Zhuo Wentao turned back and glared at the scholars, "All of you, be quiet!"
The scholars trembled and dared not make a sound.
At this moment, Zhuo Wentao was also full of shame, wringing his hands and sighing.
How could he have expelled such a genius from the academy back then? Liang Xiao's reputation for being a profligate son was also spread from Yan Prefecture to the capital…
Now, the Yan Prefecture Academy had become a national laughingstock. Zhuo Wentao even considered resigning; he couldn't be the dean anymore!
He even felt too ashamed to return to Jiangnan to see his father, Zhuo Zifang!
"The Qin Xian is actually a confidante of the Marquis of An Guo, this is incredible!"
"Since ancient times, beautiful women have loved young men, and moreover, the Marquis of An Guo is the pride of our Yan Prefecture!"
The cheers of the crowd made Jian Qinwan even more uneasy. On the surface, she tried to maintain her usual composure.
She was also "desperate" now. After all, she didn't dare to explain, and she was also a little reluctant to explain.
Being misunderstood by the public, Yue Lian hid behind Liang Xiao, afraid to be seen.
At this time, Liang Xiao did not notice the people from the Yan Prefecture Academy but had a conversation with the Prefect Liu Anmin.
Liu Anmin immediately sent people to disperse the crowd, then cupped his hands towards Liang Xiao and said, "Your humble servant awaits the Marquis of An Guo's arrival at the Prefect's mansion at any time!"
As a disciple of Zhuo Zifang, Liu Anmin now respected Liang Xiao from the bottom of his heart, even though he was younger.
Liu Anmin left, and the guards of Yan Prefecture escorted Liang Xiao's convoy back to the Liang Mansion.
Jian Qinwan followed behind Liang Xiao, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
She hadn't brought any substantial benefit to Liang Xiao yet, but instead made him more conspicuous…
Should I really return to Mount Tian and not bother him?
The more Jian Qinwan thought about it, the sadder she became. Suddenly, she heard Liang Xiao's call: "Bodhisattva, I'm truly sorry to have caused you trouble again."
Upon hearing this, Jian Qinwan's nose stung.
He actually apologized to me instead??
Jian Qinwan felt a surge of happiness, but still snorted coldly, "It's no trouble at all. This young lady has long been indifferent to fame and fortune, and I don't care about the clamor of the mortal world! It's you, on the other hand, won't you find it more troublesome…"
Liang Xiao's expression was calm, "Why would I find it troublesome? You think too highly of me! Look at how they envy me to the point their eyeballs are about to bleed, yet they dare not come and attack me. I quite enjoy this feeling!"
After saying this, Liang Xiao burst into laughter, and everyone who followed was stunned.
Jian Qinwan couldn't help but give Liang Xiao a glare: This man really has a mental problem, I really want to kick him.
However, Liang Xiao's words finally relieved her guilt.
But she still remembered Liang Xiao's instructions to Liang Wen before he set off: "If you can keep a low profile, do so. Otherwise, Ouyang Ji, the Minister of Revenue, will surely try to obstruct me."
This guy clearly saw through her guilt and was comforting her in another way!
Jian Qinwan quickly understood and looked at Liang Xiao's retreating back with a hint of resentment.
Just then, Chen Shaoling, who had been calm all along, spoke up, "Marquis of An Guo, that's perfect. Our junior sister and you are quite well-matched. Why don't the Marquis of An Guo just marry her and let them envy you, saving you from all sorts of rumors in the future!"
Liang Xiao looked back at Chen Shaoling in surprise.
Jian Qinwan's face turned even redder with anxiety, "Senior Brother, please don't speak!"
Chen Shaoling laughed heartily, "Aren't we just worried about your reputation being damaged? If you marry the Marquis of An Guo, this problem won't exist, and it will be a match made in heaven!"
The Tian Shan swordsmen behind Chen Shaoling also chimed in with their agreement. Seeing Jian Qinwan draw her sword, they quickly shut up and looked up at the sky, pretending nothing had happened.
Liang Xiao saw this and said with a serious expression, "She was forced by her mother to be my bodyguard, and she's already been wronged. Please, everyone, don't tease her about this anymore."
Everyone agreed.
Jian Qinwan's mood became even more complex, but upon thinking of Luo Qingxue, she felt at ease.
