"Xiao Yu..."
Jian Qinwan finally couldn't help but step forward and take Xiao Yu's hand, yet she couldn't bring herself to say "stop messing around." She could only look to Liang Xiao for help.
Liang Xiao smiled and said, "Yue Lian, you know."
Jian Qinwan's puzzled gaze turned to Yue Lian, only to see Yue Lian gently open the box on the table and take out a sphere first.
Everyone looked closely. The surface of this sphere was adorned with various hollowed-out relief carvings, beautiful and exquisite.
But what truly surprised them was that inside the sphere, another rotatable sphere could be seen, also decorated with hollowed-out relief carvings!
Upon closer inspection, there was another layer, and another, and another... including the outer surface, a total of six layers!
Gongsun Yu was instantly captivated by the sphere. "Brother-in-law, what treasure is this?"
Jian Qinwan was also astonished.
Even she had never seen it before!
"This is a surprise for Xiao Yu, called a Ghost Tool Sphere!" Liang Xiao said with a smile.
The Ghost Tool Sphere is a treasure of Chinese civilization, almost stolen by the Japanese.
While chatting, Liang Xiao had described the concept of the Ghost Tool Sphere to Zhang Yang, and to his surprise, Zhang Yang had actually had the Ministry of Works create it!
Currently, the Ministry of Works could carve up to six layers, but the patterns were relatively simple, not comparable to those carved by masters from Liang Xiao's hometown.
Top-tier Ghost Tool Spheres have at least fifty-seven layers and require years of meticulous craftsmanship, not just ten days or half a month.
Furthermore, such items do not directly benefit the country or its people; they are merely for entertainment and to earn money from officials and nobles. Therefore, Liang Xiao and Zhang Yang were not in a hurry to promote them. For now, the technology was kept within the palace, recorded, and awaiting Xiao Qing's arrangements.
"Unpredictable and masterfully crafted!" Everyone marveled at the Ghost Tool Sphere, seeing it for the first time.
Gongsun Yu, in particular, was enamored with it. Upon hearing from Liang Xiao that it was fragile, she handled it with extreme care.
"Brother-in-law has passed Xiao Yu's test, and Xiao Yu permits elder sister to marry you~"
Jian Qinwan almost fainted!
Liang Xiao chuckled and took out a few stapled chapters of "Journey to the West" from the box, handing them to Gongsun Yu. "Xiao Yu can read this occasionally. When the newspapers reach Jiangnan in the future, you can see the complete story."
Gongsun Yu reluctantly put down the Ghost Tool Sphere, then looked at "Journey to the West" and was again captivated. "This monkey is so interesting~ Brother-in-law is great!"
After looking at "Journey to the West," Gongsun Yu sat in Jian Qinwan's arms, playing with the Ghost Tool Sphere, while Jian Qinwan introduced Yue Lian to her.
Jian Qinwan's heart was in turmoil.
It wasn't until Gin appeared at the door that Jian Qinwan's gaze, filled with all her resentment, fixed on Gin.
It must have been the hateful Aunt Gin who told Xiao Yu!
"Second Young Master Liang is indeed a man of his word, coming as promised without even sending someone to announce your arrival!"
Gin, beaming, stepped forward to greet Liang Xiao, completely ignoring Jian Qinwan's death glare.
"My master will be out of seclusion soon. Please follow me into the mountains."
Liang Xiao immediately stood up, and everyone followed Gin into the mountains.
Passing through bamboo groves, musicians could be seen everywhere, their zither music weaving through the air, creating a scene of peace and elegance.
Gongsun Yu, who usually clung to Jian Qinwan, was now holding onto Liang Xiao's leg, pestering him to tell her the rest of the "Journey to the West" story.
Liang Xiao patiently recounted the tale to Gongsun Yu, and everyone listened with rapt attention.
Gin couldn't help but exclaim, "I never knew Second Young Master Liang was also a storyteller! Truly worthy of being the intended of the current Zither Immortal!"
Undoubtedly, Gin endured another wave of Jian Qinwan's resentful gaze.
"If life were only like the first meeting, why would the autumn wind grieve for the painted fan..."
Clear recitation drifted from a distance, drawing everyone's attention.
It turned out to be a group of young acolytes trained by the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, reciting poetry.
