Chapter 30: The One Before My Eyes Is the One in My Heart

Zhongli Wanxue is visiting? Didn't her father come by just today?

Liang Xiao suddenly recalled the girl with the smiling eyes, feeling a spark of curiosity.

In the courtyard, Zhongli Wanxue sat alone, her heart fluttering. This time, she had taken the initiative to visit late at night, which was quite different from their brief encounter on the river. She wondered if he would turn her away.

"Miss Zhongli."

It was only when Liang Xiao spoke softly that Zhongli Wanxue turned, her heart skipping a beat. Although he was the county magistrate, he wore no official robes or cap, dressed instead in simple white, looking every bit the graceful gentleman. The heroic spirit in his brow and his calm, composed expression made her pulse race.

"Greetings, Magistrate Liang..."

She tried to remain composed and curtsy, but he gestured for her to stop.

"There is no need for such formalities, Miss."

Zhongli Wanxue replied softly, feeling a warmth spread through her. Ning Yan, following behind Liang Xiao, busied herself cleaning the tea set and brewing tea once the two were seated opposite each other. The moonlight, clear as pear blossoms, bathed the courtyard, and Zhongli Wanxue felt an unusual sense of peace.

The moonlight was shining directly upon his face.

"Miss Zhongli, you have come so late at night—is there something important you wish to discuss?" Liang Xiao asked.

Zhongli Wanxue nodded.

"Magistrate Liang, I will be blunt. My father was invited to the county office today and donated one thousand taels of silver, but that was truly a matter of necessity!"

"Why do you say that, Miss Zhongli?" Liang Xiao asked, curious.

Zhongli Wanxue hesitated for a moment before explaining, "Because our family is one of the merchant houses in Pei County, and situated here in the northern frontier, we must be cautious of various complications. We dare not offend too many people, especially the powerful clans."

"I understand that. Your family certainly does not have it easy," Liang Xiao smiled slightly.

Zhongli Wanxue quickly added, "However, even if my father does not say it aloud, he truly respects you, Magistrate Liang! The one thousand taels he donated were merely what was made public..."

Liang Xiao nodded, though he felt even more puzzled. The five thousand taels Zhongli Xiu had donated were already in his hands—was there a need to emphasize this?

Zhongli Wanxue opened a wooden box on the table, revealing the banknotes inside, and said happily, "So, this time, entrusted by my father, I have brought another five thousand taels in banknotes. Together with the previous amount, that makes six thousand taels to support the development of Pei County!"

Liang Xiao looked at Zhongli Wanxue, completely bewildered.

Zhongli Wanxue felt a surge of joy. "Stunned, aren't you?"

Seeing Liang Xiao remain silent, she asked softly, "Magistrate Liang?"

Liang Xiao smiled, studying the young girl before him. Now it was Zhongli Wanxue's turn to be confused, and she felt a touch of nervousness.

"Six thousand taels in total? Did your father truly send you?" Liang Xiao asked.

Zhongli Wanxue nodded repeatedly. "Of course! My father truly admires the policies you have implemented for the welfare of the people. He is happy to donate this money; he only asks that you keep it confidential."

"Keeping it confidential for the Zhongli family is only right." Liang Xiao nodded, looking at the beaming Zhongli Wanxue. "However, I cannot and should not accept these five thousand taels. I shall keep your kindness in my heart."

"It is my father's kindness!" Zhongli Wanxue did not forget to emphasize.

"Yes, yes, your father's kindness..." Liang Xiao nodded, suppressing a smile.

"Pei County must be in dire need of funds, right? For the sake of the people, you really should accept it, Magistrate Liang," she said, perplexed.

Liang Xiao replied, "Miss Zhongli, I will be establishing new industries in Pei County before long. When that time comes, you can use this money to invest in them. We can benefit each other—how does that sound?"

"Invest?" Zhongli Wanxue looked blank.

Liang Xiao nodded. "The treasury can still support us for a while. If we ever reach a point of true desperation, I will turn to the Zhongli family for help. Among the many merchants in Pei County, only the Zhongli family has been so generous, and I am deeply grateful. I shall certainly repay this in the future."

"If you need further donations, come to me first, not my father!" Zhongli Wanxue said with complete sincerity. Seeing Liang Xiao nod, she beamed like a flower. "It's a deal, then!"

