Days passed in trepidation for ten days. Madam Guo constantly felt unable to rest day or night. Li Weiyang saw this and suggested she go burn incense at Mercy Temple. Madam Guo readily agreed and brought along her two daughters-in-law. The Guo family carriage departed before dawn, traveling all the way to Mercy Temple located in the city’s outskirts. Upon reaching the great hall, Li Weiyang still only saw Madam Guo’s tightly furrowed brow. She couldn’t help speaking words of comfort. “Mother, Second Brother will be fine. Don’t worry too much.”

Madam Guo nodded, but her expression showed no relaxation whatsoever. At this time, Chen Bingbing beside her also looked completely panic-stricken and uneasy. She tightly clutched incense in her hands, devoutly knelt down, and kowtowed three times to the Bodhisattva before straightening her body. She murmured under her breath, very earnestly praying for Guo Yan’s blessings.

These past days, everyone in the Guo family had been unable to rest day or night, constantly fearful, to the point of having no appetite for food. When Madam Guo went to draw fortune sticks to ask about fortune and misfortune, Li Weiyang frowned. If burning a stick of incense and clutching Buddha’s feet could truly solve difficult problems, why would she, Li Weiyang, expend so much effort seeking revenge? Having someone who didn’t believe in Buddha worship here—wasn’t that the world’s greatest joke? After thinking it over, she asked a young monk, “Does this Mercy Temple have any good scenery for me to view?”

The young monk’s eyes rolled as he immediately said, “Our Mercy Temple has always had extremely abundant incense offerings. Behind there’s also a very large garden with many rare flowers and exotic plants gifted by high officials and nobles. Every time female family members come, they like to sit in the garden. If Miss doesn’t mind, you can go enjoy the scenery. When Madam Guo and Young Madam finish offering incense, I’ll naturally come report to Miss.”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly. “Then many thanks.”

Walking along the way, she indeed saw quite a few young ladies in groups of three to five. Some were even familiar faces. Strangely, these people all moved hurriedly in the same direction. Li Weiyang looked at Zhao Yue and smiled. “It seems today some grand event is happening at this temple.”

Zhao Yue couldn’t help feeling curious. “What grand event could a monk temple possibly have? Miss, you’re being too strange.”

Li Weiyang pointed at those female worshippers hurrying directly toward the southeast, smiling. “Didn’t you notice them all looking hurried, as if they can’t wait to do something? Could this monk temple actually have someone capable of attracting young ladies?” Li Weiyang rarely joked about others. Zhao Yue glanced at Li Weiyang curiously. “Miss seems not very worried about Second Young Master.”

Li Weiyang smiled ambiguously. “Can worrying solve the problem? If it can’t, what use is worry?”

Zhao Yue looked at Li Weiyang, growing increasingly puzzled. “Miss, the master arranged to meet you here but doesn’t appear himself. What does this mean?”

Li Weiyang didn’t answer, only pointing ahead. “Let’s go look over there and see what kind of person could attract so many wealthy young ladies here to worship Buddha.”

Zhao Yue nodded and followed Li Weiyang. Just as they turned past the corridor, they saw ahead was an expanse of open flowing water. Before even approaching, they could feel the cool spray of water. Beside the stream sat a huge bluestone, upon which sat a young man wearing flowing white robes, sitting cross-legged. His clothes bore no other ornaments, only embroidered ink wash poetry. Viewed from afar, he seemed like a soaring dragon and rising phoenix. His countenance was handsome. Between his frowns and smiles, he captivated countless women. In the green water’s reflection, his silky long hair simply hung gently down. His pure white clothing amid the green water and red flowers instead became a bright spot.

Li Weiyang smiled gently. This person she had just seen not long ago—it was none other than the Pei family’s eldest son, Pei Bi. However, white originally symbolized purity. Appearing in such a brightly colored garden looked unusually conspicuous. The impression Pei Bi had given before was refined and restrained. Today, however, he had a wild and unrestrained feeling—almost like a completely different person from before.

But—why would Pei Bi be here? Li Weiyang’s eyes swept lightly, only to see not far from Pei Bi were eighteen more people. Every three formed a group, sitting before six chess boards. These six boards surrounded him from all directions, forming a circle, perfectly encircling Pei Bi in the middle.

At this moment, Li Weiyang noticed a familiar person. She couldn’t help turning sideways. “Why is Miss Wang here?”

Miss Wang was startled. Turning to see it was Li Weiyang, her face immediately showed several traces of embarrassment. That time she had been instigated by Pei Bao’er to check whether Li Weiyang was truly in the tent, only to lose face herself. Now seeing the other party, her smile inevitably held some awkwardness. “Oh, so it’s Miss Guo. Don’t you know there’s going to be a blind chess competition here?”

