Chapter 601: Chapter 601: The Whole Family Goes to the Capital City Together
That pitiful little look stabbed Liu Ji’s heart. The old father sighed and reached out to pat his daughter’s head, trying to calm her.
Si Niang snorted, glaring as she avoided him.
Liu Ji, helpless, had to confess honestly to Qin Yao:
"Wife, I’ll be honest, the more I think about what Zhen Yubai said, the more uneasy I feel. So I want to go to the Capital with Fourth, just to take a look and come back, really!"
After speaking, he cautiously raised his eyes to observe her expression.
However, she didn’t show any expected emotion at all, but instead, she sized him up and down as if weighing something, making Liu Ji’s heart jittery, not knowing whether she agreed or not.
Ah Wang stepped forward and said expressionlessly, "I’m not going."
Everyone except Qin Yao looked surprised.
Liu Ji was the most shocked; he had long been accustomed to having Ah Wang accompany him on trips, a sense of security that only a fierce woman could replace.
But is a fierce woman someone he could persuade? Obviously not. Liu Laosan had enough self-awareness of that.
So...
"Ah Wang, why aren’t you going?" Liu Ji asked excitedly. Without Ah Wang, how could he live?
Ah Wang: "I’m not going to the Capital."
The implication was that he could go elsewhere? Qin Yao glanced at Ah Wang, and Ah Wang seemed to sense this, looking back at her.
With their eyes meeting, everything was communicated without words.
Qin Yao said, "I understand, I respect your opinion. Now, everyone please quiet down, I have an announcement."
"What is it?" Liu Ji asked nervously, afraid she would reject his decision to go to the Capital.
Qin Yao smiled playfully at him and slowly said, "I have decided, our whole family will go to the Capital together!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Liu Ji’s face reflected a wonderfully complex emotional response: shock, joy, disbelief, reconfirmation, and excitement.
Liu Ji opened his mouth to speak, but Qin Yao raised her hand, addressing everyone:
"I know you all are surprised and may not want to go with me, you can think it over tonight and tell me your decision."
This was directed at Ah Wang and Yin Le.
As for the four children in the family, since they called her Mother, she would decide for them that the whole family would go to the Capital together.
Before anyone inside the room could say anything, Qin Yao immediately started making arrangements.
The timing was tight, and there was a lot to organize, not a moment to be delayed.
From deciding to go out and take a look, to now deciding to go to the Capital, Qin Yao had been brainstorming all along and had already made a plan for the trip.
The most important thing right now was to transition her role as village head.
Qin Yao looked at Yin Le and instructed, "Ah Le, you go tomorrow morning to find Liu Dafu and Liu Yang, inform them that the day after tomorrow we will hold a new village head election meeting, and have all villagers who meet the voting requirements gather at the ancestral hall that evening."
Yin Le was still in a daze, unable to process his teacher’s sudden decision to go to the Capital, quickly nodding to take on the task.
Qin Yao pointed to Liu Fei, who had his mouth gaping, "Fourth, close your mouth. Plans never keep up with the changes. What we have now is just the beginning. Come over here, I have something to tell you."
"Oh, okay!" Liu Fei walked over to her, like a student being called by the teacher to answer questions, standing properly, but actually very nervous.
Qin Yao said, "You continue with your plan to return to the Capital tomorrow, travel light, take the water route by boat for speed, reach the Capital first to assist us, and find out about Mr. Gongliang Liao’s matters."
Qin Yao remained cautious about Zhen Yubai’s sudden friendliness today, even if he didn’t seem to be lying, she still wanted to confirm personally, unwilling to follow others blindly.
Liu Fei by now had realized that Third Sister-in-law’s decision to go to the Capital was not a joke, she was serious, and he couldn’t help but feel a bit excited, replying earnestly, "Rest assured, Third Sister-in-law. Once I reach the Capital, I’ll immediately gather information about Mr. Gongliang Liao."
"Third Sister-in-law, when you set off, remember to send me a letter so I can prepare in advance."
Qin Yao nodded, noting how late it was, and seeing Liu Fei had to leave early the next morning, she waved, "You should go back and rest first. These village arrangements are no longer your concern, spare yourself unnecessary worry."
Liu Fei wanted to stay longer, but hearing her say this, he had to leave first.
Before leaving, he winked at his brother, already delirious with surprise, implicitly saying, "You’re in luck, Brother."
With Third Sister-in-law accompanying them to the Capital, what was there to fear? Just walk anywhere with confidence!
They hadn’t even reached the Capital yet, and Liu Fei was already worrying about how his brother, the troublemaker, would cause more problems in a place where you might bump into a Princely Heir or Commandery Princess with every step.
Fortunately, with Third Sister-in-law around, he wouldn’t have to be the unlucky one cleaning up the mess.
Thinking of this, Liu Fei felt relieved, just shy of shouting "Long live Third Sister-in-law!"
Seeing Liu Fei off, Ah Wang closed the gate, leaving only the family inside.
Song Yu and Mrs. Li were also called over by Yin Le, a serious and earnest atmosphere prevailing.
Qin Yao addressed Song Yu and his wife, "You just heard about going to the Capital; you will stay home, keep the household and the stationery factory running, Mrs. Li. Song Yu is busy with the factory and cannot afford extra effort, so all farmland and orchards at home will be managed by you. Ten percent of the profits will be your personal compensation."
Mrs. Li was both surprised and happy, delighted at how much the lady valued her, willing to entrust such important matters to her.
Surprised, because she had no experience managing estates or shops, feeling apprehensive, "Madam, I—I’m afraid I can’t..."
Qin Yao interrupted forcefully, smiling with conviction, "I say you can, and you can! Believe in yourself, it’s not difficult."
She again smiled at Song Yu, "Teach Mrs. Li more; better to pass your skills to your wife than an outsider. In the future, with you both as one, I’ll be assured."
Song Yu and Mrs. Li exchanged a glance, responding in unison, "Yes!"
After arranging the family assets, Qin Yao also instructed Mrs. Li and Yin Le to prepare luggage for their family’s journey in five days.
"Ah Wang, tomorrow take the carriage to the town for a check-up, reinforce it if needed."
"Liu Ji, tomorrow take the kids to the Ding Clan School, handle the dropout process, and transfer our children’s four slots to other children."
These paid slots couldn’t be given to Mrs. Ding for free.
After setting everything in place, Qin Yao specifically instructed the Da Lang Brothers and Sisters:
"You should take time to pack your luggage. Remember, there’s only one carriage, so decide what to bring wisely."
Qin Yao gave a knowing smile and patted the four little heads already stunned by the news of the Capital trip, "My personal suggestion is to only take what you need most and leave the unnecessary burdens behind, to travel faster and further, and see more scenery."
The Da Lang Brothers and Sisters exchanged glances, unable to hide their excitement, "We understand!"
