"You treat your own granddaughter like this?" Liang Xiao chided.
This old fellow really has the vibe of the Three Sages of Da Gan...
"To our Zhuo family, who could be a better son-in-law than you in this world? Don't you realize you're already nineteen?" Zhuo Zifang retorted.
Liang Xiao was speechless.
Da Gan encouraged marriage and childbirth, so it was indeed late to be unmarried and childless at his age.
According to Da Gan's laws, those whose parents died early should marry by eighteen and have a child the following year, or they might be considered unfilial by outsiders. Read 138.
However, Liang Xiao still possessed some modern thinking.
One reason he hadn't forced Jian Qinwan into marriage was that he didn't want Jian Qinwan to be treated merely as a tool for procreation, even if the Three Sages of Da Gan were just finding an excuse to have Jian Qinwan married off.
But here, women who couldn't bear children for their husbands after marriage often lacked status.
Some wives and concubines in families would scheme against each other for favor, even resorting to murder!
Liang Xiao didn't want his own women to end up like that; he would rather remain unmarried.
The fact that the two Zhuo sisters had fled their arranged marriages suggested they were either strong-willed or willful, which could potentially lead to a chaotic household for him!
Seeing Liang Xiao speechless, Zhuo Zifang finally said, "I'm not forcing you to marry Xiao Yun. That matter is up to fate, but you must look after Xiao Xun for the late Emperor!"
To secure Liang Xiao's protection for Zhuo Xun, Zhuo Zifang had even invoked the late Emperor Wen Di!
Liang Xiao retorted, "In any case, you'll have to find your second daughter yourself. I have no intention of going to Da Liang to clean up your mess."
Zhuo Zifang explained, "The Grand Commandant of Da Liang has already sent an envoy to our Da Gan. If Da Gan were to send an envoy any day, they would likely have to find you to maintain appearances. However, you don't need to worry about security; both countries will protect you rigorously."
"We'll talk about it later!" Liang Xiao vaguely replied.
In truth, he had considered visiting Da Liang before, but definitely not now.
To know oneself and one's enemy is to win every battle. Da Liang was a potential formidable enemy of Da Gan!
The barbarians could at least be held back beyond the borders and outside Yan Prefecture City by Da Gan, while Da Gan and Da Liang were separated only by the Heng River.
Strategically, although Da Gan had a slight advantage, Da Liang could not be underestimated.
A war between the two nations was inevitable, even if it were a hundred years later!
At the same moment, within the imperial study of the Da Liang palace.
Mu Cheng, the Emperor of Da Liang, was perusing memorials, while Qin Feng and Zhi Rou sat respectfully opposite him.
"Son-in-law, Da Liang has learned everything from Da Gan, from the 'Tuntian' policy, the contract tax, smallpox prevention, salt fields, curved-shaft ploughs, to 'Bo Hui Chun Jiao'. What are your thoughts on their 'Zheng Tian Ling' (Land Requisition Order)?" Mu Cheng asked.
Qin Feng pondered for a moment and said, "This policy should be temporarily shelved. We shouldn't rush to promote it!"
Mu Cheng smiled, "Why? Isn't this beneficial with no harm? The decision to report it or not lies with the landowners, but the decision to buy or not lies with me!"
Qin Feng shook his head and sighed, "Even if Your Majesty doesn't buy it, the officials in court will strongly urge its purchase. At that point, we'll be in a difficult position!"
Mu Cheng's expression changed, "That's true! Then why would the Emperor of Da Gan push this policy? Is it unnecessary?"
Qin Feng replied, "Perhaps it's because the Emperor of Da Gan's treasury is full, and he has enough funds to purchase land at any time. For example, the salt fields recently promoted by Da Gan, we are still learning and researching them, and we have already benefited greatly. I fear Da Gan's salt revenue is skyrocketing! I even believe this salt-making method actually originated from Liang Xiao."
Mu Cheng fell silent for a moment and sighed, "It's just hard on you, bearing so much for me, inevitably earning Liang Xiao's disdain."
