"Up in heaven, there is Suzhou and Hangzhou!"
Looking at the prosperous city of Suzhou, Liang Xiao couldn't help but sigh.
"Suzhou and Hangzhou? Suzhou must refer to Suzhou, but which one does Hangzhou refer to?" Jian Qinwan asked curiously.
Liang Xiao burst into laughter, "Qiantang, Qiantang!"
The geographical names of Da Qian Kingdom were indeed different from his other homeland; there was no "Hangzhou" here, only "Qiantang."
"Oh, I've heard Suzhou is full of beauties~" Jian Qinwan hummed.
But soon, her hand was held tightly by Liang Xiao. Blushing, she looked at the serious Liang Xiao, content. She loved this unspoken affection.
Liang Xiao held Jian Qinwan's hand with one hand and a wooden plaque with an address in the other, smiling, "Let's visit the Prefect first, and then Yun Xiu."
Jian Qinwan and Klisti were both women who didn't enjoy sightseeing, so Liang Xiao didn't linger. The group entered Suzhou, merely admiring the scenery along the way, and soon found the inn pre-booked by Liang Xiao's people.
The inn was directly opposite Liang Xiao's bookstore in Suzhou.
The Prefect of Suzhou was Zhuo Ping, the eldest nephew of Zhuo Zifang. He governed Suzhou with considerable achievements, being one of the few Prefects who could withstand the pressure from the Gongyang clan.
Upon receiving Liang Xiao's notification, Zhuo Ping, nearing fifty, immediately led his men to the inn, unwilling to let Liang Xiao come to him.
"Your subordinate greets the Marquis of An, it is truly better to see you than to hear of you!" The usually composed Zhuo Ping could not hide his excitement.
He had already heard about Liang Xiao's heroic deeds in Jiangnan, as well as Zhuo Zifang's letter.
Wherever Liang Xiao went, he brought about a rectification!
"Uncle Zhuo flatters me!" Liang Xiao quickly welcomed Zhuo Ping into the inn.
Zhuo Ping said sternly, "Not at all! My uncle said he is as close to you as a brother!"
Jian Qinwan and the others behind Liang Xiao quickly covered their mouths, fearing they would laugh.
Zhuo Lingjun and him, as close as brothers?
Liang Xiao's old face flushed, "That's not true. Zhuo Lingjun is joking, don't take it seriously."
This old scoundrel was actually serious?
If outsiders knew he was suddenly of the same generation as his grandfather, Liang Qing, wouldn't that be awkward?
Only Jian Qinwan looked at Liang Xiao, accustomed to it.
The eighty-nine-year-old Grandmaster Liuyun had even sworn brotherhood with her flower-stealing rogue!
Upon learning that Liang Xiao planned to select talents from the Suzhou area, Zhuo Ping readily agreed, adding, "Official Su is also traveling in the Suzhou area recently. Marquis An can meet him then!"
Liang Xiao gladly agreed.
The Official Su mentioned by Zhuo Ping was the current head of the most famous aristocratic family in Suzhou, the Su family, Su Wencheng.
Su Wencheng held a special position as the "Envoy" between Da Qian Kingdom and Da Liang Kingdom.
Envoy was a unique official post in Da Qian and Da Liang, responsible for maintaining friendly relations between the two countries. They belonged to both countries, could travel freely between them, and held real power in both, making them the freest individuals between the two nations.
The Su family, being skilled in this regard, had always held the position of Envoy, almost as if it were hereditary.
After Zhuo Ping left, Liang Xiao and the others rested for a night and headed to the residence of the Yun Xiu Master the next day.
However, a young servant greeted Liang Xiao. "Apologies, my young master went out for a stroll a few days ago and will likely return later."
"Where did he go?" Liang Xiao asked, scrutinizing the servant.
Around fifteen years old, his speech was elegant and proper, clearly well-educated.
The servant replied, "Outside Suzhou city. Could you please come back later?"
Liang Xiao had no choice but to take his leave.
