Liang Ji bid farewell to Supervisor Fu and left the commandery city. He didn’t return directly to the Left Wing Army garrison, but first went home.

Ever since Liang Qiang had gone to the capital for an audience and been enfeoffed as Guerrilla General, the Liang family had moved to a new residence.

A gift from the local gentry.

Liang Ji had been stationed with the army all along, so this return was his first time seeing the new home. He stood outside the gate examining it. Although it was somewhat crude compared to the exquisite mansion the Liang clan had in the capital, the gray walls, high eaves, and multiple stories had their own distinctive charm.

“Who goes there—” The gate opened a crack as a gatekeeper scrutinized him, about to call out when someone behind pulled him aside. “It’s the master.”

Liang Ji watched as two servants ran out, one surprised and delighted, the other flustered as they received him. He himself smiled—now that they had a grand residence, they had also purchased servants. The new servants were not yet very familiar with their new master.

Liang Ji stepped through the gate. This time his wife wasn’t rolling up her sleeves to do laundry, but was sitting properly under the corridor looking through account books, with two servant women standing before her awaiting instructions. His daughter was playing on a swing, with a fourteen or fifteen-year-old maid carefully calling out “Miss” behind her, watching over her protectively.

This scene made Second Master Liang feel as though he had returned to the time before their family fell from grace.

But it was still different. His wife’s features had grown coarse, her clothing was simple, and his daughter only had one slow-witted maid by her side.

Seeing him return, his wife rose, and his daughter jumped down from the swing calling “Father.” The servant women and maid timidly bowed.

“Father.” His daughter hugged Liang Ji’s arm and asked urgently, “Are we returning to the capital?”

Liang Ji was momentarily stunned. His wife said helplessly from the side, “Everyone knows already.”

Liang Ji smiled again and asked his daughter, “Does A’Yuan want to return to the capital?”

His daughter immediately nodded: “Yes, yes, yes! I want to go home.”

In her heart, this place had never been home? Liang Ji wanted to say something, but looking at his daughter’s smiling face, he swallowed his words and only nodded.

His daughter ran off happily, urging the maid: “Quickly, quickly, quickly! Get the gifts I’ve prepared. I need to go bid them farewell.”

“I’m returning to the capital. I told them long ago that my home is in the capital, that I’m a young miss.”

His wife scolded her helplessly a few times, then looked at Liang Ji: “You should go quickly. The people from the third and fourth branches are all waiting for you in the study.”

Liang Ji went straight to the study without changing his official robes. There, his brothers and nephews were discussing heatedly. Seeing Liang Ji enter, they stopped talking and respectfully yet excitedly came to greet him.

“Has everyone decided?” Liang Ji asked directly. “Are you willing to return to the capital?”

Did this even need asking? Everyone nodded excitedly. Someone said, “We’ve been longing for this day.” Someone else said, “We never thought this day would come.” Someone simply covered their face and wept.

Liang Ji felt no particular emotion. He looked at everyone: “Life back there won’t necessarily be easy. Our Liang clan is essentially starting over.”

No matter how difficult, it would still be better than in this border commandery backwater. Besides, Second Master Liang and his son had brilliant prospects ahead—receiving new appointments every year. When the war eventually ended, their official ranks would surely surpass those of Liang Siqing in his day.

Was Second Master Liang saying this because he worried that when they reached the capital, they would affect his career advancement?

Otherwise, why had Second Master Liang refused and driven away First Master Liang when he heard the news and came looking? Reportedly, his exact words were “don’t go to the capital to cause trouble.”

Liang Siqing was, after all, the principal offender with a notorious reputation. After returning, he would certainly be subject to gossip and pointing fingers. How disgraceful.

But these family members had all been implicated. They were all innocent.

“Second Master, rest assured,” one person said earnestly. “Precisely because the Liang clan is starting anew, we want to contribute our share.”

“That’s right, we can’t let just you and your son risk your lives fighting,” another person quickly nodded along. “We’re one family—we should help you.”

Second Master Liang glanced at him. Help? Why hadn’t anyone mentioned enlisting and fighting battles together before? They would rather all crowd into his household doing odd jobs.

