FID – Chapter 461

  Chapter 461: Is Liu Huai Stupid?

  On the way to the residence, Grandma Liu was tight all over, and when Liu Yusheng went to hold her hand, it was very obvious.

  However, after getting out of the carriage, she unexpectedly found that her grandma was relaxed.

  She looked sideways: “Grandma, are you not nervous anymore?”

  The young granddaughter whispered to cover up the way she spoke, making Grandma Liu laugh. “I was nervous, but now that we’ve arrived and I had a look, the first richest family was just like that. Compared to Axiu and his King’s Manor, their aura was the same as having none.”

  After seeing the King of Nanling’s Manor, she didn’t feel that dignified momentum when she looked at other mansions no matter how luxurious they were.

  Liu Yusheng lightly smiled.

  Unexpectedly, the King’s Manor had this kind of use.

  There was also Feng Qingbai. Even if he shed off his imposing manners in front of her Grandma, he still couldn’t hide the innate momentum carved in his bones. Since her grandparents were too exposed to it, others wouldn’t shock them.

  Throughout the capital, she hadn’t seen an aura stronger than Feng Qingbai.

  While the Liu elders were observing the Liu family and Liu Huai’s clansmen, they were also secretly scrutinizing them.

  From the garden rockeries, through the waterside pavilions, to the Liu Mansion’s hall.

  There were several dining tables in the hall and a large room full of people. Hence, it was apparent that the Liu family in the capital was flourishing.

  Grandpa Liu felt deeply upset.

  More than a crowd?

  When his two grandsons get married, he would have ten or eight of them, too. They wouldn’t be less than these people in the Liu Mansion!

  Look at these people crowded in the house. Although they were all dressed in rich finery that showed the family background of the Liu family that was accumulated over a long time, the gleams shining in everyone’s eyes were of shrewdness and calculation. Almost all the descendants were the same. No matter how big a family was, could they live in harmony?

  A disharmonious family couldn’t unite.

  They would be a heap of loose sand in the long run.

  Their family was different. The number of people was small, but their hearts were united.

  They were cohesive, and wringing them wouldn’t break them apart.

  Grandpa Liu frowned and relaxed. Liu Yusheng captured everything in her eyes and smiled inwardly.

  With Grandpa’s temperament, he must be criticizing the entire family.

  After entering the house, Liu Yusheng and Grandma Liu were invited to the women’s table.

  This was the rule of big families. If not to entertain distinguished guests, the family women probably lacked even the opportunity to show up.

  Even if they made an appearance, they had to give priority to the men’s table. There was a clear distinction between honor and inferiority.

  The person at the table with Liu Yusheng and others should be the matriarch of the family while the surrounding juniors sat around her, looking very respectful.

  When introduced, Matriarch Liu then addressed Liu Yusheng.

  ”I have long heard of the Ruyi County Lady’s name, a woman of pure heart and spirit, benevolent and righteous. I’ve always wanted to meet you and also wanted to see who had taught such a good woman. I didn’t expect to finally see you today. It’s a pity we didn’t meet sooner.” In one sentence, Matriarch Liu complimented all three, Grandma Liu, Chen Xiulan, and Liu Yusheng.

  She ended it awesomely.

  Grandma Liu waved her hand and replied, “You flatter us. Our family is an ordinary rural household. This child strives for excellence, so your commendation today is all to her credit. She was born naturally upright.”

  Liu Yusheng almost burst out laughing when she noticed that Matriarch Liu’s expression slipped slightly.

  Grandma was quite powerful. One word scolded everyone in the shade, so nobody had any chance to get angry.

  That was to say the Liu family was dishonest from top to the bottom, so they had been growing crookedly long ago.

  On the surface, she just praised her granddaughter, but she lectured them without leaving a gap for them to attack.

  Chen Xiulan sat meekly beside Grandma Liu, occasionally nodding and agreeing, and she restrained talking. Her daughter-in-law’s standard was also full ten, but her attitude showed that she stood in line with Grandma Liu.

  My daughter has upright roots.

  Matriarch Liu drank a mouthful of tea and laughed, “Elder Madam is right. The child is striving for excellence, relying on her own. Not only is the Ruyi County Lady outstanding, your grandson is also a dragon among men. He topped the three governmental examinations. Nanling has never had such a figure for the past fifty years. He will definitely have limitless prospects in the future.”

  ”Hahahaha, my grandson is really good. He is very competitive. I really didn’t expect him to be so successful!”

  A confused and awkward air once again settled at the table.

  Grandma Liu laughed heartily when everyone was stunned speechless by her declaration. Even Matriarch Liu, who had been familiar with this kind of entertainment for a long time, was at a loss for words for a moment.

  Normal people should be modest first when praising their children. That was how they could compliment each other.

  But she wasn’t. She made everybody unable to answer.

  Liu Yusheng leaned slightly against Chen Xiulan’s shoulder to hide the shaking of her shoulders. She buried her head low, her face flushing red.

  Before their visit, she was really worried that her Grandma wouldn’t be able to cope. Grandma had spent most of her life in the harmonious atmosphere of Xinghua Village, so she might be at a loss in the face of such machinations. She had discussed countermeasures with her elder brother privately, and they agreed to step to the home court at that time.

  It turned out that it was unnecessary at all.

  Although the grandparents and parents had limited knowledge, they didn’t play by the cards. On the contrary, people who were accustomed to a series of tricks would probably get lost.

  She might die of laughter.

  Meanwhile, at the men’s table, Liu Huai also set his goal on Liu Zhixia. He praised him, to which Grandpa Liu kindly accepted.

  ”Mister Liu, you performed brilliantly in The Hall of Supreme Harmony. You will certainly make great achievements in your official career in the future,” Liu Huai said with a smile. “However, without foundation, I’m afraid it won’t be so easy for you to go smoothly in your official career. At times like this, Mister Liu needs to draw people over to your side to assist you.”

  Liu Zhixia practiced the smilence, without stating his stance.

  Grandpa Liu asked curiously, “How is he going to win over to his side?” Isn’t Axiu his backer?

  That was odd. Their Axiu was the King of Nanling. Once Zhixia had embarked on his official career, he would be with him. Would Axiu not take care of him?

  Also, not to mention Axiu, there was also Xiao Feng’er. Xiao Feng’er was the Emperor!

  There was no greater backer than getting direct attention from the Emperor, right?

  Is Liu Huai stupid?

  Liu Huai’s smile instantly solidified. Somehow, he felt the same light as a fool in the eyes of the old man opposite him. “Mister Liu is a young and promising official, waiting for a chance to make his mark. If more people around him support him, he can go faster and farther. The best way to pull in help, naturally, is by marriage. I’ve heard that Mister Liu has received many invitations from wealthy families recently. He has gone to social engagements almost every day. I wonder if there is someone Mister Liu took a fancy on.”

  ”Marriage?” Liu Dalin’s eyes went round, “What marriage? Our Zhixia has a wife. There’s no need for marriage!”

  ”…”

  Grandpa Liu said even more, “Marriage?To rely on the patronage of women’s families to pursue a career? Isn’t that living off a woman? If he has the ability, crawl on his own. If not, just go home and farm. Our family doesn’t live off women.”

  The grandpa and the father both expressed their opinions. Liu Zhixia then nodded in agreement. “My grandfather and father told me that if I can climb, that’s great. If not, I’ll go home and plow the fields. I already have a wife. We must not abandon the partner who has gone through the hardships with us for the sake of future prospects. Such behavior is despised.”

  Liu Zhixia’s righteous speech expressed the inflexible and stereotyped image of literati incisively and vividly.