"What a rare sight!"
Jian Qinwan shot an displeased glance at her senior sisters before unfolding the letter.
As she read, Jian Qinwan's pretty face grew redder and redder, her breathing becoming more and more constrained, until she was nearly suffocated.
Her mother, Mu Xueqin, had written that if she and Liang Xiao couldn't have a child within five years, she wouldn't acknowledge her as her daughter!
"Mother..." Jian Qinwan was on the verge of tears, feeling wronged.
She realized she seemed to have been sold off by her mother!
This was her mother, who had doted on her since childhood, holding her like a treasure for fear she'd fall, cherishing her like she'd melt!
It felt as though Liang Xiao was her mother's long-lost son, and she was merely a child bride.
The more Jian Qinwan read, the more ashamed she felt, her entire being petrifying in place.
"Bodhisattva, what are you looking at?"
A gentle voice came from behind Jian Qinwan.
Without thinking, Jian Qinwan replied, "A letter from my mother."
"Is it good-looking?"
"It's alright, just a bit excessive..."
Jian Qinwan responded absentmindedly, then suddenly snapped back to reality and turned around, only to find Liang Xiao standing behind her.
Jian Qinwan's shriek echoed in the courtyard: "When, when did you get here!"
Liang Xiao smiled, "Just now. How good-looking is it? Let me see? Is there anything you need my help with? I'll do my utmost, after all, your mother has shown me immense kindness."
Need help? Do my utmost?
Jian Qinwan's face turned even redder!
"Get lost!" The young girl drew her sword on the spot and chased Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao, utterly bewildered, ran back to his room and locked the door. From inside, Liang Xiao's voice could be heard asking, "Rakshasi, are you perhaps on your period? You're so irritable. Eat well, drink plenty of water, rest, and try not to get agitated."
Jian Qinwan dared not reply and quickly fled back to her own room.
Liang Xiao remained in his room, bewildered, for an hour. When he confirmed there was no movement outside, he cautiously opened the door, only to be startled by Jian Qinwan staring at him from by the doorway.
"You can't possibly hold that much of a grudge, can you?" Liang Xiao said helplessly.
"Whoosh!"
Jian Qinwan drew the precious sword from her waist and stared at Liang Xiao, her voice trembling, "Did you, did you peek!"
Liang Xiao shook his head, "I only saw the beginning!"
"The beginning?" Jian Qinwan breathed a sigh of relief, then asked, "How many sentences did you read?"
"Just the first twenty or thirty sentences."
Jian Qinwan's pupils contracted, her ears and mind going completely blank.
Liang Xiao sighed, "I won't force you, and I won't allow anyone to force you, including your mother."
Jian Qinwan felt her entire body go numb.
So he had read half of it?!
Liang Xiao said softly, "Bodhisattva, over the next few days, tidy up with Mi'er."
Jian Qinwan felt as though she'd been struck by lightning, her eyes misting over as she trembled, "Are, are you driving me away? I..."
Liang Xiao exclaimed in surprise, "How could that be! We're going to Yan Prefecture, and we'll be staying for a while."
Jian Qinwan was greatly relieved, "So that's how it is..."
Yesterday, Liang Xiao had mentioned going to Yan Prefecture to recruit soldiers. Coincidentally, Princess Ning Shuang was scheduled for smallpox vaccination during this period, which would make her inconvenient to see Liang Xiao for about seven to fourteen days.
Furthermore, Liang Xiao needed to go to the south of Yan Prefecture to rendezvous with Ding Wuyi, who was treasure hunting, and get an update on the progress.
For a moment just now, she had wanted to compromise with Liang Xiao!
Liang Xiao saw Jian Qinwan's reaction and realized with a dawning understanding, "How could I possibly drive you away? Since you've come, don't ever think about leaving..."
Jian Qinwan sniffed, "Are you afraid that if you drive me away, my senior brothers will kill you?"
Liang Xiao chuckled and retorted, "Do I look like someone who fears death?"
"Then why?" Jian Qinwan said disgruntledly.
Liang Xiao fell silent.
"Speak quickly!" Jian Qinwan grew anxious.
Liang Xiao smiled wryly, "The moment I speak, you'll cover your ears."
