Kristi?
The joyous families were all stunned.
The princess from the Western Regions had pursued Liang Xiao all the way to Jiangnan?
The gentlemen present cast shocked glances at Liang Xiao.
Comparing oneself to others could kill one with frustration!
Only Liang Xiao, Yue Lian, and Jian Qinwan, who were privy to the situation, were surprised.
For whom she came here was self-evident...
Zhuo Zifang rose and said, "Liang Xiao, go and see her. You might as well invite this princess to have a meal with us..."
But in his heart, Zhuo Zifang despised Liang Xiao once more: "This brat actually has the nerve to say I was flirtatious in my youth? Isn't he hundreds of times more flirtatious than I was?"
So everyone sat up straight, their mouths filled with tears, awaiting Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao, along with Zhuo Zifang and Gongsun Ye, went to meet her. Jian Qinwan and Yue Lian also followed.
Kristi waited anxiously in the reception hall. It wasn't until Liang Xiao appeared that her beautiful eyes lit up: "Marquis Anguo..."
Liang Xiao quickly introduced Zhuo Zifang and Gongsun Ye to Kristi.
"I heard Princess Kristi brought an imperial decree from His Majesty. Should Marquis Dingguo and I be present?" Zhuo Zifang asked.
Kristi's tone was solemn: "Lord Zhuo, His Majesty only instructed me to deliver the imperial decree to Marquis Anguo. Whether it is shown to you and Marquis Dingguo is for Marquis Anguo to decide..."
Zhuo Zifang nodded. Seeing Kristi's dignified demeanor, and apart from her foreign appearance which was clearly different from the people of Da Qian, her accent was distinctly that of the capital of Da Qian. He couldn't help but marvel secretly.
Liang Xiao took the imperial decree and opened it. He smiled knowingly.
It turned out that his little Shuangzi had personally forged two military seals for him and Gongsun Ye, one for the Deputy Commander of Jiangnan and the other for the Commander of Jiangnan. Gongsun Ye was officially appointed as the Commander of Jiangnan, with Liang Xiao as his deputy.
Dugu Qun and others had strongly advised against this matter. However, Xiao Qing and Wang Canghai, citing the crisis in Luzhou due to the lack of leadership in the Jiangnan region, sternly rejected the proposals. The final decision shocked the capital!
In addition, the shadow guards were continuously transporting three million taels of silver prepared by Xiao Qing, to be managed by Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang. This fund was to be used for recruiting talent or to fill financial deficits in various parts of Jiangnan.
After Liang Xiao dismissed the guards around the Zhuo mansion, he showed the imperial decree to the two elders. They were astonished.
"How could His Majesty prepare so much silver in such a short time? It couldn't be through the salt administration so quickly, could it?" Zhuo Zifang was utterly perplexed.
Liang Xiao curled his lips, "His Majesty recently had a stroke of luck. This matter must not be divulged..."
Considering that Xiao Qing had permitted Liang Xiao to inform Zhuo Zifang and Gongsun Ye before leaving, to reassure them and facilitate better cooperation, Liang Xiao no longer held back.
Seeing Liang Xiao's serious expression, and Kristi nodding beside him, Zhuo Zifang and Gongsun Ye were struck as if by lightning. They didn't know whether to be moved to tears or to burst into wild laughter.
After a moment, Zhuo Zifang patted his chest and trembled, "My heart almost couldn't take it..."
Gongsun Ye, however, laughed heartily, "Indeed, Da Qian is blessed by heaven!"
The two elders looked upon Kristi, who provided the treasure map, with new respect and thanked her again.
"It is His Majesty's wisdom. Our country is in awe. Marquis Anguo is magnanimous to tolerate me..." Kristi said, lowering her head.
Zhuo Zifang keenly noticed Kristi's humble demeanor towards Liang Xiao. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Liang Xiao, his gaze seemingly asking a question.
After all, she was a princess of the Kingdom of Guizi!
Before Liang Xiao could explain, Kristi pleaded, "Esteemed sirs, I wish to speak with Marquis Anguo and his two wives privately. May I...?"
Two wives?
Jian Qinwan was accustomed to it. Yue Lian, on the other hand, felt flustered and uneasy, her eyes darting about, daring not to look at Liang Xiao.
