The entire venue erupted in exclamations of awe.
"How lifelike! Isn't this precisely the portrait of our Zhenguo Hou! Our Great Liang is currently divided into nine regions and fourteen prefectures!"
"A fine verse, 'A hall full of flowers intoxicates three thousand guests, a single sword's frost chills fourteen prefectures,' I couldn't have conceived of it even in eight lifetimes!"
Even Yan Liu and the others were stunned into silence.
This Grand Gathering of Heroes of Great Liang was already a grand affair, and with this poem appearing at the event, it was destined to become a timeless masterpiece.
Zhuo Zifang's eyes gleamed.
How wonderful it would be if this were written for this old man!
He was advanced in years, and his greatest desire was to read more of Liang Xiao's poetry in his lifetime. It didn't matter if he had to shamelessly cajole or deceive him, as Liang Xiao wouldn't spread it around!
This poem deeply resonated with him!
Qin Feng and Mu Cheng also found their breaths becoming shallow: "A peerless genius, an eternal legend..."
Jian Qinwan, Luo Qingxue, and Zhuo Xun, besides feeling proud, exchanged knowing glances with Zhi Rou, who stood beside Qin Feng. Their looks were peculiar.
They worried that these two men might form an alliance.
"No, you're not allowed to steal my man!"
"I must work hard and, if necessary, 'break them up'!"
The surrounding scholars were so envious their eyes seemed to bulge with blood, while talented women like Li Xin were captivated, repeatedly reciting the line, "A hall full of flowers intoxicates three thousand guests."
On the high towers in the distance, Yue Wenxin and the veiled Yue Hongxiu gazed at Liang Xiao, who had just presented the poem to Qin Feng, their expressions complex.
Because the distance was too great, they couldn't discern Liang Xiao's calligraphy clearly, but the scholars present read it aloud.
"He truly resembles him, but it's a pity it's not him..." Yue Hongxiu murmured to herself.
Hearing this, Yue Wenxin, uncharacteristically, didn't retort. She simply sat by the railing, hugging her knees, and sighed softly, "Has the second Miss Zhuo lost her eyes? To give up such a marriage for the sake of chess? What use is chess, compared to such an ideal husband?"
Mu Cheng, delighted that his favorite son-in-law had received the support of Liang Xiao's timeless poem, praised Liang Xiao profusely and invited him and Qin Feng onto the high platform.
"Regardless of how the relations between our two nations develop in the future, your 'Four Maxims of Hengqu' and 'Sixteen-Character Heart Sutra' will be passed down through Great Liang, forever etched in the hearts of scholars for generations to come! How shall I reward you?"
Liang Xiao smiled faintly: "No reward is necessary. I only wish that the Spring Return Sect can be eradicated from Great Liang, and that the people of both nations will no longer be misled by this evil cult."
"I have also been investigating this matter recently and will not tolerate the rampant spread of the Spring Return Sect! I have already uncovered some clues; the Xiu family that brought chaos to the nation over thirty years ago, and the barbarians who attacked the capital, are all connected to the Spring Return Sect!"
As soon as he spoke, the crowd, still excited by the masterpiece poem, was startled.
Yan Liu and the others were consumed with worry, yet dared not voice their objections.
The Spring Return Sect was already infamous in Great Gan. Now that Great Gan could cleanse itself of the sect, Mu Cheng, who always enjoyed comparing himself to the Emperor of Great Gan, naturally wouldn't be left behind.
Liang Xiao seized the opportunity to scan the surroundings, observing the reactions of Yan Liu and the others, and made up his mind.
With so many Shadow Guards in the capital, it was still possible for Du Guqun and others to collude with the Spring Return Sect, doing so without leaving any trace. How much more so in Great Liang.
However, without evidence, it would be nothing but slander.
After Liang Xiao publicly expressed his thanks, Mu Cheng looked up at the crowd below, his gaze finally settling on Yan Liu.
"I know that many of you present must be wondering why I show such great affection and respect towards Liang Xiao."
As soon as the words fell, everyone in the venue focused on Mu Cheng, awaiting his explanation.
This was precisely what they were thinking, but they dared not ask, even though Mu Cheng was not prone to beheading people at random.
Mu Cheng stared at Yan Liu, who wore a displeased expression, and said word by word, "Because the people of Great Liang love and respect Liang Xiao, it is only natural that I should also love and respect him! Moreover, he is the only son of the Northern King!"
