Ito Masamune looked expectantly at Tamamo-no-Mae.
"You are the wisest woman in Izumo, having mastered the culture of Daqian in just three years. You know yourself and your enemy; you must have a brilliant plan!"
Tamamo-no-Mae was entirely different from her previous meek demeanor, replaced by a calm composure.
"I believe our intelligence on this person is flawed. He is not someone driven by greed or lust."
Ito Masamune nodded slightly. "Indeed, hearing of so many beauties surrounding him, we assumed... Alas, how can we rectify this now? Only I, as an envoy from Izumo, can openly appear, yet I have already incurred his wrath through my younger brother, forcing him to be wary!"
He sighed in helplessness.
His seemingly rash and foolish actions were, in reality, a desperate last resort.
It was highly improbable for a woman from Izumo to cross the vast ocean to Daqian without the backing of a powerful figure. And since he was the only one with the authority to visit Daqian, he could not hide. He might as well be direct, testing Liang Xiao's reaction.
However, Liang Xiao's response had exceeded his expectations, resolving the situation with such decisive measures.
Tamamo-no-Mae's expression remained serene. "Find an opportunity to apologize with utmost sincerity. If he remains unyielding, try to seduce his friends and family. If there is no hope, perhaps it would be best to present me to the Son of Heaven of Daqian. Does he not have a shortage of consorts in his harem?"
Ito Masamune's eyes lit up. "An excellent idea! I will first use my younger brother's matter as an opening to express my attitude. Our grand undertaking is not yet complete; you must continue to maintain your virginity. Our forbearance today is for the sake of the alliance of nations to conquer Daqian in the future!"
On the banks of the Qinhuai River, the guests in the venue, after being enlightened by Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang, benefited greatly and respected Liang Xiao even more.
Liang Xiao and his entourage sat together, finally having space for casual conversation.
Zhuo Zifang asked, "Liang Xiao, why did you suddenly draw your sword earlier..."
Liang Xiao pouted. "I was testing the waters unexpectedly, to see the background of the other party. It seems it was intentional. Ito Masamune being an envoy from Izumo does not mean he is a rash fool. After all, only he has the capability to bring Tamamo-no-Mae from Izumo to Daqian. If he were to manipulate Tamamo-no-Mae from behind the scenes, it would only be counterproductive. Perhaps he decided to come out into the open."
This Izumo country was very much like the neighboring country of Liang Xiao's homeland, that... island nation where people lived quite well. Liang Xiao had also offended Ito Masamune and had captured and killed a group of "Japanese pirates," making him wary.
Most of those "Japanese pirates" back then bore the marks of regular troops, clearly disguised soldiers from Izumo.
Zhuo Zifang sighed. "He is an envoy from Izumo. If you refused to give him face, he could publicly accuse you of damaging bilateral relations. If you did give him face, then Tamamo-no-Mae could use the excuse of her dance to openly flirt with you. At that point, your political rivals in court would inevitably gossip and impeach you for colluding with foreign powers..."
Everyone suddenly understood, and couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
So, the other party had to come out into the open, and thus chose to attack head-on, intending to trap Liang Xiao no matter what!
However, Liang Xiao had chosen the most decisive way to handle it. Not only did he resolve his own trouble, but he also seized the moral high ground, using it to declare his stance. This perfectly aligned with the theme of the current Jiangnan Spring Banquet – upright swordsmanship.
At this moment, the three girls beside Liang Xiao felt a little guilty.
They had thought Liang Xiao was going to be captivated by the woman's dance. After all, even as women, they were astonished by Tamamo-no-Mae's dance.
Even elders like Zhuo Zifang and He Jingyun couldn't help but nod in admiration while watching Tamamo-no-Mae dance.
She was indeed beautiful.
Only this philanderer had his mind filled with caution, fearing he was being targeted by an enemy.
Jian Qinwan and the other two looked at Liang Xiao, who was so serious, and felt joy in their hearts.
He was always full of surprises!
