As they conversed, the tomb keeper rushed in with an urgent report: "His Majesty has arrived!"
Qin Feng, Zhi Rou, and numerous shadow guards accompanied him. Upon entering the Sword Tomb, Mu Cheng saw Yue Hong Xiu standing beside Liang Xiao and couldn't help but smile with relief.
Led by Mu Cheng and Liang Xiao, everyone formally paid their respects to Liang An Guo and the Twelve Righteous Warriors, and recited eulogies.
After the ceremony, five hundred shadow guards patrolled and secured the area outside the Sword Tomb. Mu Cheng then turned to Liang Xiao and Yue Hong Xiu to inquire about the situation.
Upon learning that Yue Hong Xiu had forgiven Liang An Guo, Mu Cheng nodded with satisfaction, "It seems things went even more smoothly than I anticipated."
Liang Xiao cast a questioning glance at Jian Fu Zi.
Jian Fu Zi hesitated for a moment, then sighed, "Since the son of the Northern King is here, there is indeed nothing to conceal."
Liang Xiao then felt reassured and revealed the truth to Mu Cheng.
Hearing from Liang Xiao that the Twelve Righteous Warriors were all Jian Fu Zi's nephews and nieces, Mu Cheng, Qin Feng, and Zhi Rou were all shocked and aghast.
"I had thought they were your esteemed disciples, Master. I never imagined… I have failed Master!" Mu Cheng was filled with shame and grief, about to kneel, but Liang Xiao stopped him first.
Yet, Mu Cheng repeatedly apologized, his body trembling uncontrollably.
"As long as Your Majesty and the people remember them, their deaths were not in vain. They live on even in death," Jian Fu Zi consoled.
"I will always remember them in my heart and never forget!" Mu Cheng nodded with a wry smile, then looked at Yue Hong Xiu, "Third Sister."
The sudden address stunned everyone into silence.
Third Sister?
"B-Big Brother…" Called out in front of everyone, Yue Hong Xiu lowered her head in response.
Liang Xiao glanced at the equally dumbfounded Yue Wen Xin and was certain that even she did not know about this.
So, the one who swore brotherhood with Mu Cheng back then also included Yue Hong Xiu?
This was the reason why Mu Cheng had such high regard for Yue Hong Xiu!
Mu Cheng said with deep emotion, "When Liang Xiao returns to his country, you will also resign your post and accompany him to Da Qian to live out your twilight years with the Liang family."
Everyone was once again astonished!
For over thirty years, despite her eccentric personality, Yue Hong Xiu had been fiercely loyal to Mu Cheng, a trusted pillar of his administration, and commanded immense respect in the Da Liang military.
Mu Cheng was actually handing her over to Da Qian?
"Big Brother, I cannot…" Yue Hong Xiu appeared troubled.
Mu Cheng sighed, "The one who truly owes you a debt of gratitude is not Big Brother, but your nominal second brother, An Guo. Big Brother also knows that you merely joined the sworn brotherhood for fun back then, and because you liked An Guo, you pestered him. But Big Brother is very grateful. Big Brother should also do something for you and An Guo; there is no need to refuse. The Northern King's Imperial Guards can be entrusted to your son-in-law in the future; he is reliable."
Yue Hong Xiu immediately knelt to express her gratitude.
Liang Xiao looked at the Qin Feng couple anew, feeling a surge of emotion.
Mu Cheng was not alone; at least he had these people supporting and trusting him. He was indeed the most enlightened monarch in the history of Da Liang.
Liang Xiao could no longer hold back and asked, "Uncle, your care for me is surely not just because of my father."
"Naturally!" Mu Cheng replied without hesitation.
"If that is the case, Uncle, what exactly do you want me to do for you?" Liang Xiao inquired curiously.
Mu Cheng surveyed his surroundings and answered indirectly, "What is the connection between you and Minister Yue?"
Liang Xiao fell into a brief silence.
He realized that for Mu Cheng, regarding this matter, everyone else was an outsider except for him, Liang Xiao, not even Yue Hong Xiu, Qin Feng, or Zhi Rou.