Li Weiyang’s face showed a trace of surprise. “What, a blind chess competition? This is truly strange news. I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

Miss Wang finally recovered a trace of composure. She smiled calmly and pointed at the eighteen people opposite Pei Bi. “Look at those people. They’re all nobles of prestige and status in the capital, with only one common trait—they excel at chess. It’s well known that in the capital, the one with the best chess skills is the Pei family’s eldest son. However, he never easily displays his chess skills. Today, these eighteen people worked hard to invite Young Master Pei to publicly test his chess abilities.”

Li Weiyang laughed despite herself. “You’re saying Pei Bi will use one person’s strength to oppose eighteen chess players?”

Miss Wang nodded, her face showing admiring intent. “Yes, and not just oppose. Eighteen challengers, three per group, six chess boards. According to the boards’ sequence, they make moves in turn. Young Master Pei must play each board, so not only must he remember his own move positions, he must also remember others’ chess paths. The memory difficulty greatly increases. Moreover, Young Master Pei himself has no chess board before him, and he won’t look at the opponents’ boards either. Everything depends on the move announcers at each board telling Young Master Pei about each board’s piece placements. Then he makes moves one by one. Don’t you think this is very impressive?”

Li Weiyang nodded. “Indeed very impressive.” In fact, Li Weiyang had once seen people play blind chess. In her memory, the best chess players could at most simultaneously play two or three games of blind chess. Once starting blind chess, chess skills would decline somewhat. But Pei Bi before her had to simultaneously play six games. For him, he not only had to remember his own moves in each game, but also remember all boards’ general directions to continue playing.

Truly an expert. Li Weiyang smiled without commenting. Just then, Pei Bi actually noticed her. He called out with a gentle smile, “So it’s Miss Guo.”

Everyone’s gazes fell upon Li Weiyang. Li Weiyang wore a sea-water blue gauze dress. Her eyes were clear and bright, her face beautiful and charming. Her whole person looked to possess an extremely elegant beauty. She smiled slightly, looking at Pei Bi rather kindly. “Young Master Pei truly has refined interests.”

Pei Bi’s smile was serene. From his expression, one couldn’t see the slightest resentment toward Li Weiyang. Though everyone knew Pei Hui had died miserably, in everyone’s view, Pei Hui had brought it upon himself. This had nothing whatsoever to do with Miss Guo. So they all failed to notice the sharp gleam that flashed through Pei Bi’s eyes. He laughed gently, his voice tender. “I heard Miss Guo is also a chess expert. I wonder if you would be willing to play this game of chess with me?”

Li Weiyang looked at a chess board not far to the side, her face ambiguous with neither smile nor frown. “Is Young Master Pei inviting me to jointly oppose these eighteen chess masters?”

Pei Bi nodded, his expression calm. “What? Does Miss Guo find it difficult?”

Everyone’s gazes fell upon Li Weiyang, their eyes holding complex exploration. A young gentleman in blue clothing spoke up from the crowd. “Hey, Young Master Pei, why are you dragging Miss Guo to be your helper for no reason? I’ve never seen her play chess in public!”

Li Weiyang smiled, her voice indifferent. “Perhaps because—Young Master Pei doesn’t have confidence in certain victory.”

Pei Bi nodded, honestly saying, “Using my strength alone to oppose eighteen chess players is naturally very difficult. If I could obtain Miss Guo’s assistance, winning would be just around the corner.”

Li Weiyang pondered briefly and guessed that Pei Bi wanted to use the chess board to further interpret her character and temperament. She looked over. Their gazes met for a moment, yet they only shared tacit understanding. Pei Bi was respectful and courteous. “I wonder what Miss Guo thinks?”

If she refused, it would seem ungracious and petty. Li Weiyang smiled slightly. “Since Young Master Pei cordially invites me, why would I refuse?”

Others seeing Li Weiyang agree all showed extreme surprise. Miss Wang quickly grasped Li Weiyang’s hand. “Miss Guo, if you have no confidence in your chess skills, you must not agree.” Two people playing chess together was actually more difficult than traditional blind chess, because the two made moves sequentially. Not only must they remember their own games, they must also remember the opponent’s chess paths. If they could truly continue this game, it would truly be worthy of admiration. But Pei Bi was a first-rate chess master. If they ultimately lost, everyone would think it was Li Weiyang’s fault.

Pei Bi seemed to have long anticipated Li Weiyang would agree. He said happily, “Since this is so, please everyone make moves according to each board. I’ll make moves first, then you make moves, then Miss Guo makes moves. We’ll rotate like this. What do you all think?”

Those people originally opposed one with eighteen—victory would be without honor. Hearing this situation, they all nodded one after another. Yet observers quietly whispered, “Is this Guo Jia crazy? Showing off meager skills before so many experts—those are all first-rate chess players in the capital. Does she have such confidence in her chess skills?”

Miss Zhou from the Ministry of Justice’s Vice Minister’s residence answered, “What do you understand? She’s showing off! Being able to play chess alongside Young Master Pei, even if her chess skills aren’t much, she can still become famous throughout the capital.”

