novelhk Chapter 230 Persuading Lu Jia 5
Chapter 230 Persuading Lu Jia 5
Liu Qi, standing not far away, overheard their conversation and felt an urge to turn around and flee immediately. However, remembering why he had come, he forced himself to stand up, braced himself, and stepped forward, respectfully bowing to his grandmother and mother, saying, "Qi'er greets Grandmother and Mother."
Hearing Liu Qi's voice, his grandmother looked up and smiled at him, saying, "Oh, it's Qi'er! We were just talking about you! Tell me, when are you planning to go and meet the girls from the Liu and Li families? Look at you, when your father was your age, you were already born! And look at you, still all alone."
Faced with his grandmother's questioning, Liu Qi looked embarrassed, but quickly replied, "This matter... let's discuss it later, Grandmother. I've come to see Grandfather today because I have something important to discuss. May I ask where Grandfather is right now?"
Upon seeing this, the mother quickly informed her, "Your grandfather is in his study right now."
Grandmother wanted to continue nagging, but Liu Qi, with his sharp eyes, saw what was happening and immediately ran towards the door. As he ran, he shouted, "I have important matters to discuss with Grandfather. We can talk about other things later!" Before he finished speaking, he had already disappeared without a trace.
Watching her son's departing figure, Liu's mother sighed helplessly, "Oh dear, what should we do? Are we just going to let him keep hiding like this?"
After frowning and thinking for a moment, the grandmother said, "Don't rush, don't rush. I'll go and discuss this matter with the old man tonight. You know, this child always listens to his grandfather the most. I think as long as the old man says a word, he will definitely obey."
Liu's mother responded with tears of gratitude, "Then I'll have to trouble you and Father to do this."
Grandmother waved her hand and said, "You child, why are you being so formal with your mother? These are things we, as elders, should do." And so, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law began to chatter on about other family matters.
Meanwhile, Liu Qi jogged to his grandfather's study. He gently pushed open the door and tiptoed inside. There, he saw his grandfather sitting at his desk, engrossed in reading a scroll of bamboo slips. Liu Qi coughed lightly and cautiously began, "Grandfather, I have something to report. Princess Jiayang just sent word that she invites me to take up a post in Xianyang. I am very eager to go; may I accept?"
This sudden turn of events startled the old man so much that his hand trembled, and the precious bamboo slip fell to the ground with a "thud." Before he could even bend down to pick it up, he looked up at his grandson with a trembling voice, his face filled with astonishment, and asked, "Child, what...what did you just say? Don't joke with your grandfather!"
Liu Qi took a deep breath to calm his excited emotions, then nodded solemnly and said, "Grandfather, what I said is true!"
The old man's wrinkled face contorted in surprise. His eyes widened, and he asked again incredulously, "Really? This... how could this be?"
Liu Qi clenched his fist tightly and answered firmly, "Yes, Grandfather, it's absolutely true!"
Upon receiving the affirmative answer, the old man was first taken aback, then a joyful smile gradually appeared on his face. He murmured to himself, "Good, good... all these years of my grandfather's careful teaching and cultivation of you have finally paid off! Hahaha, our Liu family is finally going to make something of itself! In the future, we will have someone in our family who becomes an official! This is truly a great joy, a tremendous joy!" As he spoke, the old man couldn't help but stand up and pat his knees repeatedly.
After calming down a bit, the old man hurriedly instructed, "Quickly, go prepare incense. We need to light incense for your father later and talk to him about this matter. If he knew in the afterlife that his son had lived up to his expectations, he would surely be extremely gratified!"
Liu Qi smiled and replied, "Alright, Grandfather! But there's one more thing I'd like to discuss with you. When I take up my post this time, I hope I can bring you, Grandmother, and Mother with me, so our whole family can go together."
Hearing this, the old man slowly shook his head and waved his hand, saying, "Child, the roots of our Liu family are in this land, and your father is also buried here. Your grandfather is old and doesn't want to travel around anymore, so I'll stay here with your father. You can take your mother with you, and you must take good care of her over there!" After saying this, the old man sighed softly, his gaze gazing into the distance, as if he could see his deceased loved ones through the layers of mountains.
Liu Qi tried his best to persuade his grandfather to go to Xianyang with him, but no matter how eloquently he spoke, his grandfather remained unmoved and resolutely refused to step out of the house. Left with no other option, Liu Qi turned to his mother for help. Upon hearing the news, his mother was filled with worry for the elderly man, but she was even more concerned for her son. After much deliberation, the whole family sat down to discuss the matter and finally reached a consensus: Liu's mother would accompany Liu Qi to Xianyang, while his grandmother and grandfather would stay at home.
After all matters were settled, night quietly fell, and in the stillness of the night, Liu Qi, carrying a pot of fine wine and a stick of incense, tiptoed to the entrance of the Liu family ancestral hall. He slowly pushed open the slightly worn door and stepped inside. The faint moonlight shone through the window lattices, casting a cool, serene glow on the floor.
Liu Qi carefully placed the incense sticks into the incense burner, then stood respectfully before his father's memorial tablet and bowed deeply three times. Next, he picked up the wine pot with both hands and murmured to himself, as if confiding his innermost thoughts to his deceased father. At that moment, Liu Qi's low voice echoed in the quiet ancestral hall, filled with his longing for his loved ones and his hopes for the future.
The next morning, sunlight poured down like a golden veil, illuminating the entire earth. Liu Qi, Lu Jia, and Sun Yi met at Mingyue Tower as promised. When Sun Yi learned that Liu Qi and Lu Jia were both willing to go to Xianyang, he was overjoyed, and a bright smile spread across his face.
Originally, his mission was only to invite Lu Jia, but during his interactions with Liu Qi, he unexpectedly discovered that Liu Qi was also a rare talent. Therefore, Sun Yi decisively took it upon himself to include Liu Qi in the group heading to Xianyang. He secretly planned to give the princess a wonderful surprise when they met in Xianyang. Thinking of this, Sun Yi was overjoyed and couldn't help but down several more cups of fine wine.
After some discussion, the three finally set a specific departure date, said their goodbyes, and went their separate ways. From that day on, Liu Qi and Lu Jia devoted themselves to the preparations for their departure.
Upon returning home, Liu Qi first opened his wardrobe and carefully selected each piece of clothing. He meticulously folded the lightweight yet warm long shirts and trousers, not forgetting to pack the thicker clothes into his bag as well. Next, he went to his study and organized his favorite books and notes containing important information. He gently wiped each book clean before carefully placing it into his bag.
Meanwhile, Lu Jia was also busy at home. He first went into the kitchen and packed various dried rations, dried meat, and other food into bags to ensure he wouldn't go hungry on the journey. Then, he took out his treasured sword, carefully inspecting the blade for flaws and the hilt for sturdiness. This sword had been his companion for many years, and naturally, it couldn't be without him on this trip. In addition, Lu Jia had also specially prepared several sets of clean shoes and socks, as well as a straw hat to shield him from the sun and rain.
Meanwhile, Sun Yi began arranging the accompanying personnel. He carefully selected several strong and experienced guards, explaining in detail the tasks and precautions for the journey. Furthermore, Sun Yi arranged for rest stops along the route to ensure everyone could get adequate rest and supplies during the journey.
And so, after several days of intense and orderly preparations, everything was ready. Finally, on a sunny and breezy morning, Liu Qi, Lu Jia, and Sun Yi, carrying loads of luggage and filled with anticipation, embarked on their long journey to Xianyang.