Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

The next day, Su Qianrou arrived at the chess club. The manager was already waiting at the door. When he saw her, he hurriedly went up to her and said, "Miss Su, you've arrived."

"Hmm, has your chess master arrived?"

"You've arrived. We're waiting for you in the private room. Please come in."

Su Qianrou stepped forward.

At this time, the chess club was crowded with people waiting to watch the two players play, making it a very lively place.

Afterwards, Su Qianrou went into the private room.

"Miss Su has arrived."

"Young Master Liu".

"Please sit down."

Su Qianrou walked over and sat down.

Liu Chengyun asked, "Shall we begin now?"

"it is good".

"Do you want the black pieces or the white pieces?"

"I'm fine with anything."

"Then let's go with the black one," he said, glancing at the shopkeeper beside him.

The shopkeeper then placed the black pieces on Su Qianrou's side and the white pieces on Liu Chengjun's side.

"please".

Su Qianrou picked up a chess piece and placed it in the center position.

Then, Liu Chengyun placed the chess piece on the star position.

Each time they made a move, the shopkeeper would instruct the two waiters to set up the game on the large chessboard so that everyone could watch.

Royal Palace

In the Imperial Study, Mu Jinchen and his ministers were discussing the imperial examinations.

"In two months, the imperial examination will be held. This is the first imperial examination since His Majesty ascended the throne. Therefore, we must not be careless and must ensure that nothing goes wrong."

"Yes".

"Lord Song".

"Your subject is here."

"This imperial examination will be overseen by your Ministry of Personnel, and you will serve as the chief examiner."

"Yes".

“Your Highness, this is inappropriate. The imperial examinations have always been the responsibility of our Ministry of Rites. How can we allow the Ministry of Personnel to take over?”

"Lord Mo, what is the purpose of the imperial examination?"

"Only the virtuous and capable are appointed as officials, which is the way our dynasty selects talent."

"Then what are the responsibilities of the Ministry of Personnel?"

"The Ministry of Personnel is responsible for the appointment, evaluation, promotion, demotion, and transfer of officials throughout the country."

"In that case, wouldn't it be more convenient for the Ministry of Personnel to be in charge of the imperial examinations?"

"Your Highness, this is a matter of great importance and should be carefully considered."

"With only two months left until the imperial examination, how long does Lord Mo intend to continue this discussion?"

"but……".

"There is no need to say more about this matter. My mind is made up. This imperial examination will be overseen by the Ministry of Personnel, with the assistance of the Ministry of Rites."

"Please reconsider, Your Highness."

"Please reconsider, Your Highness."

"If there is nothing else, you may leave."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I take my leave." After saying this, Song Mingxian and the others strode out.

Mo Lizhi and his group, however, were still unwilling to give up.

"Your Highness, this is really inappropriate. Please reconsider."

"Your Highness, the imperial examination is a matter of great importance to the country. How can we simply replace the person in charge? Please reconsider, Your Highness."

"Please reconsider, Your Highness."

Mu Jinchen ignored their words as if he hadn't heard them, and casually picked up a memorial to the throne and began to review it.

"Your Highness," Mo Lizhi called out again, unwilling to give up.

Seeing that he still didn't react, the group exchanged glances and decided to step back and discuss their next move before making any further plans. So they took their leave.

Not long after they left, Mu Xinchen went in and called out, "Fifth Brother."

"What is it?" Mu Jinchen asked calmly.

"I heard that the chess game that the chess club has been playing for a year has been broken, and today the chess master and the person who broke the game are going to play against each other. Let's go and see."

"I'm not going."

"No, don't you like playing chess? Just treat it as a learning experience."

Mu Jinchen looked up at him and said, "Do you think I still need to learn?"

Mu Xinchen then realized that he had said the wrong thing and quickly tried to smooth things over, "No, of course not, I misspoke, I should have said 'observe and observe'."

