Liang Xiao glanced over curiously.
【Twenty zhang east of your mansion, assassins are lurking.】
Reading these powerful, well-formed characters, Liang Xiao's brow furrowed. "Who sent this?" he asked.
"The guards confirmed the identity. It's from the envoy of the Great Liang Kingdom, sent by Marquis Zhenguo."
Liang Xiao mused.
This gilded paper was exceptionally luxurious, not something an ordinary person could possess.
Liang Xiao began to ponder the messenger's intentions.
Was this a staged event? It seemed unnecessary; it could even cost a subordinate's life. Marquis Zhenguo could have simply announced his visit.
However, Liang Xiao didn't stand idle. He sent guards to investigate and dispatched someone to warn the Luo Mansion, urging increased protection for Luo Qingxue.
To the east of the Liang Mansion, Zuo Wushang sat leisurely, intermittently observing the movements of the Liang Mansion.
He soon realized he was being watched.
Three people around him kept glancing in his direction.
"Exposed? How is that possible!" Zuo Wushang's heart pounded in alarm.
He was disguised, unremarkable, and wasn't staring intently at the Liang Mansion. How could he have been spotted by someone from the Liang Mansion?
Beneath his surprise, Zuo Wushang dared not be careless. He nonchalantly stood up, calmly ate a bowl of noodles at a street stall, and then slowly departed.
In a guest house room, the young attendant, his face etched with worry, looked at Qin Feng.
"Marquis, why did we have to send someone to warn Liang Xiao? Wouldn't it be a good thing for a talent to be lost to the Great Gan Kingdom?"
Qin Feng wore a smile of unknown origin.
"Firstly, this assassin is so cautious, they would never act rashly. Their target should be Liang Xiao, but even if they acted now, success is unlikely. If they are determined to take action against the Liang Mansion, they will undoubtedly formulate a more meticulous plan upon their return. Once the White Robed Army leaves the capital and the Imperial Guards' security is relaxed, they could strike with a single blow."
"Secondly, it's better to go with the flow and leave an impression on Liang Xiao, making future encounters easier."
"Thirdly, the Great Gan Kingdom has expelled the barbarians, and the nation is now filled with excitement and unprecedented morale. Our kingdom should, at this juncture, focus on fostering good relations between the two countries and avoid showing hostility, as both nations are, after all, of the same lineage."
The young attendant's face flushed with shame. He sighed, "The Marquis's considerations are thorough! Heaven has bestowed our kingdom with a Marquis, so why worry about grand endeavors failing! Great Gan has the Heavenly General, and our kingdom has the Marquis; they can be considered equals. However, their Heavenly General is dead, while our Marquis is in his prime!"
Qin Feng smiled wordlessly, but a deep resentment churned within him.
Why wasn't the Heavenly General from his own kingdom? To sacrifice himself for the Great Gan Kingdom like this, the Great Gan Kingdom was truly wasting a treasure!
He was confident that if he, with such loyalty and courage, were to join forces with the Heavenly General, one civil and one military, forming a dual pillar of the empire, they could, in the future, not only unify Great Gan but even conquer the barbarians!
In a secret chamber, the Left Wise King stared at Zuo Wushang with disdain.
"Zuo Wushang, you return empty-handed? Now I understand why the remnants of your Great Heng Kingdom couldn't even protect your own princess."
Zuo Wushang stated sternly, "The selection for national affairs is about to begin, and the capital's defenses are extremely tight. Imperial Guards patrol everywhere, and the White Robed Army has increased its personnel. Even so, it's impossible for me to be spotted by people from the Liang Mansion. The only explanation is that some other capable individual has taken notice of me and sent someone to inform Liang Xiao!"
"A useless person is a useless person, always finding excuses!" the Left Wise King's contempt grew.
"This mission was rushed. I will plan an action that is impossible to guard against to ensure Liang Xiao's death. However, I suggest the barbarians retract their spies recently to avoid exposing their whereabouts. Perhaps the Heavenly General has been manifesting lately, warning Liang Xiao."
Zuo Wushang, at the end of his statement, cast a glance at the Left Wise King. Seeing the latter's terrified expression as a result, he let out a cold sneer and turned to leave, ignoring him further.