Miss Gao from Marquis Changping’s residence smiled. “Yes, this Miss Guo is truly shameless. Does she really think her chess skills can compete with so many experts? As the saying goes, when an expert makes a move, one immediately knows if they have skill. If she makes foolish moves, won’t she make others laugh their teeth out? When Young Master Pei ultimately loses, he can push it all on Guo Jia’s poor chess skills. She’s really made a losing calculation.”

“Exactly, I’ve never heard she has any presentable abilities. This time she’s panicked herself into confusion!”

Regardless of what outsiders said, Li Weiyang’s face always bore a warm smile.

Thus, the battle of two against eighteen began. Both Li Weiyang and Pei Bi didn’t look at the boards, only listening as the move announcers beside the boards reported others’ chess paths. Then they responded move by move separately. Everyone originally waited for Li Weiyang to embarrass herself. But after two rounds, everyone’s expressions changed. Though Pei Bi was certainly a chess master, they hadn’t expected Li Weiyang would also be not at all inferior, pressing closely at every step.

The third group’s move announcer called out loudly, “Chariot two advances four.”

Li Weiyang’s long eyelashes lifted, revealing her distinct black and white eyes. She called out, “This move is wrong!”

Everyone looked toward her, momentarily all showing strange expressions. The move announcer asked, “What’s wrong?”

Li Weiyang recalled, “I remember just now the situation on the board wasn’t like this. It seems someone made an extra move.”

As soon as she spoke these words, the opposing chess players immediately exploded. Wang Guang, second son of General Zhendong, glanced at Li Weiyang and couldn’t help sneering coldly. “If you can’t keep up with the moves, we’ll forgive you. Just apologize and step down. Don’t show off meager skills here and make people laugh!” Wang Guang was usually easygoing, but every time he played chess, he recognized no one. He didn’t care what influence the Guo family had or how precious Li Weiyang was—if you can’t play chess, get lost!

Li Weiyang smiled slightly without anger, only closing her eyes to think for a moment. Then she dissected in blind chess format over ten moves from Pei Bi, herself, and the three opponents. Immediately, everyone’s expressions changed. Wang Guang was even more incomparably shocked. He looked at Li Weiyang, shocked speechless.

Li Weiyang’s expression was modest. “I saw just now the three of you discussed repeatedly before placing pieces. You may have been too focused, not noticing a companion had already placed a piece. So one of you three must have inadvertently made an extra move. Please retract this move.”

One person simultaneously playing six games, unable even to see the boards’ situations, yet able to accurately state the previous dozen moves and analyze the opponent’s flaws—this was simply miraculous. Wang Guang’s mouth could already fit an egg…

Pei Bi laughed gently, a trace of admiration in his expression. Though the opponent was his adversary, he had to admit—having such an adversary made him feel proud.

When the move announcer reported the fourth board to Pei Bi, Pei Bi frowned. “You just said red side cannon four horizontal to seven?”

The move announcer nodded. “Correct, that’s it. Please make your move, Young Master Pei.”

Pei Bi glanced at him and shook his head. “Your report is wrong. It’s not cannon four horizontal to seven, but cannon three horizontal to seven.”

The move announcer was startled, then looked at the board beside him. The young marquis from Marquis Changping’s residence was sitting right beside this board. He immediately called out loudly, “Correct! What Young Master Pei said is right! It’s indeed cannon three horizontal to seven. Brother Zhao, you reported incorrectly!”

Zhao Sheng, as a chess enthusiast, though his skills weren’t refined, was extremely fascinated with playing chess. He hadn’t expected that just now he had been too nervous and reported the board incorrectly. Yet Pei Bi had immediately reacted and corrected his mistake, showing Pei Bi knew this game like the back of his hand. Zhao Sheng couldn’t help breaking into a cold sweat. He stood beside the board watching and still reported incorrectly, yet the opponent hadn’t even looked once but could remember every move on the board. This memory was truly too astounding.

The next round came to Li Weiyang. At this time, the sixth board’s situation was already not very good. After repeated discussion, the three people thought their side had no hope of victory. But they also didn’t see what extraordinary winning killing move Li Weiyang and Pei Bi had. After consultation, they proposed a draw. Hearing this, Li Weiyang merely smiled faintly. “If you make this move and play three more moves, you won’t be able to continue. Why would I agree to a draw?”

The other party flew into a rage. “Then what move do you have to defeat us? If not, don’t talk big! Just honestly agree to a draw!”

Li Weiyang’s smile was very gentle, yet her mouth said indifferently, “Cannon one advances three. I’m sorry everyone, I won.”

These three people glanced at the board and were instantly stunned on the spot as if struck by lightning. Li Weiyang hadn’t looked at their board. She relied not only on memory but also on mental calculation. When playing blind chess, what she conceived in her mind were all virtual boards. Moreover, it was six boards at once. Yet her calculations for each board were so profound, picking and choosing carefully before making moves. Even that they could at most play three more moves was crystal clear to her. Such memory and mental calculation ability truly made people feel terrified.

