Chapter 84: 084. Pray for their marriage (first watch of the night)
Translator: 549690339
“Su sister, why are you insistent on returning to Bei’an County?” “My self-defense techniques aren’t up to par, I need your guidance!” “My cooking is also terrible. Once you leave, I’m sure it will worsen.”
“Su sister, please don’t leave. Stay with Elder Brother Ning, wait until after the New Year, and then we’ll all go to the capital together!”
Lin Xueqing pleaded persistently, hoping they would stay and live with them in Pingbei City.
At such times, Ning Jing would always remain silent. After getting to know Su Liang, Lin Xueqing hardly paid him any attention.
When Lin Shuzhi returned in the afternoon, he also sought Ning Jing and Su Liang to discuss the possibilities of them staying in Pingbei City.
After all, in the eyes of Lin Shuzhi and his daughter, if Su Liang and Ning Jing returned to Bei’an County, they would have no relatives or friends there. It would be just the two of them leading a quiet life.
It would clearly be better to stay. The four of them could live together. Lin Shuzhi could advise Ning Jing in his studies, and Lin Xueqing would have companionship. She admired Su Liang very much and wanted to learn many things from her.
However, Lin Shuzhi also knew that Ning Jing was different from before. He had come far on his path towards the Imperial examination, and moving forward, he won’t need to worry much. Lin Shuzhi’s help would be limited.
And although Lin Xueqing is a year older than Su Liang, and constantly referred to Su Liang as her younger sister, between them, it was Su Liang who acted more like the elder sister. It would undoubtedly be great if Su Liang stayed for Lin Xueqing. However, contrary to that, aside from Lin Xueqing’s companionship, she wouldn’t be of any help to the things that Su Liang wanted to accomplish.
Therefore, Lin Shuzhi merely hoped that Ning Jing and Su Liang would consider it. If they really didn’t wish to stay, he wouldn’t force them.
“Master, Xueqing, Ning Jing and I understand your intentions, and we have enjoyed living with you very much,” Su Liang said seriously.
Upon hearing these words, Lin Shuzhi knew the situation didn’t look promising.
To the contrary, Lin Xueqing naively believed there was still hope, her eyes shining.
However, Su Liang continued, “But we must return. Before we left, a friend got injured, who is recuperating at home. We asked a neighbor to help take care of him. We cannot neglect our responsibility. Additionally, we previously helped the fourth prince, and we have some unfinished matters. We had promised the prince that we would return after the examination.”
Lin Shuzhi sighed, “In that case, you truly do have to return.”
They had someone at home and had promised the fourth prince. They
obviously couldn’t go back on their word.
Lin Xueqing looked upset, “So that’s why. I thought Su sister, you were leaving because you were annoyed with me.”
Su Liang hugged Lin Xueqing and chuckled softly, “How could that be? I can’t get enough of you.”
“Really?” Lin Xueqing’s spirits lifted all at once, she turned towards Lin Shuzhi and said, “Father, I’ll marry Su sister! Since Elder Brother Ning and Su sister are just close friends!”
Lin Shuzhi was rendered speechless.
“Such a pity. If I were to leave, Father being all alone would be too pitiful. It’s all my elder brothers’ fault, always staying in the capital and not coming back. Otherwise, I could go home with Su sister.” Lin Xueqing looked regretful. Lin Shuzhi coughed lightly, “I’m being dismissed by my own daughter!”
Lin Xueqing looked helpless, “Actually, my elder brothers both wanted Father to go to the capital, handing over the academy’s responsibilities to someone else. But Father always refused.”
Lin Shuzhi shook his head, “I am not yet so old that I must rely on my sons for sustenance, and there are still things that I want to accomplish.”
The father and daughter appeared to contradict each other, but they were merely distinguished by jokes and serious words.
Su Liang greatly admired Lin Shuzhi. His two sons were very accomplished, and he himself was quite renowned in Qian Country. He had numerous disciples, and he could certainly live leisurely in the capital, but he abandoned a promising future and remained steadfast in his purpose: teaching and cultivating individuals, leading a quiet and simple life.
