Upon hearing "Eunuch Qin," Xiao Qing, who was initially smiling, became dispirited.
The masked male guard behind Xiao Qing observed Liang Xiao with sharp eyes.
"Eunuch Qin, is your late-night visit meant to avoid attention?" Liang Xiao inquired.
Truth be told, Liang Xiao was weary and wished to rest.
Regardless, the young eunuch meant well. He decided to tolerate the disturbance.
"Avoid attention? I'm not here to steal," Xiao Qing retorted impatiently. Without waiting for an invitation, he walked over and sat down.
After the steward departed, Liang Xiao asked, "Are you perhaps the current Emperor?"
The moment the words left his lips, Yue Lian, standing nearby, was so startled that the wooden basin in her hands clattered to the floor.
"Y-Your Majesty?"
Xiao Qing shook his head. "I'm merely a humble eunuch by His Majesty's side. We grew up together, do you believe it?"
"A male consort?" Liang Xiao probed.
"Absolutely not!"
Relieved, Liang Xiao nodded. "How could I not believe you? After all, how could the current Emperor find time to seek out a mere fop like me?"
A sinking feeling washed over Xiao Qing. *He actually believes me?*
However, Xiao Qing quickly reconsidered. Liang Xiao's words were indeed plausible, though he failed to realize that his own time was meticulously scheduled.
Liang Xiao then turned his attention to the guard. "And who is this gentleman?"
"I am Ding Wuyi, a palace guard, serving under imperial orders to protect Lord Qin."
"Also a eunuch?" Liang Xiao realized with renewed vigilance.
Though Ding Wuyi appeared unassuming, Liang Xiao was certain he was an exceptionally skilled martial artist.
"Eunuch Qin, why have you come to find me again?" Liang Xiao asked.
Xiao Qing replied, "Naturally, I wish to befriend you."
Yue Lian's heart rejoiced. *Finally, someone is willing to befriend Young Master. And someone with status, too! It's true, true gold will always shine!*
With that thought, Yue Lian was about to leave when Liang Xiao stopped her.
"Yue Lian, you don't need to withdraw."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qing scrutinized Yue Lian with a complex gaze. "Is she your maid?"
"No, she is my family. Speak freely if you have something to say; Yue Lian will keep it secret." Liang Xiao said without hesitation.
Xiao Qing fell silent for a moment before finally nodding. "Family, you say... Does my visit inconvenience your recovery?"
"Not at all," Liang Xiao replied, shaking his head.
Xiao Qing felt reassured and then "confided" his intentions to Liang Xiao.
"As a favored individual by His Majesty, I spend my days in deep seclusion within the palace. I feel I owe His Majesty a great debt for his favor and wish to seek out talented individuals for him."
"I apologize, but I am not interested in officialdom at the moment," Liang Xiao said with a smile.
Xiao Qing nodded. "I understand completely. But can we not be friends?"
Liang Xiao sighed. "The court bestowed so many tonics upon me; I presume it's because you spoke favorably of me to His Majesty. Furthermore, you did not lodge a complaint against me, accusing me of bribery. If I were to refuse further, it would be ungrateful."
Xiao Qing breathed a sigh of relief and smiled with satisfaction.
The two conversed late into the night, with Yue Lian and Ding Wuyi also seated to rest, as arranged by Liang Xiao.
Ding Wuyi observed Liang Xiao, his astonishment growing with each passing moment.
This young man, from beginning to end, maintained an unshakable composure, speaking and smiling with ease.
Xiao Qing's initial conversation with him was on trivial matters, daring not to reveal too much.
After Yue Lian retired, Xiao Qing finally broached the real reason for his visit.
"Liang Xiao, to whom do you attribute your exquisite calligraphy and literary talent? Could you possibly introduce me?"
Liang Xiao looked at the eager Xiao Qing and smiled. "I merely dabble in the arts, I have never taken a formal master."
"Self-taught, dabbling in the arts..." Xiao Qing was taken aback.
Ding Wuyi, standing nearby, displayed a hint of displeasure.
If this is considered dabbling, then the scholars and talented individuals in the capital are merely playing with fire and destroying the lute, utterly devoid of substance.