Pei Bi smiled. Such scheming, such strategy, all hidden behind those eyes—gentle, yet cunning… Li Weiyang’s greatest strength wasn’t intelligence, but her penetrating observation of people and things, ensuring no one could play tricks beside her. She also possessed powerful ability to control the overall situation. Each time pushed to a crisis moment by the board situation, she could remain unruffled in chaos and easily defeat opponents.

Li Weiyang simultaneously turned to glance at Pei Bi. Beneath his gentle exterior lay a heart extremely cruel to enemies. Even after suffering blows, he could quickly recover. Regardless of circumstances, he could maintain clarity, calculating step by step with camp-like planning. His heart was truly condemnable.

The two smiled at each other, surprisingly sharing some tacit understanding.

Within two hours, these six games were all finished, all victories. Everyone watching sighed endlessly, applauding one after another.

Miss Wang stepped forward smiling. “I didn’t expect Miss Guo also possessed such high chess skills. Truly admirable.”

Li Weiyang smiled gently, her gaze clear. “This all must be credited to Young Master Pei. Without him, I alone would have difficulty supporting the overall situation.”

Pei Bi thought to himself, I deliberately made foolish moves earlier to test you, yet you could salvage the chess paths one by one at critical moments. Such mental strength is truly sighing, respectable, and fearsome. If possible, I don’t want to be your enemy. But you killed my brother—this is a blood feud. Between us, it’s destined to be fight to the death. He stood up and bowed deeply to Li Weiyang, saying solemnly, “From now on, I must yield this title of number one chess player to Miss Guo.”

Li Weiyang looked at him, expression unmoved. “Young Master Pei overpraises me. I lack the ability to accept this number one chess player title.”

Pei Bi smiled without commenting.

Just then, a young monk quickly ran over, sweating profusely, and said to Li Weiyang, “Miss Guo, Madam Guo is about to depart and return. She instructed me to find you.”

Li Weiyang nodded and performed an indifferent courtesy toward Pei Bi. “Young Master Pei, I take my leave.”

Pei Bi’s face showed a smile, gentle and kind. “Since this is so, I’ll see Miss Guo out.” He accompanied Li Weiyang all the way to the garden entrance. Li Weiyang suddenly stopped and turned to glance at Pei Bi with an ambiguous smile. “I thought upon seeing me, Young Master Pei couldn’t wait to kill me. I didn’t expect you’d still have the mood to play chess with me.”

Pei Bi’s smile remained as usual. “In this lifetime, people must experience much dissatisfaction. From the Son of Heaven above to commoners below, no exceptions. Pei Hui’s death had many causes, many times created by others. For instance, Miss Guo—you also didn’t wish to be enemies with the Pei family, but your position destined that between Guo and Pei, only one can survive. You are like this. I am also like this. I understand your situation. You should also comprehend my thoughts.”

Li Weiyang smiled. From the start of today’s chess game, she increasingly couldn’t see through this Pei family eldest son before her. Her heart grew more vigilant, her face revealing nothing. “We’ve reached the entrance. Young Master Pei, please stay.”

Pei Bi smiled slightly and performed a respectful courtesy toward Li Weiyang. “Miss, go slowly.”

Li Weiyang quickly walked outside. Zhao Yue occasionally looked back at Pei Bi, her heart still pounding with lingering fear. “Miss, this servant truly doesn’t understand why you wanted to play this chess game with Young Master Pei, and even help him oppose those eighteen experts.”

Li Weiyang’s eyes and brows were calm as she answered irrelevantly, “This Pei family eldest son is a very interesting person. Don’t you think so?”

Zhao Yue tilted her head thinking for a long time but couldn’t understand no matter what. Li Weiyang actually extended a finger to tap her head and smiled. “Alright, the time is about right. We should return early.”

“But Miss, didn’t the master want to meet you? Leaving now?!” Zhao Yue was so shocked her mouth couldn’t close. But Li Weiyang smiled mysteriously and gracefully departed.

Madam Guo and the two young madams were already waiting for Li Weiyang in the carriage. Seeing her come, Madam Guo nodded slightly at her and calmly instructed the driver to return. The carriage traveled another two hours before returning to the Guo residence. By this time it was already dark. Madam Guo led them all the way into the great hall. Just upon entering, she removed her outer cloak and immediately instructed all the maids serving in the hall to withdraw.

Duke Qiguo and Princess Chenliu had originally been sitting in the hall drinking tea. Guo Cheng and Guo Dun were both beside them speaking. Seeing Madam Guo dismiss the maids, Princess Chenliu couldn’t help taking notice. Duke Qiguo’s eyes subconsciously looked behind Madam Guo. He momentarily froze. When he came to his senses, cold sweat fell as he quickly stood up and said sternly, “Unfilial wretch! Still not kneeling!”

