The Western Palace Villa.
Zhen Mi watched Xiao Qing nuzzle in Liang Xiao's arms, the lipstick mark Xiao Qing left on Liang Xiao's face a complicated sight for her.
"I truly have wronged you, Mi'er!" Liang Xiao said with a trace of shame.
The matter of the "Phoenix Bearing" had been too sudden, and the officials had pressed too hard. It was impossible for Miss Zhuo Yun, the second daughter of the Zhuo family, to fly to Da Qian Kingdom immediately.
In Liang Xiao's eyes, this meant temporarily sacrificing Zhen Mi's reputation.
Who would dare to marry Zhen Mi, who had been addressed as Consort Mi, in the future?
"Mi'er can never repay Brother Xiao's immense kindness in this life or any other," Zhen Mi replied without hesitation.
"Don't think like that. You are already family to me, there's no talk of kindness or repayment," Liang Xiao said earnestly.
Zhen Mi simply smiled and nodded, her small face flushing slightly.
The more humble Liang Xiao was, the more she wanted to remember.
Xiao Qing, nestled in Liang Xiao's embrace, couldn't help but turn her head to look at Zhen Mi, a half-smile on her lips.
She was only twelve years old, still too young. Her Brother Xiao treated her as family, but certainly not in *that* way.
"The treasure of the ancient Xiongnu king, that marked red circle is too vast. But the 'North of Yin Mountain, where the Dragon is Seen' written on this treasure map is a significant misdirection."
"When our scouts explored, they reported encountering a gust of wind that reached the sky, resembling 'dragon passing,' metaphorically speaking, a 'tornado.' Captives from the wilderness confirmed this; phenomena like that occasionally occur north of Yin Mountain. I estimate that the true meaning of 'where the Dragon is Seen' should be the area north of Yin Mountain where tornadoes are frequent. We need to dispatch people to observe day and night to pinpoint the location."
As soon as Liang Xiao returned, he explained the ancient Xiongnu king's treasure to Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing was both surprised and delighted, "As long as our country occupies Mo Nan and a part of Mo Bei, the third treasure will be within reach!"
Although she wasn't particularly short of money now, who would dislike having more?
Whether it was buying land, promoting education, selecting talent, or manufacturing weapons, a large sum of money was needed.
Before Liang Xiao's reforms, Da Qian Kingdom had not improved its weaponry for decades.
After the three sat down, Xiao Qing propped her chin on her hands, her gaze distant as she watched Liang Xiao speak with animation.
Liang Xiao paused and asked, "From setting out from Shuofang until returning to the capital, there were so many events along the way. Which one do you want to hear about?"
Xiao Qing's beautiful eyes lit up, and she smiled enchantingly, revealing charming dimples.
"Anything is fine, I love listening to whatever you say~"
Zhen Mi, sitting beside her, immediately nodded in agreement.
Liang Xiao looked at Xiao Qing's joyous expression, his heart stirred.
As they listened to Liang Xiao's eloquent narration, both women were lost in reverie.
"Oh my, Brother Emperor's and my names are also inscribed on Lang Juxu Mountain!" Xiao Qing giggled.
Liang Xiao's inscription had already been sent to the capital by fast horse and carrier pigeon.
Xiao Qing had always used the name of her imperial brother, and even if she were to reveal her female identity to the world in the future, she did not intend to use Xiao Shuang as her imperial name.
The four barbarians, any who dared to offend would have their nations annihilated, their races exterminated, and their descendants cut off!
It was the inscription that stirred her heart the most.
The former Da Qian Kingdom absolutely lacked the confidence to utter such words.
Even at the beginning of its founding, when the populace was impoverished and all had to be rebuilt, the Great Ancestor of Da Qian could not have said this.
Now, at the age of twenty, he wielded iron and blood, striking awe into the world, and Da Qian Kingdom had finally regained the dignity of the Central Kingdom!
"Shuang'er, Da Qian Kingdom cannot be complacent because of this. There are still many threats on the borders; only the threat from the north has been removed," Liang Xiao said softly.
Xiao Qing merely nodded obediently, gazing at Liang Xiao. She liked him more and more, and couldn't help but shift her chair and snuggle into Liang Xiao's arms to act spoiled.
Faced with the affectionate couple, Zhen Mi's heart ached increasingly. Unable to bear it any longer, she made an excuse and returned to her own chambers.
At night, in bed, Xiao Qing held Liang Xiao tightly, recalling the events of the day, her face flushed, her eyes languid.
