Chapter 600: Chapter 600: She Wants to Go Out for a Walk

Zhen Yubai left, but the words he left behind were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, violently smashing open a high-flying splash.

Liu Ji took two deep breaths. Upon suddenly receiving the news that his teacher was about to die, instead of feeling fear or worry, he wondered about the reason.

"The old man seemed fine when he left, full of energy, how has his days suddenly become numbered?"

"Also, what does ’days numbered’ mean? Are there only a few days left or still several months?"

Only then did Liu Ji remember to chase after Zhen Yubai; he had to clearly understand what ’days numbered’ meant, he couldn’t just leave things unclear like this.

Sadly, when he ran out the door, the person had already disappeared.

Ah Wang had parked the horse carriage and passed by the doorway, seeing the stunned grand elder at the door, he asked concernedly: "Grand elder, are you okay?" His face looked a bit unpleasant.

But anyone who suddenly learned that their dear teacher was seriously ill and dying would also hardly look pleased.

Ah Wang came to the main hall, Qin Yao’s expression was as usual. She never showed much emotion in situations, seeing Liu Ji running towards the old residence, she guessed he was going to Liu Fei to ask about the Capital, she withdrew her gaze and asked Ah Wang, "How is the rent collection?"

Ah Wang handed over the rent slip, which clearly recorded every household’s rent data.

It’s about the same as the first half of last year, but with no grain tax, the overall data increased by two taels of silver.

"I’ve left enough wheat for daily family use, the rest has been sold, earning twenty taels of silver, all of which the elder has in hand." Ah Wang reported truthfully.

Qin Yao checked the rent slip, confirmed there was no mistake, placed it on the table, and waved to let Ah Wang go to the kitchen to help prepare dinner.

She got up and went to the courtyard outside the door; the terrain here is high and the view wide, allowing her to take in the entire scenery of Liu Family Village.

In the drizzling rain, the mountains are green and the water lush, thousands of acres of farmland, with farmers working tirelessly in the fields, either wearing straw raincoats hoeing and planting vegetables, or driving oxen to plow for spring planting.

The mountains are in full bloom, countless birds and beasts, dyed into a colorful spring landscape oil painting in the spring rain.

The river babbles, flows through the village, silver ripples fall with raindrops, creating a ripple.

It is already dusk, the village houses are connected, each roof emitting white cooking smoke, merging with the mist of the water, quiet enough to clearly hear the joyful voices from the farmhouses.

It seems they are talking about having meat dishes tonight, adults and children all burst into happy laughter.

Qin Yao is lost in thought, letting the raindrops fall on her hair and shoulders, breathing leisurely, "So beautiful~"

But the beauty of this world is not confined to this place alone, it would be interesting to visit distant lands, see the solitary smoke of the desert, the river beneath the sunset.

After taking another deep breath of the fresh air here, Qin Yao has made a decision in her heart—she wants to go travel!

Liu Ji and Liu Fei followed Da Lang and the siblings home.

Yin Le went to pick up the children from school, and as he passed by the old residence, Liu Ji and Liu Fei happened to come out, so they went back together.

Da Lang, with his delicate mind and keen observation, could tell from his father’s forced smile that something had happened at home today.

In the gap after washing hands and preparing for dinner, he called Second Lang over, and the two brothers coaxed Little Lai Fu over to ask, "Did anyone come home this afternoon?"

Little Lai Fu nodded and told them about the teacher’s visit to the house that afternoon.

Second Lang asked in a whisper, "What did the teacher come to our house for? Did they say anything?"

Earlier, the sound in the main hall wasn’t very quiet, Little Lai Fu gave the brothers a ’don’t sell me out’ look. After receiving their nod, he whispered:

"I didn’t hear clearly; I only vaguely heard words like teacher, illness, and days numbered."

Da Lang and Second Lang exchanged a glance, might it be that Mr. Gongliang had some mishap?

Before they could ask any further, Song Yu and Mrs. Li’s voice called from the backyard, causing Little Lai Fu to jump in surprise, replying to his parents’ call while whispering to Da Lang and Second Lang, "I have to go back now."

Having said that, he slipped away.

"Big brother, second brother, it’s time to eat!"

Si Niang stood at the main hall door and called out, glancing around, seeing her two brothers came out of the corridor, she grinned broadly, excitedly saying, "Uncle Ah Wang is cooking personally today, all dishes we love."

The little girl, anticipating that she’d eat two bowls of rice today!

Weird, Second Brother doesn’t seem to be smiling, Big Brother also has a strange frowning expression.

Si Niang stared at her two brothers for a while before being drawn by the aroma from the dining table, quickly running to her seat to wait for dinner.

Sanlang and Si Niang both scrambled to sit with Uncle, but Liu Ji moved them aside, sitting between Liu Fei and Qin Yao.

Ever since he left and returned, Liu Ji’s sword-like brows hadn’t relaxed. Facing the invitation to eat by Qin Yao, raising his chopsticks before a table full of sumptuous dishes couldn’t make him relax his brows.

Liu Ji nudged Liu Fei with a glance, Liu Fei reluctantly put down his chopsticks just taken up, turned to look at Qin Yao, his mouth opened only to be interrupted by her.

"Whatever it is, discuss after dinner." She didn’t want to hear something annoying that would affect her appetite.

Liu Fei: "Oh, oh."

He picked up his chopsticks and grabbed a slice of braised pork with preserved vegetables, the meat of alternating fat and lean was stewed soft, permeated with the aroma of preserved vegetables, melting away in the mouth, Liu Fei’s eyes lit up instantly, so tasty! No wonder the kids keep clamoring for Uncle Ah Wang’s cooked meals.

Delicious food can heal everything, the family with varied thoughts at the table quickly turned into diligent diners.

After quietly finishing the meal, Yin Le cleaned the dishes, Ah Wang wiped the table and swept the floor, Da Lang and the siblings four followed them around, looking busy, yet not knowing what in particular.

Liu Ji and Liu Fei exchanged glances again, came to an agreement, tacitly looked at Qin Yao, the master of the family.

Seeing her finish drinking mouth rinse tea and lift her eyes over, the moment was right, Liu Fei took the lead to say:

"Third Sister-in-law, clean up tonight, I’m planning to go with the big brother’s convoy to the Prefecture City tomorrow, then board a ship to return to the Capital."

Qin Yao nodded, gently advised, "Traveling alone is not safe, hire two guards in the Prefecture City, don’t skimp on money for me, safety first."

Liu Fei felt warmed inside, naturally responding, "Third Sister-in-law, I might not need to hire guards. Third Brother said he also wants to go to the Capital early to prepare for next year’s spring exams, planning to take Ah Wang along too, to have company on the road."

Inside the busy room, Yin Le, Ah Wang, and Da Lang and the siblings four all froze in their actions, watching Liu Ji like sitting on pins and needles.

"Dad, next year’s spring exams, isn’t it too early for you to enter the Capital this year?" Si Niang asked in surprise. Suddenly learning dad would travel far away, she felt both reluctant and sad, and also angry.

You promised to take them to the garden for painting and to accompany her for piano practice!