TSWPF -Chapter 285 Persuasion

When Liu Zhixin tasted the barbecue that Li Qingling had grilled, her round eyes widened in surprise. In just a few bites, she finished a large piece of meat and said, “Fourth Sister-in-law, your barbecue is absolutely delicious! Even better than what Fourth Uncle used to make! It’s so good that I feel like I could swallow my own tongue!”

Li Qingling smiled at her, then placed another piece of barbecue on her plate, encouraging her to eat more since it was so tasty.

“All right, but you must help me keep this from my mother!” Liu Zhixin cautioned repeatedly, worried that her mother would find out she had eaten so much.

Old Liu patted his little granddaughter’s head, chuckling, “Don’t worry. Today your grandfather is here, so you can eat as much as you want. No one will stop you. Even if your mother finds out, you can just blame your grandfather—he’ll take care of it. Don’t worry!”

Hearing this, Liu Zhixin relaxed, grinning widely as she nodded.

Today, she could eat to her heart’s content without holding back.

Seeing his little granddaughter constantly stuffing herself with meat, Old Liu almost thought that his third daughter-in-law had been mistreating her—she was eating it with such relish!

“Grandpa, you eat too.” Li Qingling, ignoring herself, shared the freshly grilled meat with Old Liu and the others.

Old Liu smiled and quickly finished a piece. “Xiaoling’s cooking is incomparable. Everything she grills tastes exceptionally good.” Even his eldest son had tried, but nothing he made could match Li Qingling’s skill.

Li Qingling smiled faintly. Of course, she wouldn’t reveal her secret to them. She definitely didn’t want to be treated like a witch and burned alive.

“It’s not as exaggerated as you say,” Li Qingling said with a slight smile. “I just put a little more effort into the grilling, that’s all.”

After tasting her barbecue, Liu Zhixin instantly became her little fan. Hearing Li Qingling’s words, she shook her head vigorously, “No, no, no! I think Grandpa is right. What you make really is delicious. I’ve never eaten anything this good before.”

Fortunately, Fourth Sister-in-law already lived with them. When she had time, Liu Zhixin definitely wanted to visit and snack with her.

Such delicious food would be a huge regret for a little foodie like her to miss.

Seeing how popular her cooking was, Li Qingling smiled from ear to ear, continuing to serve Old Liu and the children.

She barely ate herself, which made Liu Zhimou worry.

He had to ask the doctor if there was any medicine to prevent pregnancy.

If there was, he would take it immediately—he didn’t want to see his wife pregnant again and have people slander him behind his back.

Most importantly, it would allow him to bully his wife whenever he wanted.

After finishing the barbecue, Li Qingling grilled some vegetables as well, so the children could have a balanced diet.

“All right, stop standing. Sit down and eat together.” Liu Zhimou pulled Li Qingling to sit, handed her the chopsticks, and encouraged her to eat something to fill her stomach so she wouldn’t go hungry.

Li Qingling enjoyed being pampered like this, obediently nodding.

Liu Zhimou took her place and earnestly grilled food for Old Liu and the children.

Coincidentally, after everyone had eaten their fill, the steward came over and announced that an imperial edict had arrived—it was for Liu Zhimou.

Hearing this, Old Liu told Liu Zhimou and Li Qingling to change clothes before going out.

Having been barbecuing, their clothes smelled of smoke. Liu Zhimou nodded and hurried Li Qingling back to their room to change.

While changing, Li Qingling asked curiously, “Why would an imperial edict come out of nowhere?”

Liu Zhimou quickly changed and shook his head. “I’m not sure.”

Once dressed, they quickly went to receive the edict.

They then learned that the emperor had summoned Liu Zhimou to enter the Hanlin Academy.

Liu Zhimou frowned. He hadn’t expected the emperor to directly order him to serve as an official.

He would have to enter the palace and clearly state his wishes.

Old Liu, seeing his expression, understood what he was thinking and waved him off, letting him go without worry.

Liu Zhimou acknowledged and followed the eunuch into the palace.

It seemed the emperor had been waiting for him. The eunuch announced his arrival, and Liu Zhimou knelt respectfully, shouting, “Long live the emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand thousand years!”

“Rise and be seated.”

Liu Zhimou said, “Thank you, Your Majesty,” and stood to one side.

