Seeing Liang Xiao's worried and tense expression, Xiao Qing was filled with joy, and her jealousy vanished.
"Because I had the honor of participating in the formulation and selection of questions for the imperial examination, I must refrain from going out for a while to avoid any suspicion."
Liang Xiao silently released Xiao Qing and sat back in his original seat.
Xiao Qing watched him, her emotions complex.
This was not the main reason, she thought.
She worried about meeting Luo Qingxue and prematurely exposing her identity, thus ruining their "good deed" and leaving Liang Xiao unprepared.
"I've been bullied by you for so long, I must settle the score properly and make you willingly become my loyal subject, filled with guilt and shock!" Xiao Qing thought triumphantly, yet felt a pang of nervousness.
Since meeting Liang Xiao, she had never addressed any other court officials as "my lord" again, only "my dear family."
After a moment, Liang Xiao spoke, "Xiao Shuangzi, big brother suddenly regrets mentioning fairness with you."
"Why?" Xiao Qing was taken aback at first, then a blush spread across her face. "Big brother is reluctant to part with me?"
Liang Xiao nodded and smiled, "As the saying goes, a day apart feels like three autumns. We haven't seen each other for ten days, and after tonight, we will be separated again..."
Xiao Qing's heart was already in turmoil, and she almost blurted out, "Then I'll come see you again."
She held back and said, "If big brother truly has this intention, then please take the imperial examination selection seriously. That is not the same as the imperial examinations..."
Liang Xiao smiled and nodded, engaging in a long, intimate conversation with Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing's mood was even more complicated at this moment.
When they first met, she wished Liang Xiao would become an official immediately, but Liang Xiao adamantly refused.
Now, Liang Xiao no longer resisted her "probing," yet she felt a pang of reluctance to mention his official career again, fearing it would displease him.
Gazing at Liang Xiao, who spoke eloquently, Xiao Qing couldn't help but stare entranced.
This fellow was truly detestable, lovable, and dependable!
After her rectifications, court officials now appointed officials with extreme caution, not daring to arbitrarily place their cronies.
The imperial clan registry, with officials' appointments publicly displayed, hung all over the great hall walls, revealing the political rivalries in court, shaking the capital!
Now everyone had to consider avoiding suspicion, and the situation of civil officials ganging up to attack each other in court had greatly improved!
Wang Canghai and others became even more convinced that their Emperor was destined to be a wise ruler for the ages.
Only the young man before her, who spoke and laughed freely in her presence, even dared to pinch her cheek!
"Xiao Shuangzi, tonight was too rushed, I truly can't think of a gift to prepare for you," Liang Xiao sighed suddenly.
Xiao Qing finally came back to her senses and said with a smile, "As long as big brother promises me one thing, that will be the best gift."
"You tell me, if big brother can do it, I will do my utmost," Liang Xiao's eyes lit up, and he smiled.
Xiao Qing said solemnly, "Big brother, you are naturally carefree, but that medical sage has a peculiar temper. Big brother must promise me, for your own sake and for the sake of your loved ones, that you will endure the medical sage's temper and spare no effort to persuade her to treat you..."
Liang Xiao couldn't help but laugh and nodded.
"A gentleman's promise is as good as a spoken chariot!" Xiao Qing said with relief, happily squeezing Liang Xiao's hand.
But she quickly came to her senses, feeling her face burn.
Ning Xuejun, who had been silent, had a hint of amusement in her eyes.
Their usually composed master had finally lost her composure.
But Ning Xuejun looked forward even more to seeing the expression on the face of this unflappable Second Young Master Liang when he met the current Emperor!
After seeing Xiao Qing off, Liang Xiao stood at the door, lost in melancholy.
He had too few friends. Zhang Yang was a true gentleman's friendship, while Gu Shaoyan and Mu Hong were mere acquaintances.
Xiao Shuangzi was his true confidante.
