"Ah!"
Xiao Qing cried out, instinctively shielding her chest with her hand.
Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun snapped back to reality, staring at Liang Xiao, their suspicion deepening.
Lifting a person with one hand, such strength…
Liang Xiao put Xiao Qing down again, laughing heartily, "See? Big Brother didn't lie to you, did he? Xiao Shuangzi, you're too thin. Ninety catties, is that right?"
Xiao Qing dared not respond, merely glaring at Liang Xiao with a pout, her face flushing. She turned away, muttering sulkily, "I'm not telling you! I always eat well!"
Just now, she had genuinely feared her clothes would rip, exposing her true identity…
In this entire world, only this rascal of a Big Brother dared to be so familiar with her, even though he didn't know she was a woman.
"It seems your absorption isn't good. Eat more, get fatter, be plump, white, and healthy…" Liang Xiao patted Xiao Qing with concern.
Xiao Qing raised an eyebrow and huffed, "If I get as fat as two hundred catties, will Big Brother stop… despise Xiao Shuangzi?"
Liang Xiao chuckled, "How could that be? Even if you weighed two thousand catties, Big Brother would never dislike you!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qing couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle. Then, she collected herself and said, "Then~ Big Brother must not touch Xiao Shuangzi like that anymore. Xiao Shuangzi will get startled, and when startled, I can't eat well!"
Liang Xiao quickly apologized, "It was Big Brother's excitement. Big Brother will make it up to you."
Xiao Qing's eyes sparkled with an idea, and she smiled, "Make it up? Big Brother just shouldn't let Xiao Shuangzi be without an heir."
"Naturally!" Liang Xiao agreed without hesitation.
Xiao Qing laughed even harder. After a long while, she turned around and looked at Liang Xiao happily.
"Congratulations, Big Brother, on your recovery. I wish you a swift healing!"
Liang Xiao nodded repeatedly, "Big Brother will live as long as you, to see you become a wise ruler and forge a glorious empire. The road ahead is arduous, but in this life, Big Brother will walk it with you!"
Hearing this, Xiao Qing began to cry as she smiled.
Liang Xiao could no longer bear to admonish his Xiao Shuangzi to be more manly, merely patting her shoulder to comfort her.
Xiao Qing lowered her head and said softly, "Then, for the rest of my life, please, Big Brother, guide me well…"
Liang Xiao nodded with satisfaction. Xiao Qing's heart fluttered, and she resisted the urge to throw herself into Liang Xiao's arms.
Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun watched the two, their eyes also moistening.
They were watching Liang Xiao step further into their Lord's trap, a trap from which he could never escape.
It took a full quarter of an hour before Xiao Qing calmed down, regaining her usual composure, and discussed state affairs with Liang Xiao.
In the heavily affected areas of the pox, a large number of people had been "vaccinated" with cowpox, and no deaths had occurred!
Tuntian (agricultural reclamation) was also proceeding apace, and contract tax had been implemented nationwide.
"The officials of the aristocratic clans in various regions are strongly opposing the Tuntian, and it may not go smoothly in the short term…" Xiao Qing sighed.
Liang Xiao smiled, "It's fine. You are the Son of Heaven. You only need to command the prefectures and counties to supervise strictly. Those who oppress farmers or are corrupt will be beheaded according to the law! As for military Tuntian, it is imperative, but the soldiers' stipends need to be increased."
Xi Qianxi nodded joyfully, "As long as Big Brother is here, Xiao Shuangzi has nothing to fear!"
Liang Xiao frowned and reminded, "Xiao Shuangzi, Big Brother is ultimately a subject, and you are the ruler. You must maintain proper decorum. Big Brother can only be unrestrained with you in private, as brothers."
Xiao Qing simply nodded, offering no commitment.
"When Big Brother has recovered, you can visit Yan Province to see your own fiefdom, and by the way, pay a visit to the General of the Cavalry Guard who defends the northern border. He has sent several memorials, saying he finds it hard to believe someone like Big Brother exists and wishes to witness Big Brother's demeanor in person."
"Coincidentally, I plan to take some time to visit Bodhi Temple in Yan Province soon. We can handle things together then," Liang Xiao said with a smile.
