The atmosphere inside the carriage grew increasingly awkward and ambiguous.
Jian Qinwan never dared to lean too close to Liang Xiao, yet she was reluctant to leave the carriage.
Liang Xiao was preoccupied with thoughts of his journey to the East Sea.
Only Luo Qingxue's heart was complex, her gaze occasionally shifting between Liang Xiao and Jian Qinwan.
Every time she recalled her past intention to break off their engagement and make a fool of Liang Xiao, Luo Qingxue felt a pang of guilt.
"My husband is amazing, earning so much money without becoming extravagant or debauched!" Luo Qingxue blurted out suddenly, glancing at Jian Qinwan with a hint of intention.
Jian Qinwan merely lowered her head slightly, lost in thought.
Liang Xiao smiled, "Ultimately, this money was earned through poetry. I've thought about it; it must be used for good. After all, wealth should not be flaunted. I don't want to become the next Du Guqun."
Luo Qingxue smiled proudly and hugged Liang Xiao tighter.
Jian Qinwan looked down sadly, her heart becoming even more complicated: he was indeed using this money for good, to gradually resolve the so-called "land annexation."
This was also why her master was willing to generously fork out a million taels; buying 'One Drunk Hundred Years' from Liang Xiao was merely an excuse.
Liang Xiao simply held Luo Qingxue, feeling touched.
No matter how much this girl bickered with Jian Qinwan, she would never hurt Jian Qinwan's pride.
Outside the carriage, ten Tianshan knights led by Chen Shaoling rode their horses, leaning sideways, trying to eavesdrop on the conversation of the three people inside.
Only when the guards from the Liang Mansion cast curious glances did these Tianshan knights regain their usual composure.
Although following Liang Xiao and Jian Qinwan wasn't bad, Liang Xiao's slow progress in winning over Jian Qinwan was making them anxious!
One day after Liang Xiao's convoy departed, the area outside the Liang Mansion was crowded with people.
Two beautiful figures stood at the Liang Mansion's main entrance, their expressions respectful.
"The proprietress of Baichun Tower and the top courtesan, they've truly delivered themselves to our doorstep!"
The surrounding chatter did not cause Ye Qingyi and Yi Rou any shame.
Their purpose in coming here was singular: to join the Liang Mansion by order!
As for whether they truly wished to become Liang Xiao's women, they dared not think about it, let alone ask themselves...
After a moment, Liang Qing and Luo Changfeng emerged from within.
Liang Qing looked at the two peerless beauties and sighed, "Why must you two go through such trouble?"
Ye Qingyi and Yi Rou hoped to marry into the Liang Mansion and become Liang Xiao's concubines, even offering to hand over the Baichun Tower business to Liang Xiao!
He was chatting with Luo Changfeng when he received the news and rushed over in surprise.
These two were not as famous as Luo Qingxue, but they were also renowned beauties. They had actually taken a liking to his grandson?
"Yi Rou and I admire the virtue and talent of the Marquis of Anguo. We hope the Liang Mansion will not disdain our origins from the pleasure quarters. We are both still virgins..." Ye Qingyi's usually pretty face flushed as she reached the end.
This was the second time she had publicly declared her virginity, her implication being self-evident, and all of this for a nineteen-year-old youth!
Liang Qing smiled bitterly, "Please wait for Xiao'er to return before discussing this. This matter requires Xiao'er's consent; I dare not make decisions on my own..."
Liang Qing was now truly afraid of those aristocratic families. If Liang Xiao were to get involved with people from the pleasure quarters again, it would be truly indefensible!
Before Liang Qing could finish, Ye Qingyi and Yi Rou covered their faces and wept simultaneously.
The surrounding crowd's hearts ached, and they began to voice their condemnation.
"General Liang, you are the grandfather of the Marquis of Anguo. Isn't it a good thing for descendants to take concubines and propagate the family line?"
"Proprietress Ye and Miss Yi Rou are both beauties of the nation, and they haven't lost their chastity. Why are they not even qualified to be the Marquis of Anguo's concubine? Are you looking down on everyone's judgment!"
"General Luo! Could it be that your granddaughter, Miss Luo Qingxue, dislikes them and is jealous!"
"My Qingxue is not that jealous!" Luo Changfeng was also speechless at this moment.
