Chapter 220 [VIP]

After spending three days in Qingshui Town, the day to return home arrived in the blink of an eye.

"No need to take anything. The city has everything you need. Just take good care of your home." Wang Ying waved her hand, stopping Da Shun's wife from putting anything more in the car.

"These are all wild vegetables picked in the mountains in autumn. They are hard to buy elsewhere and don't take up much space. Please take them with you, my lord."

"Then put it up there."

"Hey!" The woman neatly stacked the packages in the carriage, a cheerful smile spreading across her face.

Wang Ying suddenly remembered the funny thing that happened when she first met her. Back then, because her family was poor, the adults and children were all craving a few pieces of stewed chicken. Now that life is better, Da Shun's wife has become much more open-minded and is no longer the same as before.

Just like when they arrived, they left in a grand procession of horse-drawn carriages. As they watched the old house recede into the distance, several elderly people couldn't help but tear up.

Chen Rong pulled Li Shi aside and said, "Let's not look anymore. What's there to miss about this place? We still have many relatives and friends waiting for us in the prefectural city! Aren't you thinking about your third husband?"

Hearing this, Li's mood improved instantly. "That's right, he didn't come with us this time. I hope he doesn't cause any trouble at home."

Chen Rong smiled and said, "It's alright. Didn't you tell your mother-in-law before you left? She'll definitely keep an eye on him."

"That's hard to say."

Fang Ling said, "I think the third husband is quite good, and his temperament is much better than mine."

Li patted her hand and said, "You'll get along with her over time. I think the Bai girl may not be good at talking, but she's not a bad person. Don't be prejudiced against her."

"What my sister-in-law said is true, it's probably because we haven't spent much time together."

*

Midway through their journey, the group split into two: Qingsong, Qingyun, and Lin Qiu were heading back to the prefectural city, while Wang Ying, Lin Sui, and her fourth uncle's family had to go to the capital to report on their duties.

Wang Ying originally wanted to take her mother-in-law back to the capital, but Li was worried about Qin Xiao'er and thought she would wait until her third son gave birth. So she went back to the prefectural city with Qingsong.

The group parted reluctantly. Wang Ying and her companions changed course and headed west. As for the results of the Yuanbao County Examination, they would send someone back to the capital once they were released. Regardless of whether they passed or not, they would have to wait a few more years to take the Prefectural Examination, as the major examinations were too taxing on their health.

On the way back to Kyoto, they passed through Changting County, the same county where Liang Lao's son held office. This time, Chen Qingyan planned to bring his teacher to Kyoto as well.

It took three days to reach the county seat. Liang Shuo had been the county magistrate here for more than ten years, but he had never been promoted.

The path to officialdom in ancient times was so cruel. It was extremely difficult for local officials to climb the ranks. They either needed connections in the imperial court or money in their hands. If they had neither, they could only stay where they were.

If you're lucky, you'll have a good beginning and a good end; if you're unlucky, you'll encounter natural disasters or man-made calamities and inevitably suffer the consequences.

However, it must be said that Changting County has developed quite well under the governance of Senior Brother Liang, which can be seen when entering the city.

The gatekeepers were thorough in their checks, neither demanding money nor speaking ill of the people. This was true not only for ordinary citizens but also for the local officials.

During the inspection, Chen Qingyan asked the clerk about the location of the county government office, and the group took a carriage straight to the office.

Because he hadn't been notified beforehand, Liang Shuo was taken aback when the clerk went in to announce his arrival. "Who did you say is here?" he asked.

"Reporting to you, sir, the man outside claims to be a student of the old master, named Chen Qingyan, and has come to pay a visit."

"Let them in quickly!"

"Yes!" While the yamen runner went to the door to call for help, Liang Shuo hurriedly went to the backyard.

In the bedroom, Old Liang lay on the bed, looking extremely thin. Ever since he caught a cold last year, his health had been deteriorating day by day.