The man clearly thought of this as well. His expression became ashamed, his eyes evasive: “We’re no good at fighting—going would just cause trouble for you. But returning to the capital is different. We can cultivate relationships with influential families and powerful figures, keep watch on court developments, and stabilize the rear for you.”

The others quickly nodded in agreement.

Second Master Liang waved his hand, indicating they needn’t say more.

“After returning, you must still be cautious and careful,” he instructed. “Things are different from before.”

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and said in unison: “Second Master, rest assured!”

Everyone left in high spirits. A servant came in to pour tea and saw Liang Ji standing before the desk seemingly lost in thought, his brow tightly furrowed.

Joy filled the household everywhere—why did the master look unhappy?

“I heard the old residence in the capital has been bought back,” the servant said ingratiatingly. “Young Master A’Qiang is truly capable.”

Liang Ji’s train of thought was interrupted. He glanced at the servant and asked, “Are you happy to return to the capital?”

“Of course I’m happy,” the servant quickly flattered. “It’s all thanks to the master’s merit.”

Liang Ji smiled slightly: “Actually, it has nothing to do with me.”

Huh? The servant was stunned. What did that mean? Had he misheard? He was a newly purchased slave who hadn’t yet figured out his new master. For a moment, he didn’t know how to respond. Fortunately, someone walked in.

This was the master’s personal attendant, Li Fang, reportedly a gift from the benefactor who had pulled the master out from hard labor. The master valued him extremely highly and trusted him most, never leaving anywhere without him by his side.

Li Fang glanced at the servant, who quickly took the opportunity to withdraw.

“What is the master thinking about?” he asked with a smile.

Liang Ji looked at him and said, “I’m thinking about why my family members should return to the capital.”

Yes, the servant hadn’t misheard what he said. Actually, nothing had anything to do with him—whether commanding the Left Wing Army, discovering the problems in Changping Pass’s Military Commandant’s account books and gaining Supervisor Fu’s trust, or now having his family members go to the capital—none of it had anything to do with him.

Li Fang said, “Second Master has now achieved success and fame. It’s time for your family members to return to their ancestral home in glory.”

Liang Ji looked at him: “Isn’t it to hold them as hostages?”

Li Fang laughed heartily.

This laugh made Liang Ji stiffen, his face flushing slightly.

“Second Master,” Li Fang said, “you’re overthinking. For you, such measures aren’t necessary yet.”

His words were like a slap across Liang Ji’s face. Liang Ji’s face turned completely red.

Liang Ji wanted to say something but had nothing to say, angry yet ashamed: “Then, then why bother?”

Li Fang didn’t answer, but asked with a half-smile: “What? Is Second Master reluctant? If Second Master is reluctant, then just keep them here. They’re dispensable anyway.”

Dispensable—another slap across his face. Liang Ji’s expression changed repeatedly. Now that he had reached his current position, what he feared most was becoming dispensable.

Useless people were废物—waste to be discarded. Then everything he had would be gone.

What did it matter being a chess piece? Weren’t all the civil and military officials of the court the Emperor’s chess pieces? Weren’t all living beings chess pieces of heavenly fate?

Everyone was a chess piece—it just depended on whether you were useful or useless. He didn’t want to be a useless, discarded piece.

“Just joking,” Liang Ji slowly smiled. “Not just my brothers and nephews—my wife and daughter should all return to the capital as well.”

Li Fang was unconcerned, smiling faintly.

Liang Ji didn’t want to continue this topic either. These were all trivial matters. He asked, “Can Supervisor Fu really let me enter the commander’s central army? Zhong Changrong controls military authority extremely tightly and has been especially watching me these past six months. This definitely won’t be easy to arrange. Actually, if I want greater military authority, wouldn’t it be better to use this opportunity to compete with the other two generals first?”

Li Fang smiled: “Second Master, rest assured. Whether it succeeds or not isn’t important. What’s important is that this matter is being done.”

Just doing it was enough? Liang Ji didn’t understand. Without results, how could it count as done? How could it be good?

……

……

On the desolate hillock in the dead of night, Xie Yanlai spat out the grass he’d been chewing and turned to look at the soldier beside him.

“Did Supervisor Fu really say that?” he asked.

