"What is it like?" Yue Lian asked curiously.
Jian Qinwan did not answer, only glancing at Liang Xiao with complex emotions.
She was not feeling wronged, but rather a hint of joy.
It was just that her beloved mother had handed her over to Liang Xiao, making her feel "disgraced"!
If one must have a son, it should be like Liang Xiao!
Since he is not my son, then I can only strive to make him my son-in-law!
These words were spoken to her by her own mother, Mu Xueqin.
Liang Xiao looked at the resentful Jian Qinwan, a half-smile on his face.
This Bodhisattva, though sharp-tongued, was benevolent at heart.
"Your father is from a military family, and your master is a descendant of the Marquis of Dingguo, not just any military family. The old Marquis of Dingguo also served as the Prefect of Taizhou..."
Jian Qinwan nodded, "That's right! Even people like my father and master have deeply hurt my mother's heart. My mother has long grown weary of the faces of royalty and nobility, which is why she established the rule against dealing with them."
Liang Xiao could only sigh.
Her husband had abandoned his wife and daughter to pursue enlightenment, not only breaking his promise but also asking her to help deliver a child to the Qin Sage. Anyone in her place would have been devastated.
"Bodhisattva, tell me, what price must I pay?"
Finally seizing the opportunity to change the subject, Jian Qinwan said softly, "Look at the night scenery on the river."
Liang Xiao and Yue Lian looked out the window. The night was deep, and the moon and stars were sparse.
The three of them decided to go to the bow of the boat to admire the river view. As they passed the cabin, they heard a commotion and knocking on a door.
"What's wrong?" Liang Xiao asked.
A servant's response came from afar, "Second Young Master, one of the bookboys snores like thunder, it's unbearable. Everyone wants to throw him to sleep in the ship's hold!"
Liang Xiao was speechless, and Yue Lian covered her mouth, giggling.
The three of them had no choice but to return indoors. Once seated, Jian Qinwan spoke, "You wrote a poem for my ungrateful disciple, and as repayment, I wish for you to write one as well, but you are not allowed to write about me! As for the style, it should be sorrowful and melancholic."
Liang Xiao was startled.
Jian Qinwan added, "I'm just saying this casually. If it's not possible, there's no need to force it..."
Liang Xiao said with a serious expression, "How can a man say he cannot?"
Jian Qinwan and Yue Lian did not understand his meaning, but Liang Xiao had already sat down.
Jian Qinwan's heart was filled with joy, and she proactively ground ink for Liang Xiao, watching him wield his brush with bold strokes.
A rendition of "Lin Jiang Xian"!
[Drinking at Dongpo, I wake and get drunk again, returning as if it were the third watch.
My servant's snores are already like thunder.
I knock on the door but get no reply, leaning on my staff, I listen to the river's sound.
I have long regretted that this body is not my own, when will I forget the worldly hustle?
The night is deep, the wind is calm, the silken waves are smooth.
From this small boat, I shall depart, and in the rivers and seas, spend my remaining life.]
As Yue Lian recited the poem, she couldn't help but shed tears, hugging Liang Xiao's arm tightly, afraid of losing her young master.
Jian Qinwan gazed at this "Lin Jiang Xian" and became entranced, murmuring, "I have long regretted that this body is not my own, when will I forget the worldly hustle... In the rivers and seas, spend my remaining life. I understand, your decision to become an official was out of necessity."
The first stanza was merely a narrative of daily life, while the second shifted to expressing emotions, creating a harmonious connection. A small boat vanishing, its remaining life accompanied by the rivers and seas, the style was indeed quite melancholic.
Even though she didn't write poetry herself, she understood the subtle meanings and realized that Liang Xiao had entered officialdom for his "Xiao Shuangzi" and the common people, bravely fighting against aristocratic families, wishing only to retire once his task was accomplished.
A sudden pang of pain struck her heart, and Jian Qinwan softly said, "Whatever choice you make in the future, as your personal guard, I will reluctantly accompany you to 'spend my remaining life in the rivers and seas'."
Liang Xiao chuckled, "My final outcome should not be 'spending my remaining life in the rivers and seas'."