“Moe’er, what brings you to me?” The emperor didn’t treat him as a subordinate, calling him by a familiar nickname.

Liu Zhimou hurriedly stood, “Your Majesty…”

Before he could finish, the emperor interrupted, “No need to be so formal. Think of this as a chat between a nephew and his uncle.”

“….” That was comforting, though he still couldn’t afford to act presumptuous.

Liu Zhimou remained respectful and finally spoke his mind.

After hearing him out, the emperor nodded knowingly—he had anticipated this.

“Moe’er, why don’t you want to serve as an official?” So many people would have fought for this position. Why did his nephew, so much like his father, refuse?

Liu Zhimou pondered for a while before saying he preferred teaching, nurturing more talent for the empire.

But the emperor didn’t want to lose such a talent. He had failed to convince Liu Zhimou’s father years ago, and now he was determined not to let history repeat itself.

“Moe’er, do you know that now is a critical time for the empire? By rejecting the position I arranged for you, you are causing a great loss to the court.”

“Your Majesty, I wish to teach and cultivate talent for the empire. That is also a contribution,” Liu Zhimou insisted, trying to persuade the emperor to let him follow his own path.

This time, however, the emperor was resolute—he wanted Liu Zhimou to enter officialdom, unwilling to miss out on such talent again.

Years ago, he had lost the chance to retain Liu Zhimou’s father, which he regretted deeply. Losing Liu Zhimou now would cause even more regret.

With that in mind, the emperor reasoned and appealed emotionally, trying every method to convince Liu Zhimou to stay.

The quickest method would have been coercion, but this was his younger master’s son—he couldn’t be too harsh, or his teacher would intervene.

For Liu Zhimou’s own sake, the emperor resorted only to reason and emotional appeal.

After speaking until he was nearly parched, Liu Zhimou reluctantly nodded.

Seeing this, the emperor was overjoyed—finally, he had retained him after all his efforts.

“Moe’er, I can grant you a privilege: you may choose your position freely. Do you wish to be assigned elsewhere, or remain in the Hanlin Academy?”

In truth, he slightly preferred Liu Zhimou to be posted elsewhere—easier to achieve political results. In three to five years, he could return him to a major position naturally, supporting the future crown prince.

But the choice was Liu Zhimou’s.

“Your Majesty, I will consider carefully and return my answer after consulting with others,” Liu Zhimou replied.

He wanted to discuss it with Li Qingling and Mr. Luo first. Personally, he preferred an assignment outside the capital—it was better than staying in the city.

“Good, take your time to consider and respond promptly,” the emperor said generously, allowing a subject to choose his own position.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The emperor waved with a smile. Having settled this, he felt at ease and began chatting with Liu Zhimou about his junior brother’s time in the countryside.

Liu Zhimou answered honestly, revealing everything.

The emperor, learning of his junior brother’s hardships, admired him. To go from luxury to simplicity without hesitation was difficult.

If not for the plague years ago, he might have seen his junior brother again. Sadly… he was gone. But as the eldest disciple, Liu Zhimou would surely take care of his son.

After dining with the emperor, Liu Zhimou was allowed to return home.

Li Qingling immediately greeted him. “How was it?”

Knowing she was worried, Liu Zhimou squeezed her hand. “It’s fine,” then greeted Mr. Luo and the others.

“That’s good.” Li Qingling finally relaxed.

Liu Zhimou smiled at her, pulling her back to sit. Mr. Luo asked, “What did the emperor say?”

“The emperor insists I enter officialdom. He won’t allow me to be a teacher,” Liu Zhimou said apologetically, realizing he couldn’t accompany her on trips anymore.

Li Qingling understood and smiled warmly, “Being an official is good too—you can help the people. Whatever you do is fine; I’ll be by your side.”

Liu Zhimou squeezed her hand gratefully.

“You agreed, right?”

“Yes.” With the emperor already compromising this much, refusing would be ungrateful. “The emperor asked whether I wanted to be posted elsewhere or remain in the Hanlin Academy. I said I’d consult you all first. Master, what do you suggest?”

Mr. Luo didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he asked Liu Zhimou: which did he prefer, a posting elsewhere or staying in the Academy?

Liu Zhimou looked at him and honestly replied, “I want to be posted elsewhere.”