"Your Majesty, I am all ears!" Lü Yi and Wang Canghai said in unison.
Xiao Qing wiped away tears welling in her eyes and said, "I once asked my elder brother why he was willing to be a prodigal son, enduring the ridicule of the world. He said those were two different things. If the nation were in peril, and the people were suffering, he would never stand idly by. Even with his ailing body, he would step forward without hesitation."
The two were taken aback.
Xiao Qing continued, "I asked him why. He said: Because I cannot bear it. I cannot bear to see my loved ones suffer. If I put myself in their shoes, I naturally cannot bear to see the common people suffer!"
At the end, Xiao Qing covered her face and wept.
The two were speechless, yet deeply moved.
There was no grand benevolence or righteousness of caring for the nation and its people, merely a simple inability to bear it!
This was Liang Xiao's best and most honest answer, and his subsequent words and deeds served as the finest interpretation of it.
Lü Yi sighed for a long time, unable to help but remark, "If not for the astonishing literary talent Liang Xiao has displayed, I would have even thought Liang Xiao was the True Lord of the Heavenly General himself! Before coming here, I also learned from Commander Ding that Liang Xiao's swordsmanship is superb, and his attacks are astonishing!"
As soon as the words fell, Xiao Qing, Ning Xuejun, and Wang Canghai froze in place.
The True Lord of the Heavenly General?!
No matter how unwilling Xiao Qing was to speculate about Liang Xiao's identity, now even Lü Yi was beginning to suspect...
"Perhaps it's because Young Master Liang has the Heavenly General's protection that it gives people the wrong impression?" Ning Xuejun still found it hard to believe.
Lü Yi nodded and sighed, "You're not wrong. Even if it's truly just the Heavenly General protecting him, the Heavenly General himself is most skilled with a spear. It was only recently that he manifested his power in Yan Prefecture to deter the barbarians that he began using a silver halberd."
Xiao Qing's heart skipped a beat.
The King of Donghai used a silver halberd.
Could the ancient treasure stored in the Bodhi Temple be...
Legend had it that the silver halberd weighed dozens of pounds, and an ordinary person could barely wield it a few times!
Yet, Liang Xiao had once been able to lift her with one hand!
Xiao Qing's heart trembled violently.
"If my elder brother were truly the Heavenly General himself, he would have told me, wouldn't he..." Xiao Qing said with a tremor in her voice.
Wang Canghai sighed, "If that were the case, perhaps Young Master Liang was also worried about his achievements overshadowing the sovereign? But, with the statecraft Liang Xiao has displayed, it's something many people could never achieve in ten lifetimes. He is full of knowledge and possesses strategic foresight. Does he even have time to practice martial arts..."
The crowd fell silent.
It wasn't that Wang Canghai was being overly clever; anyone in their position would find it hard to believe.
After all, Liang Xiao was only nineteen, not thirty-nine or forty-nine!
Lü Yi nodded, "The reason I dare not be certain is that I was once a comrade-in-arms with Liang Xiao's father and uncle. I naturally heard about Liang Xiao's affairs. Later, I would occasionally write to General Zuo Liang Qing to inquire about the three young men of the Liang family. General Zuo also mentioned several times that Liang Xiao hardly practiced martial arts and was unlearned, preferring to admire flowers and chase birds."
Ning Xuejun said with a wry smile, "His Majesty also asked General Zuo, and the answer was the same. A person's literary talent might be innate, but martial arts require years of practice. Especially spear and halberd techniques. As the saying goes, 'a lifelong spear.' This cannot be achieved overnight with talent alone, let alone by a divine being like the Heavenly General. The Heavenly General could slay generals and capture banners in the midst of a myriad of soldiers. An ordinary person might practice for ten lifetimes and still not achieve it!"
No one denied it.
Liang Xiao was only nineteen. The time and his actions were there for all to see. It simply didn't add up...
"Regardless, if the Heavenly General is still alive, he should naturally be entrusted with important responsibilities. But I only wish to continue the royal lineage with my elder brother! If my elder brother is gone, I don't intend to find anyone else. I will make arrangements for my final affairs in advance..." Xiao Qing murmured.
Lü Yi could only exchange a bitter smile with Wang Canghai.
