"This female Bodhisattva is truly naive, I was overthinking things..."
Looking at Jian Qinwan, Liang Xiao sighed in his heart.
Seeing Gongsun Jing staring at him, Liang Xiao hardened his resolve and began to drink his soup.
The wedding proceeded in secret, unknown even to the Heavenly Mountain heroes.
Gongsun Yu promised to keep it a secret, but she also pestered Liang Xiao, her brother-in-law, to tell her stories from Journey to the West.
One day, Liang Xiao was once again discussing cooperation with Qin Jiu in front of Gongsun Jing.
Jian Qinwan sat beside Liang Xiao like a well-behaved young wife, not daring to utter a sound, afraid her master would add more drama to her situation.
At night, the two changed back into their groom's and bride's attire and listened to Gongsun Jing's teachings.
"The clan concept among the people of Da Gan is very strong. Even the Da Gan Sages, who no longer care about public opinion, must still pay attention to continuing the family line. The nation encourages having three wives and four concubines, and occasional instances of 'joint consorts' are not interfered with. I hope you both understand this and do not let down the earnest expectations of your ancestors."
"Son-in-law, you have been enfeoffed as a marquis and a minister, and you have promoted an extremely effective method for smallpox prevention, saving countless people from the ravages of smallpox in the future. You possess great merit. Even if Xiao Qinwan's status is not as high as Princess Ningshuang or your fiancée in the future, she will not be disgraced."
Jian Qinwan remained silent.
Her master's words were actually meant for her, to alleviate her psychological pressure.
But after this "wedding" and her promise of lifelong commitment to Liang Xiao, she was already content!
Gongsun Jing paused, then finally sighed, "Regardless, son-in-law, the Setting Sun Bow and Mayfly will be handed over to you tomorrow."
Liang Xiao looked puzzled. "The Setting Sun Bow is your family heirloom, Master. Is it truly alright without consulting Old Duke Dingguo first?"
Gongsun Jing replied, "That old scoundrel has only one daughter, myself, and all his property belongs to me and Xiao Yu. The Setting Sun Bow will find its rightful owner and will not dishonor the name of the ancestor Duke Dingguo. Even without Xiao Qinwan's connection, if you need it, he would willingly give it!"
Old scoundrel?
Sensing the full weight of Gongsun Jing's resentment, Liang Xiao wisely chose not to inquire further.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Liang Xiao led the bashful Jian Qinwan back to the bridal chamber.
"Where are the tables and chairs??"
Upon seeing the state of the room, Liang Xiao and Jian Qinwan were surprised.
All the tables and chairs had been moved out, and even the red carpet on the floor was gone, leaving only the wedding bed!
"It must be Master and the others playing pranks again..." Jian Qinwan's face turned red, and she stealthily glanced at Liang Xiao.
Now, Liang Xiao had nowhere to sit, so?
"Alas, I can do nothing about your master. I, your husband, will accompany you on the bed."
Someone's shameless muttering made Jian Qinwan even more shy.
"I need to take off my wedding dress and get into bed, you..."
Before Jian Qinwan could finish, Liang Xiao honestly turned around and took off his groom's attire.
A moment later, the two lay on the wedding bed, covered by the big red wedding quilt.
Liang Xiao asked, "Can you sleep?"
"What do you think..." Jian Qinwan's gaze was reproachful.
"Then shall I tell you 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'?"
"Okay!"
Noticing Jian Qinwan clutching his arm again, Liang Xiao feigned a grievance, "Oh dear, I'm going to be taken advantage of again..."
Jian Qinwan, both shy and annoyed, stared at Liang Xiao for a moment, then offered her fragrant lips.
"Peck~"
Jian Qinwan buried her head in the quilt and chided, "Is that enough!"
Liang Xiao smiled, "It's enough, but last night you said that after today, you would forget about this marriage. But today we..."
"Hmph! Then I'll forget about it the day after tomorrow!"
"And if tomorrow again..."
"Then the day after that, this young lady will definitely forget, so you won't take advantage of me, you flower thief!"
Liang Xiao pouted his lips, finally mustering the courage to turn his head and look at his pouting bride, "Other than remembering that you are my woman, you truly want to forget everything else?"
"Really..."
