"What's wrong? Aren't you an eunuch, are you... the Emperor's male consort?"
Xiao Qing chuckled, "Of course I'm not a male consort."
"Then you're an eunuch, for sure," Liang Xiao grinned.
Liang Qing jumped up, ready to kick Liang Xiao, but met Xiao Qing's displeased gaze and quickly sat back down.
Zhuo Zifang watched, shaking his head helplessly, his disappointment palpable.
Xiao Qing glanced at the silver in his hand and asked irritably, "Are you trying to bribe an imperial confidant in front of three old ministers? Is that appropriate?"
"Is it not appropriate?" Liang Xiao retorted.
Upon hearing this, Liang Qing nearly jumped up to kick Liang Xiao again.
"You seem to have something more to say? Speak clearly," Xiao Qing's tone grew colder.
Liang Xiao smiled, "Corruption is rampant throughout the court and the country. Everything requires a 'token of appreciation' or a 'gift' first, euphemistically called 'reciprocity.' If the token isn't enough, then comes all sorts of trouble and persecution. For example, my grandfather is retired, yet the imperial eunuchs coming to Yanzhou still expect him to host them and prepare lavish gifts."
Xiao Qing was stunned, and Liang Qing's and the others' faces grew increasingly grim.
This brat, bringing up such sensitive topics in front of the Emperor, speaking of widespread corruption?
Liang Xiao continued, "As for me, Liang Xiao, I just want a peaceful life and have no ambition for an official career. Meeting Your Eminence, I can only pay to resolve potential troubles and seek self-preservation. That's all."
Xiao Qing's expression darkened further.
Zhuo Zifang and the other two dared not interrupt, only incessantly signaling to Liang Xiao. However, Liang Xiao ignored them, his gaze fixed vigilantly on the man and woman behind Xiao Qing.
He had just sensed their faint killing intent!
After a long moment, Xiao Qing gave a wry smile, "So that's how it is..."
Saying that, Xiao Qing pushed the silver back towards Liang Xiao and added, "Rest assured, I am not as despicable as you imagine. On the contrary, I wish to recruit talent for His Majesty."
"Eunuch Qin, I am no talent, you have the wrong person," Liang Xiao stated.
Eunuch Qin...
Everyone's brows twitched. Xiao Qing remained outwardly calm, but inwardly, he wished he could pounce on Liang Xiao and beat him.
To be mistaken for an eunuch!
But if Xiao Qing denied this identity, given Liang Xiao's shrewdness, he might immediately expose himself, causing Liang Xiao to hold back his words.
This child is extraordinary. It's best to let him misunderstand for now.
Xiao Qing made up his mind, forcing a smile, and said, "But you just tried to bribe me. I have witnesses and evidence. I need you to prove you are indeed talented but unwilling to enter officialdom. Otherwise, I will report this to His Majesty."
Liang Xiao frowned, "I didn't expect Eunuch Qin to be so cunning. How can I prove it?"
Xiao Qing said solemnly, "Scattered into dust and ground into dirt, only the fragrance remains. Complete this poem for me."
Liang Xiao instantly understood: Eunuch Qin truly intends to recruit worthy individuals for the country!
Liang Qing was full of trepidation, bringing brush, ink, and paper to Liang Xiao, and reminded him, "You brat, don't talk nonsense!"
Xiao Qing immediately stopped him, "It's alright. Your son speaks his mind, which is a rare virtue. Our country needs people who dare to speak and act now."
Liang Qing understood and nodded obediently, returning to his seat.
Liang Xiao picked up the brush and smiled, "I'll trouble Eunuch Qin to grind my ink."
"Pfft!"
Luo Changfeng and Zhuo Zifang, who were drinking tea, spat it out on the spot.
Liang Qing felt like crying, wishing he could disappear into a crack in the earth.
To ask the current Emperor to grind ink for him? This brat is truly the first of his kind, past, present, and future!
Xiao Qing's lips twitched, he nodded, "Very well, do not disappoint me."
Under the astonished gaze of everyone, Xiao Qing began to grind ink for Liang Xiao.
Witnessing this, the three old ministers and two guards were filled with admiration and moved.
Truly worthy of being called a young wise ruler!
Seeing Xiao Qing's politeness, Liang Xiao didn't push his luck further. With a grand flourish of his left hand, he wrote the complete poem.
"By the broken bridge outside the post, solitary blossoms bloom untended. Dusk has fallen, I am alone in my sorrow, buffeted further by wind and rain. Unwilling to contend for spring's favor, I let all other flowers envy. Scattered into dust and ground into dirt, only the fragrance remains."
Looking at the complete poem, everyone's expression finally softened.
The three elders' suspended hearts finally relaxed.
"Good poem, good calligraphy!"
