Zhuo Zifang, highly respected in Jiangnan, commanded the attention of the previously excited crowd who now sat up straight, eager to listen. Even Gongyang He and Xiao Chang dared not act presumptuously.
Zhuo Zifang then declared loudly, "Our Great Qian's Marquis of An, Liang Xiao, is already a household name for his literary and military prowess. Today, he has proven to the people of Jiangnan how discerning he is. The conduct of Liang Xiao is evident to all in Great Qian!"
The crowd nodded in agreement, their gazes towards Liang Xiao filled with increasing awe.
"In days past, the King of Donghai of the Great Heng Kingdom expanded territories and decisively defeated the Xiongnu, allowing the people of this land to stand tall before the barbarians. Subsequently, our dynasty's founding marshal, the Marquis of Dingguo, possessed martial skills comparable to the King of Donghai, both having achieved unparalleled merits! And now, our dynasty has produced the Heavenly General, who has vanquished the barbarians and turned the tide! These three individuals were all warriors who saved the nation and were invincible in their time!"
"Today, our dynasty has Marquis Liang Xiao of An, who gathers refugees through land cultivation, ensuring the populace has food to eat. He has promoted the smallpox inoculation, which has proven effective, saving countless lives from the ravages of smallpox and achieving merit for all generations! He proposed lowering the salt price, benefiting all people! He utilized secret strategies to cooperate in the defense of Yanzhou City, blocking the barbarian invasion, and defended Luzhou, crushing one hundred thousand rebels!"
"This old man believes that Liang Xiao's achievements are no less than those of the three individuals I have mentioned!"
As his words fell, thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall!
Liang Xiao remained silent.
He believed that Zhuo Zifang had long seen through his identity as the Heavenly General but did not wish to expose it. However, for Zhuo Zifang to equate him with the "Heavenly General" must have a deeper meaning. It was to rally hearts around Liang Xiao, indirectly suppressing the prestige of the Gongyang clan!
Gongsun Ye then rose and said, "Allow this Marquis to interject: As a descendant of the founding Marquis of Dingguo, I must admit that as long as Marquis Liang Xiao of An upholds great integrity and serves the country with utmost loyalty, whether he surpasses the Heavenly General, I dare not guarantee, but he will certainly surpass our ancestor, the Marquis of Dingguo!"
The entire hall was in an uproar!
Even a descendant of the Great Qian's founding Grand Marshal, the Marquis of Dingguo, acknowledged Liang Xiao's achievements could surpass his ancestor. Could they still have any objections?
"You two flatter me!" Liang Xiao finally blushed, eliciting smiles from Jian Qinwan and others beside him.
Zhuo Zifang laughed heartily, "You are too modest! Look at the people gathered here, they clearly support you! I shall take advantage of this public trial to boldly bestow upon you a title, how about it!"
"Many thanks for your guidance, Lord Zhuo!" Liang Xiao cupped his hands.
Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, Zhuo Zifang ordered ink, brush, and paper to be brought. He then wrote four characters with a grand flourish.
"Eternal Four Marvels!!"
"I dare to believe that our Great Qian's Marquis of An, Liang Xiao, can be ranked alongside the former King of Donghai, our dynasty's Marquis of Dingguo, and our dynasty's Heavenly General, as the Eternal Four Marvels!"
"Eternal Four Marvels! Imperial Twin Gems!" The entire hall cheered!
Liang Xiao scratched the back of his head, his usually thick skin, thicker than city walls, flushing again. He, alone, was bestowed with dual honors? He, the Imperial Twin Gems? Even with his thick skin, he couldn't bear it!
Seeing Liang Xiao's reaction, Jian Qinwan and Yue Lian covered their mouths with their veils, fearing they might burst into laughter. His thick skin had finally failed him.
Gongyang He patted his chest, almost toppling backward. After taking several deep breaths, he angrily left the scene. Nan Wang Xiao Chang, his face full of fury, also quietly departed with his retinue. Zhuo Zifang's "Eternal Four Marvels" were like a resounding slap in the face, almost crushing the expressions of those who had opposed Liang Xiao, making them feel exceedingly uncomfortable. Remaining here, they feared they would be further humiliated by Liang Xiao.
Among the crowd, Shangguan Jiusi whispered, "Eternal Four Marvels, this..."
Hong Jie sighed, "Actually, the Marquis of Dingguo and Lord Zhuo are the truly wise ones."