I've been bedridden since last month, but I've been thinking about a few students and close friends. I never expected them to come!

"Father, Father, wake up."

Liang Boqing opened his eyes and asked in a hoarse voice, "What time is it?"

It's past 9 AM.

The old man reached out his thin, bony hand and pinched his forehead. "He slept for so long..."

"Father, the junior brothers from the Chen family have arrived."

"who?!"

"My fellow disciples of the Chen family."

Old Liang's eyes suddenly lit up, "Qingyan and the others are here?!"

"yes."

"Quickly help me up and give me some clean clothes!"

Liang Shuo took out the old man's new clothes from the trunk and helped him change. He tied up his hair, tidied his messy beard, and he looked much more energetic. He knew his father's personality; the old man had been strong-willed all his life and certainly wouldn't want to appear weak, so he had come to tell him in advance.

After everything was tidied up, Liang Boqing said happily, "Where are they? Quickly call them over!"

"Hey, I'm going right now!" Liang Shuo hurried to the front courtyard and soon returned with a large group of people.

Although Wang Ying and the others had already learned from their senior brother that Elder Liang was ill on the way, they were still shocked by his emaciated appearance when they actually saw him, and their eyes immediately welled up with tears.

"You, why are you all here?!"

Chen Jing sat down directly on the edge of his bed and said, "I missed you, so I came to see you."

Why would you want to think about an old man like me who's practically buried in the ground?

Chen Jing chuckled twice. "Is my older brother ill?"

"It's nothing, I'm fine. I just caught a cold a few days ago, but I'm almost completely recovered."

Liang Shuo stood to the side, hesitant to speak, but finally sighed and did not expose his father's lie.

"Qingyan, come here."

To make it easier to talk, Chen Qingyan moved a stool and sat down next to him; otherwise, the old man would have to look up if he stood.

"I heard that you were the one who lifted the siege of Liangzhou?"

"It's not as miraculous as the rumors make it out to be. They just sent some grain over, and it was the Marquis of Zhenbian and his men who held out against it."

Liang Boqing was a man who had long ago guessed the key to this matter. Back when they were at the manor, he had already guessed that Wang Ying and Qingyan must have some unusual secrets.

It's one thing to grow vegetables in winter, but fresh peaches and other fruits can't be grown in that season.

This situation might be related to this, so I couldn't help but offer a few words of advice.

"Emperors are fickle, especially older emperors. Today they may be showered with favors and graces, tomorrow they may be met with thunderous wrath. You should think carefully before you speak."

Chen Qingyan looked at his master's meaningful gaze and instantly understood what he meant—the matter of the experimental field could not be revealed to the emperor!

“I understand, my disciple. Actually, the credit for relieving the siege of Liangzhou this time still belongs to A-Ying. Over the years, he has cultivated new wheat varieties in Liangzhou and promoted them to various counties, which has led to the year-by-year increase in Shanzhou's tax revenue. That's why he provided grain to Liangzhou.”

Liang Boqing looked at Wang Ying behind him, his expression becoming much more amiable. "It's been a few years. How's your agricultural book coming along?"

Wang Ying said, "Two volumes have already been written. The first volume was initiated by the Grand Minister of Agriculture and printed in the capital. The second volume was printed in Shanzhou and then distributed through Qingyan. The effect was quite good."

Liang Boqing smiled and nodded, "You are a very capable person, it's a pity that the Wu Dynasty doesn't allow you to become an official, otherwise you would definitely have made great achievements if you went to the Ministry of Agriculture!"

With so many people crammed into the house, it was a bit chaotic, and they were all tired after traveling for several days. Liang Shuo led them downstairs to settle into their lodgings and prepare food.

Only Chen Jing remained in the room. The two had known each other for over twenty years, growing from spirited middle-aged men to old age. Looking back, the past seemed like fleeting smoke, and the deep-seated convictions in their hearts had long since turned to ashes with the passing years.