Qin Feng smiled gently, "If I were to avoid suspicion and be timid because of Liang Xiao's opinion, I would have no face to face him in the future. Those who achieve great things are not bound by trivialities. Moreover, I admit I am inferior to Liang Xiao. The sage said: Choose what is good and follow it."
"Qin Lang is always so humble..." Zhi Rou embraced Qin Feng proudly.
Mu Cheng clapped his hands and praised, "Well said! I wish I could meet Liang Xiao one day, to see what kind of person he is that makes a rare genius like you feel inferior! But there's one thing he's not as good as you!"
Qin Feng and his wife looked at Mu Cheng in confusion.
Mu Cheng said proudly, "His lord is too young, and he'll have to guard against him becoming too powerful and overshadowing his master in the future. But you are my son-in-law. I trust you from beginning to end!"
Qin Feng merely smiled faintly, expressing gratitude for the imperial favor, but secretly sighed.
Mu Cheng was already over fifty. When he passed away, would the new emperor still trust him?
Mu Cheng continued, "I heard that the beauty 'Golden Ling Chess Immortal' from Da Gan is in our Da Liang? Son-in-law, Zhi Rou also wishes for you to take concubines. After all, you are the sole heir of the Qin family. Do you want to visit the Chess Saint's home?"
Qin Feng shook his head, "Your humble servant heard that the Golden Ling Chess Immortal came to Da Liang to seek refuge precisely because she was fleeing an arranged marriage. It's better to destroy ten temples than to ruin one marriage. Moreover, she is the granddaughter of the renowned Zhuo Lingjun. Our Da Liang should be mindful and provide her with strict protection. Otherwise, if anything were to happen to her, it would be difficult to explain to Zhuo Lingjun."
Mu Cheng remained noncommittal and smiled, "That may not be the case! If a man in our country could win her heart and marry her, wouldn't that prove that the men of Da Liang are more excellent than those of Da Gan?"
Qin Feng smiled helplessly, "Anyone can, but not I! Otherwise, wouldn't those aristocratic families start making a fuss again?"
Mu Cheng looked at Qin Feng with approval and said solemnly, "Then select two or three from the Six Beauties of Heng Jiang to be your concubines... How about prioritizing Li Xin, the foremost of the Six Beauties of Heng Jiang?"
Qin Feng looked embarrassed, "Father, Li Xin already has someone in her heart."
Mu Cheng was taken aback, "Who?"
"Liang Xiao, the Marquis of An Guo from Da Gan... But Li Xin knows that this life is hopeless for her and only wishes for a solitary life. Your humble servant believes her wishes should be respected."
"Alas! Why is it Liang Xiao again! In that case, doesn't it show that the men of Da Liang are inferior to the men of Da Gan! Mobilize the unmarried young talents in the country to pursue the Golden Ling Chess Immortal!"
...
In the room, Zhuo Xun was restless.
Yue Lian approached her to speak, but she could only respond with "Mm," "Ah," and "Okay." She didn't dare say anything else.
After a moment, Zhuo Zifang entered with a beaming smile, accompanied by Liang Xiao.
Zhuo Xun gazed expectantly at Liang Xiao, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Liang Xiao stroked his chin, surveyed Zhuo Xun, and walked over with a sinister grin.
"Eh? There's a young maiden here? And a child? She must be delicious? Ghost King Liang Xiao has his lunch secured today!"
"Grandpa, Grandpa, Xiao Xun knows she was wrong. I'll never run away from my wedding again..."
Seeing Liang Xiao approach, Zhuo Xun blushed deeply and quickly hid behind Zhuo Zifang, peeking at Liang Xiao.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Zhuo Xun was clearly unable to overcome the hurdle of the Ghost King Liang Xiao!
Zhuo Xun then fled behind Li Jinyu, and only then did Liang Xiao stop.
Li Xiuyun then stood up and sighed, "Marquis An Guo, I did not expect you to make a special trip to Luzhou. We have failed to greet you properly, failed to greet you properly!"
Liang Xiao stepped forward and clasped Li Xiuyun's hand, saying earnestly, "I traveled all the way to Luzhou just for you..."
Jian Qinwan, Yue Lian, Zhuo Xun: ???