Xiao Qing's heart pounded, and his face flushed to the roots of his ears.
Quickly regaining his senses, Xiao Qing calmed himself, rubbed his temples, and moved away from Liang Xiao's shoulder.
"How long did I sleep?"
"Two hours."
"Did I talk in my sleep?"
"No, you slept soundly, like..." Liang Xiao answered truthfully, then stopped.
He had wanted to say: you slept soundly, like a woman.
But thinking that Qin Shuang was a eunuch, Liang Xiao naturally dared not say it, lest it hurt his dignity.
"Like what?" Xiao Qing asked curiously.
Liang Xiao had a flash of inspiration and replied, "Like the moon in the sky, its brilliance is hazy."
Xiao Qing was taken aback and smiled, "You are quite eloquent."
Liang Xiao quickly explained, "I'm telling the truth. Your handsomeness is already rare in the world, and it's only about one-tenth of mine."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qing couldn't help but give Liang Xiao a look: "You braggart, you were just bragging."
He understood, of course, that Liang Xiao was trying to lighten the mood.
Suddenly, Xiao Qing noticed that the wine jar was empty.
"You drank the rest by yourself?"
Liang Xiao nodded.
"Drinking so much, and you're not drunk. It seems my alcohol tolerance is too low..."
Xiao Qing sighed, secretly reminding himself never to drink his wine again.
Liang Xiao's grape wine had an outrageously strong kick. Fortunately, he hadn't revealed anything!
"It's too late, I have to go back!"
Liang Xiao said, "Why don't you stay over tonight?"
"No, no, no! If I'm late back, it will be hard to explain to His Majesty. I still have to help him review memorials tomorrow morning." Xiao Qing shook his head repeatedly.
Liang Xiao pondered for a moment and said, "It seems it's not easy for you either. Then wait here for me, and I'll get some articles."
Under the gaze of Xiao Qing and Ding Wuyi, Liang Xiao hurried back into the house, retrieved three articles, and handed them to Xiao Qing.
"These are for you to study yourself and then propose to His Majesty. But you must promise me not to say that I gave them to you."
Xiao Qing took them and scanned them quickly, his eyes immediately brightening.
These seemed to contain some administrative content, including the words "corrupt officials and wicked subordinates."
Xiao Qing exclaimed with joy, "Don't worry, I absolutely will not tell His Majesty that you wrote them."
"And you can't tell the princess either," Liang Xiao reminded him with a stern face.
"Don't worry, I won't." Xiao Qing tried to maintain his composure and nodded, but the smile in his eyes was evident.
After bidding farewell to Liang Xiao, Xiao Qing, escorted by Ding Wuyi, walked out of Liang Xiao's courtyard, covering his mouth and chuckling.
Who is His Majesty? Who is the princess? Did he really need to be told?
The master and servant arrived at the main hall to find Liang Qing waiting.
Xiao Qing was startled, "Prime Minister Liang is still here so late?"
Liang Qing had been re-hired as the Left General.
"His Majesty has not left safely yet, so this old minister dares not sleep!" Liang Qing said nervously.
Xiao Qing was touched and nodded, "Go and rest. Also, no matter what Liang Xiao does, you must not obstruct him, nor force him again. I will come to test him again when I have time."
Liang Qing nodded repeatedly and asked urgently, "This old minister boldly asks, what do you think of my grandson, Your Majesty?"
"Wondrous."
Xiao Qing left hastily, leaving Liang Qing confused.
Regardless, His Majesty was not angry, but rather valued Xiao'er more and more. This was good news at least!
After thinking it through, Liang Qing felt relieved and went to sleep.
Ding Wuyi personally drove the carriage back to the imperial palace.
"How, how is this possible!"
Xiao Qing's exclamation came from inside the carriage.
Ding Wuyi was startled and found a safe place to rein in the horse, asking about the situation.
"Eunuch Ding, the three articles he gave me are suggestions for rectifying the court. They have made me see things clearly!"
