Ding Youtian and Huo Jincheng played chess, like a first-degree black belt versus a first-degree white belt; they were not even on the same level. But Ding Youtian hadn't originally sought him out to play chess, but simply to inquire about Nan Sheng's past. Every time he made a move, Huo Jincheng would frown and ponder for a long time.

Anyway, the night was long and there was plenty of time, so Ding Youtian leisurely ate the food and drank the wine, and from time to time raised his glass to invite Huo Jincheng, chatting about random things.

After three rounds of drinks, he got down to business. "Tell me, why are you looking for my master? Who murdered my master back then?"

Huo Jincheng looked up at him for a few seconds, then dropped the chess piece in his hand, picked up his wine glass, and said, "If you want to ask something, just ask directly. Why are you going through so much trouble?"

"You think I'm trying to beat around the bush? It's because you can't speak freely unless you're drunk."

Huo Jincheng twirled the wine glass in his hand, concentrating his thoughts as he spoke, "I also heard His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and my father mention it a little bit. I don't know the details, but I do know that at that time, most of the civil and military officials in the court followed the lead of Prime Minister Nan Ma, and there was only one voice in the court."

Having said that, he stopped talking and stared at Ding Youtian, letting him figure out the deeper meaning of the words himself.

Ding Youtian's face remained calm, but his heart was in turmoil. He had been listening to Liu the Blind's stories since he was a child. Liu the Blind often said that having only one voice in the court was tantamount to sidelining the emperor. How could his master knowingly commit a crime and bring disaster upon his own family?

After a moment's thought, he knew the answer.

His master was only thirty-five or thirty-six years old at the time, and he was at the center of power, second only to the emperor and above everyone else. Anyone in that position would probably take it for granted that they would be an exception.

At this moment, he deeply felt the resentment that Blind Liu had felt over the years, and also understood why Blind Liu did not teach him the art of wisdom and let him learn it and offer it to the imperial family.

It is said that the imperial family is the most ruthless. There are many cases of brothers killing each other for the throne throughout history. But isn’t it the same for brothers from ordinary families who have the same father and mother?

When brothers divided up the property, were there not many who ended up with pig brains being beaten to pieces just for a few acres of land, a few houses and a few pieces of silver?

For a moment, he was a little dazed.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Huo Jincheng asked.

Ding Youtian looked at Huo Jincheng as if waking from a dream. He asked, "If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince succeeds to the throne successfully, what are your plans?"

"Me?" Huo Jincheng smiled. "I'm just the commander of the guards, so I'll naturally continue to be the commander. I don't have any grand ambitions, but I'd like to hear what your plans are for the future, as the newly crowned top scholar."

Ding Youtian touched his nose and smiled, "My wife once said, 'When you reach a mountain, you should sing the songs of that mountain. We can talk about the future later. Maybe I can bring my family back to the village again, watch the sunrise and the sunset, and at night invite Brother Ma to have a few drinks and play chess under the moon. Isn't that a great pleasure in life?"

"Haha, it's indeed one of life's great joys. It's settled then!" Ma Fuquan walked in from the corridor, whip in hand, punctuating his words. "But right now, we're all in our prime, not yet in our seventies or eighties enjoying a leisurely life. A true man standing on earth should be working vigorously, serving the court, and bringing benefits to the people."

"You're right, it has to be my Big Brother Ma. That's inspiring and encouraging!" Huo Jincheng slammed the table and quickly grabbed the wine glass that was about to fall before he even stood up. "I toast to Big Brother Ma!"

Jian Ning heard Ma Fuquan's voice and came over. She went to the kitchen to get a set of bowls and chopsticks to add to the dishes, and then went to get a jar of wine. Seeing that the dishes on the table were still untouched, she smiled and said, "I'll go heat up the dishes. You guys can chat."

Jian Ning heated up the food and told Ma Fuquan about the two families' partnership to open a winery in the capital. "Sister Tian has agreed. What do you think, Brother Ma?"

Ma Fuquan thought it was a good thing. While it was natural for men to earn money and support their families, he felt women should also have their own careers. There was nothing wrong with couples like Jian Ning and Ding Youtian working together. However, this would inevitably mean they would be separated, and transportation was not convenient in ancient times. In his previous life, he and Wu Juan had lived apart for many years, and he had never expected to face the same separation again in ancient times.

This, this is a bit of a headache.

He just scratched his head, and before Jian Ning could ask him if he was unhappy, Huo Jincheng smiled and said, "Brother Ma, have you ever thought about moving down and taking a position in the Ministry of Justice in the capital? If you're willing, I'd do my best to help you."

It would be nice to be a constable in the Ministry of Justice of the Three Laws Yamen. Ma Fuquan was a true professional military policeman, and he could play a greater role in the capital. He said without hesitation, "Thank you so much. When we get back to the capital, I'll treat you to a meal at Lao Liu's restaurant."

After saying that, Ma Fuquan glanced at the chessboard, rolled up his sleeves, patted Huo Jincheng on the shoulder without any hesitation, and waved his hand, "Old Huo, you can't do this. I'll take care of him, and you just watch from the sidelines."

"Who's going to take care of who? You've sparred with Lord He a few times, and you think you're good enough, right? Come on, let's get back on track and kill you without a single piece of armor left!"

Jian Ning pursed her lips and smiled when she heard Ding Youtian say that. Just as she was about to go back to her room, Ma Fuquan stopped her, "Don't go!" He pointed at Huo Jincheng again, "I'll appoint you two as my left and right protectors. The three of us are as good as Zhuge Liang. I don't believe we can't defeat him!"

Huo Jincheng had also heard Jian Ning talk about the Three Kingdoms several times, so he naturally knew about Zhuge Liang. He was happy to see the three of them team up to defeat Ding Youtian, but was Jian Ning up to the task? He, a first-degree white belt, looked down on a top-tier black belt. "Can she do it?"

"Can I do it?" Jian Ning pointed at his nose, then at the three of them, "If you three are tied together, there's only one outcome: you'll be defeated!"

Huo Jincheng thought that once she said this, he would not have to refute it, Ding Youtian and Ma Fuquan would jump out, but they just looked at each other in silence.

Jian Ning is a person who is even half a step behind Liu Xiazi in chess, so she really has the capital to brag like this. Although Ma Fuquan doesn't understand how she can have such amazing chess skills at such a young age, he can only attribute it to her extraordinary talent in this area.

With a light snort, Jian Ning, who originally wanted to stay and watch the battle and give some advice, turned away.

"It's okay, let's take him down together." Ma Fuquan finally got the chance to play chess with Ding Youtian. Lord He, the magistrate of Jin County, was also a master of chess. After Lord He's instruction a few times, he really felt that he was good enough again and was eager to show off his skills. Jian Ning could hear him bluffing from time to time in the main room, but he stopped making any noises after a while.

With nothing to do, she came in to watch the game. After watching for a while, she couldn't help but take over for Ma Fuquan. As soon as she took over, the situation on the chessboard changed suddenly, which made Huo Jincheng, a white belt, dumbfounded.

Jian Ning was also secretly surprised. She didn't think too much about it when she played chess with Blind Liu last time. Ding Youtian was taught by Blind Liu, and she was taught by Grandma Wu. It was obvious that their chess styles were the same. She was startled and suddenly thought that maybe her master had also traveled to Dayan Kingdom. Could it be that Blind Liu's master was her master?

As soon as this thought came to mind, Jane Ning was startled.