Back in the military camp, the Zuo Xian King reached out and picked up the wine cup.
The wine in the cup, "A Hundred Years of Intoxication," spilled onto the table due to the violent shaking.
"If even I cannot overcome fear, the might of the barren lands will cease to exist!"
The Zuo Xian King muttered to himself, his voice still trembling.
He had suffered a humiliating defeat, but the Chanyu and the You Xian King had not openly shamed him, only privately complained, showing him considerable respect.
No one understood the reason better than he did: as the former supreme commander of the barren lands, his iron cavalry had been invincible. If even he was afraid, how could the Chanyu and the You Xian King dare to lead troops alone into the Great Qian?
After the decisive battle in Yanzhou, General Tian had become a nightmare for all the people of the barren lands. No one wanted to face General Tian!
After a long time, the wine cup finally stopped shaking.
The Zuo Xian King took a deep breath and sneered, "He is dead, dead! He only appears from time to time, he cannot manifest everywhere, at all times! I refuse to believe he can break through thousands of soldiers and kill his way to me!!"
"Destroy the Great Qian within ten years! Capture the Emperor of Great Qian and Liang Xiao alive, seize their women, land, and wealth, and make the people of Great Qian slaves for eternity!"
Constant self-suggestion transformed the Zuo Xian King's inner fear into endless rage and hatred. He regained his former majesty and slowly stood up to welcome the assembled barbarian generals.
After the wedding banquet ended, Liang Xiao went to his private office.
Liang Qing and the others were discussing matters there. Seeing Liang Xiao enter, they were startled.
"Xiao'er, it's your wedding day, you shouldn't be working so hard!" Liang Qing said with concern.
Ever since he learned that his grandson was General Tian, Liang Qing could not imagine the grievances and pressure Liang Xiao had endured, still managing family affairs even during his wedding.
"Marquis, you can leave these minor matters to us to handle recently!" Liu Fan also said with a dry chuckle.
Everyone nodded in agreement, having to admire Liang Xiao's dedication.
Liang Xiao simply smiled, "I'll just take a look..."
He hadn't intended to come to the office, but he genuinely had no outlet for his troubles.
He had suddenly become unable to sleep, his brain active for twelve hours a day, effectively gaining several extra hours out of nowhere. He had gone from being a busy person to a seemingly idle one.
If he didn't do something, he would truly start overthinking...
Strangely, he found that he did not experience the exhaustion or confusion of a normal person after prolonged mental exertion. He was as clear-headed as ever, as if he possessed endless energy and stamina.
Could he really be turning into a non-human, evolving into the ultimate life form... This was Liang Xiao's greatest fear.
"It's already September. When the sugarcane matures, can we transport some of it here?" Liang Xiao asked.
Sugarcane could be grown in the north, it was just not as convenient as in the south. However, the temperature difference between day and night in the north provided excellent conditions for sugarcane maturation and sugar production.
Salt was a necessity, but sugar was more of a luxury. However, if the common people could eat sugar, it would greatly help the nation in consolidating their support.
With a stable populace and military authority in hand, it would be difficult for aristocratic families to rebel or cause trouble.
"We are already making preparations. Sugarcane from the surrounding areas is being transported," the housekeeper replied.
Only then did Liang Xiao feel at ease.
At night, Liang Xiao, accompanied by Xiao Qing, Jian Qin Wan, Yue Lian, Luo Qing Xue, and Chrisstie, went to the stables. Ning Xue Jun and Ding Wu Yi followed closely.
Hong Xiu was meticulously washing Bai Ye Fei Ying, the divine steed, which let out soft neighs contentedly.
"It truly is this divine steed..." Seeing it, Chrisstie felt her legs weaken, and she leaned on Jian Qin Wan's shoulder, breathing shallowly.
Liang Xiao thanked Hong Xiu again.
"Compared to the Duke of An's efforts for the common people, my actions are insignificant. I am merely accumulating merit," Hong Xiu said, as humble and sincere as ever.
Everyone couldn't help but show their respect.
On Liang Xiao's wedding day, Hong Xiu still did not attend the banquet, only offering simple blessings, and diligently caring for Bai Ye Fei Ying every day.
Once Bai Ye Fei Ying was clean, Liang Xiao changed into the battle armor and helmet of General Tian, picked up the Tian Long Po Cheng Halberd, and mounted the steed.
