Qin Feng nodded, returned to his seat, and looked at Liang Xiao with a solemn expression.
"You are right. I also hope this meeting between us is one of gentlemen. From this moment on, we need not concern ourselves with formalities."
Liang Xiao readily agreed, and the two no longer felt constrained, addressing each other by name.
Liang Xiao generously introduced Luo Qingxue.
"Greetings, Marquis Zhenguo. I have long heard of your esteemed name!"
Luo Qingxue was still somewhat nervous, fearing she might not perform well and embarrass Liang Xiao.
She was a favored disciple of Zhuo Zifang, and Qin Feng was a figure who, at such a young age, was already comparable to Zhuo Zifang!
Qin Feng smiled and said, "Miss Luo, there is no need to be reserved. You must understand that your esteemed husband, Liang Xiao, is an unparalleled figure in the world."
Luo Qingxue glanced at Liang Xiao, her heart pounding like a startled deer. She nodded, but felt considerably more confident.
Qin Feng also sent for his wife, Zhi Rou, to introduce her to Luo Qingxue.
Upon seeing the legendary most beautiful woman of Da Liang, Luo Qingxue's eyes lit up.
Zhi Rou also exclaimed in admiration, "You two truly are a match made in heaven, a rare sight in the world!"
Luo Qingxue blushed even more, and with Liang Xiao holding her hand tightly, she finally felt at ease.
Liang Xiao and Qin Feng exchanged smiles, each inwardly impressed.
Luo Qingxue and Zhi Rou were undoubtedly well-matched in beauty, but what truly captured the attention of the two men was each other.
In Qin Feng's view, Liang Xiao possessed such extraordinary talent at nineteen that even he felt inferior.
In Liang Xiao's eyes, had he not appeared, Qin Feng might indeed have assisted the Emperor of Da Liang and unified the world within his lifetime!
Since they served different masters, even if both were clear-minded and upright, from this day forward, the other was destined to be an lifelong adversary!
At this moment, Ding Wu Yi was also overjoyed, feeling happy for his lord.
The younger generation of Da Qian had finally produced a prodigious talent, no less than Qin Feng!
Zhi Rou's soft laughter broke the silence, "Sister Qingxue, several talented ladies from our Da Liang country have come to Da Qian with me to study. They greatly admire Second Young Master Liang and wish to play a piece for him. I wonder if you would mind?"
Luo Qingxue quickly replied, "Of course, I do not mind!"
The six talented ladies, dressed in various styles and all possessing exceptional beauty, carried zithers and pipa. They moved to the side, bowed to Liang Xiao and Qin Feng, and could not help but steal more glances at Liang Xiao.
"If my guess is not mistaken, these six should be the renowned 'Six Beauties of Hengjiang' from Da Liang?"
"Precisely!" Zhi Rou smiled and explained.
"All six are talented women of our country. Recently, after reading Second Young Master Liang's 'Mulan Ci' and 'Man Jiang Hong,' along with the two poems he wrote for the National Affairs Selection, they have become deeply infatuated. Today, they learned that the untitled poem, which combined those two pieces, also came from Second Young Master Liang!"
The Six Beauties of Hengjiang shyly lowered their heads, not daring to meet Liang Xiao's gaze.
After Xiao Qing announced Liang Xiao's five great merits, that poem consequently spread widely.
Luo Qingxue's beautiful eyes flickered as she looked at Liang Xiao, then at the Six Beauties of Hengjiang.
She only felt proud and did not worry about the Six Beauties of Hengjiang stealing Liang Xiao away. As for Zhi Rou, she and Qin Feng were deeply in love, making it even more impossible.
At this moment, Liang Xiao and Qin Feng's moods had also somewhat eased.
They could not deny that the other had brought them a degree of pressure just now.
Even Ding Wu Yi was no longer serious, sipping his wine contentedly.
At Zhi Rou's suggestion, the Six Beauties of Hengjiang jointly performed a piece for Liang Xiao and Qin Feng.
Midway through the performance, Liang Xiao finally could not help but look at the zither player on the far left and said, "Your zither playing is a bit erratic."
