Outside Jinling City, the river flowed gurgling.
Liang Xiao's fleet of boats gradually docked.
A warm breeze greeted them, and upon landing, Liang Xiao and his companions felt a surge of good spirits.
However, Liang Xiao still arranged for guards to maintain vigilance, keeping the crowd at a distance from his own men.
Suddenly, the distant figures of a man and a woman caught Liang Xiao's attention.
Was that the Master of Yunxiu Studio?
The man, clad in blue, had a young woman in a white dress clinging to his arm. They were conversing, seemingly in good spirits.
Liang Xiao observed the siblings from afar, ultimately deciding not to intrude.
He wasn't driven by envy or jealousy, but rather by a desire to see if the man recognized him.
If not, he would initiate an introduction.
If he did, the situation would become rather complicated...
A moment later, the boatman behind him tapped the Master of Yunxiu Studio on the shoulder.
The Master of Yunxiu Studio turned around and spoke with him. Their gazes inadvertently met Liang Xiao's.
A flicker of surprise appeared in the Master of Yunxiu Studio's eyes. After a moment's hesitation, he cupped his hands in greeting towards Liang Xiao.
Seeing that the other party indeed recognized him, Liang Xiao simply smiled and returned the gesture with a clasped fist.
The young woman in the white dress beside the Master of Yunxiu Studio also turned. Following her brother's gaze, she looked towards Liang Xiao. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with a mixture of curiosity and surprise.
These were exceptionally beautiful eyes. Even with a veil obscuring her face, Liang Xiao was certain that beneath it lay a face of unparalleled beauty.
From the moment he saw those eyes, Liang Xiao was consumed by the desire to see her face, not out of vanity, but simply to know what she looked like.
Undoubtedly, the young woman would not remove her veil. She merely nudged her brother gently and then looked back at Liang Xiao, her eyes now holding a hint of shyness.
The boatman, on the other hand, appeared calm, showing no unusual reaction upon seeing Liang Xiao.
The siblings and the boatman finally turned and departed. Before leaving, the young woman glanced back, her eyes still full of curiosity, before her eyelids gently lowered.
Liang Xiao was certain that the face beneath her veil was smiling at him.
"Hmph~ Planning to abduct another young lady..."
Jian Qinwan's voice, tinged with a hint of jealousy, reached Liang Xiao's ears.
Hearing this, Liang Xiao couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head. "I have no intention of abducting anyone. My dear Bodhisattva, when I am not around, you and Senior Sisters must protect Yue Lian and the little monster. Make sure no suspicious individuals approach them, especially the little monster. Don't let her wander off."
Jian Qinwan, not fully grasping his meaning, simply nodded. "Considering you've been relatively well-behaved today, I'll reluctantly agree!"
With Zhuo Xun present, they headed directly towards the Zhuo family's residence, negating the need for directions.
The reason Liang Xiao hadn't rushed to Jinling overnight but instead traveled leisurely, seeking out talent and understanding local customs, was due to the news that Nie Yuan was temporarily safe.
He Jingyun, the Prefect of Jinling and head of the He family, along with the old Marquis of Dingguo, Gongsun Ye, had intervened to protect Nie Yuan. However, Nie Yuan had already been convicted, and his release was impossible, leading to a stalemate.
At this moment, Zhuo Zifang's family was waiting in the main hall.
Besides Zhuo Zifang and his grandson Zhuo Xiong, the hall also contained Zhuo Zifang's legal wife, Old Madam Zhuo Qin, and his eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Zhuo Lin. Both women came from humble backgrounds.
Old Madam Zhuo's hair was already streaked with grey, and Madam Zhuo Lin also had a few strands of white in her hair. Both women wore anxious expressions.
"Why hasn't Xiao Xun arrived yet?"
As grandmother and mother, their primary concern was the clever Zhuo Xun.
Just then, San Quan rushed in with excitement. "Master, Madam! She's here! the Marquis of An Guo has arrived in the courtyard!"
Everyone rejoiced, and supporting Old Madam Zhuo, they were about to leave the main hall.
Liang Xiao's entourage had arrived. Upon seeing her family, Zhuo Xun called out obediently, "Grandma~ Mom~"
"Oh, you little darling who almost takes my life, are you trying to worry your grandmother to death!"
