Luo Qingxue, Yue Lian, Ding Wuyi, and Du Pingling's expressions turned grim. Liang Xiao, however, remained composed.
"Although General Tian..." Luo Qingxue began, intending to defend Liang Xiao, but he gently pulled her back.
Liang Xiao smiled faintly. "The Great Gan Dynasty values civil over military arts. For generations, scholars have looked down upon warriors. These people are warriors themselves, so it's understandable they'd vent their frustrations towards scholars in their eyes."
"But..." Luo Qingxue still wanted to say something, but Liang Xiao's hand was already on her head.
Everywhere, a head pat holds immense charm for girls, especially in the relatively conservative Great Gan Dynasty.
Luo Qingxue's cheeks flushed as she enjoyed Liang Xiao's gesture, unable to speak.
Du Pingling glanced at Liang Xiao with surprise, then turned to Ding Wuyi, his gaze full of approval. Ding Wuyi understood, offering only a smile.
Hearing such resentment from warriors towards him, yet still being able to understand their feelings, Du Pingling saw Liang Xiao as truly different from ordinary scholars, though he had no idea who "General Tian" was.
The group arrived at the northern gate of the large courtyard. Du Pingling pointed to the simple houses in the distance and said nervously, "Marquis Anguo, you will be staying here temporarily..."
Luo Qingxue exclaimed, "His health is poor, how can he live in such a humble place..."
At a glance, everyone could see that these houses were no different from ordinary dwellings.
Du Pingling explained, "If my wife learned we provided special treatment for royalty and high officials, she would drive us out of Mount Tian. Even my wife's and my junior sister's rooms are similar to these, though my junior sister is better at decorating."
"It's fine. Equality for all. It's quite good," Liang Xiao nodded.
Equality for all?
Everyone looked at Liang Xiao in astonishment, unable to comprehend his words.
Ding Wuyi said sternly, "Pingling, can you at least provide more braziers and charcoal? We can pay for them, considering it a donation to the Sacred Physician's charitable work."
With that, Ding Wuyi produced a hundred-tael silver note.
Du Pingling quickly ordered people to bring a pile of braziers and charcoal and had the accountant accept the "donation."
Before leaving, Du Pingling cautioned Liang Xiao, "Marquis Anguo, you may stroll around here, but do not wander too far, as it's easy to get lost. My junior sister has a cool temperament and speaks harshly. I hope Marquis Anguo can be understanding..."
Liang Xiao smiled and agreed. After Du Pingling left, he praised Ding Wuyi's character and conduct.
"It seems Young Master Liang has a discerning eye to recognize Pingling's straightforward nature," Ding Wuyi praised.
If Liang Xiao had praised Du Pingling directly, Du Pingling might have felt embarrassed.
Ding Wuyi and the guards stayed in the larger rooms, while Liang Xiao had his own, and Luo Qingxue shared a room with Yue Lian.
After forty-five minutes, Du Pingling returned with an apologetic expression. "Marquis Anguo, Senior Ding, please wait a moment longer. According to my junior sister's maid, she just finished practicing her zither and is now taking a bath..."
After Du Pingling left, everyone wore expressions of helplessness.
This "Zither Immortal," who was rumored to have inherited the true art from the Zither Saint, bathed three times a day...
Thinking that Jian Qinwan had gone to intercede with the Sacred Physician for him, Liang Xiao, despite his indifference to such fastidiousness, harbored no resentment.
"I can't believe Young Master Liang, not yet twenty, possesses such magnanimity!" Ding Wuyi couldn't help but praise, seeing Liang Xiao's consistently calm demeanor.
Liang Xiao understood his meaning and smiled. "All sorts of people in the world, one sees it all."
"All sorts of people in the world..."
Ding Wuyi seemed to ponder this, nodding slightly. Luo Qingxue and Yue Lian gazed at Liang Xiao, their eyes sparkling.
But what did he mean by "seeing it all"? It was as if he had experienced much at nineteen!
