While Qingliang Valley was busy deliberating over who would be the most suitable person to send to the capital for discussions, the capital was also busy. Although the Duke of Liang's residence had been closed for the past few days, with the public claiming illness, the influx of people offering gifts was continuous, almost non-stop.
When Duke Liang saw the current situation, he sometimes even thought that if the current Liang State was gone, and a complete political regime was re-established and officials were carefully selected, perhaps the current predicament of being attacked from both inside and outside would not have happened.
After blocking off groups of officials who wanted to curry favor with the powerful, the butler hurried over from the doorway, "Master, someone from Tianshu Tower has sent something. They want you to attend the banquet to entertain the Northern Desert envoys."
Duke Liang glanced at the brocade box held by the butler and sneered, "Oh, what do you mean by attending together? Aren't you just worried that they'll hold a superficial meeting there and bring their own small gathering to our mansion? Tell Tianshu Tower that I'm still seriously ill and can't go out."
"yes."
The housekeeper was about to go out to reply when there was a sudden noise outside the study. From the sound, it seemed as if some unexpected guest had come uninvited.
"How dare you enter the Duke's Mansion without permission?"
Duke Liang glanced at the butler, who then threw the things in his hand into the grass outside the study and followed Duke Liang to the front yard to see what had happened.
When Duke Liang arrived with his steward, the guards were confronting a group of strangers. Seeing Duke Liang emerge, the leader bowed slightly and said, "Greetings, Your Excellency. Seeing that Your Excellency is in good spirits, I am relieved."
Duke Liang waved his hand slightly, signaling the guards to put away their weapons. He then looked the young man up and down and said, "How could I not remember such a person as you ever being in the court?"
The visitor only then introduced himself, saying, "Your Majesty is a very important person. I am only a lowly official. It is normal that Your Majesty has never met me. I am Bai Jingfei, the current head of the Jinyu Hall of Tianshu Tower."
Duke Liang stroked his beard and said, "So it's the master of Tianshu Tower. No wonder he dares to be so presumptuous in my mansion."
Bai Jingfei smiled slightly and lowered his head, saying, "The people of Tianshu Tower are indeed not as polite and well-mannered as the Duke's ministers. I hope you will forgive me for any offense."
Seeing that Duke Liang intended to negotiate with Bai Jingfei, the steward retreated to the door with his guards. Duke Liang found a seat of his choice and calmly asked, "Master Bai has come uninvited today, and brought so many people with him. Could it be that Tianshu Tower wants to teach me a lesson?"
"Your Majesty, that's not right. The men from Tianshu Tower didn't know the rules and offended you. I apologize on their behalf." Bai Jingfei then ordered his men to leave the Duke of Liang's mansion. "Hurry up and get out! Don't you see where we are? This is the Duke of Liang's mansion, not Tianshu Tower. The Duke of Liang is a senior official who served three dynasties, and his wife is a royal relative of Shu. If you disturb them, you'll all be in trouble!"
"yes."
Duke Liang glanced at Bai Jingfei, and with a look of disdain on his face, he was about to send him away: "Well, if there is nothing else, Lord Bai, you may depart. I'll excuse me from accompanying you."
Bai Jingfei said politely, "Today, I am only here to deliver something to the Duke. Since it has been confirmed that the Duke has accepted it, I dare not bother you any more. When the envoy from Prince Qingliang arrives, I will come to fetch the Duke. Bye."
Bai Jingfei left, and the Duke's wife, who had been standing behind the screen, came out right after him. "Master, look at Tianshulou's actions. Is he threatening us?"
Duke Liang snorted coldly and said, "Don't you see where this place is and whether they can threaten you?"
After thinking for a moment, Lady Liang suggested, "Should I write a letter back to my parents' home and ask them to send some people over to help us strengthen our ranks?"
Duke Liang shook his head slightly, took his wife's hand, and signaled her not to worry too much just yet: "Not yet. With your inseparable relationship with Shu, they dare not act recklessly."
After saying this, Duke Liang summoned the butler and ordered, "All the servants who failed to stop these hooligans from entering the mansion today, kick them out."
"yes."
The Duke's wife held Duke Liang's hand and soothed him, "Don't be too upset. Think about it, maybe you can see your daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter during this meeting."
Speaking of Liang Shuyi and his family, it was actually what Duke Liang was most worried about. Tianshu Tower had made such a big fuss about the meeting that it was hard for Nanyue not to get the news. The journey from Qingliang Valley to the capital was definitely not peaceful. "Alas, I'd rather not see those three. If the people knew about what Tianshu Tower was doing, perhaps, it would be over."
The Lady of the Duke of Liang had originally considered exposing Tianshu Tower's crimes to the public, as they already had plenty of evidence. But then she thought about the current situation of the Liang royal family. Honestly, if it weren't for Tianshu Tower's support, Liang's fate would have ended even faster. "There's nothing we can do about it. Keeping it a secret is better than letting everyone know. Besides, there's not much we can do to help."
Duke Liang sighed softly and said, "You know my temper. If it weren't for you and Shuyi's family, I would not be willing to serve in the court with those hypocritical people."
Everything else was fine, but let's just talk about her understanding of the Duke of Liang. As the Duke's wife, his first wife, they had been through so many ups and downs together. Naturally, she probably knew him better than he did himself. "Of course I know. We've been married for so many years. Ever since I decided to spend my life with an old man like you, I firmly believed that my judgment was correct. Look, all these years, haven't you fulfilled everything you promised me on our wedding day?"
In the past, Duke Liang could have foreseen the future, but now, there were too many uncertainties. No one could guarantee that Tianshu Tower would not take action against him in order to maintain its position in the capital. "Madam, if something unexpected happens to this old man, you..."
Before he could finish, the Duke's wife interrupted him and said, "I will protect the children and will not follow you easily."
"Well, that's good, that's good."
Of course, that's what she said, but the Duke's wife wouldn't let that happen easily: "But as long as I'm here, even if I have to kowtow three times and nine times, and even spend all my money to beg for help from Shu, I will give up everything to protect my family."
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