Xiao Qing's hands trembled as he held the articles, his drunkenness completely gone.
Ding Wuyi was overjoyed, "Congratulations, Your Highness, for finding a wise minister!"
"These suggestions can be implemented gradually, without causing chaos in the court. They are entirely feasible! Let's give them a try!"
Xiao Qing was overjoyed, a flush rose to his cheeks again, his eyes were hazy, and he whispered, "Eunuch Ding, when I was drunk, did he make any advances towards me?"
"No, Liang Xiao was alone, drinking by the moon, sighing repeatedly. For now, it seems he still believes in Your Highness's identity," Ding Wuyi replied truthfully.
"Sighing?" Xiao Qing was stunned and couldn't help but burst into tears.
The world slandered him, bullied him, insulted him, laughed at him, belittled him, scorned him, hated him, and deceived him, yet he remained calm!
Those sighs must have been out of pity for the common people!
The more he thought about it, the more his heart ached. Xiao Qing covered his face and wept.
All he wanted was temporary peace, but he couldn't give it to him!
Ding Wuyi reminded him, "Your Majesty, this person is by no means simple. I always have a feeling. Could he be General Tian?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qing was struck as if by lightning.
Ding Wuyi explained, "General Liang mentioned to Your Highness that Liang Xiao had escaped back to Yan Prefecture with severe injuries. But General Tian is a war god who can fight a thousand enemies with a single cavalryman. This person has never displayed any martial prowess. I don't think he could be General Tian."
Xiao Qing pondered for a long time and sighed, "How could that be possible? His talent is something that many people can never reach in their lifetime. When would he have the time to wield weapons?"
Ding Wuyi sighed, "This old minister only regrets not having met General Tian. If I were to meet General Tian in person again, I would surely recognize him!"
Xiao Qing nodded slightly, "I have never doubted Eunuch Ding's eyesight. The hope of finding General Tian is slim, but now there is Liang Xiao, and I absolutely cannot give up!"
Eunuch Ding Wuyi, Granny Ning Xuejun - these two leaders of the shadow guards, both over forty years old, were the life-saving charms left to him by his father and mother!
Retrieving the three articles to read again, Xiao Qing's mood gradually calmed. He bit his lower lip tightly, struggling internally.
After a long while, Xiao Qing snorted in defiance.
"Even if you are willing to be a dissolute youth, I cannot let you off. I will play this game with you!"
Eunuch Ding looked at Xiao Qing and secretly smiled bitterly.
He had entered the palace as a eunuch since he was young, and thanks to the imperial favor, he diligently practiced martial arts and protected Xiao Qing with Ning Xuejun.
To Xiao Qing, he and Ning Xuejun were their only concern and faith in this world.
He had watched Xiao Qing grow up, how could he not understand Xiao Qing's current feelings?
Now, all he could hope was that Liang Xiao was reliable enough and wouldn't implicate his lord.
If necessary, Ding Wuyi would not hesitate to take Liang Xiao into the palace to continue the royal lineage!
However, with Liang Xiao's sickly appearance, could he be fertile?
Ding Wuyi began to worry again.
At this moment, Xiao Qing was lost in the joy of the three articles and did not notice Ding Wuyi's inner thoughts. He just smiled happily from time to time, revealing charming dimples.
"Achoo! Who is thinking of me?"
In his room, Liang Xiao, who was about to rest, sneezed, shivered, and pulled the blanket tighter.
The next morning, he came to the main hall to pay his respects to Liang Qing.
Liang Xiao guessed that the court's rehiring of Liang Qing had something to do with him. Now he was worried that his grandfather couldn't handle the strain.
Liang Qing looked at Liang Xiao with satisfaction and said, "Xiao'er, grandfather won't bother you, but you still have to go to the Imperial Academy."
Liang Xiao did not object. Just as he was about to leave, the housekeeper reported, "Old Master, Master Zhuo Lingjun and General Luo have arrived, saying they are here to take the second young master to the Imperial Academy."