The observing crowd gradually began to see Liang Xiao in a new light. Several young girls who admired Du Gu Xiao also started to re-examine the seemingly decadent young master.
The impact of that poem on the people was immense.
However, Liang Xiao remained composed, showing no signs of pride.
Du Gu Xiao stared at Gu Shao Yan with a mixture of shock and anger. As a favored son of heaven, he suddenly felt a sense of defeat.
This brat, because Mu Wan Jun seemed to have a good impression of him, Du Gu Xiao, now wanted revenge!
Du Gu Xiao couldn't understand. He had already made his intentions clear, stating he wanted to pursue Luo Qing Xue and supported Gu Shao Yan in pursuing Mu Wan Jun. Why was Gu Shao Yan stabbing him in the back now?
"Brother Gu, I am happy that Wan Jun has such an understanding. I do not blame her," Luo Qing Xue said softly.
Gu Shao Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "General Tian is the savior of Da Qian. He sacrificed himself for righteousness and will be remembered for eternity. Naturally, he must not be disrespected! When I have time, I will bring her to the Temple of General Tian to pay respects and apologize to General Tian."
Luo Qing Xue cast a look of approval at Gu Shao Yan, then turned her gaze back to Liang Xiao and Liang Feng.
Liang Feng was also a bit bewildered at this moment.
Weren't the three most talented scholars of the capital on good terms? How did things suddenly turn this way?
Wait, was "Man Jiang Hong" composed by my incompetent second brother?
Liang Feng suddenly remembered something and looked at Liang Xiao in surprise.
The more Du Gu Xiao thought about it, the angrier he became. He finally couldn't help but ask, "Brother Shao Yan, what do you mean by this..."
Gu Shao Yan blinked and explained, "Liang Xiao is indeed talented. We can befriend him. Don't you, Young Master Du Gu, think this 'Man Jiang Hong' can be considered a masterpiece for all time?"
Du Gu Xiao glared at Liang Xiao irritably and said, "Indeed! I need to go and catch up with my uncle. Please excuse me!"
Speaking of his uncle, Du Gu Xiao couldn't help but show a proud smile and turned to leave.
Gu Shao Yan sighed, "Young Master Du Gu, it seems you came in a hurry and didn't receive the news. Just now, I received word from my father that your uncle, Du Gu Liang, the Minister of Works, has been dismissed by His Majesty..."
"What? Impossible!" Du Gu Xiao exclaimed in shock.
He couldn't believe it. His family held immense power. How could such an important position as Minister of Works be revoked without any warning?
But for such a significant matter, Gu Shao Yan had no reason to lie to him in public.
Even Liang Xiao and the others were surprised.
The dismissal of a minister was a major event!
Amidst the murmurs of the onlookers, Du Gu Xiao, with two young servants, sheepishly hurried back to the Du Gu residence.
Liang Feng suppressed his urge to laugh, coughed symbolically, and patted Liang Xiao's shoulder, saying, "Second brother, Qing Xue, come with me to pay respects to General Tian."
"I'm not going," Liang Xiao flatly refused.
"You!" Luo Qing Xue was both angry and annoyed.
To show disrespect to General Tian in public, what kind of behavior was this again!
However, her good upbringing kept her from cursing him.
Liang Feng whispered, "Do you want grandfather to be impeached?"
Liang Xiao couldn't help but roll his eyes and reluctantly agreed.
Seeing this, Gu Shao Yan cupped his fists and said, "I will visit again another day. I hope I won't be turned away. If we meet at the Imperial Academy, we can also discuss literature."
Liang Xiao smiled and agreed, watching Gu Shao Yan leave. He had made up his mind. Regardless of Gu Shao Yan's motives for coming, he had at least helped him fend off Du Gu Xiao. Liang Xiao felt a good impression of him.
Liang Feng then looked at Yue Lian and said, "Yue Lian, wait here."
"No, Yue Lian cannot leave me!" Liang Xiao protested.
