TSWPF -Chapter 279 Heartache

“Grandpa, I hope you can understand me,” Liu Zhimou said, looking at the old man.

The old man sighed and nodded, “As long as you’re happy.”

Liu Zhimou felt a wave of relief. Thankfully, he didn’t have to persuade him for long. He thanked his grandfather and, to cheer him up, asked about the matter of formally acknowledging his ancestral lineage.

Once the topic came up, the old man’s attention immediately shifted. He began explaining his thoughts in a rush.

Mr. Luo gave Liu Zhimou an approving look—this approach was clever; the old man’s attention was fully captured.

Liu Zhimou smiled subtly. After the old man finished speaking, he asked, somewhat hesitantly, “Grandpa, are you sure you really want to hold a banquet? It’s just acknowledging our ancestry—does it have to be such a big deal?”

The old man nodded firmly.

He had finally gotten his grandchildren back; he wanted the whole world to know.

Besides, his grandson was a top scholar—he certainly had to take this chance to show off!

“Since you insist, Grandpa, I’ll follow your wishes,” Liu Zhimou said, no longer opposing. He just wanted his grandfather to be happy.

Hearing this, the old man grinned from ear to ear. He decided he would plan the banquet thoroughly, thinking about who to invite.

“I’ll go home today and figure out how to arrange it. I’ll tell you in a couple of days, okay?”

Liu Zhimou nodded, “Alright, Grandpa. I’ll follow your decision.” As long as the old man didn’t object to him becoming a teacher, he could accept everything else.

Although the old man couldn’t completely decide matters for her, he didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Everyone being happy was the best outcome.

Hearing Liu Zhimou say this, the old man became even happier. He was determined to make this banquet grand, letting everyone know that his grandchildren had returned.

Mr. Luo could only smile wryly and shake his head. He lifted his teacup and took a slow sip—this old man still cared so much about face.

However, since this involved his grandchildren, he supported the old man’s decision.

His reasoning was simple: once others knew the relationship between Liu Zhimou and him, no one would dare to bully the children casually.

“All right, Mo’er is tired. Let him rest well, and we can discuss the other matters later,” the old man said.

Feeling heartache for him, the old man nodded repeatedly, “Good, good.”

…

That night, when the old man returned to the Liu family, he summoned Liu Wenjie and Jiang Yingying from the main branch, Zhong Qing, the second daughter-in-law, and Zhang Yun’er, the third daughter-in-law.

He glanced at his sons and daughters-in-law and said calmly, “What I’m about to tell you is very important. Since the second and third sons are not at home, you will speak on their behalf.”

Zhong Qing and Zhang Yun’er nodded in agreement.

Then, the old man directly brought up the matter of Liu Zhimou and the others formally acknowledging their ancestral lineage.

Liu Wenjie had already anticipated this and was not particularly surprised. He just nodded.

Jiang Yingying, however, looked seriously at the old man. “Father, what did you say? Acknowledging ancestry? Why didn’t you consult us about this? I haven’t even met them! Now that the fourth son’s children are back, do our own children even have status?”

No, she had to find a way to stop this from happening.

“I’m consulting you now, aren’t I?” The old man’s expression darkened as he glanced at Jiang Yingying, then looked at Zhong Qing and Zhang Yun’er. “As for the second and third households, what do you have to say?”

He didn’t want to see bad expressions on the day of the ceremony. That would make his grandchildren feel wronged. Tonight, he wanted to warn them—to make it clear that he was still the head of the Liu family, and they’d better behave.

Zhong Qing was clever and knew who truly ruled the Liu family. She smiled and said, “The fourth son’s children are still our Liu family’s children; they just weren’t in the capital before. Introducing them properly is only right.”

She had long seen through the situation—the old man had already decided on acknowledging the ancestry; this was merely a notification. There was no need for her to play the villain and upset him.

The old man was pleased by her words, nodding repeatedly.

The third branch’s daughter-in-law was smart and tactful; her words were comfortable to hear—a major strength.

“Father, I have no objections either. If you had told me earlier, I would have gone to meet them. The fourth brother-in-law’s children are my family as well.” Zhang Yun’er was cheerful and straightforward. Her husband had a good relationship with the fourth son, and the fourth son respected her.

Actually, she and her husband had met thanks to the fourth brother-in-law’s arrangements. She had been grateful to him from the bottom of her heart.

Over ten years ago, after the fourth brother-in-law left home, she and her husband were depressed for a while. They even sent people to search for him but eventually gave up.

