Left Wushang and his two companions had been waiting outside the south gate of the Liang Residence for a long time. Left Wushang's face was covered with pieces of specially made fake human skin, making him unrecognizable, but his eyes remained sharp and piercing.
"Marshal, waiting like this every day won't solve anything..." one of his trusted subordinates couldn't help but say with a bitter smile.
They, along with Left Wushang, were elites among the remnants of the Da Heng Kingdom. To resort to such underhanded tracking methods to deal with a mere young maid was an utter humiliation!
Left Wushang's expression was grim, and he sighed, "This trip was too hasty. Let's go back and make a plan!"
Just as the three were about to return, the main gate of the Liang Residence slowly opened. Yue Lian emerged, a basket of groceries in her hand, and she cheerfully greeted the two gatekeepers.
Left Wushang's heart leaped with joy. He clenched his fist. "Isn't this our chance?"
As Yue Lian was about to leave, a call came from afar, "Little one, where are you going?"
Left Wushang and his companions peered intently, their breathing catching in their throats, filled with regret!
A carriage had stopped in front of Yue Lian. Liang Xiao jumped out of the carriage, smiling as he looked at Yue Lian.
"Young Master, you're back?"
Yue Lian was overjoyed, her basket swaying gently with her body. "Young Master, you haven't had a good meal since you returned. I was going to buy some groceries..."
Liang Xiao quickly held Yue Lian's shoulder and cautioned, "No, you are not allowed to go out alone without a guard accompanying you, nor go to sparsely populated areas!"
With that, Liang Xiao led Yue Lian back into the residence.
Left Wushang watched this unfold, his eyes burning with rage in an instant!
He was not only skilled in both civil and military affairs, but his vigilance far surpassed that of ordinary people!
Yue Lian, already intelligent, quickly understood Liang Xiao's meaning and obediently agreed, then looked troubled. "But..."
Liang Xiao smiled. "You can write down the ingredients you want to buy, and have someone else from the residence purchase them. From now on, before meals, we will check everyone's food with silver needles. I will also assign guards to closely monitor the kitchen to prevent enemies from poisoning us."
Yue Lian nodded enthusiastically, like a pecking chick. "Young Master thinks of everything!"
"I'm just afraid of implicating everyone, as a precaution," Liang Xiao said, his smile fading as he sighed softly.
"Young Master makes everyone in the Liang Residence proud. How could it be an implication? We are all honored!" Yue Lian argued earnestly.
Liang Xiao could only chuckle and led Yue Lian back to his own courtyard.
"Then I'll go to the kitchen and cook some porridge for Young Master."
"Oh, I actually ate with His Majesty before I came."
Upon hearing this, Yue Lian's beautiful eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands.
Her Young Master could dine with the Emperor!
Liang Xiao didn't offer further explanation, feeling a strange sense of unease.
His little Shuang Zi had insisted he stay for a meal.
Liang Xiao also worried that little Shuang Zi might be truly frightened and lose his appetite, so he had no choice but to stay and ensure little Shuang Zi ate well.
But he had a persistent feeling that little Shuang Zi was becoming increasingly dependent on him.
"Could little Shuang Zi really be... gay?" Liang Xiao was startled by his own thought, feeling a prickling sensation on his back. "Perhaps it's because he's been with Princess Ning Shuang for too long that he's become effeminate? Hmm, that's not right, he still possesses the imperial dignity in front of others."
The thought of Xiao Qing's imposing presence in public reassured Liang Xiao.
Meanwhile, Left Wushang and his two companions were left in disarray by the wind.
A subordinate whispered, "Marshal, what do we do? It seems he won't let that maid go out alone anymore..."
Left Wushang's eyelids twitched, and he gritted his teeth. "There will be other days. No need to rush!"
Having witnessed the intimate relationship between Liang Xiao and Yue Lian, no one could comprehend his current feelings.
Hate, anger, guilt, regret!
Liang Xiao had become the princess's most cherished "Young Master," her nominal lord...
