Upon learning that it was Liang Xiao dictating, Xiao Qing's beautiful eyes lit up. She looked at the resigned-looking man and said, "Brother Xiao~"
"Finally remembered your Brother Xiao?" Liang Xiao pouted.
Xiao Qing smiled like a blooming flower and skipped over, hugging Liang Xiao's arm and shaking it incessantly, "Is there more? Is there more! I want to hear it all at once!"
Liang Xiao immediately relayed the idea of a newspaper serial, which made Xiao Qing suddenly enlightened, "There's such a method!"
Jian Qinwan silently watched the radiant Xiao Qing, looking disbelieving.
She was the current Son of Heaven, yet she was so infatuated with him, clearly turned into a lovesick fool...
But then she thought, even the Son of Heaven had captured his heart...
Moreover, Xiao Qing, as Princess Ningshuang, was good sisters with Luo Qingxue. It would be good enough if Luo Qingxue didn't maliciously exclude her, an outsider.
Jian Qinwan's mind was in a turmoil, and she distractedly looked at the chapters of "Journey to the West" that Zhen Mi was recording.
Everyone knew that Princess Ningshuang had matters to discuss with Liang Xiao, so they all went to Zhen Mi's room to continue their exchange.
Xiao Qing then held Liang Xiao's arm and entered Liang Xiao's room.
"Brother Xiao, the Ministry of Revenue issue has been resolved, you don't need to worry. From now on, we..." Ah!"
Before Xiao Qing could finish, she let out a startled cry, pressing her hand to her derrière. She looked at Liang Xiao like a startled deer, "You, you hit me again..."
Liang Xiao put on a stern expression, "You're always worrying about state affairs. This is a small punishment. After we get married, you'll know how powerful your Brother Xiao is..."
After marriage?
I am the ruler of a nation, how can I not discuss state affairs? I'm going to be bullied to death by this guy!
Xiao Qing buried her head in Liang Xiao's chest, too shy to speak. Ning Xuejun pretended not to see anything, silently exited the room, and closed the door.
Liang Xiao held Xiao Qing tightly, gently patting her back, feeling heartache.
He had also heard from Yue Lian that the royal family was sparse in numbers. Crown Prince Xiao Qing and Princess Xiao Shuang, at seven or eight years old, had accompanied the Emperor on inspections to stabilize the populace.
If it weren't for the Shadow Guard forces and the diligent governance of past emperors who were deeply loved by the people, Xiao Qing would have long become a puppet of the noble families, and Xiao Shuang would have been forced to marry into the barren lands or be wedded to the sons of noble families!
Since he was here, he would never allow such a tragedy to happen!
"Shuang'er is still a child. Your Brother Xiao can't bear to harm you, so you must cherish yourself more and enjoy life. Come to the manor to play with Qingxue and the others occasionally," Liang Xiao said softly.
"Mmm~" Xiao Qing was touched and obediently agreed.
How she wished she could come here more often, but she couldn't!
"What happened to your imperial brother again?" Liang Xiao asked again.
"The imperial physicians are taking care of my imperial brother, telling him to rest more..." Xiao Qing's voice became more guilty as she spoke.
Liang Xiao mused.
Why was it that imperial brothers always conveniently prevented him from seeing his imperial sister, and imperial sisters always conveniently prevented him from seeing their imperial brothers?
Looking at the girl in his arms, a strange thought surfaced in Liang Xiao's mind.
Liang Xiao shook his head, smiling wryly to himself.
"I'm still hiding my identity as the Heavenly General from her, how can I be suspicious of her!"
With that thought, Liang Xiao said softly again, "When Brother Xiao returns from Jiangnan, I will tell Shuang'er and your imperial brother a secret."
The girl in his arms trembled, her face flushed. Mustering her courage, she raised her head to look at Liang Xiao, her breath like orchid fragrance, her heart in chaos.
He would continue the royal lineage after returning from Jiangnan...
She had studied the art of ruling extensively and was knowledgeable, but on that particular matter, she was completely ignorant, only knowing it was embarrassing!
"Then Shuang'er will also tell Brother Xiao a secret!" Xiao Qing said softly.
"Alright, let's pinky promise!" Liang Xiao smiled and held up Xiao Qing's delicate hand.
Pinky promise?
Seeing Liang Xiao treating her like a child, Xiao Qing felt both shy and sweet. She pinky promised with Liang Xiao.
"Shuang'er, you can't wrong yourself for your Brother Xiao anymore. The more sensible you are, the more your Brother Xiao's heart will ache," Liang Xiao said softly, hooking Xiao Qing's little finger.
