TSWPF -Chapter 280 Expressions

Zhong Qing, thinking of how Zhang Yun’er had said so many flattering things that earned their grandfather’s praise, felt a bit resentful. Her sharp eyes twinkled as she smiled and said, “Father, why don’t we visit Fourth Brother’s children tomorrow and see what they need? As their uncle and aunt, we can get it for them.” She had figured it out: those children of Fourth Brother were their grandfather’s darlings. If she treated them well, their grandfather would surely appreciate her.

Although she worried that their grandfather might be overly indulgent and give all the good things in the house to those children, she wouldn’t be as foolish as Jiang Yingying to say something that would offend him.

From now on, she resolved to have her own children spend more time in front of their grandfather, so he would know that it wasn’t just Fourth Brother’s kids—her children were also part of the family.

Old Master Liu glanced at Zhong Qing and shook his head. “No need. In a couple of days, when we bring the children home, you can give them whatever they need then.”

After all, those few days wouldn’t make a difference. Once Liu Zhimou and the others returned to the Liu household, the uncles and aunts would have plenty of opportunities to know what the children needed.

“That’s fine too,” Zhong Qing said with an unchanged smile, nodding. “I’m eager to meet those children. I wish we could bring them home tomorrow.”

“Soon enough. Once we finalize the ancestral recognition ceremony, we’ll bring them back,” Old Master Liu said. He had been waiting for more than ten years, so a couple more days didn’t matter.

This time, having finally waited for his grandchildren to return, he wanted the ancestral recognition ceremony to be grand and flawless. He wanted everyone to know the status of Liu Zhimou and the others, so that no one could bully them casually in the future.

Just thinking about how his granddaughter-in-law had been bullied last time, without him knowing until the end, made him furious.

With the Liu family as their backing, who would dare bully them again?

“Father, will the niece-in-law’s younger siblings come along?” Jiang Yingying, as usual, focused on irrelevant points. She only noticed this question and asked it.

The three children coming back would be enough—bringing extra children too?

Old Master Liu glanced coldly at Jiang Yingying. “The eldest son’s children… do you have any objections? If so, speak up, and we can discuss it.” Those children had grown up together and were deeply attached, so of course, they didn’t want to be separated. Moreover, he had no intention of separating them.

Jiang Yingying shivered under his gaze, surprisingly alert for once. She forced a smile. “The house is big; a few more children won’t matter. After all, those outsiders won’t threaten my own children, so what’s there to worry about?”

The most important thing was that she had already started worrying about Fourth Brother’s children. She feared that Old Master Liu would favor them too much, reducing her own children’s status.

Old Master Liu snorted and glanced at Zhong Qing and Zhang Yun’er.

Zhong Qing and Zhang Yun’er said in unison that they had no objections.

The Liu family wasn’t poor; taking in two more children was easily manageable. Besides, they had already realized that Old Master Liu was only asking; he had already decided in his heart to bring all those children over. Why act like the bad guy and make him unhappy?

Seeing this, Old Master Liu nodded with satisfaction. In truth, he had long decided to bring all those children over, regardless of whether his sons or daughters-in-law opposed it. Now that everyone had no objections, he was even happier—he didn’t have to frown and pressure them.

“Think about it. For the ancestral recognition day, who should we invite? Draft a plan for me, and I’ll take a look.”

Liu Wenjie and the others nodded in agreement.

With a wave of his hand, Old Master Liu dismissed them to rest.

Two days later, Old Master Liu eagerly went to the Xue household, happily telling Liu Zhimou that the ancestral recognition ceremony was confirmed: the day after tomorrow was an auspicious day, and it would be held then.

Seeing Old Master Liu so cheerful, Liu Zhimou nodded in agreement. “Alright.”

“Zhimou, do you have any requests? If so, speak up. Grandpa will do his best to accommodate you.” Old Master Liu was extremely generous with the grandchildren who had returned after so long, unlike the strict grandfather the Liu grandchildren often imagined.

Liu Zhimou said they had no requests—they would follow whatever arrangements he made.

Hearing this, Old Master Liu grinned widely. No requests meant he could execute everything according to his own wishes.

“Then… what about Xiaofeng and Ningning? Will they go to the Liu household or stay at the Xue household?” Old Master Liu thought it best to ask his grandson for their preference.

“Of course, thank you. I’d like to bring them to our house. They’ve grown up together, and separating them would be difficult.”