“Alright,” Lin Xueqing understood and supported her father’s decision fully. If she didn’t, she could have moved to the capital to live with her two brothers instead of staying behind to accompany Lin Shuzhi.
“When are you planning on going to the capital?” Lin Shuzhi asked.
Su Liang remained silent, allowing Ning Jing to decide.
“After the New Year,” Ning Jing said.
Lin Shuzhi gave a slight nod, “Alright, then we will meet in the capital.”
Lin Xueqing’s face brightened, “So Father is finally willing to go to the capital!”
Lin Shuzhi shook his head and chuckled, “You make it sound like I was afraid of the capital. I’ve just been busy all these years and haven’t traveled far. Every year, your eldest brother sends a letter asking us to spend the New Year in the capital, but we have never gone. The time when your two brothers can take a break during the New Year is short, and they can’t return. Let’s go this year.”
“That’s great!” Lin Xueqing’s face was full of anticipation, “My two elder brothers will be really happy when they know Father is willing to go to the capital!”
“After the New Year, scholars are all heading to the capital to take the examination. At that time, Master, you can stay in the capital for a year and a half. If your eldest son gets married and has children, don’t you have to go and take care of and educate your grandchildren?” Su Liang said with a smile.
Lin Shuzhi chuckled, “Indeed, Liang girl is the cleverest. I’m looking forward to having a grandchild, at which point, I will find a reliable person to take over the academy and return home to take care of the baby.”
“Father, why didn’t you say it earlier? If my elder brother knew, perhaps he would have been married by now!” Lin Xueqing said.
Lin Shuzhi gave a light cough, “How dare I say that? Every time I bring up their life-long matters, your brothers deflect the topic. Old friends write letters, thinking I ignore my sons and only take care of the academy. They believe I don’t give them enough concern about important matters. Having said that, if your elder brother knew, he would only urge your second brother to get married and have children soon.”
Su Liang couldn’t help but laugh.
She genuinely admired and envied the harmonious and close relationship within the Lin family.
Lin Shuzhi, a widower, brought up his children all by himself and did a great job.
He didn’t have the outdated ideas some scholars had. His thoughts were very open, and he interacted with his children as if they were friends.
The acknowledgment and respect he accorded his children were something that most parents in this world couldn’t do, as they only saw their children as possessions.
Actually, this was also the reason Ning Jing and Su Liang could truly interact with the Lin family’s father and daughter like family.
Whether it’s Ning Jing or Su Liang, they couldn’t be bothered to appease people they disapproved of. Although their initial acquaintance was due to the real Ning Jing, their current emotions are not counterfeit.
And Ning Jing didn’t want to go to the academy, primarily for fear that Lin Shuzhi would spot his shortcomings after long interaction, and secondly, he couldn’t appear too close to Lin Shuzhi publicly.
The royal family of Qian country has long been rumored to cut down the power of its nobility, with Bei Jingwang, who has the greatest merits from his ancestors, being the first in the line.
And Crown Prince Bei Jingwang, Xing Yusheng, was “invited” to the capital city by the emperor under the pretense of becoming the son-in-law for his most beloved Sixth Princess. The intention became increasingly explicit.
Ning Jing would participate in the Imperial examination using Xing Yusheng’s identity merely because, coincidentally at that time, they were both in Bei’an County and Su Liang saved Xing Yusheng. In fact, Xing Yusheng was in serious disagreement with his father, Bei Jingwang.
But outsiders weren’t aware of this, and wouldn’t care, they would simply believe that Ning Jing had a close relationship with the Bei Jingwang Mansion.
Only Su Liang knew that Ning Jing took the examination because he was borrowing the identity of the real Ning Jing, in order to fulfill his unfulfilled wish. He was not seeking wealth or status. After qualifying, he also didn’t need anyone else’s identity. Even if Bei Jingwang runs into trouble the next day, Ning Jing wouldn’t care.
But Lin Shuzhi was different.
He has many students and high reputation, as well as two sons in the official circle and one unmarried daughter. Once they are associated with the Bei
Jingwang Mansion because of Ning Jing, the consequences would be severe.
