"Let's start with the bad news then," Liang Xiao smiled faintly.
Mu Hong's expression grew solemn. "You've thoroughly offended the Dugu family. In other words, you've offended almost every aristocratic family in the capital..."
Then and there, Mu Hong and Gu Shaoyan detailed the situation to Liang Xiao.
It turned out that the Minister of Works, Dugu Liang, had been found out by the Emperor for passing off Liang Xiao's curved-shaft plow design as his own, and had been dismissed from office.
Dugu Xiao, due to his relationship with Luo Qingxue and Dugu Liang, had repeatedly tried to humiliate Liang Xiao without success and bore an intense hatred for him.
The Minister of War, Dugu Qun, also harbored considerable resentment towards Liang Xiao for this reason and had specifically sent people to various aristocratic families to slander Liang Xiao.
Except for a few families like the Wang, Mu, and Gu families who remained neutral, all other families treated him as a grave enemy, publicly declaring they would not "associate with Liang Xiao."
Even Ouyang Hong, a Five Classics Doctor at the Imperial Academy, was mobilizing the students to boycott friendships with Liang Xiao.
The students, fearing that associating with Liang Xiao would affect their future careers, chose neutrality even if they didn't openly slander him.
The only one who saw Liang Xiao's potential, Zhuo Zifang, was highly respected but held no real power. He could only persuade his disciples in the court not to trouble Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao listened to their vivid accounts with a sense of emotion.
Zhuo Zifang had been exceedingly kind to him. Merely for writing a few poems and good lines, Zhuo Zifang had not hesitated to risk his reputation to become a platonic friend with him, a "scion of a military family."
Liang Xiao had originally intended to live a contented life as a hidden force, controlling affairs from behind the scenes and having Xiao Shuangzi present his strategies to the Emperor.
If the barbarians invaded, he would consider stepping forward. Otherwise, he just wanted to stay at home, enjoying a leisurely life with his wife and concubines, or at the very least, wait until he was twenty before entering officialdom.
However, from the current situation, such a life seemed unattainable!
Yet, Mu Hong and Gu Shaoyan's willingness to inform him of this matter indicated their stance, which touched Liang Xiao deeply.
Their elders had chosen neutrality and did not support their association with Liang Xiao, but they did not care about this.
It was simply because they trusted Zhuo Zifang's judgment and believed that Liang Xiao, who could recite "Man Jiang Hong," was by no means as unworthy as the Dugu family claimed!
Gu Shaoyan added, "The good news is that some merchants and young lords from aristocratic families have asked us if you still have any stock of the wine you sold at the Dongfeng Fair. They are willing to pay a high price!"
Mu Hong chimed in, "Of course, Shaoyan and I would also like to buy a few jars!"
"There isn't much stock left. I'll send someone to notify you when I've brewed more in a few days," Liang Xiao replied with a smile.
The wealth of the realm was almost entirely concentrated in the capital.
There was also a trend of ostentatious display in the capital, which was why Liang Xiao had planned to focus on the high-end wine market.
It was said that Dugu Qun would kill three hundred chickens for a bowl of his favorite soup!
Wealthy merchants like the Duanmu family, even though they had no one serving in the court, had connections with various officials as their patrons.
Getting these immensely wealthy families to part with their money would not be difficult!
Mu Hong and Gu Shaoyan sat with Liang Xiao, chatting and laughing.
They spoke of grand strategies, while Liang Xiao listened quietly, nodding occasionally.
These two did possess some genuine talent and could indeed be called scholarly youths.
Half an hour later, they rose to leave.
Gu Shaoyan sighed, "Liang Xiao, to avoid causing trouble for my father and the others, we cannot visit frequently from now on. I'm afraid our next spar will be at the National Affairs Selection."
Liang Xiao nodded solemnly. At this moment, a guard brought two jars of wine from Liang Xiao's courtyard.
Catching the aroma from afar, their throats tightened.
