TSWPF -Chapter 447 Inner Struggle

“Is it really a good idea to provoke this lonely man? Maybe I shouldn’t bother him.”

Liu Zhihao tugged slightly at the corner of his mouth, pivoted on his heel, and entered the dining hall. He greeted Mr. Luo before pulling out a chair and sitting down.

He glanced at the dishes laid out on the table, picked up his chopsticks, and began eating heartily.

Liu Zhimou sat opposite him. Seeing how fast his brother was eating, he raised an eyebrow. “Big brother, you’re not just swallowing everything without chewing, are you?” He had never seen anyone eat so fast—it was practically lightning speed.

Liu Zhihao swallowed his food, looked up at Liu Zhimou, and said calmly, “A soldier on campaign doesn’t have time to chew slowly.” Over the years, he had long been accustomed to eating this way.

In the army, if you didn’t eat quickly, and the enemy attacked, there might be no chance to eat at all.

Liu Zhimou nodded in understanding and asked if the food suited his taste.

This older brother had earned the rank of general at his age through sheer effort and battlefield merit.

Even though he grew up in the Liu household, his life might have been harder than Liu Zhimou’s.

As the saying goes, “where there’s a stepmother, there’s a stepfather.” Life under a stepmother could never be easy.

In comparison, his days in Niutou Village had been far more comfortable—no constant scheming to worry about, no perpetual fear.

Thinking of this made him feel a pang of sympathy for his brother.

“I’m not picky,” Liu Zhihao said, tossing off the remark before continuing to eat heartily.

During campaigns, when starving, even disgusting insects could be eaten. How could he possibly find these delicious dishes unpalatable?

After Liu Zhihao finished, Liu Zhimou had the dishes cleared and personally poured him a cup of tea, gently pushing it in front of him.

Liu Zhihao acknowledged with a hum, sipped the tea, then turned to Mr. Luo, casually chatting with him.

Mr. Luo seemed to appreciate Liu Zhihao as well, and soon the two were engrossed in conversation.

When Mr. Luo spoke of Xiaoxiao, Liu Zhihao listened with particular interest.

Liu Zhimou, the proud father, heard others praising his precious daughter and couldn’t help but grin, looking thoroughly pleased.

In his eyes, his little daughter was the most beautiful and well-behaved child.

Even if she wanted the moon and stars, he would find a way to get them for her.

“Big brother, you should seriously consider your own major life decisions as well—don’t worry grandpa,” Liu Zhimou took the opportunity to nudge him about marriage.

“….”

Liu Zhihao glanced at him helplessly. Since when had he become a matchmaker?

Not only was Grandpa urging him, but even his cousin was doing so.

He wasn’t that old—would it hurt to wait another two years?

“That’s true,” Mr. Luo added. “Look, Xiaoxiao is already so big, her eldest uncle shouldn’t wait too long either.” This only left Liu Zhihao speechless.

He nodded resignedly, saying he would consider it.

On this trip back to the capital, if Grandpa mentioned it again, he would just agree.

Seeing his cousin’s family of three so happy made his heart stir slightly.

Liu Zhimou smiled. “Now Grandpa can finally relax.”

Grandpa had been worried that his eldest grandson might remain single for life under the influence of his father.

Liu Zhihao glanced at Liu Zhimou, saw that it was getting late, and stood up. “I should rest early. I’ll leave for the capital first thing in the morning.”

Mr. Luo nodded and told him to rest well.

Liu Zhimou personally accompanied him out of the dining hall and only returned to his room once Liu Zhihao had gone.

Back in his room, he saw his little daughter flipping excitedly on the bed.

He smiled and walked over, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Xiaoxiao,” he called.

The moment she saw her father, Xiaoxiao giggled, rolled over to him with a little push, tugging at his clothes as she sat up.

Seeing her so adorable, Liu Zhimou couldn’t help but lift her into his arms, kissing her cheek. “Xiaoxiao, did you miss Daddy? Huh?”

“How long have you two been apart? What are you even thinking?” Li Qingling walked over with a handkerchief, rolling her eyes and replying grumpily. “Xiaoxiao, come, wipe your hands.” She helped Xiaoxiao extend her little paws.

Xiaoxiao obediently held out both chubby little hands, and Li Qingling cleaned them and gave her a kiss before letting her go.

“No more playing—sleep early, understood?”

Xiaoxiao gave her a toothless smile, then turned back to tug at Liu Zhimou’s clothes, holding onto his neck, wanting him to keep playing.

She wasn’t ready to sleep yet—she wanted to play a little longer.

