"Under the flowers and moon?"
Seeing Xiao Qing, Ding Wuyi, and Ning Xuejun, Liang Xiao was startled, then chuckled and shook his head. "I'll be grateful if she doesn't cause trouble for me in public."
Xiao Qing pondered for a moment, a relieved smile appearing on his face. "Oh."
"How about you, Eunuch Qin? How long have you been waiting here?" Liang Xiao asked.
Xiao Qing huffed. "About two hours!"
Liang Xiao quickly told Yue Lian to rest and invited Xiao Qing and the other two inside.
Xiao Qing also introduced Ning Xuejun to Liang Xiao.
Ning Xuejun scrutinized Liang Xiao, her eyes full of surprise.
Xiao Qing had warned her beforehand not to act rashly without his command. Otherwise, Ning Xuejun would have had Liang Xiao interrogated upside down!
"From now on, if you want to visit, just send someone to notify me a day in advance," Liang Xiao sighed.
Xiao Qing frowned and sighed. "Whether I can come out, and when, depends on whether His Majesty is free. What, are you afraid I'll visit unexpectedly and see you doing something indecent?"
Liang Xiao shook his head. "It's freezing cold, and you're so frail. You waited here in my courtyard for so long. Anyone would feel heartbroken seeing that."
Xiao Qing and the other two were taken aback.
Xiao Qing's tightly knit brows relaxed, and he teased, "You're quite good at showing concern."
Liang Xiao pouted. "Of course. Being castrated too early affects development, and one's constitution is bound to be weaker."
Hearing this, Xiao Qing was rendered speechless, unsure whether to laugh or cry. "Your words and actions are always so unpredictable."
However, deep down, Xiao Qing secretly vowed.
Just you wait, Your Majesty, I'm writing it all down, humph!
Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun almost jumped forward to slap Liang Xiao on the back of his head.
Liang Xiao said earnestly, "Do I look like I'm joking? Eunuchs who can wholeheartedly assist the emperor without meddling in court affairs are rare and precious. Who wouldn't wish for wise men to live long?"
Xiao Qing was left speechless and could only nod.
He really seemed to genuinely care about my well-being as a "eunuch." This is bad.
Yet, inwardly, Xiao Qing was deeply touched.
At least he cared about me, didn't he?
Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun were both at their wits' end.
His Majesty isn't a man to begin with, and Eunuch Ding is right here. Can't you, kid, stop mentioning "castration" and "eunuchs"?
Fortunately, Xiao Qing valued Liang Xiao. If it were anyone else, Ding Wuyi would have dragged him out and beaten him a hundred times!
Xiao Qing suddenly remembered something and asked, "How was it participating in that poetry competition?"
Liang Xiao sneered. "Deeply disappointing! They were just a bunch of pretentious, pedantic fops, daring to call themselves scholars and poets!"
Xiao Qing was shocked. "Did they make things difficult for you?"
Liang Xiao nonchalantly described the poetry competition.
"Disdain for the Carefree Young General? I will report this to His Majesty and speak up for you!" Xiao Qing's rare eyes blazed with anger.
Even Ning Xuejun and Ding Wuyi's expressions turned grim.
"No, no, no, this is just my personal grievance. I'm not here to complain, please don't report it," Liang Xiao quickly said, then looked at Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun.
Xiao Qing was taken aback and pouted. "This matter has blown up so much, it's likely to be common knowledge tomorrow. Then they'll try to cover it up, and you'll become an enemy of all the scholars in the capital."
Liang Xiao smiled proudly. "Do I care about mere reputation?"
Xiao Qing remained silent for a moment, then sighed. "Don't worry, His Majesty is wise and will undoubtedly render a fair judgment."
Liang Xiao gave a noncommittal response.
Xiao Qing produced three pieces of writing and exclaimed, "Thanks to your inspiration, His Majesty has adopted my suggestions, which I believe will effectively alleviate the problems of factionalism and corruption within the court and among officials."
"Adopted?" Liang Xiao was surprised.