Old Madam Zhuo embraced Zhuo Xun, who threw herself into her arms. With tears and snot running, she couldn't bear to hit or scold her, so she simply held her tightly.
"Xiao Xun isn't running away from the marriage anymore!" Zhuo Xun's voice was unprecedentedly obedient.
Li Jinyu watched this, sighing softly.
Old Madam Zhuo also noticed Li Jinyu and was startled. "Master, this, could this be...?"
Zhuo Zifang nodded with shame. "It is her!"
"No need to mind this old woman. I am now a subordinate of the Marquis of An Guo. Prioritize the Marquis's important matters!" Li Jinyu's tone was stern, and she turned her head away.
Old Madam Zhuo blinked, sighed, and looked at Liang Xiao. "Is this gentleman the Marquis of An Guo?"
"You may call me Liang Xiao," Liang Xiao replied with a nod.
Old Madam Zhuo praised him with delight. "Such noble bearing, a radiant countenance! How could Xiao Xun say you were... alas!"
Zhuo Xun, blushing with embarrassment, burrowed into Old Madam Zhuo's embrace. "Grandma, Xiao Xun knows she was wrong! And he, he also bullied me!"
Old Madam Zhuo exclaimed, "Bullied you? He bullied you before you were even married?"
Everyone was stunned.
Zhuo Xun, not understanding the implications, simply replied, "Mmm~ He bullied me so badly, I'm too embarrassed to face anyone~"
Old Madam Zhuo and Zhuo Zifang looked at Liang Xiao in shock.
Zhuo Zifang could no longer contain himself. He walked over, patted Liang Xiao's shoulder, and said with a serious expression, "You young people need to exercise restraint, especially before marriage."
Everyone: ???
Liang Xiao couldn't help but roll his eyes at the "old pervert." "What are you imagining? Her mindset is still that of a child. How could I be so beastly..."
The Zhuo family members finally understood.
"Grandma, he even pretended to be Brother Da Lu, and tricked me completely. I was so pitiful..." Xiao Xun said coquettishly.
Zhuo Xiong scoffed, "You're the one who drew him as Ghost King Liang Xiao. *That's* pitiful, alright!"
Only then did Zhuo Xun become quiet, allowing Old Madam Zhuo to hold her, not daring to look directly at Liang Xiao.
This fellow had deceived her terribly by impersonating someone else, and he had even told her ghost stories!
Madam Zhuo Lin chided with a smile, "Silly girl, you'll be his sooner or later. And you're still speaking ill of him here?"
Zhuo Xun then turned and nestled into Madam Zhuo Lin's embrace, acting spoiled. "Mom~"
While acting spoiled, Zhuo Xun didn't forget to cover her blushing face, peeking at Liang Xiao through her fingers.
Seeing that Liang Xiao showed no displeasure or objection, Zhuo Xun's heart secretly rejoiced.
He kept his word, he wasn't driving me away!
But why is he looking at me like that...
Zhuo Xun noticed something was amiss with Liang Xiao's gaze and felt puzzled, even on the verge of tears.
His gaze and expression seemed to carry a hint of concern?
Liang Xiao simply gazed at Zhuo Xun, filled with emotion.
This unfortunate child, still unaware of her true parentage, how long could her innocence and guilelessness last...
Zuo Wushang and the remaining subjects of the Great Heng Kingdom had not come out to meet him. He could only search for Zuo Wushang slowly, which was currently as difficult as reaching the heavens.
And the other party was skilled in disguise!
Zhuo Zifang sighed. "Madam, as you can see, Liang Xiao is no invalid. It's just a pity about Xiao Yun, alas!"
Mentioning Zhuo Yun, Old Madam Zhuo and Madam Zhuo Lin also sighed with emotion and shed tears.
"Has Second Sister not come home yet?" Zhuo Xun asked timidly.
"It has nothing to do with you. She always detested men. In her reply to us, she said she would remain unmarried and live out her days alone in the Great Liang Kingdom, regardless of whether it was the Marquis of An Guo or anyone else. She'd rather die than marry!" Madam Zhuo Lin said helplessly.