TSWPF -Chapter 296 Shy

The eldest aunt had heard about Liu Zhimou’s choice to go on external assignment. She turned to him and asked, “Has the date for your posting been set?”

Liu Zhimou smiled and replied, “It should be just a few days away. So, before it’s confirmed, I came over to spend some time with Grandfather and Grandmother.”

Once he went on his posting, he wouldn’t have much time to come back and accompany the two elders.

Thinking of his grandparents’ advanced age, he sighed quietly in his heart, hoping they would stay safe and healthy, live long lives, and that he would have more opportunities to show filial respect.

The eldest aunt sighed upon hearing this, saying that they had only recently arrived in the capital, and now they were about to leave again—truly reluctant.

Whenever Liu Zhimou and the others came to visit, their parents’ spirits were much better than before.

“Aunt, the years will pass quickly. By that time, we’ll settle down in the capital for good,” Li Qingling stepped forward a couple of steps, linking her arm with the eldest aunt’s and smiling warmly to comfort her.

The eldest aunt’s emotions came quickly and left quickly. She nodded; indeed, a few years would pass fast, but the thought of not seeing these little ones for years made her heart ache.

She treated these few children of her youngest sister as if they were her own.

These children were not only sensible but also exceptionally considerate—worthy of her care.

“We’ll miss you too. Once we’re settled, we’ll write to you often.”

“Alright…” Her eyes became slightly misty. She quickly blinked, afraid Li Qingling and the others would notice, and called out toward the doorway, “Parents, Rou Rou and the others are here!”

Hearing this, the grandparents immediately set down their teacups, stood up, and looked toward the door.

When they saw Liu Zhirou and Li Qingning entering, their faces bloomed into smiles like chrysanthemums. The two little ones waved, calling out, “Oh! My darling Rou Rou and Ning Ning are here! Quick, come to Grandmother!”

Liu Zhirou and Li Qingning broke free from the eldest aunt’s hand, cheerfully ran to their grandmother, and threw themselves into her arms, sweetly calling “Grandmother!” before turning to call out to their grandfather.

“Well, well, Grandmother has missed you so much!” The grandmother kissed one, then the other, holding her beloved little treasures tightly.

Liu Zhimou and the others came in afterward, seeing their grandparents and politely greeting them.

The grandparents smiled and nodded, urging them to sit and calling for some delicious snacks to be served.

The eldest aunt watched this scene and said with a bright smile, “When you children come over, your parents seem much younger.”

“That’s true…” The grandmother nodded, feeding Liu Zhirou and Li Qingning a piece of red bean cake. “Whenever I see my little treasures, my heart just fills with joy.”

“Grandmother, you eat too,” Li Qingning held a piece of red bean cake and coaxed her to eat.

“Good child.” The grandmother patted Li Qingling’s head and ate it.

Although Li Qingning was not her biological granddaughter, she truly liked the child.

Not to mention that her own grandchildren treated her daughter-in-law so well; she would genuinely care for Li Qingling and Li Qingfeng as well.

Moreover, the three siblings of her grandsons were really close to Li Qingling and her siblings.

The bonds of growing up together were unmatched by anything else.

Seeing his wife so happy with the granddaughters, the grandfather stood up, hands behind his back, and said to Liu Zhimou and the other two boys, “Come with Grandpa to the study.”

Liu Zhimou, Liu Zhiyan, and Li Qingfeng responded and followed their grandfather, leaving the flower hall entirely to the grandmother and the girls.

After finishing their conversation, the grandmother looked up at Li Qingling and asked when they would leave the capital.

Li Qingling hurriedly swallowed the snack in her mouth and smiled, saying, “The time hasn’t been confirmed yet—maybe just in a few days.”

Upon hearing this, the grandmother sighed with some melancholy. “We’ve only just reunited with you, and now you’re leaving again. I don’t know when we’ll see you again. With these old bones, I don’t even know how many more times I’ll get to see you.”

If her body were healthy, she wouldn’t feel so sentimental. But her old bones weren’t strong; she would fall ill now and then, and she truly feared missing the moment her grandchildren grew up.

Hearing this, Li Qingling felt a twinge in her nose, but she forced herself to suppress her emotions and smiled, saying, “Grandmother, what are you saying? You’ll definitely live a long life. I still want you to help look after your great-grandchildren!” During her stay, she had decided to use spirit water to help condition her grandparents’ health.

Though the time was short, she wasn’t sure how effective it would be. It would be wonderful if she could continuously use spirit water to maintain their health.

She realized she would need to think of a way to make that possible.