Gazing at Liang Xiao's retreating back on horseback, Xiao Qing and Luo Qing Xue covered their mouths with their hands, letting out quiet exclamations.
Ning Xue Jun and Ding Wu Yi also had fervent gazes. As warriors, they were finally witnessing the presence of the martial god of Great Qian with their own eyes!
They finally saw the complete, true form of General Tian!
"Oh my heavens, General Tian..." Chrisstie whispered. After a moment, she fainted into Jian Qin Wan's arms.
"Look, it's all your fault~" Jian Qin Wan quickly pinched Chrisstie's philtrum and chided.
Liang Xiao quickly dismounted to check on Chrisstie's condition, feeling utterly helpless.
These girls had all begged him to ride Bai Ye Fei Ying, wanting to see the heroic figure of General Tian on horseback.
When Chrisstie woke up, she blamed herself, "I... I'm sorry, General Tian, I got too excited..."
After confirming Chrisstie was fine, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Second Young Master Liang, there's one thing we still don't understand. How did you manage to kill twelve experts of the barren lands in the Temple of General Tian when you were still injured?" Ding Wu Yi could no longer suppress his inner questions.
To this son-in-law of the imperial family, this Emperor, these three auxiliary ministers still thought of Liang Xiao as "Second Young Master Liang," a title they felt qualified to keep.
Liang Xiao then recounted the events of that day truthfully. Everyone listened with bated breath.
"The Duke of An is truly a divine being..." Even Hong Xiu couldn't help but sigh. Luo Qing Xue was even more deeply moved.
With injuries, in such a critical and short time, to remain composed, defeat the enemy, and protect Luo Qing Xue – it wasn't just Ding Wu Yi; even Sword Saint Jian Nan Feng couldn't have done it!
Back in the courtyard, Yue Lian was distracted, fiddling with her fingers, not daring to look at Liang Xiao.
"Husband, I need to rest tonight, it still hurts a little..." Luo Qing Xue said with a blush, clinging to Liang Xiao's arm and acting coquettishly.
"Okay, okay..." In the candlelight, Liang Xiao finally blushed.
It seemed only Jian Qin Wan had a particularly robust physique and recovered quickly. For ordinary girls, if their constitution was weaker, it might take five to seven days to recover...
Xiao Qing and Jian Qin Wan also blushed in unison.
Yue Lian began to tremble all over. She realized Liang Xiao had been looking at her intermittently.
"Marquis, we have a distinguished guest," Liang Mingyu, the female captain of the shadow guards, announced from outside the courtyard.
Liang Xiao then got up to go out.
Yue Lian felt as if she had been granted a reprieve. While Xiao Qing and Jian Qin Wan were questioning and "retaliating" against Luo Qing Xue, she quietly pulled Chrisstie aside and whispered, "Sister Christie is also nineteen now, isn't she..."
"Mm~" At this moment, Chrisstie was completely immersed in happiness, nodding with a smile.
Yue Lian then whispered in her ear.
A moment later, Chrisstie's body also began to tremble. Looking at Yue Lian, who had a sincere expression, she nodded, her face flushed red.
The visitor to Liang Xiao was a confidant of Steward Chen, Old Third, who brought Liang Xiao a pile of new intelligence.
Liang Xiao quickly skimmed through it and said, "Perfect. I have a major task to entrust to you. In the Jiangnan region, it must be your Chen family."
Old Third and Chen Xin Yue were overwhelmed and readily agreed...
A few moments later, Liang Xiao returned to the courtyard and found that everyone had retired to their respective rooms. The door to the bridal chamber was tightly shut, with only Jian Qin Wan's three maids guarding it.
"What's wrong with them?" Liang Xiao asked.
"Please, son-in-law and bride, enter the bridal chamber..." the three maids said nervously.
Liang Xiao looked confused but nodded, glancing at the various bridal chambers.
"My Yue Lian seemed quite frightened by me today. Ah, forget it. Go to her room and inform her. Tonight, your husband will spare her."
Saying this, Liang Xiao, under the shocked gazes of the three maids, walked alone towards Chrisstie's bridal chamber and pushed the door open.
"Little girl Chrisstie, why are you also wearing a veil? Is it because you feel you didn't treat your husband properly last time?"
Liang Xiao smiled as he looked at the bride, who was starting to tremble all over. He walked over, gently lifted the veil, and looked at Yue Lian, whose face was flushed crimson. He froze for a moment.
"Hmm... Little one, why did you come here?"