"Western Regions?" Xiao Qing frowned.
The Western Regions had many countries, with the Kingdom of Qiuci being the strongest.
Upon learning that the Heavenly General had expelled the barbarians and the Supreme Leader Liang Xiao had humiliated the Left Virtuous King, the entire Kingdom of Qiuci was subdued. The King even sent envoys to the capital, declaring allegiance and proposing a marriage alliance.
This marriage alliance, of course, could not involve Da Gan sending a princess. After all, the Da Gan royal family only had the princess and the emperor left, and in reality, only Xiao Qing remained.
The Kingdom of Qiuci intended to send their princess to marry Xiao Qing, who was the emperor.
Wang Canghai reminded, "Your Majesty, if you easily refuse the marriage alliance, not only will the relationship with the Kingdom of Qiuci be damaged, but outsiders will also doubt Your Majesty's identity. The realm is not yet stable, and even with the late emperor's decree, the situation may not be settled. I suggest concealing this for as long as possible, ideally until the realm is stable!"
Ding Wu Yi, standing behind Xiao Qing, could not help but sigh, "I didn't understand Young Master Liang's words back then, and now even the Prime Minister believes the realm is unstable..."
Wang Canghai chuckled, "Actually, it was after Your Majesty informed this old minister of Marquis An Guo's views that this old minister was able to confirm..."
Upon hearing the two chief ministers discuss Liang Xiao, Xiao Qing smiled proudly, then her expression turned tense, "So, does Prime Minister mean for me to accept the marriage alliance, allowing the Kingdom of Qiuci to send their princess to be a concubine, to cover up my identity? Wouldn't that harm this princess?"
As the emperor, she was already seventeen and had not yet chosen concubines. The outside world, in addition to concern, was also puzzled.
Wang Canghai hesitated, "According to our Da Gan informants in the Western Regions, that princess, despite her strange appearance, is stubborn and refuses to travel to Da Gan with all her might. Yet, the King of Qiuci is pushing for the marriage alliance, which is..."
Xiao Qing became even more hesitant.
After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Qing sighed, "Just reply that the King of Qiuci should respect the princess's wishes and allow her to choose her own marriage?"
Wang Canghai nodded and reminded, "But Your Majesty also knows that the King of Qiuci might force her into the marriage. Therefore, Your Majesty needs to prepare early, avoid revealing any flaws in front of her, and even send people to monitor her if necessary."
Xiao Qing reluctantly agreed and sat down to review official documents.
At the Honglu Temple guesthouse, the envoys from the Kingdom of Qiuci received the official document from the Chief Eunuch and immediately bowed in submission.
"Indeed, the Holy Emperor of Da Gan possesses such magnanimity! Our kingdom is deeply grateful and will certainly send the princess!"
Undoubtedly, Xiao Qing's unintentional act of asking the King of Qiuci to respect the princess's wishes was seen by the people of Qiuci as respect and consideration for them.
Today, Luo Qingxue still did not come to Liang Manor to find Liang Xiao, but stayed at home practicing her zither.
Liang Xiao could not bear to dampen her enthusiasm for learning, so he could only indulge her.
It seemed that this young lady had been stimulated by Jian Qinwan and truly wanted to strive to defeat Jian Qinwan in musical artistry.
Liang Xiao, with his "One Drunk Hundred Years," had consecutively earned one hundred thousand taels and then two hundred and fifty thousand taels, which was known throughout the capital.
"One Drunk Hundred Years" was even conferred the title of National Wine by the current Emperor!
Unlike the joyful atmosphere in Liang Manor and Luo Manor, the major aristocratic families, led by the Dugu family and Ouyang Ji, harbored deep hatred for Liang Xiao.
Not only had Liang Xiao extorted a large sum of money from them, but he had also forced them to send clan disciples to participate in smallpox prevention!
The clan disciples selected by each family were now crying their eyes out at home, undergoing vaccination.
In contrast, the Gu family, Wang family, Mu family, and other aristocratic families, because they had supported Liang Xiao or remained neutral, were completely unharmed...
