"So, Zuo Wushang's daughter is still alive?" Liang Xiao's mind raced.
If he could reunite father and daughter, perhaps Zuo Wushang would be more amenable?
"Whose family is she fostered with?" Liang Xiao asked curiously.
Xiao Qing shook his head. "Back then, only a few Shadow Guards knew the child was alive. As for fostering, my father, the Emperor, personally carried the child and entrusted her to a loyal official."
Ding Wuyi explained, "Young Master Liang, perhaps to avoid any complications, this matter was only known to the late Emperor and the loyal official who adopted her. The late Emperor only said that this person would never rebel, was most trustworthy, and would surely handle everything properly to give the child a stable life. Including the Shadow Guards of that year, there were hundreds of loyal officials the late Emperor trusted..."
Ning Xuejun added, "After the Lord ascended the throne, he did not deliberately send people to investigate. After all, the late Emperor had declared to the outside world that the child had perished in a fire. Why alert them unnecessarily?"
Liang Xiao merely nodded.
Xiao Qing stated solemnly, "As for how your 'Little Shuangzi' views this group of former dynasty remnants, naturally, they will be strictly guarded. If they dare to cause harm to the world, they will be executed immediately upon capture! If they are willing to surrender and live peacefully as citizens of the Great Qian, they may be pardoned, but they will still need to be monitored for a generation to prevent them from rebelling again."
Liang Xiao's heart rejoiced, and he praised, "As expected of my elder brother's favorite 'Little Shuangzi'! This way, it will also appease the people and earn the admiration of the world!"
Sometimes, annihilation was not the best course of action. Just like the Revitalization Sect, which sprang back endlessly, the problem had to be solved from its roots.
Liang Xiao felt much lighter, at least feeling less guilty towards his 'Little Shuangzi' and Shuang'er.
Yue Lian was only Liang Xiao's Yue Lian, no longer a princess of the former dynasty!
Liang Xiao had made up his mind. When the time was right and he ensured Yue Lian's safety, he would confess to his 'Little Shuangzi'. For now, he had to deal with Zuo Wushang, who might find him at any moment.
Xiao Qing looked at Liang Xiao, his eyes sparkling.
"Elder Brother need not worry about such trivial matters. Speaking of which, for Elder Brother to be able to subdue the eminent monks of Bodhi Temple and obtain the supreme treasure, that is truly remarkable! Even the founding Emperor – our High Ancestor – couldn't do it! And Elder Brother is also working hard to resolve land annexation... Tell me! What reward does Elder Brother want? Or, whatever Elder Brother wishes to do, 'Little Shuangzi' can satisfy you!"
Liang Xiao stared at Xiao Qing and asked, "Anything I want?"
"Yes!" Xiao Qing nodded happily.
"Then I'll pinch your cheeks."
As Liang Xiao spoke, before Xiao Qing could react, he cupped Xiao Qing's face, rubbed it, and pinched it.
"The texture is so good..."
Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun were stunned: What kind of peculiar habit was this?
Liang Xiao retracted his "dirty hands" with satisfaction, pouting, "To be honest, I, Elder Brother, particularly like pinching children's cheeks. But Mi'er is a girl, and I can't be so informal with her. So, 'Little Shuangzi', you'll have to bear with it! I can't help it; I just like it so much!"
"Alright, a promise is a promise. You've already pinched me twice! And... I'm not a child anymore..." Xiao Qing touched his blushing cheeks, looking at Liang Xiao resentfully, wishing he could throw him onto the dragon bed and whip him a hundred times with a small leather whip every day!
Under heaven, only this person dared to be so disrespectful to me and still wear such a cheeky grin!
Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun turned away, pressing their hands against their masks, afraid they might not be able to resist tearing Liang Xiao to pieces.
Who would have thought that a scholar capable of governing a nation, a gentleman praised by Zhuo Zifang and Qin Feng, would have such a peculiar habit!
Xiao Qing looked at Liang Xiao, who was roaring with laughter, and felt he had become even more adorable.
"Then, does Elder Brother like 'Little Shuangzi' more, or Imperial Sister more?" Xiao Qing hummed.
Liang Xiao was startled and looked at Xiao Qing warily. "Little Shuangzi, you can't be gay! Elder Brother's liking for you is different from my liking for Shuang'er, it's like..."