Xiao Qing then remembered what Ding Wuyi had reported, and a wave of jealousy washed over her. "I heard the Medical Saint also sent her precious daughter, the current Qin Xian (Zither Immortal), as Big Brother's guard? Tsk, that Medical Saint originally hated royalty and nobility to the bone, but with Big Brother's arrival, she even offered her daughter…"
Liang Xiao did not react with the awkwardness or embarrassment Xiao Qing imagined. Instead, he lowered his head, his expression solemn.
"She has severe mysophobia. It's not that I dislike her, but I worry if she can tolerate the environment of Liang Manor."
Hearing Liang Xiao express concern for another woman, Xiao Qing was taken aback, her jealousy intensifying.
"Big Brother, if you have time, please visit my imperial sister. She is ill."
Liang Xiao blinked in surprise, "What illness? Is it serious?"
Xiao Qing finally felt a little better, smiling, "It's alright, it's just that the capital has been getting colder recently…"
"Perhaps I should go see her now," Liang Xiao immediately stood up.
Xiao Qing's heart fluttered, and she quickly grabbed Liang Xiao's sleeve, "No, no, no. She's not receiving guests at the moment. Even I, her imperial brother, am not allowed in!"
Liang Xiao had no choice but to sit back down and continue discussing military and state affairs with Xiao Qing.
Meanwhile, south of Liang Manor, Zuo Wushang and two trusted aides were intently watching the south gate of Liang Manor.
"Marshal, we've found out. The maid by Liang Xiao's side is named Yue Lian!"
Zuo Wushang nodded in satisfaction and said gravely, "First, abduct this girl. Remember, under no circumstances are you to harm her, nor are you to insult her, or you will face military execution!"
The two solemnly agreed.
"Marshal, what's the use of abducting her? Can it truly force Liang Xiao to comply?" one of the aides couldn't help but ask.
Zuo Wushang responded in a low voice, "How will we know if we don't try? In any case, to control Liang Xiao, we absolutely cannot harm this girl, nor can we let anyone else harm her. Do you understand?"
"Understood!!"
Zuo Wushang gazed at the gate of Liang Manor, his heart filled with melancholy. "If I cannot rescue the princess first, then I will have no choice but to bring a token of submission and confess everything to Liang Xiao…"
The thought of Liang Xiao's divine swordplay and hidden weapons sent a shiver down Zuo Wushang's spine.
What if he didn't support the cause of restoring the nation?
A sense of powerlessness welled up in Zuo Wushang's heart.
If this person supported the Great Qian, it would be a fool's dream for the Great Heng Kingdom to be restored!
He might very well be the real Heavenly General, who survived a great calamity, leaving behind injuries but successfully receiving treatment from the Medical Saint!
In Zhen Mi's chamber, Jian Qinwan tirelessly played the zither for Zhen Mi. The other women listened, entranced.
After the performance, Zhen Mi looked at Jian Qinwan with starry eyes, "Sister, can you teach Mi'er to play the zither…"
Jian Qinwan readily agreed.
"Master, please accept Mi'er's bow!" Zhen Mi was about to prostrate herself but was stopped by Jian Qinwan.
"Just call me Sister. That way, that lecher won't object!"
Zhen Mi argued, "Brother Xiao is not a lecher…"
Jian Qinwan then went along with it, smiling, "Alright, Sister believes Mi'er. But when Mi'er can compose poems and couplets in the future, you must also teach Sister…"
"Sister looks like a well-educated lady from a noble family. Why do you still need to learn…" Zhen Mi asked curiously, blinking her sparkling eyes at Jian Qinwan.
Jian Qinwan smiled, "Because Sister doesn't want to lose to someone."
Zhen Mi didn't quite understand the meaning but obediently agreed.
Yue Lian explained, "Miss Luo is a very good person. Qin Xian, you…"
"Don't worry, I know my limits!" Jian Qinwan, her thoughts exposed, responded nonchalantly.
Yue Lian finally relaxed and went to prepare rooms for Yao'er and the other two.
The three were very satisfied with their rooms and expressed their immense gratitude, stating they could tidy up themselves.
Yue Lian smiled and nodded, "When I'm not here with the young master, you can ask the sisters and the governesses in the manor if you need anything. I'm going out now to pick out the young master's favorite dishes and cook a good meal~"