Liang Xiao fell silent, his gaze fixed on Ouyang Ping, his expression a mix of hesitation and unspoken words.
Seeing Liang Xiao’s silence, Ouyang Ping’s heart soared with joy, but he maintained an outward facade of sympathy and regret. "Our Ouyang family respects the boldness of Marquis Anguo. However, business is business, and this matter is separate from official affairs. We hope Marquis Anguo will abide by the terms of the contract: once your bookstore goes bankrupt, you will never be allowed to operate a bookstore again!"
Liang Xiao could only offer a helpless, wry smile and nod. "It's just that printing is a bit slow recently. This Lord will persevere!"
After Ouyang Ping left, the surrounding commoners gathered their courage and knelt, begging, "Marquis Anguo, please reconsider! Don't go bankrupt. We are willing to pay a higher price for books..."
Liang Xiao quickly called for everyone to rise, feeling ashamed. He maintained a serious expression. "Rest assured, everyone. I will persist to the end and break the Ouyang family's bookstore monopoly!"
He needed to lull the Ouyang family into a false sense of security and could not reveal his costs. These people's genuine sincerity had, unexpectedly, made them accomplices in his act.
To crush the Ouyang family's book business and make low-priced books accessible to all citizens of the land would be the best recompense to the people!
The commoners, deeply grateful, departed with tears in their eyes.
Inside the carriage, Ouyang Ping could barely contain his excitement, covering his mouth with his hands, his body trembling violently with suppressed laughter.
Upon returning home, Ouyang Ping informed his family, as well as Dugu Qun and He Wanli, who were waiting for news, of the situation.
Everyone rejoiced. "Buying land, printing books, he overextended himself. Now 'One Drunk Hundred Years' isn't selling well. He's truly at his limit! Ruining Liang Xiao's wealth is within reach!"
At that moment, the various families regained their confidence!
"As long as Liang Xiao's bookstore goes bankrupt, according to the contract, he will forever be barred from printing and selling books! By then, our Ouyang family will sell books that cost us three hundred wen at a slightly reduced price compared to before, and our profits will only be higher!" Ouyang Ji exclaimed, his beard quivering with excitement.
Dugu Qun and He Wanli also burst into hearty laughter.
The Ouyang family had promised to sell books to their two families permanently at cost price, and everyone was overjoyed!
Liang Xiao returned to his office. Everyone understood the unspoken situation and did not inquire about the losses.
"Sister-in-law, continue to oversee the brewing of 'One Drunk Hundred Years' and store it properly. I will send word out that 'One Drunk Hundred Years' will not be reduced in price for now and will be sold slowly!" Liang Xiao said.
Yang Xuejing immediately went to arrange for the workers to begin.
In the afternoon, Liang Xiao also returned to the palace with Xiao Qing.
In the carriage, Xiao Qing snuggled into Liang Xiao's embrace, blushing. "Sister Qingxue and Sister Qinwan are becoming more mischievous..."
"How are they mischievous?" Liang Xiao asked with a hint of curiosity.
"They keep pestering me, asking... about me and you. I tried my best to change the subject, but the two sisters still couldn't help asking."
"Asking about what with me?" Liang Xiao smiled.
"Well, what it felt like after... after consummating with you... You are so wicked! It's all your fault! You scoundrel~" Xiao Qing playfully hit Liang Xiao's thigh in exasperation.
Liang Xiao blinked, then pouted. "Then just tell them that when they consummate with me, they'll know, won't they?"
Xiao Qing's face turned red. She glared, "How could I not have thought of that? You truly are a scoundrel..."
Upon returning to the West Palace villa, the female imperial physician Yuan Jin performed her routine daily examination of Xiao Qing to check her physical condition.
"Your Majesty should prioritize recovering your health. Whether you can conceive is secondary. You must not overexert yourself," Yuan Jin cautioned.
Xiao Qing, blushing, cast a glance at Liang Xiao.
After Yuan Jin left, Liang Xiao embraced Xiao Qing and comforted her. "Don't worry."
