Capital City.

Li Mansion.

Ever since National Master Li Baiyang resigned from his official post and disengaged from worldly affairs, the disciples of the aristocratic families within the Capital City had all set their eyes on the position of Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

But Li Baiyang knew well that even if he no longer held the position, it would not fall to the disciples of other aristocratic families.

The Longxi Li Family was indeed the leader of the Ten Great Clans.

Without their consent, other aristocratic families could only covet the position but dared not act rashly.

After resigning, Li Baiyang indulged in chess and calligraphy, rarely leaving his house, spending his days practicing calligraphy and playing chess.

Even when officials from the Imperial Court came to visit, he would dismiss them with casual replies.

His demeanor truly made it seem as if he cared little about these matters.

Beside the flowerbeds of Li Mansion, Li Baiyang, practicing his calligraphy, wrote a line of vigorous and powerful characters in a sweeping motion, all in one breath.

Gently blowing on the ink on the rice paper in front of him, Li Baiyang stroked his white beard and nodded in satisfaction.

On the rice paper, shockingly, were four characters that could lead to a death sentence: Nine Dragons Struggle for Succession!

If these words were written outside, even ten heads would not be enough to atone for the act.

When the butler saw Li Baiyang stop writing, he hurriedly approached with a cup of already steeped tea.

"Master, there's a letter from Longxi."

Upon hearing this, Li Baiyang nodded slightly, indicating for the butler to continue.

The butler took out the letter, handed it to Li Baiyang, and respectfully said, "The Patriarch asks for Master to prepare; our Li Family will support the Eighth Prince!"

"The Eighth Prince? That low-profile Luo Qingbei?"

Li Baiyang stroked his long beard and smiled, "Interesting, interesting. It seems this Eighth Prince also has some remarkable tactics."

The "low-profile Eighth Prince"—this was a moniker some officials in the Capital City privately used for him.

The main reason was that among the nine princes, the Eighth Prince was the most marginalized, never participating in private gatherings, and rarely making public appearances.

He spent each day either in his residence or in the Palace, truly a person who disengaged from worldly affairs.

Regarding this, the officials had no choice but to disregard the Eighth Prince for the time being. That the Longxi Li Family now stated their intention to support him—how could Li Baiyang not find this shocking and unexpected?

"The Eighth Prince is one of the Shen Family; even the Shen Family itself gave up on him. What's the point of our Li Family joining in the excitement?" Li Baiyang walked towards the stone table in the courtyard.

On the stone table, there was a delicate chessboard, and playing were two young ladies.

The young lady who shared Li Baiyang's fondness for white attire and had a youthful face was none other than Li Baiyang's own granddaughter, Li Rou'er.

The one she was playing against wore a purple dress, her eyes always carrying a hint of melancholy and coldness.

Both had decent skills in chess, their game moving back and forth.

Seeing Li Baiyang approach, both raised their heads and smiled.

"Grandfather!"

"Grandfather Li!"

They called out in unison.

Li Baiyang nodded slightly, glanced at their chessboard, and smiled. "Not bad, both of your skills have improved. Miss Zhao, your strategy is quite interesting."

"Thank you for the praise, Grandfather Li."

Miss Zhao nodded slightly.

To receive acclaim from a National Master was, for those who played chess, the highest honor.

This man was considered Number One in the World at chess, unmatched by anyone.

Even his disciples could hardly compel him to reveal his true mastery of chess.

"Miss Zhao, you came from Fengxiang Prefecture, correct?" Li Baiyang said nonchalantly.

The butler hurriedly brought a chair over and carefully placed it behind Li Baiyang.

Miss Zhao nodded slightly, her eyes showing even more signs of desolation.

When the Blood Demon Sect had suddenly attacked Fengxiang Prefecture, their Zhao Family had been implicated.

Although the Blood Demon Sect ultimately did not succeed, the Zhao Family no longer existed. Miss Zhao, having fled, was now living under someone else's roof.

If it were not for an aunt in the Capital City who had married into an aristocratic family, she would not have been able to establish herself in the Capital City.

By a twist of fate, she and Li Rou'er had met and become as close as sisters. In their leisure time, the two of them often played chess and talked.

"Fengxiang Prefecture... it's been rather troubled lately," Li Baiyang murmured, then picked up his teacup and said, "Miss Zhao, have you heard of someone named Xu Nian?"

Xu Nian? Miss Zhao thought for a moment, then an image appeared in her mind.

When she and her guard, Lu Dashan, were fleeing, they had encountered several people from the Profound Yellow Sect, one of whom was the Sect Leader of the Profound Yellow Sect, Xu Nian.

"We've met once," Miss Zhao spoke softly. "He is the Sect Leader of the Profound Yellow Sect. At that time, when I was fleeing, had he not led his people to rescue me, I probably would not have safely arrived in the Capital City."

That was what she said, but she did not think she owed Xu Nian anything. Although she was saved by the Profound Yellow Sect at that time, she had also taken a detour and risked danger to deliver a message for them. The favor had naturally been repaid.

"Oh? Really? It seems you have quite the luck, girl." Li Baiyang stroked his beard and smiled. "The Profound Yellow Sect is not simple, and their Sect Leader Xu Nian is even less so. You got lucky."

Upon hearing this, Miss Zhao looked puzzled. A majestic National Master, a former Minister of the Ministry of Rites, suddenly interested in someone from Jianghu? And someone from within Fengxiang Prefecture at that. Strange!

The astute Miss Zhao noted this matter. When I return, I should ask someone to look into the Profound Yellow Sect, she decided. After all, they fought to the death against the Blood Demon Sect for Fengxiang Prefecture. That was a good thing for Fengxiang Prefecture. It's just a pity that the people in Fengxiang Prefecture now are not the same as they once were.

"Oh dear, Grandpa, either watch us play chess or go practice your calligraphy, but don't disturb me and Sister Zhao here!" Li Rou'er pouted, clearly not happy.

Obviously, she also disliked her chess game being interrupted.

Seeing this, Li Baiyang gave a helpless smile and stood up, saying, "Alright, alright, Grandpa won't bother you anymore. I'm old; it's better to rest more."

Saying this, he stood up. Then, as he turned around, his expression immediately turned grave. The amiable smile had completely vanished. The change in expression was as fast as flipping through a book!

Once he left the courtyard, Li Baiyang headed straight for the study. Upon entering, he picked up a secret letter and glanced at it.

It bore a few concise words: His Majesty intends to let the Seventh Prince become involved.

These words, for the aristocratic families and the officials, were filled with a different meaning.

The Seventh Prince, who had long been out of favor, now had the qualifications to compete again. It seemed all the contenders for the Nine Dragons Struggle for Succession were finally in place.

According to the information, it wouldn't be long before all nine princes were to gather in the Capital City.

The Li Family favored the Eighth Prince, but Li Baiyang did not.

Once the Seventh Prince becomes involved, the whole situation will change. Among all the princes, how many could truly compare with the Seventh Prince?

"Someone come!"

Li Baiyang hastily wrote a letter, sealed it, and said, "Send this letter to the Crown Prince's Mansion. Tell him not to go out recently, and proceed exactly as instructed in the letter!"

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