TSWPF -Chapter 294 Anxiety

Zhang Yun’er hurriedly asked Liu Zhiyan, “Did Liu Zhimou tell you that he wants to be posted elsewhere?”

“Yes. I asked Fourth Brother. He was in a hurry and didn’t tell me himself. He just said that if I was eager to know, I should ask Grandfather—he knows everything clearly.”

Zhang Yun’er stood up, spun around twice, and urged Liu Zhiyan to go ask Old Master Liu what was going on. How could Liu Zhimou be thinking of being posted elsewhere? Wouldn’t it be better to stay in the Hanlin Academy?

Right under the Emperor’s eyes, he could gain favor and be given important tasks.

Those sent away to distant posts were far from the Emperor. The chances of being noticed were slim, and even if recalled years later, who knew if they would get a good position?

She wondered what that child was thinking. How could he want to be sent away?

Typically, the top scholars always entered the Hanlin Academy. It was unthinkable to send a top scholar elsewhere.

Unless… unless Liu Zhimou himself requested it.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yun’er grew impatient. She didn’t let Liu Zhiyan finish his tea and hurried him along, urging him not to waste any time.

Liu Zhiyan smiled, setting down his cup. “You know, if someone didn’t know, they’d think Fourth Brother was your real son!”

Zhang Yun’er laughed and patted him on the shoulder. “What are you saying, child?” Then she sighed. “Your Fourth Uncle was closest to your father. Now that he’s gone, as your aunt, of course I must help take good care of his children. I can’t let them suffer.” Yesterday’s incident still made her feel guilty—she hadn’t arrived in time, and those two children had been wronged.

Children without parents were easily bullied.

Because of this, her dislike for Jiang Yingying only deepened.

Children quarrel as children do. What business was it of hers, as an adult, to interfere?

No wonder father-in-law was so angry that he wanted to send Liu Zhishan to the frontier. Luckily, he escaped this time and didn’t have to go.

She hoped that a few years in the military camp would truly change Liu Zhishan, and that he wouldn’t continue doing harmful things that benefited no one.

The Liu family’s unsavory reputation had been caused by this reckless son, and it made her heart ache to hear about it.

Still, thinking that she wouldn’t see that troublemaker for years, her mood improved a little.

“Mother, was Fourth Uncle really that capable? Really better than Fourth Brother?” In recent days, his mother often spoke about how impressive Fourth Uncle was, but he had never met him and found it hard to believe.

Zhang Yun’er straightened with pride. She glanced at her son. “Of course. You can ask around outside. Back then, your Fourth Uncle’s reputation was tremendous. Who in the capital didn’t know Young Master Liu?” Her expression darkened. “If he hadn’t left the capital back then, no one could surpass him. Even Mo’er can’t compare to his father!” She had never seen anyone as clever as her fourth son in her life, but…

“Too much wisdom brings grief. I wish your Fourth Uncle hadn’t been so clever—then he wouldn’t have died young.” She sighed deeply. “Your father must have been heartbroken when he learned you were gone! That was his dear younger brother since childhood.”

Liu Zhiyan, afraid his mother would cry again, didn’t dare ask more about Fourth Uncle. He quickly said, “I’ll ask Grandfather about Fourth Brother being posted elsewhere. I’ll tell you when I return.”

Without waiting for her reply, he hurried out.

Earlier, when he saw his mother crying over his Fourth Uncle’s premature death, he had been shocked. He had never imagined seeing her cry like that.

In his memory, his mother was strong and never cried.

Now he realized that she didn’t avoid crying; it just hadn’t touched her deepest pain until now.

Surely his Fourth Uncle, whom he never met, had been greatly respected by his mother. Otherwise, why would she be saddened each time she spoke of him?

Since his father and Fourth Uncle were so close, he wanted to get along well with Fourth Brother and the others, to avoid making his parents sad.

Moreover, Fourth Brother and the others were genuinely easy to get along with, much more than other siblings. Becoming close with them came naturally.

When Liu Zhiyan arrived at Old Master Liu’s study, the old man was looking at a portrait of his youngest son.

“Zhiyan, come, come see your Fourth Uncle,” Old Master Liu beckoned.

Fourth Uncle?

Curious, Liu Zhiyan walked over quickly. When he saw the portrait, he blurted out, “Isn’t this Fourth Brother?”

Immediately, he realized his mistake. The painting was somewhat old, not recent—likely many years old.

