Jiang Shan and his family of three returned to the Grand Tutor's mansion, and for some reason felt that the atmosphere inside was a bit strange.
In particular, Fu Ting did not play chess with Grand Tutor Cheng in the study, but instead sat alone in the front hall drinking tea, looking sullen.
Jiang Shan pulled Fu Qiyuan back, and the two of them hid outside the door and watched for a while.
"Does your father want to find another companion?" Jiang Shan suddenly asked.
Fu Qiyuan choked, "You've been looking at this for so long, and this is the conclusion you've come to? Where did you get that from?"
Jiang Shan raised a finger to shush him and whispered, "Did you see the loneliness in your father's eyes? At this age, besides having many children and grandchildren, he also needs a companion to feel complete!"
Fu Qiyuan then followed Jiang Shan's advice and began to observe his father.
Believe it or not, his father drank tea as if he were drowning his sorrows in alcohol; not just feeling down, but feeling truly lonely.
"Although he was married, he and his wife had nothing in common. He has two sons, one of whom he rarely sees, and the other, though right under his nose, lacks the affection that a father and son should have. Now he has a grandson, but he can't be by his side often. Think about it, isn't that right?"
Jiang Shan's earnest and persuasive words only made Fu Qiyuan frown deeply.
"Shan'er, this is not good. My father still has ulterior motives towards my mother, but my mother only sees him as her senior brother now!"
"You noticed it too? Should we find him a companion?"
"What is a spouse?" a childish voice interrupted.
"My spouse is..."
"What are you all whispering about outside? Huai'er, it's cold outside, come in quickly!"
As soon as Fu Ting finished speaking, Jiang Huai pushed open the door and ran inside.
"Grandpa, what is an old partner?" Jiang Huai quickly climbed onto Fu Ting's lap, hugged his neck, and asked shamelessly.
Fu Ting glared at his son and daughter-in-law and said irritably, "Don't listen to your parents' nonsense, Grandpa isn't that free!"
After a moment of silence, he said, "Shan'er, guests have arrived from Guyang County. You and Yan'er should go and see them. I'll take Huai'er over later!"
Jiang Shan was startled and quickly pulled Fu Qiyuan away.
Fu Ting sighed softly and hugged Jiang Huai tighter.
Jiang Huai seemed to sense something, quietly hugged Fu Ting's neck, and asked softly, "Grandpa, what's wrong? Are you unhappy?"
Fu Ting pursed his lips and said, "Yes, Grandpa is a little sad right now. The woman Grandpa likes has another man in her heart, and Grandpa can't be with her anymore!"
Jiang Huai patted Fu Ting's head and said, "Didn't Grandpa say he loves Huai'er the most? Huai'er will always be with Grandpa!"
Fu Ting wanted to laugh, but her eyes involuntarily reddened.
"Of course Grandpa loves Huai'er the most, but Huai'er has parents and friends. Huai'er will grow up too. How can you stay with Grandpa forever? Grandpa just... feels a little lonely. Huai'er, don't worry."
Jiang Huai nuzzled Fu Ting's head and said like a little adult, "Grandpa isn't lonely. Mom married Dad, so Grandpa has a daughter-in-law now. Huai'er will live with Grandpa too, and we'll be a family!"
Fu Ting asked, both surprised and delighted, "Really? Your mother said you'd move into the Fu residence after the wedding?"
Jiang Huai's fair and chubby little face puffed up. "After Mom and Dad got married, Grandpa and I became a family. Mom said that a family should live together! Dad and Mom will sleep, and Huai'er will sleep with Grandpa!"
Fu Ting's sadness was almost completely dispelled by joy, and he hugged Jiang Huai and kept grinning foolishly.
Jiang Huai then said something heartwarming to Fu Ting: "Mother said that we have a small family, Grandpa and Grandmother have a small family, and Great-Grandpa also has a small family. We are all one big family! Grandpa can go to Grandpa and Grandmother's small family, or Great-Grandpa's small family, or Huangshan Garden. He's so busy that he doesn't even have time to attend court. How could he be lonely?"
Jiang Huai's words made Fu Ting burst into laughter.
He rarely acts sentimental in his life, but his grandson taught him a lesson, proving that he's really going downhill as he gets older!
"Hahaha, Huai'er is absolutely right! With Huai'er by my side, Grandpa will never be lonely again, hahahaha!"
Jiang Shan never dreamed that the distinguished guests from afar would be the Qiao family father and son.
"Uncle Qiao! Brother Sheng! What brings you here!"
Qiao Shi and his son Qiao Sheng stood up shyly, tugged at the hem of their clothes, too excited to know how to speak.
"Oh, Uncle Qiao, please sit down! Brother Sheng, you too, please sit down!"
Qiao Shi smiled so much that wrinkles appeared on his face. He looked at Jiao's mother, who was smiling without saying a word, and then at Grand Tutor Cheng, who was drinking tea by himself. He scratched his head and said with a simple smile, "I originally planned to go to Yuzhou to see you, but you all came to the capital. The capital is not like Yuzhou, so I prepared for a few more days. That's why we set off on the first day of the Lunar New Year and even went to Yuzhou on the way!"
Qiao Shi is not the same Qiao Shi as before; he looks much younger than he did in Huaigu Village!
With the addition of the head chef who has been running Jiang's Private Kitchen for two years, everything inside and out has been completely transformed!
Looking at Qiao Sheng again, he's already a tall and handsome young man! He's also dressed very well; no one would doubt that he's a rich young master!
Seeing Jiang Shan staring intently at him, Qiao Sheng felt slightly embarrassed and glanced at Fu Qiyuan uncomfortably. He said, "Second Brother... Lord Fu, Shan'er, we heard that the Emperor has bestowed a marriage upon you. This is a very important event, and we thought we should come and congratulate you. So we came! The shop assistants also asked us to deliver their congratulatory gifts, which are still in the carriage in the courtyard."
Fu Qiyuan smiled and nodded, saying, "Thank you, Uncle Qiao, thank you, Ah Sheng! I was planning to send someone to pick you up after the New Year, but I didn't expect you to get there first. What a coincidence!"
Jiang Shan smiled and said, "Traveling far away in this freezing weather must be tough. It's clear that Uncle Qiao and Brother Sheng care about us; they couldn't even wait for the ice and snow to melt!"
Qiao Shi nodded repeatedly, "We heard on the way that Huai'er had been poisoned, and we rushed all the way here... Thank goodness, Guanyin Bodhisattva, you are all safe and sound. I can finally put my mind at ease now!"
Jiang Shan chuckled, "Yes, yes, this is a good omen! Uncle Qiao's arrival means something good is about to happen!"
Madam Jiao chimed in, "Alright, let's save the conversation for later. You've just returned from the palace, go change your clothes first. Shan'er, go to the kitchen later and see how dinner is being prepared. Yan'er, come over and chat with your Uncle Qiao and Asheng after you've changed your clothes. I'm going to talk to Li Yang for a while."
Qiao Shi watched Jiao's mother gracefully walk out, his eyes lingering on her.
Upon seeing Jiao's mother again, Qiao Shi was still deeply shocked.
How can the same person have such a big change?
The woman before me seemed to have stepped out of a painting; she was graceful, elegant, and exuded nobility—the kind of refined lady that storytellers always talked about!
No wonder he had always felt that Jiao Shi from Huaigu Village was out of place among the other women in the village, like a pearl whose brilliance had been dulled and covered in dust. Seeing her today, he was right!
Already lacking confidence, now I feel utterly disheartened!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