Considering his children were still in Zuo Wu Ji's hands, Liang Xiao sighed, "He and I do have a grievance, but we both adhere to our bottom lines, and it is truly inconvenient to disclose. However, I can assure Uncle that my grievance with him will absolutely not harm the interests of Da Liang."
Mu Cheng chuckled, "When has it been convenient for me to tell you? I want you to first resolve your mutual grievances, ensure your mind is clear and free from distractions, and then we can talk properly."
Seeing Liang Xiao's silence, Mu Cheng added, "As long as you ask, I can provide you with any help except the throne and Zhi Rou. Even if you wish to recruit him, it's fine."
Liang Xiao looked at Mu Cheng in shock, his mind already made up.
Something that made Mu Cheng so cautious and unwilling to publicize…
Could it be that this Emperor of Da Liang, in a flash of inspiration one day, decided to implement constitutional monarchy? Or a republic? Or even socialism?
And thus, he needed someone like Liang Xiao, who already possessed sufficient prestige and achievements, to assist him?
Was that possible?
This was what Liang Xiao, with his current wisdom, could conceive!
He had even considered some unorthodox possibilities, such as the Emperor of Da Liang wanting to "hijack his body," but ultimately, that was unrealistic.
Liang Xiao could see that Yue Hong Xiu and Jian Fu Zi were clearly unaware of this!
Even though Mu Cheng felt indebted to Jian Fu Zi, he didn't seem to intend to tell him?
Mu Cheng's constant mention of the people of Da Liang and his kindness towards him made sense now.
Suppressing his doubts, Liang Xiao sincerely thanked Mu Cheng.
Regardless of anything else, he had accepted this sworn brother of his father, who was also his adopted father.
He also believed that Mu Cheng's caution must have deeper considerations.
After everyone had paid their respects, Mu Cheng left in a hurry with the Qin Feng couple.
Yue Hong Xiu said to Yue Wen Xin, "I will return to the manor to pack. You will first accompany your brother-in-law back to the Hong Lu Si, and from now on, you will follow your brother-in-law."
"Where is Auntie?" Yue Wen Xin asked anxiously.
"Once I have severed ties with your father, I will naturally come," Yue Hong Xiu sighed.
Only then did Yue Wen Xin smile radiantly, secretly glancing at Liang Xiao and his group, and then with small steps, she ran behind Liang Xiao and clutched the collar of his robe.
Everyone who saw this felt a mix of emotions.
Was this really the fearsome female general from the rumors? How could she now be like a three-year-old child who had found her parent?
Upon returning to the Hong Lu Si, Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zi Fang went to the separate guesthouse to discuss important matters with Yue Qing Tian and others, leaving Liang Xiao's wives to look after Yue Wen Xin.
"You are now also a member of the Liang family, so do not be constrained," Luo Qing Xue clasped Yue Wen Xin's hand with sincere affection.
Yue Wen Xin thanked her joyfully. Luo Qing Xue then introduced Jian Qin Wan and Zhuo Xun to her.
Zhuo Xun, in particular, took a great liking to Yue Wen Xin.
In this girl, she seemed to see her own youthful innocence when she first met Liang Xiao.
Yue Wen Xin looked around, observing nervously, as if guilty of a crime.
Under the confused gazes of Luo Qing Xue and the other two, Yue Wen Xin quietly asked, "Does Brother-in-law have an unclear relationship with the Marquis Zhen Guo? I saw them being so close, could he also like men?"
Luo Qing Xue exclaimed with delight, "Oh, I told you so! More men like him than women, you've noticed it too!"
"Exactly!" Jian Qin Wan and Zhuo Xun's beautiful eyes lit up, and the four of them quickly started chatting.
The three wives of Liang Xiao, who were initially strangers to this girl and even a bit reserved, now reached a surprising consensus and became like sisters from different mothers.
Someone who was discussing the Spring Revival Cult with Zhuo Zi Fang, Ren Chang Feng, Du Ping Ling, and others suddenly sneezed.
At the same moment, the members of the Spring Revival Cult, led by Alice, gathered in a secret room of the Yan family in the capital, anxiously awaiting something.
The door slowly opened, and a robust figure entered, his gait heavy, his face unusually grim, his white eyebrows furrowed.