The silhouette of the distant mega-city grew increasingly distinct, and Mu Xuan's complexion turned ashen, his teeth grinding in fury.
The imperial capital of the Great Qian Dynasty!
He had been here before, but now it was destined to become a cage!
Upon arriving in the capital, Nie Yuan resided in his own general's mansion, attending court meetings daily, also filled with anticipation.
Throughout the capital, the news that seven princes of the Great Qian Dynasty were about to visit sent shockwaves through everyone!
If Mu Cheng's Concubine Su were excluded, these seven princes were all potential heirs to the Great Qian throne!
For the sake of their Marquis of Anguo, the Emperor of Great Qian had actually sent them all to Great Qian, ostensibly for a visit, but in reality, as hostages!
This was merely an exchange made by the Emperor of Great Liang to ensure the personal safety of the Marquis of Anguo, yet it already represented the submission of a vassal state…
However, the citizens of the capital were not surprised and felt immense pride.
The Great Qian Dynasty was no longer what it used to be; it was once trampled by anyone, but now it was victorious in all external wars and stable internally!
The Great Liang Dynasty and the Great Qian Dynasty were no longer in the same league.
Liang Xiao went through his daily routines, but with much less to occupy him, he also had time to spend with his family.
By February, Liang Xiao even had time to take his wife and children on a spring outing to the countryside.
Even Xiao Qing, taking advantage of a recess from court, accompanied them in her capacity as Princess Ning Shuang. However, as the three children were only a few months old, they remained under care at the West Palace Villa and were not brought along.
The entire Liang mansion, from the elders to the young, including Mu Xueqin, Lu Xue, and Zuo Wushang, were all present.
The six children were developing normally and could already walk. The eldest, Liang Hongxue, and the sixth, Liang Cangsheng, could even utter simple phrases like "Daddy hug," "Daddy kiss..."
The other children followed suit, only the second child, Jian Canglang, spoke less, but when he did, he would say "Daddy, Mommy," "Grandma," "Great-Grandpa."
Only Liang Hongxue enjoyed teasing her younger brother Jian Canglang, such as pulling his elastic diaper while calling out, "Little brother, be good..."
"Little Xue'er and Little Canglang, one is talkative, and the other is aloof, just like husband and Sister Qin Wan," Yue Lian said, covering her mouth with a laugh as she watched Liang Hongxue pull Jian Canglang's diaper.
Liang Xiao looked at the two tender children, his head spinning.
This brother and sister pair had inherited from their parents, but it seemed they had inherited in reverse; the elder daughter, at such a young age, already knew how to smile with hidden daggers…
Jian Qin Wan simply beamed, "This is good too. Little Xue'er can protect everyone in the future!"
Laughter filled the air.
Just then, Hong Qu appeared in the distance, waiting silently.
Liang Xiao and Zuo Wushang exchanged a knowing glance, walked out of the crowd, and met with Hong Qu.
Recently, Hong Qu, at Liang Xiao's request, had temporarily served as an official of the Court of State Protocol, receiving the seven princes and paving the way for Liang Xiao.
"That Third Prince looks exactly like General Nie's portrait!" Hong Qu's expression was somewhat grim.
Their current greatest hatred was for the Spring Revival Sect and the Gongyang clan, but they absolutely could not harm this Third Prince, lest the Great Qian Dynasty find fault.
Mu Cheng had not explicitly stated what would happen if the princes died in Great Qian, only saying that he believed the Emperor of Great Qian would treat the princes with courtesy.
However, in Liang Xiao's view, this move might also be a reminder to all aristocratic families: anyone who dared to defy him, the prince they supported, would likely remain a hostage in Great Liang.
Even if all seven princes could not return, there was still the child of Concubine Su, Su Wanqing.
Su Wanqing's child had died, and her new pregnancy's gender was uncertain, thus there were no princes in the country at the moment, but Mu Cheng had not changed his intention of sending the seven sons as hostages because of this.
In Qin Feng's reply to him, regarding Su Wanqing, he only mentioned, "Concubine Su is now without abnormality."
These six short words, especially the word "now," conveyed a thousand meanings, and Liang Xiao, combined with the intelligence brought by the Shadow Guards, understood the deeper implications at a glance.
These seven princes, perhaps Mu Cheng himself did not like them. It was said that the appearance of the top three princes was completely different from his, and they might be…
The next day, the seven princes entered the capital simultaneously. The curious citizens of the entire city rushed to the southern part of the city to witness the spectacle.
