The sect leader's pupils contracted, and without hesitation, she ordered everyone to abandon their location and escape through the secret passage.
Outside the city walls of Qiantang, in the desolate wilderness to the southwest, the earth began to loosen, and stone slabs covering it broke through the soil.
Upon returning to the surface, the sect leader was shocked and furious. "How could that Liang Xiao have discovered our people? Are the guards of the Liang Mansion truly the elite of the elite?"
At this moment, she realized that those who could follow Liang Xiao were not simple individuals; they were not just the most elite group of martial artists from Tianshan!
"You immediately go and inform Wanqing and my elder brother to hide well. It is better to be safe than to be exposed!" After instructing the other sect members, the sect leader left only twelve masked individuals with green eyes to return southwest with her.
"Your Highness, have we failed in our plan for Klisti?" a killer asked resentfully.
The sect leader sighed. "Since we have alerted the enemy, we must change our strategy and not approach Klisti easily... In that case, I will have to go myself and stage a ploy of self-inflicted suffering!"
"That is too dangerous!" everyone exclaimed urgently.
"As the old saying in Daqian goes, 'Nothing ventured, nothing gained.' Once Liang Xiao officially marries her, I will make my move."
The twelve masked figures followed their equally masked sect leader, leaving Qiantang with endless unwillingness and anger.
Liang Xiao was selecting talents in Jinling. Among them, Liu Feng and Li Xunfeng both scored over eighty points.
Liu Qingping, the Prefect of Qiantang, was Liu Feng's father. He could no longer sit still and personally came to the inn to visit Liang Xiao.
"Marquis Anguo, I sent people to assist, but after going to the civilian residences, we found them long abandoned, and discovered nothing," Liu Qingping sighed.
"As expected. It is a pity that Prefect Liu has to serve in Qiantang. His Majesty will surely reward you in the future," Liang Xiao said with a smile.
Liu Qingping was flattered. "It is my duty! the Jiangnan region is very important, concerning the fate of the nation. Beyond Qiantang, there are also salt fields, and we must not let enemies steal our techniques or salt merchants illegally produce sea salt."
They understood each other implicitly.
The position of Prefect of Qiantang was a very important official post. As long as one performed well, their achievements would be undeniable!
Liu Qingping then discussed matters with Liang Xiao before returning to arrange for the reception of scholars from various regions who would participate in the examination prepared by Liang Xiao.
With the advent of movable type printing, Liang Xiao could have bookshops quickly print examination papers, resulting in high efficiency.
One day, Ding Wuyi finally came to find Liang Xiao.
After reporting the situation in the capital, Ding Wuyi looked at Liang Xiao with a strange expression and said, "My master sent an urgent message eight hundred li away, asking the Second Young Master Liang, besides Princess Ningshuang and Princess Klisti, whom else have you chosen as concubines?"
Liang Xiao was taken aback, and Jian Qinwan behind him blushed.
"Second Young Master Liang, please speak freely. My master promises that he will make satisfactory arrangements for you!" Ding Wuyi said with a smile.
Liang Xiao immediately wrote down the names of several beauties: Jian Qinwan, Yue Lian, Luo Qingxue, Zhuo Xun.
"There are only four?" Ding Wuyi looked incredulous.
Liang Xiao pouted. "Eunuch Ding, your 'only' has severely hurt my young and fragile heart."
Even though they were accustomed to Liang Xiao's demeanor, both Ding Wuyi and Jian Qinwan rolled their eyes at him.
"Are there really only four? What about the second young lady of the Zhuo family?" Ding Wuyi narrowed his eyes.
"I haven't even met her, and she eloped. Of course, she's not an option," Liang Xiao replied without hesitation.
Only then did Ding Wuyi carefully put away the four names written by Liang Xiao. After inquiring about the recent situation, he happily departed.
After seeing off the commander of the Shadow Guards, Liang Xiao was touched.
In fact, Ding Wuyi's movements had always coincided with Liang Xiao's. Wherever Liang Xiao went, the Shadow Guards would disguise themselves and conduct affairs within and outside the county, as if to understand the local conditions and prevent large-scale attacks by the Huichun Sect.
However, the true purpose was clearly to ensure Liang Xiao's safety.
Jinling had gathered the elites from all over Jiangnan, and many scholars among them came from Qiantang.