Xiao Qing couldn't help but praise, his gaze never leaving the poem, praising it endlessly.
"This poem, on the surface, speaks of the plum blossom's desolation, but in essence, it affirms one's noble character. Liang Xiao, are you perhaps lamenting your own life's misfortunes and hardships?"
Liang Qing and the others nearby suddenly understood: Wasn't Liang Xiao, mocked by the world and ostracized by scholars, like this proud, cold plum blossom withering in the spring wind?
Liang Xiao replied, "Your Eminence can see it that way, but I no longer care."
Hearing Liang Xiao address him as "Your Eminence" repeatedly, the guards behind him grew increasingly displeased.
But Xiao Qing no longer cared, nodding, "To be able to write such a poem, I believe you are a clear stream. Then, 'To establish the heart for Heaven and Earth, to secure for the people their livelihood, to carry on the lost teachings of past sages, to bring peace to all generations.' What is the meaning of this? Is it to admonish scholars?"
Liang Xiao said sternly, "Our Great Qian nation highly esteems literature and suppresses martial arts. The status of scholars is unprecedentedly high, yet the country cannot withstand barbarian invasions. The ones who should reflect the most are they. But it is not limited to scholars. We who cultivate literature and martial arts should all understand this principle, otherwise, it is inevitable that 'knights commit transgressions with their martial arts, and scholars create chaos with their learning.'"
"'Knights commit transgressions with their martial arts, and scholars create chaos with their learning'..." The hearts of the crowd were shaken.
This simple phrase, it actually encapsulated the crux of Great Qian's problems!
At this moment, Zhuo Zifang's eyes welled up with tears, staring intently at Liang Xiao, his gaze fervent, as if he had found a treasure!
Xiao Qing looked at the poem and listened to Liang Xiao's words, deeply moved.
He had lived in the palace for so long, and no one had ever dared to tell him these things!
Recovering his senses, Xiao Qing re-examined Liang Xiao before him.
"A gentleman, as gentle and warm as jade."
This was Xiao Qing's new impression of Liang Xiao, but only if Liang Xiao maintained his current seriousness, instead of smiling mischievously and calling him "Your Eminence."
"'The river and mountains of the water country enter the battle map,' that poem was also written by you." Xiao Qing's voice trembled slightly.
He had already guessed it, he just wanted a confirmation.
"I didn't, I haven't, don't talk nonsense!" Liang Xiao shook his head repeatedly.
Those who had just looked at Liang Xiao with newfound respect couldn't help but roll their eyes again.
He was completely different from the Liang Xiao who had just spoken with such solemnity!
Xiao Qing smiled, never having smiled so happily, so heartily, "Liang Xiao, you possess such concern for the nation and its people. Why not enter officialdom and assist His Majesty, to bring eternal peace to all generations."
"No, no, no, I am merely a carefree cloud, I cannot tolerate the rules of officialdom!" Liang Xiao firmly refused.
"Xiao'er!" Liang Qing, who had been overjoyed, quickly reminded him. He then met Xiao Qing's displeased gaze and quickly fell silent.
Xiao Qing nodded, "Let's put this aside for now. I wish to ask, what are your thoughts on the current Emperor?"
Liang Xiao retorted, "Do you want the truth or a lie?"
"Naturally, the truth!"
Liang Xiao pouted, "Speaking the truth will get me beheaded."
Xiao Qing's expression was gentle, and he explained, "His Majesty sent me out of the palace precisely to gather talents from all over the realm. As the saying goes, 'loyal advice sounds harsh.' You can rest assured, His Majesty is wise. Even if you curse him a few times, he will never hold it against you."
"And what about the Princess? Will she make things difficult for me?" Liang Xiao asked.
"The Princess even less so. You can also mention your thoughts on the Princess," Xiao Qing replied, then looked at the three of Zhuo Zifang.
Zhuo Zifang understood and solemnly reminded him, "Liang Xiao, I guarantee it. Speak freely, His Majesty is wise, the Princess is virtuous, unprecedented in history. His Majesty is currently gathering honest advice from all over the realm, no matter how unpleasant it may be!"
Liang Xiao finally felt at ease, "Then I'm really going to say it?"
Xiao Qing nodded, looking at Liang Xiao with anticipation.
Only then did Liang Xiao raise his hands, imitating a baby's struggles, and began to speak animatedly.
"That little Princess meddles in my business. It's fine if she's willful, I won't argue with a little sister. As for the little Emperor, instead of finding beauties in the harem to procreate, he just runs around with a pacifier in his mouth, coming to Yanzhou to cause trouble for me. Is that proper? Is that proper? Is that proper?"
"I can already imagine him running around with snot bubbles, babbling 'goo goo ga ga' with a pacifier in his mouth, hahahaha..."
Liang Xiao's cheerful laughter echoed through the hall.