Returning to the inn, Liang Xiao continued writing chapters for "Romance of the Three Kingdoms."
Jian Qinwan and Klisti were engrossed in reading the new chapters.
"Klisti, when you were in the capital, did anyone have malicious intentions towards you?" Liang Xiao suddenly asked.
Klisti snapped back to attention and replied, "I usually only interact with children under eight years old from commoner families. Elder Buti didn't allow me to approach older children because... "
Liang Xiao and Jian Qinwan both cast puzzled glances.
Klisti lowered her head, "Because everyone knows I am now the woman of the Marquis of An. Elder Buti didn't dare let me interact with too many strangers, saying he was worried about causing trouble for the Marquis of An, and I agreed with him."
Liang Xiao smiled, "It seems Elder Buti handles matters reliably, no wonder he can serve as the ambassador of the Kingdom of Guizi."
Klisti merely nodded silently, stealing a glance at Liang Xiao.
Now, recalling Liang Xiao's "tolerance," the more she thought about it, the stranger it felt.
How could someone like the Marquis of An not care at all about being "cuckolded" by her?
She suddenly thought of another possibility: perhaps, General Tian was him himself, which was why he didn't mind?
Liang Xiao continued writing, and silence fell over the courtyard.
After a long while, Liang Xiao spoke again, "Klisti, you actually have something on your mind. You can say it directly. You've seen my 'face' recently, after all."
Jian Qinwan cast a resentful glance at Liang Xiao.
He was actually proud of his shameless "face"?
Klisti was also taken aback. After a moment of hesitation, she finally mustered up the courage and said, "Marquis of An, when we first met, I asked if you knew martial arts, and you said no. But actually, your swordsmanship is astonishing..."
Liang Xiao's heart trembled.
This was a smart woman with an excellent memory!
"That was because General Tian protected me... Besides, even if I had martial arts, a gentleman keeps his skills hidden and waits for the right moment." Liang Xiao replied vaguely.
Klisti was clearly not satisfied with this answer, just gazing at Liang Xiao, hoping to see through him.
"You don't need to be so subservient to me. We're all friends, no need for formal address," Liang Xiao sighed.
Klisti nodded emotionally and asked, "What can I do for the Marquis of An..."
Seeing Klisti's sincere expression, Liang Xiao understood. She had always felt like a burden.
Liang Xiao smiled, "Your memory is also excellent. How about this, from now on, you can write out those horror stories for me and I'll see how they turn out."
"Horror stories?!"
Klisti and Jian Qinwan's faces turned ashen at the same time.
Horrific memories!
Liang Xiao burst into laughter, "No need to force yourself. I'll tell you when I've thought it through."
Jian Qinwan had a flash of inspiration and suggested, "How about writing a fictional story about General Tian? It can satisfy your longing for General Tian and also inspire the people of Da Qian."
Liang Xiao blinked and nodded, "That's not bad either!"
Klisti was both surprised and delighted, "Qin Xian has reminded me! Then the title..."
"Let's call it 'Da Qian General Tian'," Liang Xiao replied.
In fact, his Xiao Shuangzi was also mobilizing civil officials to expand the stories of General Tian, aiming to make General Tian an inspiration for future generations.
Since they were creating a god, let them create the supreme god!
As the Martial God of Da Qian, having only a few battlefield stories, General Tian's temple protecting Liang Xiao, and scaring away King Xian on the court was truly lacking in prestige.
Klisti's feelings for General Tian were self-evident, and perhaps she could write the best story.
Klisti eagerly called for brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, beginning to conceive and create. From time to time, she looked at Liang Xiao's back across the table, feeling a sense of bewilderment in her heart, "He really looks so alike..."
Fifty zhang away from the inn, on a rooftop, six figures were gazing at Liang Xiao's inn.
Three men and three women, their bodies wrapped in robes, only revealing a pair of green eyes, led by the leader of the Huichun Sect!
The burliest man behind the leader said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, Liang Xiao and she have indeed arrived in Suzhou, and they are in this inn!"