Liang Xiao said earnestly, "When the time comes, I will come again to pay respects. For now, please do not spread the word. I wish to meet that hermit, the Sword Scholar."
The tomb keepers all agreed.
Liang Xiao paid his respects to the other righteous souls, then left the Sword Mound with Zhuo Zifang.
In the carriage, Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang looked at each other.
They could hardly believe that the Great Gan general who died at Helan Mountain could be the Great Liang's Northern King, the dynasty's undefeated sword.
Liang Xiao knew very well that his ability to repel the barbarians under the name of Heavenly General relied on exceptional judgment, foresight in military strategy, keen senses, and immense strength.
His father, Liang Anguo, with only his divine strength and great courage, could hardly have achieved such a feat.
Perhaps it was related to the Sword Scholar and the twelve righteous souls?
Then, it was possible that only Mu Cheng and the Sword Scholar knew the truth of the past.
In the Imperial Study of the palace, Cheng Qing said with concern, "Your Majesty invited the Marquis of Anguo to Great Liang, yet why do you publicly honor him while keeping him waiting privately... This has already drawn dissatisfaction from the Left Chancellor and others, who merely wish for Your Majesty to send the Marquis of Anguo back to Great Gan soon."
Mu Cheng merely smiled, "I want him to first understand the true state of the Great Gan people."
Cheng Qing felt even more uneasy, "Your Majesty, if Great Gan were to harbor ambitions towards our country in the future, wouldn't his understanding of Great Liang become..."
"Esteemed Minister Cheng, my heart is clear as a mirror. Everything I do is for the people of Great Liang, and I will absolutely not hand over the ancestral foundation to anyone, including Liang Xiao," Mu Cheng said with rare seriousness.
Cheng Qing finally breathed a sigh of relief, "So Your Majesty has already made up your mind, but it is temporarily inconvenient to reveal it?"
"Even my son-in-law should not know," Qin Feng sighed.
Cheng Qing was speechless.
If Qin Feng was not qualified to know, how could he dare to inquire.
After Cheng Qing left, Su Wanqing played a zither melody for Mu Cheng.
After a violent coughing fit, Mu Cheng's trembling hand unfurled a silk scroll.
On it were written the inscriptions of the three founding rulers and ministers of Great Gan in the Great Gan Stone Forest.
Zhuo Mingfeng: "All living beings suffer, dare not forget."
Gongsun Wuji: "Wish to offer this life for the world's peace."
Great Gan's Founding Ancestor Xiao Ping'an: "Descendants, never forget: the people are more important than the ruler. Only then can my heart be at peace."
"Consort Su, he is my last hope. I only wish that his and his father's lifelong aspirations can gain his recognition and assistance," Mu Cheng seemed to be talking to himself.
Su Wanqing responded solemnly, "Whatever Your Majesty chooses, this concubine will fully support you, even to the point of sacrificing myself..."
Liang Xiao's wives and concubines were also astonished after learning about Liang Anguo's past.
"Why is such a story not found in Great Liang's historical records? Could it be that Great Liang's historians also come from noble families..." Luo Qingxue said indignantly.
Liang Xiao nodded, "Great Liang's prosperity is only on the surface. In reality, it is deeply corrupt. The century-old ills left by noble families are still difficult to eradicate."
Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts were complicated.
This meant that if Great Gan had the opportunity to unify in the future...
But they could see that Liang Xiao showed no joy, but rather a worried expression.
"You find Miss Zhuo Er and first declare your intentions to her. Then I will disguise myself and meet her to have a good talk," Liang Xiao replied.
"Then whose name will you use this time?" Jian Qinwan huffed.
Liang Xiao immediately looked disgusted, "The name Zhang Yang can no longer fool anyone, and Lu Changhe knows her quite well. Sigh..."
Hearing this, everyone couldn't help but roll their eyes at Liang Xiao.
It was this guy who had used them until they were worn out, and then he'd discard them, as shameless as ever...
Accompanied by the female shadow guards, Luo Qingxue and Jian Qinwan followed Zhuo Xun to the chess pavilion.
Zuo Wushang hastily made another new human skin mask for Liang Xiao.