Yun Jiu and Zuo Jing remained silent. They were astute individuals, how could they not understand Hong Jie's meaning? Zhuo Zifang and Gongsun Ye's public praise of Liang Xiao was also to solidify the people's belief that Liang Xiao belonged to Great Qian. Even if Liang Xiao were to betray them one day and attempt to usurp the royal family, it would be exceedingly difficult, unless he could withstand the backlash from such fame. However, the three of them did not anticipate that while Gongsun Ye indeed had such intentions, Zhuo Zifang genuinely praised and trusted Liang Xiao. As a descendant of Zhuo Mingfeng, the founding prime minister renowned for his double mastery of calligraphy and painting, Zhuo Zifang's calligraphy was also famous throughout the land. The four characters, "Eternal Four Marvels," were vigorous and full of righteousness, and were entrusted by Zhuo Zifang to Liang Xiao's people for safekeeping.
After the people bowed to Liang Xiao, they dispersed.
Ye Qingyi gazed at Liang Xiao from afar, her gaze lingering, before she sadly departed, alone.
The head of the yamen, Gongyang Teng, was imprisoned by He Jingyun. As Gongyang He had already left, he was powerless to resist and could only accept his fate.
Jian Nanfeng laughed heartily and, with his disciples, returned to Zhuo Mansion to await further proceedings. Nie Yuan finally had his name cleared, and his confiscated weapons and belongings were returned.
After the matters at the scene were settled, everyone finally returned to Zhuo Mansion.
Hong Jie and the other two, with complex emotions, came to bid farewell to Liang Xiao, "Liang Xiao, we must return to Suzhou. Farewell..."
Liang Xiao could not persuade them to stay and had to agree. Hong Jie also declined Liang Xiao's offer of escorts. Even the Marquis of Dingguo, Gongsun Ye, had come to Zhuo Mansion. As former subjects of the Great Heng Kingdom, they had to avoid exposing their identities and creating further complications.
"Brother Liang Xiao, farewell~" Zuo Jing said, her emotions welling up. With teary eyes, she looked back at Liang Xiao repeatedly as she walked away.
Hong Jie and Shangguan Jiusi's hearts were even more complicated. They could only place their full trust in Liang Xiao. However, her role as "Lin'er" might not have any effect on Liang Xiao. What she could do now was to get acquainted with Liang Xiao and those around him. Liang Xiao seemed to be playing along with their plan, and they intended to use Liang Xiao's "playing along" to their advantage once more, striving to gain his trust, and in the future, seize the opportunity to take Yue Lian away. As for kidnapping Liang Xiao? That was something they wouldn't even dare to dream of...
"Farewell, Lin'er." Liang Xiao merely waved to Zuo Jing and the other two, a sense of emotion in his heart. If he hadn't met Zhuo Xun first, he might truly have been unable to guard against them...
In the large courtyard, Nie Yuan knelt before Liang Xiao, repeatedly expressing his gratitude. "Without the few of you and Marquis An, Nie Yuan would have likely been convicted and executed!"
Liang Xiao helped Nie Yuan up and said, "I saved you for three reasons: first, for justice to prevail; second, for your talent as a general; and third, for the intelligence you possess. I hope you can study painting with the Female Calligrapher for a while, and strive to paint the true appearance of the person you saw as soon as possible. I have a premonition that you saw a big fish, and your identity must not be exposed, which is why they were so eager to silence you!"
Li Jin Yu, who was already deeply impressed by Liang Xiao, quickly proposed, "Marquis An, this old woman can attempt to sketch based on Nie Yuan's description. If the drawing is inaccurate, I can personally teach him how to draw portraits."
Liang Xiao readily agreed. Nie Yuan immediately bowed to Li Jin Yu in thanks.
Seeing this, Li Jin Yu felt a pang of emotion. After a moment of hesitation, she asked, "This old woman has no children. I have also heard that your parents passed away early, and you have opposed the Huichun Sect. You are a heroic man. May I presumptuously ask if you would accept me as your adoptive mother?"
Zhuo Zifang, standing nearby, looked ashamed and chuckled, "This is quite good, Nie Yuan, agree quickly..."
"Shi Liuyun and I are as close as brothers. Then I..." Shi Liuyun looked awkward.
"Nonsense, you go and kowtow too!" Gongsun Ye chided.
Nie Yuan was stunned, then overjoyed. He and Shi Liuyun immediately bowed to Li Jin Yu as their adoptive mother.
Li Jin Yu smiled with satisfaction and then gave Zhuo Zifang a glare, saying no more.
After Shi Liuyun rose, he looked at Liang Xiao and said with a dry laugh, "Alas, Marquis An, I told Nie Yuan earlier, if anyone could save you, let alone repay the kindness, I would even lick their shoes! A man of my word is worth a thousand pieces of gold, Marquis An, please, please take off your shoe..."