Returning to the Yue Manor, Zuo Wuji immediately arranged for the Cloud Sky Guards to hide and watch over Zuo Jing.
These Cloud Sky Guards, on the surface, were merely servants of the Yue Manor.
"If you dare to run off to find Liang Xiao, you'll never see your two sons again!"
Zuo Jing looked at Zuo Wuji, tears welling up in her eyes.
He had once promised her that he would come to fetch her, and he actually came??
But even if he took her back, what about the children? He surely didn't know she had another child!
During this time, she had often knelt and kowtowed to Zuo Wuji, begging for her child back, only to be met with his disgusted gaze.
Yue Hongxiu and Yue Wenxin were protecting Zhuo Yun in the chess hall.
Upon receiving the news, Yue Hongxiu's visible eye narrowed slightly.
"I'd like to see if that Marquis of An Guo is born with three heads and six arms, that he can accomplish so many great things!" Yue Wenxin excitedly rose.
Yue Hongxiu said sternly, "You are not allowed to go!"
"Why?" Yue Wenxin was displeased.
"Noisy! You are not allowed to go!" Yue Hongxiu said decisively.
Yue Wenxin sat back down, pouting, "It's not like Liang Anguo dumped you, to have such great resentment..."
Yue Hongxiu did not respond, merely sulking to herself.
Zhuo Yun and Li Xin observed silently from the side, getting a general understanding of the two's relationship.
Yue Wenxin was unrestrained in her speech, but when Yue Hongxiu gave a serious order, she obeyed, only unable to resist a parting shot.
At this moment, Zhuo Xun's mind was in a mess, and she had no heart for chess.
Her grandfather actually brought that man here??
She could remain calm and composed in front of others, even her own father and grandfather, even if all the talented women and beauties of the Great Liang mocked her for being blind.
But who was Liang Xiao... she felt guilty.
Li Xin saw Zhuo Yun's reaction and couldn't help but shake her head, "You've rarely lost a game today."
Zhuo Yun was speechless, only contemplating inwardly how to deal with Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang.
Zhuo Wutao's eldest son, Zhuo Xiong, also prepared to follow Zhuo Zifang to Great Liang.
It was June, midsummer, and Qin Feng's envoy finally arrived in Jinling with Zhi Rou.
As per custom, Qin Feng brought imperial physicians to confirm Liang Xiao's health and readiness to travel to Great Liang.
After all, Mu Cheng had held the entire nation hostage, so caution was necessary.
"This Marquis of An Guo is indeed healthy, his breathing steady, his complexion radiant, truly a sage blessed by the Heavenly General," the imperial physician of Great Liang couldn't help but exclaim.
The imperial physician then wanted to take Zhuo Zifang's pulse. Zhuo Zifang smiled, "I am merely accompanying. Even if I die in Great Liang, it cannot be blamed on Great Liang. I am old, after all."
Seeing Qin Feng nod, the imperial physician did not insist.
Zhuo Zifang was now the Minister of Appointments of Great Gan, and naturally did not wish for the people of Great Liang to casually inquire about his health.
"I am ashamed!"
After the examination, Qin Feng cupped his fists towards Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang, then said, "On the command of my Emperor, I am here to discuss compensation to the Great Gan Kingdom."
At that moment, Qin Feng recounted the matter of the new crops leaking out to the two.
Liang Xiao waved his hand, "The Great Gan Kingdom officially promoted the new crops nationwide a month ago. No matter how well you concealed it, it's useless."
Only then did Qin Feng feel relieved and discussed the details of the envoy with the two.
After hearing Liang Xiao's plan, Qin Feng was greatly surprised, then nodded, "Very well, this can ensure no accidents. My Emperor will naturally understand these minor matters of face!"
"Is the Son of Heaven of Great Liang truly not acting on a whim?" Zhuo Zifang could no longer suppress his curiosity and asked Qin Feng.
Qin Feng nodded solemnly, "He is serious. My Emperor is not muddled."
Zhuo Zifang asked no more. He could see that Qin Feng himself might also be somewhat bewildered.
