Li Xiu Yun and Zhuo Zi Fang, initially mistaking the disheveled, mustachioed Liang Xiao for someone with a similar appearance, were shocked.
However, Yue Lian, who was with Liang Xiao and had met Zhuo Zi Fang and Li Xiu Yun several times, was recognizable even in male attire.
So, what was the situation with him and Xiao Xun?
Li Xiu Yun and Zhuo Zi Fang exchanged bewildered glances.
Only the scholar Zhuo Xiong, who had never met Liang Xiao before, flushed with embarrassment and hissed, "What kind of behavior is this!"
He knew how much his grandfather respected Liang Xiao, even more than the Marquis of Zhenguo, Qin Feng, of the Great Liang Kingdom.
And now, his younger sister was disgracing their family!
Zhuo Xiong was consumed by shame, wishing he could disappear.
Liang Xiao, outwardly unfazed, was inwardly surprised.
This child was too willful and reckless. If he hadn't coincidentally learned the truth in Luzhou, he too would have believed it to be a malicious smear campaign by influential families.
"That's right! We can't let a monster like Ghost King Liang Xiao ruin our Jiangnan beauties and children!"
"Jinling Painting Immortal will surely be recognized as the Painting Immortal by all of Jiangnan! He is a genius, how can Liang Xiao be allowed to harm him!"
The crowd below cheered, supporting Zhuo Xun.
Zhuo Xun's heart was a mix of emotions. But thinking of her predicament, she knew Ghost King Liang Xiao was the culprit. With her master and confidant standing behind her, she gathered her courage.
"My marriage must be decided by me, I don't need anyone to arrange it!"
Hearing Zhuo Xun's resolute vow, Jian Qin Wan felt even more sympathetic.
She and this girl were polar opposites.
She had fallen for Liang Xiao but dared not confess, relying on her parents, master, and senior disciples to help.
Zhuo Xun had the courage to pursue her happiness, but the "stranger" she wanted to break off her engagement with was the very person she had finally found…
Regardless, Liang Xiao had told her and Yue Lian not to mind Zhuo Xun's tantrum, and they would no longer blame the poor girl.
Li Jin Yu remained expressionless, surveying the crowd. Her gaze suddenly fell upon Zhuo Zi Fang behind Li Xiu Yun. Her pupils contracted, and anger flared.
"You have the audacity to come to Luzhou!"
Zhuo Zi Fang met Li Jin Yu's gaze, his expression complex, and he lowered his head in sadness. 138 Reading Net
On the stage, besides Liang Xiao and his group, were dozens of guards arranged by Li Xiu Yun to prevent any assassination attempts on Li Jin Yu.
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, the elder on the stage hastily put on a smile and announced loudly, "Today's highlight is the art exhibition. We invite our Governor Li to give his speech!"
Saying so, the elder beckoned to Li Xiu Yun in the distance.
Zhuo Xun finally noticed Li Xiu Yun and the other two. Her face turned ashen, and she hid behind Liang Xiao, clutching Li Jin Yu's sleeve.
Her intuition told her that Li Xiu Yun had colluded with her family!
Therefore, Li Jin Yu might not be able to protect her, and she could only rely on this elder brother Gu Chang Yan who appeared out of nowhere!
Zhuo Xun's heart pounded violently as Li Xiu Yun and the other two ascended the stage. She nervously tugged on Liang Xiao's arm.
Liang Xiao understood and merely nodded slightly.
Zhuo Xun finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"This is Zhuo Ling Jun!"
The elder on the stage announced, and a roar of cheers erupted: "Zhuo Ling Jun is actually in our Luzhou!!"
At this moment, Li Xiu Yun and Zhuo Zi Fang wore extremely complex expressions.
Zhuo Xiong, his face dark, roared, "Little sister, come back with us quickly, don't make a scene here!"
"I won't!" Zhuo Xun put on a resolute stance, as if ready to face death.
"Marquis An Guo is a pillar of the nation, what's wrong with marrying him!" Zhuo Xun cried out in anguish, almost on the verge of tears!
"I just don't want to marry Ghost King Liang Xiao, he eats young virgins, he eats children…" Zhuo Xun's voice grew weaker.
Zhuo Zi Fang and Li Xiu Yun's brows twitched simultaneously. Their prepared words caught in their throats, and they looked at Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao merely raised his eyebrows, pursed his lips, and wore a playful smile.
