enter with a plain-clothed man of ordinary appearance. The man's coarse clothes were covered in conspicuous patches.
"Sister Li Xin, who is this person?" Zhuo Yun frowned.
The newcomer cupped his fists in greeting: "I am Hong Jie, the master of Yun Xiu Zhai in Jiangnan, and I have a modest understanding of chess."
Beside him, Luo Qingxue, Jian Qinwan, and Zhuo Yun held their breath.
This was the title Hong Jie had used to deceive Liang Xiao back then, and now he was using it to deceive the chess hall...