Liang Feng glanced at Luo Qing Xue, seeing her dejected expression, and sighed helplessly, "Can't you consider your fiancée's feelings?"
Upon hearing this, Luo Qing Xue's mood became even more complicated.
However, Liang Xiao's expression remained unchanged. He insisted on bringing Yue Lian along.
Inside the Temple of General Tian, incense burned profusely, and people came and went.
At the entrance, two magnets were placed. Anyone entering to pay respects would be detected if they concealed any sharp weapons.
Liang Feng arranged the offerings, and the four of them paid their respects.
Gazing at the statue of General Tian, Luo Qing Xue's tears welled up, "No matter how many times, I still can't help but want to cry out loud..."
Liang Feng sighed, "Second brother, Qing Xue remembers General Tian's kindness, look at you!"
Liang Xiao immediately lost his temper.
Who would be bored enough to worship himself and cry for himself?
Outside the Shenwei Mansion, Zuo Xian Wang and Hu Yan Jia Luo sat in a carriage, their expressions grave as they gazed at the entrance of the mansion.
"Zuo Xian Wang, why are you so nervous?" Hu Yan Jia Luo finally asked.
Zuo Xian Wang snapped back to reality, murmuring repeatedly, "It's too similar..."
"Similar?" Hu Yan Jia Luo became even more puzzled. "Zuo Xian Wang, you were staring at that young man named Liang Xiao just now..."
The hand that Zuo Xian Wang used to lower the curtain trembled slightly. He took out a portrait from his embrace and handed it to Hu Yan Jia Luo.
Hu Yan Jia Luo unfolded it, and his pupils constricted.
A white horse, silver spear, fanged ghost mask, imposing and majestic.
It was the General Tian who had once charged through the barbarian cavalry!
"That young man's physique is too similar to General Tian's, it's exactly the same!" Zuo Xian Wang's voice trembled.
"How is that possible! That person was clearly a sickly weakling!" Hu Yan Jia Luo looked disbelieving.
"This portrait was painted by me based on my impression, taking two days and two nights. Both the physique and the back view are as if carved from the same mold!" Zuo Xian Wang's breathing became rapid, and his voice trembled more and more. "This child is actually General Tian himself. The divine manifestation was just a ruse!"
Hu Yan Jia Luo suddenly felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.
The divine manifestation of General Tian saving Liang Xiao was a ruse?
If Liang Xiao were General Tian, it would make sense, but...
It was utterly impossible to kill the elite "Twelve Barbarian Assassins" inside the temple without a scratch! Any scratch from the Twelve Barbarian Assassins' weapons would lead to death by poisoning, yet Liang Xiao was still alive!
Hu Yan Jia Luo tried to remain calm and comforted him, "Zuo Xian Wang, General Tian must be dead, otherwise how could he hide! Perhaps the Temple of General Tian had just been built, and its divine power was limited, thus only protecting Liang Xiao and Luo Qing Xue inside the temple!"
Zuo Xian Wang nodded slightly, a murderous intent flashing in his eyes. "Yes, we absolutely cannot let our barbarian people believe that General Tian is still alive! No matter who this Liang Xiao is, keep a close watch on him, and find a suitable time to kill him!"
Hu Yan Jia Luo chuckled and immediately went to arrange personnel.
In the carriage, Luo Qing Xue sat to Liang Xiao's right, and Yue Lian sat to his left. The three of them remained in silence.
Luo Qing Xue was preoccupied, occasionally stealing glances at Liang Xiao from the corner of her eye.
It was Liang Feng who had insisted they share a carriage, and then Liang Xiao had brought Yue Lian along.
At the Liang residence, Luo Chang Feng personally came out to greet his two grandsons.
In the main hall, Liang Feng said sternly, "Grandfather Luo, I will be direct. Please choose an auspicious day soon and arrange for my second brother and Qing Xue to get married immediately."
As soon as he finished speaking, Liang Xiao, who was drinking tea normally, spat out a mouthful of tea, and Luo Qing Xue also choked and coughed.