TSWPF -Chapter 423 Dislike

Old Xue looked at Li Qingling and the others pitifully and said in a wronged tone, “Grandpa is going back to the capital. You must remember to miss me, okay?” Sob… He really didn’t want to go back!

Last night, he had tried both threats and persuasion on Old Su, but no matter what, Old Su refused to change his mind and insisted on returning this morning.

It made him furious. Such a blockhead—completely inflexible.

Li Qingling and the others nodded, saying they would.

“When my great-granddaughter is born, you must inform me immediately, understand?” He glanced at Li Qingling’s belly and reminded her once again.

Not being able to witness his great-granddaughter’s birth made him feel very regretful.

Li Qingling touched her belly and smiled as she nodded.

Even without Grandpa’s reminder, she would definitely inform him right away to make him happy.

“Old Xue, stop rambling. It’s time to go,” the imperial envoy couldn’t stand it anymore and urged him.

If he kept talking, he’d probably go on until tomorrow.

He was really afraid of him.

It’s just going back to the capital—was it really necessary to make such a fuss? It wasn’t like a life-and-death farewell.

He shook his head helplessly.

Old Xue shot the envoy a glance, then took out a piece of paper from his pocket and stuffed it into Li Qingling’s hand, saying it contained the names he had chosen for the baby and telling her to keep it.

Liu Zhimou: “…” Had his child’s name been claimed so quickly?

Mr. Luo: “…” Was Old Xue trying to seize the initiative?

He wished. As long as he was around, no one else would decide his great-granddaughter’s name.

“Girl, these are names I racked my brains to come up with. After my great-granddaughter is born, you can pick one for her.”

As he spoke, he provocatively glanced at Old Luo. Did he think he didn’t know his little schemes? Hmph!

Anyway, he was determined to compete over the naming.

Li Qingling looked at Old Xue speechlessly. Before she could say anything, Mr. Luo cut in.

“What good names could you possibly come up with?” Mr. Luo took the paper from her hand, glanced at it, and said disdainfully, “Old Xue, these names are too rustic. Do you want your great-granddaughter to be laughed at?”

He firmly opposed using Old Xue’s names.

No matter how he looked at them, none sounded good.

Old Xue was dissatisfied and said, “What’s rustic about them? I think they sound great!”

Mr. Luo waved his hand dismissively. “No matter how I listen, they sound rustic.”

Old Xue glared at him, folded his arms, and said irritably, “Old Luo, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. Don’t you just want the baby to use your names? That’s why you’re nitpicking mine!”

Mr. Luo didn’t bother hiding it. He smiled and nodded in admission.

He had already come up with many names. After the baby was born, they could decide which one to use.

“…”

He actually admitted it!

Old Xue took two deep breaths, then turned to Li Qingling and told her not to use any of Mr. Luo’s names.

Li Qingling looked innocently at the two old men and shrugged. “Alright, we won’t use them.”

Before Old Xue could smile smugly, she added, “We won’t use either of yours. We’ll name the baby ourselves.”

That way, she wouldn’t offend either side.

Hearing this, Old Xue and Mr. Luo froze and said in unison, “No way!”

Li Qingling raised her eyebrow. “Why not? As parents, can’t we name our own child?”

The two old men felt like they had lifted a rock only to smash their own feet.

They both smiled at Li Qingling and said that elders were better suited to naming children.

“Then tell me—whose name should we use?” Li Qingling tossed the question back to them.

Let them solve it themselves.

If they kept arguing in front of her, she wouldn’t let either of them name the baby.

Old Xue glanced at Mr. Luo, snorted, and said they should use his names.

This time, Mr. Luo didn’t argue. He suggested making a bet—whoever lost would withdraw.

The loser would accept it wholeheartedly.

Old Xue nodded. “Fine, it’s settled.”

“Old Xue, are you leaving or not? Why are you still dawdling?” the imperial envoy’s impatient voice sounded again.

Hearing the urging, Old Xue rolled his eyes. “Coming, coming.”

Then he said to Mr. Luo, “We’ll keep in touch by letter. I’m leaving first.”

Mr. Luo hummed in response and wished him a safe journey.

Li Qingling and the others also told him to travel safely.

Old Xue nodded repeatedly, waved at them, turned around, and boarded the carriage.

