"I'm in a hurry to get home, no time."
Hearing Liang Xiao's reply, Luo Changfeng and Liang Qing also tiptoed over to eavesdrop.
Luo Qingxue was stunned and gritted her teeth, "You don't actually dislike General Tian, do you? General Tian holds a very high image in your heart, doesn't he?"
"How is it high? It's just so-so."
Luo Qingxue was dumbfounded.
How could this person be so fickle?
Liang Qing and Luo Changfeng frowned, carefully savoring Liang Xiao's words.
Yue Lian guarded the doorway, secretly wiping away tears.
Only she knew the pain her young master was currently enduring.
At this moment, Liang Xiao was lying on the bed recuperating, his eyes closed.
Last night's encounter with the twelve assassins was far more dangerous than ordinary people could imagine.
Normally, with his injuries, it would have been almost impossible to kill twelve people in such a situation without being harmed by their swords, blades, or force.
But, this body possessed innate divine strength!
It was precisely because of this that Liang Xiao was able to single-handedly repel tens of thousands of barbaric iron cavalry in Yanzhou.
However, even such a good body could not withstand Liang Xiao's relentless pushing. After all, human strength was ultimately limited.
The intense exertion and excessive force last night had left him feeling pain all over his body.
As a white-clothed figure, he was already facing so much misfortune and hardship. If the common people of the nation and the barbarians knew he was General Tian...
Liang Xiao now wanted to conceal his identity as General Tian even more, for himself, his family, and the people.
Luo Qingxue was still unwilling and stayed outside the door, thinking, "He must be deliberately provoking me!"
Just then, the butler came to report, "Master, Zhuo Lingjun has also rushed over."
Without waiting for Liang Qing to react, Zhuo Zifang had already rushed anxiously into the courtyard, inquiring about Liang Xiao's condition.
Liang Qing pointed to the door and gave a helpless wry smile, "Xiao'er is unwell and cannot receive visitors."
Zhuo Zifang came to Liang Xiao's door and asked, "Liang Xiao, what exactly did you experience last night? Why are you unwilling to speak clearly?"
"Isn't it just General Tian manifesting? What is there to talk about?" came Liang Xiao's calm reply from within.
Everyone was stunned.
Luo Qingxue was even more displeased, "General Tian saved both of us!"
If the news of General Tian's manifestation spread, it would surely boost the morale of the entire nation!
This fellow actually didn't care at all?
Liang Xiao did not respond.
Zhuo Zifang gave Luo Qingxue a look, and she understood, staying aside to wait.
Only then did Zhuo Zifang say earnestly, "Liang Xiao, with your literary talent, narrating last night's events would surely become a legendary tale for the ages, and His Majesty would reward you handsomely."
"Let the world imagine it themselves. I am illiterate," Liang Xiao replied calmly.
No matter what, he did not want any trace of his identity to be exposed now, as Liang Qing's suspicions would surely grow.
You are illiterate? Listen to that! Does a person say such things!
Everyone was stunned and helpless.
Luo Qingxue's beautiful eyes turned red with anxiety, "He's completely unresponsive!"
She only thought Liang Xiao was jealous because of her dream talk and didn't want to write an essay praising General Tian's miraculous appearance.
Zhuo Zifang sighed again, "I won't force you. But there is something I should inform you of. I heard that Ouyang Sheng publicly slandered you and Qingxue. A scholar named Zhang Yang stood up for you and was expelled from the Imperial Academy by Ouyang Hong."
"Zhang Yang?" Liang Xiao slowly got out of bed.
This Zhang Yang was the first to remind him to be careful and to return home early. It was precisely because of this that he did not accompany Luo Qingxue for drinks last night.
If he had drunk with Luo Qingxue last night, he might have been even more seriously injured now.
Zhuo Zifang explained, "I rushed over upon hearing the news and have already punished Ouyang Sheng. However, Zhang Yang has returned home and refuses to return to the Imperial Academy. His family is poor, but he refused to accept a single cent of the silver I sent. When you are well, could you go and persuade him?"
