Chapter 229: A Joyful Gathering Before Departure
Wen Xiuyi froze for a moment.
“You’re going back just like that?” To be honest, after spending this period together, he really couldn’t bear to part with this good friend of his. The two of them shared identical views on many matters, which gave him the feeling of having found a soulmate.
No matter what kind of identity Li Fu actually held, in the eyes of Wen Xiuyi, he was simply his friend.
Li Fu smiled and patted his shoulder. “No matter. We will eventually have a day when we meet again after all. Brother Wen, tomorrow I shall set out together with you.”
Since that was the case, Wen Xiuyi no longer pressed him too much, but merely called out toward the kitchen, “Yao’er, make a few more nice dishes tonight. I want to have a proper drink with your Uncle Li.”
After speaking, he looked back at Li Fu. “To see you off.”
“Good, then today we shall not return until we are drunk! Haha!” Li Fu said with a great laugh.
Wen Xiuyi was full of helplessness. “Ha, we absolutely cannot drink too much, otherwise the Magistrate will be annoyed tomorrow.”
“He wouldn’t dare,” Li Fu said softly.
Wen Xiuyi didn’t hear clearly. “What did you say?”
Li Fu smiled. “Nothing. Let’s go, accompany me to wander around a bit more. I’ll tell you, having stayed here for so long, I really am a bit reluctant to leave.”
Wen Xiuyi felt the exact same way. “Right? Right? Let me tell you, don’t look at our Gutong Village as a small place, but it has beautiful scenery and talented people; it’s the most suitable place for retirement and living. If you get old in the future and don’t want to work anymore, just do like Old Qiu—come here to build a house for your retirement. We can even gather together to play chess and Mahjong.”
With a slip of the tongue, Wen Xiuyi accidentally blurted out the words he used to chat about with his old buddies in his previous life.
“I know about playing chess, but what is this Mahjong?” Li Fu had heard it loud and clear.
Wen Xiuyi truly wished he could slap his own mouth, and could only brace himself to reply, “Oh, just a small thing. When I had nothing to do before, I figured it out with the two kids. It’s a pity you’re leaving tomorrow, otherwise I could have taken you to play a bit.”
Li Fu’s interest was piqued. “Isn’t there still one day left?”
“Oh, goodness, that thing has to be crafted; it’s quite a hassle. Next time, next time, okay? Next time I’ll teach you how to play.” Wen Xiuyi laughed it off to shift the topic.
Li Fu had no choice but to drop it. “Alright then. But Brother Wen, you must remember it, don’t forget!”
“Yes, yes, yes, fine, fine, fine, I won’t forget. Let’s go, didn’t you want to wander around? I’ll lead you around.”
Talking as they went, the two of them walked away.
When evening arrived, the large family gathered together in the courtyard, and only then did everyone learn that not only was Wen Xiuyi going to the prefecture seat tomorrow to teach people how to farm, but even Li Fu had to bring his son back home.
With the two of them leaving, Xun Feng naturally couldn’t stay behind either. This instantly caused a stir.
“Master, I can’t bear for you to leave.”
“Master, can you please not go?”
“Master…”
Aside from Wen Jin, who was somewhat more bashful but was also biting his lip with a face full of sadness and reluctance as he looked at Xun Feng, the other children were all hugging Xun Feng at this moment, crying and shouting for him not to leave. Wen Ying, standing to the side, was crying so hard she was constantly hiccuping.
Xun Feng’s eyes also turned red. Having taught these little fellows martial arts during these days, he had long since developed feelings for them. Now, seeing them crying one by one with red eyes and runny noses, Xun Feng felt extremely terrible in his heart.
But there was nothing to be done; he was a guard of the prince’s mansion. His most important mission was to protect the safety of the Prince and the heir apparent. The Prince and the heir apparent treated them, the servants, exceptionally well and never mistreated them; he had to repay this kindness as well.