“Father, has the fourth brother-in-law and his wife returned too? I haven’t seen them in over ten years; I miss them so much.”

Upon hearing this, the old man sighed, looked again at his sons and daughters-in-law, and said sadly, “The fourth son and his wife passed away several years ago.”

Tragic indeed—his son had been too outstanding and clever; Heaven had taken him early.

“Those children have had a difficult few years. I hope you, as uncles and aunts, will take good care of them.”

He was old now. He could protect his grandchildren for a while, but not for a lifetime. He hoped that even after he passed, his sons and daughters-in-law would treat these children well.

“What?” Zhang Yun’er stood up in shock. “Father, is… is this really true?”

She couldn’t believe it. The brilliant and extraordinary fourth brother-in-law—gone…

“Truly,” the old man said sorrowfully. “Mo’er told me personally. He died several years ago in a plague.”

A plague from years ago…

Zhang Yun’er’s eyes reddened. She slowly sat down. If her husband knew about the fourth son, he would be heartbroken.

“Father, does my husband know?”

“Yes. I sent letters to the second and third sons some time ago.” They were guarding the kingdom for the emperor and couldn’t leave easily.

Zhang Yun’er wiped her tears and asked where the fourth brother-in-law’s children were staying. Why hadn’t they been brought back sooner?

The old man liked this daughter-in-law. She was straightforward, selfless, and cared for the youngest son. He trusted that when he was gone, the third branch and this daughter-in-law would treat the children well.

He had little hope for the first and second branches, especially the first.

“The children are staying with their godfather,” he said. Even though he envied Old Master Xue, he was grateful that the children had been helped in their hardest times. “Jing’er’s eldest son—you must have heard—he’s the top scholar of this year.”

The old man felt proud talking about this. His youngest son was a top scholar; his grandson was also a top scholar. Two top scholars in one family—something the family could be extremely proud of.

“I didn’t expect the top scholar to be the fourth brother-in-law’s son,” Zhong Qing remarked with well-placed surprise. “Like father, like son. Fourth brother-in-law was so clever; the nephew couldn’t be any less. Though thinking of my own son who prefers playing over studying makes my head ache.”

It’s true—dragon begets dragon, phoenix begets phoenix, mice give birth to ones who dig holes. Look at Liu Wenjing—so clever, and his child inherited his intelligence.

Young but already accomplished—she would have to rethink her attitude toward them.

With the two younger daughters-in-law speaking, as the eldest sister-in-law, Jiang Yingying had to say something. She forced a smile, “Indeed, no wonder he’s the fourth brother-in-law’s child—very impressive.”

Her heart was both envious and jealous. If her Shan’er had been the top scholar, her father-in-law would have viewed him differently.

“Father, since acknowledging ancestry is such an important matter, shouldn’t Shan’er return too? Otherwise, the siblings might not even recognize each other when they meet.”

It had caused problems last time.

For such an important occasion, the old man nodded decisively, “Yes. The siblings should meet; otherwise, they wouldn’t recognize each other even if they did meet.”

Moreover, the Liu family would need them in the future; their relationships couldn’t become strained.

Only when the siblings were united could the Liu family continue to prosper.

Hearing this, Jiang Yingying finally showed a genuine smile. She would finally see her son after so long. She wondered if he had lost weight, if he was working hard…

“So, regarding acknowledging ancestry, do you have any suggestions?”

The old man first looked at Liu Wenjie. “What do you suggest?”

Without hesitation, Liu Wenjie said, “Of course there should be a banquet. Invite those people to drink and formally introduce Mo’er and the others as the fourth brother’s children. Once they know them, they won’t dare to bully them.”

The Liu family wasn’t to be trifled with.

The old man nodded in satisfaction—he agreed completely with his son.

He then looked at Zhong Qing and Zhang Yun’er to hear their opinions.

“Father, I think what elder brother said is very reasonable. I agree.”

“I agree too,” Zhang Yun’er nodded. “Also, Father, you haven’t told us how many children the fourth brother-in-law has. We should prepare gifts when we meet them.”

“I, old fool, forgot,” the old man said, admiring Zhang Yun’er’s thoughtfulness. “My fourth son has three children…” He gradually explained Liu Zhimou and the others’ situation.

Zhang Yun’er felt heartbroken. She hadn’t realized the hardships the fourth brother-in-law’s children endured. From now on, she would treat them doubly well.