This day, Mu Xueqin wrote a letter of tears, handing it to a Tian Shan disciple: "Haven't forty Tian Shan disciples been sent to my son's side? Select ten more of the best to go, and by the way, deliver this letter to my son!"
Watching the excited departure of the few female swordswomen of Tian Shan, Mu Xueqin leaned against the pillar and sighed for a long time, shedding tears several times.
Curing smallpox was the lifelong dream of countless physicians in the Great Qian Dynasty. So many had lost their lives because of it, yet people still rushed forward!
Physicians know no fear!
Inside the Imperial Palace hall, officials were solemn, and their gazes towards Liang Xiao were even more awestruck.
Wang Canghai, having been informed in advance, still couldn't hide his excitement.
This was a deed that would be praised for generations, and perhaps Liang Xiao would even be deified after his death!
With tears in his eyes, Xiao Qing looked at the officials below: "Now, who else doubts that I, the Emperor, bestowed upon our esteemed minister Liang an imperial tablet of exemption from death? I shall not only grant him that tablet but also reward him with ten thousand taels of gold! Once smallpox prevention is implemented nationwide, and the populace expresses their gratitude, I shall increase his fiefdom as the Marquis of An Guo to ten thousand households, making him a marquis of ten thousand households!"
Dugu Qun and others trembled, finally understanding the source of Xiao Qing's confidence. How dare they utter another word of dissent.
Trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice, last time they framed Liang Xiao's smallpox prevention, each of them lost tens of thousands of taels, and they still felt the pain. Yesterday, they were extorted by him...
With such merit alone, any reward for Liang Xiao would not be excessive!
Seeing the ministers obediently congratulating Liang Xiao, Xiao Qing felt much better. He raised an eyebrow: "Continuing the imperial lineage is of utmost urgency. I also intend to take Minister Liang as my consort... This matter, I shall discuss privately with Minister Liang."
Everyone looked at Liang Xiao, unable to hide their envy!
The populace knew that the direct imperial line of the Great Qian Dynasty consisted only of the Emperor and Princess Ningshuang. The honor of being a consort was something countless people dreamed of!
Undoubtedly, it was finally taken by Liang Xiao...
Luo Changfeng and Liang Qing's hearts were filled with complex emotions.
They had already learned of Princess Ningshuang's promise to Luo Qingxue, but they were still worried about Luo Qingxue's reputation.
Regardless, at least Luo Qingxue could marry Liang Xiao, and Liang Xiao could still take concubines!
After the court session, more than half of the officials, led by Dugu Qun, He Wanli, and Ouyang Ji, left in anger, while Wang Canghai and others rushed to congratulate Liang Xiao.
In the Imperial Study, Liang Xiao looked at Xiao Qing and sighed, "Little Shuangzi, you..."
Xiao Qing said earnestly: "Little Shuangzi is not acting rashly. My elder brother's merits are such that any reward is fitting! Even if my elder brother wanted this empire, Little Shuangzi would give it to him, as long as my elder brother treats the people well..."
As he spoke the last words, tears streamed down Xiao Qing's face.
Ning Xuejun was startled, but no longer as nervous as last time, understanding that Liang Xiao had no interest in power and would surely give the Lord a satisfactory answer.
Liang Xiao exclaimed: "Little Shuangzi, I forbid anyone to replace you. If you say such things again, I will truly retire..."
Xiao Qing's heart fluttered, and he mumbled, "I know..."
Liang Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, wiped the tears from Xiao Qing's face, and said softly, "I only wish for the day I can retire successfully and enjoy a peaceful life with Shuang'er and the others. But I can't bear to leave you alone and helpless, Little Shuangzi."
Liang Xiao certainly disliked feudalism, but he also knew that he had to act within his means here. Little Shuangzi deserved his protection!
Xiao Qing finally smiled contentedly, revealing a pair of adorable dimples: "Big Brother is the best!"
