Yuè Lián had a sudden realization, "Could it be that because of the recent rumors about Young Master, she's afraid of him, the Marquis of Anguo, and that's why she doesn't dare to marry?"
Liáng Xiāo mused.
This possibility couldn't be ruled out!
"I don't think I'm someone absolutely untouchable, am I..." Liáng Xiāo chuckled.
Jinling was the center of Jiangnan, known as "Nanjing." The Hé family and Gōngyáng clan of Jiangnan, as well as Zhuō Zǐfáng's Zhuō family, were all located here.
How many noble families and powerful clans in the capital had provoked Liáng Xiāo?
"You're saying her painting style is different from that Ghost King painting?" Jiàn Qínwǎn asked.
Liáng Xiāo nodded slightly and said, "A person doesn't necessarily have to stick to one style. When her emotions stabilize and she trusts us enough, I'll ask her. I can feel her fear and helplessness, which is why I'm taking her in. The reason I remain somewhat vigilant is out of concern for Zuǒ Wúshāng..."
Jiàn Qínwǎn and Yuè Lián were relatively naive, and it was difficult for him to explain these power struggles to them.
Sometimes, the more deliberate a honey trap, the less likely it was to succeed.
Conversely, if this Miss Xún was indeed a honey trap set for him by someone, this accidental encounter, coupled with Miss Xún's innocent nature, would be even more deadly!
The materials for disguise masks were hard to come by; at least, Liáng Xiāo hadn't found suitable ones.
He was now just letting his hair down, without any disguise. Even if his route was covert, there was no guarantee that someone who had seen him wouldn't appear in Luzhou.
Jiàn Qínwǎn and Yuè Lián secretly glanced at Liáng Xiāo, their eyes full of admiration.
In the room, Miss Xún gazed intently at the characters Liáng Xiāo had written on her painting.
"He clearly looks like a kindhearted person, but why would he impersonate my Brother Dà Lǚ and offend Uncle Sānquán? Does he have a deep hatred for my Brother Dà Lǚ? But Brother Dà Lǚ is also a good person..."
The one who had been chasing her earlier was actually her family's guard, Sānquán. He had always been obedient to her, and this time he had traveled thousands of miles to bring her home.
"In any case, I won't go for an arranged marriage! And now I've found my true love~"
Miss Xún lowered her head and smiled shyly, then her face became troubled again, "But I can't let him be executed along with his entire family..."
"When I find my Master, I'll ask Master for advice. I believe Master won't dislike him~"
After deciding on a plan, Miss Xún looked at Liáng Xiāo's handwriting, her eyes sparkling.
"Hehe, it's so simple and hasty for this young lady to privately decide on her lifelong partner. I'll drive those old fogeys who believe in arranged marriages crazy!"
"Second Sister is smart. She fled to Brother Dà Lǚ, the Chess Saint's place early on and didn't take me with her... Ah, if Second Sister had taken me, wouldn't I have missed the chance to encounter him? Hehe, fortunately, Second Sister didn't take me with her~"
The young girl in the room was muttering softly to herself. For the first time in her life, a maiden's heart was stirred.
After a moment, Yuè Lián's knock came from outside.
"Miss Xún, it's time for dinner!"
Miss Xún quickly put away the painting and followed Yuè Lián downstairs.
As soon as she descended, a fragrance wafted towards her, making Miss Xún's appetite soar. She quickly focused her gaze.
On the table sat a large basin of roast duck and twelve small dishes of side dishes.
"Hurry and try our Young Master's cooking!" Yuè Lián said with pride.
"Brother Lǚ can also cook?" Miss Xún looked at Liáng Xiāo in surprise.
This person had many guards protecting him in secret, clearly indicating he was from a wealthy family and also possessed calligraphy skills.
Didn't they say that a gentleman stays away from the kitchen?
"He can! Our Young Master is very talented at cooking. He even taught me today! And Young Master cooks very cleanly, he even prepared a lot of boiling water for standby!"
Yuè Lián's eyes were filled with stars, completely unconcerned about why Liáng Xiāo suddenly knew how to cook.
Each person had three small dishes, and the basin of roast duck was also sliced. Four pairs of "serving chopsticks" were placed on top.
Considering the medical and hygiene conditions of this era, Liáng Xiāo strongly supported the practice of sharing food proposed by Mù Xuěqín and her mother. In fact, sharing food was a very healthy practice.