"If that little emperor forces me to be an official and I can't escape, I'll force him to grant Xiao Shuangzi absolute freedom of movement, let Xiao Shuangzi stay at my residence every day, and sleep in the same bed as me!" Back in his room, Liang Xiao muttered to himself under the candlelight, then burst into laughter.
The next morning, Luo Qingxue arrived as scheduled.
Upon learning that Xiao Shuangzi had visited last night, Luo Qingxue stomped her feet in annoyance.
She had missed him again, and Xiao Shuangzi wouldn't be coming again for a while!
Liang Xiao saw this and smiled, "The winery should be able to deliver today. Let's go take a look."
Hearing this, Luo Qingxue's face lit up with anticipation, and she followed Liang Xiao to inspect the winery.
As soon as they reached the entrance, the aroma of wine wafted towards them.
At this moment, Liang Yun was patrolling back and forth between several separate workshops with a serious expression.
"Second Brother! The workers are all working very hard, not slacking off!"
Upon seeing Liang Xiao, Liang Yun nervously stepped forward.
Liang Xiao nodded and cautioned, "Remember, you cannot be too strict with everyone."
Liang Yun pouted, "I don't need to scold them at all, they're all working harder than each other, often refusing to rest!"
Luo Qingxue was surprised, "Why?"
After Liang Yun's explanation, Luo Qingxue's face broke into a smile.
It turned out that these workers were grateful for Liang Xiao's kindness and worked day and night, wishing only for the winery to produce more!
No one dared to secretly drink the brewed wine. The workers had collectively agreed that anyone caught stealing a drink would be apprehended on the spot!
To them, the winery was a hard-won paradise, and they wished only for it to earn even a single extra coin.
No one feared losing this paradise more than they did!
Liang Xiao pondered for a moment, his expression serious. "From now on, let them rest during the times I've stipulated. Do not let them work during their rest periods."
"Why? Second Brother, their wages are the same. Isn't it good that they are willing to work?" Liang Yun was anxious.
"You must know that sharpening the axe does not delay the cutting of wood. And you must know that too much is as bad as too little. Overexertion not only affects subsequent efficiency but can also lead to illness from catching a cold. If someone is absent, the winery will suffer a loss," Liang Xiao said sternly.
The productivity here was limited, so he couldn't fully implement an "eight-hour workday," but the medical resources here were also limited, and he couldn't afford for the workers to push their bodies this hard.
For their own sake and for his, he did not want to torment the workers like this.
Liang Yun suddenly understood and immediately promised to implement it, leading Liang Xiao to the last workshop.
The aroma of wine was rich. Luo Qingxue and Liang Xiao stood at the entrance, observing the workers' operations.
What Liang Xiao called "stills" were connected to a giant barrel on one side, heated in a compartment, and a small barrel on the other side.
The small barrel was labeled with the character "头" (head).
"What are they doing?" Luo Qingxue asked softly, afraid of disturbing the workers who were diligently working.
Liang Xiao explained in a low voice, "Distillation. It produces purer, stronger liquor."
Luo Qingxue seemed to understand but not fully, yet she was overjoyed.
This wine was being mass-produced, and just by smelling the aroma, she believed it would be even more mellow than the Songling wine!
After a moment, Luo Qingxue noticed that the workers pushed aside the small barrels that had been filled and took new, clean barrels to continue collecting the distilled liquor.
These barrels labeled "头" were piled up together and transported by a designated person to the first storeroom.
In a corner, a pile of barrels labeled "尾" (tail) were also placed, not yet used.
The barrels without labels were continuously used to collect the wine, and once filled, they were centrally transported to the largest, second storeroom.
Luo Qingxue pondered for a moment, as if she had thought of something.
"Liang Xiao, is this perhaps what you mentioned as 'cutting off the head and tail'?"
She had read extensively and understood winemaking techniques. She even brewed her own fine wines at home.
However, this process and these "stills" were completely unheard of and unseen by her!