He Wanli, trembling, quickly changed his tune.
"Your subject, along with others from the Ministry of Personnel, did not dare to be careless about this matter, lest we fail Your Majesty's trust, hence the repeated review... Since Your Majesty is inclined, we shall wholeheartedly support you!"
Xiao Qing remained silent, his heart sinking further.
Half the officials in the court were like He Wanli and Dugu Liang.
At this moment, Xiao Qing missed Liang Xiao even more, wishing he could magically summon Liang Xiao to his side to serve as an official.
The guards from the Liang mansion went to the Luo mansion and, together with the Luo mansion's guards, escorted Luo Qingxue to the Liang mansion.
Luo Qingxue, beaming, happily walked into Liang Xiao's courtyard.
Lately, she had no interest in reading, her mind preoccupied with meeting Liang Xiao. If not for the fact that she was not yet married and could not stay overnight, Luo Qingxue would have wished to live in the Liang mansion and cling to Liang Xiao every day.
Luo Changfeng not only did not reprimand his granddaughter but was overjoyed and urged Luo Qingxue to set off.
"You're inviting me over today, so I won't make things difficult for you!" Luo Qingxue stood before Liang Xiao, like a cheerful lark.
Worried about her safety, Liang Xiao had previously promised to come to the Luo mansion to find her. However, concerned about his fatigue, she had suggested having the Liang mansion guards fetch her.
Liang Xiao smiled at Luo Qingxue, who, blushing, lowered her head, afraid to meet his gaze.
Even this spirited young girl could be so shy and alluring.
Liang Xiao's affection grew, but with Yue Lian and Zhen Mi present, he dared not overstep.
Just then, the voices of Liang Feng and Yang Xuejing were heard from outside: "Second Brother!"
After Liang Xiao welcomed them in, Yang Xuejing exclaimed in delight, "Big Brother has really been promoted! And His Majesty isn't sending him to Yan Province; he specifically sent someone to tell him..."
As she spoke, Yang Xuejing's face turned red.
Specifically, someone had instructed Liang Feng and her to have children soon!
Liang Feng also looked bewildered and said, "His Majesty appointed me as the General of Loyalty and Valor. Although it's a minor general rank, it's the first step to becoming a general! Second Brother, did you ask His Majesty...?"
"Big Brother's merits are outstanding; promotion was expected," Liang Xiao vaguely replied.
Since his little Shuangzi liked to keep a low profile, he didn't want to reveal anything that might cause trouble or distress.
After all, scholars were most wary of eunuch interference, and if Liang Xiao didn't know his little Shuangzi, he might also feel uneasy.
Yang Xuejing bowed gratefully to Liang Xiao.
"Regardless, you've fulfilled your promise from yesterday. Sister-in-law apologizes! I heard you're good at poetry; you could also become an official in the future. We shouldn't have been too harsh on you; you're only eighteen, truly not an age suitable for officialdom..."
Liang Xiao merely smiled and nodded, noncommittal.
Regardless, he had finally managed to placate his sister-in-law and prevented further family conflict.
This Yang Xuejing, a daughter from a military family, was a lady of refinement, yet she disliked literature and had a fiery temper. Only Liang Feng could tolerate her.
After Liang Feng and Yang Xuejing left, Luo Qingxue and the other two looked bewildered.
Their sister-in-law's change of attitude was too abrupt!
Liang Xiao noticed their expressions and said with a smile, "Life is unpredictable."
"You asked your little Shuangzi to help, didn't you?" Luo Qingxue asked happily.
Seeing Liang Xiao nod, Luo Qingxue pouted, "I really want to meet this little Shuangzi. I want to stay late tonight and see if he comes!"
Zhen Mi blinked her limpid eyes and said, "Sister Qingxue actually wants to stay longer to accompany Brother Xiao."
Her true feelings exposed, Luo Qingxue's pretty face flushed, and she playfully ruffled Zhen Mi's hair.
Liang Xiao burst into laughter, "Little Shuangzi might not come, but you can stay longer if you wish."
Then, Liang Xiao took the three of them to tour the winery.
This place had previously been a winery, but Liang Xiao had introduced some new brewing equipment, making it somewhat different.
Now, Liang Xiao had everyone outside tending bonfires to keep the winery warm, helping them withstand the harsh winter.
Liang Yun was overseeing the workers as they soaked and washed sorghum, then crushed it and put it into boilers for steaming.
After cooling, they added yeast, and finally, it was put into vats for fermentation, with impurities removed.
Multiple steps were handled by different workers, each performing their tasks without interfering with others.
After being taught by Liang Wen the previous day, these workers had tried several times and were now much more skilled, ready to begin production.
"It's just like ordinary brewing? If we don't have enough capital, I'll ask my grandfather for help," Luo Qingxue couldn't help but worry.
With Liang Xiao spending so lavishly, they might truly lose everything!
Liang Xiao smiled, "The essence lies in the operations after the wine matures. You'll know in a few days."
Luo Qingxue, remembering that Liang Xiao could sell his fine wine for ten thousand taels, felt reassured and followed Liang Xiao to visit the families of these workers in their temporary housing.
The civilian houses had been temporarily converted into large rooms, each capable of housing thirty people sleeping separately. They were allocated based on family size to avoid problems.
For the sake of technical security and to prevent leaks, Liang Xiao did not intend to let these workers' families roam freely for now.
However, these people did not feel their freedom was restricted; instead, they were grateful to Liang Xiao.
Upon seeing Liang Xiao, they all came out of their rooms and bowed to thank him.
Liang Xiao repeatedly urged them not to kneel. Their food, lodging, and clothing were all provided by the Liang mansion; this was the highest form of respect they could currently show.
Luo Qingxue watched this, her heart filled with joy, gazing at Liang Xiao with sparkling eyes.
Her fiancé was someone who could earn respect!
Refugees whom most people avoided, Liang Xiao took them in and even hired them to brew wine!
At this moment, Luo Qingxue felt like the happiest woman in the world.
"What can I do for him?" Luo Qingxue suddenly felt a pang of worry.
Finally, Luo Qingxue silently vowed in her heart: she would not let Liang Xiao worry or be jealous for her. From now on, she would stay even further away from Dugu Xiao and the others!
Liang Xiao turned and instructed the guards to push several carts of clothing, which were then distributed to everyone. Only then did he leave with peace of mind.
"Why do you even take care of the workers' families?" Luo Qingxue asked Liang Xiao curiously.
"If they have no worries about their families, they can work for me diligently and cautiously," Liang Xiao replied with a smile.
Luo Qingxue suddenly understood, her joy turning into admiration.
With food, lodging, and medical care provided for the entire family, they could save money from their wages for emergencies!
For this hard-won happy life, Liang Xiao probably wouldn't even have to ask, and these workers would work diligently, greatly increasing their motivation.
"Second Young Master, Young Master Mu, son of the Jingzhao Magistrate, and Young Master Gu, son of the Minister of Rites, have arrived!"
The four returned to the courtyard, where a guard had been waiting for a long time and quickly reported to Liang Xiao.
Luo Qingxue stayed to teach Zhen Mi, while Yue Lian followed Liang Xiao to meet the guests.
Mu Hong and Gu Shaoyan were being entertained in a side hall outside the courtyard. Upon seeing Liang Xiao, they quickly stood up.
"Liang Xiao, we have brought you both a piece of great news and a piece of terrible news."