The scholars remaining in the Qiantang area also enthusiastically participated in Liang Xiao's examination, and Liang Xiao eventually selected fifty people for employment.
This time, Hong Jie was also invited to learn Liang Xiao's scoring method and graded the papers, doing a surprisingly decent job.
Zuo Jing, playing the role of the innocent and shy Lin'er, did not dare to approach Jian Qinwan and Klisti. She would often stay by Hong Jie's side, calling out "Brother Liang Xiao," maintaining a certain distance from Liang Xiao, appearing pitiful and helpless.
After Liang Xiao finished reviewing the papers, a Tianshan martial artist reported, "Marquis Anguo, the eldest daughter of the Su family from Suzhou is here to see you..."
Upon hearing this, Liang Xiao and Jian Qinwan exchanged glances, understanding each other implicitly.
Su Wanqing, with a maidservant, entered Liang Xiao's courtyard. Blushing, she bowed to Liang Xiao.
"Wanqing admires Marquis Anguo and Qin Xian, and could not resist following you to Qiantang. I beg Marquis Anguo for forgiveness..."
"Miss Su, does your elder brother know about this?" Liang Xiao asked.
Su Wanqing murmured, "It was my own decision, but I have already sent someone to inform him. I presume he will not object. Even if he objects, I wish to follow Marquis Anguo..."
Jian Qinwan feigned jealousy and looked at Liang Xiao. "Well, you! Tricking another young girl again~"
Liang Xiao quickly pleaded innocence.
Su Wanqing tried her best to conjure tears and pleaded, "I will not cause Marquis Anguo any trouble. I merely dream of Marquis Anguo often and could not help myself... I wonder if Qin Xian would think highly of my talent and take me as a disciple?"
Jian Qinwan replied, "I am not yet qualified to be your master, as your zither skills have already reached a certain level. You will need to practice and comprehend on your own in the future."
"But I still wish to follow Marquis Anguo..." Su Wanqing began to "weep" softly again.
Liang Xiao said helplessly, "I have just confessed the status of the few wives in my household to His Majesty. Although Princess Ningshuang does not object to me taking concubines, I cannot be a philanderer and switch my affections at will."
"Even if there is no outcome with Marquis Anguo, I wish to follow him, even if Marquis Anguo never looks at me again..." Su Wanqing continued to "cry" with pear blossoms and rain.
"Brother Liang Xiao~" Zuo Jing couldn't help but look at Liang Xiao, pretending to be jealous.
Liang Xiao fell into silence, contemplating endlessly in his heart.
In his eyes, esteemed ladies like Gu Pingting, He Qiushui, Zhuo Han, and Lu Xiaojun, while they admired him, did not exhibit such mindless infatuation. They also knew to maintain a distance from him, which was the normal behavior of people...
Furthermore, this Su Wanqing hid her true abilities in the art of the zither extremely deeply. She might be a troublemaker, and Zhuo Han had suffered greatly from her...
Such a troublemaker, if left to deceive others outside, was also not a good solution.
"I have an idea!" Liang Xiao finally had an inspiration and said, "Yun Xiu, do you mind having another younger sister?"
Hong Jie's expression changed. "You're not thinking of..."
Liang Xiao smiled. "Exactly. It will be known to everyone sooner or later that you are by my side. Would you like to take Miss Su as a younger sister and let her live with you all? This way, Lin'er will not have to face only three men every day and can learn to play the zither and write from her."
"As for Miss Su, your Su family must first proactively spread the news, letting everyone know that you have become siblings with my close friend and are following me together, rather than being involved in gossip with me. Otherwise, for the sake of the tigresses at home, I cannot allow you to accompany me."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present, including Hong Jie and the other three, Jian Qinwan, and Su Wanqing, almost wanted to jump up and kick Liang Xiao.
In just a few sentences, he had offended them all!
Zuo Jing's heart burned with anger.
This scoundrel clearly suspected Su Wanqing and wanted to push her onto her mother!
Liang Xiao was pushing Su Wanqing to Hong Jie to look after. If Su Wanqing also had ulterior motives, then the four of them would have to be wary of Su Wanqing.
If Su Wanqing was innocent, then with Su Wanqing present, the four of them would also have to be mindful of the occasion when speaking!
How despicable this person was...