Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family-Chapter 1009 - Three Visits to the Thatched
Chapter 1009: Chapter 1009: Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage
Chapter 1009 -1009: Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage
The next day, early in the morning, Liu Sisi made another visit to Elder Mr. Xu.
This time, the attitude of Elder Mr. Xu was obviously much friendlier.
On seeing the arrival of Liu Sisi, he was slightly taken aback, then hastily straightened his attire, and bowed deeply: “Old me pays his respects to Princess Ruyu, may you live thousands upon thousands of years.”
Clearly, he had already inquired about the background of the party of Liu Sisi.
Liu Sisi helped him up with a light smile, her voice especially clear and melodious.
“Elder Mr. Xu, Sisi has come to call on you once more today, hoping Elder Xu will not disdain our little academy. As long as you are willing to go there, be it to teach or just to hold a title, you can set all the terms yourself, and we will certainly meet your demands, what do you say?”
Liu Sisi was determined to persuade him to come back with her.
The corners of Elder Mr. Xu’s mouth twitched slightly, his face betraying interest. This time, his speech was not nearly as resolute as before.
“Princess, it’s not that old me is unwilling to go to the academy and educate the nation’s talents, but… but really, I am already old and truly powerless. I hope the Princess won’t compel what’s difficult for others.”
“…”
Visit fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm for the best novel reading experi𝒆nce.
Where was she compelling what was difficult for him?
Moreover, someone who could still walk steadily carrying a large bucket of water couldn’t be considered old and frail, could he?
Liu Sisi did not persist in persuading him further: “Please take your time to think about it, Elder Mr. Xu. Once you have carefully considered all the underlying reasons and consequences, it’s not too late to make a decision. By the way, are you planning to go into the fields to pick vegetables?”
The reason Liu Sisi asked was that she saw Elder Mr. Xu holding a vegetable basket in his hand.
Elder Mr. Xu felt rather helpless; after all, she was a princess. One must respect the title she bore! Remembering the kindness His Majesty had shown him back in the day, Elder Mr. Xu softened his heart.
“Yes, I am going to pick vegetables in the field. Does Princess Ruyu wish to come along?”
Liu Sisi’s eyes sparkled!
“Really going to the field to pick vegetables? I want to go! I’ve always wanted to inspect the fields in person. Elder Mr. Xu wouldn’t mind if I invite myself, would he?”
Back in her hometown, initially her family had no land to cultivate; later, when they had land, it was tenanted out, and they still had none to farm; upon arriving in the capital city, she only managed to grow a tiny plot of vegetables in the garden; and when she finally got a vegetable greenhouse, she had everything done for her without lifting a finger, never even setting foot on the earth.
Today, hearing that she could really go down to the field to play, her heart became instantly lively.
“As long as the Princess doesn’t look down on it, old me would be honored.”
Elder Mr. Xu was also very pleased and hurriedly took the lead to show the way. He never imagined that he would have the fortune to meet this legendary princess.
This princess’s past was like a legend; initially lost in the civilian world, she finally grew up and returned to her Father Emperor’s side… Remembering these things, Elder Mr. Xu’s smile became even gentler.
Liu Sisi found everything fresh and was extremely curious about the crops in the fields. She picked a large basket full of vegetables. It was only when the large basket could hold no more that she reluctantly stopped.
“It’s rare to see Elder Mr. Xu so diligent, personally working the land to grow vegetables, and being strict with oneself, refusing to lower to the level of those who lack insight. It’s truly commendable.”
Liu Sisi attempted to mimic the tone of a learned and elderly scholar as she thoroughly lavished praise on Elder Mr. Xu.
As the saying goes, “A splendid sedan chair carries people of merit.” She used all the nice words she could think of. Never before had she been so eloquent, she praised Elder Mr. Xu to the skies as if he was unmatched in the heaven and unparalleled on earth, nearly lifting him to the heavens themselves.
Elder Mr. Xu was so amused he couldn’t stop smiling: “I never thought that Princess Ruyu, despite being of royal status, would also learn to flatter, playing along with old me. However, I must admit, old me feels completely buttered up by the Princess’s flattering words. Hahaha…”
He burst into a hearty laugh but did not mention going to the academy at all.
Liu Sisi pretended not to understand and forcefully stuffed a few heads of cauliflower into the vegetable basket, yet her face remained quite serious.
“Elder Xu, you’re worrying too much. Sisi is speaking the truth, nothing but the truth. When have I ever spoken falsely?”
As she spoke, she bent down to pick more vegetables beside her.
“Stop picking, stop it, quickly put down your hand! Oh dear, if you keep picking, all the vegetables in my garden will be gone.”
Elder Xu hurriedly stopped her, then carried the full basket of vegetables up the earth ridge.
The attendants who had been waiting on the roadside quickly stepped forward to take the vegetable basket.
“Look at this, so many vegetables, how can an old widower like me finish them all? If the Princess doesn’t mind, why not take some back and see how they taste?”
Liu Sisi naturally would not refuse: “Given Elder Xu’s generosity, Sisi certainly won’t decline. I’ll take a portion of each vegetable.”
She was very confident in her cooking skills, and her eyes sparkled at the sight of the basket full of vegetables.
That night, the table was filled with various vegetarian dishes.
The next day, Liu Sisi visited Elder Xu just like before.
Elder Mr. Xu was dressed in new clothes today, sitting in a chair at the door. As he saw Liu Sisi, escorted by several attendants, climbing up the winding mountain path, a shade of melancholy sadness flashed in his eyes.
Liu Sisi finally approached, gasping for breath, smiling at Elder Xu, and greeted him.
“Elder Xu, Sisi is here to bother you again today.”
Elder Xu stared at her face for a long time before he finally sighed, stood up from his chair, and bowed to Liu Sisi.
“Princess, these past two days you have taken the trouble to run back and forth for my sake, humbling yourself by coming to the fields. If I fail to appreciate this, even the heavens won’t stand for it. However, I have two conditions for going to the academy, and I hope the Princess can fulfill them.”
Liu Sisi secretly heaved a sigh of relief!
Thank goodness he had finally agreed. If he had not, she might not have been able to persist any longer.
This mountain path was truly not easy to navigate.
“Whatever your conditions are, Elder Xu, just speak them! I, the Empress, will agree to all.”
On the way home, Ms. Gao, walking beside Liu Sisi, also breathed a sigh of relief: “Thank goodness Elder Xu has agreed with you, Princess. Otherwise, when Prince Luo arrives in Macheng County tomorrow, you would not be able to come here.”
Two days ago, Liu Sisi had sent a letter to Prince Luo, subtly mentioning the marriage between Di Xuan and Thirteenth Luo.
Unexpectedly, Prince Luo was so responsive that the servant returned with a reply from Prince Luo himself, mentioning his visit to Macheng County the next day to discuss the lifelong matters of the two children. Liu Sisi, of course, agreed wholeheartedly.
“Exactly! We have nothing to offer guests at home. Upon our return, I’ll order people to go to the county to buy some things, lest we have nothing when the time comes and end up looking foolish.”
Liu Sisi spoke while her mind was occupied with other considerations.
If the marriage is agreed upon tomorrow, we will have to exchange tokens of engagement, but what exactly should be exchanged at present, I wonder?
It’s truly a puzzle that could turn one’s hair white.