"Like looking at a baby brother in swaddling clothes who hasn't weaned yet, cherishing him dearly and needing to protect him carefully, right?" Xiao Qing said with a half-smile.
Liang Xiao's expression changed. "Hey? Did Shuang'er tell you again?"
Xiao Qing turned his head away. "Elder Brother, say whatever you want. No matter what you say, 'Little Shuangzi' and Imperial Sister like you very much..."
But in his heart, Xiao Qing was already plotting his "revenge."
Liang Xiao finally relaxed, but he was also keeping a mental note of this.
The two sat down again to discuss matters of state, including the miraculous appearance of General Tian, Liang Xiao's land in Yan Province, and finally, the princess from the Kingdom of Guizi who was to be married into the imperial family.
"Elder Brother, that princess from Guizi is indeed quite resistant to the marriage alliance," Xiao Qing said worriedly.
Liang Xiao asked, "Have you taken a liking to her? Elder Brother will find a way to make her willingly enter the palace. After all, you are a wise ruler, and it is no disgrace to be your concubine!"
Xiao Qing shook his head. "I've only met her once. She is indeed a beauty with exotic charm, but not enough to make your 'Little Shuangzi' fall for her..."
Ning Xuejun explained, "Young Master Liang, it is the Lord who does not wish to force her into the marriage alliance. That princess had previously hinted to me that she intended to commit suicide upon entering the palace. However, the Kingdom of Guizi is willing to submit willingly, and our Great Qian cannot chill their hearts..."
Liang Xiao mused, sighing, "So she's a woman of strong will? Perhaps she already has someone in her heart in the Kingdom of Guizi?"
Fortunately, Xiao Qing wasn't interested in her, otherwise, to fulfill his promise and ensure Xiao Qing wouldn't be without heirs, he would have to forcibly break up a couple.
"Highly likely!" Xiao Qing couldn't help but smile wryly. "Tomorrow at the imperial court, that princess will have an audience with the envoys from Guizi. Elder Brother can also attend. Also, you can visit Imperial Sister tonight. She's suffering from lovesickness again, and only you can cure her..."
As he said the last part, Xiao Qing felt extremely guilty and dared not look directly at Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao happily agreed.
Back at the Liang manor, before Liang Xiao could even get comfortable, Liang Yun arrived.
"Elder Brother, are we going to prepare to lower the price of 'One Drunk Hundred Years'?" Liang Yun sounded somewhat unwilling.
Liang Xiao shook his head and smiled, "Lowering the price is inevitable, but not now!"
Liang Yun sighed, "Firstly, those wealthy magnates in the capital seem to be colluding to reduce their purchases of 'One Drunk Hundred Years' and force us to lower the price. Secondly, they might genuinely be unable to afford it anymore, given the exorbitant price of five hundred taels per jar. They can't keep buying it indefinitely."
Liang Xiao laughed heartily, "Don't worry! I have a brilliant idea. We'll implement it in a few days, and they'll willingly hand over their money!"
Liang Yun was both surprised and delighted, readily agreeing and returning to prepare the inventory.
Jian Qinwan snorted, "The flower thief is scheming again..."
Liang Xiao grinned, "It's all about catering to their desires and getting what each party needs!"
Jian Qinwan did not press further, merely sitting down to teach Zhen Mi how to play the zither.
A moment later, a guard rushed in with an urgent report: "Second Young Master, Miss Yirou, the courtesan from Baichun Tower, has arrived!"
Upon hearing this, Jian Qinwan lost her interest in playing the zither, feeling a surge of crisis. She cast a glance at Liang Xiao, "It seems you've tricked another beautiful girl!"
Liang Xiao looked confused. "The first time I went to Baichun Tower to sell wine, it was just a passing encounter. Why would she specifically come looking for me? Just tell her I'm unavailable to receive guests recently."
The guard said with a wry smile, "That young lady quietly told us just now that if you refuse to see her, she will hang herself at the entrance of the Liang manor..."
Liang Xiao frowned. "Is it that serious?"
But soon, Liang Xiao thought of something, and his mind became vigilant.
Jian Qinwan's jealousy intensified. She taunted, "Well done, she's already infatuated with you to this extent!"
It was already nearing dusk. Liang Xiao, helpless, finally instructed the guard to bring Yirou in.