It all came back to the fundamental issue: attitude and inclination.
Whether or not Meng Zhao was merely playing along, once he accepted Fu Fei into the Yangwu Army, he would in fact be sending a signal to the outside world—that he had ties to Beitang Shu, and might even be considered Beitang Shu's subordinate.
This was no alarmist exaggeration, nor was it needless worry. It was a real possibility, one highly likely to occur.
Thus, through someone as insignificant as Fu Fei, Beitang Shu could test Meng Zhao's attitude toward him.
Of course, he would not have sent Fu Fei alone. Chen Siyuan was the one leading this operation and analyzing Meng Zhao's stance.
As for the result, even now Chen Siyuan could not determine Meng Zhao's true attitude. From beginning to end, Meng Zhao had never shown himself. The one receiving them, and even handling the Meng Family's daily affairs, had been the woman Liang Muqiu.
Meng Zhao's disappearance was major news. Yet according to Liang Muqiu, Meng Zhao was currently active in Yanzhou, visiting friends. There was perhaps some truth to it, so Chen Siyuan provisionally accepted Liang Muqiu's explanation as genuine.
Since Meng Zhao himself was absent, it was not difficult to understand why the matter had been dragged out, with no clear answer given even now.
The Meng Family was Meng Zhao's Meng Family. Liang Muqiu might have been a woman deeply favored by Meng Zhao, but no matter how favored she was, she could not become the master of the Meng Family. Nor would she dare overstep her station and make decisions on her own.
Thus, the delay had become only natural.
But their patience was limited as well. Meng Zhao had yet to return, and Liang Muqiu's constant stalling could not solve anything.