Liang Xiao's heart skipped a beat. He looked down at Luo Qingxue, only catching the faint fragrance of the beauty in his arms.
Luo Qingxue's eyes remained closed, murmuring as if in a dream.
"General Tian, the people of Da Qian miss you dearly. You're holding me... is this a dream? I..."
As Luo Qingxue spoke, she started to bury herself in Liang Xiao's embrace. Then, she suddenly resisted, turning to the side, her face contorted with struggle, trying to break free from Liang Xiao's hold, yet he kept her close.
"General Tian, I'm sorry. I admire you greatly, but I am already engaged. I cannot waver in my affections. Even if I were to break off my engagement, I could not fall for you again and tarnish his dignity... But my life, I can give to you. To die for you, after all, you are my savior, the savior of Da Qian..."
Listening to Luo Qingxue's sleep talk, Liang Xiao's heart was filled with a mix of emotions.
Luo Qingxue had been his childhood sweetheart. She had once hoped he would achieve greatness, but she grew disappointed with his lack of progress and eventually lost hope.
Liang Xiao was not a stubborn man. He completely respected Luo Qingxue's wishes and could agree to break off the engagement.
However, the person who had managed to enter her heart was none other than General Tian, who was himself!
She was too upright, so upright that she was naive. Naive to the point of seeming foolish, so foolish it made him inexplicably heartache.
Luo Qingxue continued to murmur to herself, recounting General Tian's achievements, and soon began to weep softly in Liang Xiao's arms, patting his chest. "General Tian, if only you were Liang Xiao..."
Hearing this, Liang Xiao smiled, holding Luo Qingxue close. He gently stroked her forehead and patted her shoulder, as if lulling a baby to sleep.
He had never hated this young girl, but what should he do next?
As things stood, he decided to let nature take its course.
After making up his mind, Liang Xiao took a deep breath and gazed at Luo Qingxue, lost in thought.
The maiden in his arms would occasionally mumble, "No one is allowed to deny General Tian's achievements," which made Liang Xiao chuckle in amusement.
"This little girl is truly adorable."
The carriage left the Shenwei Mansion, escorted by soldiers. The mansion itself was now heavily guarded.
These two were descendants of the Left and Right Generals. If anything were to happen to them, even ten heads would not be enough to pay for it.
Xiao Qing, who was guarding outside, frowned. "What happened?"
Ding Wuyi immediately turned and vanished into the night. Moments later, he returned to report, "Your Highness, my subordinates report that assassins were lurking in the Shenwei Mansion, killing six guards and attempting to burn down General Tian's temple."
"What! Are Liang Xiao and the others alright?" Xiao Qing exclaimed in alarm.
She had just watched Liang Xiao carry Luo Qingxue back to the carriage and had felt a pang of unease.
Ding Wuyi's eyes were filled with shock as he reported the situation truthfully. Xiao Qing and Ning Xuejun listened with both alarm and anger.
"Are these assassins from the Wildlands? The Wildlands dare to harbor ill intentions, attempting to destroy our Da Qian's faith!" Xiao Qing clenched her fists in anger, but also felt a sense of lingering fear.
Fortunately, Liang Xiao and Luo Qingxue were unharmed!
Ding Wuyi reminded her, "Your Highness, what is truly shocking is Liang Xiao's claim of 'General Tian's divine intervention'..."
Xiao Qing's expression changed. "Divine intervention? Eunuch Ding, Granny Ning, what are your thoughts?"
"Allow this old subject to go to the scene to investigate."
As Ding Wuyi spoke, he vanished into the night once more.
A quarter of an hour later, Ding Wuyi returned to report and express his findings.
"These assassins were well-built, clearly rare experts. However, judging by the positions of the bodies, they might have suffered a sudden attack before they died, throwing their formations into disarray, and were eventually all slit throats and beheaded!"
Xiao Qing and Ning Xuejun's expressions shifted.
"Are you suggesting it was man-made, Eunuch Ding?" Xiao Qing's voice trembled.
If it was man-made, who else could it be but Liang Xiao?
Ding Wuyi sighed. "But this old subject finds it hard to believe. After all, Liang Xiao appears to be a frail invalid, as if a gust of wind could blow him over. It's impossible for him to have such ability to kill all enemies without sustaining a scratch himself! Even this old subject, in such a narrow and dim environment, could not guarantee victory, let alone emerge unscathed."
