Liang Xiao!!
This name struck like thunder, causing the entire venue to erupt in a clamor!
Zhuo Xun looked at Liang Xiao in disbelief, then at Zhuo Zifang, and finally fixed her gaze on Liang Xiao, her pupils trembling slightly. "Who did Grandpa say he was? Liang Xiao?"
Zhuo Zifang smiled bitterly. "He is none other than our Great Qian's unparalleled Marquis of An, Liang Xiao, who promoted the smallpox vaccine and saved countless lives!"
The entire crowd was stunned!
"You're lying to me..." Zhuo Xun looked unconvinced.
Li Xiu Yun, still covering his mouth, trembled with suppressed laughter. "Xiao Xun, he is indeed Marquis of An, Liang Xiao, genuine and true!"
"What?!"
Zhuo Xun's vision darkened, and she swayed precariously, only to be steadied by the equally shocked Li Jinyu.
"Indeed, I am Liang Xiao," Liang Xiao said with a nonchalant air, as if an outsider.
"How did Marquis of An, Liang Xiao, come to Jiangnan?"
"Isn't he Ghost King Liang Xiao? He must be a monster in disguise!"
Below, a cacophony of voices arose, with expressions of all sorts on people's faces – some suddenly understood, others were terrified…
Liang Xiao spoke loudly, "Have you all heard of the Heavenly General and his divine manifestations in the northern territories?"
Many in the crowd nodded.
"The Heavenly General is the savior of our Great Qian, whose deeds are known to all!"
Liang Xiao laughed heartily, "Then tell me, can the Heavenly General be a monster?"
"The Heavenly General is the God of War who saves us from suffering in Great Qian, how can he be a monster!" the crowd responded in unison, some even shedding tears!
"The people of Jiangbei all know that I, Liang Xiao, am protected by the manifestation of the Heavenly General. You also know the Heavenly General is the God of War, so how can the God of War protect a monster? Do I need to teach you such a simple logic?"
Liang Xiao finally questioned sternly, casting a brief silence over the audience.
Several groups of black-clothed civilians, hidden amongst the crowd, stared intently at Liang Xiao on the stage.
In the northern carriage sat Yan Jun, the veiled leader of the Hui Chun Sect!
Beneath the trees to the northwest were Hong Qu and other remnants of the Great Heng Kingdom!
Hong Qu whispered, "Marshal..."
Zuo Wushang, who had disguised himself as a middle-aged merchant, stood before Hong Qu and the others, his eyes also filled with shock. "He has also come to Jiangnan. This is a monumental problem. Has he already sensed something..."
"Indeed! The Heavenly General would not protect a monster!"
More and more rational voices echoed from the crowd. People gradually began to understand and bowed towards Liang Xiao, shouting, "Greetings, Marquis of An!"
Liang Xiao observed this, his expression remaining grave.
Ordinary people would not so easily believe rumors of monsters; someone must be fanning the flames!
Zhuo Xun was as if struck by lightning, gazing blankly at Liang Xiao, who stood steadily like a pine tree, her mind a complete blank.
Was he truly Liang Xiao??
The rumors crumbled on their own. Zhuo Zifang finally breathed a sigh of relief and shot Zhuo Xun a fierce glare. "Grandpa told you you would regret this!"
Zhuo Xun's lips parted slightly, but she could utter nothing.
Heavens! He was indeed Liang Xiao!!
At this moment, Zhuo Xiong was also bewildered, looking at Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang.
Zhuo Zifang sighed, "Liang Xiao, it was I who was presumptuous and caused you so much trouble!"
Liang Xiao responded loudly, "No, no, no. It is I, your junior, who has caused trouble for Lord Zhuo. If you wished to seek marriage, you should have come in person, and this great misunderstanding would not have occurred!"
Hearing Liang Xiao offer him a way out, Zhuo Zifang was almost moved to tears and nodded gratefully.
Li Xiu Yun also finally regained his solemnity, but he couldn't help but whisper, "Xiao Xun, so the Ghost King Liang Xiao is your confidante?"
Upon hearing this, Zhuo Xun immediately covered her face, wishing she could fly to the clouds and escape this world!
Liang Xiao smiled, "We can discuss anything else when we return."
Li Xiu Yun understood. After a brief speech, he handed over the art exhibition to the elder on stage and led everyone to Li Jinyu's nearby residence.
On the way, Zhuo Xun remained silent, her face flushed. Jian Qinwan and Yue Lian exchanged knowing glances, occasionally glancing at Zhuo Xun.