The blue-clothed attendant who had been behind Madam Guo all along heard these words and fell to his knees with a thud, his expression grave. “Guo Yan greets Grandmother, greets Father!”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly. Today’s trip had been quite fruitful. The purpose wasn’t merely to offer incense and pray for blessings. More importantly, it was to bring Guo Yan back to the Guo residence. In fact, when Guo Yan had just arrived in the capital, Yuan Lie had obtained the news. He secretly sent a letter to Li Weiyang. Li Weiyang decided to tell Madam Guo about the matter. Then they settled on a stratagem—using offering incense as a pretext to make a trip to Mercy Temple and bring Guo Yan back. However, Li Weiyang hadn’t expected Pei Bi would also be in that garden. She didn’t want him to discover Guo Yan’s existence, which was why she had deliberately used that chess game to attract everyone’s attention.

Duke Qiguo showed not a trace of joy at a long separation. Full of anger, he rebuked, “You still have the face to return?”

Guo Yan raised his head. His appearance most resembled Duke Qiguo in his youth. Those eyes were like dark ink, the eye shape long like a deep pool. His sword-like eyebrows were very martial. His chin’s center had a shallow dimple, making him appear even more divinely handsome. Combined with that scholarly general’s martial bearing—among the Guo family’s five sons, even the dashing and elegant Guo Dao couldn’t compare with his elegance.

Li Weiyang looked at him and couldn’t help sighing. With such an appearance and bearing, no wonder Chen Bingbing had always admired him, sparing nothing to marry down to him. No wonder Nalan Xue remained unforgettable about him to this day. Guo Yan possessed a power to stabilize people’s hearts, a power that inexplicably moved people. This was precisely what frivolous young gentlemen lacked.

Guo Yan said in a deep voice, “Your son was wrong. Your son is willing to be punished, but please hear my explanation.” Before he finished speaking, Duke Qiguo had already thrown a cup of hot tea at him with a crash. The teacup struck his forehead. As the cup fell to the ground, his forehead was also struck open with a bloody gash. Guo Yan didn’t even grunt, lowering his head.

Chen Bingbing already looked extremely pained. She quickly stepped forward and knelt before Duke Qiguo, her voice trembling. “Father, regardless of what my husband did wrong, please hear his explanation. He must have hardships!”

Duke Qiguo said angrily, “What hardships does he have! Guo Yan, even if you lost four battles, you couldn’t kill the commander-in-chief! Do you know what a grave crime this is! Not to mention wanting to lead your own troops away from the main camp! This is enough to prove you harbor treasonous intentions. Are you still my Guo family’s son? How dare you return so brazenly! Do you have any brain at all?!”

Guo Yan listened silently to his father’s rebuke without speaking. But his body trembled violently, unable to speak a single word. Duke Qiguo’s words were like whips striking his heart one after another. So he had no way to say any word in refutation. Throughout the entire hall, no one dared speak. Empty and quiet, making people’s hearts alarmed. Guo Yan knelt straight and stiff. His heart felt wronged, indignant, all five flavors mixed, sobbing unable to control himself. He suddenly knocked his head hard against the ground and said loudly, “Father! If after hearing what your son says, you still think I deserve death, I’m willing to commit suicide right here!” His voice was extremely mournful, as if desperate and hopeless with no way out. Even Li Weiyang hearing it couldn’t help her heart quaking.

Duke Qiguo had been sitting woodenly all along, the corner of his forehead constantly jumping, almost forcibly suppressing his rage. He absolutely didn’t want to hear what Guo Yan had to say. He only felt immense hatred that this son had plunged the entire family into such desperate straits! Princess Chenliu quickly advised, “Whatever the matter, you listen to him finish, then get angry—it’s not too late!”

Guo Cheng beside them was anxious as fire. “Father, hear Second Brother finish, then decide—it’s not too late!” Guo Dun also had tears in his eyes, wanting to persuade but not daring.

Duke Qiguo forcibly suppressed his impulse and said word by word, “If I truly didn’t want to hear his explanation, why would I accept him through this door? I should have thrown him out when he stepped into the hall! No, I should have bound him and presented him to the golden hall to atone for my Guo family’s transgressions! Lest the whole family suffer his implication!”

Guo Yan gritted his teeth and barely endured the pain in his heart, repeatedly kowtowing. “That Zhao Zong was already someone who obstructs the worthy and harms the talented, jealous of ability and envious of talent. Previously His Majesty had me assist him in attacking Hehe, but he could neither anticipate the enemy nor was willing to hear my suggestions, leading to successive setbacks. We were segmented and defeated one by one by Hehe’s generals. Songang, Xiazhai, Chu’an, Changping—all four battles completely failed. Even he himself was captured by Hehe. To save him, I led troops in a nighttime surprise attack on the enemy’s main camp. But after rescuing him, not only was he ungrateful, he instead rebuked me for not listening to his orders, which caused the four campaigns’ failures. In fact, he never once listened to my suggestions and always sent me into death traps! He turned around and pushed all blame onto me! If it were only this, it would be one thing. But he didn’t stop there. To cover up the truth, he even sent people to my tent at night to kill me. If I hadn’t awakened in time, I’d already be dead!”

