TSWPF -Chapter 286 Foolish Delusions

Mr. Luo also agreed with the idea of sending Liu Zhimou away from the capital. In recent years, the capital had been somewhat unstable, and he felt that sending Liu Zhimou elsewhere was the best choice—it would keep him away from trouble while allowing him to achieve something.

After a few years of serving elsewhere, once he had accomplished a certain amount and the hidden risks in the capital were resolved, bringing him back would be ideal.

“I agree with your going away.”

Liu Zhimou smiled and nodded, then turned to look at Old Master Liu to see what he thought.

Old Master Liu had been staying there, worried about Liu Zhimou all along. Now that he knew the emperor wanted to speak with Liu Zhimou to discuss whether he should stay at the Hanlin Academy or go serve elsewhere, the tension in his heart eased.

As long as it wasn’t anything bad, it was fine.

“If you want to go serve elsewhere, then do it. No matter what you decide, your grandfather will support you.” In truth, he also thought it would be better for his grandson to serve elsewhere. Though he was reluctant to part with him, for the sake of his grandson, he had to set aside his personal feelings.

With his grandson’s ability, he would definitely achieve great results.

Right now, Old Master Liu had a kind of blind trust in Liu Zhimou—he just believed his grandson was exceptional.

It was a pity he still had to stay and watch over the Liu household; otherwise, he would have wanted to go with him.

“Alright, then I’ll go serve elsewhere,” Liu Zhimou nodded in agreement.

“Wherever you go, remember to let me know,” Mr. Luo reminded him.

Old Master Xue raised an eyebrow at Mr. Luo and asked if he intended to follow.

Mr. Luo confidently said that he had not yet seen the rivers and mountains of the empire. As long as he could still move around, he wanted to travel, see the scenery of different places, and experience the local customs.

Old Master Liu: “…”

Clearly, he just loved to travel, yet he spoke so self-righteously. Honestly, he felt a mixture of envy and jealousy—he wanted to go too.

Old Master Xue: “…”

He also admitted his envy and jealousy; he wanted to follow along! He would have to ask the emperor for retirement. He wondered if the emperor would agree.

Mr. Luo leisurely sipped his tea, unable to hide his smugness. Luckily, he was not an official in the court; otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to travel freely.

A toast to his brilliant strategy.

Old Master Liu ground his teeth, considering whether he should just hand over the Liu household to his eldest son and let him manage things. After all, when he eventually passed, the household would naturally go to his son—so managing it now made no difference.

“Old Master Liu, don’t even think about it. With all the mess in your family, can you leave with peace of mind?” Mr. Luo set down his teacup and, without hesitation, poked at Old Master Liu’s weak spot, shattering his illusions.

Old Master Liu let out a helpless sigh. Honestly, he really couldn’t let go.

Now he slightly envied Mr. Luo—single and free, able to go wherever he wanted.

“And Old Master Xue,” Mr. Luo turned to him, glancing coolly, “the emperor won’t let you retire and leave so quickly. You can think about retirement all you want.” In other words, the only person who could follow his apprentice-grandson was him—and just the thought of it made him happy.

Old Master Xue scowled, thinking: “Are you really trying to read the emperor’s mind? How do you know the emperor won’t let me go? Maybe he’ll have a soft spot and agree to my request.”

No, he couldn’t be influenced by Mr. Luo. Tomorrow he must go see the emperor and gauge his reaction. Ideally, the emperor wouldn’t need him anymore and would grant his retirement outright.

“I’ll bet you that the emperor will never agree to your retirement,” Mr. Luo said.

“Bet then. Who’s afraid?”

Mr. Luo smiled and nodded, “If you lose, you’ll give me the inkstone in your study.”

“…So that’s what he was planning all along! Mr. Luo had set a trap!”

The inkstone was a gift from the emperor, always kept in his study. Previously, Mr. Luo had noticed it and desired it. He had even tried to trade other items for it but was refused. Now, with the bet, he had a chance to win it directly.

In truth, he didn’t care much for the inkstone. If he did, he wouldn’t have left it sitting in his study unattended. Mr. Luo simply liked it and wanted to tease him.

“Fine. If I lose the bet, the inkstone will be yours.” He sighed. Let Mr. Luo be happy!

Mr. Luo chuckled quietly; he was sure he would win.

Old Master Xue shot Mr. Luo a warning glance: don’t try to plead with the emperor.

“Am I that kind of person? If I want to win, I win honorably, without sneaky tricks,” Mr. Luo said with a snort. “When the time comes, Old Master, if you lose, no backing out, understood?”

