Liang Xiao pondered for a moment and chimed in, "Here, you don't have to fear. No one from the Sky-Day tribe can harm you."
Sophia knelt before Liang Xiao, tears in her eyes, offering prayers and gratitude. Liang Mingyu helped her up.
Considering Sophia carried no dangerous items and was Christye's sister, it would be impolite not to entertain her. Liang Xiao decided to try bringing her back to the Liang manor first, to let her meet the other girls.
Upon seeing Sophia, Jian Qinwan and the others were taken aback.
She looked so alike!
"Two Christye sisters, Young Master Xiao has double the joy~" Zhen Mi's voice suddenly interjected from the side.
Liang Xiao narrowed his eyes. "Mi'er, can you tell me, what is it that truly frightens you?"
Zhen Mi replied without hesitation, "If Young Master Xiao and the sisters ignore Mi'er, Mi'er will be very scared..."
Liang Xiao was stunned and defeated. "That won't do!"
In less than a year, he was already at a loss for this little girl, and couldn't bear to ignore her.
Zhen Mi was content and chuckled, covering her mouth.
Luo Qingxue asked, "Will this Sister Sophia be living in the Liang manor from now on...?"
Liang Xiao shook his head. "Her status is rather special. She should be treated as a foreign guest. For now, she should stay at the Honglu Temple. I just brought her here to meet you all."
The others nodded in agreement and introduced themselves to Sophia.
Sophia felt as if bathed in a spring breeze and bowed gratefully to everyone in turn.
"How cruel is that Sky-Day tribe, to want to burn to death such a beautiful and polite girl!" The simple Zhuo Xun was indignant.
Everyone nodded, but soon remembered Liang Xiao's reminder and became cautious.
Stay safe!
Even before meeting Sophia, Liang Xiao had shared his concerns with them.
For them, Liang Xiao was the one person they could trust implicitly.
Sophia maintained a certain humility and reverence towards everyone. Christye and Booty saw this and felt a pang of sadness.
She appeared to be a tragic figure who had suffered greatly and was now perpetually uneasy about the world.
Just then, a scolding voice was heard from outside. Everyone looked to see a wet nurse chasing a white rabbit into the open courtyard, looking flustered.
"Apologies, Second Young Master. The rabbit for tonight's dinner escaped its cage and ran in here..."
Faced with strangers in the courtyard, the rabbit, in its panic, bumped into Sophia's feet.
"Ah~" Sophia squatted down, gently picked up the rabbit, and stroked it with extreme care.
Under the surprised gazes of everyone, the rabbit sat quietly in Sophia's arms, no longer struggling.
"It's fine," Liang Xiao simply smiled and signaled the wet nurse to return.
"Why is there a pure white rabbit, it's so cute..." Sophia murmured.
Liang Xiao just smiled.
Was she, like Yue Lian, fond of small animals?
An hour later, everyone was seated around the dinner table, looking in silence at the large basin of steaming rabbit meat in the center.
"Why are you all staring, eat! Your husband cooked it himself, and there's no gamey smell!" Only someone picked up their chopsticks and urged everyone.
Sophia simply lowered her head, looking dejected.
"Don't be sad, eat three big bowls with tears in your eyes, it cures everything!" Liang Xiao said with a grin.
The girls looked at Liang Xiao, speechless.
He was still so shameless!
Yet, the damn savory aroma made them inexplicably salivate faster...
It really looked delicious?
Sophia alone picked at a pile of plain vegetables, eating silently.
Luo Qingxue glanced at Sophia, worried. "Husband, she seems to be a vegetarian. Will this be alright...?"
Liang Xiao glanced at Sophia, his expression calm. "This was a rabbit meant for consumption, no different from the other poultry and livestock at home. What meat one eats is a matter of choice."
Sophia said weakly, "It's alright. Sophia herself is vegetarian, but I understand why others eat meat. Please continue as usual, otherwise, Sophia will only feel more guilty..."
Everyone was taken aback.
Liang Xiao also cast an appreciative glance at Sophia and said to the girls, "Did you hear that? It's fine if she's vegetarian, but if she tries to persuade others to be vegetarian, or even force them, then she's an absolute hypocritical bastard!"
Liang Xiao understood some basic nutrition and knew that eating only vegetarian food was not good for the body, especially in this era of low productivity. Most people were grateful for any balanced diet.
Moreover, that rabbit was originally intended for meat at the Liang manor.
Of course, he wanted to see Sophia's reaction.
For now, she didn't seem to have any major issues. She was humble and sensible, not some saintly white lotus. Unlike some people or groups who feasted on meat and seafood themselves, yet urged Chinese people to eat less or nothing in the future...
This Sophia always had a worried demeanor, afraid of offending anyone, even a servant.
After the meal, Sophia did not ask to stay at the Liang manor. She simply bowed to everyone, "Thank you for your hospitality..."
Liang Xiao sent someone to escort Sophia back to the Honglu Temple, without letting Christye accompany her.
In the courtyard, Liang Xiao reminded Christye, "I heard she has episodes often. You can visit her often during this period, but you must be careful. You are both very conspicuous now, and I can't casually bring any stranger into the courtyard."
Christye understood and nodded solemnly, but couldn't hide her joy.
Sophia was her sister, after all, blood-related, and she still had burns.
Jian Qinwan reminded her, "Christye, although she is indeed your sister, for the sake of the flower thief, you absolutely cannot reveal any important information to her, understand?"
Luo Qingxue added, "This is also a form of protection for her. After all, she shouldn't be involved in these matters, lest it cause trouble."
Christye nodded repeatedly. "I remember! Elder Booty and Captain Mingyu are protecting me and reminding me all the time!"
Liang Xiao then said, "Let's wait until I've fully confirmed. If she is innocent, I will apologize to her. At least for now, she doesn't have to worry about being captured by the Sky-Day tribe."
Christye nodded joyfully, mustered her courage, and pecked Liang Xiao's cheek. "Thank you, husband~"
Back at the Honglu Temple guesthouse, Sophia sat on the bed, her eyes vacant. Occasionally, she would chuckle foolishly, "I... I'm not alone anymore..."
The guards and maids watching outside the door exchanged glances, full of sympathy.
They had been ordered to protect and care for Sophia, and also to observe her condition and report it promptly.
In the imperial study, Xiao Qing, after learning of the situation, huffed, "She's not really just a tragic woman, is she? Is this scoundrel going to get lucky again..."
Ning Xuejun and Ding Wu Yi, hearing Xiao Qing's jealousy, suppressed their laughter.
As he planned to go to Yan Province, Liang Xiao intended to spend the coming days accompanying Xiao Qing at the Western Palace Villa. Jian Qinwan and the others understood.
After all, Princess Ningshuang couldn't travel with Liang Xiao, but they could...
The next morning, Liang Xiao returned to the Liang manor. The supervisor of the workshop had been waiting for a long time and immediately reported, "Marquis, the sugarcane has arrived!"
Liang Xiao was overjoyed and immediately led Luo Qingxue, Hong Jie, and Zhang Yang to the "sugar workshop" he had prepared.
Carriages pulling batches of ripe sugarcane drove into the spacious sugar workshop grounds.
Everyone looked at the sugarcane with anticipation.
Syrup was too precious, and the common people couldn't afford it. They had heard from Liang Xiao that his sugar workshop might be able to produce sugar in large quantities, which would not only be profitable but also reduce the cost of sugar for the populace!
If the situation turned out as Liang Xiao predicted, it would be a great benefit to the people.
The national treasury could also increase its tax revenue.