Ultimately, gossip could erode mountains!
The focus of the people's attack shifted to Luo Qingxue, and Liang Qing was finally at a loss.
"Actually, Qingxue has always suggested that Liang Xiao take more concubines, so how could she object... I truly cannot bear to make this decision myself. If the two of you don't mind, why not stay at the Liang Mansion for now, and we'll discuss it with Xiao'er when he returns?"
Ye Qingyi and Yi Rou were overjoyed and nodded tearfully, "Thank you, Grandfather Liang..."
The surrounding crowd felt their hearts break again: they hadn't even married yet, and they were already calling him grandfather!
Had two peerless beauties been lost to the capital again?
Li Hongshu, Chen Shaoling's wife and Jian Qinwan's senior sister, received the news and became extremely vigilant, guarding Yue Lian and Zhen Mi with several other Tianshan heroines.
"Miss Mi'er, Miss Yue Lian, before the Marquis of Anguo returns, you must not interact with strangers under any circumstances, including those two women, and do not go out."
Yue Lian and Zhen Mi were confused but obediently nodded.
"My elder brother has only just left, and two more beauties have delivered themselves to the Liang Mansion??"
Xiao Qing in the imperial palace received the news, a hint of jealousy appearing on his face.
Ning Xuejun explained, "This old minister has heard that the second son of the Liang family previously refused them. With the second son of the Liang family's vigilance, he must have been worried that they were instructed by political enemies and intended to infiltrate the Liang Mansion?"
Xiao Qing's face then broke into a smile, "My elder brother is indeed so steady! Quickly send someone to inform Captain Liang and have her keep a close eye on those two until my elder brother returns!"
Upon entering the Liang Mansion, Ye Qingyi and Yi Rou were housed in the guest rooms. Liang Qing specifically arranged a group of guards and maids for them.
The two looked at each other in the room, tears welling up in Ye Qingyi's eyes: "Simply despicable!"
They had initially thought that the Liang Mansion was merely worried they were sent by Liang Xiao's political enemies to infiltrate the mansion. If that were the case, it would not be difficult to handle.
But now they realized they had no opportunity to interact with Yue Lian and Zhen Mi at all!
Every time they requested to see Yue Lian and Zhen Mi, they were turned away by the guards with various excuses.
For instance, the young ladies were practicing the zither and could not receive guests.
They were even prevented from moving freely within the Liang Mansion!
Ye Qingyi and Yi Rou dared not act rashly, only adhering to the rules and avoiding any mistakes, but they grew increasingly uneasy.
The vigilance of the Liang Mansion far exceeded their and Zuo Wushang's estimations!
If they left the Liang Mansion now, they feared they would never be able to enter again!
If they stayed, they would be like lambs, sheep entering a tiger's den...
One day passed, and the two peerless beauties remained in their room, not daring to even whisper, communicating only through writing.
In a secret chamber of Baichun Tower, Zuo Wushang's confidant rushed in to report, "Marshal, the two young ladies have not left the Liang Mansion for a day..."
Zuo Wushang was startled: "The Liang Mansion people are preventing them from coming out? Can Qingyi not even handle such a small matter?"
Wasn't this like throwing a meat bun at a dog, never to return...
He trusted Ye Qingyi's abilities and believed the Liang Mansion people would not dare to harm them, but Ye Qingyi still hadn't come out, which meant Ye Qingyi might have also fallen captive...
Zuo Wushang now wished he could die!
Two days later, Liang Xiao's convoy finally arrived at the East Sea.
"Envoy of the Son of Heaven arrives!"
The imperial eunuch assigned to Liang Xiao as a messenger for official decrees shouted at the city gate of Donghai County, startling the city guards. However, no Prefect came out to receive them.
Luo Qingxue and Jian Qinwan were still seated in the central carriage.
Liang Xiao, now sitting in the open-air carriage at the very front with Zhang Yang, felt an ominous premonition. He asked, "Zhang Yang, didn't you say that Prefect Chen Ziliang of Donghai is a good official? With such a commotion, why is he completely unresponsive?"
Even when his convoy was still a hundred li away, he had already dispatched Yulin Army cavalry to notify Donghai County. Yet, the cavalry had returned, and Donghai County remained so deserted!