"You are the tigress!"
Protected by Qin Xin and others in layers, the three girls, hearing Liang Xiao's words from afar, had complex expressions, a mix of happiness and grievance.
They were happy that Liang Xiao refused the other party, but resentful that he called them tigresses!
Tamamo-no-Mae was startled, then said with a smile, "It matters not. I am sixteen and unmarried. I have traveled far, seeking only to dance for you."
With that, Tamamo-no-Mae slowly approached Liang Xiao, only to be blocked by Yu Qingchuan and others.
"Apologies, but without the permission of the Marquis of Anguo, please do not approach our Marquis of Anguo casually!"
Tamamo-no-Mae fell silent for a moment, then seemed on the verge of tears.
The surrounding crowd watched, their hearts aching, and many voices chimed in, "Marquis of Anguo, she merely wishes to dance for you..."
Seeing the dissatisfied gazes from the crowd, Zhuo Zifang hurried to Liang Xiao's side and whispered, "Forget it, Liang Xiao. Let her dance for now. After all, she is a foreign guest."
Liang Xiao sized up Ito Masamune, who wore a smile, and Tamamo-no-Mae, who looked pitiable, and nodded. "It is my honor. However, I hope you two will mind your boundaries and not cause trouble for this Marquis."
This Ito Masamune, knowing full well that I dealt with his subordinate Ito Xiuzong, still sends a beauty. What does he mean by this...
Doesn't he know that offering favors without reason often hides malicious intent?
But as Ito Masamune personally plucked the strings and Tamamo-no-Mae danced gracefully in public, Liang Xiao finally understood the source of the other party's confidence.
Her dancing might indeed be of unparalleled skill, elegant and beautiful, even intoxicating.
The petite Tamamo-no-Mae seemed boneless, her delicate steps eliciting gasps of admiration from the surroundings, and many scholars were already mesmerized.
Ye Qingyi's expression grew increasingly grim.
This woman seemed to be even more adept at charming men than she was!
But would it truly be effective?
"Mountains have trees, and trees have branches; my heart yearns for you, yet you know it not."
As Tamamo-no-Mae began to sing, reciting verses from the Great Qian kingdom, the scholars and ladies could no longer contain themselves and erupted in applause.
Unfortunately, Tamamo-no-Mae's alluring eyes remained fixed on Liang Xiao, filled with deep emotion.
Zuo Jing's gaze grew increasingly unpleasant.
To deal with Liang Xiao, she had spared no expense, even revealing her true appearance.
Now, it seemed she was about to lose everything?
There were always women being presented to Liang Xiao, which would only make him more wary of unfamiliar women!
Now, Zuo Jing was merely curious how he would refuse.
Seeing Liang Xiao staring at her, Tamamo-no-Mae gave a charming smile, her dance steps shifting subtly as she gradually approached Liang Xiao.
"You all, step aside," Liang Xiao pushed aside Yu Qingchuan and the others beside him.
Jian Qinwan and the other two girls were stunned, a hint of jealousy stirring in their hearts.
"Even the Marquis of Anguo will fall for the charms of the number one talent of Izumo Kingdom?"
The crowd marveled, forced to admit that this talent from Izumo Kingdom was captivating in every gesture, irresistible to anyone.
The next moment, before Tamamo-no-Mae could get closer, Liang Xiao swiftly drew the Ephemera Sword from his waist with a "whoosh." The tip of the sword struck sparks on the ground before he quickly sheathed it.
Tamamo-no-Mae was stunned at first, her dance faltering. Then, with a cry, she retreated several steps, patting her chest as if still shaken.
Liang Xiao watched this, his heart sinking.
The crowd's hearts pounded as they looked closely.
Indeed, a trench had been carved into the ground by the Ephemera Sword, like a boundary line.
From drawing the sword to sheathing it, it had been done almost instantaneously, a series of movements executed with fluid grace!
"Apologies, this Marquis is naturally cautious. Foreigners should not approach casually. I have already warned you to mind your boundaries and not trouble this Marquis," Liang Xiao said coldly.
Hong Jie and the other two looked at Liang Xiao, filled with apprehension.
The speed of his swordplay was astonishing; a master swordsman!