Wang Canghai comforted her, "Your Majesty need not worry. Young Master Liang has the protection of the Heavenly Mountain Knight and the Pure Frost Princess, who is a master of the zither and sword. Now that he has found a loyal and brave general like Yue Qingtian in Yan Prefecture, the villains will definitely not dare to trouble him casually."
Ning Xuejun also smiled, "Although Young Master Liang appears nonchalant, he is actually as steady as a mountain in his actions. He must have his own judgment. Your Majesty need not worry!"
Xiao Qing then smiled radiantly, nodding repeatedly, "Yes, yes!"
Ning Xuejun stood behind Xiao Qing and kept winking at Wang Canghai and Lü Yi.
The two came back to their senses, instantly understood, and began showering Liang Xiao with praise, much to Xiao Qing's delight...
After a long while, Xiao Qing hesitantly said, "Then, should I reveal my identity to my elder brother? I want to tell him before he figures it out, so he doesn't become unhappy..."
On this matter, she was both expectant and apprehensive!
Ning Xuejun comforted her, "Young Master Liang was also deeply devoted to Your Majesty when you were Princess Ning Shuang, and he doted on you immensely as the Emperor. Young Master Liang cherishes Your Majesty the most; he will certainly not blame Your Majesty!"
Xiao Qing's eyes lit up, "That's true!"
Lü Yi hesitated again, "Since Your Majesty is the only one left of the royal family, you could first 'borrow seed' from Liang Xiao..."
Borrow seed?
Xiao Qing instantly blushed crimson, casting a resentful glance at Lü Yi.
None of the four great ministers had any "good intentions." They all wanted Her Majesty to bear children quickly...
Wang Canghai suggested, "I do have something in mind. Young Master Liang has recruited over thirty talented individuals in Donghai. Among them, the most outstanding, Lin Xiu, has already joined my prime minister's office. He is indeed capable and harbors aspirations for the nation and its people."
Xiao Qing looked at Wang Canghai doubtfully, "Are you saying, Prime Minister Grandfather, that my elder brother is truly selfless? The others in Donghai became my elder brother's advisors because they temporarily had no opportunity to serve in the court, otherwise it would be difficult to convince others. My elder brother could only recruit them as advisors to train them. He mentioned this..."
Wang Canghai smiled, "The nation needs a large number of talented people who serve the country and its people, not a group of aristocratic families who constantly engage in factional infighting and abuse their power for personal gain. Jiangnan is blessed with talented people. We can let Young Master Liang go to Jiangnan to recruit talent for Your Majesty. If the results are satisfactory, neither the骠骑将军 nor I will have any reason to object."
Lü Yi's eyes brightened, "I second that!"
Xiao Qing was somewhat reluctant, "Then won't my elder brother have to leave the capital again? He's already so busy with matters in Yan Prefecture, and I..."
Wang Canghai explained, "I spoke with General Zuo. Zhuo Lingjun also requested Young Master Liang go to Jiangnan, saying there was something good. My suggestion is merely to go with the flow."
Xiao Qing then nodded, "Zhuo Lingjun wouldn't harm my elder brother, so it must be something good. However, we need to send more people to protect him in secret! And then, let my elder brother return safely soon. Talent is secondary; my elder brother is the most important..."
Lü Yi pouted, "Indeed, he is the most important! If Your Majesty really cannot hold back, then as a princess, you could first have relations with Liang Xiao. Marriage with a child on the way is also fine. Then you can confess..."
"Who can't hold back!" Xiao Qing grumbled, her face blushing so deeply it seemed like it could bleed.
You detestable uncle, even if you say it in your heart, don't say it out loud!
But thinking about how Liang Xiao would come to the West Palace Villa tomorrow to find "Princess Ning Shuang," Xiao Qing's heart fluttered like a startled deer.
It's all my uncle's fault. I'm all flustered now. How will I face my elder brother in the future!
As soon as Liang Xiao returned to the Liang residence, Liang Qing and Luo Changfeng, who had been waiting for a long time, hosted a welcoming feast for him, Jian Qinwan, and the Heavenly Mountain Knight.
During the meal, Liang Qing finally couldn't help but sigh, "Xiao'er, there have been many unusual changes in the capital's populace recently. Even Bai Chun Lou has been turned upside down!"