Zuo Wushang's face was also full of resentment, his right hand gripping the railing so tightly that it almost splintered.
"The capital is under lockdown, what can we do? We can't even bring swords or hidden weapons conveniently!" Zuo Wushang said hatefully. "It might not be a bad thing if he leaves the capital. Without the Feathered Forest Army and the White Robed Soldiers, it might be easier to strike! Track him immediately!"
Hu Yan Jialuo reminded him, "If that Liang Xiao has such capabilities at such a young age, if you let him live, your Great Heng country will have no hope of restoration! Pick a secluded place to strike, including his women, leave no one alive!"
Zuo Wushang nodded silently, his expression becoming even more complex.
He did not regret abandoning the assassination of Luo Qingxue at that time, but now his actions might truly involve innocent bystanders and he could not avoid paying a price!
Inside the spacious carriage, Yue Lian sat to Liang Xiao's left, and Luo Qingxue nestled in his arms to his right.
Yue Lian couldn't help but take out the jade pendant, gazing at it intently, and asked softly, "Young Master said this jade is a peerless treasure. If I give it to the Medicine Sage, will it..."
Liang Xiao quickly interrupted Yue Lian, "You are not allowed to give it away! Keep it safe, this is your parents'遗物. That Medicine Sage doesn't treat kings and nobles, so he naturally doesn't care about fame or fortune."
Yue Lian murmured to herself, "I just don't understand why we were so poor back then, yet we had such a precious jade..."
"Perhaps your ancestors were wealthy and your family declined later. This is your heirloom. Don't bring it out again in the future, lest you lose it and it's hard to find," Liang Xiao smiled.
Yue Lian nodded obediently and said no more.
In the imperial palace, within the Imperial Garden, Zhuo Zifang finally came to bid farewell to Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing looked at Zhuo Zifang, reluctant to part, "Wouldn't it be good for Lord Zhuo to spend his twilight years here? Why must you return to Jiangnan..."
Zhuo Zifang had been instrumental in her meeting Liang Xiao.
Before Liang Xiao left, he had also left several secret strategies, which Xiao Qing praised highly and kept for future use.
Zhuo Zifang explained, "Your Majesty, the southeast has experienced famine, and Jiangnan is also prone to unrest. That is, after all, the old minister's hometown. The old minister wishes to go and understand the situation, to pacify the people. And also, to return to his roots..."
Xiao Qing sighed, "Lord Zhuo has served the country and its people his entire life, working tirelessly with great merit. How can I force you any further? If it weren't for Lord Zhuo, I might not have met my beloved Liang so smoothly..."
Thus, Xiao Qing immediately issued a decree bestowing rewards and granting Zhuo Zifang a thousand taels of gold.
After receiving the imperial edict, Zhuo Zifang couldn't help but shed tears of gratitude, "Your Majesty is wise. This minister also believes that with Liang Xiao, the future of the Great Qian is promising!"
Mentioning Liang Xiao, Xiao Qing's eyes lit up with joy, and she said with a smile, "He is respected by Lord Zhuo and the Marquis of Zhen Guo of Great Liang, and they cherish each other. Truly: Three Gentlemen of Two Nations!"
Three Gentlemen of Two Nations!
The surrounding eunuchs and palace maids all exclaimed, and Ning Xuejun also nodded slightly.
This time, Zhuo Zifang did not decline the compliment but instead kowtowed in gratitude.
After the reputation of "Three Gentlemen of Two Nations" spread, the people of the capital were deeply impressed!
Liang Xiao, who was once infamous because of Luo Qingxue, had, in less than two months since arriving in the capital, gained so many accolades?
Top scholar in state affairs, Twin Jewels of the world, Twin Jewels of the empire, praised by the Marquis of Zhen Guo of Great Liang as having "ten times my talent," and now the current emperor's "wise minister from a dream"!
And now he is mentioned alongside Zhuo Zifang and Qin Feng as "Three Gentlemen of Two Nations"?
The people of the capital respected Liang Xiao more and more, and even the entire Liang Manor benefited. When the people from the Liang Manor went out on errands, they walked with their heads held high, were highly respected, and felt a strong sense of confidence.
