Farmer lady of fortune ,imperial concubine,don't be too sweet

111

Chapter 111.1
Every late at night, he could often hear His Majesty's soft sighs, helpless and mournful.

The old eunuch gritted his teeth, and said, "The Imperial Doctor said that His Majesty's body is already riddled with sores and tattered like a sieve. It's basically hard to mend the holes. At this rate, I'm afraid... I'm afraid that his time is running out!"

After saying this, he secretly observed the young man's face, yet the young man's face remained distant and unruffled. He actually made him unable to see what was actually in his heart.

"Your Highness..." The old eunuch still had to say something else, but the young man had already picked up his steps and walked forward, leaving behind only a faint phrase, "Life and death are decreed by fate."

His indifference was chilling.

All the way from the palace, the young man didn't get on the carriage and walked along the wide avenue until he reached the capital street. Orange lanterns were hung everywhere along the road.

The entire capital city was as bright as day.

Busy people walked to and fro on the streets; the noise was lively and bustling everywhere.

With the opera, juggling, lantern riddles, each stall was crowded with people, cheering and applauding.

The young man shuttle among them alone. He was obviously in the midst of the lively street, but he felt cold, like a round peg in a square hole.

Against the hustle and bustle of the backdrop, he appeared even more isolated.

He bought a simple lantern in front of a stall.

He walked to the capital city moat, and placed the festive lantern into it. He watched it drift away into the distance, and then looked up at the cold moon in the sky.

The moonlight was soft and hazy, enveloping the entire capital.

It was the same beautiful moonlight that also shrouded the sky over Xinghua Village, covering the small courtyard of the Liu family.

The small courtyard at this hour was incredibly boisterous.

A peal of laughter in the young man's memory burst out at the small courtyard.

The two brothers also returned home for the holidays. They haven't been home for a long time, so they looked particularly excited.

From the moment they entered the door, their mouths never stopped chattering about the interesting events in the school – about winning the teacher's commendation; about the obvious improvement in their schoolwork; and that the teacher was going to let them test the waters for next year's spring civil service exam and take a children's exam down the road.

Even at dinner, the entire table became a show of trickery for the two of them. It made the whole family hoot with laughter.

"Since the teacher asked you to take the exam, he has recognized your current abilities. When the time comes, take the test well and don't embarrass our Xinghua Village." Having had his fill of wine and food, the old man held the digestif tea served up by his precious granddaughter and admonished as he drank it – a look of satisfaction all over his face.

Hearing this, Liu Zhixia nodded vigorously. Liu Zhiqiu, on the other hand, cringed and looked bitterly at his old man.

"What if I fail the test? Dad, don't hit me when the time comes. I'm almost 13. I want a face."

Liu Erlin was so angry that he smacked his son on the head, "What virtue do you have that I still don't know! I send you to study, but I don't expect you to be a promising or successful official in the future. Study hard, try your best to take the test, and just have a clear conscience. If you don't make it, I won't disown you, brat!"

Having gotten a reassurance shot, Liu Zhiqiu immediately grinned and brushed off the pain in the back of his head. "So I say Dad is just sensible. Hearing you say that, I'm now half stressed. When we get on the stage, I'll definitely put pen to paper with divine grace, and no stage fright at all."

"I think you've gone to school these years, but haven't learned anything else, so you opted for how to talk incessant nonsense." Liu Erlin derided.

Grandma Liu and the two daughters-in-law listened happily as they sorted out the presents that piled up in the hall.

There were valuable gifts that Qian Wanjin sent over, as well as some household items and local specialties that the villagers sent.

If they didn't sort it out, there wouldn't be even space for their feet in the hall.

"There are so many of these. Our family alone won't be able to consume them up for a month or two." Grandma Liu looked at the huge array of gifts and thought. "Xiulan, Du Juan, divide these things into two portions and bring them back to your natal homes tomorrow. They're not too much, but the thought is there. When you go back, just stay a few more days and spend time with your parents, and hurry back before the farming season."

Chen Xiulan and Du Juan exchanged glances and smiled. "Hmm, we listen to mother."

Which daughter wasn't homesick? It was just that they've already married as wives, so it was impossible for them to run home all day long like they did when they were young girls. Fortunately, their mother-in-law was open-minded and often instructed them to go home to check on their families. For that alone, they were extremely grateful to her.

The two small circles of the family, each worked and chatted, yet closely connected – joyful and warm.

Liu Yusheng sat next to the old man, quietly listening to the family chatting and bantering, enjoying the atmosphere of the moment.

Aunt Li and her eldest son, Li Ping, walked into the small courtyard of the Liu family in the midst of laughter.

"Big Brother Liu, Big Sister, I've come to deliver wedding candy." The person spoke first before entering the house, brimming with hearty spirits, which was totally discordant to the previous sorrows.

"Younger Sister, Aping, come in and sit down. What's so special about sending wedding candies at this time of the day?"

"Our Aping met a girl, and the matter has been settled for a banquet next June. This matter has just been negotiated, so I rushed over to bring you wedding candies."

"Yo, Aping is getting ready to marry." Grandma Liu was surprised. "Which girl is it? How is she?"

"A girl surnamed He from the next village. This time, I specifically inquired about her. Although her family is a bit poorer, the family is honest. The girl is also diligent and filial. She looks pretty decent and has a good personality, so I've set an arrangement with her family."
Li Ping flushed red at the word 'specifically.'

His previous engagement scared the family.

He was the one who first fancied that girl and asked his family to go to her family to propose marriage. But who would have thought that when his family turned for the worse, they disliked his family for being poor and finally withdrew from the marriage. He also made his parents suffer because of this, and he still felt guilty to this day.

"It's great to inquire and be fully prepared for what's coming." Grandma Liu nodded and asked, "What about Aping? Do you like the girl, too? A young couple's marriage mostly depends on their wishes. Liking each other is the first prerequisite."

Mother Li was all smiles and smirked. "He, ah, fell in love with the girl at first sight. When they first met, he forgot to blink when he saw the girl."

"Mother!" Li Ping coughed in embarrassment. His face flushed even redder when he heard the two teenagers snickering beside him. "You're laughing at me now, but it will soon be your turn to suffer later."

"Aigoo, we're only 13 years old or less. It's too early to get married. Want to see us making a fool of ourselves, Aping? You have to wait for several years. By then your children can buy soy sauce." When it came to matters related to marriage, Liu Zhiqiu shied away none at all, and he retorted.

Peals of laughter erupted in the house once more.