Hearing this, Liu Zhimou looked at him gratefully. “Grandpa, the two of them want to stay at the Xue household.” He didn’t want to force them; he would let them choose. Once he found a teaching position for them at an academy, he would bring them together. In fact, he had already planned not to stay in the Liu household for too long.

With so many people in the Liu family, conflicts were inevitable. He knew Li Qingling disliked scheming and didn’t want her to lose her simplicity. So he would quickly secure a teaching position at an academy and move out properly. Even if his grandfather objected, he could argue his case.

He also knew that Old Master Liu was indulgent toward his grandchildren and wouldn’t interfere too harshly with his decisions.

Old Master Liu frowned slightly. “Why do the two children want to stay at the Xue household? The Liu household is big; they can live here freely.”

Liu Zhimou didn’t want to reveal his full plan yet, so he smiled. “They’ve been here for a long time and are used to it. They don’t want to move. Besides, Grandpa Xue doesn’t want them to leave either. They should stay to accompany him.”

Old Master Liu thought it over and sighed. “Then let them be. The doors of the Liu household will always be open. Whenever they want to come, they are welcome.”

Liu Zhimou knew he was sincere, not just being polite. He gratefully thanked Li Qingfeng and Li Qingning on his behalf.

“No need to be polite. They are my grandchildren too. How could I not care about them?” Old Master Liu waved dismissively, then shifted the topic. “Zhimou, let me go over the procedure for the ancestral recognition ceremony the day after tomorrow.”

“All right…”

After Old Master Liu finished explaining the procedure in detail, he asked Liu Zhimou if he had anything to add.

Liu Zhimou said there was nothing to add—they would follow his arrangements.

“Good, then we’ll proceed according to this plan.”

Liu Zhimou nodded. “No problem.”

On the day of the ceremony, early in the morning, Old Master Liu sent a carriage to bring Liu Zhimou and the others over.

Li Qingfeng and Li Qingning came along to watch.

Although they felt reluctant to be separated from their brothers-in-law, their sister secretly told them that they couldn’t stay long at the Liu household anyway. Once their brothers-in-law found teaching positions at an academy, they could live together again.

Hearing this, they were less upset. After all, the separation would be short.

Their sister also instructed them to keep it a secret, so their grandfather wouldn’t get upset.

When Liu Zhimou and the others arrived at the Liu household, Old Master Liu, along with Liu Wenjie, the three daughters-in-law, and other grandchildren, were already at the door.

Even though he knew it wasn’t according to custom, he didn’t care. He wanted everyone to see how much he valued his grandchildren.

“Grandson Liu Zhimou pays respects to grandfather.” Liu Zhimou knelt before Old Master Liu.

Liu Zhiyan, Liu Zhirou, and Li Qingling knelt as well, each stating their names.

Old Master Liu’s eyes were slightly red. “Good children, get up, get up.” He personally helped them up and took them to the ancestral hall, personally inscribing their names on the family register. He then had them kneel and bow to the ancestors, offering incense.

From that day on, they officially became the children of the fourth branch of the Liu family.

Old Master Liu touched the name of his youngest son, Liu Wenjing, feeling a pang of emotion. Finally, his son’s line was no longer blank; his children’s names were added. His heart felt much lighter.

He carefully placed the family register aside and then took Liu Zhimou and the others to the main hall to introduce them to their uncles and aunts.

Liu Wenjie, seeing Liu Zhimou and the others, was excited and presented carefully chosen gifts for their first meeting.

Liu Zhimou and the others thanked him and greeted Jiang Yingying.

Jiang Yingying responded coldly, saying nothing further, and handed out the gifts.

Her indifferent attitude infuriated Old Master Liu. Were it not such an important occasion, he would have scolded her.

This eldest daughter-in-law was becoming increasingly unreasonable. She hadn’t been taught a lesson and still hadn’t learned.

It wasn’t just Old Master Liu who was displeased; even Liu Wenjie felt his face heat up and was annoyed that Jiang Yingying acted coldly in front of so many people. After this was over, he would have a serious talk with her.

Liu Zhimou, noticing Jiang Yingying’s attitude, remained expressionless and then stepped toward Zhong Qing, respectfully calling, “Second Aunt.”

Zhong Qing smiled. “We’ve been waiting and waiting, and finally, you’ve returned. This is a gift from your Second Aunt. Here, take it.” She placed well-crafted jade pendants into the hands of Liu Zhimou and the others. “Your Second Uncle isn’t home now. When he returns, he will give you his gifts too.”