"Could this be the wine from the Dongfeng Fair...?"
Liang Xiao smiled and nodded, handing one jar to each of them.
They both said, "We cannot accept a gift without merit. We should pay for it. How about five hundred taels?"
Liang Xiao considered for a moment, feeling that giving gifts too easily could lead to gossip. He nodded, "A friendly price. I'll sell these to you for two hundred taels this time, but publicly, you should say it was five hundred."
The two were overjoyed, paid with bank notes on the spot, and left with the wine.
Yue Lian said happily, "Young Master, it seems there are still discerning individuals among the capital's aristocratic families!"
Liang Xiao smiled without a word.
The aristocratic clans were a major ailment of the Great Qian dynasty, but one could not be too hasty.
With the ascension of the new Emperor, the regime needed consolidation. Only when the Emperor wielded strong authority would there be an opportunity to change the situation where aristocratic clans monopolized power and public opinion.
Luo Qingxue waited until nightfall, but still did not see "Xiao Shuangzi." She had to return in disappointment.
In the following days, Liang Xiao spent his time in his room recording his knowledge, then categorizing and sealing these records.
When Luo Qingxue visited, he would take it as a break and accompany them in casual conversation to relax.
Each time Luo Qingxue stayed until night, she did not manage to see Xiao Shuangzi.
On the tenth day, Luo Qingxue finally gave up and returned to the Luo mansion in the evening.
That night, Liang Xiao was watching the light snow by his door when a familiar figure finally appeared at the entrance.
It was Xiao Qing and Ning Xuejun!
"Xiao Shuangzi, I've missed you so much!" Liang Xiao joyfully welcomed Xiao Qing into the house.
Xiao Qing's heart warmed, but she pouted on the surface, "With your beautiful wife by your side, how could you possibly miss me, your sworn brother!"
It wasn't that she didn't want to come, but she had come several times only to find Luo Qingxue still at Liang's residence, so she could only wait outside. By the time she had waited too long, she returned to the palace.
Later, Xiao Qing realized that Luo Qingxue stayed until very late every day. To avoid Luo Qingxue making repeated trips, Xiao Qing had no choice but to give up.
Xiao Qing did this for no other reason than to give her sworn brother a grand "surprise" during the National Affairs Selection, letting him know the consequences of offending the Emperor!
Before that, she did not want Luo Qingxue, who knew Princess Ning Shuang, to see through this matter.
"Oh, that's different! You are my brother, and she is my fiancée."
Liang Xiao chuckled, responding casually.
Xiao Qing smiled, "The 'Refutation of the Rejuvenation Cult' has been widely copied and distributed throughout the country. Coupled with the supervision of the local garrisons, I believe the populace will no longer be misled by the Rejuvenation Cult!"
But Xiao Qing's tone shifted, and she continued, "However, Zhuo Lingjun mentioned to His Majesty that every time he visits you, Brother, you are not reading. Are you truly not worried about failing the National Affairs Selection?"
"I'll do my best! Cramming at the last minute is pointless! If it's similar to the content of the imperial examinations, then there's no need to take it seriously, just go through the motions!" Liang Xiao said dismissively.
With so much content in the Four Books and Five Classics, how could he possibly waste time memorizing it all.
Xiao Qing felt disappointed and fell silent.
How she wished Liang Xiao could amaze everyone at the National Affairs Selection, so she could officially grant him an exceptional appointment!
But Liang Xiao was so dismissive of her innovative National Affairs Selection.
"Xiao Shuangzi, with you around, Brother doesn't need to be an official. Just handing over my strategies to you, and you to the Emperor, would be fine!" Liang Xiao suddenly said.
Xiao Qing's eyes flickered, and she said, "Brother, after tonight, you will never see your Xiao Shuangzi again."
Liang Xiao's expression changed. He sprang from his chair, grabbed Xiao Qing's shoulders, and asked, "Why?"