Mu Jinchen ignored him, lowered his head, and continued to review the memorials.

Seeing this, Mu Xinchen walked to his side, took the memorial from his hand, and then pulled him up, saying, "Let's go, just to keep me company."

Mu Jinchen looked at where the man was holding his hand and said coldly, "Let go."

Mu Xinchen then realized what he had done and hurriedly let go, saying, "I didn't mean to."

Mu Jinchen glanced at him, then straightened his sleeves and walked out.

"Where are you going?" Mu Xinchen asked.

Mu Jinchen did not answer.

However, Yingfeng knew her master well, so she said to Mu Xinchen, "Young Master, didn't you say you were going to the chess club?"

"Ah, oh," Mu Xinchen quickly followed.

The two then went to the chess club and entered a private room on the second floor.

Mu Xinchen asked curiously, "Fifth Brother, who do you think will win, black or white?"

Mu Jinchen did not answer, because he could tell at a glance that the two were evenly matched and on par. However, the more he looked, the more familiar the black pieces' moves seemed, as if he had seen them before.

After a while, his suspicions grew stronger, so he ordered, "Go and find out who is holding the black pieces."

"Yes," Yingfeng replied and walked out.

Mu Xinchen asked, puzzled, "What's wrong? Is there a problem?"

"no".

Mu Xinchen didn't ask any further questions.

Not long after, Yingfeng returned, saying, "Your Highness."

"explain".

"Your Highness, I only know that she is a woman surnamed Su."

Now, Mu Jinchen was even more certain. However, he didn't know why she was here, and why she was playing chess with the chess club's owner. But he didn't think too much about it and continued watching.

At this point, the game had entered a heated phase, with both players fully focused and carefully considering each move.

Inside the private room, apart from the innkeeper, no one dared to utter a sound, for fear of disturbing their thoughts.

The crowd watching downstairs were equally engrossed in the chessboard on the wall, too nervous to speak.

Just then, Liu Chengyun placed a piece, blocking Su Qianrou's path.

Seeing this, Mu Xinchen couldn't help but say, "It looks like Hei Zi is going to lose."

Mu Jinchen, however, was unconvinced and said indifferently, "No."

"What can't I do?"

"She won't lose."

"He has nowhere left to go."

"Who said there isn't?"

"Where else can we go? All the roads are blocked."

Mu Jinchen remained silent.

Apart from him, everyone else shared the same thought as Mu Xinchen: Su Qianrou was doomed to lose.

Just then, Su Qianrou picked up a chess piece and placed it on the chessboard, instantly changing the game.

Everyone stared in disbelief at the chessboard before them, their expressions remarkably identical – all looking utterly incredulous.

"You've yielded to me."

Liu Chengyun smiled and said, "I admit defeat." Then, he looked at Qin Yu beside him and said, "Bring me your sword."

"Master," Qin Yu clearly disagreed with his actions.

"Bring it here."

Su Qianrou glanced at them, but said nothing.

Left with no other choice, Qin Yu had to hand her his sword.

"Open it and take a look."

Su Qianrou opened it, and a finely crafted, dark longsword came into view. The scabbard was carved with a coiled dragon pattern, and the hilt was carved with a golden dragon. It was majestic and awe-inspiring, sending chills down one's spine.

"This sword is named Cold Light, meaning that wherever the sword goes, there will be light."

"Thank you very much".

"I hope your brother will not let this sword down."

"I believe him."

Liu Chengyun said nothing more.

Then, Chunzhu took the sword.

"I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

"Alright, Uncle Fu, see Miss Su out."

"Yes".

After she left, Qin Yu couldn't help but say, "Master, that sword... you just let her take it away like that."

"If a blind person gets a mirror, he will use it to cover a cup. It would be better to give it to her. At least, the cold light will still have a chance to shine."

"But..." Qin Yu hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.

Liu Chengyun knew what he wanted to say, but his mind was made up.