"Tired? Don't want to learn?"
Luo Qingxue was stunned at first, and anger gradually surfaced on her delicate face.
"He lacks the spirit of General Tian, is unwilling to study, and indulges in pleasure all day! Teacher, you are still helping this kind of person and preventing the student from breaking off the engagement?"
For a moment, Luo Qingxue felt immensely disappointed in her teacher, whom she had revered like a god.
Why, the teacher, known for his adaptability, was clearly deceived by Liang Xiao but still insisted on showing favoritism!
Just because he and Old Master Liang were comrades?
Zhuo Zifang sighed, "Qingxue, your teacher believes that this boy cannot be taught by conventional means, his insights are very profound."
Luo Qingxue almost suffocated. What kind of bewitching concoction had he given her teacher and her grandfather?
"No matter how much you show favoritism, he is ultimately rotten wood, mud that cannot be plastered on a wall, not even one ten-thousandth of General Tian!"
Zhuo Zifang watched Luo Qingxue leave in tears and fell into thought.
"How should I view Liang Xiao?"
He was a strategist for the court and a great scholar of the age, but Liang Xiao was a peculiar individual he had never encountered before.
Zhuo Zifang also began to doubt if he had overestimated Liang Xiao.
Luo Qingxue left the Imperial Academy in tears, ignoring even the students who greeted her.
"Miss Qingxue must have been angered away by Liang Xiao, right?"
Ouyang Sheng and others, strolling leisurely, smiled with satisfaction, feeling a sense of exhilaration.
This group of talented scholars were constantly waiting for Luo Qingxue and Liang Xiao to break off their engagement so they could boldly pursue her!
"What are you discussing?" a hoarse voice called from afar.
Ouyang Sheng looked back and was overjoyed. He stepped forward and bowed, "Father! You've finally returned!"
This person was none other than Ouyang Hong, one of the Imperial Academy's scholars.
After Ouyang Sheng and the others' embellished accounts, Ouyang Hong's face also darkened.
"Let alone Miss Qingxue, such an extraordinary woman, suffering injustice, but that Liang Xiao was actually sent to the Imperial Academy? Isn't this tarnishing the reputation of the Imperial Academy?"
Everyone's hearts surged with joy and they chimed in agreement.
Ouyang Hong was also a great scholar of the age. Even if he couldn't drive Liang Xiao away, it would be incredibly simple for him to ostracize Liang Xiao in the Imperial Academy with just a word.
After all, Zhuo Zifang no longer interfered with the affairs of the Imperial Academy.
Ouyang Hong pondered for a moment, then said sternly, "Qingxue is a rare woman in the world and deserves a suitable husband. Since she is not satisfied with a dissolute person like Liang Xiao, breaking off the engagement is only a matter of time."
Ouyang Sheng said eagerly, "Father! We are holding a poetry competition tomorrow night. Why not invite Liang Xiao and Miss Qingxue to participate, and let everyone judge. At that time, Qingxue will surely give up. But she doesn't want to participate..."
Ouyang Hong understood and smiled, "Your father will personally extend an invitation to Duke Luo. You just hold the event. For my sake, Duke Luo and Qingxue should not refuse!"
Everyone thanked him profusely, their eyes burning with anticipation.
Even the Five Classics Doctor himself was getting involved; they finally had their chance!
An hour later, at the Luo Mansion.
After seeing Ouyang Hong off, Luo Changfeng and Luo Qingxue exchanged glances.
Luo Changfeng sighed, "Qingxue, what do you think?"
"If I have to go, then I'll go. It's a good opportunity to get to know these talented scholars and beauties, just to relieve some boredom."
Luo Changfeng was worried but could only let her have her way.
His biggest concern now was that Luo Qingxue would develop feelings for someone else before breaking off the engagement.
Every time Luo Qingxue mentioned General Tian, she became uncontrollably emotional. As an experienced elder, how could he not see it?
But General Tian had passed away. These talented scholars were living, breathing individuals, right before her eyes!