For this reason, Jiàn Qínwǎn's good impression of Liáng Xiāo increased significantly at the time.
As they ate the roast duck and side dishes, their hearts melted.
"It's so delicious, even better than what my mother makes..." Miss Xún almost cried.
Jiàn Qínwǎn also nodded involuntarily.
She didn't like grilled food initially, finding it dirty.
This flower thief, time and again, had shattered her psychological defenses with grilled meat and roast duck. She was also "desperate"!
Liáng Xiāo just smiled and said nothing.
Could he tell them that he had been self-sufficient while on missions back then, hence his extremely strong survival skills?
Jiàn Qínwǎn picked up her handkerchief from the table and wiped her mouth, muttering, "Will you make it again in the future?"
"If I have time, I'll make it for you!" Liáng Xiāo nodded.
Wasn't the life he yearned for precisely spending his days with his family, enjoying wealth and prosperity, and savoring all the delicacies of the world?
Jiàn Qínwǎn mustered her courage and said, "Why don't you teach me and Yuè Lián occasionally? We can cook for you..."
Since Miss Xún had seen through their identities, they no longer needed to pretend to be tough in front of her.
"Okay!" Liáng Xiāo smiled and nodded. Jiàn Qínwǎn smiled charmingly, her heart content.
Miss Xún pouted slightly, a strange feeling of jealousy and envy rising within her. She felt even more bitter, "Look how gentle they are. And then look at the person you want me to marry. It's disgusting!"
Thinking of her family, Miss Xún became a little panicked and reminded him, "Brother Lǚ, can we leave here as soon as possible after we finish eating, so they don't come again! I'm afraid my grandfather will also come all the way to Luzhou, then it'll be completely over!"
Liáng Xiāo nodded and asked, "Who is the person you're supposed to marry?"
Miss Xún lowered her head, sighed for a long time, and then replied, "Let me ask you first, do you dare to offend imperial authority? My grandfather said that the only person in this world who can truly tolerate me, protect me, and give me happiness. But I think he just wants to use me for an alliance to gain his favor."
"Is she really supposed to marry Little Frost?" Liáng Xiāo's heart was secretly alarmed.
But everyone in the country should know that their emperor was handsome and had the makings of a wise ruler. She refused to marry him?
The key was, Little Frost didn't seem to know either?
Liáng Xiāo felt increasingly confused by the matter.
Seeing Liáng Xiāo fall silent, Miss Xún assumed he was afraid and felt disappointed, but she held back tears.
"Miss Xún, do you have someone you like?" Yuè Lián asked.
"I didn't before, but today, unintentionally, I suddenly do..." Miss Xún seemed to be talking to herself.
Liáng Xiāo and the other two instantly understood Miss Xún's unspoken meaning. Yuè Lián and Jiàn Qínwǎn simultaneously looked at Liáng Xiāo.
Liáng Xiāo looked bewildered.
Originally, Kèlìsītí, who was to marry Little Frost, had been betrothed to Liáng Xiāo by Little Frost. Liáng Xiāo already felt deeply guilty.
He was here, indirectly cuckolding Little Frost?
Liáng Xiāo felt even more guilty!
"You're still young. You need to calm down about matters of the heart."
"Don't be afraid, I won't implicate you..." Miss Xún stammered.
Liáng Xiāo chuckled speechlessly, and after a moment, said, "Don't worry, I'm not afraid of being implicated."
Was he afraid of being implicated?
Little Frost was willing to betroth Kèlìsītí to him and didn't want to force Kèlìsītí, let alone a beautiful woman from Jiangnan whom Little Frost himself had never met?
He naturally admired Miss Xún's belief in freedom of marriage, but he felt guilty about the oaths he had made to Little Frost back then.
Miss Xún offered no comment on Liáng Xiāo's words, merely giving a sad smile and rising, "Let's not talk about sad things! Please take me with you when you depart. Perhaps the most famous painting studios in Luzhou will have news of my Master. I can also find the Prefect of Luzhou. I'm telling you, the new Prefect of Luzhou, Lǐ Xiūyún, is a good friend of my cousin! He's the number one talent in Jiangnan and ranked fifth in the national civil service examination. He's very impressive. You'll definitely be impressed by his vast knowledge when you meet him!"