TSWPF -Chapter 463 Disdain

After eating and drinking their fill, the group rested for a while before setting off again.

Because there were children with them, they couldn’t camp outdoors at night. They had to reach places with lodging before stopping.

Along the way, apart from stopping to stay overnight, they spent most of their time traveling.

The little girl had long lost her initial excitement and curiosity. She leaned forward, looking at the scenery outside, and softly asked Mr. Luo when they would arrive in the capital.

She felt they had been traveling for a very, very long time. Why hadn’t they arrived yet?

Was the capital really that far away?

Mr. Luo beckoned to her.

The little girl crawled over and lifted her small head, asking what was wrong.

Holding her in his arms, Mr. Luo took out a book and said he would teach her to read.

“Great-Grandpa, if I finish reading this book, will we reach the capital?”

“Almost.”

Hearing this, the little girl quickly opened the book and asked him to teach her. If she finished sooner, they would arrive sooner.

Mr. Luo chuckled and taught her in standard capital pronunciation.

Though she was young, studying with Mr. Luo allowed her to speak fluent capital dialect.

If she didn’t say anything, no one would know she had grown up in a small county.

Teaching and learning together made time pass quickly.

By the time they had nearly finished the book, they had arrived in the capital.

Hearing the lively street cries, the little girl couldn’t resist secretly opening the curtain a little and peeking outside curiously.

The bustling scene, so different from Ninghua County, fascinated her.

“Great-Grandpa, how long will we stay in the capital? Can we go shopping?”

“Yes. Tomorrow, I’ll take you out to stroll around. How about that?”

“Okay…”

She had seen many foods that looked delicious and wanted to try them tomorrow.

Thinking of food, the little foodie swallowed quietly.

As soon as Liu Zhimou’s carriage entered the city, a servant hurried back to inform Old Master Liu.

Old Master Liu excitedly stood up, smoothed his robe, and asked Liu Zhihao whether his hair was messy and whether his clothes looked decent. Would Xiaoxiao like it?

“…”

Seeing his nervous grandfather, Liu Zhihao pursed his lips and said, “It’s fine.”

You’re not getting married—why so nervous?

Still, he couldn’t help adjusting his own hair and patting his robe before relaxing.

Old Master Liu cleared his throat, straightened his back, clasped his hands behind him, and strode out.

His long-missed great-granddaughter was back. He had to make a good impression and couldn’t lose to Old Luo.

All those bragging letters from Old Luo had made him grind his teeth, yet the Emperor wouldn’t let him visit Ninghua County, forcing him to wait so long.

The wait had been torture.

“Steward, have you notified everyone? Are they at the gate?”

“Yes, Master,” the steward replied respectfully.

Old Master Liu nodded and, seeing the family waiting at the gate, nodded in satisfaction.

Liu Wenjie led the greetings.

Old Master Liu responded absently, his eyes fixed on the road, eager to see where his great-granddaughter was.

Jiang Yingying curled her lips. A junior returning home, yet so many elders had to welcome her—what a big show.

If Liu Wenjie hadn’t warned her repeatedly, she wouldn’t have come at all.

Now that he had become tougher, she didn’t dare disobey him easily.

Seeing her expression, Liu Zhihao sneered inwardly. He had thought she wouldn’t come.

Looks like she was really afraid of losing her father’s favor.

“They’re here! Fourth Young Master is back!”

The scout servant ran back excitedly.

Old Master Liu saw the carriage and stepped forward, hands trembling slightly.

When the carriage stopped, Liu Zhimou got down and saw many people waiting.

He stepped forward, knelt, and kowtowed three times.

“Grandfather, this unfilial grandson has returned.”

“Good, good. It’s good you’re back.”

Old Master Liu quickly helped him up.

After greeting everyone, Liu Zhimou turned to help Li Qingling and the others down.

The moment Old Master Liu saw the snowball-like child in Li Qingling’s arms, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“This is Xiaoxiao, right?”

Li Qingling called out “Grandfather” and said to Xiaoxiao, “This is the great-grandfather who often sends you gifts. Say hello.”

The little girl sweetly called, “Great-Grandpa.”

“Ah…” Old Master Liu was overjoyed. “Can Great-Grandpa hold you?”

The little girl nodded and stretched out her arms.

Holding the soft Bundle, Old Master Liu’s eyes reddened.

If his youngest son were still alive, how happy he would be…

What a pity.

“Don’t cry…” the little girl gently touched his eyes.

Choking back tears, he said, “Great-Grandpa isn’t crying. There’s sand in my eyes.”

The little girl puffed up her cheeks and blew gently.

“There, the sand is gone.”

“Haha, Xiaoxiao is amazing.”

Liu Zhihao clapped. “Xiaoxiao, do you remember your eldest uncle?”

She nodded.

He reached out to hold her, but Old Master Liu glared and blocked him.

He wasn’t done holding her yet.

“Come, let’s go home,” he laughed. “Old Luo, let’s drink tonight.”

“I’ve quit,” Mr. Luo replied calmly.

“What kind of man doesn’t drink?” Old Master Liu scoffed.

Mr. Luo glanced at Xiaoxiao. “Xiaoxiao says drinking is bad. So I quit.”

“Mm! Drinking is bad. It’s smelly,” Xiaoxiao agreed.

“…”

Old Master Liu shot him a glare, then smiled at Xiaoxiao. “Okay, I won’t drink.”

For his great-granddaughter, he’d quit too.

He wouldn’t lose to Old Luo.

Xiaoxiao patted his head. “Good.”

Li Qingling nearly choked—she had taught her that.

Old Master Liu beamed like he’d won a treasure.

Back in the hall, everyone presented Xiaoxiao with gifts.

She thanked them politely, then called for her mother.

Li Qingling had her box brought over.

Everyone thought it was for storing gifts—until Xiaoxiao began giving return presents.

She gave Old Master Liu a pen holder carved with a tiger.

“It’s like Diandian,” she said.

Liu Zhimou explained that she had bought all the gifts herself.

Old Master Liu accepted it gratefully.

Xiaoxiao then gave Liu Zhihao a wooden sword.

“Fight bad guys!”

He laughed and thanked her.

She continued giving gifts.

When it was Liu Zhilan’s turn, she glanced at the little hairpin, tossed it aside, and said, “It’s ugly. I don’t want it.”

The hall fell silent.

All eyes turned to her.

Zhong Qing’s brows twitched in shock.

Before she could speak, Xiaoxiao looked at Liu Zhilan with a serious little face.