A moment later, Liang Xiao, disguised, became an inconspicuous young man.
Zhuo Zifang looked at the visiting card that Liang Xiao took from his treasure bag, his brows twitching, "Utterly shameless!"
In the chess pavilion, upon hearing that Liang Xiao's two wives had also come to visit, Zhuo Yun's face turned pale. She stared at Zhuo Xun in front of her.
"Sister, they won't persuade you to marry," Zhuo Xun pleaded.
Zhuo Yun took a deep breath and nodded with difficulty.
Luo Qingxue and Jian Qinwan finally managed to enter the chess pavilion. Looking at Zhuo Yun and behind her Yue Hongxiu, Yue Wenxin, and Li Xin, they suppressed their doubts and introduced themselves and Jian Qinwan to Zhuo Yun.
"Greetings to the two princesses, and the Marchioness of Anguo..."
Zhuo Yun nervously saluted them, invited them to sit, and made some pleasantries.
Seeing Luo Qingxue's graceful demeanor and gentle words, Zhuo Yun secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Luo Qingxue said softly, "Miss Zhuo Er, have you seen the letter my husband gave you?"
"I have, but I really don't want to go back. I want to end my days here practicing the art of chess..." Zhuo Yun said with grievance.
Luo Qingxue comforted her, "My husband and my teacher, your grandfather, will certainly not go back on their word. They have promised not to force you to marry, and they absolutely will not. But have you considered that you could return to Great Gan first? When the commotion subsides, you can find a suitable time to return to Great Liang with your master in a dignified manner. I hope you understand what I mean."
Zhuo Yun lowered her head, silent.
She knew very well that she had somewhat disgraced Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang.
Zhuo Yun just shook her head repeatedly, "If I go back, I will never have a chance to return..."
"Why?" Luo Qingxue asked, confused.
Zhuo Yun just shook her head, not answering.
"Then can you meet my husband and your grandfather and have a good talk?" Luo Qingxue sighed.
Zhuo Yun nervously said, "I can meet my grandfather, but it's unnecessary to meet the Marquis of Anguo. I have no face to see him, nor dare I! He truly shouldn't be bothered by a mere woman like me..."
Jian Qinwan said helplessly, "Then let's meet your grandfather first."
Zhuo Yun hesitated for a long time, then finally nodded.
Yue Hongxiu stared coldly at Luo Qingxue and Jian Qinwan, remaining silent.
Zhuo Zifang, upon receiving the news, rushed to the chess pavilion.
"Xiao Yun..."
Seeing Zhuo Zifang looking at her expectantly, Zhuo Yun immediately knelt down, "Grandfather, please forgive your unfilial granddaughter, I won't go back..."
"Why aren't you going back? Grandfather and Liang Xiao have both promised not to force you to marry!" Zhuo Zifang said anxiously.
Zhuo Yun just shook her head repeatedly.
"Whatever grievances you have in your heart, you can tell grandfather. Grandfather is not unreasonable!" Zhuo Zifang persuaded.
Zhuo Yun just looked around, silent.
Luo Qingxue understood and said, "Teacher, you and Miss Zhuo Er should talk alone. Little Xun, we should all leave."
Zhuo Xun was startled, then realized.
Everyone present left the chess pavilion, leaving the grandfather and granddaughter alone.
Zhuo Zifang then pleaded, "Xiao Yun, it's grandfather's fault. I shouldn't have thought of marrying you to Liang Xiao! But even if you don't consider grandfather's reputation, you should consider the impact on Great Gan and Liang Xiao!"
Zhuo Yun merely gazed at Zhuo Zifang with a resentful look.
"Grandfather, it was you who taught me not to be rigid in my thinking. But you, of all people, should not have treated me as a tool for a political marriage. Are women born to be appendages to men? Rather than going back, I wish you were as firm as other elders of noble families and let me die to atone, to end it all."
Zhuo Zifang was stunned and said with a bitter smile, "Yes, it has always been grandfather's selfish wish, thinking that only Liang Xiao could treat you well, understand you, and that you would eventually take a liking to him upon meeting him..."