"Why do I feel an indescribable sense of familiarity?" Luo Qingxue observed Liang Xiao with a puzzled gaze.
His serious demeanor made Luo Qingxue feel that he was finally showing some semblance of maturity.
"Alas, if only he possessed a fraction of General Tian's courage, he wouldn't be branded a wastrel. But no matter what, he and I are childhood sweethearts, and I should give him another chance."
With this thought, Luo Qingxue stepped in front of Liang Xiao, interrupting his reverie.
"Liang Xiao, what are you thinking? Have you suddenly come to your senses?"
Liang Xiao was taken aback. He pointed to the portrait of General Tian in the distance.
"Who painted this monstrosity? They should be dragged out and given twenty lashes."
Luo Qingxue was stunned. After the shock, she was met with disappointment and anger.
"Liang Xiao, you are utterly ungrateful!"
Liang Xiao blinked, "What do you mean?"
"General Tian saved Yan Province and the entire Da Gan Kingdom. Without his strategic planning and his charge into the enemy lines, Da Gan would not have driven back the barbarians for seven hundred li! Not only do you not appreciate General Tian's life-saving grace, but you also slander him! The Liang family is full of loyal heroes; how can there be such a shameless degenerate like you!"
Liang Xiao frowned, "I understand your feelings, but why do you always admonish me from such a high and mighty position? It's unnecessary."
Liang Xiao, enduring his injuries, felt his words were difficult to express.
In his past life, he was Liang Xiao, a top special forces soldier codenamed "General Tian." Leading a mission to encircle drug traffickers, he was betrayed by friendly forces, and in the end, only Liang Xiao and hundreds of drug dealers perished together.
When he reopened his eyes, he had become the noble son of the Liang family in Yan Province.
This Liang family was indeed full of loyal heroes. Liang Xiao's father and uncles had all died in battle, leaving only Old Master Liang and a few descendants.
Originally, Liang Xiao had wanted to enjoy a peaceful life in this existence, to be a happy slacker. However, with the barbarian invasion and the ensuing devastation, his professional instinct to protect his home and country resurfaced, unexpectedly leading to the legend of General Tian.
If his true identity as General Tian were to be revealed now, he wouldn't be able to rest and recover peacefully.
"Cough, cough!"
Liang Xiao began to cough violently again.
Now he was Liang Xiao of the Liang family, and Luo Qingxue, his childhood sweetheart, had not given him a pleasant look in recent years.
Seeing his condition, Luo Qingxue felt helpless.
"You should know that my disdain for you isn't new, and it's not because you're currently sickly. You are well-built. Even if you don't want to join the army, you should strive for official position and benefit the people! But you, you only know how to indulge in pleasure, ruining your own health!"
"How I wish it were me who died on the battlefield instead of General Tian, but I am merely a woman, unable to even join the army. My future husband is a cowardly wastrel whom everyone despises! If this engagement cannot be broken, I will commit suicide on our wedding night to atone!"
Liang Xiao frowned, "You don't understand me, but since you are determined to break the engagement, I won't object. There's no need to speak of suicide."
Luo Qingxue looked at Liang Xiao, disbelieving that he would agree so readily.
Was he indifferent even to the humiliation of being jilted by the woman he was engaged to?
After a long silence, Luo Qingxue seemed to have made up her mind. With a faint smile, she got into her carriage and rode away.
Liang Xiao remained silent and turned to leave.
Luo Qingxue's departure, without a word of farewell, made him feel more uncomfortable than her furious reprimands.
Liang Xiao's maid, Yue Lian, seeing Luo Qingxue leave, rushed to Liang Xiao with a fox fur coat.
"Young master, it's getting cold."
The maiden before him, in terms of beauty, was not inferior to Luo Qingxue, but possessed an additional gentle demeanor.
Liang Xiao sighed and put on the fox fur coat. "My Yue Lian is still the most considerate."
To repay a kindness, Yue Lian had voluntarily joined the Liang family. Liang Xiao's parents treated her as their daughter, but she only wished to be Liang Xiao's personal maid.
Yue Lian said worriedly, "Young master, were you lectured by Miss Luo again for being glib..."
Previously, Liang Xiao had ignored Yue Lian, spending his days indulging in food, drink, and leisure, birdwatching. But a few days ago, Liang Xiao's behavior had suddenly changed. He became gentle and kind to her, making her feel that her life had suddenly brightened.
To Yue Lian, Liang Xiao's difficulties were her difficulties.
"She wants to break the engagement, and I agreed," Liang Xiao said.
Yue Lian was startled, her eyes welling up with tears. "How, how could that be? Such a sensible and virtuous lady..."
"Saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda; naturally, I have to agree," Liang Xiao said.
Hearing this, Yue Lian couldn't help but complain, "Young master, you're always so indifferent. How will you ever find a good wife in the future..."
Liang Xiao pouted, "It's all your fault!"
"Is, is it my fault?" Yue Lian looked wronged.
Perhaps it was true? I have always served the young master, so I should have advised him more often...
Because she was always worried that Liang Xiao would grow to dislike her more and more, Yue Lian, like Liang Xiao's parents, indulged him excessively.
Seeing her reaction, Liang Xiao couldn't help but pinch Yue Lian's small cheek, teasing, "You're so cute and also so thoughtful. If the girls outside can't even compare to my Yue Lian, how can I be interested?"
"Young master, you're being flirtatious again! Quickly think about how to explain the broken engagement to the Old Master when we get back..."
Yue Lian blushed, playfully swatting away Liang Xiao's advances.
In the grand hall of the Liang residence, the white-haired Old Master Liang Qing was perusing official documents.
Liang Xiao and his cousin Liang Yun sat on either side.
A moment later, Liang Qing put down the documents and asked with concern, "Xiao'er, how is your injury?"
Liang Xiao replied without hesitation, "I won't die."
"Cousin, mind your words when speaking to Grandpa! If my elder brother were here, he'd scold you again!" Liang Yun said with displeasure.
Liang Xiao glanced at Liang Yun and ignored him.
Just as Liang Yun was about to retort, Liang Qing suddenly waved his hand.
"Enough! Xiao'er, is Qingxue truly determined to break the engagement?"
Liang Xiao nodded.
Liang Yun lamented, "Grandpa, if this continues, won't our Liang family become a laughingstock of the entire Yan Province!"
"Liang Yun, I know you resent me deeply, but can you please shut up now? I am your elder brother, and it is not for you to lecture me."
Hearing Liang Xiao's words, Liang Yun was rendered speechless.
His elder brother had also always lectured Liang Xiao in the name of seniority.
Liang Qing sighed, his words clearly betraying his disappointment, "Grandpa can understand Qingxue's thoughts, after all, Xiao'er is currently injured..."
After speaking, Liang Qing looked at the pale-faced Liang Xiao, recalling the day Liang Xiao was brought back to the Liang residence.
At that time, Liang Xiao was covered in shocking scars!
"Old Master Liang, judging by Young Master Liang's injuries and condition, he must have gone through a fierce battle and fought until exhaustion. He barely managed to cling to half his life. As for these injuries, it would be best for him to rest for a while, otherwise, old wounds might relapse, leaving him crippled."
Liang Qing had not forgotten the military doctor's warning, but he was also perplexed.
"Xiao'er, your injuries..."