This poor child, suffering the consequences of the farce she herself had orchestrated?
Li Jinyu, holding Zhuo Xun's arm the entire way, eyed Liang Xiao with a complex expression, not even bothering to acknowledge the awkward Zhuo Zifang.
In the grand hall, Liang Xiao, Zhuo Zifang, and Li Xiu Yun's families were seated separately.
Zhuo Xun, however, was stiff, unable to sit down.
"Young lady, please sit," Liang Xiao said with a light smile.
Zhuo Xun finally managed to squeeze out tears, which flowed like a broken dam. "Why did you keep lying to me..."
Liang Xiao replied without hesitation, "Because I am a monster in disguise, and I really do eat children!"
"Oh, right, and I eat unmarried girls like you, roar!"
Saying this, Liang Xiao raised his hands like claws, feigning a fierce expression.
"Ah!" Zhuo Xun cried out in fright and hid behind Zhuo Zifang.
Laughter filled the hall, and even the usually stern Li Jinyu couldn't help but chuckle.
Only Zhuo Xun, with teary eyes, looked wronged.
"Liang Xiao, this marriage..." Zhuo Zifang began hesitantly.
Liang Xiao sighed, "Lord Zhuo, how can you not understand that a forced melon will not be sweet? You truly shouldn't have forced her to marry. I heard your second daughter, Zhuo Yun, was so scared she fled to Great Liang."
Upon hearing this, Zhuo Xun stopped crying and looked at Liang Xiao with a complicated expression.
It's over!
Zhuo Zifang said anxiously, "That's not it, Liang Xiao! Xiao Yun was an exception. It's fine if she doesn't want to marry you, but Xiao Xun absolutely must marry you, and can only marry you!"
Zhuo Xun's delicate body trembled, and she finally ceased her opposition.
"Why?" Liang Xiao looked puzzled.
Zhuo Zifang no longer cared about political marriages.
"This matter is very complicated. I will explain it to you privately..." Zhuo Zifang said with a bitter smile.
Liang Xiao chuckled and nodded.
"Marquis of An, I apologize on behalf of my Xiao Xun!" Zhuo Xiong quickly stood up and bowed deeply to Liang Xiao, his face filled with shame.
"Hey, it's not that big of a deal," Liang Xiao said with a smile.
Zhuo Xiong was stunned. "Not a big deal? Marquis of An, this matter has caused quite a stir. Xiao Xun is merely young and ignorant. You don't need to indulge her; you should criticize her if necessary..."
Liang Xiao waved his hand and sighed, "In this turbid world, as circumstances change, how many can maintain their innocence? Moreover, I, Liang Xiao, am not someone who clings to vain fame. What is reputation, after all?"
The hall was unusually quiet.
Li Jinyu and Zhuo Xun stared at Liang Xiao, stunned.
Jian Qinwan and Yue Lian looked at him with pride.
Liang Xiao added, "Actually, I just wanted to tease her a bit, consider it revenge. Young lady, we are even now."
After a long pause, Zhuo Xun covered her face and burst into tears.
"I'm sorry..."
"Don't cry so readily when you're outside..." Zhuo Xiong reminded her awkwardly, but Liang Xiao waved him to be quiet.
Jian Qinwan snorted, "She's probably feeling touched and sad right now."
Zhuo Xun dared not respond, only peeking at Liang Xiao through her fingers. Seeing that he was not angry, she finally stopped crying.
Zhuo Zifang brought out Zhuo Xun's framed painting, his expression even more complex. "I was curious who had the skill to inscribe this painting of Xiao Xun..."
Everyone chuckled.
Zhuo Xun felt even more mortified.
Li Jinyu glared at Zhuo Zifang and said coldly, "You said you wanted to talk to Liang Xiao privately, do it here!"
With that, Li Jinyu, ignoring the meek Zhuo Zifang, led everyone away.
Zhuo Zifang glanced at Jian Qinwan and Yue Lian and whispered, "Apologies, Liang Xiao. My family doesn't even know about this. I can only tell you..."
Jian Qinwan and Yue Lian tactfully withdrew.
Liang Xiao asked, "Lord Zhuo, why are you so certain that Miss Three must marry me?"
Zhuo Zifang motioned Liang Xiao closer and whispered in his ear, "Xiao Xun was entrusted to my care by the late Emperor. This child is the last royal bloodline of the Great Heng Kingdom's remnants..."