The melody, soft yet fraught with tension and allure, carried a hint of melancholy, drawing listeners into a state of low spirits.
Though pleasing to the ear, it was, in essence, a song of indulgence and decadence!
After the performance, the crowd erupted in applause once more.
Su Wanqing gazed intently at Liang Xiao, a blush of shyness gracing her cheeks.
"It seems Suzhou may yet have a future Marquise of Anguo!" the assembled scholars and ladies mused.
In their eyes, Liang Xiao clearly held Su Wanqing in high regard.
Liang Xiao merely offered a polite compliment, choosing not to delve further into the matter. Instead, he ordered a large wooden chest to be brought forth.
Guards carefully placed the chest, and from it, they produced one intricate "ghostly craftsmanship ball" after another, handing them to the guests to examine as they were introduced.
"This ghostly craftsmanship ball, with no visible opening on the outside, yet with multiple layers inside. And still no opening to be seen! Such a treasure exists in this world?"
Those handling the balls marveled, their astonishment piqued. Even Su Wanqing and Su Wencheng were captivated.
Liang Xiao smiled and explained, "These are produced by the workshops of the Marquis of Dingguo's estate. I am merely helping to disseminate them. Priced at five taels each, they are already being sold throughout Jiangnan. Suzhou's shop is called 'Dingguo Workshop'!"
In truth, these "ghostly craftsmanship balls" weren't truly of that mythical category. The craftsmanship wasn't difficult; the challenge lay in conceiving such a design.
Once the method was revealed, it became quite simple. Any moderately skilled porcelain workshop could produce them. Therefore, seizing the initiative and establishing a reputation was crucial.
Liang Xiao had no intention of having his own workshops produce these balls. After all, his profit sharing with the Marquis of Dingguo's workshop for these items was fifty-fifty.
The crowd rejoiced. Su Wencheng couldn't help but exclaim, "This object must be made of ceramic. It will surely sell well throughout the Great Liang Dynasty. The high-ranking officials and gentry of Great Liang will undoubtedly adore them!"
Liang Xiao nodded with a smile, a growing sense of bewilderment in his heart.
Su Wencheng's demeanor and actions were those of a patriotic official and businessman. But how could his own sister be so deeply concealed, even wary of his female deities?
During the banquet, Zhuo Ping received word from a guard and quickly informed Liang Xiao, "Marquis of Anguo, the envoy from Great Liang, Lord Yan, has also arrived for the banquet!"
Liang Xiao immediately arranged to meet him. The envoy was a middle-aged man of ordinary appearance but possessing an elegant bearing.
He was Yan Ming, a scion of the Yan family of Great Liang!
Each nation had one such envoy, permitted to travel freely between Jiangnan and the northern territories of Great Liang, fostering good relations. This was a recognized official position, with both nations providing a salary to signify fairness and friendship.
"The name of the Marquis of Anguo of Great Gan is as thunderous as ever. Such youthful prowess!" Yan Ming exclaimed.
Liang Xiao hastily offered him a seat and inquired, "Does your esteemed family happen to have a beauty named Yan Jun?"
Yan Ming repeatedly nodded, "She is my niece, the youngest daughter of my elder brother. She travels extensively abroad and also greatly admires the Marquis of Anguo!"
Only then did Liang Xiao smile and nod, offering a few polite and humble remarks.
Yan Ming took a seat beside Su Wencheng, and the two conversed amiably, clearly old acquaintances.
During the feast, Yan Ming publicly invited Liang Xiao to visit Great Liang in the future. Liang Xiao offered only a vague agreement, without setting a specific date.
After the banquet, Liang Xiao privately summoned Zhuo Ping and his daughter.
"Miss Zhuo, how does Wanqing usually teach you music? Is she a strict teacher who brings out the best, or is she more of a gentle guide?" Liang Xiao asked.
Zhuo Han blinked, lowering her head. "When she teaches me music, she becomes very demanding. She inevitably points out my mistakes, scolds me, and even links it to my daily conduct. I feel Wanqing means well, and what she says makes sense, so I feel ashamed and strive even harder to learn from her. It's only then that my musical skills have advanced so rapidly."
Liang Xiao's heart tightened.
He couldn't believe that the "PUA" tactics, rumored about in his homeland, were being used in a modified form here!
The classic PUA technique involves crushing the target's confidence and self-esteem, making them feel inadequate, increasingly insecure, and dependent, believing they cannot survive without the manipulator. This fosters compliance and acceptance, even a slave-like obedience. Many have suffered greatly from this, particularly women with fragile psyches.