Under Luo Qingxue's resentful gaze, the door slowly opened, revealing Liang Xiao's still pale face to everyone.
"Where is his home?" Liang Xiao asked.
Seeing that Liang Xiao was not in serious condition, Zhuo Zifang was greatly relieved and handed Liang Xiao a wooden plaque with Zhang Yang's address.
"There is one more matter. Your Lordship, together with Duke Luo and Duke Liang, have jointly submitted a memorial requesting His Majesty to send imperial physicians to treat you."
Hearing this, Liang Xiao shook his head, "It's useless. The military doctor who treated me in Yanzhou was once the chief imperial physician. My injuries are not something that can be healed immediately with medicine; they require recuperation."
Luo Qingxue on the side was astonished: Such severe injuries that even imperial physicians couldn't cure?
At Liang Xiao's urging, Liang Qing arranged for a carriage and guards to take Liang Xiao and Yue Lian to find Zhang Yang.
Watching the backs of the two as they left, mist welled up in Luo Qingxue's eyes, "What injury did he sustain?"
Liang Qing hesitated for a moment, then sighed, "Your grandfather and I dared not tell you out of selfish reasons, fearing you would dislike Xiao'er even more. But now, I think it's time to respect you."
Thus, Liang Qing truthfully told Luo Qingxue about Liang Xiao's situation that day.
Luo Qingxue was somewhat at a loss. Unconsciously, two lines of tears slid down her cheeks.
He had fled back to Yanzhou on the day of the invasion?
Had he participated in the battle too?
On that bitterly cold day, he had collapsed outside Yanzhou City, and the cold had entered his body, worsening his injuries?
"The Prefect's conscription had not yet reached the Liang residence, and Xiao'er had already gone missing. At first, I only thought he was cowardly and had hidden. But later... alas, the injuries were inexplicable," Liang Qing said with heartache.
"I want to wait here for him and ask him clearly. He angrily retorted to Ouyang Sheng that night, speaking eloquently, not at all like someone who didn't care about General Tian..." Luo Qingxue said aggrievedly.
Luo Changfeng, who had been feeling sorry for Liang Xiao, was overjoyed when he heard Luo Qingxue's words, "Good child, you've finally seen the light."
Luo Qingxue did not respond, merely wiping her tears, feeling even worse.
In Liang Xiao's eyes, she seemed less important than Zhang Yang, let alone Yue Lian!
Zhuo Zifang, who had been observing carefully, suddenly blurted out, "Alas, with Liang Xiao's injuries, I fear it will ruin Qingxue's life. Duke Luo, Duke Liang, why not break off the engagement?"
The two elders nodded repeatedly, "That could be arranged."
"No!" Luo Qingxue's heart tensed, and she blurted out.
The three elders were stunned, then simultaneously stroked their beards and burst into laughter.
Luo Qingxue then came to her senses, her entire face flushed as if she could bleed, "Teacher, you are teasing me again. I won't talk to you anymore!"
Amidst the laughter of the three elders, Luo Qingxue fled to Liang Xiao's room and closed the door, treating Liang Xiao's room as her own boudoir.
After locking the door, Luo Qingxue observed Liang Xiao's room and was surprised.
There were no paintings of flowers and birds or playful trinkets as she had imagined. There were only six locked cabinets, and a desk with brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
Luo Qingxue fell silent.
Whether in the capital or in Yanzhou, she had visited Liang Xiao's room in the Liang mansion before. It was always adorned with flowers and birds. Why was it so vastly different from before?
In the imperial study, Xiao Qing was in a good mood after finishing his memorials.
The manifestation of General Tian had had a very positive impact, invigorating the military and civilians in the capital!
After a moment, Ding Wuyi brought back a memorial.
Xiao Qing glanced at it, his expression changing, "Liang Xiao, he's reporting sick again?"
Ding Wuyi reminded, "Your Highness, it is said that the military doctor who previously treated Liang Xiao was a retired chief imperial physician. It is likely that the imperial physicians in the palace cannot cure him, and they will have to invite that one."