Mu Xuan and the others, each sitting in open carriages, could only force a weak smile.
Xiao Qing, along with civil and military officials, awaited them in the great hall. Finally, the Shadow Guards escorted the seven men into the hall.
These Shadow Guards had escorted them from the moment they entered Great Liang and had strictly verified the true identities of the seven princes.
Mu Xuan walked behind Mu Qing and Mu Ning, trembling with unease, his gaze inadvertently sweeping across the civil and military officials.
Upon discovering Nie Yuan was not present, Mu Xuan finally breathed a sigh of relief, secretly rejoicing, "That Nie Yuan seems to be guarding Yan Province and the Hetao region?"
But soon, Mu Xuan's gaze fell upon the towering figure sitting beside Xiao Qing. His pupils constricted, and his throat moved with difficulty.
He had finally seen this man!!
Mu Xuan's hands, hidden in his sleeves, began to tremble violently, and his breathing became somewhat labored.
It was him, who had pacified the four seas and commanded awe throughout the eight directions, and also the main culprit who had caused them to become hostages in Great Liang!
Once upon a time, he had even fantasized about capturing Zhuo Yun and humiliating Liang Xiao.
As a result, not only had Zhuo Yun given him the cold shoulder, but now all the single talented women in the entire Great Liang Dynasty had their hearts flying towards the Marquis of Anguo of Great Qian.
It was said that their criteria for choosing a husband were based on whether the other person possessed a similar demeanor, magnanimity, and talent as the Marquis of Anguo of Great Qian!
Undoubtedly, this person had become the romantic rival of all the young men in Great Liang.
Unlike Mu Xuan's turbulent emotions, Liang Xiao remained calm and composed, a smile on his face as he observed the seven princes.
At the same time, Nie Yuan was in a side hall, observing in secret.
The moment he saw Mu Xuan, Nie Yuan instinctively clenched his fist, his eyes turning cold.
After the seven princes bowed to Xiao Qing and announced their names, they waited with trepidation.
"You have traveled far, and Great Qian will naturally not treat you poorly," Xiao Qing said with a smile.
Mu Qing looked at Liang Xiao and finally spoke, "The name of the Marquis of Anguo is thunderous. Today, I finally understand that hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing once!"
The other princes followed suit, spewing out all the polite remarks they had prepared. Mu Ning even resorted to some flattery.
"You esteemed princes of Great Liang are too kind," Liang Xiao replied indifferently.
Just then, Ding Wuyi emerged from the side hall and nodded to Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing.
The couple exchanged a knowing glance and re-examined Mu Xuan, their hearts filled with apprehension.
Liang Xiao pondered for a moment and said, "Recently, Great Qian has been investigating villains of the Spring Revival Sect within the country. As the seven princes are of noble birth, their safety cannot be compromised. Dedicated personnel must be assigned to guard you, and you must absolutely not run around."
The seven only agreed, their expressions varied.
Liang Xiao could tell that the top three princes appeared normal, while the latter four were clearly displeased, but they did not outwardly show any panic.
However, Liang Xiao remembered Chen Changqiu's report.
At least three of the princes were followers of the Spring Revival Sect!
This was intelligence gained at the cost of Chen Changqiu's descendants' lives.
Xiao Qing publicly announced that the seven princes would reside at the Court of State Protocol, protected by Shadow Guards and the Feathered Forest Guard.
After the court dispersed, Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing went to the side hall.
Nie Yuan looked indignant and sighed, "It was this Third Prince, there's no mistake! Wherever he appeared at that time, followers of the Spring Revival Sect committed many massacres, and even violated over a hundred women. I accidentally arrived before him and was only one spear thrust away from killing him! What a pity! Now I can only let him escape the law, as the only witness is myself!"
Xiao Qing looked at Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao pondered, and then asked Yuan Jin, the female imperial physician standing by, "Is there any way, without anyone knowing, to add some... croton seeds or something to this Third Prince's food?"
"Croton seeds?" Everyone was stunned.
Yuan Jin pondered slightly, her brow furrowed.
"Is it against the medical ethics of an imperial physician?" Liang Xiao asked.
"Oh, that's not it," Yuan Jin pouted and explained, "Croton seeds are not a very ideal laxative. I can prepare a potent laxative myself, colorless and odorless."