Mu Cheng's resolute explanation, unprecedentedly forceful, made the minds of the crowd buzz.
Because of the people of Great Liang?
Yan Liu's face turned ashen, but he dared not retaliate.
Mu Cheng's few words seemed deliberately directed at them, a pure reprimand.
Liang Xiao was also taken aback.
At that moment, he seemed to understand why Mu Cheng was willing to send all seven of his sons to Great Gan as hostages.
These seven individuals did not appear to be diligent administrators, but they were, after all, his sons.
Could it be that this Emperor of Great Liang had a hidden agenda, even if it meant facing the possibility of having no heirs and the extinction of his royal lineage?
Suddenly, Liang Xiao recalled the faces of the seven princes.
Not a single one bore even a slight resemblance to Mu Cheng. Princess Zhi Rou, at least, had a few features that resembled Mu Cheng.
Regardless, Mu Cheng had given him ample face, and he naturally couldn't be overbearing or cause him embarrassment.
With a thought, Liang Xiao cupped his fists towards Mu Cheng and said, "The Emperor of Great Liang holds the common people in his heart, worthy of being ranked alongside the Great Ancestor of Great Liang as a wise ruler. I only wish for the eternal alliance between our two nations. I have brought one thousand jars of 'One Hundred Years of Drunkenness' from Great Gan. Five hundred jars will be used to liven this gathering, and the remaining five hundred jars will be presented to the Emperor of Great Liang."
Mu Cheng was overjoyed and immediately ordered the Grand Astrologer to record the day's events meticulously.
After Mu Cheng departed, Qin Feng continued to host the grand banquet, entertaining the guests.
Since Mu Cheng had made his appearance, the aristocratic families and powerful clans, led by Yan Liu, finally breathed a sigh of relief. They made excuses to leave the Purple Green Terrace, leaving behind only a few dozen family disciples for monitoring purposes.
This was a stage that Mu Cheng had specially set up for Liang Xiao and Qin Feng, and they had been preparing for it for a long time. They couldn't bear to stay another moment.
The five hundred jars of "One Hundred Years of Drunkenness" that were left behind each came with a stack of palm-sized wine bowls, a total of six.
"Everyone, feel free to speak your minds and drink to your heart's content!"
More than half of the three thousand scholars present couldn't finish "One Hundred Years of Drunkenness" and could only partake in some fruit wine or yellow wine.
Liang Xiao and Qin Feng also only drank a small bowl before sitting down for a chat.
Three hundred scholars presented poems that had been prepared in advance for Liang Xiao, while another hundred composed a poem on the spot, humbly calling it "a clumsy offering."
A total of three hundred talented women from various regions performed music, sang, or composed poetry and songs, all hoping to gain the favor of Liang Xiao and Qin Feng.
Some of the middle-aged and elderly scholars preferred to seek guidance from Zhuo Zifang, who patiently explained each query.
Zhuo Xun sat beside Liang Xiao, her gaze distant as she scanned the surroundings.
Her second sister still refused to show herself. Her second sister used to be learned and sensible; she wasn't like this before...
Fortunately, her second sister had offended Liang Xiao, and their grandfather was Zhuo Lingjun. If either of them had been someone else, they might not have treated her second sister so leniently.
But Liang Xiao had already made up his mind, and she couldn't persuade him further. She could only trust that Liang Xiao would handle the matter properly.
"I heard that one of the consorts of Marquis Anguo, the Celestial Mountain Qin Immortal, has also accompanied Marquis Anguo on this diplomatic mission to Great Liang. We have a rudimentary understanding of the zither. May we request the Qin Immortal for some guidance?" Finally, a scholar specializing in the zither made a request.
Jian Qinwan readily accepted and played three pieces in succession. As the music concluded, applause thundered.
Even Liang Xiao felt deeply proud.
After having children, Jian Qinwan's zither skills had not only not declined but had improved, bringing her closer and closer to her master, the Qin Saint.
Liang Xiao also understood that Jian Qinwan did not particularly enjoy showing off, but as the wife of Marquis Anguo, she did not want to embarrass him.
The name of this grand banquet was finally decided.
The Grand Gathering of Heroes of Great Liang would be publicized by Mu Cheng's newspaper.
After the meeting dispersed, everyone paid their respects to the three dignitaries from the two nations.
Once Liang Xiao had finished his official duties, he called out to Li Xin, "Miss Li, please wait."