As long as he remained in the capital, with the help of the Ling family's power, his future prospects would be immeasurable. His second branch could finally stop being bullied by the main branch and hold their heads high.
However, Ling Muzhu's next words completely shattered all of Second Master Ling's fantasies.
"Father, I do not wish to remain in the capital. The only reason I participated in the imperial examinations was to gain official status and then be appointed as a local official."
"What did you say!" Second Master Ling was shocked, unable to believe that what Ling Muzhu said was true!
Ling Muzhu took a deep breath and repeated himself, "Father, I will not stay in the capital."
"You... you... you are truly muddled!"
Second Master Ling pointed at Ling Muzhu, furious that he was not making progress, and a surge of anger rose to his temples. He swayed slightly, almost falling to the ground.
"Father!" Ling Muzhu exclaimed, quickly stepping forward to support Second Master Ling and help him sit on a chair.
"Father, please do not get agitated. You must take care of your health."
"If you want me to live a few more years, then you must stay in the capital and not be sent to an 외방 (foreign region)!"
A hint of hesitation crossed Ling Muzhu's eyes. After a pause, he lifted his eyelids, his gaze firm. "Father, my mind is made up. Please do not force your son anymore. Just grant me this wish this time. I truly do not wish to remain in the capital."
"You have just achieved success, and your bright future is just beginning. How can you give up so easily? Muzhu, as long as you stay in the capital, your grandfather will pave the way for your future. It's much better than you struggling alone. Once you are sent to an 외방, it will be difficult to return to the capital. Ten years or eight years to be transferred back is considered short, and some people can never return in their entire lives."
Second Master Ling felt that Ling Muzhu was just experiencing youthful arrogance and was acting impulsively. He was sure that Ling Muzhu would regret it if he waited longer.
At this moment, he had to find a way to persuade him to stay in the capital. Once he was sent to an 외방, it would be difficult to return.
"This matter is a decision I have made after careful consideration, not a moment of impulse. Father, if you truly wish for my well-being, then let me go. Insisting on keeping me in the capital is truly harming me."
"Muzhu, your mother is gone, and your sister is gone. You are the only relative I have left. Don't you care about your father and have to leave me so far away? You are digging at my heart!"
Second Master Ling's tears flowed freely, his face filled with grief as he beat his chest and stomped his feet. However, he also knew how difficult it was to keep Ling Muzhu now.
His nose felt a sting, and his eyes gradually filled with tears. Ling Muzhu stood up and knelt directly before Second Master Ling. "Your son will never forget your kindness in raising me. But now my mind is made up, and I am determined to serve as an official 외방."
As his words fell, Ling Muzhu kowtowed three times heavily, then stood up and left.
As the ancestral hall door closed heavily once more, Second Master Ling collapsed to the ground as if drained of all strength, tears streaming down his face.
Ling Muzhu walked a few steps out, then paused and looked back at the ancestral hall. This time, when he left, he didn't know when he would see his father again.
He hoped his father would truly understand and stop making mistakes, falling into an abyss of no return.
...
"Grandfather, I'm really hungry. Why don't we start eating first?"
She was so hungry her back was touching her stomach. Why hadn't Ling Muzhu returned yet? Feng Jin couldn't sit still any longer. She stood up and looked outside to see if Ling Muzhu had returned.
Did this boy not know that today was a celebration for him? The protagonist hadn't arrived, and they, the supporting characters, were too embarrassed to start eating.
"Eldest sister-in-law, we don't know when Muzhu will return. If you're hungry, you can have some fruit to tide you over."
Ling Wan took out a handkerchief from her sleeve, which held a wrapped object containing several pieces of plum blossom pastries.
"If you're hungry, eat some of the dishes in front of you first. Don't touch anything else," Old Master Ling said magnanimously, somewhat afraid that Feng Jin would really starve. Dealing with that brat Ling Mohan alone was already difficult enough.
Feng Jin glanced at the dishes in front of her. None of them suited her taste, so she might as well not eat. She picked up her chopsticks and put them down again. "Forget it, I won't eat. I'll wait a bit longer for Ling Muzhu."
As soon as she finished speaking, Ling Muzhu walked in with a melancholic expression. Ling Wan was the first to notice Ling Muzhu and hurriedly called out, "Muzhu, you're back! The food has been prepared for a long time, and we've been waiting for you."
He forced a slight smile onto his face, nodded faintly, and sat next to Feng Jin. Ling Muzhu's face was filled with unspeakable melancholy.
"What's wrong? Where did you go just now? Why do you look so upset?" Feng Jin, with her sharp eyes, noticed the wrong expression on Ling Muzhu's face and asked.
Ling Muzhu quickly shook his head and denied it in a tone as calm as possible. "No, I was just sitting in my room for a while. I was just thinking that I will be leaving home soon, and it's inevitable that I'll be reluctant."
Feng Jin nodded, half believing him, and remained suspicious of Ling Muzhu's words. She didn't think things were as simple as he said. There must be some inside information she didn't know.
However, with so many people present, it was inconvenient for her to ask questions. She had to suppress the matter for now and would ask Ling Muzhu about it in detail when they were alone later.
"It's good that you're here. Let's eat first," Old Master Ling said with absolute authority. Everyone agreed and began.
Ling Wan looked around hesitantly before opening her mouth. "Grandfather... Eldest brother hasn't arrived yet. Should... should we wait a little longer?"
"Wan'er..." Aunt Bai called out softly, seemingly reprimanding Ling Wan for asking such a question. Old Master Ling had already spoken, so why question him further?
This girl was getting bolder and bolder. If a girl was so opinionated, she would inevitably suffer after marrying into her husband's family. What would happen then?
"Your eldest brother has official duties to attend to. If we really wait for him, this lunch might turn into dinner. We'll eat our own food first. Eat quickly, don't worry about your eldest brother."
Feng Jin said, urging everyone to eat quickly. If they continued to wait for Ling Mohan, they would truly be waiting until nightfall.
"Let's eat first. Today is a joyous occasion. After we finish eating, everyone will go to the ancestral hall to inform the ancestors!"
From that morning, Old Master Ling's smile had never faded. In his old age, the greatest joy was to see his descendants prosper and excel.