"The number one scholar in the capital? Did he call himself that?" Zhuo Xun snorted.
"Yes, Third Miss..." San Quan chuckled and nodded.
The crowd couldn't help but laugh.
Nowadays in the capital, let alone Liang Xiao, even Gu Shaoyan, Mu Hong, and Zhang Yang ranked higher than Du Gu Xiao in national affairs and talent selection!
Du Gu Xiao's title was only effective in Jiangnan, and with the Gongyang family's hype, it was merely to fool people.
Upon hearing Du Gu Xiao's name, Zhuo Zifang immediately put on a stern face and said, "Just say that I and Xiong'er are unable to receive guests!"
San Qian explained, "The other party seems to have anticipated this. They said if Master and Second Young Master are unable to receive guests, they would like Second Young Master to prepare for the 'Jiangnan Spring Banquet' the day after tomorrow."
"Jiangnan Spring Banquet?" Zhuo Zifang lost his temper instantly.
Old Madam Zhuo said helplessly, "Master, our Zhuo family cannot avoid sending someone to participate."
Before Zhuo Zifang could speak, Liang Xiao smiled and said, "Go and tell them that your Second Young Master will attend."
San Quan took his orders and left.
"Liang Xiao, could it be that you also want to go?" Zhuo Zifang said with surprise and joy.
Liang Xiao nodded, "The Jiangnan Spring Banquet gathers talented scholars and beauties from all regions. It's a good opportunity to get to know the talents of Jiangnan, which will save me a lot of effort. I also want to see if these talented scholars and beauties are any better than those in the Imperial Academy in the capital. If Du Gu Xiao and others are spreading poison, I can also correct the wrongs."
Zhuo Zifang nodded repeatedly, and Zhuo Xiong also instantly became full of confidence, "Then will Xiao Xun, as the 'Painting Immortal of Jinling', also go?"
Liang Xiao replied, "We'll see."
Zhuo Xun quickly stated, "I'm very obedient now. If you don't let me go, I absolutely won't go..."
The Zhuo family members were stunned.
The most pampered little darling had actually become so well-behaved?
Liang Xiao just smiled, patting Zhuo Xun's head. Her pretty face blushed, and she didn't dare to make a sound.
If she had only liked Liang Xiao a lot before, then after seeing him look at her with such tenderness, she... seemed to have fallen in love!
Zhuo Zifang and Old Madam Zhuo exchanged a glance, and finally couldn't help but look at Li Jinyu, who had been silent all along, "Jinyu..."
Li Jinyu turned her head away, "The grievances between old me and you will be settled after the matter of Marquis An is dealt with!"
Zhuo Zifang could only nod helplessly, his face full of guilt.
Liang Xiao did not rush to speak for Zhuo Zifang. Li Jinyu was still angry.
"Senior, do you have a way to teach someone to draw portraits in a short period of time?" Liang Xiao asked again.
Zhuo Zifang's old eyes lit up, and he instantly understood Liang Xiao's meaning.
Perhaps Nie Yuan could still improve his painting skills with Li Jinyu's help?
After all, even if Nie Yuan succeeded in proving his innocence, the other party would still hide from him and prevent him from identifying them. At this time, it would be necessary for Nie Yuan to provide a portrait himself!
Li Jinyu pondered for a moment and nodded, "Learning to paint also depends on talent, but to teach someone to draw portraits in a short period of time, old me is still somewhat confident."
Liang Xiao nodded happily.
The group followed Zhuo Zifang to the Zhuo family's farmland.
Under the setting sun, there were fields of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn, all full of vitality.
Seeing this, Liang Xiao's heart bloomed with joy!
Judging by this growth, it would not be long before these crops could be promoted in the south!
"Zhuo Lingjun, have you planted them in other fields? Don't put all your eggs in one basket," Liang Xiao reminded.
Zhuo Zifang nodded solemnly, his voice filled with excitement, "They have also been planted in other fields, and they are guarded by the most reliable guards of Zhuo Manor!"
Since learning that the yield of these three crops was at least a thousand catties per mu, Zhuo Zifang couldn't wait to cultivate them on a large scale.
The Great Gan Dynasty had hundreds of millions of mu of official land. If these official lands and some private lands could be planted with these crops, would they still need to fear famine?