Besides Su Wanqing, the only other practice Liang Xiao could compare this to was the brainwashing methods of the Rejuvenation Sect!
"A strict teacher produces outstanding students. That is also commendable," Zhuo Ping praised.
Liang Xiao's expression darkened. "Do you two believe I am trustworthy?"
"Even my grand-uncle, Zhuo Lingjun, holds the Marquis of Anguo in such high esteem. I, I naturally have no doubts..." Zhuo Han stammered shyly, her head bowed.
"Then are you willing to bid farewell to Wanqing and return to Jinling to find Zhuo Lingjun, so he can arrange for you to study deeply in the Tianshan Mountains?" Liang Xiao asked.
Zhuo Han's eyes widened with surprise and joy. "Can I really?!"
Liang Xiao nodded solemnly.
Zhuo Han gratefully thanked him and, following Liang Xiao's suggestion, returned to prepare.
Liang Xiao then quietly cautioned Zhuo Ping, "Uncle Zhuo, from now on, please limit your daughter's interactions with Su Wanqing as much as possible. Especially, do not let her continue learning music from Su Wanqing."
"Why?" Zhuo Ping looked utterly bewildered.
"Actually, I have a slight talent for appreciating music, though I cannot play. Her melodies are deeply hidden. The decadent essence is its core. This doesn't seem like a student who has strayed from learning music; rather, it appears to be the result of years of dedicated, specialized study," Liang Xiao sighed.
"Wanqing seems like a good girl..." Zhuo Ping expressed his surprise.
Liang Xiao replied, "She has no enmity with me, and Lord Su and the Su family have shown me goodwill. Why would I target a young girl maliciously without cause? I will continue to observe."
"Understood. My uncle instructed me to obey you implicitly. I absolutely trust your judgment!" Zhuo Ping nodded earnestly, though still puzzled.
Liang Xiao felt a sense of gratitude.
Zhuo Zifang, that old rascal, was indeed unreliable in his private dealings, but when it came to executing tasks, he was dependable.
If the prefect of Suzhou were someone else, this situation could have been far more troublesome.
If the beloved daughter of the prefect of a key Jiangnan city were to be slowly brainwashed, even controlled, the future consequences would be immeasurable!
In a secret chamber, Su Wanqing knelt before the leader of the Rejuvenation Sect, her face beaming with joy.
"Master, that Liang Xiao seems to appreciate me somewhat. He even praised the musical artistry you taught me!"
The leader nodded, his words filled with satisfaction. "Qingyi only possesses beauty and seductive skills. Liang Xiao clearly isn't swayed by that. You continue to work hard and see if you can befriend Qin Xian and infiltrate Liang Xiao's faction. But do not be too hasty. Appear natural. Do not repeat the mistakes of your Senior Sister Qingyi, whom you have never met. You are more important than Qingyi and must never be exposed."
Upon returning to the inn, Liang Xiao recounted his experiences to Jian Qinwan.
"I never expected she would truly fear I'd discern something. This person is deeply cunning," Jian Qinwan scoffed.
Before attending the banquet, Liang Xiao had arranged with Jian Qinwan that she would find an excuse to leave if necessary.
Because of Su Wanqing, Liang Xiao couldn't help but suspect Su Wencheng.
What was his relationship with Su Wanqing, his own sister? Was it neglect in his upbringing, or...?
The bookshop Liang Xiao had opened in Suzhou had printed a total of 220,000 volumes, causing considerable trouble for the Ouyang family's bookshop in Suzhou.
Liang Xiao had calculated the accounts. Given the paper industry standards of the Great Gan Dynasty, printing materials were abundant. Even if the Ouyang family invested thirty million taels of silver, he could still withstand it!
Paper mills in various regions were also gradually being acquired by Liang Xiao's bookshop, aiming for self-sufficiency and to avoid interference from the Ouyang family.
The bookshop had undoubtedly become a money-devouring beast that Liang Xiao had unleashed upon the Ouyang family.
As dusk settled, Liang Xiao was writing a letter to Xiao Qing when a guard suddenly arrived with urgent intelligence.
"Second Young Master! I was just on the top floor of a teahouse outside and saw two masked individuals with blue eyes observing your inn!"
"Blue eyes?" Liang Xiao stopped writing upon hearing this.
"Where are they?"
Normal people of Great Gan did not have blue eyes. Such individuals, like Christe, must be from foreign lands.