“Ling’er… you… you have one?” The grandmother looked at Li Qingling’s belly in surprise.

Even the eldest aunt’s face was full of joy.

Li Qingling’s cheeks flushed, and she gently shook her head, saying she didn’t.

She hadn’t consummated her marriage with Liu Zhimou yet—how could she be pregnant?

In two months, it would be her birthday… and then…

Although the grandmother felt a little disappointed, she showed nothing on her face.

“You’re still young. Getting pregnant too early wouldn’t be good. There’s no rush!”

Hearing her grandmother’s concern, Li Qingling nodded, saying she understood.

The grandmother took this opportunity to teach Li Qingling many things about pregnancy and raising children. She truly worried that she might not live to see her great-grandchild born, so she wanted Li Qingling to learn while she still could.

These children had no parents to care for them; they knew nothing. If Li Qingling were truly pregnant, she would need help taking care of her, or else she would worry.

This matter also needed to be discussed with the eldest of the family, so that if she weren’t around, they could help.

Even though Li Qingling’s face reddened at these topics, she listened attentively and remembered everything. This was her grandmother’s heartfelt intention, which she couldn’t betray.

She could hear the expectation in her grandmother’s tone, which made her eager for her birthday to come sooner—to consummate her marriage with Liu Zhimou and conceive, to bring joy to her grandmother.

They talked for a long time, until the grandmother’s throat was dry. She sipped tea twice before looking at Li Qingling and smiling, saying there was no rush; when she became a mother, she would know what to do.

Li Qingling could only nod, not knowing what else to say.

The grandmother didn’t dwell on the issue further and shifted the conversation, filling the flower hall with warmth and joy.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the study was slightly heavier. The grandfather asked Liu Zhimou once again if he had truly decided to go on external assignment.

Liu Zhimou nodded firmly. “I’m sure. I’ve told the Emperor I want to go on posting.”

Seeing Liu Zhimou’s determined expression, the grandfather’s eyes flickered with admiration. This child was like his father—a person of great resilience. His father had also firmly refused to serve the court, even when the late emperor earnestly requested his help.

He was also grateful to his son-in-law. When the Lu family faced catastrophe, Liu Zhimou stood firmly by them. When Old Liu asked him to break off the engagement with his daughter, he didn’t hesitate to take her away, sparing his precious daughter the pain of exile.

His daughter was physically weak. If she had been exiled, she might not have survived the journey.

The grandfather’s heart ached thinking of his sons and grandsons who had perished on the way to exile.

If not for his eldest son and the remaining grandsons, he wouldn’t have wanted to return to the capital at all.

He held some resentment toward the late emperor in his heart.

“Good. It’s commendable that you’ve thought this through. Grandpa supports your posting. Only by serving outside can you achieve remarkable results. When you return to the capital, the Emperor will look favorably upon you.” He continued, “Those who remain in the capital without experience cannot truly understand the people’s situation. As officials, you must never covet the people’s possessions, understand?”

He didn’t want to see his grandson take the wrong path, so he reminded him regularly.

Liu Zhimou’s expression was serious as he replied, “I won’t. I’ve grown up step by step among commoners; I could never make such mistakes.”

The grandfather nodded in satisfaction and spoke at length. Liu Zhimou listened attentively, responding occasionally.

After discussing Liu Zhimou, he turned to Liu Zhiyan and Li Qingfeng. “Did you hear what I just told your eldest brother? These are also things I want to tell you. When you pursue official careers in the future, you must adhere to these principles, understand?”

Liu Zhiyan and Li Qingfeng straightened their chests and said in unison, “Understood.”

Hearing their grandfather’s words was worth more than ten years of study; these lessons would help them avoid many detours.

“Good children,” the grandfather smiled. “How are your studies going? Will you be accompanying Mo’er?” He worried that taking the two boys along might disrupt their studies.

Of course, they wanted to go with him; they didn’t want to be separated from their eldest brother!

Liu Zhiyan and Li Qingfeng nodded again.

The grandfather frowned, voicing his concern.

“Grandfather, you don’t need to worry. Master will accompany us,” Liu Zhiyan said with a smile. With their master present, their studies wouldn’t fall behind.

Hearing this, the grandfather widened his eyes in surprise. “Mr. Luo will come with you too?” He looked at Liu Zhimou, astonished.

Liu Zhimou smiled and nodded. “Master said wherever we go, he will follow. Grandfather, you don’t need to worry about these two boys’ education.”

The grandfather clicked his tongue twice, somewhat envious of Mr. Luo—alone, able to go wherever he wished.