Li Jin Yu stared coldly at Zhuo Zi Fang, on the verge of tears.
As Zhuo Ling Jun, beloved by the populace and scholars, Zhuo Zi Fang found himself facing two of the most embarrassing situations in his life. He wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into and escape this awkwardness!
Li Xiu Yun could barely contain his laughter, while Zhuo Xun was still arguing with Zhuo Xiong.
"I would rather die than accept this arranged marriage, force me to death if you can!"
Zhuo Xiong felt smoke rising from his orifices, his voice trembling, "Stop disgracing Grandpa and our Zhuo family, let's go back..."
"If you promise to cancel this engagement, I'll consider going back!" Zhuo Xun scoffed.
"What's wrong with marrying Marquis An Guo? So many beauties are trying to get into Liang Manor, but he doesn't even spare them a glance!" Zhuo Xiong was truly baffled.
"What does that have to do with me!" Zhuo Xun said with a wronged expression.
Zhuo Zi Fang could no longer hold back, and said sternly, "Xiao Xun, you haven't even seen what Liang Xiao looks like, how can you dislike him?"
"So what if I dislike him..." Zhuo Xun said coquettishly.
"Alas, it's all my fault for indulging you too much. Now it has come to Luzhou..." Zhuo Zi Fang covered his face with one hand and cast a pleading look at Liang Xiao.
Seeing Liang Xiao raise his eyebrows at him, Zhuo Zi Fang was stunned and then rolled his eyes at him.
This fellow, his well-arranged good fortune is slipping away, and he remains silent? Must I bear all of it?
Seeing Liang Xiao's raised eyebrow, Li Jin Yu was startled. With a "puff," he chuckled, then stroked his chin, looking at Zhuo Xun.
"It has nothing to do with indulgence, didn't older sister also run away!" Zhuo Xun snorted.
Zhuo Zi Fang was on the verge of tears: "It's all because you incited Yun'er to escape the marriage!"
Zhuo Xun's face reddened, and she tried her best to argue: "It has nothing to do with me... Older sister is like me, she didn't want to get married in the first place, you were all forcing us. All I did was draw a painting, who knew so many people would copy it."
Seeing Zhuo Zi Fang's face turn increasingly ashen, Zhuo Xun quickly hugged Liang Xiao's arm and nervously said, "Lu... Hmm, Brother Lu, quickly say something for me."
"Brother Lu?" Zhuo Zi Fang was dumbfounded.
Li Xiu Yun's face was red from suppressing his laughter.
"Even if I have to get married, I'll marry someone like Brother Lu, he's my confidant!" Zhuo Xun finally gathered her courage and spoke her heart, then said mournfully, "Brother Lu said he's not afraid of offending Liang Xiao at all!"
"Hahaha!"
Laughter erupted from Li Xiu Yun on the high platform. The crowd looked at the convulsing Li Xiu Yun in shock, wondering why the usually dignified governor had suddenly lost his composure.
Li Jin Yu glared at Zhuo Zi Fang and reminded him, "Xiu Yun, watch your image, you are the governor now!"
Li Xiu Yun was still laughing heartily, patting the bewildered Zhuo Xiong on the shoulder: "Sorry, please allow me to laugh for a while..."
Li Jin Yu could only let him be.
Her nephew hadn't laughed so happily in a long time since becoming an official!
Thinking of this, Li Jin Yu glared at Zhuo Zi Fang and roared, "You old scoundrel, I will protect my disciple today even if it means death. What do you want?"
Zhuo Xun looked smug: "See, Master truly cares about me, and Brother Lu has promised to back me up! Grandpa, cousin, Li Xiu Yun! Quickly agree to cancel this engagement..."
Zhuo Zi Fang was so angry his white beard trembled: "Xiao Xun, you will regret this!!"
"I will have no regrets until death~" Zhuo Xun raised her eyebrows.
Zhuo Zi Fang, flushed with anxiety, looked at Liang Xiao and couldn't help but pat his shoulder: "Liang Xiao!! I wish I could hang myself on this stage, why are you still silent! Say something!!"
"That's right, Brother Liang Xiao, quickly say something for me, persuade my grandfather!"
Zhuo Xun casually chimed in, then suddenly paused: "Liang Xiao?"
"Liang Xiao?!"
The gazes of everyone in the crowd snapped towards Liang Xiao. Li Xiu Yun laughed even harder.