At that time, the harvested grain could be stored in large quantities, used as military rations, for emergencies, and for disaster relief. It would be incredibly beneficial!
"When the potatoes are ripe, you can follow the instructions I provided and pay attention to safety," Liang Xiao said with a smile.
Sprouted potatoes were poisonous and could not be eaten casually.
If the potatoes in the field were not yet ripe, Liang Xiao would have personally cooked a demonstration for everyone.
As it was getting late, everyone stayed at Zhuo Manor.
"Liang Xiao, I heard you also tell ghost stories to Xiao Xun and the others?" Zhuo Zifang asked curiously during the meal.
Liang Xiao nodded, "I made them up."
"Even made-up stories from a great monster are so scary. What about a properly told one..." Zhuo Xun couldn't help but shiver.
The crowd smiled knowingly.
"Come, come, tell us one. This old man is not afraid of ghosts," Zhuo Zifang urged.
Liang Xiao glanced at the old lecher, saying meaningfully, "Let's not tell ghost stories today. I'll tell everyone the story of Sima Xiangru and Zhuo Wenjun. It will also be printed in the newspaper later, so you can hear it in advance."
"Sima Xiangru and Zhuo Wenjun?" Everyone became interested and listened attentively.
The famous love story from Liang Xiao's hometown instantly resonated with everyone. They even forgot to eat, listening with great enjoyment.
When they heard about Sima Xiangru's cold treatment of Zhuo Wenjun, everyone was indignant.
"May I have one heart, and grow old together without separation..." 138 Read.net
When Liang Xiao recited "Bai Tou Yin" (Song of White Hair), the crowd was overcome with emotion and shed tears.
Li Jinyu glanced at Zhuo Zifang, her heart full of resentment.
Zhuo Wenjun could at least be with Sima Xiangru. At that time, she had desperately wanted to be with Zhuo Zifang, even following him to the Zhuo family in Jinling, but she never got a satisfactory outcome.
Sensing Li Jinyu's resentment, Zhuo Zifang immediately understood Liang Xiao's cunning schemes and quietly ate his meal, not daring to speak.
This brat was clearly getting revenge on him!
Alas, he just asked for help finding Xiao Yun, was it necessary...
A certain old man surnamed Zhuo muttered to himself. Thinking of his granddaughter who vowed not to marry, he felt a splitting headache.
In fact, he didn't really want to force Zhuo Yun to marry Liang Xiao. He would support whoever Zhuo Yun wanted to marry, but this child intended to remain unmarried for life, which was not in accordance with the Great Gan Dynasty's etiquette and would have a negative impact on the Zhuo family.
In her boudoir, Zhuo Xun still slept with Yue Lian, discussing Liang Xiao's ghost stories.
Jian Qinwan, however, shared a bed with Liang Xiao, embracing him and speaking in a soft, tender voice, her heart filled with sweetness.
She knew that her "flower thief" would always be gentle and would never neglect her like Sima Xiangru neglected Zhuo Wenjun.
That was enough!
Thinking that Liang Xiao still had no heirs, and her mother urged her to have a child with Liang Xiao soon, Jian Qinwan even felt a sense of urgency to complete the trip to Jiangnan soon, so that Liang Xiao could quickly become a consort, and she would...
Suddenly awakening, a blush spread across Jian Qinwan's beautiful face. She looked up at Liang Xiao, exhaling fragrant breath into his ear.
This was torture for a certain person, who was stirred by the beauty beside him, his blood surging. He could only focus on his nose, his mouth, and his heart, maintaining a facade of righteousness while roaring inwardly: You seductive vixen, just you wait!
The next morning, Liang Xiao took everyone out and went to the Qinhuai River.
Since she would eventually follow Liang Xiao to the capital, Zhuo Xun decided to stay home and talk with her family.
Li Jinyu naturally also stayed at Zhuo Manor, occasionally guiding Zhuo Xun in her painting.
Along the Qinhuai River, painted boats were everywhere, displaying a scene of prosperous times.
On the river, there was a small boat with three people in it: Hong Jie, Zuo Jing, and Shangguan Jiusi!
On another giant pleasure boat, music and dancing were in full swing, with a group of talented scholars and beauties laughing and chatting, many of whom were stunning beauties!