Now that two sons of the Lin Family have offended the nobility in the capital city, implicating Lin Shuzhi and Lin Xueqing, if there is any doubt about their stance, it will definitely be taken advantage of.
There is no harm in the brief interaction between Ning Jing, Su Liang, and Lin
Shuzhi at the academy in the past few days as seen by the public, because Ning Jing obtained the qualifications to study at Qianshan Academy based on his own abilities. The fact that the four resided together was unknown to the public.
Being aware of this, even if Ning Jing stays behind, Lin Shuzhi will only treat him as a student of Qianshan Academy and will still need to avoid any suspicions publicly, considering the welfare of his children.
They are departing early tomorrow, so Su Liang pulled Lin Xueqing aside to provide a final critique on her self-defense techniques and instruct her on daily means of physical exercise.
“Although I hope you never run into troubles, if they do arise, first calm down, don’t panic, but you can pretend to be weak.” Su Liang advised seriously. Lin Xueqing weakly responded, “I’m already very weak …”
Su Liang said solemnly, “That’s why you need to practice well. I mean, you can pretend to be very afraid, but you shouldn’t panic inside. Stay calm and take advantage of opportunities to counterattack. You can’t be impulsive and sometimes, you’ll need patience to deal with the enemy, find their weakness before making your move.”
This is indeed very difficult for Lin Xueqing, but she took to heart Su Liang’s advice, clenching her fists, her eyes resolute, “I must be braver!”
“You can be much braver.” Su Liang laughed lightly.
Lin Shuzhi then asked Ning Jing to review his progress in practicing Tai Chi.
Within just a few days, not only had Lin Shuzhi learned it, but he also performed it quite well.
Ning Jing corrected several of his movements that weren’t performed properly.
Later that night, Su Liang and Lin Xueqing cooked a grand dinner. Lin Shuzhi bought some alcohol from outside and drank a few cups with Ning Jing.
After the meal, Ning Jing drove the Lin family’s father and daughter back to their house in Pingbei City.
Su Liang went with them and took out a cookbook she had written specially the previous night, as a gift to Lin Xueqing.
Lin Shuzhi saw the handwriting inside and was surprised, “Your writing…”
Su Liang smiled, “I wasn’t good at writing originally. After knowing Ning Jing, I started to imitate his handwriting, and I think I’ve gotten quite good at it, right?”
Lin Shuzhi nodded, “It really is. At first glance, I thought it was written by Jingjing.”
“I will learn to cook well. Su Liang, next time we meet, test me.” Lin Xueqing said.
Su Liang then took out a small booklet with the title “Women’s Self-defense Techniques” on it.
Lin Xueqing took it, her expression was surprised, “Su Liang, you draw really well!”
Worried that Lin Xueqing would forget, Su Liang drew all the self-defense moves and wrote detailed technical points next to them.
“Su Liang put so much effort into this, I will definitely practice well!” Lin Xueqing was moved. Each stroke was proof of Su Liang’s care for her.
Su Liang also gave Lin Shuzhi a book titled “Tai Chi” that she had drawn herself.
Lin Shuzhi cherished it and said, “This can be kept as a family heirloom.”
The carriage stopped. Lin Xueqing sighed, “How come we’re home so soon?” Su Liang embraced Lin Xueqing, “We’ll meet again.”
“Yes.” Lin Xueqing nodded seriously, “Su Liang, let’s meet in the capital city after New Year’s, you must come. Even if you abandon my brother Ning Jing in the meantime, you should still come to the capital city to find me!”
Ning Jing outside the carriage: …
As Father and daughter Lin alighted from the carriage, they watched it leave.
Lin Xueqing’s nose twitched, “Dad, I really hate to leave Su Liang, it would be so nice if she becomes part of our family!”
Lin Shuzhi sighed, “Wait until that blockhead Jing realizes, and brings Su Liang home as his wife.”
“Will that day come?” Lin Xueqing asked.
Lin Shuzhi thought about it and replied, “Tomorrow, let’s go to the Hongluo
Temple and pray for them.”
Lin Xueqing’s eyes widened, “Dad, I thought you never believed in this stuff?”
Lin Shuzhi said seriously, “We can believe..”
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