“Who’s backing out? Me? How could I ever back out?” Old Master Xue said, then belatedly realized, “Hey, you make it sound like I’ve already lost. Just wait. Tomorrow, I’ll go see the emperor.”

“Fine, I’ll wait.”

Mr. Luo was in high spirits; he would soon have the inkstone he wanted.

…

Back at the Xue residence, laughter and chatter filled the air. In the palace, the emperor smiled upon seeing his seventh princess.

“My princess, what brings you here?” Among all his daughters, she was his favorite.

Seventh Princess Xuanyuan Qing pouted, “Qing’er misses Father. Doesn’t Father miss Qing’er?”

The emperor laughed heartily.

The seventh princess’s eyes twinkled as she quickly approached, hands resting on the emperor’s shoulders. Sweetly, she said, “Father, you must be tired. Let Qing’er massage your shoulders.”

The emperor closed his eyes, enjoying it for a moment, then smiled and asked what brought her to him.

He knew his daughter well; when she had something on her mind, she always spoke sweetly.

Giggling, the seventh princess asked whether the young man who had dined with him earlier was the top scholar.

From afar, she had glimpsed his handsome face and felt her heart race.

She… had taken a liking to the top scholar.

The emperor nodded. Yes, it was him.

“Father, the top scholar seems so young. Is he married yet?”

The emperor, eyes suddenly wide open, turned to look at the seventh princess. She grew flustered under his gaze and asked what was wrong.

“Qing’er, why ask this?” He remembered that his seventh princess was now fifteen—the age for marriage.

Could it be she had taken a fancy to Liu Zhimou?

The seventh princess forced a smile. “Just asking casually.”

“Don’t be fooled by his youth. He married last year.”

“Ah? How could he marry so early?” The seventh princess blurted out. Seeing the emperor’s displeased expression, she quickly added, “I just found it strange… he’s so young, why marry so early?”

“He and his wife were childhood sweethearts. His father arranged the marriage early. When he came of age, he married. Nothing unusual about it.” The emperor, fond of his daughter, didn’t press further, smiling. “My seventh princess has grown so quickly. It’s time to find her a good prince consort.”

He decided he would speak with Consort Hui, to ensure his seventh princess had a suitable husband, so she wouldn’t fixate on a married man.

“Father, Qing’er won’t talk to you anymore,” the seventh princess said, pretending to be upset, stomping her foot and covering her face before running off.

Outside, her small face fell. Even if the top scholar was married, she, the mighty seventh princess, must have the man she desired.

None of this was known to Liu Zhimou. Early the next morning, he went to the palace with Old Master Xue.

He directly informed the emperor of his choice: he wanted to serve elsewhere.

The emperor looked at Liu Zhimou’s face, so similar to his little apprentice, and sighed inwardly. If he weren’t already married, he would have agreed to marry him to the seventh princess.

He regretted that he had married so early.

“Minister Liu, are you really sure about serving elsewhere?” The emperor had thought Liu Zhimou would choose to stay at the Hanlin Academy—after all, many coveted a spot there.

“Your Majesty, I have decided. I will serve elsewhere.”

“Good…” The emperor admired Liu Zhimou’s decisiveness. Such resolute choices were rare—not in vain that he was his little apprentice’s son. He acted decisively.

If Liu Zhimou went to serve elsewhere, the seventh princess would no longer have any illusions about him. Two birds with one stone…

He also hoped Liu Zhimou would achieve great results.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The emperor waved his hand and looked at Old Master Xue, asking if he had any business.

Old Master Xue stepped forward respectfully. He wished to retire.

Here we go again.

The emperor looked exasperated. Old Master Xue had requested retirement several times. Why did he dislike the Imperial Medical Institute so much?

After keeping him away from the capital for so long, finally bringing him back, how could he possibly let him leave again?

“Old Master Xue, I cannot approve your retirement.”

A simple statement, yet it made him sigh helplessly. He knew it would be like this.

He was already very old. How could the emperor still pressure him?

There were other imperial physicians; why did it have to be him?

He truly hated court politics and intrigues. One wrong move could cost his life. He longed for the days he had fled the palace.

“Your Majesty, you caused me to lose an inkstone.”

“Oh? How so? Lost to whom?”

The old man gloomily recounted his bet with Mr. Luo.

The emperor laughed heartily. He hadn’t expected such a story.

“I will reward you with another inkstone.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” What else could he say but express his gratitude?

The emperor, in high spirits, chatted briefly with the old man and Liu Zhimou before letting them leave.

The old man was to go serve at the Imperial Medical Institute, while Liu Zhimou returned home first.

On his way out of the palace, he ran into the seventh princess.