Chen Jing said, "Tell me the truth, how serious is your illness?"

"There's no such thing as serious or not serious. Everyone goes through this when they get old, it's just a matter of sooner or later."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jing knew that he was terminally ill. "Why don't you come back to the capital with us this time? I know a few doctors from the Imperial Medical Academy. Let them take your pulse..."

Liang Boqing interrupted him, "Forget it, don't let me get jostled to death on the road."

"You, you..." Chen Jing didn't know what to say. Looking at his old friend lying on his sickbed, he felt a mix of emotions.

"Don't talk about me. Your three-year term in Yanzhou is over. After this trip to the capital to report on your work, do you have any plans to go anywhere?"

"Let the Ministry of Personnel arrange it however they want. I'm already fifty-four. How many more years can I afford to mess around? As long as I don't go too far, I've given up hope of staying in the capital."

Liang Boqing couldn't help but burst into laughter, but then he started coughing. Chen Jing quickly brought him some warm water from the table.

"I'm serious, why don't you come to Kyoto with us? Maybe we can cure you there."

“If you had come before the New Year, I would have followed you without hesitation. But now I can’t even get out of bed, so I won’t trouble you any further.”

Chen Jing tried to persuade him a few more times, but the old man was very stubborn and would get angry if he said too much, so he had no choice but to stop mentioning the matter.

After resting for a while, Liang Shuo arranged lunch. Perhaps because the people he was thinking about had come today, Old Liang was in good spirits. Usually, he could only eat half a bowl of porridge per meal, but today he actually ate half a leavened pancake.

Wang Ying took a break and brought out a jar of pickled vegetables and braised meat from the experimental field. These were all things the old man liked to eat, and she had prepared them in advance.

"Mmm, yours tastes just right! Everyone else's is not quite as good. Keep these two jars for me."

Wang Ying smiled and said, "If you like it, come with us to Kyoto, and I'll make it for you every day."

"No, no, why are you all trying to persuade me to go to Kyoto? Who's in Kyoto anyway?"

Wang Ying was helpless; the stubborn old man's temper hadn't changed at all.

After dinner, they chatted about Yuanbao's studies. Upon learning that he had just finished the county examination, Old Liang happily took his hand and asked, "How was it? Did you find the county examination questions difficult?"

Yuanbao shook his head. "Most of the questions were from the book and weren't difficult, but it was a bit cold during the exam, and my hands and feet were itchy from the cold."

"Hahahaha, I still need to exercise more. Don't neglect the Six Arts of a Gentleman while studying. Maintaining good health is the most important thing!"

"Grandson understands."

Chen Jing added, "A few years ago when I went to Laizhou, I saw that Old Lu was still in good health, but he was very hard of hearing. He had to shout to speak, and after talking to him for a few words, my voice became hoarse."

"Who can outlive him? He was carefree before, and now that he's deaf, it's even better. Hey, no worries can reach his ears."

Chen Jing laughed so hard he slapped his thigh, "You have such a big mouth!"

After the meal, Liang Shuo and his servant carried Old Master Liang back to rest. He had probably exhausted himself in the morning, and by the afternoon he was too tired and lay in bed in a deep sleep.

It wasn't until nightfall that the old man suddenly developed a high fever and was on the verge of death!

Startled, Liang Shuo quickly sent someone to fetch a doctor and also went to the inn to inform Chen Jing and Chen Qingyan.

Wang Ying and Chen Qingyan were awakened by a series of urgent knocks on the door. Chen Qingyan lit a candle, got up, opened the door, exchanged a few words with the person outside, and then returned.

"What happened?"

Chen Qingyan's voice trembled, "My senior brother just sent someone to deliver a message, saying that Master... Master he..."

Without saying a word, Wang Ying immediately put on her clothes and went out with them.

Holding Chen Qingyan's hand on the way, she said, "If there's still hope for Teacher... let's take him to Kyoto."

A note from the author: