Jian Qinwan remained silent, watching the children play tag around the tree, a smile unconsciously gracing her lips.
Upon seeing Liang Xiao, the women and elders were both surprised and delighted, coming forward to bow respectfully.
"Greetings, Second Young Master!"
"And this lady, is she also the Second Young Mistress? Truly a beauty that could topple nations." exclaimed one woman.
Jian Qinwan’s heart fluttered, and she took several steps back, shaking her head repeatedly.
As everyone looked on in surprise, Liang Xiao spoke, "This is a Bodhisattva, my creditor."
Jian Qinwan couldn't help but glance at Liang Xiao again, a half-smile on her face.
Since Liang Xiao had shown her such consideration, she couldn't possibly embarrass him in front of these simple folk.
With their palms pressed together, everyone bowed to Jian Qinwan, "Greetings, Bodhisattva!"
Jian Qinwan said urgently, "Don't listen to his nonsense..."
Liang Yun also came running out from inside, his face beaming, and greeted Liang Xiao.
"Second Brother, the wine brewed this time is even better, and we have plenty in stock! His Majesty has even bestowed a name upon the wine, calling it: 'A Drunken Century'!"
Liang Xiao nodded, reminding him, "Make sure it's stored well, keep the distillery clean, and have you found public restrooms and bathhouses?"
"Public restrooms? For common use?" Jian Qinwan frowned, puzzled.
"Bought them and renovated them according to your suggestions, completely reliable!" Liang Yun nodded confidently.
With Jian Qinwan present, Liang Xiao felt somewhat embarrassed to "inspect" the public restrooms, so he let Liang Yun continue with his tasks.
Jian Qinwan surveyed the entire distillery, marveling inwardly.
It was indeed very clean!
Leaving the distillery, Jian Qinwan couldn't help but ask, "The wine you sold to my master, is it from here?"
Liang Xiao shook his head, "It was self-brewed, and there's very little left."
Jian Qinwan let out an "Oh" and fell into thought.
The Qin Saint's letter had specifically mentioned the poetry and wine bought from Liang Xiao.
"Your Master liked it very much, wishing he could be drunk for a hundred years!"
Jian Qinwan could recite that poem by heart.
"If life were only like the first meeting..."
Ah, if life were only like the first meeting!
Glancing at Liang Xiao's retreating back, Jian Qinwan's face flushed to her ears, her gaze filled with a hint of resentment.
Such a beautiful poem, yet she was the only one who dared not recite it!
That scoundrel had barged into her bathing area back then and then left as if nothing had happened, with a cheeky grin!
Jian Qinwan snapped back to attention and realized the problem: she wanted to put Liang Xiao in an awkward position, but always ended up embarrassing herself!
She was, after all, the renowned Qin Immortal!
"Why did you call me Bodhisattva in front of everyone..."
"What else should I call you? Qin Immortal?" Liang Xiao retorted.
Jian Qinwan lifted her chin, "As you wish!"
"They don't know of the Qin Immortal, because they were once displaced commoners, living day by day with uncertain meals. Music was something they dared not even dream of, let alone the names of emperors, and certainly not the Qin Immortal or Qin Saint."
Jian Qinwan fell silent.
"But calling you Bodhisattva is different. They all understand that Bodhisattvas are good people, and naturally, they respect you more."
Jian Qinwan scoffed, "You're not old, but you think quite a lot."
Liang Xiao merely chuckled softly, not replying.
Following behind Liang Xiao, Jian Qinwan's heart pounded.
She had spoken with Zhen Mi and Yue Lian, and of course, she knew the origin of the distillery workers.
Prospering and remembering to help refugees!
He thought so much to ensure everything was handled with utmost care...
After a long while, Liang Xiao finally spoke, "Later I need to go to the palace to visit Her Highness the Princess. You..."
Jian Qinwan's expression changed, and she huffed, "Do I, this young lady, not have the right to see the Princess?"
"Of course, you do," Liang Xiao replied without hesitation.
Silence fell between them again, and they walked on without speaking.
Meanwhile, He Wanli and Ouyang Ji, along with Ouyang Hong and his son, gathered at the Dugu family's residence.
Dugu Qun and his son, along with Dugu Liang, were all beaming, looking like generals returning victorious.