Liang Xiao nodded with a smile, simply watching her. Her gentle face was bathed in moonlight, appearing like a blue lotus blooming in a murky world. Yet, this gentleness gave him an indescribable feeling, quite different from the gentleness of Ning Yan.

Zhongli Wanxue settled down, her heart overflowing with joy. Thanks to her good mother, she finally had the ability to help him.

At that moment, she yearned to ask Liang Xiao why he had charged into the Xiongnu camp single-handedly, but she restrained herself. If he were to ask her in return, her cover would be blown! After all, she had led men to ambush the battlefield and killed many Xiongnu soldiers herself—that was something she could not let him know.

"Miss Zhongli, have you ever been to the northern frontier battlefield?"

As soon as Liang Xiao spoke, Zhongli Wanxue was instantly flustered.

"No, I'm just a girl. What would I know about such fighting and killing..."

Watching the seemingly meek young girl, Liang Xiao could not help but laugh. "Is that so? A pity..."

A pity?

Zhongli Wanxue paused, and in her haste, she quickly changed the subject.

"Magistrate Liang comes from a military family, yet I can see that you are proficient in both letters and arms. You are eloquent and well-spoken—do you study poetry and literature in your spare time?"

Liang Xiao shook his head.

"Poetry and literature cannot save this land. Only the edge of a blade and absolute power can settle a chaotic world."

Zhongli Wanxue was quite surprised. "And what of benevolence and justice?"

Liang Xiao replied without hesitation, "Benevolence and justice must depend on the person; otherwise, they are merely hypocrisy. If foreign tribes treat our people as food and slaughter them for amusement, I must seek revenge. If petty villains bring ruin to the nation, nothing but strict laws can suppress the chaos."

"That is true, I suppose..." Zhongli Wanxue nodded in realization, her heart filled with joy. The sons of those powerful clans could not compare to him in the slightest.

The man before her was the one she loved...

But what could she do for him in the future? Zhongli Wanxue could not help but worry secretly.

Ning Yan, who had been observing Zhongli Wanxue, could finally no longer help but interject, "Miss Zhongli, are you betrothed?"

Zhongli Wanxue’s heart was thrown into chaos. She replied coyly, "I am not yet promised to anyone..."

Upon hearing this, Ning Yan’s eyes brightened, though she quickly realized she had overstepped her bounds and lowered her head in silence. The courtyard fell into a dead silence.

After a long while, fearing she might lose her composure, Zhongli Wanxue stood up and said, "Magistrate Liang, it is getting late. I should return home. I will pay another visit another day..."

Liang Xiao agreed immediately and added, "Once the situation stabilizes and the Zhongli family feels secure, I shall pay a visit to your home as well."

Zhongli Wanxue was delighted and nodded obediently.

Liang Xiao personally escorted her to her carriage. Returning to the courtyard, he looked at Ning Yan and laughed. "Ning Yan..."

Ning Yan blushed and said, "My apologies, Young Master, I was rude... But that Miss Zhongli is clearly a wonderful girl, far better than Situ Luoyue. You must seize this chance, Young Master, and not let someone else take her!"

"You are more anxious than your own Young Master," Liang Xiao teased.

Ning Yan bowed her head, saying with a touch of sadness, "You know, Young Master, the old mistress specifically entrusted me to take good care of you and ensure you carry on the Liang family line..."

Liang Xiao was rendered speechless, unable to help but laugh.

Ning Yan knew he had only recently suffered a heartbreak, so she dared not say more, though she remained worried.

When Zhongli Wanxue returned to her courtyard, her mother, Madam Qin, had been waiting for a long time.

"Xue'er, where have you been so late? Did you go to see Liang Xiao?"

Looking at her anxious mother, Zhongli Wanxue raised an eyebrow and said triumphantly, "Mother, I have done a good deed!"

Madam Qin replied quickly, "Your father has also done a good deed, which is just what I wanted to tell you!"

"What good deed?" Zhongli Wanxue huffed.

"Today, your father only publicly donated one thousand taels to Pei County, but in reality, he secretly gave Liang Xiao another four thousand taels! Now you can rest easy!" Madam Qin said, beaming.

"What?" Zhongli Wanxue looked at the wooden box of banknotes in her hands, her head spinning.