“Let’s go.”

Watching the grand procession leave Ninghua County, Li Qingling gently exhaled. She felt a little reluctant to part with Old Xue.

Liu Zhimou gently patted the back of her hand in silent comfort.

She smiled at him and said she was fine, telling him not to worry.

“Rest well at home. I’m going to the yamen,” he said.

She answered yes.

He smiled at her again, then turned and headed for the prison to see He, Zhao, Wang, and Lin.

The Liu family guards opened the cell door, revealing Liu Zhimou’s figure.

Seeing him, the four men stood up nervously and stared at him, not knowing why he had come. Was he here to pronounce their sentence?

Liu Zhimou glanced at them silently, then said after a moment, “Your punishment has been decided.”

The emperor, considering his plea, had reduced their sentences and did not implicate their families.

Hearing this, their hearts skipped. They didn’t know what kind of punishment awaited them.

“Milord, please tell us. We’re listening,” He Fourth Uncle said, clenching his fists and pretending to be calm.

In truth, he was extremely nervous, afraid his family would be implicated.

His family was innocent. He didn’t want them dragged down by him.

During his time in prison, he had deeply regretted everything—helping that person and walking the path of rebellion.

The other three swallowed hard and stared at Liu Zhimou, hoping the punishment wouldn’t be too severe.

At least… at least don’t involve their families.

Liu Zhimou said calmly, “Your death sentence is waived, but you won’t escape punishment. You’ve been sentenced to twenty years in prison.”

Twenty years wasn’t short, nor was it long. When they came out, their hair would be white.

As soon as he finished speaking, the four collapsed to the ground.

They felt both relieved and sorrowful.

Twenty years…

By then, everything would have changed.

Liu Zhimou frowned slightly. “Do you think twenty years is too heavy? Do you know what sentence the other rebels received?”

Compared to losing their lives, twenty years was light.

They should be satisfied.

“What… what did they get?” Wang Yang asked hoarsely.

“They were taken back to the capital by the envoy,” Liu Zhimou replied lightly. “What do you think awaits them there?”

He didn’t need to spell it out.

The four exchanged glances and secretly sighed in relief.

They sincerely thanked Liu Zhimou. They knew that without his plea, they would surely have died.

He had kept his promise.

“M-Milord, what about our families?” Lin Sen asked nervously.

Liu Zhimou answered frankly, “Their property has been confiscated and turned over to the state.”

“And our families themselves?”

“They haven’t been harmed. Only the property was confiscated.”

That’s good. That’s good…

Hearing this, the tension in their hearts finally eased.

Money was just worldly possessions. It was fine as long as people were safe.

They had prepared for the worst—never expecting this outcome.

All of it was thanks to the young man before them.

They looked at Liu Zhimou with complicated emotions and thanked him again.

He waved his hand, saying he was just keeping his promise.

Then he had the guards lock them up again and left.

Back at the yamen, he saw Deputy Magistrate Ma beaming with joy.

He raised an eyebrow. “What are you so happy about?”

Deputy Magistrate Ma rubbed his hands. “The rebels got what they deserved. I’m happy.”

The hot potato had finally been sent away. He could finally sleep peacefully.

These days, he hadn’t slept well at all, afraid the rebels might escape.

If they had, they would have been doomed.

Fortunately…

Liu Zhimou glanced at him. “Do you want a vacation?”

“A vacation?”

Deputy Magistrate Ma froze, then nodded frantically. “Yes!”

He really wanted a good rest.

“I’ll give you two days off. Go spend time with your wife and children.”

“Good, good, thank you, Milord!” He was so excited. “Can I go home now?”

His wife had become thinner and darker. It broke his heart. He wanted to help with housework so she could rest.

Liu Zhimou nodded. “Go.”

Deputy Magistrate Ma thanked him and ran off happily.

Watching his back, Liu Zhimou stroked his chin and smiled.

When Ma returned from his break, it would be his turn to rest.

He also wanted to spend more time with his wife.

Thinking about her ever-growing belly made his heart tremble with worry.

If not for his official duties, he would have liked to stay by her side every day.

Four more months…

In four more months, the child would be born, and she wouldn’t have to suffer so much.

He counted on his fingers, let out a heavy breath, sat down, and began handling official matters.

Finish early, go home early, and accompany his wife.