"A fiancée, you say..." Xiao Qing's expression grew somber.
It seemed he had arrived at an inopportune time.
Yet, Xiao Qing also felt fortunate. If he had come earlier and met Luo Qingxue, what would he have done?
Liang Qing nodded tentatively, awaiting Xiao Qing's decision.
"Wait for him outside his door," Xiao Qing sighed.
Liang Qing's face was filled with apprehension. "Your Majesty, your precious self, how can you..."
But he was quickly met with Xiao Qing's smiling face and dared not voice further objection.
Outside Liang Xiao's residence, Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun stood guard behind Xiao Qing, their eyes filled with worry.
How long would they have to wait?
Ding Wuyi suddenly had an idea and reminded, "My lord, Liang Xiao took three essays from his room earlier. Why not ask Liang Qing for the key, enter Liang Xiao's room, and search again? Perhaps valuable essays can still be found?"
Xiao Qing shook his head and lowered his gaze, murmuring, "I don't want to annoy him..."
Ding Wuyi understood, while Ning Xuejun looked curiously towards Liang Xiao's room.
What capabilities did this young man possess, to inspire his lord to devise such brilliant strategies for rectifying governance with just three essays?
Yet, their lord was currently sitting in the cold, which filled her with indignation.
"Good for you, Liang Xiao!"
The Imperial Academy, within the Purple Gold Pavilion.
The winter chill did not dampen the enthusiasm of the talented scholars and beauties.
The Purple Gold Pavilion was brightly lit, filled with laughter and merriment.
Ouyang Sheng, fanning himself with a paper fan, a gentle smile on his face, conversed with the crowd.
"Talented Scholar Ouyang, I heard Miss Qingxue will also be attending tonight?" a scholar eagerly inquired.
The surrounding scholars cast questioning glances.
Ouyang Sheng smiled confidently. "Qingxue has just arrived at the Imperial Academy and is resting in her study. It was I who requested my father to invite her."
The crowd praised Ouyang Sheng.
Ouyang Sheng grew even more pleased.
Attendees of this gathering included not only students of the Imperial Academy but also talented scholars and beauties from other regions visiting the capital for affairs. This was also an excellent opportunity for him to solidify his standing within their circle.
"Talented Scholar Ouyang, with your profound erudition, you and Miss Qingxue are truly a match made in heaven!"
"If Miss Qingxue is here, perhaps the other two talented ladies will also come by reputation?"
Some Imperial Academy students began to flatter him, while others smiled knowingly.
Ouyang Sheng observed this, responding modestly on the surface, but inwardly seething.
These scholars' lack of admiration for him was not solely due to romantic rivalry; it was because of one person.
The son of the Marquis of Wanling, Du Gu Xiao!
Du Gu Xiao, in terms of talent, status, and achievements, was beyond Ouyang Sheng's comparison.
The entire capital knew that this man was deeply devoted to Luo Qingxue, and there were even rumors that Luo Qingxue's intention to break off her engagement with Liang Xiao was also because of Du Gu Xiao.
However, Du Gu Xiao was currently away from the capital, making this poetry gathering an excellent opportunity for Ouyang Sheng to win Luo Qingxue's heart!
Luo Qingxue being accepted as a disciple by Zhuo Zifang as an exception was a widely celebrated tale. Earning Luo Qingxue's favor was also a symbol of honor!
"Why hasn't Qingxue appeared yet? Has she already returned?"
After a while, Ouyang Sheng also grew anxious and quickly sent someone to invite her.
Inside a room, Liang Xiao was coughing violently, while Yue Lian tearfully wiped her eyes with concern.
Luo Qingxue sat beside him, her brows tightly furrowed, clearly displeased.
Fearing that Liang Xiao's condition might worsen, Luo Qingxue had no choice but to stay temporarily.
"If your health is poor, why do you force yourself to be here?" Luo Qingxue asked, her tone displeased.
Liang Xiao replied, "I also wanted to witness the scholars of the capital. I didn't expect that whether I came or not, you would still resent me."
