"Xiao Shuang Zi, you should occasionally mind your image," Liang Xiao reminded softly.
Xiao Qing ignored him, pushing away Liang Xiao's hand and continuing to hug him.
If this sea salt purification method works, Da Gan Kingdom won't just solve its financial problems, it might even have a massive surplus!
Millions, or even tens of millions, of taels annually!
Let me have a good cry!
Ning Xue Jun sighed tearfully, her heart also filled with excitement: "Indeed, Young Master Liang Er is most suited to continue the royal lineage with His Lordship..."
Liang Xiao was helpless, only patting Xiao Qing's head dotingly. After a long while, he sighed, "Xiao Shuang Zi, you must grow up quickly and have children and grandchildren."
In Liang Xiao's opinion, Xiao Qing was too kind for being unwilling to force Ke Li Si Ti into the palace.
As a result, Ke Li Si Ti's marriage inexplicably fell upon him. In a sense, he had cheated on Xiao Shuang Zi, and felt guilty.
Coincidentally, Wang Cang Hai mentioned salt and iron, and Liang Xiao remembered he had some rough sketches for the sea salt purification method. He hurried home, rummaging through chests and cabinets.
Xiao Qing, who had been crying uncontrollably, reluctantly let go of Liang Xiao's embrace. She turned away, afraid to look at him.
"I know! Big Brother must feel he's wronged Xiao Shuang Zi regarding the Princess of Gushi..."
This fool...
Xiao Qing felt more and more heartbroken as she thought about it.
For a moment just now, she had almost forgotten the late Emperor's dying wish, forgotten the advice of the two great regents, and whether her identity as a woman was exposed or not.
After all, who else in this world could be more reliable than her Big Brother?
"If Big Brother's sea salt purification method is useful, it would be a monumental achievement!" Xiao Qing choked out.
Liang Xiao quickly reminded her, "Don't say it was my idea for now, just claim it was your sudden inspiration. Otherwise, those noble families might do something even more outrageous!"
Xiao Qing understood and turned to look at Liang Xiao, "In this way, Big Brother is again contributing without recognition. What reward do you want? Silver, official titles, anything is fine. If you want my Imperial Sister, that... that can also be given to you..."
Liang Xiao laughed heartily, "If I get promoted or increase my stipend, wouldn't those noble families guess? As for the silver, you already sent some to Yan Zhou. As for Shuang'er, I've agreed with her that we'll marry when she's mentally prepared."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qing felt even more guilt-ridden. Just as she was about to speak, Liang Xiao's amorous hands reached out, cupping her small face, rubbing and squeezing it.
"So, let this be the reward. I'm satisfied!"
Liang Xiao's joyful laughter echoed in the imperial study.
Ning Xue Jun couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head helplessly.
Xiao Qing merely gazed tenderly at Liang Xiao, feeling both amused and on the verge of tears.
She realized that her beloved was just trying to lessen her guilt about being unable to bestow any titles upon him through this method!
Of course, it was also possible that he had some peculiar habits and a mischievous streak!
"Is Big Brother addicted to pinching Xiao Shuang Zi's cheeks..." Xiao Qing asked weakly.
Liang Xiao raised an eyebrow and smiled proudly, "When I marry Shuang'er in the future, I can secretly pinch her at home."
Xiao Qing almost suffocated, struggling to keep herself from blushing.
This guy is truly annoying!
Touched, Xiao Qing nodded and said, "It's truly good to have Big Brother around..."
Liang Xiao placed his hands on Xiao Qing's shoulders and said solemnly, "Xiao Shuang Zi, you can indulge in pleasures, but you must never forget the original intention of creating a prosperous and peaceful era. No matter what happens in the future, Big Brother will accompany you and never let you be alone!"
Xiao Qing, who had stopped crying, began to weep again.
Liang Xiao comforted her profusely, and Xiao Qing kept nodding, occasionally stealing glances at him.
After Liang Xiao left, Ning Xue Jun closed the door to the imperial study. Upon turning around, she saw Xiao Qing weeping over her desk.
