Liang Xiao fell into silence.
It was in the afternoon that he learned from Yue Lian that the Shenwei Mansion in the capital had just been completed that morning and immediately opened to the public, serving as a shrine for General Tian, drawing endless incense.
He was expected to worship himself?
Seeing this, Luo Qingxue said with disappointment, "If you don't go, I won't force you. I'll go myself."
"Go ahead," Liang Xiao finally spoke.
Luo Qingxue's heart leaped with joy, and she nodded, "Then shall we leave now?"
Liang Xiao turned to Yue Lian and said, "Yue Lian, you go and rest first."
Yue Lian quickly handed the fox fur in her hand to Liang Xiao, "Young Master, it's cold outside, come back early..."
Only after Liang Xiao agreed did Yue Lian reluctantly depart.
Watching this, Luo Qingxue felt inexplicably uneasy.
Offering warmth and concern was supposed to be her duty as a fiancée, yet she always thought of breaking off the engagement...
Inside the carriage, Liang Xiao and Luo Qingxue sat together in silence.
Liang Xiao didn't intend to dismiss Yue Lian but was worried about potential accidents.
Out of habitual vigilance, after learning that Liang Qing and Luo Changfeng had disagreements with their colleagues, Liang Xiao had already prepared himself mentally.
He never relied on others; he didn't expect political enemies to be gentlemen. Even with an infinitesimal possibility, he had to be on guard.
The only reason Liang Xiao agreed to visit Shenwei Mansion was because the capital had good security, and he didn't want to dampen Luo Qingxue's spirits.
After all, the person she respected was General Tian, who was himself.
Luo Qingxue occasionally glanced at Liang Xiao, and seeing his expressionless face, she couldn't help but feel dejected.
He seemed very reluctant; was her request too much to ask?
After alighting from the carriage, Liang Xiao and Luo Qingxue looked at the Shenwei Mansion in the distance, their hearts filled with complex emotions.
People came and went, and cries of sorrow were heard incessantly.
Countless commoners flocked to this place to mourn General Tian.
Even after more than a month, General Tian's deeds were still deeply etched in people's hearts.
Tragically, there were very few scholars in the crowd. The few scholars present were impoverished individuals in tattered clothing.
Luo Qingxue's heart burned with indignation, and she said, "The reason I never attend poetry gatherings is that most scholars in the Imperial Academy are spineless and look down upon soldiers who defend the country."
"Hmm," Liang Xiao responded absently.
Luo Qingxue was accustomed to Liang Xiao's indifference, but she still couldn't help but look at him with displeasure.
"Bring me my wine and candles," Luo Qingxue turned and said to the steward.
The steward quickly brought incense, candles, and a jar of wine, handing them to Luo Qingxue and Liang Xiao.
The two arrived at the General Tian Temple in the center of Shenwei Mansion. Liang Xiao looked at the bronze statue of General Tian, and his brows relaxed.
Wearing a fierce ghost mask, holding a long spear, and riding a dragon steed, he was majestic.
It was said that even the sword at his waist was a real sword!
Although the bronze statue still differed from his actual appearance, it was at least somewhat presentable!
Outside Shenwei Mansion, Xiao Qing paused to observe, with Ning Xuejun and Ding Wu Yi guarding behind her.
"What a coincidence?" Xiao Qing sighed.
As soon as she arrived, she saw Liang Xiao and Luo Qingxue entering Shenwei Mansion.
Fearing an encounter with Luo Qingxue and potential complications, Xiao Qing had to wait outside.
"My Lord, why not come back tomorrow?" Ning Xuejun suggested.
Xiao Qing retorted stubbornly, "No! I want to see how long they can stay!"
Inside the spacious General Tian Temple, hundreds of people came and went.
Luo Qingxue was offering sacrifices, while Liang Xiao stood by, silent.
"Why is this person standing there and not worshipping?"
People around noticed Liang Xiao and expressed their dissatisfaction.
He was their most beloved General Tian; how could anyone come here and not worship him!
Luo Qingxue was taken aback and reminded him, "Liang Xiao, why don't you wait outside first?"
"No need," Liang Xiao refused outright, merely gazing at the statue of General Tian.
He truly couldn't bring himself to worship himself.
"Are you perhaps Liang Xiao from last night's poetry competition!" A scholar from a poor family exclaimed amidst the crowd and approached Liang Xiao to inquire.
