Zuo Wuji's voice rang out again, "This is your final trial. Eight Yun Tian Guards will monitor you. Don't disappoint your father! Remember to act according to the plan in the brocade pouch!"
Zuo Jing suppressed her complex emotions and replied respectfully.
After leaving the secret chamber, Zuo Jing's heart pounded.
She recalled Liang Xiao's face from her memory, outwardly proper yet extremely shameless. A hint of shyness and annoyance inexplicably appeared in her eyes.
"He actually dared to reveal my courtesy name and the calluses on my hands. I haven't settled this score yet..."
Sister-in-law Lu Xue, whom Liang Xiao had recognized in Jiangnan, finally arrived at the Liang Manor in the capital with her niece Lu Xiaojun and was hosted by Liang Xiao.
According to Liang Xiao's wishes, Lu Xue would now be a co-wife to Liang Anguo and live out her days in the Liang Manor. This matter had already received Liang Qing's approval.
Yu Qingchuan and Yu Zao paid their respects daily to Jian Nianfeng and Mu Xueqin.
Seeing this daughter-in-law, who had pledged allegiance to Da Qian, the Twin Sages were immensely gratified.
Their sixth son, so honest, managed to bring such a beautiful girl home!
It had to be said that in terms of beauty, Yu Zao was indeed not much inferior to Jian Qinwan and the others. Furthermore, because she appeared petite and delicate, she easily evoked a desire to protect in others.
As per Liang Xiao's arrangements, Yu Zao was temporarily forbidden from contacting the ninjas left by Ito Masamune, but they also could not suspect that "Tamamo-no-Mae" had truly defected.
Therefore, Yu Zao had never left the Liang Manor, met strangers, or returned to Tianshan for the time being.
However, Yu Zao harbored no complaints, as Yu Qingchuan was always by her side.
Remnants of the Da Heng Kingdom, fearing continued retaliation from the Huichun Sect, had sold off some of their assets at reduced prices to Zuo Wushang and others, exchanging them for banknotes to bring back to the capital, awaiting Zuo Wushang's arrangements.
The Huichun Sect, along with the Gongyang Clan, the Southern King, and the Dugu Family, had always believed that the assets held by the remnants of the Da Heng Kingdom were worth approximately ten million taels.
In reality, the combined value of the properties and cash held by the surrendered remnants of the Da Heng Kingdom was close to seventy million taels of silver!
Considering the saying "A common man is not guilty, but his treasure makes him so," and to demonstrate sufficient sincerity to Xiao Qing, Zuo Wushang and his compatriots deliberated for several days before finally deciding: they would privately donate ten million taels of silver to Xiao Qing as a token of their sincerity, with Zuo Wushang contributing eighty percent of the funds.
Firstly, to atone for the rebellion of the Da Heng Kingdom remnants over the past century.
Secondly, Zuo Wushang wished to repay the protection and upbringing provided to Yue Lian and Zhuo Xun by the ruler and subjects of Da Qian.
Thirdly, they requested Xiao Qing to dispatch more personnel to protect their compatriots, as the Huichun Sect had been secretly plotting against them for the past century.
Xiao Qing was initially a little embarrassed. Hong Jie, representing Zuo Wushang, insisted during his audience with the emperor, and Xiao Qing accepted, dispatching more Imperial Guards for their protection. He secretly recorded Zuo Wushang's merits, intending to bestow titles and ranks upon him when his identity was eventually revealed.
Concurrently, Xiao Qing promised that once the national situation stabilized, all those who surrendered would be able to live and work in peace. Unless they actively requested the court's protection, the surveillance would cease.
As Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang had rendered great service in this matter, Xiao Qing secretly allocated three million taels from it, with two million taels awarded to Liang Xiao and one million taels sent to the Zhuo Manor in Jiangnan in the form of banknotes, as a hidden reward for Zhuo Zifang.
Zuo Wushang and his compatriots expressed their support for this decision, as Zuo Wushang had originally intended to give the majority of his wealth to Liang Xiao, but Liang Xiao had politely declined.
As a subject, Liang Xiao could not circumvent the Emperor and accept such ill-gotten gains, nor could Xiao Qing accept it all.
The remaining wealth was enough for Zuo Wushang and his compatriots to live in luxury for several lifetimes.
Liang Xiao's bookshop temporarily ceased printing, only publishing the "Da Qian Daily." The Ouyang family seemed triumphant, spreading rumors everywhere, eliciting sympathy for Liang Xiao from the common people.