This was a profound humiliation, yet Liang Xiao was, in a way, the princess's savior!
"No matter what, he has to suffer a setback first!"
Left Wushang made up his mind and ordered his two subordinates, "When I was lurking in the mountains that day, I overheard the Tianshan disciples talking. The news seems to have not yet spread to the capital. You two immediately contact those two lords in the capital and tell them: Smallpox inoculation to prevent smallpox, was proposed by Liang Xiao!"
The two subordinates understood and immediately ran off to deliver the message.
Left Wushang looked at the Liang Residence, his gaze becoming even more complex.
He would try to sow discord between these two rulers. If Liang Xiao was ostracized by the court officials and became disheartened, perhaps he would be easier to control!
"Bodhisattva, are you accustomed to living here?"
In Zhen Mi's room, Liang Xiao stood at the doorway, looking at Jian Qinwan and Zhen Mi from afar.
It wasn't that he didn't want to enter, but whenever Jian Qinwan saw him, she would retreat ten paces, as if he were a plague god.
Jian Qinwan maintained her cool demeanor and nodded slightly. "With Diao'er and the others here, you don't need to worry about my daily meals and living arrangements."
Liang Xiao smiled, relieved.
"However, you ruined my most precious patch of narcissus flowers..." Jian Qinwan huffed.
"Let our Young Master buy you some more..."
Yue Lian quickly stepped in to mediate, but Jian Qinwan merely shook her head. "I want the patch that was destroyed by Tianshan!"
The atmosphere fell into silence.
Seeing Liang Xiao smile without speaking, Jian Qinwan began to doubt herself.
Had she gone too far?
A moment later, Liang Xiao smiled and said, "Female Rakshasa, how about this: I don't have time to go back to Tianshan to plant flowers for you, but I will find a way to compensate you until you are satisfied."
Liang Xiao believed that the Qin Immortal, with her moral principles, would not repeatedly make things difficult for him.
Jian Qinwan was taken aback. After a moment's thought, she said seriously, "Then you must find a way to pick the most beautiful flowers in the world for me!"
"What kind of flowers are they?" Yue Lian and Zhen Mi asked in unison.
"I don't know..." Jian Qinwan replied casually, avoiding Liang Xiao's gaze.
"I will," Liang Xiao simply nodded with a smile.
The three watched Liang Xiao in astonishment.
He had agreed without even knowing what kind of flowers they were?
Jian Qinwan pouted, sighing, "Men are indeed fickle with their words. Even my father is no exception..."
Liang Xiao looked at Jian Qinwan and said word by word, "I will achieve it. You can rest assured, it's just a matter of time. Perhaps tomorrow, perhaps within a year or two."
"As you wish. I was just saying it casually. Don't actually go risking your life to pick Tianshan snow lotuses or Nanhai hibiscus or anything like that..." Jian Qinwan said noncommittally, still offering a reminder.
Liang Xiao merely nodded, asked Yue Lian to stay, and turned to leave.
Jian Qinwan immediately embraced her sword and followed him. "Where are you going!"
"To the brewery to check on the 'harvest.' It's close to the Liang Residence. You stay and accompany Mi'er." Liang Xiao replied.
"No! Since I promised to protect you, I cannot be as fickle with my words as you are!" Jian Qinwan said sternly.
Liang Xiao laughed heartily. "Then I shall trouble the Rakshasa Bodhisattva to protect this humble brother."
Rakshasa Bodhisattva? Was he mocking her for her fickle behavior towards him?
Jian Qinwan glared fiercely at Liang Xiao and followed him, leaving Yue Lian and Zhen Mi dumbfounded.
Upon arriving at Liang Xiao's brewery, the fragrant aroma of wine filled the air. She saw children playing at the entrance and elderly people enjoying themselves, and Jian Qinwan was greatly surprised.
This wine fragrance was even richer than the wine brewed by her master!
These ordinary people had faces filled with the most genuine joy in the world!