Dugu Qun sneered, "I've summoned you all here to inform you of a major event: we just received a report from a scout stating that the one who proposed the smallpox vaccination to His Majesty is none other than Liang Xiao!"
Everyone's expression changed drastically, and then one by one, they were filled with elation.
"It's him? Smallpox! That's a disease of cattle!"
Ouyang Sheng burst into laughter, nearly choking.
"Then it's easy to deal with him. Isn't it simple to finish him off?" Ouyang Ji sneered. "I'll trouble everyone to work with this old man to drive such a traitorous official as Liang Xiao out of the court, preferably to be imprisoned and executed!"
"Include that old dog, Liang Qing!" He Wanli said bitterly.
As night fell, deep within the imperial palace.
At the entrance of the West Palace Villa, Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun, upon learning of Liang Xiao's arrival, came out to greet him. Seeing Jian Qinwan, they were secretly surprised.
The Qin Immortal of this generation, actually serving as Liang Xiao's personal bodyguard!
If this news were to spread, it would surely shock the world!
"Greetings, Elder Ding, Elder Ning..." Jian Qinwan calmly bowed to them.
Ning Xuejun was an old acquaintance of her mother, Mu Xueqin.
Ning Xuejun said sternly, "Qinwan, I'm very sorry, you cannot enter. Come and reminisce with this old woman here."
Despite her reluctance, Jian Qinwan could only agree.
Ding Wuyi went to find the middle-aged female imperial physician, Mu Xueqin's eldest disciple, Yuan Jin.
Under Ning Xuejun's guidance, Liang Xiao walked alone to the end of the corridor and knocked on a door.
"Who is it~" Xiao Qing's gentle voice came from within.
"Princess Ningshuang, it's me, Liang Xiao."
After a brief silence within, Xiao Qing's weak voice finally sounded, "Second Young Master Liang, I'm unable to get out of bed, you can come in yourself..."
Hearing the weak voice, Liang Xiao was startled. He quickly pushed the door open and saw Xiao Qing sitting on the bed, looking at him.
"Your Highness, have you caught a cold or...?" Liang Xiao asked, puzzled.
This child's complexion was ruddy, hardly looking like someone who was ill.
Xiao Qing merely gazed at Liang Xiao with a hint of melancholy, "Sitting in front of you is a helpless, sick young girl. Can you really bear to just stand there and watch?"
Liang Xiao's eyelids twitched. Prompted by Xiao Qing, he sat by the bedside.
Xiao Qing shifted closer, leaning in, her voice barely a whisper, "Second Young Master Liang, I'm so cold..."
Liang Xiao said nothing more, took off his robe, and draped it over Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing was momentarily stunned, a look of defiance on her face.
"Hmph! A block of wood!"
Under Liang Xiao's astonished gaze, Xiao Qing directly hugged his waist and buried her head in his chest.
Liang Xiao exclaimed, "Princess, I am Qingxue's fiancé, please respect yourself..."
"Sister Qingxue said you could be a驸马 (consort), and I agreed to her, allowing you to take concubines..." Xiao Qing stammered, not daring to look up at Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao was dumbfounded. After a moment, he understood something.
He had almost forgotten that in Daqian, there were more women than men, and having three wives and four concubines was perfectly normal...
Luo Qingxue had mentioned this matter to him on the road yesterday. Had she already sold him out?
But he had no psychological preparation for becoming a consort, and she looked so much like Xiao Shuangzi!
Liang Xiao finally began to panic. Yet, he couldn't bear to forcefully push away this fragile, shy young girl who had lost her parents. He could only try to change the subject.
"Princess, what illness do you have?" Liang Xiao asked, his voice trembling.
"What's wrong? Afraid I'll infect you?"
"No, no, no. When you're sick, you need to cooperate with the imperial physicians to recover soon..." Liang Xiao felt guilty, sensing something was amiss.
"The imperial physician hasn't arrived yet, but I've thought of a prescription that can save me: ice cones from the lava of southern volcanoes, peach blossoms that never wither on Tianshan's peak, colorful clouds from ten thousand feet high, and mayflies that have flown for a month..."
Liang Xiao narrowed his eyes and touched Xiao Qing's forehead.