Liang Xiao made no statement on the matter, instead urging bookshops across the land to acquire paper mills as soon as possible to ensure self-production and self-consumption of materials, thus preventing external control.
A day later, Zhuo Wulue, the Vice Minister of War, finally returned to the capital and attended the court session to report on the northern frontier situation to Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing was greatly satisfied and praised him highly, awarding Zhuo Wulue one thousand taels of silver and instructing him to temporarily return to the Ministry of War to "assist" Dugu Qun, the Minister of War.
Dugu Qun requested that another supervisor be dispatched to the northern frontier. Xiao Qing publicly agreed, overcoming all objections, and appointed Mu Hong of the Ministry of Armaments as the new Senior Staff Officer of the Northern Frontier, scheduled to depart in half a month to replace Zhuo Wulue.
Mu Hong had already completed the manufacturing of all the necessary armaments for Liang Xiao and was quite idle. It was perfect for Zhuo Wulue to take over the Ministry of Armaments from him, while he could accompany his newlywed wife, Gu Xiaoxiao, to the northern frontier to gain merit.
In the West Palace Villa, Xiao Qing snuggled into Liang Xiao's embrace and murmured, "Brother Xiao, Minister Zhuo has also returned to the capital. Should you be preparing to marry your other sisters soon..."
"What, you want to chase your husband away?" Liang Xiao pouted.
"Never... But you are truly wicked! A scoundrel!" Xiao Qing chided him.
Liang Xiao's old face blushed.
Because of his status as the Emperor's son-in-law, the Emperor would henceforth skip morning court...
"Shuang'er's menstrual cycle should arrive in a couple of days. Brother Xiao, go and torment the other sisters to 'avenge' Shuang'er..." Xiao Qing said, her face flushed.
Liang Xiao was taken aback, then simply held Xiao Qing tighter and smiled in agreement.
Liang Xiao's wedding to the five princesses was set for the first day of September. Invitations were sent to the respective families, but with strict instructions that no gifts were to be presented, and the wedding was to be kept simple to avoid any gossip about Liang Xiao.
Ye Qingyi and Yi Rou also received invitations, their moods complex.
All along, they had not dared to approach Liang Xiao, fearing they might disturb Liang Xiao and his girls, or even disrupt their relationships.
Zuo Wushang also felt awkward about trying to matchmake them with Liang Xiao, as Liang Xiao was marrying into the Da Qian imperial family, and the five princesses had not yet formally entered the imperial household.
The night before the wedding, Yue Lian, Luo Qingxue, Jian Qinwan, Kristy, and Zhuo Xun, the five girls, gathered in Luo Qingxue's room, their expressions tense.
"Will he want us to share his bed? I don't want to..." Zhuo Xun covered her face in shame, her fingers trembling.
The other girls also blushed, hesitating to speak.
"What are you ladies chatting about? Are you conspiring against your husband?" a familiar, shameless voice called from outside.
The five girls shrieked and huddled together.
Liang Xiao finally entered with Xiao Qing.
Luo Qingxue asked weakly, "Will... will you want the five of us to enter the bridal chamber with you..."
Liang Xiao was stunned and quickly shook his head, "What kind of person do you take me for?"
Although Liang Xiao was supportive of the idea, considering that women in Da Qian were not yet that open-minded, he also had to consider their psychological capacity.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but then tensed up again.
Who would he choose?
"Anyway, Brother Xiao is just very, very bad!" Remembering Xiao Qing's previous answer to them, they felt a pang of unease.
How bad could he be?
Liang Xiao looked at Yue Lian.
Yue Lian trembled, "Young Master promised Yue Lian... to torment Sister Qingxue and Sister Qinwan first..."
"Hmph, so you're that kind of Yue Lian!" Jian Qinwan and Luo Qingxue chided in unison, each pinching one of Yue Lian's cheeks in retaliation.
Xiao Qing watched from the side, covering her mouth and stifling a laugh.
It seemed they were even more nervous and flustered than she was!
I should take revenge for them pestering me daily with endless questions!
Liang Xiao took out a ceramic jar and said with a solemn expression, "You all draw lots. Your husband will randomly select a lucky bride and bring her into the bridal chamber tomorrow night. Am I being fair?"
"I... I have to draw too?" Kristy asked nervously.
What if he wasn't the actual Sky General? Would she also have to enter the bridal chamber with him...
Liang Xiao remained calm and said, "If you are unwilling, I naturally cannot touch you. So, if you draw, you can choose any lucky spectator among them to enter the bridal chamber with me!"
Upon hearing this, everyone took a deep breath and eagerly reached into the ceramic jar, retrieving the paper slips.