Ning Xuejun sighed. "This old subject concurs."
Xiao Qing mused, then asked, "Eunuch Ding, how do you assess General Tian's martial arts compared to yours?"
Ding Wuyi's body trembled, and he explained with a solemn expression.
"General Tian fought on the battlefield, a thousand men against one, unmatched in the world, needless to say! But in such a dim environment, this old subject cannot determine the odds of victory against General Tian. The former dynasty's renowned general, the King of the Eastern Sea, possessed unmatched bravery on the battlefield but was killed by an assassin's attack. Such precedents exist."
Xiao Qing nodded solemnly and sighed. "Eunuch Ding, you mean to say that in such a situation, killing all enemies alone and unharmed is almost impossible, and only a miracle can explain it."
As she spoke, Xiao Qing's tears began to flow again. "So, General Tian could manifest divine intervention to protect the future pillars of our Da Qian. This is a great fortune for our nation. But if General Tian could manifest divine intervention, it means he has truly..."
Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun exchanged glances.
Their mistress was incredibly intelligent and had thought so far ahead.
Ding Wuyi quickly offered comfort. "Your Highness, is there a possibility that General Tian was never an ordinary mortal, but a deity descended to save Da Qian?"
Xiao Qing felt a little better, choking back a sob. "Perhaps. Promoting this explanation to the populace will be the most effective way to bring peace of mind. From now on, we will dispatch more personnel to guard the Shenwei Mansion and investigate the mastermind behind these assassins."
Upon returning to the Luo Mansion, Liang Xiao entered with Luo Qingxue in his arms, much to the astonishment of the servants.
He wanted to put Luo Qingxue down, but she was still dreaming, clinging to him like an octopus, leaving him with no choice.
As they reached the courtyard, Liang Xiao hesitated, when Luo Changfeng approached with a smile from a distance.
"Xiao'er, well done!"
Luo Changfeng's face was filled with a look of gratification, which left Liang Xiao utterly bewildered, even making him wonder who was truly Luo Changfeng's grandson, him or Luo Qingxue.
However, Liang Xiao collected himself and recounted the events at the Shenwei Mansion to Luo Changfeng.
Luo Changfeng was startled. "The people of the Wildlands are so detestable? Fortunately, General Tian manifested divine intervention..."
"Hmm? General Tian's divine intervention?" Luo Changfeng shivered, his mind blank.
Divine intervention!
It was simply unbelievable!
Liang Xiao embellished his account further, and Luo Changfeng could not help but believe it, feeling both surprised and delighted.
"It seems General Tian also blesses you, a future pillar of the nation. In any case, it's good that you are both safe! Hurry and carry Qingxue back to her room!"
As Luo Changfeng spoke, he pushed Liang Xiao towards Luo Qingxue's chamber.
Liang Xiao pouted. "Grandpa Luo, she and I are not married yet. Aren't you afraid I'll do something improper?"
Luo Changfeng chuckled and patted Liang Xiao's shoulder. "You are the one who composed 'Man Jiang Hong'. How could your grandfather not trust you!"
Liang Xiao was speechless.
The name 'Man Jiang Hong' seemed to be known only by Zhuo Zifang and Yue Lian?
That old rascal Zhuo Zifang must have indeed communicated with Luo Changfeng again.
Luo Changfeng then pointed at Luo Qingxue. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Look at my granddaughter, she's holding onto you and reluctant to let go. Can you bear to leave her outside?"
Liang Xiao was completely defeated and had no choice but to open Luo Qingxue's chamber door.
"Grandpa Luo." Liang Xiao turned back, only to find Luo Changfeng had already scampered away, taking the servants with him.
Liang Xiao almost suffocated.
This was clearly a directive for him to settle and even care for Luo Qingxue. The old fox!
The chamber was filled with a light, elegant fragrance, which refreshed Liang Xiao and finally eased his tense nerves.
Liang Xiao freed a hand to light a candle and carried Luo Qingxue to the bed. Just as he was contemplating how to settle her, the beauty in his arms suddenly woke up.
Luo Qingxue opened her hazy eyes, looked at the familiar face before her, and then realized Liang Xiao was on her bed.
"Ah!"
A terrified scream from Luo Qingxue echoed from the chamber.