"Liang Xiao, after the Jiangnan Spring Banquet ends tomorrow, I will traditionally give a speech. Would you participate as well, and perhaps help recruit talented scholars from various parts of Jiangnan for His Majesty?" Zhuo Zifang proposed.
Liang Xiao readily agreed.
With so many talented individuals gathered here, it would be a waste if he didn't seize the opportunity.
After Zhuo Zifang and He Jingyun left, only the original team Liang Xiao brought from Chuzhou remained.
Seeing Yu Qingchuan, who seemed absent-minded, Liang Xiao finally couldn't help but ask, "Sixth Senior Brother?"
"My apologies. Seeing an old acquaintance, I couldn't help but lose composure," Yu Qingchuan said with a wry smile.
A senior brother asked, "Sixth Senior Brother, why have you never mentioned this past to us?"
Yu Qingchuan sighed. "I feared you would be filled with righteous indignation and clash with the Gongyang family, leading to trouble. It's nothing major, really. My family fell on hard times, and I became a stablehand in Gongyang He's mansion. His son, Gongyang Long, took a fancy to my fiancée. My fiancée, unable to bear the hardships of life, chose Gongyang Long. It's understandable. Later, I was fortunate enough to join the sect and thus changed my identity to become a swordsman."
"Sixth Senior Brother is such a good person. You will surely find a truly good woman in the future!" the Tianshan knights said earnestly.
Yu Qingchuan merely smiled, offering no comment.
Jian Qinwan, who had been silent all along, couldn't help but let out a hum. "Indeed, Sixth Senior Brother is loyal and honest at heart. Unlike Eldest Senior Brother, who appears proper but is full of schemes~"
Though Jian Qinwan's tone was one of disdain, she was actually touched. Her teasing made everyone laugh heartily.
Eldest Senior Brother Chen Shaoling's schemes were all used to bring Jian Qinwan and Liang Xiao together!
The group returned to Zhuo Mansion to rest, with the Tianshan knights still patrolling the surroundings.
In the shadows, a group from Izumo, led by Ito Masamune and Tamamo-no-Mae, observed, contemplating their next move.
"Liang Xiao has entered. Prepare for a visit," Ito Masamune ordered.
The group responded in unison, straightening their robes. Only Tamamo-no-Mae gazed into the distance, remaining silent.
About a dozen zhang from the entrance of Zhuo Mansion, a ragged old man limped along, holding half a broken bowl, begging from passersby, only to be met with glares.
Yu Qingchuan watched the old man from a distance. He took out a piece of silver from his sleeve, hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. He took out a mask from his chest and put it on before walking towards a steamed bun stall run by a shabbily dressed old woman.
The old woman wore a distressed look, saddened by the unsold last batch of steamed buns.
"Sir, would you like some hot steamed buns? It's getting late today, so I can offer a discount. Four for just three wen..." the old woman pleaded with Yu Qingchuan, her voice choked with emotion.
After giving the piece of silver to the old woman, Yu Qingchuan said, "Auntie, this three fen of silver for your remaining steamed buns and a pot of water, is that enough?"
"That's still too much. I'll give you change!" The old woman was both surprised and delighted, but Yu Qingchuan stopped her from finding change.
"Thank you, masked hero!" The old woman bowed repeatedly in gratitude and quickly packed up her stall to go home.
Yu Qingchuan, carrying the steamed buns and water, pulled the old beggar into a corner, handed him the buns and water, and stayed with him until he finished eating. He then looked around, confirming that no one was watching, before taking a small pouch of copper coins from his waist and secretly stuffing it into the old man's hand.
"Don't flaunt your wealth. Don't make a sound," he quietly reminded the old man before turning back towards Zhuo Mansion.
After kneeling in the direction of Yu Qingchuan, the old man left tearfully.
"What is it?" Ito Masamune asked Tamamo-no-Mae curiously.
"General Ito, do you know who the masked man in green who just entered Zhuo Mansion was?"