"You all mustn't speak nonsense! Liang Xiao is the son of a noble family. No matter how unrestrained his words, he will have his limits!" Luo Changfeng roared.
Beside him, Zhuo Wentao's face was grim.
Liang Yun sneered, "Dean Zhuo can also testify. My cousin is in big trouble now..."
Luo Qingxue frowned, "He is your cousin, after all. Why are you gloating?"
Liang Yun looked at Luo Qingxue in surprise, somewhat at a loss.
Didn't she hate Liang Xiao? Why was she speaking up for him?
At this moment, Luo Qingxue also felt she had backed herself into a corner.
She merely wanted to annul the engagement. She never intended to force Liang Xiao to his death!
Zhuo Wentao said sternly, "The matter is not simple, and his words can hardly be considered slander."
Thus, Zhuo Wentao recounted Liang Xiao's "absurd" remarks from that morning.
Zhuo Zifang smiled, "This lad dares to speak the truth. Rest assured, the Emperor is wise and benevolent; he will not be bothered."
However, those scholars were still invited in. Upon seeing Zhuo Zifang, they rejoiced and pleaded:
"Please, Lord Zhuo and Dean Zhuo, and General Luo, preside over justice and punish the madman Liang Xiao!"
Zhuo Zifang nodded, "We have been sent by imperial decree. You are all commoners and must not make a disturbance. I have my own judgment."
Only then did the crowd feel satisfied and stand behind Zhuo Wentao.
A moment later, Liang Xiao entered the hall with Yue Lian and was stunned. "Do I need such a grand reception just to meet someone?"
"Xiao'er, don't be rude! This is the renowned Lord Zhuo, who has come to see you with your Grandpa Luo!" Liang Qing quickly reprimanded, not forgetting to wink at Liang Xiao.
Upon seeing Liang Xiao, Luo Changfeng was overjoyed. "My granddaughter's husband is indeed growing more handsome by the day!"
Luo Qingxue couldn't help but retort inwardly: Is it really handsome, or is he a scumbag?
Liang Xiao politely bowed to Zhuo Zifang and Luo Changfeng.
Luo Qingxue, like the scholars, wore a displeased expression.
She was also angry now that Liang Xiao dared to criticize the state funeral!
That was the state funeral of the Heaven General, revered by all people, her savior!
Luo Changfeng stepped forward and patted Liang Xiao's head, his face full of kindness.
"Xiao'er, no matter what Lord Zhuo and Dean Zhuo ask you later, you must answer truthfully."
Luo Qingxue felt a surge of disgust: Xiao'er? You're so affectionate! They really treat him as their grandson-in-law!
Liang Xiao looked at Zhuo Zifang and his son with confusion.
Zhuo Wentao smiled, "Liang Xiao, I happened to hear you recite 'Lingluo chengni nian zuo chen, zhi you xiang ru gu'. Can you complete this poem?"
Liang Xiao was slightly taken aback. He had merely spoken his mind, yet Zhuo Wentao remembered it.
Even that poem was just a whim, a dictation to relieve his sorrow.
Thinking of this, Liang Xiao smiled, "I can, but it's unnecessary."
As soon as he spoke, everyone was startled.
The scholars were even more indignant, roaring, "How dare you speak to Dean Zhuo like that!"
Only Zhuo Zifang and Zhuo Wentao exchanged a glance, seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.
"He can complete it! Qingxue, did you hear that!"
Luo Changfeng's beard trembled with excitement.
Luo Qingxue said coldly, "I only see his disrespect and pretentiousness. Who knows if he can actually complete it!"
The scholars rejoiced and chimed in.
As long as Luo Qingxue was on their side, punishing Liang Xiao would be a certainty.
Zhuo Zifang glared back at the scholars, "Noisy! Do you wish to defy the imperial decree?"
The crowd jumped in fright and promptly shut their mouths.
Zhuo Zifang immediately fetched the paper and brush prepared by Liang Qing and took out a poem from his embrace, unfolding it on the table.
