FID – Chapter 1025

 Chapter 1025: The One Who Flirts First Is Cheap

The Empress Dowager’s expression—treating walking as if it were the most serious, critical task in the world—was not only amusing to Grandma Liu, but also had the Xinghua villagers laughing out loud.

  “Madam, be careful. Try to step over any puddles, or you’ll slip for sure.”

  “Madam, lift the front of your skirt a bit, watch your step, or you’ll fall.”

  “Whoa! Watching Madam walk like this makes my heart skip a beat. I’m so afraid she’ll tumble.”

  She was stretching her arms slightly, trying her best to maintain balance. She was already struggling to walk, and hearing people warn about slipping and falling only made her angrier. “I am not a three-year-old child! Can’t I walk on my own? I hear you all always talking about slipping and falling, are you trying to curse me?”

  “Exactly! What kind of propriety is this!” Grandma Liu chimed in casually.

  A brief silence fell around them, then the laughter erupted like thunder.

  Though the villagers were laughing at her, the Empress Dowager did not get angry. She lifted her chin slightly and snorted, “You rabble.”

  “Pwahahaha!”

  In the fields, everyone laughed so hard they nearly fell over.

  After arriving at Xinghua Village, the Empress Dowager mostly stayed within the Liu courtyard and rarely went out. Even when Grandma Liu dragged her to chat under the big pagoda tree, she seldom spoke.

  She maintained the dignity and composure befitting an Empress Dowager.

  As a result, the villagers treated her with reverence and did not dare to be overly casual around her.

  But today’s scene completely overturned their perception of the Empress Dowager, giving them a sudden realization: So this is what she’s really like.

  As their awe gradually faded, their gazes toward her naturally grew warmer.

  In the fields, Qin Xiao walked alongside Grandpa Liu, holding a handful of rice seedlings. From time to time, he glanced at the Empress Dowager still struggling along the narrow ridges, his eyes filled with hidden amusement.

  He did not go to assist her, because she was clearly enjoying herself.

  Even if she slipped and fell, she would still be happy.

  This was not the palace, where every step required strict adherence to protocol; she didn’t need to be so proper here, nor constantly concerned about maintaining appearances.

  Grandma Liu, Chen Xiulan, and Du Juan also stayed back, but all kept a careful watch. If she really fell, they could immediately rush to support her.

  “Mom, is there really no need to go over there?” Chen Xiulan, gentle by nature, worried a lot.

  Grandma Liu waved her hand. “No need. If you go, the Empress Dowager will be displeased. She hates being underestimated the most.”

  Her voice carried clearly, reaching the Empress Dowager’s ears.

  The Empress Dowager snorted. This bold woman finally showed some sense.

  It was still early, and before they finished for the day and went back to eat, she would surely walk over to them anyway.

  Meanwhile, Liu Zhixia, Liu Zhiqiu, and Wei Lan were carrying the second batch of seedlings over.

  Wei Lan led the way, moving swiftly and effortlessly. Liu Zhiqiu, carrying his load, didn’t seem to struggle either, strolling leisurely ahead of Liu Zhixia, not rushing at all, occasionally glancing back.

  “Tsk-tsk, they say bookworms are useless. Big brother, look at you, weak as a breeze. Can you even carry that?”

  “Does your shoulder hurt? Haven’t done farm work in years, must be rubbing raw by now, huh?”

  Liu Zhixia looked calmly at the second brother’s gloating expression and stepped closer.

  Thinking that his brother was about to kick him in the rear, a usual move in the Liu family, Liu Zhiqiu twisted his body to avoid it. Unexpectedly, Liu Zhixia instead tossed bundles of seedlings from his load straight into Liu Zhiqiu’s basket.

  Composed and unhurried.

  “I’m getting older and can’t handle heavy work as well. You’re out in the fields every day, toughened up; carry a bit more.”

  Liu Zhiqiu watched helplessly as his older brother casually carried half a basket of seedlings past him and moved ahead, while he himself struggled under a load that bent his shoulders into a deep arc, his face twitching.