"The former Left Wise King of the barbarians, who once commanded the wind and clouds, has become a startled bird because of the Heavenly General. Unbelievable!"
Upon hearing this, the Left Wise King's hand, which held his wine cup, trembled violently.
"Hu Yan Jialuo, issue an order: temporarily retract our spies and do not act rashly..."
Two silver plaques were delivered to the Liang Mansion.
In the main hall, Liang Xiao and Zhang Yang sat opposite each other, looking at the silver plaques in their hands. Liang Qing, seated in the main seat, stroked his beard and chuckled heartily.
"His Majesty is wise. Not only Xiao'er but even Zhang Yang is greatly valued by the court!"
Every participant in the national affairs selection received a silver plaque engraved with their name.
Liang Xiao had plaque number one, and Zhang Yang had number one hundred.
Zhang Yang looked at the silver plaque, utterly bewildered.
"Liang Xiao, how did I qualify to participate? Did you sign my name to Qu Yuanli again?"
Liang Xiao pursed his lips. "Huh? Don't besmirch my reputation. It was clearly my grandfather who did it."
Liang Qing looked completely bewildered.
"What are you two talking about? How is it related to this old man? Regardless, Zhang Yang, even if you don't succeed in the national affairs selection, you will receive rewards. Even if you don't consider yourself, you should think of your wife. What woman doesn't wish for her husband to achieve fame and success?"
Zhang Yang thanked him profusely and went to prepare.
The location, rules, and details for the national affairs selection had already been announced.
It was to be held at the Tongxuan Hall north of the Imperial Palace, near the river. The public could wait outside, and the Imperial Palace would frequently announce the progress of each question to the outside world.
Participants did not need to bring writing materials. The emperor and high-ranking court officials would set the questions, and the examination would be conducted on-site!
By this time, Liang Xiao was also quite curious about the little emperor's plans.
This national affairs selection was entirely different from the imperial examinations.
Even Luo Qingxue dared not disturb him today, only hoping that Liang Xiao could adjust his state and achieve something in the national affairs selection.
Inside the Dugu Mansion.
Dugu Xiao's face was filled with shock. "What's going on? Even my father doesn't have the qualifications to set questions?"
Dugu Qun's expression was sinister. Dugu Liang, seated beside him, appeared much older and frailer than his once vigorous self; he still couldn't accept the humiliation of being stripped of his official position.
"Not only do my father and the Grand Tutor lack the qualification to set questions, but His Majesty hasn't even revealed who the people assisting in setting the questions are! Furthermore, His Majesty has not summoned the Grand Tutor to the capital!" Dugu Qun sighed.
Dugu Xiao smiled gently. "That doesn't matter. You are among the officials and can assist in the evaluation."
Dugu Qun nodded. "Some palace servants have been bribed, and they will find ways to help you then. Also, news has come from that side that they plan to retract their spies recently and cease all operations, waiting to observe the situation..."
Dugu Xiao, who had been initially pleased with himself, couldn't help but frown.
"It seems that to bring down Liang Xiao, I can only rely on my father and teacher working together. My teacher is the current Grand Tutor; as long as he steps forward, success is assured!"
Deep within the Imperial Palace, Xiao Qing gazed intently at the poems on the table.
She had given Liang Xiao's poems to the Medical Sage, so these were her own copies.
"Grandmother, I'm suddenly a little worried that he might act recklessly, or that his inspiration might dry up."
Ning Xuejun gently comforted her. "My Lady, please rest assured. Young Master Liang is a heaven-sent genius; he will surely stand out!"
Xiao Qing lowered her head dejectedly, unable to help but blame herself.
"Thinking about it, I was too impatient. I took his poems and national policies. Otherwise, the three national policies for rectifying governance alone would have been enough for him to shine. I thought about revealing a little to him, but I cannot betray my father's last words, nor can I let him be shamed. After all, he doesn't like..."
Ning Xuejun listened silently, hearing the tearfulness in Xiao Qing's voice.
Her Lady was clearly acting like a worried young wife whose beloved was struggling to achieve success.
"Grandmother, tomorrow is the national affairs selection. To avoid affecting him, I've thought of a brilliant idea!"