Luo Qingxue was speechless.
"The poetry gathering has begun, you should go first," Liang Xiao said.
Luo Qingxue shook her head. "I promised Grandpa that I would not abandon you and would not scold you in public."
Sensing the reluctance in Luo Qingxue's words, Liang Xiao slowly stood up. "Then let's go."
Luo Qingxue saw this and felt a pang of guilt. "If you can't bear it, tell me, and I'll take you back."
Liang Xiao merely nodded in agreement and, supported by Yue Lian, followed behind Luo Qingxue.
"Miss Luo!"
Just then, the scholar sent by Ouyang Sheng arrived. Seeing Liang Xiao still coughing, he immediately showed disgust. "He must be Liang Xiao, right? With such a sickly appearance, it's best not to disturb the poetry gathering."
Luo Qingxue gave the scholar a frosty look. "Then I will take him back."
"No, no, no, since you've come all this way..."
The scholar quickly forced a smile and led Liang Xiao and the two others to the Purple Gold Pavilion.
The moment the trio entered, they attracted the attention of the scholars and beauties.
"Miss Luo is indeed of unparalleled beauty and possesses extraordinary grace!"
"Huh? Who is that sickly fellow? Could that be her fiancé Liang Xiao?"
The surrounding whispers caused Luo Qingxue's expression to turn cold, and she silently led Liang Xiao to a seat.
Ouyang Sheng rejoiced inwardly and walked over, whispering, "Qingxue, today you are the protagonist of the poetry competition!"
Luo Qingxue shook her head. "The protagonist of the poetry gathering is naturally Young Master Ouyang."
Ouyang Sheng's heart filled with joy, and he nodded with a smile. His gaze then fell upon Liang Xiao, filled with animosity.
This man was the greatest obstacle to his pursuit of Luo Qingxue!
"However, I am not familiar with Young Master Ouyang, and I hope you will not be so intimate," Luo Qingxue added suddenly.
Ouyang Sheng was stunned and felt a sense of loss. "Could it be that Du Gu Xiao has gotten there first?"
But soon, Ouyang Sheng's gaze fell upon Yue Lian, and his heart fluttered.
Who was this woman, so beautiful as well?
Seeing Yue Lian sitting obediently beside Liang Xiao, Ouyang Sheng and the other scholars' eyes blazed with envy.
There were hundreds of people attending this gathering, including twenty talented ladies, but their beauty paled in comparison to Luo Qingxue and Yue Lian.
Why were the two most beautiful women in the room guarding this young man?
Liang Xiao paid no heed to Ouyang Sheng. After entering, he had simply scanned the surroundings and listened to the conversations, his disappointment profound.
Cliques, flowery rhetoric, a pervasive air of pedantry...
Apart from the presence of a few so-called talented ladies, the atmosphere here was much the same as at the Yan Province Academy!
The surrounding scholars and beauties, noticing that Liang Xiao was only conversing with Yue Lian, saw no need to greet him.
Ouyang Sheng, with a smile, walked to the center of the crowd and declared loudly, "Everyone, Qingxue's presence today has made this gathering shine brilliantly!"
The crowd applauded, and Luo Qingxue offered only a polite smile in return.
"Since the invasion of the barbarians, this is the first poetry gathering hosted by the scholars of our Imperial Academy."
Luo Qingxue, who had been lost in thought, suddenly perked up upon hearing the discussion and stood up. "Indeed! Our current peace is all thanks to General Tian and countless soldiers who fought valiantly to drive away the barbarians!"
The crowd was taken aback, but Luo Qingxue was already speaking eloquently about General Tian's glorious deeds.
"So, she admires General Tian?" Many scholars suddenly realized and began to ponder how to please Luo Qingxue.
Liang Xiao finally looked at Luo Qingxue, his feelings complex.
"Qingxue, it has been a long time, I miss you dearly!"
Just as Luo Qingxue was speaking with great passion, a soft voice came from the entrance.
The crowd turned to look and rejoiced, "They've come too!"