"The Divine Arm Bow requires three people to operate. It's powerful, but inconvenient," Liang Xiao mused, then added, "Why not improve the existing composite bow to see if it can be adapted for cavalry."
"Composite bow?" Everyone looked puzzled, especially the officials from the Ministry of Works.
Based on his ideas, Liang Xiao provided some insights on improving the composite bow on the spot, including the selection of sinew, horn, wood, and glue.
The power of ancient composite bows, of course, could not compare to longbows, but they had their own characteristics and were at least convenient for use on horseback.
Longbows were too large, and the purple sandalwood in Da Gan was scarce, making it impossible to produce them in large quantities consistently.
Using other types of wood to replace purple sandalwood resulted in longbows with vastly inferior power and durability.
The Ministry of Works immediately dispatched personnel to collaborate with the Ministry of War on research and development, aiming for an early test.
The promotion of cement from the capital was finally underway. As materials were easily obtainable, some relatively affluent citizens began to try using it.
After childbirth, with Liang Xiao and the assisting ministers helping, Xiao Qing could finally rest assured and focus on recuperating and spending time with her child.
At night, Xiao Qing nestled in Liang Xiao's arms. Seeing that Zhuo Xun had already fallen asleep, she whispered, "I'm a mother now, I can't act spoiled with Brother Xiao anymore and call myself Shuang'er..."
"Who says you can't! Even when we're seventy or eighty, you'll still be my Shuang'er!" Liang Xiao said earnestly.
Xiao Qing covered her mouth and chuckled, then said softly, "Then I'll be spoiled in private, just not where the children can see, it's too embarrassing~"
Liang Xiao grinned, not disagreeing.
She was no different from when they first met, gentle, lovely, with such charming dimples when she smiled.
"Before Brother Xiao came to the capital, the Emperor of Da Liang sent another invitation..." Xiao Qing murmured.
Liang Xiao sighed, "Let's stabilize the national situation first. We will have to go to Da Liang eventually, and it should be soon. I'll have to trouble Lin'er a bit longer."
Xiao Qing was full of reluctance, but thinking of Zuo Jing and Zhuo Yun also being in Da Liang, and that they were family Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang had to bring back, she could only offer her support.
"That Emperor of Da Liang doesn't seem like someone who acts on impulse. Why is he so eager for Brother Xiao to be an envoy to Da Liang?" Xiao Qing was still puzzled.
Liang Xiao mused, "He gave me the insignia of the Northern King of Da Liang, which must have a deeper meaning. I heard from my Sword Saint father-in-law that the person he most wanted to see in his life was the Northern King of Da Liang. They say this person's swordsmanship was exquisite, but he retired over thirty years ago and disappeared, with a true chivalrous spirit."
"My father was also skilled in swordsmanship, is there any connection?" Xiao Qing reminded him.
Liang Xiao frowned, "Did my father do something similar to the Heavenly General..."
The couple was baffled.
Could the Northern King of Da Liang be from Da Gan?
In Da Liang, deep within the Yue family courtyard, in a dim birthing room, Zuo Jing sat on the bed, pale and distraught.
With a creak, moonlight slipped in through the gap in the door.
Zuo Jing finally looked up, watching the burly figure approaching.
"Father, please return my children to me. Don't make them Cloud Sky Guards anymore..." Zuo Jing pleaded.
Zuo Wuji cast a cold glance at Zuo Jing, "You're quite good at giving birth, but it's a shame they're all Liang Xiao's offspring. If you find an opportunity, you'll send the children to Da Gan. I advise you to give up on that idea!"
"What must I do for you to return the children to me..." Zuo Jing's voice was full of sorrow.
"Marry you off to the Third Prince?" Zuo Wuji squinted, appraising Zuo Jing.
Zuo Jing's breath hitched, and she trembled, "Just kill me instead..."
Zuo Wuji laughed heartily.
At that moment, the door was kicked open with a "bang," and a lithe figure drew their sword and rushed into the room.
Zuo Wuji was startled, shrinking into a corner, warily watching the newcomer.
