The crowd fell silent.
Even the Grand Guardian of the Great Liang Dynasty had extended an invitation to Liang Xiao?
Xiao Qing's face broke into a broad smile. "I permit it! But it depends on Lord Liang's willingness, we cannot force him."
All eyes turned to Liang Xiao again.
Liang Xiao nodded, "I have urgent matters these past two days, making it inconvenient. May I ask how long Marquis Zhen Guo plans to stay?"
Qin Feng replied, "No matter. I can wait. When Lord An Guo is free, you may send word to me, and I will make preparations."
Liang Xiao solemnly agreed. Qin Feng smiled and withdrew with the envoys from various nations.
At this moment, Xiao Qing's heart was filled with unease.
Why was he seeking out my Lord? Could his intentions be sinister?
What if he poisoned the wine? Or hid assassins to chop up my Lord? This is infuriating!
...
No one knew Xiao Qing's inner turmoil, but he had already decided to handle this matter meticulously and assign guards to monitor it!
Undoubtedly, Liang Xiao had become the most dazzling presence at this court assembly. No one dared to voice any further doubts, lest they incur Xiao Qing's wrath and cause themselves unnecessary trouble.
After the court assembly concluded, Liang Xiao was led by Xiao Qing to a side hall.
Xiao Qing could no longer control his emotions, weeping with joy.
Liang Xiao looked around and saw only Ding Wu Yi and Ning Xue Jun present. He smiled and patted Xiao Qing's shoulder.
"Oh dear, why is Little Shuang Zi crying again?"
Xiao Qing then wiped his tears and murmured to himself, "Because, your Little Shuang Zi is not strong at all..."
Liang Xiao paused, then sighed, "Indeed. Your physical and mental development has been slow. You haven't even grown a Adam's apple yet. It's no wonder you say you can't yet father children."
Hearing this, the three servants almost wanted to hold Liang Xiao down and give him a hundred lashes on his backside.
However, Xiao Qing's mood had also improved considerably. He hummed, "When it comes to comforting people, Elder Brother truly has a knack... Speaking of which, as a precaution, Duke Ding will accompany you with the Imperial Guards when you meet Marquis Zhen Guo."
Liang Xiao merely smiled and nodded.
Ordinary shadow guards only protected the Son of Heaven; this was an ironclad rule established by the founding emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty.
Xiao Qing's thoughtfulness was evident in allowing Ding Wu Yi to protect him.
"Why is Elder Brother inconvenienced these past two days? Are you feeling unwell again?" Xiao Qing asked, looking at Liang Xiao with concern.
Liang Xiao shook his head and smiled, "Didn't you say you wanted me to accompany you to see the river scenery? One of these days should be warmer, right?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qing, who had just stopped crying, was overcome with tears once more.
This time, Liang Xiao did not tease. He simply patted Xiao Qing's shoulder, remaining silent.
His Little Shuang Zi was only sixteen after all, and the stress of state affairs had affected his physical development...
Xiao Qing wiped his tears again, not daring to look back at Liang Xiao, fearing that he might inadvertently reveal his true identity.
This scoundrel of an elder brother was always so detestable, lovable, and dependable. She feared that one day she might uncontrollably fall into his embrace and weep uncontrollably. Even if her identity wasn't exposed, would she be mistaken for having a homosexual relationship?
"Little Shuang Zi, Elder Brother needs to go home to change his dressing and then visit the Temple of General Tian to quell the unrest. On which of these nights would be suitable for viewing the river scenery? Send someone to find me. Remember to wear more layers and don't catch a chill."
Liang Xiao finished speaking and prepared to take his leave.
Xiao Qing tearfully agreed and quickly ordered Ding Wu Yi to escort Liang Xiao back to the Liang residence.
Marquis An Guo! Also Grand Master of Ceremonies! Five great merits!
The imperial palace immediately broadcast Liang Xiao's news to the outside world, stunning the surrounding soldiers and civilians!
