When Liang Xiao awoke, he was startled to find Yue Lian weeping silently beside him.
"Little one, who bullied you?"
Yue Lian then burst into tears. "Young Master, the poem you just wrote, I liked it so much that I took it outside the carriage, and it was blown away by the strong wind..."
Liang Xiao said softly, "So you didn't dare to cry out loud just now for fear of disturbing my rest? Just let it go, consider that poem my gift to you."
To his surprise, Yue Lian cried even harder.
"The poem the Young Master gave me, and I lost it!"
Liang Xiao was taken aback and comforted her, "I'm here, don't cry, I'll write it for you again."
Yue Lian shook her head and explained, "Such a poem must be worth a thousand gold pieces. Only one original copy is needed. I just regret that I couldn't..."
"Couldn't show it to Dean Zhuo, make him look at me with new eyes, and take me back into the academy. Is that right?"
Yue Lian was surprised. "Young Master is so clever..."
"A good poem written on paper, if not taken outside, how could it be blown away by the wind? You've been by my side since you were little, how could I not see your thoughts?" Liang Xiao smiled and gently patted Yue Lian's shoulder.
Yue Lian felt a little better and stammered, "Young Master, you have such talent. Let's talk to the Old Master and let you go back to school."
Liang Xiao shook his head repeatedly. "I finally have some leisure, why would I go back? Even if they begged me to join, I wouldn't. You must not reveal me."
"What if the Dean really begs you?"
"What is a mere Dean worth mentioning? Even the King of Heaven himself wouldn't be able to make me go!"
Seeing that Liang Xiao was determined, Yue Lian no longer insisted but discussed the poem with him.
The temporary palace was heavily guarded.
Deep within the palace, Emperor Xiao Qing stood alone, gazing at his reflection in the mirror.
His eyes were red from crying, and his face was streaked with tears.
"This world, I alone am powerless to bear it. But why is it that the one who could help me pacify the world cannot have a good end..."
"That day, the victory news from Yanzhou arrived, and I learned that you descended from the heavens and single-handedly repelled thousands of enemy troops, then led seven thousand white-robed soldiers to break an army of a hundred thousand. That was a shock I had never experienced in my life. I thought I would finally no longer be alone, but I never expected that before I could even meet you, we would be separated by death!"
Xiao Qing sobbed softly, overwhelmed by emotion.
The sorrowful cries of the people of Yanzhou at the scene were vivid in his memory, leaving him unable to forget for a long time.
General Tian brought peace to Yanzhou and even the entire nation, yet his remains were never found. How tragic!
His face was already blurred by tears in the mirror. Xiao Qing simply took off his crown and let down his hair.
Three thousand strands of black hair partially veiled his face!
After a long sigh, Xiao Qing finally calmed his mood and began to groom himself in front of the mirror.
...
"Your Majesty!"
Ten civil officials, led by Wang Canghai, rushed towards the temporary palace but were stopped by the female guards at the entrance.
A female soldier turned to report.
Everyone was accustomed to this and did not ask further questions, waiting outside with discretion.
Before long, a graceful figure emerged from the palace, catching everyone's eyes.
The young girl before them was dressed in red, veiled, and carried herself with elegance and grace, like a fairy descended to earth.
It was Princess Ning Shuang, Xiao Shuang, the twin sister of the Great Gan Emperor!
"Imperial brother is resting. If you have any urgent matters, I will relay them."
Wang Canghai understood and quickly said, "His Majesty has already decreed that Princess Ning Shuang can make decisions on behalf of His Majesty! The matter is as follows..."
As he spoke, Wang Canghai turned and winked at the Minister of Rites.
The Minister of Rites immediately opened the box in his hand and took out the poem that had been placed flat.
"Ze Guo Jiang Shan Ruo Zhan Tu..."
Xiao Shuang's delicate hand trembled slightly as she took the poem and began to read it involuntarily, her eyes gradually becoming moist.
Wang Canghai then explained the situation, his regret and remorse evident.
"We officials inquired everywhere and only knew that this poem came from the people of the academy. When we asked again, no one could match the poem or the handwriting! After searching for a good part of the day, we still have no clue about the origin of the poem!"
Xiao Shuang's body trembled slightly, unable to calm down. "This poem, how fitting it is!"
