Shangguan Jiusi couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. "Betray us? No wonder you and the Marshal didn't hesitate to betray the Spring Rejuvenation Sect..."
Hong Jie's gaze gradually sharpened. "Under normal circumstances, our compatriots are already extremely cautious. Yet, it's still hard to prevent occasional misfortunes. This doesn't add up! Furthermore, there are believers of the Spring Rejuvenation Sect throughout the court of Da Qian. Perhaps they are using the lives of our compatriots to climb the ranks and get rich."
Shangguan Jiusi suddenly understood. "You want to capture Liang Xiao, and you also need to guard against the Spring Rejuvenation Sect stabbing you in the back. It's no wonder you wouldn't make a move easily..."
Hong Jie nodded. "That demonic monk named Long Yue is quite sinister. We have to be on guard! The Spring Rejuvenation Sect's covert murder of our compatriots is likely not just for their money. They must have other ulterior motives! The Marshal and I both suspect they might be remnants of Da Zhou!"
"If the Spring Rejuvenation Sect becomes a nuisance, the Yun Tian Guard will eliminate them as well." The door was pushed open, and Zuo Jing, who had changed into a new white robe, walked in. "Didn't Liang Xiao go to the Zhuo family? I've thought of a good idea that might work!"
...
"Poetry and wine in Jiangnan, a sword beyond the flesh..."
On a desolate street, people watched from afar as the back of a white-robed, disheveled old man receded. They listened to him recite poetry with expressions of disgust.
"This scoundrel old man, every time he comes, he brings his own food and wine, just to occupy a spot and brag about his son-in-law's wine being the best. If it weren't for the sword in his hand... Bah! If it weren't for his age, I'd definitely kick him out!" the tavern owner said indignantly.
Just then, a silver ingot flew from afar, landing precisely on the owner's table.
"Enough idle talk, old man wants to go find my precious son-in-law to have a 'Drunk for a Hundred Years'! Hiccup~"
A slightly tipsy whistle and a hiccup echoed from afar, startling the owner into nodding repeatedly. "Safe travels, esteemed guest, and welcome back next time!"
The old man laughed heartily, walking away with his sword, leaving only a dashing figure that gradually disappeared into the vastness of heaven and earth.
"Who exactly is this scoundrel old man? He's so rich, yet he talks to himself all day!" The patrons looked at each other, bewildered.
In the Zhuo family manor, Zhuo Xun arrived at the side hall and found Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang waiting, both with solemn expressions.
"Big Monster, why are you looking for me alone?"
Liang Xiao nodded and said seriously, "Little Monster, can you promise me that from now on, you won't casually remove your veil or go out without my permission?"
"Huh? Why?" Zhuo Xun was stunned, then her pretty face blushed. "Are you afraid that other men will be interested in me, and you'll get jealous..."
Zhuo Zifang quickly gestured wildly at Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao had no choice but to nod. "Yes, your Big Monster gets very jealous!"
"My Big Monster?" Zhuo Xun giggled playfully, her small face turning red.
"Then do you promise?" Liang Xiao smiled.
Zhuo Xun had a flash of inspiration and huffed. "I'll promise if you give me a reward!"
"What reward do you want?" Liang Xiao smiled wryly.
Zhuo Xun took a deep breath and covered her face. "A kiss, to prove you like Little Monster!"
Liang Xiao froze.
Seeing Liang Xiao hesitate, Zhuo Xun immediately deployed her tear offensive. "So you don't like me..."
"No, no!" Liang Xiao quickly retorted. "In my heart, you are just like Mi'er, still a child..."
"Mi'er is eleven, but I'm already seventeen~" Zhuo Xun pouted.
Liang Xiao laughed heartily, walked over, picked Zhuo Xun up, and kissed her on the forehead.
Zhuo Zifang, standing beside them, squinted his eyes, unable to help but admire Liang Xiao's shamelessness.
He kissed my unmarried granddaughter right in front of me...
Zhuo Xun nuzzled into Liang Xiao's embrace, tears welling up. "From now on, Little Monster will listen to you forever and never run away again. I'll even be your caged bird!"