Jian Qinwan responded with a guilty conscience, then suddenly let out a startled cry, her pretty face flushing red to her ears.
"You, you, you..."
It turned out that Liang Xiao's hand had gone around her neck and embraced her shoulders, as if holding her to sleep.
"Since you're going to forget everything anyway, sleep in your husband's arms," Liang Xiao whispered.
Jian Qinwan was startled and let out a soft hum, but did not object.
That night, Liang Xiao continued to tell Jian Qinwan 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'.
Jian Qinwan watched Liang Xiao like this, her gaze hazy. Occasionally, she would snap back to reality, her pretty face blushing slightly, her heart filled with sweetness.
It was he who allowed her to let go of all her pride, overcome her extreme潔癖 (germaphobia/obsessive cleanliness), and gave her the chance to meet such good friends as Yue Lian.
It wasn't until deep into the night that Liang Xiao habitually called out "Female Bodhisattva," and receiving no response, he turned his head to look.
It turned out Jian Qinwan had already fallen into a deep sleep, continuously hugging his arm, her head resting on his shoulder, sleeping exceptionally soundly.
"Flower thief, don't go..." Jian Qinwan murmured a few times in her dream, then held Liang Xiao's arm even tighter.
Liang Xiao's eyes were filled with tenderness.
It was difficult to refuse such affection from a beauty!
These young girls' hearts were all on him; he dared not and could not fail them!
The next morning, the two paid their respects to Gongsun Jing again.
Seeing Jian Qinwan walking as usual, Gongsun Jing exchanged a look with Qin Jiu.
Could it be that Xiao Qinwan simply has a strong constitution and can endure the pain, and I was worrying unnecessarily?
At this moment, Jian Qinwan's face was still flushed with shyness. Gongsun Jing herself had only had a one-night stand with Jian Nanfeng, and Qin Jiu had remained chaste her entire life due to the untimely death of her beloved. Thus, she was unable to judge whether Jian Qinwan's current state indicated she had transitioned from a maiden to a married woman.
However, recalling her promise from yesterday, Gongsun Jing said solemnly, "Son-in-law, take your bride and Yue Lian, and follow me to the treasury."
The treasury of Duke Dingguo's mansion was located in a basement, guarded by a large number of Duke Dingguo's mansion's personal guards both inside and out.
Everyone stood in the center of the treasury. The surrounding treasures no longer caught Liang Xiao's eye.
His gaze was fixed on the central stone platform, where two rectangular zitan wood boxes, one large and one small, were placed.
Gongsun Jing took out a set of keys and unlocked the smaller box.
A sheathed sword came into view.
It looked no different from an ordinary sword!
The famous sword Mayfly!
Gongsun Jing personally handed the Mayfly sword to Liang Xiao and gave him a knowing glance.
Liang Xiao understood and slowly drew the sword.
There was no display of gleaming sharpness; only the sword blade, which had a dark hue.
"This sword is three feet long, its blade as thin as a cicada's wing. In reality, it can cut hair and repel blood, making it the most unassuming yet most overlooked existence among famous swords. It is like the Mayfly, ordinary and plain, dying from dawn to dusk, unremarkable."
Gongsun Jing's few words succinctly described the characteristics of the famous sword Mayfly.
Liang Xiao gazed at the blade of the Mayfly sword, a hint of doubt in his heart.
The thin blade only looked dull, not rusted.
Could such a sword truly be used in combat? Would it not break or become dull?
Sensing the doubt in Liang Xiao's eyes, Gongsun Jing chuckled, "See, even someone like you cannot help but doubt the power of the Mayfly. Even though you already know it is a famous sword collected by the Sword Sage of Da Gan, it only proves the Mayfly's name."
Liang Xiao merely smiled, offering no opinion.
He possessed the knowledge of a modern person, emphasizing practicality, caution, and a steady approach to victory in all things.
The romanticized battlefield scenes in movies and literature were ultimately artistic embellishments, and he absolutely did not believe them.
In actual combat, if the enemy swarmed, a broken sword leading to death was no trivial matter!
If he had to believe it, he could only speculate: the material of the Mayfly sword was some alloy beyond his understanding, similar to the Spiritual Light White Dragon Armor, the Heaven Dragon City-Breaking Halberd, and Bai Ye Feiying's vest.