This made things difficult for Liang Qing. It was inconvenient for him to attend court sessions. The entrance of the Liang Manor was bustling with visitors every day. He was even considering moving house...
Meanwhile, the aristocratic families were in a frenzy. The Dugu and Ouyang families, two major aristocratic clans, held urgent meetings to discuss how to deal with Liang Xiao.
"Continue to spread rumors, suppress Liang Xiao, and incite the people's resentment towards him! Even if the people respect him, the scions of aristocratic families must never respect him!" Dugu Liang was almost spitting with rage, gritting his teeth.
Ouyang Sheng and Dugu Qun had expressions of venom.
It was all Liang Xiao who had ruined their reputations!
Ouyang Ji said coldly, "That's right, we need to publicize Liang Xiao's evil deeds to aristocratic families across the country and obstruct the屯田. If we can't obstruct it, then we'll ruin its reputation!"
Dugu Qun laughed heartily, "This屯田 policy will also affect the annexation of land by the major aristocratic families, won't it? Liang Xiao, that brat, seems to take himself very seriously. Relying on the emperor's favor, he thinks he can accomplish great things?"
The crowd chuckled and immediately reached a consensus, putting their plan into action.
In the imperial palace, on the high platform, Xiao Qing gazed northeast, her heart filled with longing. Ning Xuejun stood behind her, removing her mask, her face filled with concern.
"Mother, I can go for a few days without seeing him, but when I think of him not being in the capital, I want to cry again..." Xiao Qing said with disappointment.
Zhuo Zifang had returned to Jiangnan, Liang Xiao had left again, and now only the three auxiliary ministers remained to guard her.
"Master, the departure of the second young master Liang is for a better return," Ning Xuejun comforted.
"For a better return..." Xiao Qing repeated, and finally, her face lit up with a smile that outshone all the flowers.
You must come back healthy, you scoundrel brother!
Xiao Qing prayed in her heart.
"Ah-choo! Is it Xiao Shuangzi cursing me, or that little princess cursing me?"
In the carriage, Liang Xiao sneezed and muttered to himself.
"Who told you to be so glib all the time," Luo Qingxue teased.
This guy, sometimes a casual remark could make people break down, either shed tears or want to give him a good beating!
Liang Xiao grinned and said, "This pair of siblings are both quite cute."
Luo Qingxue and Yue Lian smiled without speaking.
She had previously asked Liang Xiao his opinion of Princess Ning Shuang, and Liang Xiao had only mentioned that he might die young and would not be able to harm Princess Ning Shuang, exacerbating the current situation of a scarce royal population.
Therefore, Luo Qingxue did not bring up the matter again. Now, she only hoped that Liang Xiao could recover soon under the treatment of the Medicine Sage.
The convoy stopped in Baiyun County. Ding Wuyi presented his credentials and imperial decree, and the county magistrate quickly arranged accommodations.
Because there were many people, their progress was slow, only covering a few dozen miles in half a day.
Liang Xiao did not feel dissatisfied. On the contrary, he was also worried that the barbarians and those aristocratic families might harm his Yue Lian and Luo Qingxue, especially since he was still injured.
Outside Baiyun County, Zuo Wushang and his men followed the tracks of the carriage, not daring to get too close.
"General Hu Yan, I heard that Liang Xiao is in poor health and has not recovered. Looking at this route, he should be going to Mount Tianshan to find the Medicine Sage..." Zuo Wushang analyzed.
Hu Yan Jialuo's expression changed, and he urged, "Mount Tianshan has three thousand swordsmen, making it even harder to strike! Leave half the men to continue tracking, and the other half to gallop to the foot of Mount Tianshan and prepare. Once an opportunity to strike is found, act immediately!"
In the Liang Manor, Liang Yun, who had welcomed the White Robed Soldiers back, also received news from the steward Liang Wen.
"Third Young Master, the grain prices have fallen!"
Liang Yun was overjoyed, rubbed his hands, and said, "Perfect, the workers have been pestering me every day to start work. Oh my, my ears are almost worn out from their nagging. Pick the best materials and start work tomorrow!"
Three days later, Liang Xiao's entourage finally arrived at the foot of Mount Tianshan.
"He, he is Liang Xiao?"