Seeing Liang Xiao nod, the scholar was overjoyed and bowed, "I am Zhang Yang, from Donghai. A pleasure to meet you!"
Liang Xiao, seeing the man's clear speech, calm demeanor, and courteous manners, also bowed in response.
The other scholars also came forward to greet them, praising Liang Xiao's performance at the poetry gathering.
It was incredibly satisfying!
There were over three thousand students in the Imperial Academy in the capital.
These impoverished scholars were all in the Imperial Academy, but because they didn't know how to flatter and curry favor, they were often ostracized. When they heard that General Tian was looked down upon by Ouyang Sheng, they were all furious. Fortunately, Liang Xiao severely taught them a lesson, and Ouyang Sheng was even punished by the Emperor.
Especially Liang Xiao's poem, which made them admire him wholeheartedly.
Zhang Yang then looked at Luo Qingxue and smiled, "Is the person beside you, perhaps, Miss Luo, the foremost of the capital's three great beauties?"
Luo Qingxue then stood up and responded with a polite nod.
"You two are a perfect match, truly made for each other!" Seeing Liang Xiao and Luo Qingxue's outstanding demeanor, everyone praised them sincerely.
Luo Qingxue's face immediately flushed, and she was at a loss for words.
Seeing this, Zhang Yang also smiled and quietly reminded Liang Xiao, "Second Young Master Liang, I noticed a few men with stern faces outside earlier. Their eyes were sharp and not like ordinary civilians. You two should leave soon."
Liang Xiao's heart grew tense, and he expressed his gratitude.
After the scholars offered their sacrifices, they all departed.
Liang Xiao looked at their offerings and sighed inwardly.
These poor scholars, despite barely having enough to eat themselves, still brought dried fruits, clear wine, and other offerings to General Tian. They even left behind the poems Liang Xiao had written for General Tian as a tribute.
These poems, though with some flaws, were filled with genuine emotion, far surpassing the affected affectations of Ouyang Sheng and others.
They admired Liang Xiao, but their interaction was limited to a few brief words. They did not engage in deep conversation, indicating that while they did not covet power or status, their humble origins made their words and actions inevitably constrained, even self-conscious.
The scholars of the Great Gan Dynasty were not without hope!
Liang Xiao felt considerably more cheerful and was about to take Luo Qingxue back when he saw her open the wine jar and offer a toast to the bronze statue of General Tian.
Luo Qingxue looked at Liang Xiao, "Do you want to drink?"
Liang Xiao reminded her, "Although there are guards patrolling outside, we should still head back soon."
Luo Qingxue ignored Liang Xiao, raised the wine jar, and took a hearty drink, pursing her lips.
"As a woman, I cannot always be in the public eye. I've come to pay respects to General Tian tonight, and I don't know when I'll be able to come again. I'll break the rules and drink my fill. After all, I am your fiancée. You must escort me back later!"
Upon hearing this, Liang Xiao smiled wryly, no longer trying to dissuade her, and simply watched as Luo Qingxue drank cup after cup.
Late into the night, as the commoners gradually left, only Luo Qingxue occasionally sighed, drinking alone and looking dejected.
By the candlelight, Liang Xiao observed Luo Qingxue.
Her pretty face was already flushed with intoxication and streaked with tears. Her eyes were slightly narrowed, making her look quite captivating.
Under Liang Xiao's gaze, Luo Qingxue gave him a sheepish smile, her lips barely parted, and leaned against a pillar before falling asleep.
Seeing this, Liang Xiao was bewildered and picked her up.
"Mmm~ Annoying! Liang Xiao, put me down, I can hold my liquor!" Luo Qingxue mumbled drowsily, patting Liang Xiao's shoulder a few times before falling into a deep sleep.
Looking at the beautiful woman completely drunk in his arms, Liang Xiao shook his head helplessly, carried her out. However, upon reaching the entrance, his steps faltered.
Six official soldiers lay stiffly on the ground. Twelve masked men in black robes, holding daggers in their right hands and a wooden bucket of cooking oil in their left, with fierce glints in their eyes, were rushing towards the General Tian Temple where Liang Xiao was.
The moment they spotted Liang Xiao at the entrance, the masked men changed formation in unison, forming a encirclement!