Liang Xiao, meanwhile, was racking his brain.
This Qin Shuang consistently tried to probe his background!
Xiao Qing looked at Liang Xiao, his expression sincere. "I assure you, our friendship will be one of gentlemen. There's no need to be so reserved. Just call me Qin Shuang."
"How old are you?" Liang Xiao asked.
"Eighteen," Xiao Qing lied, his face betraying no emotion.
Liang Xiao blinked in surprise, then let out a long sigh.
"What is it?" Xiao Qing asked, puzzled.
*Has he seen through my disguise?*
Liang Xiao gazed at Xiao Qing with a look of sympathy. "At eighteen, you are still so small and frail. It must be because you were... castrated too early, which affected your physical development."
At these words, Xiao Qing's brow twitched, and Ding Wuyi nearly leaped forward to strike Liang Xiao.
Xiao Qing's voice trembled with feigned tears. "It's unavoidable. My family was poor, and my parents couldn't afford to raise me, so they sent me to the palace..."
Hearing the hint of tears, Ding Wuyi nearly collapsed.
*Truly worthy of our lord; such mastery of emotion!*
But to Liang Xiao's continued surprise, his expression remained grave as he sighed, "This world. How many families are torn apart, how many loved ones separated, that the court fails to see? When the dynasty prospers, the common people suffer. When it falls, the common people suffer!"
Xiao Qing was stunned.
*When the dynasty prospers, the common people suffer. When it falls, the common people suffer?*
*Each word a pearl of wisdom!*
"Since you pity the common people, why do you remain complacent and prefer to be perceived as a fop?" Xiao Qing inquired, bewildered.
Liang Xiao shook his head. "These are two different matters. If the land were to shatter and the people were plunged into dire straits, I would never stand idly by. Even with this ailing body, I would step forward without hesitation."
Xiao Qing's heart trembled. "Why?"
"Because I cannot bear it."
"Cannot bear it?" Xiao Qing's pupils quivered slightly.
Liang Xiao stated without hesitation, "I cannot bear to see my own kin suffer. By extension, I cannot bear to see the common folk suffer."
Xiao Qing's lips parted slightly, yet he found himself unable to speak, as if something were lodged in his throat.
Even Ding Wuyi was filled with shock.
*When the land is at peace, he is a fop. When the land is in chaos, he can lay down his life!*
The master and servant's eyes moistened.
That General Tian, who had appeared out of nowhere, was, before the barbarian invasion, no different from a recluse of humble origins in some corner of the Great Gan dynasty!
"That poem must have been written by him. Only someone with the same broad vision for the world as General Tian could write such a thing!"
Xiao Qing's inner excitement was indescribable.
*Fortunately, I sensed something amiss and chose to investigate incognito. Otherwise, I would have missed this hidden sage!*
*Regardless, this Liang Xiao's heart is undeniably for the world!*
Amidst his excitement, Xiao Qing asked, "You are unwilling to serve in court, is it simply because of the rampant corruption throughout the government and officialdom?"
"Sort of," Liang Xiao replied with a wry twist of his lips.
Xiao Qing mused for a moment, then sighed deeply. "Reforming the court is not something that can be accomplished overnight."
Liang Xiao burst into laughter. "That is naturally true! The policy of elevating civil officials and suppressing the military has persisted for centuries. Literati hold sway over state affairs and public opinion, forming factions and attacking rivals. Even the late Emperor could not resolve it. The new Emperor has only been on the throne for a short time; it would be miraculous if he could fix it."
Xiao Qing fell silent.
*Is he looking down on me?*
But soon, Xiao Qing felt a pang of disappointment.
*Indeed, I cannot resolve it at this moment.*
Having come to terms with it, Xiao Qing asked, "Are we friends now?"
"Yes!"
Seeing Liang Xiao nod, Xiao Qing finally relaxed. He then said to Ding Wuyi, "Eunuch Ding, please wait outside."
"My Lord, reconsider!" Ding Wuyi cautioned warily.
If Xiao Qing were to encounter any danger, he would not have time to rescue him, and the royal lineage would be completely extinguished!