On such matters, Liu Zhimou would never go against Li Qingling’s wishes.

He lifted her gently under the arms, holding her up, and the father and daughter looked at each other. “Xiaoxiao, shall we sleep? If we don’t sleep, Mommy will spank your little bottom. Do you want that?”

Xiaoxiao’s eyes spun around, and she shook her head weakly.

Don’t let her young age fool you—she understood perfectly. Her father listened to her mother; in this household, Mommy had the highest status. Offending anyone else was one thing, but not Mommy.

Because she understood this so well, she didn’t resist.

“Then shall we sleep?”

Xiaoxiao squeaked twice and nodded.

Seeing her agree, Liu Zhimou kissed her forehead. “Good girl.”

Thinking about such a clever, beautiful little girl being his own daughter, his heart swelled with satisfaction.

He kissed her several more times before carefully placing her in the big bed, covering her with a small quilt, and gently patting her to sleep.

Children are children—she fell asleep quickly.

Li Qingling came over quietly. “Asleep?”

Liu Zhimou nodded. “Yes.”

He glanced at his daughter’s sleeping face, then carefully got out of bed, wrapping his arms around Li Qingling’s waist. He gently swayed her, whispering, suggesting they move the little one to the next room.

Li Qingling immediately understood. Every time this man wanted to be mischievous, he quietly moved their daughter away.

She raised an eyebrow, shaking her head. “No.”

“Why not?” He blew a breath into her ear, stubbornly asking, “Wife, don’t you miss your husband? Huh? Do you?” Ever since their daughter was born, his position in her heart had slipped.

Although it wasn’t good to be jealous of their child, he couldn’t help it.

Li Qingling’s face flushed at his actions, and she pushed against his chest, telling him to stop or she wouldn’t be able to get up early tomorrow.

Her eldest brother was leaving early; it would be improper not to see him off.

“Never mind him.”

“No…”

After her repeated refusals, Liu Zhimou relented. He lightly bit her neck and said fiercely, “Just wait—you’ll see what I can do.”

Li Qingling shivered. What was he plotting this time?

She pushed him away, insisting it was time to sleep.

Liu Zhimou kissed her several times, reluctantly letting go.

Seeing his childlike antics, Li Qingling couldn’t help smiling. She carefully spread the quilt, removed her outer layer, and lay down.

Liu Zhimou held her close, kissed her forehead, and closed his eyes to sleep.

---

The next morning, after breakfast, Liu Zhihao prepared to return to the capital.

Liu Zhimou handed him a package containing rations and a painting for Grandpa.

Liu Zhihao took it and asked casually, “A painting?”

“It’s Xiaoxiao’s, for Grandpa.” Grandpa wanted to see Xiaoxiao’s artwork. Liu Zhimou had drawn it in his spare time and, with his brother coming, decided to send it with him.

Liu Zhihao nodded, took Xiaoxiao from Mr. Luo’s arms, made two quick flights with her, and mounted his horse, leaving immediately.

This time, he didn’t stop—he rode straight for the capital.

Twelve days later, he arrived.

Without resting, he entered the palace to meet the Emperor.

The Emperor, seeing his unkempt appearance, asked if he had ridden day and night to get there.

Liu Zhihao replied affirmatively.

The Emperor looked at him appreciatively, praised him a few times, then shifted the topic to the purpose of his return to the capital.

When it came to serious matters, Liu Zhihao’s expression grew more solemn, listening intently to the Emperor.

An hour later, he left the palace and rode back to the Liu residence.

The guard, seeing a filthy Liu Zhihao, didn’t recognize him at first and coldly asked whom he was looking for.

“What? You don’t recognize this general?”

Hearing the harsh voice, the guard shivered, kneeling respectfully. “My fault—I… didn’t recognize Young Master.” Who would expect him to return in such a state?

Liu Zhihao stepped past him and instructed him to open the main gate.

The guard quickly complied, rushing to open the gate.

Liu Zhihao strode into the home he hadn’t returned to in years, heading straight for his courtyard without looking around.

On the way, he met Old Master Liu.

“Ha…Hao’er?”

“Grandpa…”

“Why are you back?” Old Master Liu asked in surprise. “Why didn’t you let us know in advance?”

Liu Zhihao explained that he had returned on the Emperor’s orders and would be leaving again in a few days.

Hearing this, Old Master Liu didn’t ask further. Seeing his exhausted expression, he urged him to wash up and promised to have someone bring food to fill his stomach before resting.

Feeling warmed by this, Liu Zhihao smiled and handed the painting to Old Master Liu.