A few smaller aristocratic families, who had opposed Liang Xiao by following the Dugu family, regretted it to the point of their intestines turning green.
"This fellow is simply utterly wicked!"
Dugu Qun's beard trembled with anger, his eyes almost spitting fire.
Liang Xiao's actions, while attracting the hatred of the major aristocratic families, were also slowly dividing them.
Several aristocratic families had already begun to waver!
But what truly angered them was the internal strife within their own families!
Because clan disciples had to be selected, it led to fierce competition and mutual scheming among them.
Dugu Xiao was currently sulking because, as the eldest son, he had not set an example by participating in smallpox prevention, but had instead let his second brother go...
Undoubtedly, although the second young master of the Dugu family hated Liang Xiao, he also harbored resentment towards Dugu Qun and Dugu Xiao: why was it him who was chosen!
Similar situations were unfolding in other aristocratic families, and Ouyang Sheng was also in conflict with his younger brother.
The instigator, Liang Xiao, however, was leisurely sitting in the courtyard, with his legs crossed, drinking wine and admiring the moon!
"Why is Young Master so happy? Is it because you earned two hundred and fifty thousand taels? It doesn't seem like it!" Yue Lian said with a smile.
Jian Qinwan, sitting far away, also looked over.
"Of course not!" Liang Xiao laughed heartily, whistled for a while, then explained, "Those aristocratic families, they've donated money, sent people, and now they must be about to fight amongst themselves, right?"
Yue Lian could not help but worry, "But they must also hate Young Master deeply. Young Master cannot die in political struggles..."
"Everyone has a destiny to die, some are heavier than Mount Tai, others lighter than a feather." Liang Xiao was calm.
Jian Qinwan's beautiful eyes lit up, staring at Liang Xiao.
"But Young Master cannot die, you must live a long life..." Yue Lian started to cry.
Under Yue Lian's tears, Liang Xiao immediately surrendered, "Alright, alright! How could your Young Master die so easily? Let's live a long life together!"
Only then did Yue Lian break into a smile.
Jian Qinwan could not help but roll her eyes at Liang Xiao, "Tricking another young girl again, disgusting! Truly disgusting! Pervert!"
"Miss Qinwan, Young Master has never broken a promise to me!" Yue Lian quickly defended Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao's smile froze, "Female Rakshasa, I can accept you calling me disgusting, but where does this 'pervert' come from?"
Jian Qinwan simply snorted and turned her head away, unwilling to respond, but her eyes suddenly lit up.
It turned out that Xiao Qing, dressed in red, had entered the courtyard with Ning Xuejun.
"Young Master Liang the Second~"
The soft call made Liang Xiao feel a profound tenderness, and he sprang up from his chair.
"Shuang'er!"
Considering that other girls were present, Liang Xiao suppressed the urge to embrace her and put on a hypocritical smile.
"Tricked another one..."
Jian Qinwan muttered to herself and was about to turn away.
"This must be the Piano Immortal, right?" Xiao Qing noticed Jian Qinwan and her eyes also lit up. "As expected, she's full of immortal aura, transcendent and peerless! However, why does she seem to have some resentment?"
Jian Qinwan was startled, as if she understood something, and knelt before Xiao Qing, "This commoner Jian Qinwan, pays respects to Princess Ning Shuang..."
Xiao Qing helped Jian Qinwan up and asked, "How is it that the esteemed Piano Immortal was sent by the Medical Sage to be a bodyguard?"
Jian Qinwan's heart sank, and she explained, "It was my mother's decision. As her child, I could only obey..."
Xiao Qing pondered, nodded slightly, while Ning Xuejun behind her looked at Jian Qinwan with a sense of helplessness.
From the moment they learned of the Medical Sage's drastic change in attitude towards Liang Xiao, they understood the Medical Sage's intentions, yet it was inconvenient for them to interfere.
Xiao Qing suppressed the jealousy in her heart and came before Liang Xiao, pinching his face and哼道, "Did you write to my imperial brother saying you are preparing to go to Yanzhou?"
Yanzhou? Bodhi Temple?
Jian Qinwan finally perked up.