Cui Mansion. The Chess Room.
Cui Xichen, the Old Master of the Cui family, and his third son, Cui Xinzai, had yet to finish their game of chess when Butler Cui Gang came hurrying over and reported, "Master, Third Master Gu Mo and the household guards have been arrested by the City Patrol Division."
Cui Xichen gently placed a black stone on the board, then looked at the son across from him. "You lost."
Cui Xinzai studied the board carefully, then sighed softly. "Father calculates three moves ahead for every move he makes. It truly is breathtaking. Your son admits he is inferior."
Cui Xichen did not accept his son's flattery. "There are plenty of people who can calculate three moves ahead. The only way to remain undefeated is to always calculate one move farther than your opponent. Only then can you see through all his reactions. In the end, you surround his stones and deliver the killing blow."
"Your instruction is wise, Father." Cui Xinzai bowed and accepted the lesson.
Cui Xichen lifted his teacup and took a sip of fragrant tea before turning to Butler Cui Gang. "Did the two sides come to blows?"
"No." Cui Gang answered, "At the critical moment, Gu Mo chose to give up."
"Mm. I understand." Cui Xichen set down his teacup. "Prepare the carriage. I'm going to the palace. My household servant acted without reason, so I should present myself with thorny branches and beg forgiveness."
"Master." Cui Gang grew anxious. "The Lu family is bullying us far too much. This was originally just a matter between several children, yet they dispatched the City Patrol Division to make arrests. Where are justice and the law? The City Patrol Division belongs to Xifeng; it belongs to the sovereign. Yet now it has become