Jian Qinwan's pretty face flushed, and she turned away, "Hmph! You know then! I've changed my mind. If you dare to drive me away, then we'll have to perish together!"
"Alright..."
Upon hearing Liang Xiao's reply, Jian Qinwan finally relaxed. Her gaze turned resentful, and she couldn't help but turn around and ask, "I still have a question buried in my heart."
Liang Xiao raised his hands, "I confess, I'll confess everything."
Jian Qinwan pursed her lips, bit her lower lip, and after a moment of hesitation, huffed, "Speak with a clear conscience! I'm clearly so young, why, why did you call me 'Auntie' back then!"
Liang Xiao's expression changed, and he stared warily at Jian Qinwan, retreating towards his room door.
Under Jian Qinwan's bewildered gaze, Liang Xiao regained his composure and replied, "Because your temperament and figure were simply too mature."
"You!!"
Before Jian Qinwan could make a move, Liang Xiao's door slammed shut with a "bang," leaving Jian Qinwan flustered in the wind.
At night, Liang Xiao went to the stables deep within the Liang Residence and found Hong Xiu and Bai Ye Feiying.
"Master, will Feiying be able to get used to this place?" Liang Xiao asked with concern.
The stable's area was far less spacious than the back mountain of Bodhi Temple, limiting Bai Ye Feiying's range of activity. Recently, Liang Xiao had been to the East Sea and hadn't had the chance to visit the magnificent horse often.
Hong Xiu nodded, "Feiying is more spirited than ordinary fine horses. With this humble monk and Marquis Anguo here, it will not lose control. This place may not be large, but it is sufficient for Feiying's training."
Liang Xiao was finally at ease, "We're preparing to go to Yan Prefecture and will need to be ready for any sudden situations at the border at any time. It will trouble you to act alone and follow once again, Master."
Hong Xiu clasped his hands together and bowed deeply to Liang Xiao, "This humble monk remembers the mandate of heaven and is at Marquis Anguo's beck and call. I only hope to see the peaceful era brought by Marquis Anguo before I die."
A day later, a contingent of five hundred Imperial Guards, accompanying Liang Xiao's retinue, headed for Yan Prefecture.
Luo Qingxue, Yue Lian, Jian Qinwan, Zhen Mi, and the luggage of the Tian Shan heroes were all packed, preparing to stay in Yan Prefecture for a while.
Before their departure, Christina came to see them off. Seeing that Liang Xiao bore no resentment towards her, she naturally felt even more admiration and gratitude towards him, "I look forward to Marquis Anguo creating another miracle. Perhaps General Tian will also appear to help."
These Imperial Guards had accompanied Liang Xiao to the East Sea and received substantial rewards, causing them to laugh in their dreams every night. This time, even though they knew there would be no military achievements in Yan Prefecture, they still volunteered to escort Liang Xiao.
The troops arrived at a desolate area south of Yan Prefecture a day later, finally discovering the camp of the Shadow Guard and the main body of the Imperial Guards.
Ding Wuyi rushed over upon hearing the news and met with Liang Xiao, inviting him into the tent for a private discussion.
"There are too many people and it's too chaotic in this area. The Shadow Guards and Imperial Guards are working together with the cooperation of the surrounding county magistrates, and we've only just managed to evacuate them. I estimate it will take at least ten to fifteen days to complete a thorough clearing of the area, as we dare not kill innocent people."
Liang Xiao nodded, "This matter is certainly difficult to handle. Just be careful and avoid attracting the attention of other powerful families."
The two conversed, never mentioning words like "ancient Xiongnu royal treasure," so that even if someone were present, they would find the conversation utterly baffling.
A moment later, their discussion concluded. Shortly after they emerged from the military tent, a Shadow Guard arrived with an urgent report: "Commander! A group of savages has stolen and eaten several hundred of our military horses and beef cattle that we were keeping at the Nanshan Grassland!"
"Where did these savages come from?" Ding Wuyi's face darkened.
"We don't know, but this group of savages is extremely difficult to deal with. The Imperial Guards are currently surrounding them. Their leader is particularly ferocious; he's dragging two adult bulls by their tails and pulling them back!"
Liang Xiao and Ding Wuyi were secretly astonished.
The savages that the elite Shadow Guard force found difficult to handle?