  Why did he have to be so sharp-tongued?

  Knowing full well that big brother had a dark heart and never went the ordinary route, why provoke him?

  “Brother, wait! Take some of the seedlings back. You’ve piled them all here! The ones at the bottom are going to be crushed!”

  “Don’t walk off! My carrying pole is about to break! I’m sorry, okay? We have to take care of our tools!”

  Up ahead, his brother ignored him completely, only tossing over two slow words: “Idiot.”

  “You’re supposed to be a scholar! Haven’t you learned the story of Kong Rong giving up pears? Don’t you know how to respect your juniors?”

*Kong Rong gave up pears is an idiom teaching courtesy, modesty and respecting others

  “Kong Rong gave up pears is about the weak yielding to the strong. Misinterpreted values, didn’t you notice? Did all those years of studying go straight into the dog’s belly?”

  “…“ Liu Zhiqiu wiped his face; he had to admit defeat.

  By the time they reached the edge of the field, the Empress Dowager was still gingerly stepping along the narrow ridge, each step cautious as if walking on thin ice.

  Liu Zhiqiu smirked, detouring along another ridge with his load. “Your Majesty, you’re walking like a toddler learning to walk. How long are you going to take to get there? Maybe you’d better just stay by the ridge.”

  No sooner had he spoken than a seedling came flying straight at him, and despite his skill, he couldn’t dodge it.

  Splash.

  He and the carrying frame toppled into the paddy, and when he stood up, he looked like a mud statue.

  The little children darting through the fields saw him, clapped their hands, and shouted with laughter, “Uncle Zhiqiu’s turned into a mud man! Uncle Zhiqiu’s turned into a mud man!”

  Roars of laughter erupted across the field again.

  The Empress Dowager, standing gracefully on the ridge, watched Liu Zhiqiu’s miserable state with immense amusement.

  Liu Zhiqiu dazedly wiped his face, cleaning the mud from his eyes, and pointed at the gleeful children. “You’re taking advantage of the weak!”

  “Bleh-bleh-bleh-bleh—” the children stuck out their tongues and made faces, completely fearless.

  Liu Zhiqiu couldn’t help but laugh angrily.

  These little rascals—there’s hope for them yet.

  After being dealt with one after another, Liu Zhiqiu finally understood the truth: the one who provokes first ends up humiliated.

  He threw the seedlings into the field and carried his pole and baskets to the nearby river to wash both them and himself clean.

  Lesson learned: from now on, if he wanted to be cheeky, he’d have to choose the right moment.

  Meanwhile, the children in the field, having mocked Liu Zhiqiu enough, noticed the Empress Dowager still slowly shuffling along the ridge. They glanced at each other and, in unison, ran over.

  Some stepped along the ridges of the fields, others directly into the flooded paddies. When they reached the Empress Dowager, they stretched out their little hands and looked up at her. “Grandmar Empress Dowager, we’ll help you!”

  Though small in age, they were sensible enough to know that the elderly lady living in the Liu family’s courtyard, who looked so wealthy, was the Empress Dowager.

  So calling her Grandma Empress Dowager was perfectly appropriate. In the village, all old ladies of that age were called grandma.

  The surrounding villagers, seeing this scene, felt their hearts skip a beat.

  Although their sense of awe toward the Empress Dowager had lessened, it could not erase her noble status. Seeing the little hands reaching out, some still smeared with mud, they worried—was this embarrassing for the Empress Dowager?

  They were torn between concern that she might be angered and worry that the children might feel hurt if scolded. Their hearts were a mix of tension and unease.

  The Empress Dowager lowered her gaze, looking at the children around her. The oldest were perhaps seven or eight, the youngest four or five. At that age, their eyes were full of innocence, untainted by the world.

  Their hearts were pure and clear, like transparent glass, unstained by impurity.

The Empress Dowager reached out her hand.