Tamamo-no-Mae recovered and covered her face, weeping, "The Marquis of Anguo is somewhat lacking in romance."
Ito Masamune feigned anger, "How can the Marquis of Anguo be so unkind!"
"This Marquis is under orders to patrol the Jiangnan region. How can I casually interact with foreign women? Have you considered this for me? And how can I, by setting an example, disrupt the academic atmosphere of the Jiangnan Spring Banquet?" Liang Xiao retorted.
Ito Masamune was taken aback.
The scholars and ladies who had initially wanted to blame Liang Xiao out of sympathy for Tamamo-no-Mae were now speechless.
After regaining their senses, they all nodded, "The Marquis of Anguo's reprimand is correct!"
Only now did they realize Liang Xiao was right. If anything were to happen between him and a foreign beauty, his political rivals would flood the Emperor's study with impeachment memorials. He had to refuse decisively!
Only Liang Xiao maintained a cold expression, fixing his gaze on Ito Masamune and the other.
The other party was too confident in Tamamo-no-Mae's charm, to the point of being blatant.
This was the fifth unfamiliar beauty he had encountered... his head ached!
Those aristocratic families were waiting for him to make such a mistake!
His sudden drawing of the sword was to test Tamamo-no-Mae's reaction.
Her first reaction wasn't immediate terror or a scream, indicating she was trained and had excellent psychological fortitude.
Recovering his composure, Ito Masamune suppressed his anger and smiled, "It was my oversight. I thought the Marquis of Anguo would be pleased. I shall call on you another day to apologize!"
With that, Ito Masamune, accompanied by the tearful Tamamo-no-Mae, quickly left the venue.
Ye Qingyi watched Tamamo-no-Mae's retreating figure with a helpless smile.
If a honey trap could work immediately, would it be left to the women of Izumo Kingdom?
She, Yi Rou, Yan Jun, Zuo Jing... which of them had not tried to seduce Liang Xiao?
Gongyang He was even more incensed: Why were the people of Izumo Kingdom so brainless, thinking they could openly use women to seduce Liang Xiao just because they were envoys, and instead set an example for the scholars?
But Gongyang He quickly calmed down and suddenly understood Ito Masamune's intention.
If Ito Masamune had sought a private audience with Liang Xiao, Liang Xiao would have refused to see him, finding an excuse. It was better to pressure him publicly!
"This young man is extremely cautious," Gongyang He's mind was made up as he looked at the eight hundred scholars under his tutelage.
Jian Qinwan and the other two girls' eyebrows relaxed, though they couldn't help but feel some sympathy for Tamamo-no-Mae.
Liang Xiao had always been wary of unfamiliar beauties.
Even with Zhuo Xun, Liang Xiao had initially kept them at a distance from her.
At this point, Hong Jie and the other two were also quite disappointed and took their leave of Liang Xiao.
Before departing, Zuo Jing looked back at Liang Xiao every three steps, her eyes misty and reluctant to part.
After leaving the venue, the faces of Hong Jie and the other two were extremely grim.
"This Izumo envoy is so foolish!" Shangguan Jiusi exclaimed in anger.
This way, Zuo Jing's plan to impersonate Lin'er and win Liang Xiao's affection became increasingly difficult!
Hong Jie shook his head, "How could the other party not understand this? It is likely that Ito Masamune had no choice but to visit him publicly."
"I will conquer him sooner or later, with my current identity!" Zuo Jing's eyes were filled with unwillingness.
Hong Jie merely smiled wryly, "We cannot afford to fail at the last hurdle! I am just angry that someone is always hindering our actions!"
Hui Chun Sect, Southern King, Grand Tutor, Izumo Kingdom... endless troubles!
Zuo Jing's expression returned to coldness, her voice clear and sharp, "It shows they lacked sufficient intelligence analysis of the target, hence their rashness. We must not be further interfered with; we shall act as opportunities arise and prepare early."
Inside the large Izumo ship, Ito Masamune and Tamamo-no-Mae sat opposite each other.
Ito Masamune angrily said, "Is this Liang Xiao a eunuch? He can't even be seduced by you?"
Tamamo-no-Mae chuckled, "General Ito, actually, we still have another path."