"My master truly adores this 'Ballad of Mulan.' Second Young Master Liang, you needn't feel too much pressure later." Gin reminded him.
Jian Qinwan snorted, "He even dared to kick down my mother's door. What pressure could he possibly feel facing my master?"
Seeing Jian Qinwan so proud, Liang Xiao's old face blushed.
Such a dark history!
This Bodhisattva kept revealing his past misdeeds. He was already holding a grudge and would settle the score with her one day, making her blush and beg for mercy!
"Oh, that's true! After all, well... for Qin Wan's sake, I won't mention the matter of Second Young Master Liang being indecent with her." Gin nodded repeatedly.
Jian Qinwan: ...
She understood now. She absolutely could not speak, because as soon as she opened her mouth, her Aunt Gin would drag her into it!
"Second Young Master Liang, who did you offend to be depicted as a demon? And what's unbelievable is that people actually believed it!" Gin said, taking out a painting from her sleeve and handing it to Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao and the others were startled.
The painting depicted a demon in white clothing, with red hair and a black face, one body with three heads and six arms, and eight bloody wings behind it, looking fierce and menacing!
Above it were four bold characters: Ghost King Liang Xiao!
"What is this nonsense?" Liang Xiao's eyelid twitched.
He was not an art major, but he could tell the painting was skillfully done.
Jian Qinwan and Yue Lian couldn't help but stifle their laughter.
People actually believed this?
But the thought of Liang Xiao being troubled by rumors made their eyes turn to concern.
"It is said that this is the original draft, but we don't know who drew it. We are investigating. However, I believe that as long as Second Young Master Liang appears in Jinling, rumors will naturally dissipate among the wise and be self-defeating!" Gin explained.
Liang Xiao nodded, not denying it.
It seemed he needed to head to Jinling sooner rather than later, to prevent the bookstore and newspaper branch established by the Liang family from being smashed.
Arriving in the depths of the bamboo forest, the group saw a small dwelling by a lake in the distance, with flowers in full bloom outside and cranes nesting nearby.
Gin instructed Chen Shaoling and the others to rest in the guest quarters to the west, and then led Liang Xiao, Jian Qinwan, Yue Lian, and Gongsun Yu towards the small dwelling.
Zither music began to play, ethereal and mournful, like weeping and sighing. Jian Qinwan and Gin were moved to tears on the spot.
"Master..."
Liang Xiao, hearing the mournful melody, couldn't help but sigh.
"Master, Second Young Master Liang has arrived!"
After Gin's announcement, the zither music ceased abruptly, and a figure emerged from the small dwelling.
Everyone looked closely and saw a white-haired woman, tall and slender, her beauty faded like a mirror's reflection. It was evident that in her youth, she must have been a peerless beauty.
She appeared ethereal and dignified, with sword-like eyebrows and piercing eyes, possessing an indomitable spirit. She was Gongsun Jing, the descendant of the Duke of Dingguo and the current Zither Sage!
"Greetings, Senior Zither Sage!" Liang Xiao and Yue Lian immediately bowed to Gongsun Jing.
Reunited after a long separation, Jian Qinwan threw herself into Gongsun Jing's arms with tears, "Master~"
Gongsun Jing gently stroked Jian Qinwan's dark hair, then looked at Liang Xiao, nodding slightly. "You have your father's demeanor!"
"Senior, you know my father?" Liang Xiao asked in surprise.
Gongsun Jing nodded and sighed. "Your father, Liang Anguo, along with your uncle, visited my father years ago and studied military strategy for a period. Alas, the barbarians were too strong, and there was betrayal on the front lines..."
"So that's how it is!" Liang Xiao sighed deeply.
Liang Xiao's uncle, Liang Dingguo, and his biological father, Liang Anguo, were both fourth-rank generals in their early years. They ultimately died covering the retreat of Lu Yi and others, holding the line with their troops, and were beheaded by the barbarians to be displayed.
Gongsun Jing said with deep emotion, "However, I believe that with you, Liang Xiao, in Da Gan, revenge will be exacted sooner or later! Therefore, let us set aside these sorrowful memories and come inside to discuss young Qin Wan's matters."
Jian Qinwan, who had been given to Liang Xiao by her own mother, finally found a "backer" and said coquettishly, "Master~ He bullied me~"
Gongsun Jing was taken aback. "Bullied you?"