Xiao Qing smiled and nodded, saying, "But if you are willing, you can come to the palace with me anytime. I will explain everything truthfully to His Majesty..."
"Absolutely not!" Liang Xiao shook his head.
Xiao Qing looked disappointed. "I naturally know you have no interest in officialdom... Then what reward do you desire? I'll speak to His Majesty about it."
Liang Xiao sighed. "If you truly mean to help, you should remind His Majesty and that little princess to trouble me less."
Xiao Qing had no choice but to agree.
Seeing Xiao Qing's dejection, Liang Xiao felt a pang of sympathy and comforted him, "As for you, as a eunuch, you still know to worry about the country and its people, dedicating yourself wholeheartedly. Those scholars and poets combined are not as worthy as you are."
Ding Wuyi's breath hitched, and he roared inwardly: He's still mentioning eunuchs, that's enough!
Without waiting for Xiao Qing's reply, Liang Xiao asked, "Who exactly are you?"
"A close minister to the Son of Heaven, dedicating myself silently! Like you, I don't crave empty fame, as long as I can fulfill my worth! Therefore, you don't need to show me excessive respect just because of my identity!" Xiao Qing had prepared his answer and spoke without hesitation.
Liang Xiao pondered thoughtfully and nodded slightly. "Don't worry, from His Majesty and the Princess down to the common folk, my attitude towards everyone is the same, Liang Xiao."
He knew well that the Da Qian dynasty had always had such traditions, as eunuchs, if properly trained, were more trustworthy to the emperor than ordinary people.
For example, the rumored imperial guard, the "Shadow Guards," had many members who were former eunuchs.
Xiao Qing had a flash of inspiration and pretended to be displeased. "Are eunuchs not human? Are eunuchs inferior?"
"That's not what I meant," Liang Xiao quickly explained.
Xiao Qing pressed his advantage, smiling. "That's exactly what you meant! Why don't you prove it!"
"Prove it?" Liang Xiao was startled.
"Yes! Prove it!" Xiao Qing beamed.
Finally, an opportunity to prank him!
Liang Xiao pondered for a moment, then suddenly slapped the table.
Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun stepped forward warily, staring at Liang Xiao.
"Then let's become sworn brothers. That will prove I not only don't discriminate against you, but I also deeply respect you," Liang Xiao said with a smile.
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Qing and the other two were stunned.
Sworn brothers?
"This..." Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun were momentarily unsure whether to advise against it.
Such a situation had never been encountered by previous emperors!
If they didn't stop him, Liang Xiao would be forming a brotherhood with the Son of Heaven.
But if they stopped him, they feared it would disrupt Xiao Qing's plan.
"Broth... brotherhood?" Xiao Qing was somewhat flustered.
Liang Xiao nodded solemnly. "Since you and I share similar aspirations, and you have discerning eyes, do not covet vanity, and are willing to set aside your status to treat me with courtesy. Such a brother, I, Liang Xiao, will certainly make!"
Xiao Qing was a little nervous, his left hand unconsciously clenched, covering his mouth. "I, I'll consider it..."
"What's there to consider! Come on!"
Liang Xiao suddenly stood up and, under the astonished gaze of Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun, walked up to Xiao Qing and pulled him to his feet.
It was the first time Xiao Qing had his hand held by Liang Xiao, and he immediately blushed, allowing Liang Xiao to pull him to the doorway.
Liang Xiao moved the table over, then fetched a small bowl and filled it with warm water, urging Xiao Qing, "Let's each drip a drop of blood into the bowl. After drinking this water, we'll be brothers from now on! You can't hold your liquor well, so let's use water instead of wine. See, aren't I very thoughtful?"
Xiao Qing looked panicked, his voice trembling. "Blood drop..."
"Absolutely not!" Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun could bear it no longer and reminded him.
His Majesty was of noble birth, how could he be so reckless?
Liang Xiao pondered briefly and then said with a smile, "I was too hasty. You're frail, and it wouldn't be good if you got infected. How about this."
Saying that, Liang Xiao bit his own index fingers and dripped a drop of blood from each into the bowl.
"We are brothers, so I'll make this blood offering for you!"