The other soldiers atop the wall immediately knelt along with Liang Yi and greeted Su Mo in unison. "Greetings, Peerless Marquis."
Su Mo froze. Looking at Liang Yi kneeling on the ground, he felt thoroughly puzzled. "You know me?"
Liang Yi bowed low on his knees, then raised his head toward Su Mo and nodded. "When you attended the Palace Examination in the Imperial Palace that year, Peerless Marquis, this humble official was fortunate enough to be present. I shall never forget your magnificent bearing."
Su Mo nodded. The officials had observed the Palace Examination, so that was understandable, but there had been too many officials present for Su Mo to recognize them all.
"Stand up and speak..." Su Mo looked at Liang Yi, who guarded the city, then asked in puzzlement, "Why do you call me the Peerless Marquis?"
Liang Yi rose. At the question, he paused, then said in some surprise, "You don't know, Peerless Marquis?"
"What should I know?" Su Mo asked in return.
Liang Yi gathered his words and explained to Su Mo:
"Prince Ying took you as his adopted son during the Palace Examination that year. Afterward, in recognition of your achievement in solving the West City Case, His Majesty granted you a marquisate despite your different surname, bestowing the title 'Peerless'!"
Su Mo froze at this, then narrowed his eyes.
The emperor's bestowal of a marquisate seemed perfectly reasonable, yet it was unnecessary. Although he was Prince Ying's adopted son, the emperor should know that an adopted son was not a biological son and could never be Prince Ying's heir.
Even his achievement in solving the West City Case was still insufficient to warrant a marquisate.
In a mortal court, a marquis already ranked above the first rank of officialdom, second only to princes.