"We must strategize to incite uprisings across the land and enthrone the Southern King, as the foolish emperor will be too ashamed to show his face for months," Dugu Qun said gravely.
Duan Hong of the Hui Chun Sect laughed, "You've finally seen the light? Had you plotted rebellion earlier, you wouldn't have been led by the nose by Liang Xiao all this time!"
"Had Liang Xiao not appeared out of nowhere, our families would have had no need to rebel and would still be prospering!" He Wanli vehemently argued, looking dejected.
Ouyang Ping sneered, "The foolish emperor and Liang Xiao have brought my family to such a state; we must have revenge! Incite rebellions everywhere, contact bandits, and strike at any moment."
Dugu Xiao reminded them, "Besides that, we must increase the submission of memorials to overwhelm the foolish emperor, leaving him no time to accept treatment from the Medical Sage!"
"Brilliant!" everyone praised.
That night, Xiao Qing slept soundly and contentedly in Liang Xiao's embrace.
The three families, colluding with the Hui Chun Sect, secretly plotted, hoping to plunge the realm into chaos when the time was ripe, allowing them to seize power.
When Liang Xiao returned home, his wives also learned of Xiao Qing's pregnancy.
"This is joyous news, but we must also guard against those political enemies..." Luo Qingxue said, looking worried.
Liang Xiao's departure from the capital meant Xiao Qing would lose her greatest support there.
Liang Xiao comforted them, "We are prepared. In the worst-case scenario, there will be rebellions across the country, but we have countermeasures."
The wives then relaxed and accepted Liang Xiao's suggestion to bring the children to the palace more often to accompany Xiao Qing.
With the imperial court session canceled, Xiao Qing found herself with leisure time, only needing to attend to memorials, essentially a flexible working schedule.
Moreover, with Wang Canghai's diligent work and Ning Xuejun and Ding Wuyi assisting in reviewing, Xiao Qing could easily overlook memorials lacking substance and simply give her assent.
In the West Palace Villa, Xiao Qing gently stroked her belly, her eyes filled with tenderness as she looked at the children in their cradles.
"Soon you'll have a seventh sibling~"
The women smiled and congratulated her.
Only Zhuo Xun and Zhen Mi pouted enviously.
It was now late October.
Meanwhile, Liang Xiao was at his An Guo Hou Manor, arranging military affairs.
By imperial decree, the An Guo Hou Manor and Liang Xiao's other official residences were merged. The An Guo Hou Manor was now the Grand General of Cavalry Manor, and Liang Xiao possessed the authority to establish his own retinue.
Half of the staff were scions of powerful families like the Wang family, and the other half were military talents selected by Liang Xiao from various regions.
However, due to the absence of any ongoing conflicts, these talents could only assist Liang Xiao with military affairs for now and had yet to demonstrate their conspicuous military aptitude.
"My Lord, stabilizing the situation in Xichuan is the immediate priority. Marching on Taiji Kingdom is hardly the optimal strategy..." Mo Hongming, one of the strategists, said with concern.
Following his lead, the other sixteen strategists voiced their agreement, hoping Liang Xiao would reconsider.
Considering these strategists were reliable, with their relatives even residing in the manor, Liang Xiao chuckled, "Do you all think I am that foolish?"
The group was taken aback, recalling Liang Xiao's strategy for attacking Helan Mountain, and suddenly understood, "So, my Lord already has a plan! We are ashamed!"
Their shame was genuine, not mere politeness.
For a long time, Liang Xiao had handled all military planning himself, and their knowledge of military texts offered limited assistance, making them feel unworthy of their ten taels of silver monthly salary.
Liang Xiao observed their reactions and smiled, "Your monthly salaries will not be reduced, nor will I arbitrarily dismiss you. However, to achieve merit and establish yourselves, you will need to travel to various regions in the future to assist generals in defending against foreign enemies, suppressing rebels, and even expanding our territories. The An Guo Hou Manor will be your refuge and the place where you will build your fortunes."
The strategists nodded in unison, "We shall obey your teachings, my Lord!"
"Lu Changhe, Nie Yuan, Nan Jiyun, Zhuo Ying, even the Grand General and General Wei will need you. In the coming days, you must perform well and not bring shame upon the An Guo Hou Manor," Liang Xiao stated solemnly.