Snapping back to reality, Yue Lian suggested, "Miss Luo, I'll help tidy up your room. Would you accompany Young Master for a walk?"
Luo Qingxue quickly rose. "Let me do it this time. You are Liang Xiao's relative, and in the future, you will be mine too. I need to learn from you..."
Yue Lian felt overwhelmed and humbled but couldn't refuse Luo Qingxue's insistence, so she agreed.
There were no fierce beasts on Mount Tian, and Ding Wuyi trusted Liang Xiao implicitly. He merely instructed the two not to stray too far before returning to settle his subordinates.
Stepping out of the north gate, Liang Xiao and Yue Lian looked out at the lush green mountains and clear waters, their spirits lifting.
"Mount Tian is indeed a place of exceptional talent and beauty, a paradise..." Yue Lian marveled.
Liang Xiao smiled. "When we're old, I'll find a paradise for us to settle in."
Yue Lian looked at Liang Xiao with emotion, tears welling in her eyes.
Her young master's words implied that he would not abandon her even in old age!
"Woof woof!"
A dog's bark echoed from the distance. The two looked in that direction and saw a small white dog standing at the entrance of a bamboo grove, looking at them timidly.
"How can there be such a cute little dog..." Yue Lian couldn't help but exclaim.
Seeing the little white dog, Liang Xiao was also puzzled. "Are there Poodles here?"
The appearance of this small white dog was distinctly different from any breed he knew, yet its cuteness was universal.
Furthermore, its fur was so white it seemed to glow, clearly indicating it was exceptionally clean.
Seeing Yue Lian squat down and beckon, the white dog hesitated for a moment, then trotted towards her, its small pink tongue lolling out.
"Ah!" Yue Lian's face flushed with excitement. She picked up the little dog, her expression full of adoration.
"Our Yue Lian is so approachable; even strange little animals aren't afraid of you," Liang Xiao chuckled.
Yue Lian smiled shyly, playing with the little dog, letting it snuggle into her arms, making her giggle uncontrollably.
"Woof woof woof!"
The sudden barks of the little white dog startled Yue Lian, causing her to stumble. Both of them looked closely and saw it had snatched Yue Lian's jade pendant and was bolting away!
Liang Xiao quickly propelled himself forward, casually picked up a stone, and chased after it. "Hey, this little rascal is quite mischievous! Give it back!"
"Young Master, please don't hurt it..." Yue Lian quickly warned.
"Don't worry," Liang Xiao replied casually. The two gave chase.
The white dog was incredibly fast, and Liang Xiao, still recovering from his injuries, was not suited for prolonged sprints. They could only track it, following it deep into the bamboo grove to an iron gate. They watched as the little dog squeezed through the gate's bars.
Liang Xiao approached the iron gate, examined the lock, and from his homemade treasure pouch at his waist, produced a thin piece of wire, inserting it into the keyhole.
Within a few breaths, the heavy lock clicked open, startling Yue Lian.
"Young Master knows how to..."
Liang Xiao said sternly, "Don't worry, we're not thieves. This jade pendant is your heirloom; it mustn't be lost. Hurry up and chase it! If we damage anything of theirs, I'll pay for it!"
Yue Lian followed Liang Xiao, stunned. Following the tracks on the muddy ground, Liang Xiao pursued them to a flower bed. Outside the flower bed, a tangle of vines blocked their path.
Liang Xiao no longer concealed his abilities. He took out a sheathed short sword from his chest. The sword unsheathed, revealing its cold glint. In a few swift strokes, it severed all the vines.
Yue Lian looked at Liang Xiao with apprehension, unable to believe that Liang Xiao's actions were as decisive and swift as a thief's.
Liang Xiao took Yue Lian's hand. Hearing the little dog's cheerful barks, they traversed the flower bed, no longer caring about the trampled blossoms.
"Little Bean Sprout, your curiosity got the better of you again, snatching other people's things! Hurry and return it."
A melodious female voice drifted from the opposite side.