After saving the Empress, I became the top scholar in the imperial examination.

This laurel chess game was originally an endgame match between the headmaster and Nalan Wenzong, with Nalan about to finish.

However, the headmaster's desire to win was not yet satisfied. He felt that there was still a way to break the game, so he set up the game and made a promise to invite the world's best players to help him break the deadlock.

However, in the past half month, neither the "Grand Master" He Weng, nor the chess attendant Song Ya, nor the "Hundred Tribulations" Imperial Censor Mo Hu, could help the headmaster break the deadlock.

The people in the academy were both happy and worried.

What worries me is that the Liang Dynasty's chess skills have been overshadowed by that of Emperor Nalan Wenzong of the Northern Dynasty.

What pleased him was that since no one could break the deadlock, it meant that within the Great Liang, no one could surpass his headmaster in the art of chess. And as long as no one could break the deadlock, he would still have a chance.

Logically speaking, given today's situation, no one should worry that someone could challenge the headmaster and defeat him.

But it's a pity.

One person, however, is not on this list.

Everyone couldn't help but sigh... that was none other than Nalan Wenzong himself!

The headmaster himself said that Nalan Wenzong's chess skills were superior to his.

If Nalan Wenzong were to personally intervene to disrupt his own final stage, it might not be impossible.

The crowd exchanged wistful glances. Nalan had played chess with the abbot for three whole hours that day and was familiar with the abbot's moves. If Nalan were to teach this Tartar how to break his endgame strategy, it would be a great relief.

Even if the headmaster's chess skills far surpass those of his opponent, he will likely suffer the same fate as Mr. Zhang in this Laurel Chess Game, and agree to be accepted as a disciple by that Tartar.

If this Tartar is determined to study, the academy, which teaches without discrimination, will certainly welcome him warmly.

However, this noble-born prince from the Northern Dynasty declared that he would win the imperial examination and even propose marriage to the Empress, which was something they could not tolerate.

This person is clearly using the prestige of Bailu Academy to create momentum, as if the academy had approved of his marriage proposal to the Empress.

Everyone sighed inwardly. What was originally a pleasant and elegant event had been ruined by this Tartar, turning into the headmaster shooting himself in the foot. If he was not careful, the academy might become a sinner for all time.

Faced with the barrage of questions, the boy in the melon-shaped hat remained calm, stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute to the crowd, and smiled:

"Gentlemen, if you truly do not wish for Headmaster Gongsun to personally intervene, but rather... well... rather, you would like to instruct me, then that would be acceptable." His voice was clear and melodious.

He looked up, smiling, at Headmaster Gongsun, and bowed slightly, saying:

"If the Headmaster promises that the next gentleman will be able to fully replace him, then I only need to defeat him, which would be as if I had defeated the Headmaster, as if I had broken the Laurel Chess Game. The Headmaster will then grant the victor a promise. If that is the case, then I am willing to fight the person you have nominated!"

As soon as the words were spoken, everyone in the room froze, their eyes widening in surprise.

The Tartar's words surprised everyone. Not playing chess with the headmaster? He'd consider that breaking the Laurel Chess Formation? Wasn't that just wishful thinking?!

However, after exchanging glances and thinking about it, they realized that what the other person said did make some sense.

If Mr. Zhang is defeated and the headmaster does not fight, the academy will be breaking its promise. If it holds a series of matches and says, "Only if you defeat us are you qualified to play against the headmaster," it will not only be breaking its promise, but will also be seen as bullying others.

However, if the opponent is allowed to fight the headmaster, and if Nalan has prepared a strategy for this person in advance, the headmaster and Bailu Academy's reputation may be in jeopardy.

At this point, sending a national-level player whose moves the opponent is unfamiliar with would be the best strategy.

Just like in the morning and afternoon matches, the opponents were not familiar with Mr. Zhang's moves and thus lost both times.

Upon realizing this, everyone's expressions became slightly more excited.

Someone couldn't help but ask, "What if you lose and go back to your masters to learn a few moves? What then?"

The others felt a chill run down their spines, realizing that what this man said made sense.

If it were like dealing with Mr. Zhang, where the man loses, goes back to replay the game, and then comes to visit again, it would never end.