Sucking in his sour nose, Xun Feng looked at the children with a stern face. “Stop crying, all of you. How did I teach you? A man sheds blood but not tears; no more crying is allowed.” As he spoke, he felt a strong urge to cry himself.
Datou, Xie Anyi, and Jin Xiuyi sniffled and sobbed, but they stopped their crying and shouting. Only Wen Ying was still crying non-stop to the side, choking out, “I—I’m not a man, I can cry, wah…”
Xun Feng: “…”
Xun Feng could only look toward his master for help.
Li Fu and Li Yi looked at this scene, then looked at each other.
“Ahem, since that’s the case, then Xun Feng, you stay behind,” Li Fu said with a cough, covering his mouth.
Xun Feng: ?????
It’s over, Master doesn’t want me anymore.
This time, Xun Feng truly cried.
“Master…” Xun Feng felt wronged; Xun Feng wanted to protect the heir apparent and the Prince.
Li Fu waved his hand. “Letting you stay behind is also out of multiple considerations. Ha, look, you’ve grown accustomed to teaching these children, so if we let another martial arts master come to teach them now, I’m afraid they won’t be easy to teach. Furthermore, with you staying here, it will also be convenient for you to help Brother Wen and the others pass some messages to us.”
Li Fu winked at Xun Feng. The most important thing was that if the Wen girl made any new food items, they had to be sent to the capital at the very first moment.
Xun Feng understood his own master all too well; he understood the moment he saw that look in his eyes.
“Yes, Xun Feng obeys the order.” Xun Feng could only ‘reluctantly’ stay behind.
Hearing that Xun Feng could continue staying behind to teach them, the children were all incredibly happy, running in circles around Xun Feng non-stop. In the end, it took an order from Old Madam Luo to drive all of them to the backyard to practice their skills.
Aside from them, the one who was most reluctant to part with the father and son was Old Man Wen.
“Li Fu, will you still come back after going back this time?” Old Man Wen asked.
Li Fu thought about it. Given the Princess Consort’s temper, he feared that he and Yi’er wouldn’t be able to run away anytime soon after returning this time. He could only reply, “Great-Uncle Wen, I’m afraid we won’t be able to come out before the end of the year.”
Old Man Wen was full of reluctance. “Is that so? Then what about Li Yi? What will he do about going to school after returning?”
Li Yi bowed. “Grandpa Wen, I have an academy in the capital, so there’s no need to worry.”
Old Man Wen nodded. “Ah, that’s good then, that’s good.”
All at once, the atmosphere stagnated, and the air of departure filled this small courtyard that was originally full of laughter and cheerful voices.
Everyone seemed to have lost their previous interest in talking and laughing.
Old Madam Luo stood up slowly, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes. “You two suddenly want to leave without giving a word of notice beforehand. Nanny Shi and I even made new clothes for you father and son, and there’s still a tiny bit left. I’ll go work on it first.”
Li Fu and Li Yi felt an indescribable sensation in their hearts, a bit guilty, and they hurriedly stood up.
“Auntie, it’s already night, so don’t busy yourself with it; it will hurt your eyes,” Li Fu said hurriedly.
Old Madam Luo managed to force a smile. “It’s no matter, there’s just a bit of finishing touches left.” After speaking, she left with Nanny Shi.
Li Fu let out a sigh and sat back down, looking at his son as if he had committed some colossal mistake himself.
When they ate, the several tables were exceptionally quiet—so quiet that Li Fu was somewhat unaccustomed to it.
“Oh my, what is everyone doing? We are just going home for a trip, it’s not like we won’t see each other in the future. Great-Uncle Wen, Great-Auntie Wen, during these days at your home, it was all thanks to your care. When you come to the capital in the future, you must absolutely come find me, and I will take you around to have a good time. Great-Uncle Wen, I toast this cup of wine to you.” Li Fu raised his wine cup, facing Old Man Wen.
