Even Xiao Qing was stunned.
Starting at twenty thousand taels, capped at one hundred thousand, these were sums of immense wealth!
Not only did Liang Xiao ask them for money, but he also wanted them to provide people?
"Marquis Anguo, you, you mustn't push your luck!" Ouyang Ji's voice trembled.
Liang Xiao looked innocent.
"The court is in urgent need of personnel, and naturally, the most trustworthy are the clan descendants of the esteemed officials. This is a golden opportunity for them to gain experience and polish their reputations! After a decade or two, no, half a year or a year, they might just gain the Emperor's favor and rise through the ranks!"
Xiao Qing smiled, covering her mouth with her hand, and gazed at Liang Xiao.
The last time she had granted Liang Xiao an exceptional official post, these officials had strongly opposed, vowing he should serve as a minor official for a decade or two before any promotion. Now, Liang Xiao was turning their own argument against them.
This fellow was utterly "wicked"!
"Can't we just send anyone?"
Dugu Qun and the others pondered in silence, finally nodding in agreement, "We will make arrangements upon our return."
Liang Xiao pointed to the genealogical chart of officials hanging on the wall and said, "Your Majesty, the clan descendants of these esteemed officials are the most reliable. Make sure to send them, starting from the grassroots. Once they understand the hardships of the common people, they will surely achieve great enlightenment and lay a solid foundation for their future governance."
Xiao Qing nodded, "It is so decreed. I will draft an imperial edict shortly. All your lords will atone for your sins by donating wealth and dispatching your clan descendants to cooperate with the nationwide promotion of smallpox prevention. There shall be no failures."
At this point, no matter how unwilling Dugu Qun and the others were, they could only accept the decree. However, before leaving, they glared at Liang Xiao with resentment and turned to depart.
Gu Hong and the others also broke out in a cold sweat.
They had chosen neutrality. Had they been swayed even slightly to oppose Liang Xiao…
Then they too would have to "donate" money and "donate" people…
"We must absolutely not offend Marquis Anguo!"
Everyone wiped the cold sweat from their brows and cupped their fists at Liang Xiao, smiling, "We ask for Marquis Anguo's continued guidance in the future!"
"You are too kind!" Liang Xiao smiled humbly.
Only Liang Qing and Luo Changfeng, while relieved, could not help but worry.
Liang Xiao's actions had thoroughly offended the aristocratic families led by the Dugu clan. It was too dangerous!
Xiao Qing kept Liang Xiao behind, and the two elders had no choice but to disperse with the other officials and wait outside the palace gate.
In the side hall, Xiao Qing's expression was complicated as she murmured, "Eldest Brother, Little Shuangzi is touched, but for Eldest Brother to offend the aristocratic families like this…"
Liang Xiao noticed that only Xiao Qing, Ding Wuyi, and Ning Xuejun were present, and he shed his pretense, laughing heartily.
"Little Shuangzi, you speak as if they wouldn't target Eldest Brother if he didn't offend them. Don't worry, they are so obsessed with power right now that they wouldn't dare to rebel."
Xiao Qing said with shame, "It's Little Shuangzi who has dragged Eldest Brother into this political vortex…"
"Don't blame yourself. In fact, even before I met you, I knew I couldn't remain a carefree wanderer forever."
"Because Eldest Brother cares about the country, right?" Xiao Qing asked happily.
Liang Xiao chuckled, and after being repeatedly coaxed and pestered by Xiao Qing's coquetry, he finally nodded and sighed, "Since I've entered officialdom, as Eldest Brother, I naturally must shelter and protect Little Shuangzi."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qing, who had been somewhat happy, covered her face and wept.
Liang Xiao patted Xiao Qing's shoulder and comforted her, "Eldest Brother is very happy that you are so moved, but you are already seventeen. You should better control your emotions."
"Mm, I won't cry…"
Xiao Qing looked up and wiped her tears, but they flowed again.
Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun were also teary-eyed, their hearts filled with complex emotions.
They could only ensure their master's safety. Now, their master finally had true support!
