The sight of Ouyang Sheng caused a shift in everyone's expressions, followed by a chorus of reprimands: "How can you, a scholar, be so vulgar!"
Ouyang Sheng sneered, "Normal people leave after the sacrifice. Those who stay until late at night, don't they just want to find some excitement inside?"
"Nonsense!" Zhang Yang rebuked sternly.
The other scholars, though angered, dared not speak.
Though Ouyang Sheng had been punished by the emperor and was currently barred from an official career, his father was a Five Classics Doctor at the Imperial Academy. Any slight misstep by these students could lead to their ostracization!
Ouyang Sheng sneered, "That Liang Xiao first slandered me, just to use this opportunity to get closer to Luo Qingxue and have a taste of her. He had spoken ill of the Carefree Young General in Yanzhou. Now that he has finally grasped Luo Qingxue's preference, he's just following the flow!"
The scholars' expressions changed, and they were momentarily speechless.
The news from Yanzhou indeed indicated that Liang Xiao's reputation had been quite poor, and he had shown no regard for the Carefree Young General.
Even today, many scholars simply could not believe that Liang Xiao would fiercely criticize the talents at the poetry assembly for the sake of the Carefree Young General, and had composed that magnificent and poignant poem for her.
Zhang Yang frowned, "Don't they already have an engagement? Which law prohibits them from traveling together? As for you, it's one thing to meddle, but then you slander them with illicit relations. Miss Luo's fame spreads throughout the capital; would she be that kind of person? Would Liang Xiao, who could compose such a poem, be that kind of person?"
Ouyang Sheng was instantly enraged and said with a deep voice, "Zhang Yang, are you eager to lick their shoes and curry favor with the Left and Right Generals?"
Zhang Yang cast a disdainful glance at Ouyang Sheng, "When one's eyes and heart are dirty, accustomed to fawning and superficial elegance, they naturally see everything as tainted. If I were a sycophant, why would I offend your father and your cousin? Even if I remain a poor scholar my whole life, I, Zhang Yang, will say what must be said!"
The scholars cast looks of admiration at Zhang Yang.
They dared not offend Ouyang Hong too much, but Zhang Yang had dared to scold Ouyang Hong directly!
"Well said!"
A cold laugh echoed from afar. As everyone turned to look, their expressions drastically changed.
It was Ouyang Hong who had arrived.
Ouyang Hong stared at Zhang Yang, his eyes burning with anger, though he smiled outwardly, "Zhang Yang, it's one thing that you usually dabble in ingenious tools unsuitable for scholars, but to be so disrespectful to your elders at such a young age, this Imperial Academy likely has no place for you."
The scholars pleaded for Zhang Yang, but Ouyang Hong remained unmoved.
Zhang Yang laughed heartily, packed his books, and turned to leave, "With people like you who curry favor and form factions, this Imperial Academy is better off without me!"
Under the shocked gaze of everyone, Zhang Yang shouldered his satchel and departed the Imperial Academy.
At the Luo Manor, Luo Qingxue, in her chamber, finally learned that the Carefree Young General had manifested to save her and Liang Xiao the previous night. She wept uncontrollably.
"The Carefree Young General is truly dead and has become a god..."
"After becoming a god, he saved me and Liang Xiao once again!!"
Luo Qingxue's tears flowed like a broken string, unstoppable.
"Why didn't Liang Xiao wake me up last night, or tell me?" Luo Qingxue was filled with resentment.
She had been so drunk that she had lost consciousness and missed witnessing the Carefree Young General's divine manifestation!
The slight affection she had begun to develop for Liang Xiao vanished.
He claimed not to hate her, but was he still jealous of the Carefree Young General?
Wait, the Carefree Young General manifested?
Could it be... he saved me, and then falsely attributed it to the Carefree Young General's divine intervention?
Luo Qingxue harbored doubts, but then dismissed her own speculation.
With his sickly appearance, how could he possibly kill twelve well-trained barbarian assassins?
Apart from a divine miracle, there was no other explanation!
Feeling both embarrassed and angry, Luo Qingxue ran to find Luo Changfeng, only to see him sitting in the main hall, his face etched with worry.
"Grandfather, how could you let him into my room last night..." Luo Qingxue couldn't help but complain.
Luo Changfeng looked worried and sighed, "I just went to the Imperial Academy to find Xiao'er, and Zhuo Lingjun said he took sick leave again..."
Luo Qingxue blinked, displeased, "He probably just doesn't want to be questioned and exposed, right?"
Luo Changfeng pouted, "He is your fiancé, can't you say something nice?"
Luo Qingxue fell silent.
The engagement...
She suddenly felt unsure of what to do.
Was Liang Xiao useless? He had at least composed "Man Jiang Hong" and "Ode to Plum Blossoms."
Was he cowardly? Last night, he still managed to carry her back; he didn't seem like he had lost his courage. Earlier, at the poetry assembly, his reprimand to the talents who belittled the Carefree Young General with the line "The merchant's daughter knows not the nation's ruin, yet sings the song of overthrown kingdoms across the river," had spread throughout the capital!
However, was he brave? Why, during the barbarian invasion, did he not heed the governor's call to arms and volunteer to defend the country?
She had originally despaired of Liang Xiao and wanted to break the engagement, but now she hesitated.
Luo Changfeng observed Luo Qingxue's reaction and inwardly rejoiced.
He knew his granddaughter best. She was undoubtedly wavering now, wondering if she should break the engagement.
Let me add a little more fuel to the fire!
With this thought, Luo Changfeng put on a sad expression and sighed, "Qingxue, no matter what, let's go and see Xiao'er. Grandfather truly fears that one day, he might be gone forever."
Luo Qingxue reluctantly agreed.
Liang Qing stood guard outside Liang Xiao's closed door, utterly confused.
Yue Lian said nervously, "Old Master, Young Master is indeed unwell and still sleeping."
Liang Qing was impatient and stared at Yue Lian, asking, "Is he truly sick?"
Yue Lian nodded vigorously. No matter how Liang Qing interrogated her, she insisted that Liang Xiao was ill.
Liang Xiao was indeed feeling unwell, but it was only because a wound had slightly reopened, nothing serious. Even Yue Lian didn't know what he was doing in his room.
Liang Qing shook his head helplessly and sat down.
When he learned that the Carefree Young General had manifested to save Liang Xiao and Luo Qingxue, he was struck as if by lightning!
Could it have been Xiao'er who did it?
He always had a feeling that his grandson might be the Carefree Young General himself.
However, to kill twelve elite barbarian assassins in the temple without sustaining any injuries was simply impossible!
Even the Carefree Young General, who could battle tens of thousands on the battlefield with a mortal body, might not have been able to achieve such a feat in that situation!
Furthermore, Liang Xiao was covered in old wounds and was weak.
As Liang Qing was lost in thought, the steward ran in to report that Luo Changfeng and Luo Qingxue had arrived.
"Duke Liang! Commander Zhuo might also be coming later. I'll inquire first, how is Xiao'er?"
As soon as he entered the courtyard, Luo Changfeng eagerly asked about the situation.
Liang Qing sighed, "He is ill and refuses to come out."
Luo Qingxue frowned and went to Liang Xiao's door, knocking by herself.
"Liang Xiao, why didn't you wake me up last night?"
Luo Changfeng was about to rush over to stop her when Liang Xiao's voice came from inside.
"Because you were sleeping like a dead pig."
Luo Qingxue: "???"
He said that about me in front of two elders?
The more Luo Qingxue thought about it, the angrier she became, muttering, "Then why didn't you tell me afterwards about the Carefree Young General's divine manifestation!"