The talented woman blushed and apologized softly.
"It's alright. I can tell your zither skills are exquisite; you are just a bit nervous today," Liang Xiao replied calmly.
Qin Feng's eyes lit up in surprise, "You understand zither artistry as well?"
"I only know how to listen, not play," Liang Xiao stated frankly.
Qin Feng nodded with delight.
Zhi Rou said softly, "Li Xin, relax. There's no need to feel pressured. Second Young Master Liang and Brother Qin will not blame you."
The talented woman responded with gratitude.
The other talented women looked enviously at Li Xin: Li Xin had actually attracted Second Young Master Liang's attention and had him remember her name…
The performance continued, but subsequently, others made mistakes, which Liang Xiao pointed out one by one.
It was not a matter of playing the wrong notes, but of playing too hastily.
The Six Beauties of Hengjiang dared not look at Liang Xiao, only lowering their heads to admit their mistakes.
Qin Feng and Zhi Rou understood their intent, exchanged glances, and shared a knowing smile.
Luo Qingxue and Yue Lian, witnessing this, were also secretly astonished.
"It seems they truly admire you and are intentionally making mistakes, hoping to attract your attention," Qin Feng said to Liang Xiao, revealing the truth with a single sentence.
Liang Xiao chuckled in amusement.
"I am reminded of a saying: 'A wrong note, and Xiao Lang glances back'," Zhi Rou said with a light laugh.
Hearing words similar to this anecdote again, Liang Xiao's heart was startled.
"Excellent!" Qin Feng exclaimed, clapping his hands.
Ding Wu Yi nodded slightly, looking at Zhi Rou with increased admiration in his eyes.
Luo Qingxue and Yue Lian gazed at Liang Xiao excitedly.
The official from the Court of State Ceremonial, responsible for recording the events, after a brief moment of awe, began to write furiously, documenting the matter.
The Six Beauties of Hengjiang did not dare to linger and left together.
Qin Feng left one of the guqin and sighed, "I imagine you were not entirely satisfied. Allow me to offer a humble performance."
The melodious notes of the zither refreshed Liang Xiao's senses.
After the piece, Liang Xiao exclaimed, "Majestic like high mountains, flowing like rivers, the artistic conception is grand, yet not lacking in beauty. Truly rare in the world!"
Qin Feng looked at Liang Xiao in astonishment, "You truly understand!"
Even his beloved Zhi Rou could not offer such an accurate assessment!
"Indeed, Second Young Master Liang is your true confidant," Zhi Rou praised.
Qin Feng sighed, "However, my zither skills are merely a humble offering, not comparable to your Da Qian's Zither Immortals, and certainly not to the Zither Saints. I have met Zither Saints and Zither Immortals, and after meeting you, I finally understand what it means to say there is always someone better."
Liang Xiao merely smiled, "You are too kind!"
He cared not who was the Zither Saint or the Zither Immortal, but inwardly, his wariness of Qin Feng grew.
To be able to discern such profound artistry from the zither playing, it meant this man's ambitions were unfathomable and not to be underestimated!
This was a feeling Zhuo Zifang had never given him.
The two finally concluded their pleasantries and moved directly to the main topic.
"Da Qian, with General Tian in the past and you, Liang Xiao, in the present, coupled with a wise Emperor, is indeed an empire that inherits heavenly fortune. The barbarians were so powerful, yet they retreated in defeat…"
Liang Xiao's expression was calm, "Our Da Qian is not one to seek war, but when we do, we are certain to win!"
"Well said!" Ding Wu Yi could not help but exclaim.
Qin Feng marveled for a moment, then said, "I would like to hear your thoughts on our Da Liang."
Liang Xiao smiled, "You would have to ask our Emperor."
Ding Wu Yi then spoke, "Second Young Master Liang, I am tasked with conveying His Majesty's imperial decree: Please speak your mind freely, without any reservations. In the exchange between nations, you now represent His Majesty!"
Liang Xiao was taken aback.
Qin Feng then let out a sigh of relief and tentatively asked, "If both nations are united in purpose and prosperous, what are Da Qian's plans for our country?"