The two elders happily agreed and returned to wait with the others.
Ensuring no one else was present, Kristi finally knelt before Liang Xiao. He helped her up.
"Why must you do this?" Liang Xiao felt a headache coming on.
The foreign girl before him was intelligent, brave, and kind. Now, she possessed an unprecedented strength, yet she remained so humble towards him.
The root of this humility was precisely the "Heavenly General"...
"Marquis Anguo, I heard the Heavenly General manifested during the defense of Luzhou?" Kristi asked, struggling to hold back tears, her voice trembling.
Liang Xiao merely nodded.
"Then, do I still have a chance to see the Heavenly General manifest with my own eyes?" Kristi asked weakly.
Liang Xiao's heart skipped a beat. Jian Qinwan and Yue Lian beside him dared not speak.
It was clear she intended to stay by Liang Xiao's side to see if the Heavenly General would manifest again.
Liang Xiao had a sudden inspiration and sighed, "Kristi, since you are so familiar with the deeds of the Heavenly General, you should also understand that the Heavenly General only manifests when it is necessary to turn the tide and save all people..."
"I understand. I shouldn't be indirectly cursing Da Qian to face further peril..." Kristi lowered her head, looking ashamed.
Liang Xiao and the other two were stunned.
However, Liang Xiao felt it was for the best. Kristi's self-awareness meant he didn't need to use other excuses.
Unexpectedly, Kristi pleaded again, "However, could I stay by Marquis Anguo's side? Perhaps sometimes I could still witness the Heavenly General's divine intervention even when it's not a matter of life and death..."
Liang Xiao was speechless. The two women couldn't help but giggle.
In the end, the outcome was the same!
Looking at the girl who had brought the treasure of the ancient Xiongnu king to Da Qian, Liang Xiao pondered for a moment, then nodded and sighed, "Of course, that's fine. After all, to outsiders, you are betrothed to me, and moreover, we are friends."
Kristi's face then bloomed into a smile, her apprehension vanishing. She bowed deeply to Liang Xiao.
"Coincidentally, Lord Zhuo's mansion is hosting a banquet. Since you have traveled far, everyone can join you for a welcoming feast."
Kristi was already utterly obedient to Liang Xiao, nodding incessantly.
Jian Qinwan mustered her courage, took Kristi's hand, and followed behind Liang Xiao.
She had not been absolutely certain of the flower thief's identity before. But now, her flower thief was indeed the Heavenly General. His identity would eventually be revealed. And Kristi had made such a significant contribution to Da Qian; becoming a Marchioness Anguo in the future was not out of the question.
Kristi simply followed the three obediently, gazing at Liang Xiao with rapt attention.
That day, the Heavenly General seemed like a divine being descending from heaven, saving the Western Regions' party from the white-robed soldiers. She had seen it clearly by the moonlight.
If the only person she had seen that day was the Heavenly General, Kristi would not have been so certain. But Lü Changhe and others had been close to the Heavenly General. Kristi used the comparison of Lü Changhe's and the Heavenly General's physiques as a reference, then compared Lü Changhe's and Liang Xiao's physiques...
Liang Xiao and the figure that lingered in her mind forever were becoming increasingly alike!
She had come here, ostensibly seeking divine intervention, but in reality, to explore that almost impossible hope, while fearing she might burden Liang Xiao with her presence.
As soon as Kristi appeared at the banquet, everyone felt their eyes light up, astonished by her celestial beauty!
Her skin was as white as snow, her hair golden, her eyes blue. Tall and graceful, the attire of Da Qian could not conceal her exotic charm.
Zhuo Xun finally met Kristi and they hit it off, conversing with great pleasure.
However, because everyone was already accustomed to Liang Xiao's unconventional ways, Kristi's appearance did not make them feel constrained. After the meal began, the atmosphere became joyful.
Kristi chewed slowly, tasted the pork soup, and nodded slightly.
"This roast pork and pork soup were actually made by Marquis Anguo?" Yu Qingchuan and others at the table were astonished.
After receiving an affirmative answer, everyone was filled with awe.
Zhuo Zifang sighed, "Liang Xiao, just be honest with us. What is there that you *can't* do?"
Everyone looked at him in unison, eager to know.