This time, not only were Father and Master Tong flustered, but even I was in a panic.
What kind of child goes to the mountains to train and brings along their mother?
Besides, Master Tong said it wouldn’t be too strenuous, but who would believe that?
Did I watch all those TV dramas in my past life for nothing?
Which martial artist in those shows wasn’t exhausted to the point of collapse every day?
How could I let Mother suffer like that?
“Madam, this… this is too absurd. It would put Master Tong in a difficult position,” Father said.
“Yes, Mother, even if you don’t care about what others think, the journey will be arduous…” I added.
Hearing us say this, Mother’s expression instantly fell. Reluctantly, she murmured, “Is it really not possible…?” The disappointment on her face was unmistakable.
What on earth made you think this was even remotely possible?
Then, as if something occurred to her, her gloom vanished, and she looked at me excitedly.
“Qingqing, are you worried about Mother’s health and don’t want me to suffer?”
I froze for a moment, stammering as I averted my gaze.
“I-I didn’t say that…”
“Aha!” Mother let out a delighted cry, crouching down and throwing her arms around me.
“Qingqing cares about her mother!”
“Why are you so happy about something so obvious…?” I mumbled.
Though I said that, being embraced by my mother—who was like a child in both appearance and heart—I couldn’t help but let a warm smile creep onto my face.
Ah… how many years had it been since I last felt this kind of warmth?
With that thought, I unconsciously tightened my grip on Mother’s hand.
This time, I would cherish it properly.
“Alright! It’s decided!” Mother suddenly stood up, clenching her fist with a smug expression as if she’d come up with a brilliant idea.
She turned to Bingqiao and Lengyu and said, “Since I can’t go, can you two go in my place?”
“Huh?” Bingqiao and Lengyu were both stunned.
“What!?” Father exclaimed, while Master Tong helplessly pressed a hand to his forehead, at a loss for words.
Seeing their reactions, Mother’s lips pursed, and her eyes immediately welled up with tears.
“Even this small thing… Husband, you won’t allow it?”
“Of course, of course, it’s fine!” Father hurriedly nodded, shooting a glance at Master Tong.
“Right, Master Tong? Just two maids, that’s acceptable, isn’t it?”
Even someone as rigid as Master Tong, though he thought having maids along was too ostentatious and not conducive to training, couldn’t withstand Mother’s tearful offensive.
He nodded and said, “Very well, very well. My wife loves children, so I’m sure she’ll be delighted.”
Just then, Lengyu handed Mother a handkerchief.
As Mother wiped her tears, she said, “Yuer, Qiaoer, if you’re willing, would you go with Qingqing?”
Bingqiao nodded without hesitation.
“If the young master is going to the mountains to train, and if I can be of use, I will follow him to the ends of the earth. Even if Madam hadn’t suggested it, I was planning to ask to stay by the young master’s side.”
Lengyu nodded silently, expressing her agreement.
Mother affectionately pulled the two young girls into her arms, gently stroking their soft, silvery hair.
Ever since she took them in, she had doted on them, treating them like her own daughters.
“It’ll be hard on you both, especially Bingqiao, with your frail health…”
Seeing Mother on the verge of tears again, Bingqiao quickly spoke to comfort her.
“Madam, if it weren’t for you and the young master, my sister and I would have starved on the streets long ago. Now that the young master is going out to train, how could I, as his personal maid, abandon him over a minor ailment? As long as I can contribute even a little to the young master, I’m willing to endure any hardship.”
Willing to endure any hardship…?
This girl really said something incredible.
Normally, who would say such things so easily, even to their savior?
I knew Bingqiao wasn’t lying.
But I also understood that her actions weren’t because of my charm, but rather her own principles.
Though that wasn’t what we hoped for.
Really, where did she learn such embarrassing lines?
…From Korean dramas?
No way, this is still the Later Han period.
The land of Korea is probably just a bunch of barbarians right now…
Despite Bingqiao’s efforts, she couldn’t stop Mother’s tears, as Mother was moved to tears by her words.
“The day we took you in was my blessing, and even more so Qingqing’s,” Mother said.
“No, Madam, it’s our blessing,” Bingqiao replied, her blue eyes shimmering with tears.
Seeing everything settled, Father turned to me and called, “Qinger.”
“Your child is here.”
“From today onward, Master Tong is your teacher. Treat him as you would your own father, obey him in all things, and diligently train under him without slacking. Understood?”
Though I wasn’t particularly enthusiastic, under Father’s stern gaze, I straightened up and bowed my head.
“Yes, your child understands.”
“My son is entrusted to you, Master Tong,” Father said, bowing to Master Tong, who quickly helped him up and smiled.
“Master Tong, please stay at our home tonight. Let me host a banquet to thank you properly. We can set out tomorrow. How does that sound?”
“I won’t refuse such kindness,” Master Tong nodded.
“Hahaha, no need to be polite. Come, Master Tong, please.”
“Please.”
Father warmly led Master Tong into the hall, the servants dispersed, and Mother called the twin maids to pack.
On the scene, only I and Liu Lingshan, who had been silent the whole time, remained.
“…”
“…”
For some reason, the usually lively and noisy girl hadn’t said a word.
Even now, with just the two of us, she kept her head down, her expression hidden behind her bangs, silent.
I didn’t understand why she was acting this way, but I vaguely sensed the strange atmosphere and didn’t know what to say.
“Are you… leaving?” she finally asked in a barely audible voice after a long silence.
I couldn’t quite read her mood, so I glanced at her expression while answering, “Yeah, you saw everything just now, didn’t you?”
“…”
“…”
Unexpectedly, another silence followed.
“Liar…”
“Huh?”
“Liar!!”
Before I could process why Lingshan said that, I felt a sharp pain in my shin.
“Ow!”
The girl had kicked me hard when I wasn’t paying attention.
I grabbed my leg, yelping in pain, and was about to scold the crazy girl when I saw her desperately holding back tears, her eyes brimming.
I was instantly at a loss for words.
“You big liar!!! Big liar!!”
Lingshan kept repeating those words.
Unable to hold back her tears but unwilling to let me see, she wiped her eyes and ran out of the house.
Me… a liar?
Still reeling from the situation, I could only stare blankly in the direction where Liu Lingshan disappeared, speechless.