Faced with such earth-shattering news, people did not react with the intense opposition Xiao Qing had anticipated. On the contrary, countless individuals were so envious their eyeballs felt like they would burst!
"A consort marrying six princesses, what a beast!"
"Beast? That's a winner in life, beyond beasts!"
The streets and alleys were filled with the envious, jealous, and resentful voices of men, yet few commoners criticized the Marquis of An Guo and his princesses.
The major aristocratic families, led by the Ouyang, Dugu, and He families of the capital, no matter how they incited people, slandered Liang Xiao, even saying he had amassed too much power and surpassed imperial authority, and would eventually rebel, their efforts proved ineffective.
Some of those spreading rumors were even apprehended by Mu Lingming, the Prefect of Jingzhao, and sent to be tried.
It was only then that they realized Liang Xiao's deeds and merits had already deeply resonated with the people through the imperial decree and the "Da Gan Daily" newspapers.
Luo Qingxue, at home, was also shocked and moved: "Shuangmei..."
She had considered many scenarios, even preparing herself to be a concubine.
Never did she imagine they would all be bestowed princess titles and marry Liang Xiao with equal status, and as principal wives!
When Liang Qing and Luo Changfeng received the news, they almost fainted from excitement!
The Liang Feng couple, still at home, also breathed a sigh of relief.
This way, their uncle's lineage would not have to worry about extinction, and Liang Xiao's confidantes would not have to fear further criticism.
For instance, the successor of the Three Sages, the contemporary Qin Immortal, would not have her noble lineage tarnished by becoming a concubine!
While some rejoiced, others fretted. Liang Xiao's political enemies lay awake all night, grinding their teeth in hatred, yet helpless.
In an instant, the minor noble families and scholars who had been observing the situation began to show favor to the Liang Mansion and the Marquis of An Guo's estate. Some even publicly severed ties with Liang Xiao's political opponents like the Dugu family.
Most of these individuals had been suppressed by these powerful families and could only endure in silence. Now, with the prevailing wind clarified, they finally had the courage to choose their side!
Yan Prefecture, being closer to the capital, saw the Qingtian Guards and the common folk who held Liang Xiao's fiefs puff out their chests, boasting to everyone that their Marquis had become the consort of six princesses.
Upon receiving the news, Lü Yi and Sima Jing did not overreact. Lü Yi merely dispatched people to convey congratulations to the Liang Mansion and the Jiangnan region.
They had received prior notification and, considering Xiao Qing's situation, chose to support it, only advising Xiao Qing to have Liang Xiao prioritize the imperial lineage.
When Xiao Qing received Lü Yi's reply from the shadow guards, her face flushed with embarrassment. She complained to Ning Xuejun: "This uncle is becoming more and more of a scoundrel!"
Even though she had not yet experienced romantic intimacy, she understood Lü Yi's implication...
More than a dozen swift horses galloped from the capital towards all corners of the nation, carrying urgent dispatches across eight hundred li, disregarding the wear and tear on the horses, all to ensure the imperial decree and accompanying news spread throughout the land.
The nation was shocked!
Six days later, the news finally reached Jiangnan. Upon hearing it, the common folk were initially met with expressions of utter disbelief, and the entire Jiangnan region seemed to tremble!
Gongyang He fainted on the spot upon receiving the news!
Zhuo Zifang also received the news and, finding Zhuo Yun's name absent from the list, couldn't help but sigh with regret.
He had disregarded his reputation, hiding in Jinling to scheme against Liang Xiao, who had fled to Qiantang. Yet, Liang Xiao still refused to force his little Yun...
However, Zhuo Zifang quickly let go of his regrets.
If Zhuo Yun were also to be bestowed a princess title and ultimately marry a Da Liang man, the Da Gan dynasty would lose considerable face, and Liang Xiao would gain another layer of ridicule.
Yue Lian and Zhuo Xun, residing in the Zhuo Mansion, finally wept tears of joy, eagerly awaiting Liang Xiao's return to take them away.
Zuo Wushang, who gazed at Yue Lian and Zhuo Xun from his high tower every night, was equally shocked and paled upon receiving the news: "No! You must take the princess and Xun'er away!"
His beloved princess, his daughter, had both been declared princesses of the Da Gan dynasty and betrothed to Liang Xiao...
