Luo Qingxue’s drunkenness vanished instantly. She broke free from Liang Xiao and shrieked, "How could you do this!"
Saying this, Luo Qingxue raised her right hand, intending to slap Liang Xiao. She hesitated for a moment and then gave up, instead shrinking into a corner and staring at Liang Xiao in terror.
She noticed her clothes were perfectly intact.
Liang Xiao was startled and quickly said, "It’s not what you think."
Upon hearing this, Luo Qingxue angrily demanded, "Explain yourself clearly!"
"You were drunk, I..."
Luo Qingxue’s expression changed. She covered her ears and turned her head away, "I won't listen, I won't listen!"
Liang Xiao was speechless. He tossed the key by Luo Qingxue’s leg.
Once Luo Qingxue calmed down, she looked at the key. Then, she felt another one in her sleeve. She was also speechless.
She realized that the maids and wet nurses outside had not come despite her screams.
When she was little, she would scream if she saw a spider, and someone would immediately come to handle it.
It must be her grandfather's doing!
Luo Qingxue was filled with resentment. She cast a mournful glance at Liang Xiao. Her already rosy cheeks became even more like ripe apples.
Seeing Luo Qingxue’s appearance, Liang Xiao also blushed and hesitated to speak.
A man and a woman alone in a room, and on her bed at that…
The room was filled with an ambiguous atmosphere.
After a long while, Luo Qingxue whispered, "I was drunk. Did you bring me back?"
Liang Xiao nodded and explained, "I didn't mean anything by it. Your grandfather trusts me."
"You carried me all the way like this?" Luo Qingxue was astonished.
Liang Xiao nodded again.
Luo Qingxue curled up her legs, burying her head, not daring to look at Liang Xiao.
She had dreamt that the Heavenly General carried her all the way. She never expected it to be…
"Did I say anything in my sleep…"
"Yes."
Luo Qingxue's pupils contracted. She suddenly looked up, embarrassed. "Will you hate me…"
Liang Xiao smiled faintly, shook his head, and got up to leave. "Besides my Yue Lian, there is probably no better woman in the world than you. It's cold, sleep early. I'm going home."
Luo Qingxue stared blankly at Liang Xiao's retreating back until he closed the room door.
For a long time, Luo Qingxue stared at the candlelight, lost in thought.
He didn't seem so detestable after all…
But why did he have to mention Yue Lian again? Am I not as good as Yue Lian?
Luo Qingxue couldn't understand, only felt unconvinced.
Liang Xiao went to bid farewell to Luo Changfeng. Concerned for Liang Xiao's safety, Luo Changfeng dispatched twenty more guards to escort him back to the Liang Mansion.
In the carriage, Liang Xiao reached from his neck to his back and took out something. Upon inspection, his fingertips were stained with blood.
The wound had reopened. He needed to go back quickly to change the dressing.
Upon returning to the courtyard, Liang Xiao saw a familiar figure pacing under the moonlight, looking anxious.
"Young Master!" Yue Lian happily rushed forward.
Liang Xiao suppressed his pain, smiled and looked at Yue Lian, asking, "Why are you still awake so late?"
Yue Lian replied, "You were out, Master. I was worried…"
"And you still say you're not a busybody," Liang Xiao laughed heartily, pulling at his wound and breaking out in a sweat.
"I am not a busybody… Master, why are you suddenly sweating so much?"
Yue Lian was muttering when she noticed Liang Xiao's condition and quickly wiped his sweat.
Liang Xiao sighed, "Yue Lian, please change my dressing. If my grandfather comes in the morning, just say I'm sick. Don't answer anything else."
Yue Lian was confused but obediently agreed. She helped Liang Xiao to his room and lit a brazier for warmth.
In the room, Yue Lian gently removed Liang Xiao's clothes and immediately burst into tears, quickly covering her mouth.
There were several bleeding wounds on Liang Xiao's back!
Yue Lian cried, "Master, you should be more restrained when dealing with Miss Luo in the future…"
Hearing this, Liang Xiao almost collapsed. "It's not what you think. How could she possibly let me get close?"