Her sisters had already had six children with Liang Xiao, yet she had no news!
However, as long as Liang Xiao was by her side, all her unhappiness vanished.
Nan Jiyun and others rested at the Marquis of Anguo's mansion, unable to sleep for the night.
From Shuofang to the northern desert, this campaign, destined to be recorded in history, was an unprecedented achievement!
This was the greatest honor of their lives, and starting tomorrow, they could return home in glory and bring honor to their ancestors!
The group decided to take a large room with a large bed side-by-side, sleeping together like they had when they set out, over a dozen people sharing the same space.
"We absolutely must not become arrogant and complacent, nor cease to strive!" Lu Changhe sighed.
He was now genuinely worried that he might not be able to stand fighting small-scale wars in the future!
The others echoed his sentiments, awaiting their audience with the emperor tomorrow to receive their rewards.
That night, Liang Xiao's political enemies tossed and turned, consumed by fear.
Under everyone's beds lay a voodoo doll bearing Liang Xiao's name, pierced with poisoned needles.
High towers of the Da Liang Kingdom's imperial palace.
Qin Feng stood behind Emperor Mu Cheng. The monarch and his subject gazed north towards the Central Plains, sighing repeatedly.
"I must establish a national policy to warn my descendants that for the rest of Liang Xiao's life, Da Liang must not invade..."
Mu Cheng's voice was weak and devoid of energy.
Qin Feng lowered his head in shame, unable to speak.
For an emperor to utter such words of surrender indicated profound reluctance.
But now he had no time to consider encroaching upon Da Qian; he needed Liang Xiao to come, and only Liang Xiao could!
"Currently, the people and military of Da Qian also do not wish Liang Xiao to come to Da Qian Kingdom, fearing some mishap might befall him, right?" Mu Cheng couldn't help but ask again.
"That depends on Father Emperor's resolve. Whatever choice Father Emperor makes, this son will do his utmost to support it, and I am willing to bear the infamy for Father Emperor!" Qin Feng stated with absolute certainty.
Mu Cheng couldn't help but look back at Qin Feng, coughing violently a few times, and said with a bitter smile, "Why aren't you my own son..."
"By decree of the Emperor, received by Heaven's mandate: I, as the Son of Heaven of Da Liang, shall invite Liang Xiao, the Marquis of Anguo of Da Qian, to visit Da Liang. Considering the distinguished status of the Marquis of Anguo, unparalleled in ancient and modern times, previously when our country's Marquis of Zhenguo, Qin Feng, visited Da Qian, the Son of Heaven of Da Qian provided a guarantee. Now, heeding the suggestion of Minister Qin, I shall also make a statement to inform the world!"
"When Liang Xiao, the Marquis of Anguo of Da Qian, visits my Da Liang, my Da Liang shall use its national strength to ensure his safety. During his visit, Liang Xiao's food, clothing, and accommodation shall be at the standard of our Son of Heaven. The rewards he receives upon his return shall not be less valuable than one million taels of silver! If Liang Xiao unexpectedly perishes during his mission in Da Liang, the entire territory of Da Liang shall submit to Da Qian, and henceforth, Da Liang shall cease to exist!" 138 Reading Network.
"If Liang Xiao suffers injuries or illness during his mission in Da Qian, Da Liang shall cede all counties and cities south of the Heng River for a hundred li to Da Qian, with the armies and people of both nations as witnesses!"
"The First Prince Mu Qing, the Second Prince Mu Ning (pronounced 'Ning'), and the Third Prince Mu Xuan shall all reside as guests in Da Qian during Liang Xiao's mission and shall not return! Effective immediately, dispatch people to deliver the invitation to Liang Xiao, the Marquis of Anguo of Da Qian! By imperial decree."
The next day, as the imperial decree spread from the palace, from civil and military officials to commoners, all were shocked and aghast!
Why did their Son of Heaven insist on Liang Xiao visiting Da Liang?
"Your Majesty, reconsider!驸马 Qin is misleading the country!"
The major aristocratic families and clans of Da Liang, led by the Yan family, jointly entered the palace to petition the emperor, detailing the pros and cons of this move and vehemently denouncing Qin Feng for misleading the country. However, Mu Cheng remained unmoved.
Due to an unprecedented imperial decree, the entire Da Liang was abuzz with discussion.
Far in the capital of Da Qian, Liang Xiao had returned to the Marquis of Anguo's mansion, leading the generals into the palace to meet the emperor and receive their rewards.