Upon seeing the poem, the crowd was astonished. "A good poem!!"
It was only now that the scholars understood why the Prime Minister had offered a reward just to find someone to complete this poem!
Zhuo Zifang smiled, "I am not talented, but I have copied down this poem. Liang Xiao, please write it out."
Liang Xiao shook his head, "No!"
His words stunned everyone present!
"Xiao'er, this is Lord Zhuo, sent by imperial command. You must not defy it!" Liang Qing quickly reminded him.
Seeing Princess Ning Shuang was like seeing the Emperor; this was common knowledge known throughout the nation. Liang Qing's statement of "imperial command" was not unfounded.
Zhuo Zifang pondered for a moment and said, "Just write it, and I will grind the ink for you."
"What?" Everyone was shocked again.
Who was Lord Zhuo?
A capable figure in military and governance, formerly a Minister of Personnel, with countless successful students. And he was going to grind ink for Liang Xiao!
The scholars were even more bewildered, looking at Liang Xiao with a mixture of shock, envy, and hatred.
A fop like him, deserving such honor from Lord Zhuo to grind his ink?
Luo Changfeng was also excited, urging, "Xiao'er, write quickly! It doesn't matter if you mess it up, but if you do well, His Majesty will reward you handsomely!"
Liang Xiao scanned the crowd, understood the situation roughly, and shook his head. "Sorry, I don't feel well."
Everyone was puzzled again.
"Why don't you feel well?" Zhuo Zifang asked patiently.
He had lowered himself so much, yet Liang Xiao still refused to cooperate?
Liang Xiao pouted, "I don't feel well for a few days every month."
???
Luo Qingxue, standing nearby, changed her expression, trembling with anger.
To use such an utterly absurd excuse for a poem of such sanctity, and to refuse to write it!
Luo Qingxue sighed, "Grandfather, Teacher, you have both seen it. Liang Xiao, why don't you just write a letter of divorce for me here, and we can part honorably."
The scholars behind them sneered, "Seeking his own death?"
This action was defying even the Emperor!
Liang Qing finally lost his temper, kicked Liang Xiao's butt, and cursed, "You little bastard! What time is it, and you're still fooling around!"
Yue Lian began to cry, explaining, "Old Master, young master is indeed not feeling well..."
Liang Qing shot Yue Lian a glance and criticized, "It's all my fault for doting on this child. From now on, you mustn't spoil him. If he misbehaves, report it to me!"
Liang Xiao knew he couldn't avoid it any longer and didn't want to make Liang Qing difficult. A spark of inspiration struck him, and he walked to the table and sat down.
Zhuo Zifang's expression then softened, and true to his word, he began to grind ink for Liang Xiao.
Liang Qing finally smiled broadly, looking at Liang Xiao with satisfaction.
But soon, Grandpa Liang's face turned green.
This little bastard was using his left hand to hold the brush!
"Left-handed?" Everyone was surprised.
Liang Xiao remained unfazed. With a swift stroke, twenty-eight characters appeared on the paper.
The calligraphy was a proper regular script, completely different from the cursive script he had written last time!
Zhuo Zifang looked at Liang Xiao's twenty-eight characters and his tone became somewhat disappointed, "It seems the poet was not you."
Luo Qingxue taunted, "Teacher, you always thought too highly of him. If you had helped me earlier, we wouldn't be going through all this trouble now."
Zhuo Zifang's tone suddenly turned serious, "However, Qingxue, look at his handwriting again."
Everyone looked at Liang Xiao's writing again, and their eyes lit up.
Flowing like clouds and water, with force that penetrated the paper!
Before anyone could exclaim, Liang Qing rushed forward, grabbed Liang Xiao by the collar, and roared furiously, "Stinky brat, you always write with your right hand! Write it again with your right hand!"
Everyone present, except for a few from the Liang family, was struck by lightning.
Such excellent calligraphy, and he didn't even use his dominant right hand?