Xiao Qing, who had been wiping her tears, blushed as if she could drip blood, her delicate body trembling violently. Her left hand instinctively clenched, covering her mouth.
"Ah? So soon... I'm not psychologically prepared..."
Returning home, Liang Xiao changed his dressing and sat down, picking up the Qingluan jade pendant to examine it closely.
A warm, fine jade.
"Young Master met Princess Ning Shuang, surely she must also admire you," Yue Lian teased, unable to resist while making Liang Xiao's bed.
Liang Xiao chuckled dryly, "Admire? I didn't see that. Perhaps it's because I'm her elder brother that she shows such respect. She has a similar temperament to Xiao Shuangzi, gentle with a hint of playfulness."
Seeing this, Yue Lian covered her mouth and giggled, but did not press the topic further.
After all, Liang Xiao already had a fiancée. Even though the laws of Da Qian clearly stipulated that men could have multiple wives and concubines, Yue Lian could not bear to see Luo Qingxue wronged.
Liang Xiao gazed at the jade pendant, lost in thought.
Actually, he was also very worried about the health of Xiao Shuangzi and Princess Ning Shuang.
The royal lineage of Da Qian was sparse, and by Xiao Qing's generation, only a brother and sister remained, causing great anxiety among the populace.
Da Qian was not without princes. The ancestor of the "Southern King" was a distant cousin of the founding emperor, a collateral line tens of thousands of miles away. By all logical reasoning, he would never ascend the throne.
But given the current state of the royal family and the factional struggles within the court, if Xiao Qing were to meet with an accident, the Southern King, whose reputation was not good, could very well seize the opportunity.
Although the Southern King held no real power, his clan status was undeniable, and it could potentially lead to great unrest.
Whether he was the Heavenly General or the second young master of the Liang residence, Liang Xiao wanted to protect this brother and sister!
"I wonder how Xiao Shuangzi's health is. Can she endure tomorrow's court session?" Liang Xiao felt a pang of concern.
His Xiao Shuangzi really pushed herself too hard!
The next morning, Luo Qingxue visited. She was not angered upon learning that Liang Xiao had met Princess Ning Shuang.
When she heard that Princess Ning Shuang had gifted Liang Xiao a jade pendant, Luo Qingxue was not overly surprised, which in turn surprised Liang Xiao.
Luo Qingxue seemed a bit distracted today.
For the past two days, the entrance to the Liang residence had been almost impassable, with countless people flocking to see the legendary "Five Top Scholars," Young Master Liang Er!
Liang Xiao had effectively replaced the "Three Great Scholars" and become the dream lover of countless young girls in Da Qian.
She could probably see that Princess Ning Shuang also admired Liang Xiao.
The laws of Da Qian allowed the Emperor's son-in-law to take concubines.
Considering her sisterly relationship with Princess Ning Shuang, the current state of the royal family, and Liang Xiao being the most outstanding young scholar in the nation, it was highly likely that...
She had to consider a compromise.
"Get married first?" Luo Qingxue mused inwardly, stealing a glance at Liang Xiao, who was resting with his eyes closed, her pretty face flushing.
Even she herself was not psychologically prepared, and Liang Xiao was still recovering from his injuries...
"It seems there's a court session today. Grandpa might come looking for me," Liang Xiao opened his eyes and sighed.
As expected, a quarter of an hour later, Liang Qing hurried over to find Liang Xiao.
"Xiao'er, His Majesty has allowed you to freely participate in court sessions. However, today, envoys from various countries will be visiting! If it's convenient for you, please accompany your grandfather to the court session, so that the envoys from various countries can see the top scholar of Da Qian."
Liang Xiao rose and said, "I heard the Barbarian Lands have also sent an envoy?"
Seeing Liang Qing nod, Liang Xiao frowned and sighed, "I'll go take a look. Perhaps the barbarians are still not convinced and want to play some tricks."
Liang Qing was overjoyed and asked Liang Xiao to put on his official robes.
Watching Liang Xiao emerge from behind the screen in his official attire, Luo Qingxue and Yue Lian were mesmerized, their pretty faces flushing red when they came back to their senses.