Liang Xiao then introduced Hong Jie and Lin Xiu to Zhuo Zifang. As they chatted, Qin Feng also looked at Hong Jie with admiration, "Your talent is immeasurable!"
Hong Jie humbly replied, "It cannot compare to the Marquis of Zhen Guo, who handles both military and civil affairs."
Qin Feng looked at Liang Xiao and the others, his heart growing increasingly desolate.
The Great Gan Kingdom had resolved the crisis of the aristocratic families, and now it was producing talents in abundance.
In contrast, Great Liang was in a precarious situation...
After staying at the Zhuo mansion for three days, Qin Feng also served as a guide, taking Liang Xiao to Great Liang.
The Great Gan envoy team waiting in Jinling numbered over five thousand people, most of whom were logistics personnel arranged a year in advance to facilitate the care of Liang Xiao's troops.
North of the Heng River plain, military camps stood in orderly fashion, with a large number of meticulously crafted warships docked by the river.
Three thousand Shadow Guards and ten thousand Great Gan Town Guards, who had accompanied Liang Xiao in pacifying Xichuan, were stationed here, all heavily armed and ready to welcome Liang Xiao.
Qin Feng did not express dissatisfaction with these troops being stationed north of the river; this had been agreed upon in advance by the two countries.
Great Liang also had its own elite forces and was not inferior in military matters. He himself had trained many elite soldiers and fierce generals.
However, the fervor of the Great Gan Town Guards when facing Liang Xiao made Qin Feng sigh with emotion.
Including Qin Feng's envoy, over twenty thousand people began to cross the river by boat.
"Liang Xiao, the Grand Marshal, Grand Tutor, General of Cavalry, Minister of Appointments, and the sole Prince Consort of Great Gan, the Marquis of An Guo, has crossed the river by boat for an official visit to Great Liang!"
The news reached the capital of Great Liang via urgent dispatch, and the entire city was filled with excitement!
"To have a chance to witness the grace of Great Gan's Marquis of An Guo?!"
Some of Liang Xiao's national policies had severely impacted Great Gan's national policies, benefiting the common people immensely, especially the tax reform and the inexpensive smallpox prevention.
Mu Cheng, who was attending court, received the news and immediately ordered, "All officials shall return home and tidy up properly. Tomorrow, we will proceed to the south bank of the Heng River!"
The next morning, Mu Cheng and Su Wanqing, whose belly was growing larger, traveled in the same carriage, accompanied by all the officials and the Imperial Guards.
Prime Minister Yan Liu sat in his carriage, his face filled with rage.
"Does this foolish ruler not worry that Liang Xiao will capture everyone on the spot?" Yan Liu cursed inwardly.
This was a possibility, as Liang Xiao had brought over ten thousand elite troops to prevent any unexpected incidents.
The bureaucrats from the aristocratic families sat in their carriages, their hearts filled with anxiety.
The gravedigger of Great Gan's aristocratic families had actually come to Great Liang and was being treated with such courtesy by the Son of Heaven of Great Liang...
It was early autumn, and Great Liang was still somewhat hot, but in the afternoon, a cool breeze blew, making people feel comfortable.
As Liang Xiao's fleet landed, they saw a sea of people.
"Welcome, Marquis of An Guo!!"
Tens of thousands of Great Liang citizens flocked to the scene, having waited in advance, their cheers rising and falling incessantly.
If not for ten thousand Great Liang Zhenbei Army soldiers maintaining order, the scene would have descended into chaos long ago.
Zhuo Zifang looked at the vast crowd and sighed, "See, the people of Great Liang also like you very much."
Liang Xiao simply smiled, his wives' pride evident.
Out of courtesy, Luo Qingxue, Jian Qinwan, and Zhuo Xun did not wear veils this time, which also caused a stir, "Truly a match made in heaven!"
Countless young men and women gathered here, all in a frenzy. Young maidens' faces were full of admiration, and they loudly chanted the Marquis of An Guo's name.
Zhuo Zifang scanned the crowd, his gaze falling upon the team from the Great Liang Chess Hall, and his brow furrowed.
Zhuo Yun was not here to welcome him?
In the rear of the crowd, a group of people with fierce eyes stared intently at Liang Xiao in the distance.