Yi Rou in the capital and Ye Qingyi in Jiangnan, among others, merely sighed with wistful disappointment upon receiving the news, knowing that Liang Xiao was already an unattainable dream.
The reactions of Yi Rou and Ye Qingyi were a microcosm of countless young ladies in Da Gan.
The prefects across the nation, upon receiving the news, immediately organized "rescue teams" along rivers and lakes for a month, which actually managed to intercept several young girls contemplating suicide, offering them comfort and guidance...
As the principal party involved, Liang Xiao was also taken aback upon receiving the urgent imperial decree delivered across eight hundred li.
Jian Qinwan, however, was deeply moved, sighing, "See, Princess Ningshuang was destined to be your first woman..."
Liang Xiao merely let out several long sighs, his expression complex.
Cressy comforted him, "This is a good thing. Marquis An Guo should be happy."
"I'm secretly delighted," Liang Xiao replied without hesitation.
Everyone present and Ding Wuyi, who delivered the imperial decree: ...
He was, as always, utterly shameless, caring not how many people saw through his true intentions.
Liang Xiao then regained his serious demeanor and sighed, "To grant Da Gan a truly peaceful and prosperous era is the best repayment."
Thus, he no longer worried about any of them being criticized for their status.
As for being married as six principal wives simultaneously, outsiders could only gossip, and he cared not.
Ding Wuyi then smiled with satisfaction, congratulated Liang Xiao, and departed in haste.
Hong Jie and others, who received the news in the courtyard, wore complex expressions.
Zuo Jing and Su Wanqing, unfamiliar with each other, engaged in forced pleasantries, crying profusely, exchanging tearful glances, and eventually embracing in shared grief, exuding a sense of shared misfortune.
On the day he received the imperial decree, Liang Xiao did nothing but embrace Jian Qinwan in the courtyard, chatting casually with the two girls.
Cressy's mood was also complicated.
She had been formally betrothed to Liang Xiao, although Liang Xiao supported her dedication to "Tian Jiangjun" (Heavenly General).
This was already the greatest leniency Liang Xiao had shown her.
During this period, Cressy had not continued to test Liang Xiao but had diligently written "Tian Jiangjun" up to the eighth chapter, earning Liang Xiao's high praise.
A sliver of hope remained in Cressy's heart, praying that Liang Xiao would return to the capital soon, free from official duties, so she would have the courage to ask him, to break through that unspoken barrier, and to obtain a clear answer, even if it was a negative one.
"Lin'er hates Brother Liang Xiao..."
Upon seeing Liang Xiao, Zuo Jing's eyes welled with tears, and she gazed at him with a mournful expression.
Though her actions were a pretense, in her heart, Zuo Jing felt a pang of discomfort, which she selectively ignored.
Su Wanqing's eyes also brimmed with tears, and she tried her best to appear jealous and sad, but inwardly, she seethed.
This way, even if Liang Xiao were to eventually favor her, she could only be a concubine, or perhaps not even have that status, which she saw as an insult to her charm and an extreme injustice!
Liang Xiao looked at Zuo Jing and said solemnly, "Lin'er, I simply do not wish for you to be harmed in any way."
These were Liang Xiao's heartfelt words.
If this Lin'er was truly a master-level infiltrator, she would likely have been sent by Zuo Wushang or Zuo Wuji. A teenage girl was, after all, just a pawn.
If she was not, then she was an ignorant and pitiable pawn...
Zuo Jing froze and then huffed, "Lin'er is being hurt by Brother Liang Xiao right now~"
Liang Xiao chuckled in exasperation, "Yunxiu, you promised me."
Hong Jie, who had been silent, nodded resignedly, "I will protect Lin'er..."
Hearing this, Zuo Jing felt an inexplicable displeasure.
She could tell that Liang Xiao was still unsure if she was faking it, but regardless of whether she was or not, this scoundrel genuinely cared for her...
Su Wanqing knew she had no formal status or contribution in front of Liang Xiao for the moment, so she could only try to appear strong.
After Su Wanqing returned to her room, Liang Xiao took Hong Jie and the other two to his courtyard.
Yue Lian had also been bestowed the title of Princess Xiyue. Liang Xiao finally relaxed and looked at Hong Jie, asking, "Yunxiu, do you know anything about the remnants of the Da Heng Kingdom?"