Chapter 176: Celebratory Banquet

Disclaimer: 

1. This is an unofficial translation and no permission has been obtained from the author/ official publisher. It may be taken down if the author/official publisher requests. 

2. This is a fan work and the interpretation represents only the translator’s personal views without any input from the author. 

3. No permission has been granted to use, publish, upload and/or copy this translation to any other site except for Second Life Translations.

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Currently, it was already the fifth month, and the days were gradually getting warmer. Shi Cheng was at Liu Xu’er’s home – the two of them were seated under the grape vines, chatting. The family’s lotus pond wasn’t too far from them – by now, some of the water lilies had started to bloom. There were just tiny, tiny buds, but they were still extremely beautiful. 

In the morning, Liu Shu and Liu Lin had both rushed off to their work. When Shi Cheng had returned from Hanzhong city, he hadn’t managed to meet up with either of them. 

They didn’t need to discuss the earlier topic any longer – the two of their hearts and minds had long ago been interconnected. They no longer needed to be so explicitly clear with each other – they understood what each other wanted to express. So Shi Cheng no longer kept on the earlier topic, instead asking, “Is Liu Lin busy with his textile store? When is he planning to go to Songjiang prefecture?”

Liu Xu’er said, “It will be within the next few days. Erge is quite impatient about this. What do you think – would he be able to cope on this journey by himself? My dage wanted to accompany him, but his wedding is in the sixth month, and there are a lot of things to prepare. He worried that he wouldn’t be back in time. It would be bad if the trip affects his wedding plans. But I can’t help worrying about erge going by himself.”

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Liu Sen walked in after them, shoulders drooping and head hanging low. “But… I really didn’t want to stay there. I’m still so little…. Would you be at ease if I were to stay so far from you?”

Everyone shook their heads. 

Liu Shu and Liu Lin however, actually agreed more with Liu Xu’er’s thinking. They didn’t see the need to push Senzi. After all, did anyone force him to study before? Didn’t he still manage to become a xiucai at his tender age? His results were even the best out of all of theirs!

Liu Lin smiled and said, “Dad, mum, there’s really no need to worry. Senzi is still so young. It’s not necessarily a good thing to have that many accomplishments young. Actually, I agree with his decision. Senzi doesn’t need to go through the next set of examinations so soon. It’s alright even if he waits out a round or two.”

Liu Shu stretched his hand out to tousle Senzi’s hair. He smiled and said, “You really are capable!  I heard that that professor has some students who have become major officials in the imperial court! You actually were scouted by him, but refused! You’ve got guts!”

Liu Sen’s face didn’t have even the slightest hint of joy. Probably because he had endured two days of lectures from his parents and the professor, his head remained low. “The professor said I had no ambition… What about it? I just thought that I could still continue to study at home. It’s fine to continue with our current teacher. Why should I stay there to study? I don’t know anyone, and no one would play with me. Do you know how difficult it would be for me?”

Liu Xu’er was the most open minded of them all. Furthermore, she doted on Liu Sen the most. The instant she saw how pressured little Senzi was, she immediately pulled him over and said, “It’s fine! Just continue to stay at home. It’s fine to continue to study with your current teacher!”

Then she turned and started to reason with her parents, “Dad, mum – Senzi really is very young. Erge is right – it’s not necessarily a good thing to have too many accomplishments when young! While he’s so young, it’s really bad for him to be under too much pressure…. For example, because we didn’t really care too much about the exams before, gege and Senzi didn’t feel too much pressure, and so they all managed to pass! But if we insist and push Senzi to study and go for the exams, how could he bear it? They even wanted him to stay in Hanzhong city – that’s so far away from home!”

He shi replied, “Isn’t he back already? He refused the professor! Made him so angry… Oh, I won’t say it anymore. Whenever I think about how that old man accused us of having no vision and holding back our child, I get angry!”

Liu Changgeng, on the other hand, started to laugh. He said to Liu Xu’er, “He’s already back anyway. It really isn’t anything much. Your mother and I never planned to insist on pushing Senzi into it anyway. It was just that that old teacher said a great deal, and really really wanted Senzi to become his student, so we had no choice. But since Senzi himself didn’t want it, it’s fine too.”

When she heard what was said, Liu Xu’er roughly understood what was happening. That old professor had likely seen that Senzi was a prodigy and really wanted him as one of his students. That way, when he went into court, Senzi could help support him, and also, bring glory to him. 

Liu Xu’er shook her head. After this round of comforting, Liu Sen finally regained some of his usual spirit. Seeing that his parents didn’t have any intention to continue to lecture him, he finally perked up. 

Liu Lin then quickly explained his plan to head to Songjiang prefecture to prepare stock. When Liu Changgeng and He shi heard that Shi Cheng and his manager would be accompanying, they both agreed to the plan. 

While everyone was inside talking, the doorkeeper, Uncle Tian, rushed in to announce some guests, “Fourth Master and Fourth Madam have arrived!”

He shi hurried out to greet them. Liu Shu and everyone else too went out after her. Liu Changshi was carrying Liu Pu in one hand, while supporting his extremely pregnant wife with the other. Smiling, they both came in and said, “Congratulations! A family of four talents!”

H shi laughed. Liu Shu and everyone behind her also started to smile. Liu Lin quickly went to carry Liu Pu into the house. 