Xiao Qing responded obediently. "My ancestors have always had poor constitutions and difficulty bearing children. If I am unable to have children in the future, Brother Xiao, could we adopt one from the sister who has many children with you? Preferably one from Sister Qingxue or Sister Qinwan, alright?"
Liang Xiao was taken aback. He hugged Xiao Qing tightly, his heart aching. "We will have them. A chubby boy, a beautiful girl, we will have them all!"
Liang Xiao's comfort, while making Xiao Qing feel much better, also made her more shy.
Who comforts someone like that...
Liang Xiao's clothes were already stored in the West Palace villa, and even his Heavenly General's chest was kept there.
Another peaceful night ensued...
Because they had slept too late the previous night, the morning court session was scheduled for the afternoon. Liang Xiao specifically accompanied Xiao Qing.
Although the Grand Tutor was one of the Three Dukes, his actual power was far less than that of the Minister of Personnel. Therefore, Liang Xiao still wore the uniform of the Minister of Personnel, his Sleeve Serpent Sword hanging at his waist, seated in front of Xiao Qing.
Gazing at the officials kneeling below, Xiao Qing felt that things were vastly different now. Her confidence and composure were unprecedented.
Because along this journey, she had her husband, the Grand Princess Consort of the Great Qian Dynasty, the "Emperor" of the Great Qian Dynasty, the Wen Sheng Marquis Anguo, and the Wu Shen Heavenly General, forever by her side!
After the officials paid their respects, they also offered congratulations to Liang Xiao, with Dugu Qun, He Wanli, and Ouyang Ji being the most enthusiastic and excited.
At this moment, it was as if they had never been adversaries of Liang Xiao, but rather like long-time friends.
Liang Xiao smiled. "The way you gentlemen's attitudes have changed so quickly is incredible."
He Wanli quickly replied, "It is as it should be! Marquis Anguo is now admired by all, and he is the Emperor's chosen consort. He cares deeply for the nation and its people. We should undoubtedly stand shoulder to shoulder with Marquis Anguo to maintain this era of prosperity!"
Liang Xiao merely smiled in response, and Xiao Qing also smiled with relief.
However, the young couple inwardly felt like they were facing a great enemy.
They did not fear enemies who confronted them head-on, but they feared enemies who hid their knives behind smiles!
The leaders of these aristocratic families, faced with the ascendant Liang Xiao, had finally shed the arrogance accumulated over generations and begun to feign obedience.
Without conflict in the court, they had fewer opportunities to be caught and reprimanded!
Gongyang Lu Feng, the Deputy Prefect of Jinling, had been extremely arrogant, daring to refuse to process Liang Xiao's bookstore's applications. Liang Xiao could have rightfully slapped his teeth out, had him removed from office, and even publicly humiliated him at the Grand Tutor's mansion.
However, from now on, such direct conflicts beneficial to Liang Xiao would be rare!
The court session today was exceptionally harmonious. Xiao Qing approved all suggestions from Wang Canghai and others, while Dugu Qun and the others nodded in agreement, exclaiming, "His Majesty is wise."
Xiao Qing was somewhat surprised but suppressed her urge to speak. Then, with a flash of inspiration, she smiled. "Then, esteemed ministers, do you believe we should increase the conscription efforts in various regions to prevent a recurrence of the tragedy in the northern borders of Yanzhou?"
Dugu Qun and the others, who had been assiduously fawning, were suddenly left speechless for a long time.
The more troops the Son of Heaven controlled, the greater the threat to them.
Although Lü Yi and Gongsun Ye were the two marshals, as long as there was a sufficient reason, the court could transfer them back to the center at any time, strip them of their military power, and they would be unable to stir up trouble.
But this did not mean that they, as civil officials, would be qualified to command the army. The primary armies in various regions always belonged to the court, presided over by the Son of Heaven!
There were situations like Dugu Ling of the East Sea, for instance, in some areas of the Southern Barbarian territories, the Western Shu, and Jiaozhou. However, Dugu Ling of the East Sea had already served as a living example for Liang Xiao, a warning to others!