The Minister of Rites pleaded, "The Princess is exceptionally talented and must have profound insights. Please explain it!"
Everyone echoed his request.
They were not flattering her; Princess Ning Shuang was well-read and articulate, famous throughout the capital!
Xiao Shuang's face was full of shame, and she sighed, "Even with all my efforts, I could not write such a poem. However, I can vaguely grasp the artistic conception of the poem, so please bear with my humble attempt to interpret it..."
Everyone was delighted and listened attentively.
"Ze Guo Jiang Shan Ruo Zhan Tu, a mere seven characters, can summarize the war between our dynasty and the barbarians, speaking of the ravages of war and the chaos, a grand yet tinged with a touch of helplessness."
"Sheng Min He Ji Le Qiao Su, this Qiao Su, on the surface, refers to cutting firewood and gathering grass, but it actually represents the livelihoods of the common people. With a turn of the pen, this line shows compassion for the people, which is truly wonderful."
"But what truly shocks people is the next line. Ping Jun Mo Hua Feng Hou Shi, Yi Jiang Gong Cheng Wan Gu Ku!"
Xiao Shuang's voice gradually choked, tears blurring her eyes, her hands shaking even more violently.
"Since ancient times, people have only praised the generals for their success and honorable return. Only this person, who cares so much about the suffering people and the fallen soldiers, expresses sincere lament! This line will surely be passed down through the ages!"
"If General Tian were still alive, this poem might even be considered a criticism of General Tian. However, even General Tian has..."
Xiao Shuang put the poem back in the box, unable to suppress her grief any longer, and wept, covering her face.
Everyone was filled with sorrow. "General Tian died on the battlefield, and even being wrapped in horsehide was a luxury! Only this poem can fully display General Tian's breadth of mind and achievements! War only brings suffering to the people, and General Tian also pitied the people's hardship, which is why he sacrificed himself to save the country!"
Xiao Shuang wiped away her tears, and after calming down, she issued an order.
"This poem also serves to remind the court and the public to treat the people and soldiers with greater kindness. I will immediately report to Imperial brother, and the court will double the compensation for the families of fallen soldiers. The funds must be in place, and anyone who engages in corruption or embezzlement will have their entire clan implicated! The common people attending the memorial ceremony today will each receive one tael of silver, and those who contributed offerings will receive an additional tael of silver!"
Wang Canghai could not help but clap and praise, "His Majesty had already issued a decree that Princess Ning Shuang can exercise imperial power! His Majesty is wise! The Princess is virtuous! We officials will do our utmost!"
Xiao Shuang added, "There is one more thing: a reward of a thousand taels of gold to find the owner of this poem. Anyone who can provide valid clues to help the court find this person will be rewarded with one hundred taels of gold! Those who impersonate will be severely punished with one hundred heavy blows!"
Everyone praised, "The Princess is thoughtful!"
Xiao Shuang finally smiled and turned back into the temporary palace. With her right hand, she picked up a brush, drafted an imperial decree, and retrieved the imperial seal to stamp it.
After finishing, Xiao Shuang finally breathed a sigh of relief, took a stack of white paper, and began to write rapidly with her left hand.
After writing several poems continuously, Xiao Shuang still shook her head and sighed, taking off her veil.
Her exceptionally beautiful face was now tinged with a bit of petulance and grievance.
"Why can't I write such a poem!"
"The person who can write such a poem must be a good official who pleads for the people. If he were to be a civil official alongside General Tian's military prowess, why would we worry about great affairs of the world! But now General Tian is dead, and this person cannot be found..."
Xiao Shuang angrily slammed the brush on the table and slumped onto the desk.
She started crying again.
The state funeral continued. Liang Xiao took a stroll outside and then returned to the carriage to sleep.
Yue Lian guarded the carriage and, influenced by the public's grief, also wept profusely.
Just then, a familiar figure walked over from a distance.
Luo Qingxue!
Luo Qingxue's face was tear-streaked, but her tone was incredibly calm. "You are Liang Xiao's personal maid, aren't you? He's in the carriage, right? I just passed by and heard the scholars say that Liang Xiao is criticizing General Tian again? Coincidentally, my grandfather and his grandfather will be back soon, and the two families will discuss the annulment of the engagement here."