Ning Xue Jun couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy and walked over to comfort her. Looking in the direction of the door, she sighed inwardly: This fellow, even though he's betrothed to His Lordship as the Princess, he's always causing trouble in His Lordship's heart. Does he have to completely bewitch His Lordship?
As soon as Liang Xiao returned to the courtyard, he found Luo Qing Xue and Jian Qin Wan arguing. He quickly went over to mediate.
The two then restrained themselves, glared at each other, and turned away.
"You don't need to worry. She and I just don't want to admit defeat to each other, we won't cause you trouble!" Luo Qing Xue huffed.
"This young lady also won't cause you trouble!" Jian Qin Wan retorted, unwilling to be outdone.
Liang Xiao nodded with relief and truthfully informed them about the princess's arranged marriage.
Luo Qing Xue, Jian Qin Wan, Yue Lian, and Zhen Mi were all stunned.
Jian Qin Wan, with her back to Liang Xiao, lowered her head, her expression desolate.
Another princess was being sent?
Luo Qing Xue also lowered her head, "You, you are indeed most suited for such a good woman..."
Liang Xiao quickly comforted her, "She loves General Tian. She's just using me as a shield. Of course, I wouldn't mistreat her by forcing her into marriage. You are different; you and I are in love."
Luo Qing Xue felt much better.
Jian Qin Wan savored Liang Xiao's words, thinking, "Could it be that he really isn't General Tian..."
However, Jian Qin Wan felt no disappointment or loss: "Whether he is or not, he is mine..."
Hearing that Liang Xiao had no feelings for that princess, Jian Qin Wan also quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Brother Xiao is the best. In Mi'er's heart, he's even better than General Tian!" Zhen Mi said somewhat indignantly.
Liang Xiao chuckled silently and gently patted Zhen Mi's little head.
After Luo Qing Xue left, Yue Lian also took Zhen Mi back to their room to study. Liang Xiao kept only Jian Qin Wan.
Liang Xiao said apologetically, "Bodhisattva, very soon everyone in the capital will know you are staying at the Liang mansion."
Jian Qin Wan then turned around, glared at Liang Xiao, and said nonchalantly, "You can rest assured. This young lady is not afraid of trouble, nor will she cause you trouble! If you find my presence troublesome, you, you can just drive me away. This young lady will have no complaints..."
Liang Xiao was taken aback and repeatedly shook his head, "Your presence at the Liang mansion brings brilliance to my humble abode. Driving you away would be no different from having a complete lack of conscience."
Jian Qin Wan finally felt at ease.
"Bodhisattva, what I wanted to say is..."
Jian Qin Wan's expression changed. She turned and covered her ears, her delicate body trembling slightly, "You are not allowed to say those things! I don't want to hear them!"
"How did you know what I was going to say?"
"I can tell at a glance! Without my permission, you are not allowed to say it!"
Liang Xiao was speechless.
The atmosphere became awkward.
Seeing Liang Xiao's lack of reaction, Jian Qin Wan felt uneasy. She finally turned around and found Liang Xiao looking at her. She couldn't help but glare at him again.
Liang Xiao pretended not to see, looked up at the sky, and tried to ease the tension.
"It's getting late. Bodhisattva, isn't this when you usually go for a bath?"
Upon hearing this, Jian Qin Wan, whose heart was in turmoil, instantly blushed, and drew the sword from her waist.
Liang Xiao quickly ran back to his room, leaving Jian Qin Wan in a state of disarray.
He couldn't pick something pleasant to say. Didn't he know that this young lady was most afraid of him mentioning "bath" and "figure"?
The more Jian Qin Wan thought about it, the more ashamed and annoyed she became. She swung her sword, slashing wildly in the direction of Liang Xiao's room, and only after she had vented enough did she go to take a bath.
In the underground secret chamber of Bai Chun Tower, Yi Rou's face was full of joy as she reported to Zuo Wu Shang: "Godfather! The楼主 just sent word. Marquis An Guo has sent people to discuss business. They plan to gather the city's wealthy individuals at Bai Chun Tower and sell wine publicly!"
Zuo Wu Shang was overjoyed!