Xiao Qing couldn't help but nudge Liang Xiao.
"Isn't your Xiao Gege's focus always so peculiar? Aren't you used to it yet, Mi'er?"
Zhen Mi obediently responded, inviting the two into her room, her heart pounding.
In the Great Qian Dynasty, women were not allowed to casually invite men into their boudoirs after the age of fourteen.
As always, it was fragrant and elegant.
This was Liang Xiao's feeling.
"Our great talent is actually so sentimental? The furnishings in your room are exactly the same as your room in the Liang Mansion," Liang Xiao said in surprise.
Zhen Mi replied without hesitation, "Because these are the furnishings Xiao Gege definitely wouldn't dislike."
Liang Xiao was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
Zhen Mi shared a room with Jian Qinwan, and some of the later furnishings were also done by Jian Qinwan.
"Xiao Gege used to praise them endlessly. It's only been a short while, and he's already forgotten..." Zhen Mi looked wronged.
Xiao Qing quickly explained, "Your Xiao Gege is devoted to the country and its people. It's understandable if he occasionally forgets things at home."
Liang Xiao shook his head. "I haven't forgotten. I'm just surprised. You are Zhen Mi, you are you. Your actions don't need to cater to anyone, and you don't need to live for anyone."
"I'm not catering," Zhen Mi lowered her head, counting on her fingers, murmuring, and stealing glances at Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing understood and made an excuse to go back and look after the children, taking Ning Xuejun away from Luoshen Palace.
Only the two of them were left in the room, sitting opposite each other.
Zhen Mi just kept her head down, not daring to speak.
Liang Xiao's gaze fell upon the poems and lyrics on the table, and he praised them again.
"Good calligraphy! Good poetry! Mi'er's talent grows more astonishing each year."
Zhen Mi suppressed the joy in her heart and said humbly, "I cannot compare to Xiao Gege."
Liang Xiao shook his head, his expression serious. "You just lack inspiration. Your comprehension of words is already above mine. You will surely leave a brilliant mark in history in the future."
"That's not important," Zhen Mi blurted out.
Liang Xiao was taken aback, then smiled. "It truly isn't important."
Zhen Mi felt a pang of disappointment.
Nothing pleased her more than his praise. She had only been feigning humility.
This fellow actually took her seriously!
Liang Xiao said earnestly, "What's important is that Mi'er must be safe and healthy throughout her life. You must not have a life as fragile as a beautiful flower."
Upon saying this, Liang Xiao couldn't help but sigh.
Empress Zhen in history had indeed met a tragic fate.
In later generations, there was the saying that Cao Zhi wrote the "Rhapsody on the Luo River Goddess" for Zhen Ji. Of course, this was merely the forced interpretation of later generations and lacked any basis. The "Rhapsody on the Luo River Goddess" was written about the goddess of the Luo River, Luo Bin, also known as Mi Fei.
However, with so much misinformation, people couldn't help but subconsciously associate the character with that image.
This place was different from his hometown, but he still didn't want Zhen Mi to repeat the fate of that Empress Zhen.
Upon hearing this, Zhen Mi looked at Liang Xiao, a sense of sorrow welling up in her heart.
He was as kind and selfless as ever, never harboring any improper thoughts about her.
"For Mi'er, the most important thing is far more than that," Zhen Mi said softly.
Liang Xiao suddenly understood. "I see. We all need to be safe and healthy."
Zhen Mi fell into a brief silence, her gaze growing more wistful.
What he said didn't seem wrong!
"Of course, but it's not just that!" Zhen Mi huffed.
"Oh, and Mi'er's 'Great Qian Knights' and 'Great Qian Heroes' are also very important. According to Shuang'er, a sequel is coming out," Liang Xiao said with a smile, giving her a thumbs-up.
This fellow is truly detestable!
At this moment, Zhen Mi finally understood why her Sister Qinwan always said this before marrying him.
However, Zhen Mi then thought it over and felt relieved.
It was precisely because he regarded her as family that he dared to enter her boudoir.
Only he, who didn't care about formalities and acted with forthrightness, though sometimes lacking in discretion, could do this.
With a mixture of gratitude, shyness, and joy, Zhen Mi finally found her courage and smiled. "It's still not just that."
"Oh? What else?" Liang Xiao looked completely bewildered.
Zhen Mi said seriously, "Xiao Gege promised Mi'er that he would help Mi'er resolve her lifelong matter."
Liang Xiao suddenly realized and nodded. "I'll accompany Shuang'er tomorrow to find the Prime Minister and discuss whether the truth about the Empress should be revealed to the public. From then on, Mi'er can restore her identity and have freedom in marriage. You've truly been wronged."
"That's not important!" Zhen Mi said petulantly.
Liang Xiao looked confused.
Zhen Mi then huffed, "Mi'er already has someone in her heart."
Liang Xiao exclaimed, "When did this happen? Someone actually caught my Mi'er's eye? Brother will definitely vet this person thoroughly for you."
Zhen Mi was taken aback and managed to suppress the urge to retrieve the small leather whip Xiao Qing had given her from the cabinet. She patiently asked.
"If the other person already has a wife and children, but Mi'er still cannot control herself and likes him, what should I do?"
"Then you'll have to ask his wife for her opinion," Liang Xiao replied without hesitation.
"And if his wife considers Mi'er a good sister and is willing to accept Mi'er?" Zhen Mi asked again.
"Then you'll be on equal footing with them. Don't be a concubine. Brother will personally arrange the marriage for you so you won't be wronged," Liang Xiao answered.
"What if he already has seven wives and eleven children?" Zhen Mi asked, her face flushed and her voice trembling slightly.
The room suddenly fell into a deathly silence.
Liang Xiao looked shocked, his gaze fixed on the poems on the table.
The answer was already painfully obvious.
"Mi'er, you..."
"Our noble Marquis An of Great Qian is actually quite dense sometimes."
Zhen Mi, her face red, mustered her courage, slowly rose, and gracefully walked to Liang Xiao. She sat on his lap and gazed at him affectionately.
"Xiao Gege has been too good to Mi'er. He treats me like a younger sister, like a child. But Mi'er still can't help... having improper thoughts."
A faint scent of perfume wafted into his nose, making Liang Xiao's heart flutter. He couldn't help but let out a wry smile.
"I never considered myself. I should have realized it long ago."
Three years to start, ten years maximum... The earliest his wives married him was at seventeen, and that was his limit.
"You are the Marquis An, longed for by the people of Great Qian, the invincible Heavenly General of this era," Zhen Mi murmured softly, nestled in Liang Xiao's arms, listening to his heartbeat. "But in Mi'er's heart, you will always be Mi'er's Xiao Gege."
"Mi'er will forever remember Xiao Gege's kindness to me, and I have nothing to repay it with. I don't ask for too much from Xiao Gege, and I can wait for Xiao Gege forever, alone in my room, without regret."
"I only hope that Xiao Gege can like Mi'er and accept Mi'er, just like he likes my sisters, and not always treat me as a little sister..."
Liang Xiao regained his senses, his face filled with guilt. "Mi'er, you are still too young."
"Mi'er can wait forever, until my dying day. Besides Xiao Gege, I have no other thoughts," Zhen Mi's voice was now clearly choked with sobs.
After an unknown period of crying, Zhen Mi finally felt a large hand patting her arm and heard a gentle voice.
"Brother will never go back on his word to Mi'er."