Liang Xiao pouted, "If you dare say that again next time, I'll really spank your bottom!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qing was reminded of Liang Xiao's teasing last night and immediately blushed to the roots of his hair: "Oh..."
Liang Xiao then said seriously, "Little Shuangzi, you are seventeen years old now, aren't you? You must have some manly spirit from now on. You can't call yourself Little Shuangzi in front of me anymore. Children call themselves that in front of adults. You should refer to yourself as 'I', '朕' (zhen - imperial 'I'), or '寡人' (guaren - a self-referential pronoun used by emperors), do you understand?"
Xiao Qing hummed, "Does Big Brother really bear to see Little Shuangzi grow up?"
Liang Xiao fell silent, couldn't help but scratch his ears and cheeks, and after a moment, conceded, "Fine, call yourself whatever you want..."
Xiao Qing covered his mouth and smiled.
Only he, could make her feel this deeply!
Amidst his joy, Xiao Qing also said, "Little Shuangzi and the Imperial Sister will also be vaccinated..."
"That's good. Safety first. I'm also afraid you and the Imperial Sister will contract smallpox!" Liang Xiao nodded.
Xiao Qing said nervously, "If Little Shuangzi and the Imperial Sister become ugly, will Big Brother dislike them..."
Liang Xiao was stunned and said, "Let's go find Shuang'er. I'll explain it all to her."
Xiao Qing, thinking quickly, said, "Imperial Sister started her vaccination today, so let's not see her for now..."
Liang Xiao sighed, placed his hand on Xiao Qing's shoulder, and said earnestly, "Little Shuangzi, remember to tell Shuang'er that if you and Shuang'er feel you've become ugly and dare not see me, I'll slash my own face, and we'll be ugly together."
Xiao Qing almost cried again: "No, don't! I dare to see you..."
Ning Xuejun watched the two of them, filled with relief.
"Did Shuang'er ask you to ask this?" Liang Xiao grinned.
Xiao Qing stammered, "Yes..."
Liang Xiao pouted and raised his "salty pig's hand": "Alright! I'll punish this girl next time I see her!"
Xiao Qing's breath caught. Thinking of Ning Xuejun's expression behind him, he wished he could drill a hole into the ground!
This person is too detestable!
Liang Xiao then laughed heartily, "Don't worry, you won't become ugly. The cowpox vaccine is far less toxic than smallpox, and it's almost impossible to leave pockmarks like smallpox. Brother and Yue Lian were vaccinated long ago, and later Mi'er and Qingxue were also vaccinated."
Liang Xiao, inherently cautious, had vaccinated himself and Yue Lian immediately after opening his eyes and seeing this world, which had even scared Yue Lian into crying!
If life were lost, everything would be in vain.
Xiao Qing hummed, "I already knew that... Ah!"
Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Qing cried out in surprise. It turned out Liang Xiao had slapped his backside.
"For making your elder brother worry, I'm truly spanking your bottom this time."
Xiao Qing pressed the spot where he had been hit, his entire face flushing red. He cast a resentful glance but dared not speak.
He hit me again...
And he's still laughing!
At this moment, Xiao Qing truly wished he could throw Liang Xiao onto the dragon bed with an over-the-shoulder throw!
After Liang Xiao left the palace with Xiao Qing's token, he didn't immediately return to the Liang manor but rushed to the Mu family with Chen Shaoling in tow.
Coincidentally, Gu Hong and Mu Lingming were handling affairs at the Ministry of Rites, and only Gu Shaoyan was discussing state affairs with Mu Hong.
"Marquis of An Guo!"
The two excitedly welcomed Liang Xiao and his companion into the hall.
"There are no outsiders here, why are you still so formal?" Liang Xiao asked with displeasure.
Mu Hong said sheepishly, "Just get used to it. If my father knew I was addressing you so casually, he'd probably kick me from home all the way to Jiangnan..."
Liang Xiao smiled helplessly and could only accept reality. He took out a stack of blueprints and handed them to Mu Hong.
"Brother Mu, this matter can only be handled by you!"