In the room, Liang Xiao casually picked up a notebook and began to read.
"Young Master, are you confident about the selection of state officials?" Yue Lian asked softly.
"It doesn't matter," Liang Xiao said nonchalantly.
Yue Lian reminded him, "If Young Master can stand out, then Miss Luo will have no reason to break off the engagement. If her future husband is talented, she shouldn't want to seek death anymore, right?"
Liang Xiao then put down his book and smiled, "Do you want me to get married and establish a career so badly?"
Yue Lian lowered her head, "This is also the last wish of the master and madam..."
Liang Xiao laughed heartily, pinched Yue Lian's nose, and teased, "Busybody!"
"I'm not a busybody!" Yue Lian blushed and pouted charmingly.
But then, Yue Lian felt uneasy again.
After Liang Xiao got married, would the young madam still tolerate her?
Liang Xiao looked at Yue Lian, then smiled gently, "Don't worry, whether this engagement is broken off or not, I, Liang, can still establish myself. I'll tell you why after I recover from my injuries."
Yue Lian obediently agreed, feeling a strange pang of sorrow.
Suddenly, Yue Lian's gaze fell on the notebook on the table.
"Young Master, are you reading about..."
Liang Xiao sighed, "It's the Battle of Helan Mountain!"
This world also had Helan Mountain, but it was in the northwest of the Great Qian Kingdom, now occupied by barbarians.
Ten years ago, it was still territory of the Great Qian Kingdom.
The barbarians invaded, and the two sides clashed in the Battle of Helan Mountain. Liang Xiao's father, uncle, and Luo Qingxue's father all died gloriously there.
Even so, the Great Qian Kingdom could not hold Helan Mountain and was pushed back to Yanzhou this year!
This was a national grievance and a personal vendetta!
No matter what, he was now this Liang Xiao, and this national grievance and personal vendetta could not be forgotten.
Liang Xiao gazed at the snow pines outside the window and sighed, "The reason I agreed to Luo Qingxue's request to break off the engagement, yet didn't negate Grandpa Luo's insistence, is because I understand Grandpa Luo's thoughts. If she and I cannot marry, we cannot appease the spirits of both our parents in heaven. But since she looks down on me, I cannot force her."
Upon hearing this, Yue Lian felt ashamed and heartbroken.
She had always complained that Liang Xiao wasn't seizing the opportunity with Miss Luo, but now she understood Liang Xiao's inner grievances!
"No matter what choice Young Master makes, or what the outcome, I will always follow Young Master's side," Yue Lian comforted him.
Liang Xiao smiled with relief, then sat down and, with a sweeping stroke of his brush...
Zhuo Zifang was deep in thought in his study. By afternoon, he finally had an idea on how to teach Liang Xiao. He hurried to Liang Xiao's room.
As soon as he entered, Zhuo Zifang saw Liang Xiao fast asleep on the table, and Yue Lian also dozing against a cabinet.
Seeing this, a wave of disappointment washed over Zhuo Zifang.
He had only asked Liang Xiao to self-study, and Liang Xiao had fallen asleep in the study. Was even this maid slacking off?
This was the Imperial Academy, his exclusive study!
"Were all his grand speeches just to trick me into leaving so he could slack off?"
Disappointed, Zhuo Zifang tiptoed closer, intending to wake Liang Xiao, when his gaze fell upon Liang Xiao's desk.
On the desk lay a piece of paper with a line of meticulously written characters.
【Since ancient times, who has not died? Let a loyal heart shine in history.】
In that instant, Zhuo Zifang's inner turmoil vanished!
It was replaced by shock!
"What a line, 'Since ancient times, who has not died? Let a loyal heart shine in history'!"
Zhuo Zifang's heart roared, but outwardly, he remained silent.
Zhuo Zifang, who had intended to wake Liang Xiao, now worried about disturbing him.
Zhuo Zifang carefully picked up the paper and examined it, tears welling up in his azure robe.