The young man shook his head, his expression serious, and said, "Whether the headmaster personally intervenes or your academy recommends someone, this is my last time seeking your guidance. If I am defeated, I will never set foot on your academy's grounds again!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.

A murmur of discussion arose in the room. Some said, "That's feasible, it will save the Tartars from further trouble." Others said, "No, what if we lose?" Still others said, "It would be better if the Headmaster himself took action. How could the Headmaster lose?" "To be frank, the Headmaster did lose to his master." "You..." "Alas... in the end, we still have to ask the Headmaster to make the decision."

Low cheers rippled through the crowd.

Everyone's gaze gradually converged on the head of the group, Gongsun Shanzhang.

About a dozen breaths later.

Gongsun Yuliu, who was sitting at the head of the table, opened his eyes and looked at the man in the melon-shaped hat. The man in the melon-shaped hat was startled by the sharp gaze, but his expression remained unchanged. He smiled and was very respectful.

Gongsun Yuliu stroked his white beard, sighed softly, and his eyes seemed to be filled with a complex emotion.

Two days ago, his granddaughter suddenly disappeared, which made him age three times overnight. His eldest grandson was in Sichuan, and his second son had no children. He only had this one granddaughter. That night, he went to the palace to see the emperor and asked the Embroidered Uniform Guard to help find her.

After two days of commotion, his granddaughter returned safely, but his competitive spirit also diminished considerably.

Whether it's a game of chess or not, it's not really that important anymore.

Having found his granddaughter, he owes the emperor... or more precisely, the empress a favor.

He has agreed to the Queen's request to serve in her court.

It helped her stabilize the court.

This laurel chess game, at this moment, has become a burden for him.

He raised his white eyebrows and glanced at the young Tartar. The Empress's reforms were imminent, and the Grand Secretary had indeed made his move. Gongsun Yuliu sighed inwardly.

After a moment, he composed himself and smiled faintly:

"Let the Laurel Chess Game end today."

Losing to Nalan Ruo was the biggest regret of his life.

If you are not as skilled as others, then you should admit defeat.

Let it be a regret.

Before anyone could react in astonishment, the old man nodded and said:

"I grant the Seventh Young Master's request. I will choose someone to play chess with the Seventh Young Master. Whoever wins will be considered to have broken the Laurel Chess Formation."

That's all.

He glanced down.

He looked over at some of the students whose chess skills he usually considered decent.

But upon closer inspection...

The crowd's gazes darted away, and even the students who had been arguing loudly earlier lowered their eyes, their faces turning pale, unwilling to be chosen to fight.

Gongsun Yuliu sighed inwardly.

He understood what these students were thinking. If it was just a game of chess, whether it was against him or against their teachers, losing was fine. Even if it was against their senior or junior brothers, losing was fine, and it was no big deal.

But if you were to play chess with this Tartar, losing would be humiliating enough, but to also force the headmaster to break a promise—a promise to make the Tartar the headmaster's personal disciple—would be something no one could afford to lose.

Whoever loses will be a sinner, and tomorrow they will be condemned by the academy and even the literati, and will not be tolerated by heaven and earth.

Gongsun Yuliu sighed. In fact, he was already prepared. He would resign from his position as headmaster tomorrow and wait for the Empress to summon him to serve in the government. Even if his disciple lost tonight, it wouldn't be a big deal.

Seeing the silence in the room and no one responding to their teacher's command, Zhang You frowned. The Tartar opposite him was even more smug at the sight. He was indignant, gritted his teeth, exchanged a glance with his mentor, and nodded slightly.

Since he's already lost tonight, he might as well take the blame for this humiliation!

Gongsun Yuliu was greatly pleased to see that his nearly forty-year-old disciple possessed such great courage. He moved his lips, about to appoint a general.

But then they heard a commotion and footsteps coming from downstairs.

"Here I come! I'm here!... I've brought my master! The Tartars haven't won yet, have they!"

A woman's clear and hurried voice came from downstairs.

The footsteps were rapid and loud.

Not a few breaths later.

A woman wearing a square scarf and dressed as a man led a young man dressed in a moon-colored robe up the stairs.