No matter how much she competed with Luo Qingxue, she wouldn't go and snatch the groom…
However, it was the Prefect of Yan Prefecture who had so grandly welcomed Liang Xiao in the first place, so she couldn't blame her for revealing her identity.
The Liang family had moved, but only to the Liang Mansion in the capital. The Liang Mansion in Yan Prefecture was still being managed by someone.
The convoy returned to the Liang Mansion. Liang Xiao asked Liang Wen to arrange accommodations for the Tian Shan swordsmen and Hua Xiong, and then took Jian Qinwan and Diao'er to his courtyard to arrange their living quarters.
In the afternoon, Liang Wen came to Liang Xiao's courtyard to discuss the purchase of land with Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao instructed, "You can first inquire with the government about which lands are for sale, and then I'll go and have a good talk with the Prefect to purchase land in the northern region."
Yan Prefecture originally had a lot of barren land, and it had been ravaged by war. The northern region was even more desolate, with only one in ten households inhabited. The price of land was pitifully low.
Furthermore, with the possibility of the northern border of Yan Prefecture falling, even landlords and gentry might not be interested in the land there. The truly fertile land in Yan Prefecture had already been seized by the aristocratic families after repelling the barbarians.
But for now, Liang Xiao still had to go and see his fief.
His fief was north of Anxi County, north of Yan Prefecture City, and that place was not a treasure land.
Xiao Qing had originally wanted to give Liang Xiao the best fief in Yan Prefecture, but the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Personnel had obstructed it time and again, finally forcing Xiao Qing to accept their suggestions.
The next day, after breakfast, Liang Xiao met Jian Qinwan and Yue Lian in the courtyard. He noticed that both women were wearing veils.
Jian Qinwan wore a purple dress with a purple veil, and Yue Lian wore a white dress with a white veil.
"What is this?" Liang Xiao couldn't help but feel amused.
They were indeed beautiful, and wearing veils made it difficult for others to see their full faces.
Yue Lian explained timidly, "Young Master, Miss Qin Wan was afraid of causing you unnecessary trouble. After thinking about it, I thought it was a good idea, so I followed suit and wore one as well…"
Liang Xiao said sternly, "In broad daylight, under the clear sky, do they dare to snatch women?"
However, Yue Lian and Jian Qinwan insisted, so Liang Xiao could only let them have their way.
The convoy set off again, traveling all the way to Anxi County.
Liang Xiao's fief was three thousand households north of Anxi County, and Anxi County was a notoriously poor county.
Yang Xi, the magistrate of Anxi County, was handling official duties when he learned of Liang Xiao's arrival and warmly came out to greet him, leading Liang Xiao to his northern territory.
On the way, Liang Xiao observed Yang Xi. He noticed that Yang Xi wore simple clothing with an official robe, and there was a hole in the sleeve. His attendants were also similarly dressed.
This person was likely not a corrupt official, otherwise, no matter how poor Anxi County was, he would have found a way to become fat and prosperous.
We must not mistreat honest people!
Xiao Shuang had told him earlier that "His Imperial Brother" and Wang Canghai had not opposed this fief because they had understood Anxi County. Although it was poor, the magistrate was an honest official, which would make Liang Xiao's fief much easier.
When the group arrived at the fief, representatives from the three thousand households had gathered in the vast wilderness ahead.
They were proud to hear that they were the fief of Marquis An Guo, Liang Xiao, but they were also uneasy.
What if Liang Xiao, who was taking over their land, was a greedy marquis…
Liang Xiao arrived at the scene and immediately saw over three thousand people, all emaciated and sallow-skinned.
Jian Qinwan and Yue Lian's eyes showed a bit of helplessness.
These villagers, let alone paying taxes to Liang Xiao, would have trouble feeding themselves, let alone their families!
At this time, Magistrate Yang Xi was also full of anxiety, fearing that Liang Xiao would lose his temper on the spot if he was unhappy.
"Greetings, Lord Marquis!"
The more than three thousand people, led by a white-haired elder, knelt before Liang Xiao.
"Get up, no kneeling!" Liang Xiao immediately shouted to stop them.
Yang Xi thought that Liang Xiao was suppressing his anger and his heart sank!