Liang Xiao wiped Xiao Qing's tears with his sleeve and gently pinched her small cheek, sighing softly, "You truly are like a child who never grows up. If this continues, Eldest Brother really worries you'll have no heirs… How about you take some aphrodisiacs?"
Xiao Qing, Ding Wuyi, Ning Xuejun: …
Seeing their speechless expressions, Liang Xiao burst into laughter.
Ding Wuyi couldn't hold back and quickly said, "Young Master Liang Er, the imperial physicians said aphrodisiacs cannot be taken carelessly. His Majesty simply grows slowly in body, but is very healthy!"
Liang Xiao was relieved, smiled and nodded, stroking Xiao Qing's head, letting her glare at him resentfully.
Ning Xuejun couldn't hold back either, fearing Xiao Qing would be exposed, and quickly said, "Young Master Liang Er, His Majesty already knows about you and the Princess. His Majesty is very happy and will make you a prince consort when the time is right. Currently, His Majesty's emotions are too volatile and should be allowed to rest…"
Liang Xiao understood and nodded, "That is fine. If needed, I can be summoned to the palace at any time."
Xiao Qing watched Liang Xiao's departing back with tears in her eyes. It was not until Liang Xiao had long disappeared from sight that she came back to her senses and her tears turned into a smile.
"Eunuch Ding, Granny Ning, I suddenly don't want to lose the identity of Little Shuangzi anymore, what should I do…"
Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun exchanged glances, and after a moment, they said with wry smiles, "As long as Your Majesty likes it."
They understood Xiao Qing's feelings.
Only as a daughter, Liang Xiao was merely her lover. She had absolutely no way to deal with Liang Xiao.
When playing "Little Shuangzi," Liang Xiao was her shamelessly thick-skinned, smelly elder brother, who always made her cry, laugh, and be moved. She could occasionally "discipline" Liang Xiao!
Dugu Clan.
"Bang!"
Dugu Qun furiously swept the teacup on the table, letting the jade teacup shatter into pieces on the ground.
Dugu Xiao and Dugu Liang's faces were ashen.
"This Liang Xiao is too much! My son, contact the barbarians and send more assassins! If this scoundrel is not removed, there will be no peace!"
Upon returning home, Liang Xiao saw Yue Lian anxiously waiting in the courtyard and Jian Qinwan sitting silently.
"Bodhisattva, your mother helped me greatly. When you reply next time, please thank her on my behalf."
Jian Qinwan merely glanced at Liang Xiao indifferently, her expression full of disdain, "So? You kicked down my mother's door, but you haven't put it back."
Liang Xiao chuckled awkwardly, "I was undergoing treatment then and couldn't move from my bed…"
Seeing Liang Xiao's embarrassed demeanor, Jian Qinwan felt somewhat appeased. She exchanged a look with Yue Lian.
Yue Lian immediately took a list from her sleeve and handed it to Liang Xiao.
"Young Master, this is the list of Tianshan swordsmen dispatched by the Medical Sage, responsible for assisting Miss Qinwan in protecting you…"
Liang Xiao was taken aback. Looking at the list, he understood at once.
These people were actually sent to protect Jian Qinwan because they didn't trust her.
But this was also good. From now on, wherever Jian Qinwan went with him, there would be Tianshan disciples nearby for support. Once he became familiar with these Tianshan disciples, he could even entrust them with some tasks.
Seeing Liang Xiao's calm expression, Jian Qinwan said coldly, "When will you go to Bodhi Temple with me?"
"I will be very busy recently, extremely busy. I'll go after I'm done," Liang Xiao replied.
Jian Qinwan merely rolled her eyes at Liang Xiao and returned to Zhen Mi's room alone.
"Young Master…"
Yue Lian tugged Liang Xiao's arm worriedly, frequently winking at him, signaling him to appease Jian Qinwan.
Liang Xiao just shook his head. After Jian Qinwan walked away, he said, "I really can't figure out her temperament. I don't even know if she's willingly protecting me or not. Why should I seek annoyance…"
As they were talking, Steward Liang Wen rushed over with an envelope, looking anxious.
"Second Young Master, it's a letter from Zhuo Lingjun!"