Chapter 57

"Why do you talk like my mother?"

"Am I wrong?"

"Right, right." Liang Xiao smiled bitterly, moved to the side, and held Li Rongqing's hand, making her sit on the swing. Li Rongqing was a bit shy, so Liang Xiao jumped down and carried her by the waist, placing her on the swing. Then he jumped up himself, swinging his legs forcefully to set the swing in motion.

Li Rongqing was startled and instinctively opened her arms to hug Liang Xiao. The distance they had maintained for months was broken in that instant.

"You rogue, you're teasing me again."

"If I were a rogue, would I let a beautiful lady like you stay alone in an empty house?"

Li Rongqing blurted out, "Maybe you have other thoughts?"

Liang Xiao's heart stirred, and he followed her words, "Other thoughts? Who?"

Li Rongqing realized she had spoken out of turn and felt a bit embarrassed. She rolled her eyes and gave a playful look. "For example... that nobleman named Liu Ling."

Liang Xiao's eyebrows raised. "Do you know who Liu Ling is?"

Li Rongqing shook her head. "I haven't seen her, but I've heard Hu Lai mention her a few times. She's a woman. Hu Lai thinks about her day and night, but can't get her."

Liang Xiao was taken aback. It turned out Hu Lai had these thoughts, which he had never known before. But it made sense; if Liu Ling wanted to win over the Hu family, she might have hinted at something. Hu Lai's desire to marry into the royal family was also expected. To be honest, Liu Ling, in terms of appearance and ability, was top-notch, far surpassing his own mother.

However, he thought Li Rongqing would mention Hu Lai's sister, Hu Chengguang. Tuniu had once said that he had a special fondness for Hu Chengguang, and perhaps he had stolen Hu Chengguang, which led to Hu Lai wanting to kill him to silence him.

"Have you heard of Hu Chengguang during your time at the Hu family?"

"Of course, I've heard of her. They say she's a beauty, and the entire Hu family relies on her. What about it, do you like her?"

"I don't know." Liang Xiao said honestly, "Niu'er said I liked her, but I can't remember anything. After Hu Lai attacked me, I forgot a lot of things."

"That's quite possible. The Hu family has arranged several experts to protect Hu Chengguang. Many young men from Guangling have come to propose, and several families of similar status have been rejected by the Hu family."

"What does the Hu family want? Do they want to marry into the royal family?"

"Even if not the royal family, at least into a prince's household." Li Rongqing suddenly paused. "Could it be that you really stole Hu Chengguang, ruined the Hu family's plans, and angered the prince's household?"

Liang Xiao was also stunned. Li Rongqing's guess was quite reasonable. If the Hu family intended to marry Hu Chengguang into a prince's household and he had stolen her, he would have offended both the Hu family and the prince's household. It made sense that Hu Lai and someone from the prince's household would team up to kill him.

But he really couldn't remember anything, not even a hint.

After discussing for a long time, they still had no conclusion. Finally, Li Rongqing said, "How about this, I'll go to the Hu family and take a look."

Liang Xiao thought for a moment and shook his head. Li Rongqing had just mentioned that the Hu family had arranged several experts to protect Hu Chengguang. Li Rongqing's martial arts were good, but not good enough to come and go freely in the Hu family. She was the murderer of Hu Lai, and if she fell into the hands of the Hu family, she would be dead.

"No, it's too dangerous and unnecessary."

"But..." Li Rongqing hesitated.

Liang Xiao's heart stirred. "What, are you restless and want to go out for a walk?"

Li Rongqing lowered her head. "My father's anniversary is coming up. I want to go to his grave and pay my respects, to tell him that I'm doing well."

Liang Xiao scratched his head, feeling very conflicted.

...

Rationally, Liang Xiao firmly opposed Li Rongqing going out. Hu Lai was dead, and the Hu family would not give up on revenge. Those people who came to Gao Yang Li to inquire about the Li family were likely sent by the Hu family. Li Rongqing hiding in the Li family was somewhat safe, but going to Li Yunming's grave to pay respects would be like walking into a trap.

But emotionally, Liang Xiao couldn't oppose it. This was an era where filial piety was more important than loyalty. Disloyalty could be forgiven, but disloyalty would be despised. Liang Miao had chosen Li Rongqing because of her filial piety. If Liang Xiao prevented her from paying respects to her deceased father, it would be unreasonable.

As expected, when Liang Xiao discussed it with his mother, she immediately gave her opinion. "Xiao'er, I am also a person, born to parents. Serving them in life and paying respects in death are human emotions. Rongqing is a good girl. If not for her family's poverty, she wouldn't be in this situation. You mustn't neglect her because of this."

Liang Xiao sensed something was off and looked at his mother suspiciously. Liang Miao's eyes flashed, and she sighed, putting down her weaving shuttle. "Xiao'er, do you remember the father and daughter who stayed at our house last year?"

"Who?" Liang Xiao was confused.

Liang Miao shook her head helplessly. "Hu Lai really did you wrong, making you forget so much. At this time last year, didn't a father and daughter stay at our house? The father was named Liang Fen, and the daughter was named Liang E. You liked Liang E back then. If not for the same surname, you might have stolen her."

Liang Xiao was embarrassed. There was such a thing? It seemed he was indeed a rogue in the past, stealing any girl he liked.

"Do you know where Liang E is? She was sent to the prince's household by Liang Fen. Do you think Liang Fen didn't know the dangers of the prince's household? If not for his livelihood, he wouldn't have sent his daughter there to be a concubine. The prince's household is dangerous, but at least she can be well-fed and clothed. If you can't treat Rongqing well, I'd rather recognize her as my daughter than let her suffer."

Liang Xiao had no choice but to agree. There was no way out; this had become a matter of political importance. If he didn't handle it properly, not only would Li Rongqing be heartbroken, but his mother wouldn't agree either. He could ignore what Li Rongqing thought, but he couldn't let his mother be sad. This was the first time he had seen his mother so stern, almost scolding him.

After some consideration, Liang Xiao decided to scout the area first. He reported to Huan Yuan, invited his best friend Tuniu, and brought a bow and arrows, leaving the city before the gates closed.

After months of torment, Tuniu had transformed, slightly shorter than Liang Xiao but half as wide, walking with a powerful stride. However, his personality hadn't changed much; he had become more talkative, probably because he didn't have many opportunities to speak when he was with Zhongli Qi. Once he met Liang Xiao, he talked non-stop.

"Ao Xiao, have you slept with her? My master said her father is ruthless, not only skilled with a knife but also with poison. You have to be careful, don't let..."

Liang Xiao was already in a bad mood, and hearing this made him even angrier. He kicked Tuniu's big butt. "It's the New Year, can't you say something auspicious?"

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Third update, please recommend and follow!

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