Chapter 160 - 157: Zhou Lian’s Intelligence
For the next few days, Li Xiu was relentlessly carted around to meet several of his master’s old friends. All of them were men of high status and great power. Perhaps others would have been thrilled, but Li Xiu only felt exhausted. Those old men were all sly old foxes on the same level as his master. If he hadn’t lived for several extra decades, he really wouldn’t have been able to handle them. It wasn’t that they had a problem with him; it was that every single one of them wanted him to join the government. They didn’t even think about it. He had studied under his master for ten years, learning everything he should and shouldn’t have. But the crucial point was that he’d never attended a single day of school. His household registration said he had an elementary school education, but that was just for show. They couldn’t just write "illiterate," could they? With a background like that, what kind of government job could he possibly get?
Besides, his ambitions didn’t lie there. The system wasn’t some easy place to coast by in. He had no desire to box himself into it. He still had his beautiful wife to take care of. If he joined the government, what time would he have for being lovey-dovey with her? He’d have to be an idiot to take on such a thankless job. Moreover, it wasn’t a lie when he said he admired the spirit of the Wei Jin period. He truly did revere that romantic, unconventional era. A life of unrestrained freedom, following only his own heart and mind—that was the life he truly wanted.
After getting his wife and daughter settled, Li Xiu took Wang Dongfang and the others and quickly headed south. He had paid his respects to everyone he needed to. He still had a family to support. Leaving at this point wouldn’t be considered rude.
Li Xiu had run off, but his wife, Zhou Lian, was still there. Several of these old men were already retired and usually had nothing better to do. Now that they had finally met the descendant of an old friend—and the prized student of that old fox, no less—most of them were eager to nurture his talent, while a few others simply liked Li Xiu’s personality. With time on their hands, they came to Li Xiu’s small courtyard looking for him. When they heard he had taken his men and fled, the old men were left fuming.
"Jin Chen’s wife, you have to talk some sense into that boy. How can you let him keep running all over the country like this? Wouldn’t a stable job be so much better? Look at you now, leaving you and your daughter all alone. What a hardship that must be!"
Smiling, Zhou Lian refilled the teacups for the idle old men. She set down the teapot and said softly, "Jin Chen and I both understand the kind intentions of you esteemed elders. If Master knew of this in the afterlife, he would surely be gratified to know that we are benefiting from his legacy. To be frank with you all, Jin Chen is by nature free-spirited and unconventional. He can’t stand being restrained. What’s more, he was raised by Master for ten years, and Master doted on him endlessly, spoiling him rotten. It indulged his nature until he became utterly unruly."
Seeing the thoughtful expressions on the old men’s faces, Zhou Lian continued with a smile, "His personality isn’t suited for the system, as you sirs are well aware. The ancients had a saying: Cultivate the self, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world. Right now, all Jin Chen can manage is to cultivate himself and regulate his family. Master once taught him that a person must see reality clearly and understand the path beneath their own feet. To put it bluntly, you should only wear a hat that fits your head. If the hat is too big and too heavy, it won’t just crush the individual, but perhaps the common people as well."
"How could the prized student taught by that old fox Yun Qi be like that? Jin Chen’s wife, aren’t you exaggerating things a bit?"
"Sirs, you are all great leaders, capable of fighting wars on horseback and governing the country off it. Master worked alongside you. Do you think Master himself could have tolerated constraints without making a mistake?" Zhou Lian asked with a pleasant smile.
The old men exchanged glances. Well... back in the day, wasn’t it precisely because Yun Qi couldn’t stand the constraints that he went into seclusion?
"Jin Chen’s nature is even more extreme than Master’s. This junior sees you sirs as my own family elders, so I’ll speak from the heart. Jin Chen and I both understand and are grateful for your care and protection. It’s just that Jin Chen’s personality truly isn’t suitable. He’s used to being free and unrestrained. Besides, one doesn’t have to join the government to be patriotic. As long as the heart is in the right place, one can serve the country and its people in any capacity. I believe that is what Master would have most wanted to see," Zhou Lian said, looking at the old men with great solemnity.
These old men were all decorated heroes who had rendered meritorious service to the country and its people. Zhou Lian had always respected them deeply. Their intentions were good—to look after and promote the descendant of an old friend—and she was truly grateful for their kindness. ’I’ve lived for decades longer than this body’s age; I’ve seen through the ways of the world. The path of an official is not one an ordinary person can navigate. It’s not that Li Xiu isn’t capable, but that his ambitions don’t lie there, and I have no intention of forcing him. Life is but a few short decades, so why make things difficult for oneself? It’s enough to live as one pleases. Who knows what the future holds? Besides, Li Xiu’s personality is just as it’s written in the books: Why worry about what happens after death? Live freely for as many days as you have!’
"Fine, fine. Yun Qi always was a bit wild and unrestrained. I suppose Jin Chen is the same. Let them be. We old coots are still around, not to mention the Chief. Surely, with all of us here, we can protect one Li Jincheng!"
"Exactly! We’ll keep an eye on him. Just let him do his thing!"
...
"On behalf of Jin Chen, I, Zhou Lian, thank you, sirs!" Zhou Lian stood and gave the old men a deep bow. When she straightened up, her eyes were rimmed with red as she said, "Jin Chen had a distant relationship with his parents from a young age. Master treated him like his own son. After Master passed away, he would often wake from dreams in the middle of the night, thinking of him. Unfortunately, Master rarely spoke of his past. Now that we’ve had the good fortune to meet you all, his closest friends, if it’s not too much to ask... when Jin Chen returns, please tell him more stories about Master’s earlier days. It would be a dream come true for him."
The old men were men of deep feeling themselves. Hearing Zhou Lian’s words and seeing her actions, they all praised her silently in their hearts. ’She’s understanding, reasonable, and magnanimous. That old fox’s little fox cub certainly has a sharp eye. To find a wife like this in a rural village... this Li Jincheng is quite something. He truly hasn’t shamed the old fox’s teachings!’
"Tell us, what’s this about Jin Chen having a distant relationship with his parents?"
Without any personal bias, Zhou Lian recounted everything she knew, speaking softly of every detail from Li Xiu’s childhood until their arrival in the Capital City. She wasn’t playing the victim; she was simply stating the facts so they would understand what kind of person Li Xiu was. After all, secrets have a way of getting out. It was only a matter of time before they heard. A story told by others might not be as impartial as hers.
"Just because of those ridiculous reasons, your mother-in-law mistreats Jin Chen? What is wrong with her?"
"They say the younger generation can’t hold grievances against their elders. My father-in-law and mother-in-law did give life to Jin Chen, after all. We keep our distance, but we show filial piety where it is due. The bonds of blood are for this life only. It’s best to let it be and for everyone to live their own lives in peace. Jin Chen no longer begs for that so-called familial affection. Master was like a teacher and a father to him; he does not lack for a father’s love," Zhou Lian said gently.
"Sigh... it takes all sorts to make a world. You can’t choose your parents. It must have been hard on Jin Chen."
"It wasn’t hard or not hard. The world is full of hardships; that’s just what it means to be alive. Why else would they say we are born to suffer? Otherwise, why would we arrive in this world crying?" Zhou Lian said with a small smile. ’Hard? Was it as hard as my last life? My last life, and Li Xiu’s last life... it was more than just a simple feeling of regret.’