"You're not a caged bird, you're Big Monster's Little Monster," Liang Xiao said softly, patting Zhuo Xun's back to comfort her.
This sprite-like girl had a rather tragic past.
Her biological father used her to die in place of a princess, saving her and entrusting her to the virtuous Zhuo Zifang to raise, but it was the Emperor, whom her father hated the most, who did it.
How ironic, how helpless!
"Mmm~ Little Monster really likes Big Monster, and also likes Qin Wan Sister, Yue Lian Sister, and in the future, she'll like Mi'er Sister, Shuang Sister, and Qing Xue Sister too~" Only then did Zhuo Xun stop crying and smile.
Hearing this, Liang Xiao's expression changed, and he roared inwardly.
Once this girl returns to Liang Mansion with the "Female Bodhisattva," she'll surely be captured by Qing Xue!
Damn it! Judging by the situation, I'll have to fight Qing Xue for women!
Regardless, Zhuo Xun had promised Liang Xiao not to run off, so Liang Xiao could proceed with the plan he and Zhuo Zifang had discussed with peace of mind.
After Zhuo Xun left, Zhuo Zifang asked, "Are you confident you can win over the Master of Yun Xiu Studio?"
Liang Xiao sighed. "Even if I can't win him over, at least I'll make him understand that knowing the heavens is easy, but defying them is hard. Destiny lies with Da Qian, and it cannot be defied!"
Liang Xiao certainly didn't believe in such superstitious things, but in this world, these could be greatly utilized.
Just like Liang Xiao wouldn't explain to the people of Da Qian that humans evolved from some sort of ape, he would only say that Nuwa created humans from clay...
Too much or too little is equally bad!
Zhuo Zifang also sighed. "This also indirectly shows that you are a primary target for the enemy, making them willing to pay any price to capture or even recruit you."
"Do you think I, Zhuo Lingjun, would be easily swayed?" Liang Xiao sneered.
"If they want to sway someone, they might as well try to sway His Majesty directly," Zhuo Zifang said with a smile.
Zhuo Zifang's answer surprised Liang Xiao and deeply touched him.
At least, someone of Zhuo Zifang's stature didn't think he would become a threat due to his accomplishments.
The two understood each other tacitly and did not delve further into the topic.
"Has the Marquis of Dingguo not arrived in Jinling yet?" Liang Xiao asked again.
Zhuo Zifang explained, "He's busy with military affairs and will take a little longer. However, we can ensure Nie Yuan's safety for now, so you don't need to worry. But no one should see him, lest the Grand Tutor and others incite public opinion and spread rumors, which would be detrimental to the trial. As for the Jiangnan Spring Banquet..."
"I will go, but after seeing the scholars and beauties by the Qinhuai River, I was somewhat disappointed," Liang Xiao sighed.
"Don't worry, there are many talented scholars and beauties at the Jiangnan Spring Banquet who possess true skills. Most of them are reclusive and don't usually frequent such gatherings," Zhuo Zifang comforted him.
Only then did Liang Xiao feel at ease.
If the younger generation in Jiangnan, including scholars from humble backgrounds, had become like those imperial students in the capital, his trip to Jiangnan might have to be postponed for a while to properly set things right.
Inside the Jinling prison, a burly man in prison garb sat in his cell, diligently studying military texts.
After a moment, the jailer's voice came from outside. "Nie Yuan, your townsman is here to see you. Do you want to meet them?"
Nie Yuan, who was reading, was stunned. He glanced at the silent prison guard at the door and chuckled. "Where do I have any townsmen?"
"They say they're from your hometown in Qingzhou!" The jailer's fat head poked in from the entrance.
"Who do I know in Qingzhou?" Nie Yuan replied loudly.
Six middle-aged men in coarse cloth clothes walked in from outside. The leading man greeted Nie Yuan. "Younger Brother Nie, long time no see!"
Nie Yuan was startled. "Do I know you?"
The six men did not answer. Instead, their eyes suddenly flashed with ferocity. They simultaneously drew sabers from their waists, concealed by their cloth robes, with their left hands, and pulled out darts from their chests with their right hands.
Six darts flew towards Nie Yuan at the same time!