Hearing these words, everyone’s expressions immediately changed. Duke Qiguo said angrily, “So because of this you killed him?”

Guo Yan shook his head gravely. “No, I didn’t kill him! In fact, I don’t even know how he died. I was inexplicably framed as a traitor who killed the commander!”

Duke Qiguo stared intently at his son. Based on his understanding of Guo Yan, he believed the other party wouldn’t lie. However, the matter still had to be asked clearly. “But the Zhao family said you led your own hundred thousand troops wanting to leave the camp. What about that?”

Guo Yan clenched his fists and said in a low voice, “Your son has followed Father’s teachings for many years and never did such treasonous things. Moreover, without the military tally, how could I mobilize troops? This is simply impossible! But they all insisted I killed Zhao Zong to steal the military tally, even said the tally had been stolen by me. They didn’t even give me a chance to defend myself before binding me to escort to the capital. Along the way, those people poisoned my food and drink countless times and secretly sent people to kill me. If not for a deputy general risking his life to protect me, I absolutely couldn’t have escaped their surveillance and returned to the capital!”

Li Weiyang frowned tightly, unable to help feeling shocked by everything he said.

Guo Yan’s whole body trembled as he kowtowed to Duke Qiguo. “Father, this battle wasn’t lost by our hands. It was truly lost by the commander’s hands! But I was also too incompetent, too useless. I had no way to find evidence of their crimes. I was even framed by them. I’ve embarrassed Father.” In fact, he had long sensed something wrong with Zhao Zong and had been secretly investigating him, even sending secret letters back to the capital. But they all sank like stones in the sea. Zhao Zong was commander-in-chief. Everyone had to follow his orders. Even if Guo Yan had supernatural powers, he absolutely couldn’t openly defy military orders. Yet all his countless acts of resistance were anticipated in advance by Zhao Zong. Guo Yan even began suspecting a traitor existed among his own people. But before he could investigate everything, it was already too late… The opponent’s meticulous thinking and thorough planning had reached a pinnacle, leaving him unable to investigate or defend. If he hadn’t left behind a hidden piece in advance, he’d probably already be dead on the road.

Duke Qiguo had completely understood. He looked at his son and didn’t speak for a long while. Finally he sighed. “I didn’t expect this Zhao Zong would also do such things.”

In fact, Zhao Zong was a very prestigious veteran general, also greatly trusted and respected by court ministers. But he had been an official too long. Seeing that in another two or three years he’d have to remove his armor and return home to retire in his hometown, perhaps precisely because of this, he was anxious to achieve fame throughout the world before leaving the court. This led to greedy advancement, refusal to listen to loyal advice, and suffering great losses. Given his character, of course he wouldn’t let many years of reputation be lost overnight. So he was unwilling to accept punishment and pushed responsibility onto Guo Yan. All this sounded very reasonable. But who killed Zhao Zong? And why did the Zhao family and those generals all insist on testifying against Guo Yan?

Li Weiyang’s mind kept turning. She felt the whole matter reeked of something strange. But seeing Madam Guo’s grief-stricken appearance, she swallowed back the words in her mouth for the moment. Now probably wasn’t the appropriate time to discuss these things. After thinking for a moment, she spoke. “Father, Mother, given the current situation, it’s not yet time for us to grieve. In my view, quickly finding ways to clear Second Brother’s name is most important.”

Guo Yan glanced at Li Weiyang. He had already heard from Mother that this was his younger sister. At this moment he looked at Li Weiyang seriously. “Sister, I’m afraid this matter isn’t simple. Previously I suspected Zhao Zong and investigated him repeatedly. But no matter how I investigated, the Zhao family had already obliterated all evidence clean. As if they had prepared in advance.”

Li Weiyang had long anticipated this point and sighed. “Even if Second Brother is intelligent and cautious, you have no way to openly oppose your commander.” Military orders were like mountains. Guo Yan was merely a vice commander. Naturally he had to follow all orders. But these Zhao family members were truly too ruthless, pushing things to extremes, even thinking of murder and silencing. Otherwise they wouldn’t have provoked such great resistance from Guo Yan.

Chen Bingbing slowly stood up, glanced at everyone, worried. “Father, should I return and report this matter to Father?”

But Guo Yan immediately said, “Inappropriate! News of my return to the capital must not be known by anyone.”

Li Weiyang very much agreed. “Precisely so. Second Sister-in-law, we’re currently at a critical juncture. We have no evidence to prove Zhao Zong’s death is unrelated to Second Brother. Even if you tell Minister Chen, he has no solution. It would only add one more person to worry.” In fact, Li Weiyang thought the fewer people who knew about this matter, the better. Yuan Lie wouldn’t speak of it outside. Now it was limited to people in this hall. If everyone could keep the secret, Guo Yan would be safer. The Chen family… had too many unstable factors.