She thought he had been "having fun" with Luo Qingxue?
Yue Lian said tearfully, "It's with other girls too. And you must be careful, what if you catch some venereal disease…"
Liang Xiao's brow twitched. "Do you think your master is that kind of playboy? If I were to harm any girl, you would be the first!"
Hearing this, Yue Lian's face turned crimson, and she became flustered.
Liang Xiao stopped teasing Yue Lian and urged her to apply the medicine.
The next morning, the incident at Shenwei Mansion was known throughout the city.
"The Heavenly General has manifested!"
The citizens and soldiers in the city heard the news for the first time and were all moved to tears. They rushed to the Heavenly General Temple to offer sacrifices.
However, the Heavenly General Temple had been temporarily sealed. The Emperor had issued a decree to thoroughly investigate the origins of the twelve assassins.
The common people could only kneel far away outside Shenwei Mansion to offer their sacrifices.
The news spread, becoming more and more fantastical. Some even said that the Heavenly General was a god descended to save the world and had never been mortal.
"His Majesty is a virtuous ruler. Even Heaven cannot bear for Da Gan to suffer, and has specially sent the Heavenly General to aid us!"
After several transformations in the folk rumors, public opinion eventually shifted back to gratitude for Emperor Xiao Qing.
An emperor who did not persecute scholars, imposed light taxes and levies, provided disaster relief, and even personally traveled to Yanzhou to hold a state funeral for the Heavenly General, how could the people not love him?
He was only sixteen years old. His future was promising!
The people respected and had increasing confidence in Xiao Qing.
In the imperial palace study, Ding Wuyi promptly reported the public opinion to Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing sighed and shed tears several times.
According to imperial strategy, a deceased Heavenly General who had been deified could maximize the stability of her rule. She should have paid more attention to the worship of the Heavenly General.
But she was ultimately a person, a new ruler who had to ascend the throne as a man at sixteen. Faced with a savior who sacrificed himself for the country, besides gratitude, there was also sorrow.
"The Heavenly General could not witness the prosperous era of Da Gan. I am ashamed…"
Ning Xuejun, who was by her side, comforted her, "As long as Your Majesty governs diligently and loves the people, and creates a prosperous era, not failing the Heavenly General's righteous sacrifice for the country, the Heavenly General will live on even in death."
Xiao Qing nodded solemnly and looked at Ning Xuejun with gratitude.
Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun understood righteousness and did not engage in flattery, which was her fortune.
"By the mandate of heaven, the Emperor decrees: On the day Shenwei Mansion was completed, the Heavenly General manifested to protect the pillars of Da Gan, known and admired by the world! I, the Emperor, have discussed with the officials and, in accordance with the will of the people, hereby confer upon the Heavenly General the title of Martial God of Da Gan, to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Shenwei Mansion shall henceforth be known as Martial God Mansion, and the Heavenly General Temple as Martial God Temple! So be it."
As the imperial decree spread, the military and civilians were all invigorated!
In the Imperial Academy, many scholars led by Zhang Yang were moved to tears.
Most of them were from humble backgrounds, but there were also wealthy students who diligently pursued their studies.
Scholars did not speak of supernatural events, but upon hearing such stirring news, they could not help themselves!
They all expressed, "The Heavenly General’s might is unparalleled, and His Majesty is wise. We should study hard and practice diligently, to obtain official positions as soon as possible and contribute to the construction of Da Gan!"
A scholar curiously asked, "I heard that the Heavenly General saved Liang Xiao, the grandson of the Left General, and Luo Qingxue, the granddaughter of the Right General?"
Everyone nodded, their faces full of curiosity.
Zhang Yang analyzed, "It is said that Liang Xiao and Miss Luo were keeping vigil for the Heavenly General, staying in the Heavenly General Temple, and were saved by the Heavenly General. Six soldiers outside the temple were also attacked. Perhaps it was the Heavenly General's first statue, and the scope of divine protection was limited?"
"Nonsense! Who said they were keeping vigil? They were clearly having an illicit affair in the Heavenly General Temple!" A furious shout came from afar. Ouyang Sheng rushed into the crowd, his face filled with anger.