Suddenly realizing her lapse in composure, Jian Qinwan blushed, nodding with a hint of disappointment. She also felt a sense of shame and annoyance at Liang Xiao's lack of romantic sentiment.
Liang Xiao looked out the window and said with deep meaning, "I will work with Xiao Shuangzi to achieve true peace throughout the land, and then I will enjoy prosperity and honor with you all."
Yue Lian nodded happily.
You all?
"Alright..." Jian Qinwan shot Liang Xiao a shyly annoyed glance.
She had initially intended to complain about Liang Xiao saying such things again, but on second thought, she herself had spoken them first!
This time, she would refrain from arguing with the flower-stealing rogue!
Seeing the subtly ambiguous atmosphere, Liang Xiao's old face blushed. An idea struck him, and he chuckled, "Would you like to hear a ghost story?"
Upon hearing this, the two young girls, who had been moved to tears, trembled.
After a long while, Jian Qinwan whispered, "Yue Lian, are we still sleeping together tonight?"
Yue Lian understood and nodded vigorously, "Of course!"
Only then did they nod to Liang Xiao.
If they were sleeping alone, they would never dare to listen!
That night, Jian Qinwan held Yue Lian, and Yue Lian held Liang Xiao. Both were pale with fright, while the man continuously told ghost stories in a sinister tone, occasionally revealing a wicked smile.
"Following the Taoist priest's advice, the man hid beneath his bed. Hearing the thumping sound, he believed he was safe as long as the female ghost couldn't see him. Little did he know, when the female ghost fell from the building, she was..."
Before Liang Xiao could finish, Jian Qinwan and Yue Lian screamed simultaneously.
"You two don't have to force yourselves."
"You, you continue! This young lady fears nothing! What kind of female ghost was she..."
"She was headfirst."
"Ah!!"
Yue Lian immediately burrowed into Liang Xiao's arms. Jian Qinwan, unable to hold Yue Lian, could only tightly grip Liang Xiao's arm, tears welling in her eyes, no longer concerned with propriety between men and women.
This time, having terrified the two young girls, Liang Xiao had no choice but to stay by the table, softly coaxing them to sleep.
"Young Master is so good, always protecting us." Yue Lian, lying by the bed, said with emotion.
Beside Yue Lian, Jian Qinwan also turned to look at Liang Xiao, wanting to say something but hesitating.
She was Liang Xiao's personal guard, but in reality, she was the one who had always been protected.
"Yue Lian is obedient and kind, like a little white rabbit. Of course, Young Master must protect her well and not let the big bad wolf snatch you away," Liang Xiao said without hesitation.
"With Young Master here, I'm not afraid of the big bad wolf!" Yue Lian said happily.
Jian Qinwan finally couldn't help but speak, "What's a big bad wolf? Your stinky Young Master is the wolf king!"
Yue Lian covered her mouth and giggled, while Liang Xiao blushed, using a strategic cough to hide his embarrassment. He could only blame himself for being too sinister earlier; his image was beyond repair.
Finally regaining the upper hand, Jian Qinwan smiled charmingly and fell asleep contentedly.
Liang Xiao gazed at the stars and moon outside the window, lost in thought.
He was also curious about what the Sunset Bow was, to have such a reputation.
That bow had been preserved for over a hundred years; could it still be used?
Measured in meters, the best bows and crossbows equipped by the Great Gan army had an effective range of barely over 120 meters, not exceeding 150 meters. A thousand arrows rained down on the enemy, creating a spectacular scene.
Nan Jiyun's Heaven-Shaking Bow had an effective range exceeding 200 meters, already considered a rare divine bow.
Liang Xiao's greatest expertise was not in close combat but in firearms, where he was almost a hundred percent accurate.
Since firearms couldn't be manufactured here, Liang Xiao had to settle for archery, combined with the Heavenly Dragon Breaking City Halberd, for both close and long-range combat. This would significantly enhance his safety, preventing him from falling into a ditch again.
The Heaven-Shaking Bow had already made Liang Xiao's mouth water. If the Sunset Bow was truly formidable, whether it was a dowry or not, Liang Xiao would find a way to obtain it!
The boat docked at dawn the next day. Liang Xiao's entourage stopped briefly in a nearby small town before rushing towards Tianqin Mountain.