Countless people were overjoyed and lost their composure on the spot. The few citizens who resented Liang Xiao's ingratitude towards General Tian also began to doubt themselves.
"General Tian even manifested publicly and scared away the Barbarian Prince Youxian. Is Liang Xiao truly ungrateful? If he were an ungrateful wretch, how could he receive General Tian's protection!"
Some women who admired Liang Xiao constantly defended him, while young men and women, in their fervent adoration of Liang Xiao, argued fiercely.
Luo Chang Feng returned to the Luo mansion and excitedly informed Luo Qing Xue of the matter.
Upon hearing of Liang Xiao's heroic deed, Luo Qing Xue burst into tears, yet she worried that Liang Xiao was exhausted from his efforts today and dared not disturb him at the Liang residence. She could only gaze wistfully at Liang Xiao's poem in her boudoir, silently praying for him.
She also recalled the words of Princess Ning Shuang to her years ago.
"Sister Qing Xue, to ensure the continuation of the royal lineage, in the future, I must select the most outstanding talents from the country to bear children, regardless of whether they have wives or concubines..."
She still remembered how Princess Ning Shuang had wept and spoken with helplessness and fear.
This was the sorrow of the Great Qian royal family. With very few descendants, it had always been difficult to propagate the line, yet they had to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the common people of the land...
Thinking of Liang Xiao's confident smile and heroic appearance, Luo Qing Xue felt her face flush.
A moment later, Luo Qing Xue was overcome with sorrow.
"General Tian, your spirit in heaven must be at peace. You manifested to protect the true pillar of the Great Qian Dynasty. Indeed, the heavens have not abandoned Great Qian. In martial arts, we have General Tian; in civil affairs, we have Liang Xiao..."
Tears blurred her vision as Luo Qing Xue murmured to herself, filled with gratitude.
She and Liang Xiao had finally repaid General Tian's life-saving grace!
In the most luxurious mansion of the Court of Diplomatic Relations, Qin Feng ascended the stairs slowly, leaning alone against the railing, gazing at the vast sky with a furrowed brow. Behind him stood a zither.
After a long sigh, Qin Feng turned and sat down, beginning to play a melody.
The zither's melody was melancholic. Qin Feng could only sigh three times as he played.
"Qin Lang's zither playing is off-key."
A soft, melodious female voice came from behind him.
Qin Feng chuckled wryly, "Zhirou, you should rest more. Don't catch a chill."
A peerlessly beautiful woman in a black brocade robe, with graceful steps, approached Qin Feng, gazing at him with affection.
The most beautiful woman in the Great Liang Dynasty, Princess Zhirou!
Zhirou shyly lowered her head and murmured, "Hearing Qin Lang's zither playing fills my heart with joy."
As she spoke, Zhirou sat down and nestled into Qin Feng's embrace.
"But this time, Qin Lang's zither playing is off-key. You must be encountering unprecedented troubles," Zhirou said with concern.
"Yes... I have encountered someone. Marquis An Guo of the Great Qian Dynasty, Liang Xiao," Qin Feng sighed.
Zhirou's heart leaped. "I have heard much about this person recently."
"Zhirou, he is even more astonishing than the Liang Xiao you know!" Qin Feng trembled.
Zhirou was shocked again.
She could feel her beloved's rapid heartbeat.
He was very nervous!
"Qin Lang, what does he look like?" Zhirou asked.
"He appears frail and sickly, yet possesses the bearing of a dragon and phoenix, the radiance of the sun and moon!" Qin Feng sighed.
"This is the first time Qin Lang has spoken so definitively about someone. He must indeed be an extraordinary individual. But in my heart, Qin Lang is unmatched," Zhirou said shyly.
Qin Feng smiled tenderly, pulled Zhirou closer, and sighed, "I have invited this person to meet on a chosen day, but I am still hesitant about how to face him. I have a premonition that in matters of state and military affairs, he will be my lifelong adversary, and may even bring disaster to the Great Liang Dynasty!"