His mother had said Fourth Brother and Fourth Uncle were like carbon copies. Since he had never seen Fourth Uncle, he didn’t know if it was true. Seeing the portrait, he now believed his mother—it was indeed a perfect resemblance.

Old Master Liu laughed heartily. “Mo’er must look very much like your Fourth Uncle. When you see Mo’er, you can imagine your Fourth Uncle as a young man. But Mo’er isn’t as mischievous as your Fourth Uncle…” He then shared many stories about his youngest son.

Liu Zhiyan listened, astonished. He hadn’t expected his never-met Fourth Uncle to be so… so spirited and full of youthful vigor…

Yes, spirited, living freely as a young man should, unbound by worldly conventions, doing as he wished, caring little for others’ opinions.

Even the late emperor couldn’t handle him.

No wonder his mother said Fourth Brother couldn’t compare to Fourth Uncle—he now fully agreed.

He wished he could live like Fourth Uncle, but he wasn’t as capable…

He truly envied his Fourth Uncle.

“Grandfather, why did Fourth Uncle leave the capital back then?” He had always wondered, asking his mother, who refused to answer, telling him not to ask. But the question remained in his heart, and he couldn’t resist asking now.

Old Master Liu’s smile faded as he looked at the spirited young man in the portrait. After a long pause, he sighed, “It was my fault.”

Liu Zhiyan’s heart raced. Was he about to hear a great secret?

Old Master Liu carefully rolled up the portrait and placed it back in a cabinet like a treasure. He glanced at Liu Zhiyan and led him to sit on a nearby chair.

Liu Zhiyan controlled his excitement and watched eagerly, waiting for him to speak.

After a long wait, just when he thought Old Master Liu wouldn’t say anything, the old man finally began:

“Back then…” Slowly, he recounted the events of that time, ending with a bitter smile. “If I hadn’t been so stubborn, perhaps your Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt wouldn’t… and your cousins wouldn’t have suffered so much in the countryside.”

This had been a lifelong pain for him—a scar that would never heal, even in death.

Seeing his grandfather’s eyes redden, Liu Zhiyan opened his mouth, unsure what to say. This was the first time he saw his usually stern grandfather show such emotion.

The death of Fourth Uncle must have been a huge blow to him, or he wouldn’t have shared this with his grandson.

After a brief emotional display, Old Master Liu regained his composure and looked at Liu Zhiyan sternly, warning him not to spread this information.

Liu Zhiyan nodded solemnly. “I won’t tell anyone,” he said, pursing his lips. Then he awkwardly comforted Old Master Liu, “Don’t blame yourself so much. Fourth Uncle knows and wouldn’t fault you.”

“I know. Although your Fourth Uncle was mischievous, he was very filial and wouldn’t blame me forever,” Old Master Liu said, his tone a mix of pride and sorrow. “Your Fourth Brother said that your Fourth Uncle was happy in the countryside, but he was stubborn—he didn’t return once in over ten years, nor write a letter.”

He could guess his youngest son’s intent. He didn’t want to bring his wife and children back, avoiding the chaos of the Liu household, wanting their peaceful life undisturbed.

If his youngest son had truly resented him, he wouldn’t have allowed his grandchildren to study and take exams.

Seeing his grandson with the same face as him, returning to the capital, how could he not know?

Could he boldly speculate—if his youngest son hadn’t died, would he have returned when his grandchildren came to the capital?

But no matter how he thought now, it was useless. The youngest son was gone.

Watching Old Master Liu switch between pride and despair, Liu Zhiyan didn’t know what to say. But he was happy to learn so much about Fourth Uncle from his grandfather.

Seeing his grandfather’s complex expressions, he shivered and quickly changed the subject: “Grandfather, why is Fourth Brother being sent away? Can’t he enter the Hanlin Academy? Why wouldn’t he go there? The Emperor isn’t ordering it, is he?”

Old Master Liu looked surprised. “Where did you hear about Liu Zhimou being sent away?”

Liu Zhiyan recounted seeing Liu Zhimou. Old Master Liu nodded knowingly. “He chose to be sent away himself.”

“Why?” Liu Zhiyan frowned in confusion. “Isn’t the Hanlin Academy better? There are more opportunities to gain the Emperor’s favor. If he’s posted elsewhere, who knows when the Emperor will remember him?”

Old Master Liu didn’t answer directly. He sipped his tea, teasing Liu Zhiyan’s curiosity, letting him ponder why Liu Zhimou would choose to be sent away instead of entering the Hanlin Academy.

This grandson wasn’t especially gifted, but not bad either. Thinking it over would help him develop later.