Yue Wenxin, sword in hand, walked in front of Zuo Jing and stared at Zuo Wuji, her eyes filled with killing intent.
"She is this General's elder sister, the only relative who ever showed me affection! I don't care whose child she gave birth to. If you don't want to be cut into a thousand pieces by this General, then don't lay a hand on her!!"
Looking at Yue Wenxin, who was stern and spoke with great conviction, as if transformed, Zuo Wuji pouted, "Your father was merely testing her feelings for Liang Xiao. That Third Prince is but a dead man in my eyes..."
Yue Wenxin ignored Zuo Wuji, using her left hand to hold her sword and her right to carry the chamber pot for Zuo Jing.
Zuo Wuji then regained his usual nonchalant demeanor, shaking his head, "It's all Yue Hongxiu's fault, that old ghost. She's always muttering about the 'Northern King' and even said she'd give her the Northern King's sword. This child has since believed she's possessed by the Northern King and her temperament has changed drastically, her swordsmanship is unbelievable."
Zuo Jing simply looked at Yue Wenxin, who was pouring the chamber pot outside for her, with gratitude, and muttered to herself, "Your twisted personality has already ruined my younger sister's life. Do you still want to ruin my two grandsons? They are your bloodline..."
Sensing that Zuo Jing no longer addressed him with respect, Zuo Wuji finally fell silent and turned to leave.
In the chess parlor, Yue Hongxiu, Zhuo Yun's "senior," with only her eyes visible and even her hands covered in black gloves, gazed at the empty sword scabbard in her hand, murmuring to herself, "How could you be so heartless, how could you..."
Zhuo Yun, who was playing chess with Li Xin, secretly glanced at the sword scabbard and saw the conspicuous characters.
【Liang Family Secures the Nation】.
In the imperial palace, Emperor Mu Cheng of Da Liang was hand-painting.
Su Wanqing held a child nearby, watching silently.
After the painting was finished, Su Wanqing's expression changed as she saw the figure on the canvas.
White robes, wine, sword traversing the world, a small boat crossing a river, a dashing back.
"So much alike..." Su Wanqing murmured involuntarily.
"Alike? Like Liang Xiao whom you met?" Mu Cheng asked.
Su Wanqing's throat tightened, and she nodded with shame.
The mission to approach and seduce Liang Xiao had always been a past she dared not mention.
"It's right to be alike," Mu Cheng murmured, then asked, "Consort Su, you're becoming more clingy."
"This concubine dares not leave Your Majesty's side, nor does she wish to make Your Majesty worry..." Su Wanqing said softly.
Just then, Su Wanqing began to feel nauseous again.
"His Majesty is blessed! Consort Su is pregnant with another imperial child!"
On the very day Su Wanqing was diagnosed with pregnancy, her two-year-old child died that night, bleeding from all seven orifices, beyond hope.
Mu Cheng was shocked and enraged, while Su Wanqing fainted from crying on the spot.
"Investigate the murderer thoroughly! If you cannot find who administered the poison, you will present your heads!"
Mu Cheng's heartbroken roar echoed through the imperial chambers.
"Your Majesty, Minister Su has gone missing unexpectedly!"
Upon receiving the urgent report from the imperial guards, Mu Cheng exclaimed, "Has the maternal uncle been kidnapped by the murderer as well? Find him quickly!"
Su Wanqing, still unconscious, finally regained some awareness and tugged at Mu Cheng's sleeve, "Your Majesty, no need to search. Su Wanqing's brother, the refined and amiable Su Wencheng, has long been dead..."
In the Yan family's secret chamber, the patriarch, Prime Minister Yan Liu, received a secret visitor.
The visitor removed their mask, revealing a calm face.
It was Su Wanqing's brother, the former envoy of both nations, Su Wencheng.
"An uncontrollable situation has arisen. I have apologized and will guarantee the Third Prince's succession," Su Wencheng said with a smile.
"You can do such a thing to your own nephew; you are capable of great deeds," Yan Liu glanced at Su Wencheng, then clapped his hands. "You can come out too and meet the Patriarch Su."