The strategists rejoiced and expressed their gratitude.
They certainly did not aspire to achieve merits like Liang Xiao's; that would be unrealistic.
Among all the court officials, the figures they truly admired were Zhuo Zifang, Zhuo Wulu, and Mu Hong, who possessed both literary and military prowess and could rise to prominence. Slightly less ambitious, they aimed to be like Liu Fan.
Observing the eager strategists, Liang Xiao simply smiled and nodded.
These were all top talents from various regions, seventeen in total, who were destined to leave the An Guo Hou Manor and make a name for themselves.
Combined with Liu Fan, who had already shown promise, that made eighteen.
"You and Liu Fan make up eighteen. I truly hope that future historians will dedicate a biography to these eighteen, calling it 'The Eighteen Virtuous Ministers' or 'The Eighteen Scholars of the Nation,' so that posterity will know that I, Liang Xiao, indeed have an eye for heroic talent..."
A prophecy was spoken.
Feeling Liang Xiao's earnest expectation, they all declared, "We shall not fail you, my Lord!"
When Liang Xiao returned to the West Palace Villa, his wives were already waiting, exuding joy.
Looking at the women with admiration and devotion in their eyes, Liang Xiao was filled with happiness.
Perhaps all of this was his reward for stepping forward to save the realm years ago, nearly losing his life in battle.
Zhen Mi sat by Liang Hongxue's cradle, looking from the smiling infant to Liang Xiao, her gaze filled with wistful longing.
She regretted being too young; if only she had been born a few years earlier.
Zhuo Xun finally confronted Liang Xiao, launching a professional offensive of tears, "Now I don't have one~ It's all your fault!"
"Ah?"
Liang Xiao looked guilty. Just as he was about to console her, Zhuo Xun suddenly gagged.
Everyone present was stunned.
That night, Zhuo Xun was also diagnosed with pregnancy.
"Little Eighth is also expecting~" Jian Qin said with a smile.
"Ahem, call her Little Eighth, and never refer to a child as 'Old Eighth' again..." Liang Xiao covered his forehead, looking embarrassed.
"Why?" the others asked, confused.
"No reason..." Liang Xiao mumbled.
He had managed to tolerate referring to the sixth child as "Old Sixth," but calling the eighth "Old Eighth" was something he truly couldn't bear.
The women, seemingly understanding yet not entirely, readily agreed.
"It's a shame Lin'er isn't here too, then we'd be complete," Luo Qingxue sighed.
Liang Xiao's gaze was intense, "I will definitely bring her back!"
Zuo Wushang, who had been working through intelligence reports overnight, leaped from his seat upon hearing of Zhuo Xun's pregnancy, nearly hitting the ceiling beam. He immediately rushed to ancestral worship, burning over a dozen bundles of incense and a dozen boxes of paper money throughout the night, praying to his ancestors for his daughter's safe delivery.
Zhuo Zifang was on his way to the capital.
In the Great Liang Kingdom, at the Chess Sage Pavilion.
Zhuo Yun, the second daughter of the Zhuo family, stared intently at the chessboard, her mood somber.
Li Xin, facing her, said with disappointment, "Surely, someone like An Guo Hou cannot change your conviction?"
"He doesn't lack me, but I lack the path of chess," Zhuo Yun said, her voice growing less confident.
She had become a laughingstock among the talented women of the Great Gan and Great Liang kingdoms, yet she lacked the courage to resent that man.
"Ten of your grandfathers combined are no match for one Liang Xiao."
Upon reading this sentence in the family letter from Zhuo Zifang, Zhuo Yun felt utterly ashamed.
"What good could Liang Anguo's son be, besides spanking girls? Don't force Yun'er, she is this old man's goddaughter now!" The "senior" who had been protecting Zhuo Yun finally spoke, but her distinctly female voice could not be concealed.
Seeing the reliable guardian beside her, Zhuo Yun breathed a sigh of relief and was about to express her thanks when a stern female voice sounded from outside.
"Auntie, why are you mentioning An Guo Hou again?"
The three looked up to see a dashing female general leading a veiled woman in white entering the pavilion. She chose a chair, crossed her legs, and sat down.
The veiled woman was none other than Zuo Jing!