Such righteousness soaring to the heavens, what a noble young man in this vulgar world!
Grandfather and grandson hurried to the palace. Liang Qing was spirited and in high spirits along the way, more so than ever before!
His grandson had become famous overnight and was granted an exceptional appointment, destined to be recorded in history!
"Liang Xiao is ungrateful! He has failed the Heavenly General!"
At this moment, a roar erupted from the crowd, and the crowd began to stir.
Liang Qing was startled. He lifted the curtain to see that the guards of the Liang residence were already maintaining order, preventing the angry citizens from getting close.
Liang Qing naturally understood the ins and outs of the matter. He reminded Liang Xiao, "Xiao'er, you should find a time to pay respects to the Heavenly General as soon as possible, otherwise, it will be difficult to avoid criticism."
Liang Xiao merely nodded, lost in thought.
Liang Qing looked at Liang Xiao with concern and secretly vowed to protect him.
He was only nineteen years old and already had many political rivals. Truly, fate was jealous of talent!
Upon entering the palace, Liang Xiao, under Liang Qing's guidance, walked with measured steps and took his place in the queue.
Dugu Qun, Ouyang Ji, He Wanli, and others in the civil official ranks saw Liang Xiao and felt annoyed, but they remained outwardly calm, merely casting a fleeting glance at Liang Xiao before turning away.
Liang Xiao followed Huang Xing, the Minister of Works, and the officials entered the hall to pay their respects.
Seeing Xiao Qing on the throne looking radiant, Liang Xiao finally breathed a sigh of relief and bowed with the other officials.
Xiao Qing had noticed Liang Xiao long ago. Seeing Liang Xiao's relieved expression, he felt even more moved.
He must be concerned about my health...
At this moment, Xiao Qing felt guilty for hiding things from Liang Xiao.
Putting aside his distractions, Xiao Qing pointed at Liang Xiao and said with a warm smile, "Minister Liang, come to my side and be granted a seat!"
The eunuchs immediately brought a chair and placed it on the steps in front of Xiao Qing.
"Your Majesty, this action violates etiquette!" Even Gu Hong, the Minister of Rites, could not help but advise.
"I must let the envoys from various countries see that Da Qian also has talented individuals for governing the nation!" Xiao Qing replied proudly.
Seeing Xiao Qing's stern tone, no one dared to voice any further objections.
Under the envious gazes of the hundred officials, Liang Xiao stepped forward without hesitation and took his seat before Xiao Qing.
"The envoys from various countries will soon enter the hall. All my ministers must exercise restraint," Xiao Qing reminded them.
Everyone murmured their assent. Dugu Qun stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty should be reminding Assistant Minister Liang. He has repeatedly made absurd decisions regarding state affairs!"
"Understood." Xiao Qing waved his hand impatiently. He glanced at Liang Xiao and, seeing his expressionless face, felt reassured.
"The imperial edicts from various countries were delivered yesterday. Please, Prime Minister and others, discuss the order of their proclamation. This time, the missions from various countries are grand. Our nation, as the Central Kingdom, must display its majesty and awe them."
With a command from Xiao Qing, the eunuchs brought a chest. Wang Canghai opened it to find a row of imperial edicts.
As each imperial edict from the monarchs of various countries was opened, Wang Canghai and Gu Hong discussed the order.
"This barbarian edict, Your Majesty!" At this moment, Gu Hong's exclamation startled Xiao Qing, who was observing Liang Xiao.
Xiao Qing frowned and looked at Gu Hong, only to find that Wang Canghai and the others also had changed expressions.
Wang Canghai gestured for everyone to be quiet and personally brought forth the edict, requesting a private audience with Xiao Qing.
The Emperor and his minister went into a side hall. Wang Canghai then handed the edict to Xiao Qing, his expression grave, "Your Majesty, the barbarians are resorting to trickery!"
Xiao Qing opened the edict with surprise and his pupils contracted.
Aside from the Chanyu's seal, the edict was blank!