Taking advantage of this little gap, Liu Tao quickly went to congratulate Liu Sen. Liu Sen scratched his head, “Sange, let’s go out to play!”

When Liu Shu, Liu Lin and Shi Cheng had arrived, Liu Tao had already congratulated him. Everyone was the same – they worried if Liu Tao was feeling somewhat upset? He didn’t go to school to study. If he had, maybe….

Liu Tao smiled and rubbed Liu Sen’s head, “Why are you also like this? I’ve already said it. It’s enough for me to recognise some words. I don’t envy you, but I am indeed very happy for you all… Especially you Senzi! You should continue to study and go higher!”

Liu Sen giggled. 

Wang shi hurriedly went to serve them some tea and snacks. Liu Changshi saw that the entire family was home, so smiled and said, “What? Just returned home? Then I really came at the right time! Erge, ersao, your family of young ones are all famous in Feng County!” 

Liu Changgeng and He shi had only had a few days of euphoria, immediately after the results release. Their joy had been completely destroyed subsequently by that professor’s remarks, just like Liu Sen. Now seeing Liu Changshi’s delighted expression, the two of them started to feel excited again, as if just realising that their family of three sons and a son-in-law had all successfully become xiucai!

He Ruyu was very observant, and she saw that her sister and brother-in-law didn’t seem to be in such good spirits. She quickly asked about the matter, and He shi sighed and said, “Let’s not talk about it!” Then she explained about the professor in Hanzhong city wanting Liu Sen as a student. But Liu Sen didn’t live up to his expectations and insisted on coming home with them, angering the professor. 

Liu Changshi had a good laugh when he heard, “Such a thing happened? We cannot refuse to study with him?”

Liu Changgeng shook his head, “In any case, that old teacher looked to be rather rigid and aloof. Since he’s been rejected, then let’s not talk about this matter anymore. Senzi can just continue to study at home – it’s fine even if he doesn’t continue to take the examinations. He’s only 10 after all? If he were to become a juren at his age, wouldn’t that be so strange?” He too had heard what Liu Lin said, that it wasn’t necessarily a good thing to have that many accomplishments young. He suddenly felt that the sentence made a lot of sense and shared it with the family. 

Everyone in the family had a good laugh. Liu Sen, on thinking about becoming a juren at his age, also found it hilarious and joined in the laughter. He was finally able to put his worries to the side. 

Liu Changshi smiled and said, “All of you sure are calm! Everyone in the village is buzzing about the news. The Village Head has gone to dad and mum many times, saying that no matter what, the celebratory banquet should be held in the village! After all, Liu Shu and the rest are still Taohua villagers! It wouldn’t be fair to celebrate such a thing in town, and not in the village. He kept stressing this.”

Liu Changgeng gave a bitter smile when he heard, “Why is he saying this? We’ve only just arrived home! Who would suggest such a thing?”

Liu Changshi nodded his head, “It was only when I entered that I heard Uncle Tian mention your recent return… So what about it? Erge, what are you thinking? Where do you want to hold the celebratory banquet?”

He shi said, awkwardly, “We didn’t even think about planning one…. Is there such a rule?”

“The villagers say that there’s such a custom. The Village Head has been relentlessly looking for our parents, because he’s worried you won’t be back.” Liu Changshi smiled and said, “ As for Shi Cheng, they couldn’t look for his parents – after all, their family moved out long ago, and it’s clear that their situation… The Village Head didn’t quite dare to look for them. But thankfully, Shi Cheng is our family’s future in-law, so they came to us to ask.”

Liu Changgeng and He shi glanced at each other. They had just nodded in agreement, “Since that is the rule, then let’s arrange one…”

Liu Lin however, quickly interrupted, “Dad, mum! I’m leaving tomorrow! Shi Cheng will be heading out with me as well…. Dage has to prepare for a wedding – in another few days, the Shao family’s second daughter willl be getting married and dage would need to head out to help. Is there time?”

Liu Changgeng and He shi then looked back to Liu Changshi. Liu Changshi scratched his head, “The problem is that the banquet must happen… Lin, where are you going?”

“Songjiang prefecture.” Liu Lin explained his plans to open a new textile store. By now, the store had been renovated fully, and the counters had all been prepared. All they needed was stock from Songjiang to arrive before they could open their doors.

Liu Changshi understood. He said, “But you definitely need to plan a banquet. Why don’t you wait – I will head back and discuss it with our parents. They’ve been anxiously waiting for you guys these past few days. They weren’t sure if you’d returned or not. They’re waiting to see these few kids!”

When Liu Shu and company heard, they were stunned. Every one of them was sheepish. That’s right! They were so busy they had forgotten that they should have gone to see their grandparents and updated them.

Liu Lin scratched his head. Liu Shu smiled and said, “Tomorrow, Senzi and I will head back! And explain the situation to them. Then we will discuss the banquet issue….” He too was embarrassed. Did they really have to have this celebratory banquet?

Liu Chengshi was pleased when he heard, “Alright! Then I will head back with you tomorrow!” 

After they had wrapped up all the loose ends, Liu Changshi and his wife stayed to speak some more with Liu Changgeng and He shi. Liu Xu’er and Liu Sen brought Liu Pu out to play. Liu Shu and Liu Lin returned to their own courtyard and discussed the matter of Liu Lin’s journey the next day. He would need sufficient silver and several other items. They carefully made all the necessary arrangements.