Chen Bingbing thought of her own reckless second brother and couldn’t help nodding. Now she had no way to worry about Nalan Xue. At this life-and-death moment, what she cared most about was Guo Yan’s safety.

Princess Chenliu looked at Guo Yan, who was very thin—obviously this journey he’d suffered who knows how much hardship. She couldn’t help shedding tears, walking forward to grasp his arm. “Child, rest well at home. We’ll definitely find a way…”

Before she finished speaking, Duke Qiguo shook his head. “No, absolutely not! Regardless of anything, Guo Yan cannot remain at the Guo residence.”

Madam Guo stood up from her chair with a crash. “What do you mean? Can’t our son who’s been wronged even hide at home?”

Duke Qiguo looked at her and immediately softened his expression. “I just feel this matter is very strange. Since Yan’er has already escaped, the other party definitely knows and certainly won’t easily let go. They’ll definitely find opportunities to search the Guo residence. Then it will be very unsafe!”

Li Weiyang very much agreed with Duke Qiguo’s view. She approached Madam Guo and gently persuaded, “Mother, Father’s words aren’t without reason. This matter is fundamentally someone deliberately setting a trap. If Second Brother stays here, I’m afraid it’s unsafe. More importantly, once this matter spreads, everyone will suspect us of harboring a criminal. Then even if Second Brother has no guilt, he’ll be convicted. The entire Guo clan will face even greater crisis.”

Madam Guo certainly knew this principle, but she ultimately couldn’t bear to part with her son. Guo Yan had never thought of staying. He only had to return to explain everything clearly. “I came back this time to tell Father about the matter. At the same time, I’ll leave the capital to seek the truth of this matter.”

Li Weiyang’s expression underwent a subtle change, her brow lightly furrowed. “Second Brother’s words are wrong. What you should do now is find a secret place to hide, not seek the truth. After all, the other party set up such a trap to harm you and the Guo family with advance preparation. As long as you die, it’s death without evidence, confirming the charges of murdering the commander and attempting to lead troops in escape. This is undoubtedly the crime of treason! Don’t you fear implicating Father and Mother?”

Guo Yan also knew this point. But in his view, this was his inescapable responsibility that he must bear to the end. His gaze was grave. “I know what you mean. But if I don’t go, who else can investigate this matter?”

At this time, Guo Dao, who had remained silent beside them, stepped forward. He said softly, “Second Brother, let me handle this matter.”

Madam Guo immediately refused. “Impossible! Your own body hasn’t recovered yet.”

Guo Dao smiled, his expression composed. “Does Mother think that without my right hand, I’m useless?”

Madam Guo’s expression changed. “Of course I don’t mean that.”

Guo Dao’s expression was gentle, clearly not minding. He looked at Duke Qiguo with unprecedented seriousness. “Precisely because in everyone’s eyes I’m now a waste, leaving the capital would be dispersing grief, touring mountains and playing in waters. No one would particularly watch me. But if Third Brother or Fourth Brother left the capital, others would immediately think you were going after Second Brother.”

Though this was said, Guo Dao was clearly comforting everyone, not wanting them to worry. In fact, as soon as he left the capital, he’d immediately draw attention from all sides, even assassination… Everyone looked at him and all fell silent. Li Weiyang glanced at Guo Dao, a vague thought floating up in her heart. She said softly, “Does Fifth Brother have confidence?”

Guo Dao’s eyes shone very gently, yet he shook his head. “No confidence. This matter has already passed some time. The other party is also very cunning and probably won’t easily let me grasp evidence. But I’ll do my utmost to try.”

Li Weiyang held his gaze for a moment. Guo Dao only smiled faintly. Between his brows and lashes, light seemed to flash. Li Weiyang had already understood his meaning. Her heart stirred as she looked toward Madam Guo. “Mother, are you reluctant to part with Fifth Brother?”

Madam Guo of course couldn’t bear to part with her youngest son who had already lost his right hand. But Guo Yan was also her beloved son… She sighed deeply. “They’re all my sons. What reluctance or not? I don’t hope any of them come to harm. But at present, what your Fifth Brother said is right. This is the best method.” Entrusting it to others might not be as dedicated and thorough. Only one’s own brother could exert full effort to search for clues.

However, Guo Yan suddenly said, “No! This matter cannot be handled by Fifth Brother!” His expression was so resolute, his tone so forceful, momentarily startling everyone. The two brothers held each other’s gaze. Guo Dao shook his head. “Second Brother, you have no way to stop me.”

Guo Yan gritted his teeth and whirled around. “Father! Please stop Fifth Brother! This is too dangerous!”

Duke Qiguo looked quietly at Guo Dao, his face wearing an expression that could almost be called inscrutable. “Right now, on one hand we must safely hide your second brother. On the other hand, we must immediately investigate this matter. When we have sufficient evidence in hand to overturn your second brother’s case, only then can we expose your second brother’s whereabouts.” This meant he agreed to Guo Dao’s departure.