The soldier was none other than Xiao Shan, who had once followed Xie Yanlai but had been driven away. When Xie Yanlai returned this time and was enfeoffed as Guerrilla General, he brought Xiao Shan along when deploying troops.

“Really,” Xiao Shan said, having gotten his wish and now beaming every day. “Supervisor Fu said in front of many people that the military camp was chaotic with factions forming private cliques, so he wanted to reorganize personnel and restore proper conduct. Then he said he wanted to make Liang Ji Chief Clerk of the central army. He had barely opened his mouth when Commander Zhong told him to get lost—”

Xie Yanlai spat: “What’s his temper like? How did he curse?”

Xiao Shan stared: “Young Master, your temper is even worse than his. If it were you, you wouldn’t just curse—you’d hit him, right?”

Xie Yanlai snorted: “Of course I would.” He frowned again. “How can Zhong Changrong compare to me?”

He can’t? Commander Zhong outranks you, doesn’t he? Xiao Shan didn’t understand, but still nodded: “Young Master is absolutely right.”

Xie Yanlai ignored his flattery and frowned, looking at the pitch-black night ahead: “It’s obvious Supervisor Fu, or perhaps others, are deliberately trying to provoke him. He shouldn’t have lost his temper. What’s there to get angry about? He’s the commander. He could just laugh it off while crushing whoever he wanted behind the scenes.”

He muttered a few words, then kicked off the ground and stood up.

Xiao Shan followed in confusion.

“Young Master, are we withdrawing?” he asked.

Xie Yanlai said, “No. You stay here and keep watch. I’m going to see Zhong Changrong.”

Xiao Shan said “Oh” and patted his chest: “Young Master, rest assured. With me here, you can go wherever you want to play.”

But Xie Yanlai couldn’t take more than a few steps before a soldier emerged from the darkness and blocked his way.

Xiao Shan almost stepped forward to kick aside this blind soldier, but the soldier spoke first.

“Ninth Young Master,” he asked. “Where are you going?”

Hearing the form of address “Ninth Young Master,” Xiao Shan withdrew his foot. This was Xie Yanlai’s attendant, sent from his family. Although he felt he himself was the young master’s most trusted person, he would still give these people a bit of face.

Xie Yanlai looked at the soldier and uttered one word: “Scram.”

The soldier didn’t scram despite Xiao Shan’s winking and eye signals. Instead, he said, “Young Master, you cannot leave your military camp. Third Young Master instructed that you must not act recklessly while away. If you do, you’ll be sent home.”

Hearing this, Xiao Shan understood what was going on. Reportedly, the young master had caused trouble in the capital and been reprimanded by his family, so the family had servants watching and restraining him.

It was Ninth Young Master’s capable elder brother, Third Young Master, who had given the order.

If Third Young Master truly sent him back, the young master might really have to leave the border army.

Xie Yanlai stared at the soldier with a half-smile: “What? Third Brother isn’t pretending anymore? He’s no longer that good big brother who didn’t care what I did?”

The soldier showed no reaction to these words, acting as if he hadn’t heard, and didn’t move aside.

“Xiao Shan,” Xie Yanlai called.

Xiao Shan quickly jumped over: “Young Master, I’m here.”

“Deliver an urgent military report to General Zhong,” Xie Yanlai said, his gaze fixed on the soldier. “You can’t control that too, can you?”

The soldier moved aside and said respectfully, “Young Master jests. This servant merely attends to you and wouldn’t dare interfere with military matters.”

……

……

But even though Xie Yanlai wrote the letter and Xiao Shan rode through the night, spending a full day and night to rush to the commandery city, he was still a step too late.

Zhong Changrong had already sent an urgent report about this matter to the capital.

It was another dusk when the Empress came to the front hall. This time, the officials surrounding the Grand Tutor’s location didn’t withdraw, but moved to bow in greeting. However, the Empress dismissed them.

“All of you, withdraw,” she said. “I have words to speak with the Grand Tutor.”

The Empress’s expression wasn’t particularly good.

What now? They’d just had a few days of harmony, and the Empress was going to quarrel with the Grand Tutor again? The officials exchanged glances and withdrew.