Xiao Qing's eyes welled up with tears, and she gazed at Liang Xiao with affection.
"As long as Brother Xiao is happy, Shuang'er wants to be the person who wishes Brother Xiao the most happiness in the world!"
The girl's gentle words touched the softest spot in Liang Xiao's heart.
Hearing this, Liang Xiao lowered his head to meet Xiao Qing's gaze, then kissed her deeply.
Only when Xiao Qing was almost suffocating did Liang Xiao reluctantly release her.
Xiao Qing quickly buried her head in Liang Xiao's chest, her voice a mere whisper, "Meeting Brother Xiao has used up all of my luck in this lifetime!"
Liang Xiao looked at Princess Ningshuang, known for her dignified and virtuous demeanor, being so attached to him, and his heart blossomed. He gently pinched her soft, fair cheek.
"Your Brother Xiao is also fortunate to have met you!"
Xiao Qing shyly hugged Liang Xiao tighter, then suddenly became bold, "Imperial brother's treasury is Shuang'er's treasury. If Brother Xiao needs anything in the future, you can directly tell Shuang'er!"
"Oh my, it seems I've hooked up with a little rich woman," Liang Xiao chuckled.
Xiao Qing giggled, wishing the night would last forever.
No matter how tired she was from handling state affairs or how vexed she was by the noble families, ever since meeting Liang Xiao, she felt full of motivation and fearless!
Her Brother Xiao had shielded her from countless storms brought by the noble families. Now, Ouyang Ji and others dared not challenge her casually and only found excuses to impeach Liang Xiao, as if competing for his favor!
Now, she only looked forward to the day she could reveal the truth to Liang Xiao!
With that thought, Xiao Qing softly reminded him, "Brother Xiao, when you go to Jiangnan, be wary of the King of the South and the Grand Tutor. Before you meet Zhuo Lingjun, to avoid your itinerary and plans being disrupted, you should still keep a low profile."
Liang Xiao readily agreed.
"Actually, the King of the South's heir, Xiao Feng, and his second son, Xiao Chan, have always coveted me. The King of the South wants one of them to be the current驸马 (fù mǎ - imperial son-in-law), under the guise of closer ties, but I detest them and have forbidden them from entering the capital! Brother Xiao must be very careful of the King of the South's family..."
Liang Xiao nodded with a smile, "Xiao Feng, Xiao Chan? Naming his sons Feng Shan, their intentions are obvious. Don't worry, they are doomed!"
"Jiangnan is far from the capital. Although Brother Xiao is cautious enough, you still need to be careful they don't obstruct Brother Xiao from selecting talent..." Xiao Qing said with a worried expression.
"Don't panic! This trip will be a complete success!" Liang Xiao said confidently.
Xiao Qing gazed at the spirited Liang Xiao, engrossed, but then heard Liang Xiao say, "Because, this驸马 position is mine, no one can snatch it away! Shuang'er is my reverse scale!"
Liang Xiao didn't care which world or era he was in. A true man acts without shame before heaven and earth, as long as the country is prosperous and the people are at peace.
If productivity is low, even the most advanced system can hardly change the status quo. If applied blindly, it might even be counterproductive!
Hearing this, Xiao Qing lowered her head, stealing glances at Liang Xiao from time to time. When she found him looking at her, her heart fluttered even more.
Recalling Liang Xiao's decisive beheading of Dugu Ling and his eradication of Japanese pirates in the East Sea, and how he had once humiliated the Left Virtuous King of the barren lands in front of the ministers of Da Gan and envoys from thirteen countries, displaying unparalleled wisdom and heroic spirit, Xiao Qing felt as if she was about to faint from his charm!
I can't always be a joke in his eyes!
Xiao Qing quickly regained her senses, feeling both shy and annoyed. She finally remembered something and said urgently, "Brother Xiao! Da Liang country has followed suit, implementing屯田 (tún tián - farming by soldiers),契约税 (qì yuē shuì - contract tax), smallpox prevention, and征田令 (zhēng tián lìng - land requisition order)... and these policies could be implemented because Qin Feng, the Marquis of Zhen Guo of Da Liang, who is like a confidant to Brother Xiao, stood against all dissenting opinions and wagered his own head. What does Brother Xiao think?"
In Xiao Qing's opinion, Da Liang country was the future formidable opponent, especially with Marquis Zhen Guo Qin Feng and Emperor Mu Cheng, who were of one mind. Da Liang country was expanding southward, and it had entered an unprecedented period of prosperity!
The most infuriating thing was that Qin Feng had "plagiarized" her Brother Xiao's national policies!