Li Weiyang narrowed her eyes, a sharp light faintly visible in her pupils. “I’ll find ways to conceal Second Brother’s identity. Father needn’t worry too much.”

Duke Qiguo’s eyes brightened. When they fell on Li Weiyang’s face, they settled into deep inquiry. Li Weiyang only nodded affirmatively. Duke Qiguo breathed a sigh of relief.

Guo Yan looked at his relatives’ unstinting help. Mist slowly rose in his eyes. He knew Guo Dao had to take great risks. He also knew Li Weiyang would expend great effort concealing him… But he had no way to speak a single word, because such help came from blood kinship.

Li Weiyang smiled slightly. “Then please Second Brother quickly say farewell to Second Sister-in-law. I’ll wait for you outside.”

When Guo Yan and Chen Bingbing returned to their room, Chen Bingbing threw her arms around him, sobbing uncontrollably. “Husband, I’ve been waiting for you to return.”

Guo Yan’s face revealed a trace of sorrow. He was someone not easily changed. In the past, he had deeply loved Nalan Xue and always believed one could only love one person in a lifetime. He hated the culprit who destroyed his happiness. Even subconsciously, he hoped through coldness Chen Bingbing would automatically understand there was no possibility between them. But no matter how hard he tried, Chen Bingbing seemed not to understand. She still desperately wanted to marry him. And he, precisely because of family, had no choice but to marry her. In this process, he felt he had changed—no longer someone with a broad chest, but a cowardly hypocrite. He only felt his conduct was extremely ugly. He could only learn how to use the mask of a good husband to deceive Chen Bingbing and deceive himself. But regardless, he couldn’t resist the blood flowing in his body all these years. It all forced him, compelled him, leaving him unable to rest day or night, nearly mad with guilt. After being forced to admit his efforts had failed, he discovered he had no way to face Chen Bingbing. So he completely collapsed—unable even to wear the mask of disguise.

He was like an actor. The moment the mask fell off, he had no way to perform on stage again.

He couldn’t explain to Nalan Xue, had no way to explain to himself, and even less could face Chen Bingbing. So he chose to guard the frontier and never return to the capital. Yet no matter how he refused Chen Bingbing, she still sent a letter every month, detailedly describing everything at home. Her persistence toward him was filled with romantic longing. But such love only made Guo Yan feel exceptionally painful.

He looked at Chen Bingbing. His heart held no love, only a faint smile. “Are you doing well?”

At this time in the great hall, everyone’s expressions were very grave, especially Duke Qiguo and Princess Chenliu. The smile Princess Chenliu had worn disappeared. She also knew this matter’s impact on the Guo family. If not handled well, it would be devastating. She looked at Duke Qiguo, her brow tightly furrowed. “Must this matter truly be entrusted to Dao’er?”

Duke Qiguo nodded. “Entrusting this matter to others, I truly can’t feel at ease. Dao’er is the smartest among all the children. Entrusting it to him is most appropriate.”

Princess Chenliu wanted to speak but hesitated. She glanced at Madam Guo, then at Duke Qiguo, and spoke. “But Dao’er’s injuries…”

Li Weiyang smiled gently. “Grandmother, you should trust Fifth Brother.”

Guo Dao’s eyes looked toward Li Weiyang, shining very brightly. Among everyone, only Li Weiyang supported him. She was also the one who understood him best. She believed in his abilities and supported his decision. How could he not like such a girl?

In fact, he wasn’t going to investigate the truth but to be a target. As long as he could successfully draw all enemies’ attention to himself, Yuan Lie’s people would have ways to find traces. But if he couldn’t succeed, this matter would fall into desperate straits. In the great hall, the only ones who could truly understand his implied meaning were Li Weiyang and Duke Qiguo. No—perhaps Second Brother had also guessed, which was why he opposed so intensely. Guo Dao smiled. “Father, Mother, I will definitely return safely. I must seize evidence of those people framing Second Brother.”

Madam Guo’s face still showed worry. Li Weiyang comforted her. “If Mother is truly uneasy, I’ll secretly arrange some people to covertly protect Fifth Brother.”

Duke Qiguo’s expression flashed with pain as he nodded. “We can only do this.”

After everyone dispersed, Duke Qiguo detained Li Weiyang. He spoke. “Jia’er, I feel today’s events are very wrong.”

Very wrong. Simply too wrong. Li Weiyang had felt this way from the beginning. Unfortunately, even she had no way to say exactly what was wrong. One problem not yet solved, another problem came one after another. Everything targeted the Guo family. The opponent in dark corners kept smiling quietly, calmly waiting, obviously patient to the extreme.

This tightly woven great net hadn’t yet reached the moment of truly closing in. Li Weiyang couldn’t help thinking of the daytime blind chess game. She herself could only see three moves ahead with each move. But the opponent saw ten moves ahead with each move, easily controlling the overall situation. She knew she had encountered a true expert, to the point that even now, she couldn’t see where that most critical move actually was…