As long as he remained in the capital, with the support of the Ling family's influence, his future would be immeasurable. His second branch could finally stop being bullied by the main branch and hold their heads high for once.
However, Ling Muzhu's next words completely extinguished 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 obtain merit and then be assigned as an official to govern the people."
"What did you say!" Second Master Ling exclaimed, incredulous that Ling Muzhu's words were true!
Ling Muzhu took a deep breath and reiterated, "Father, I will not remain in the capital."
"You... you... are truly foolish!"
Second Master Ling pointed at Ling Muzhu, heartbroken and furious, a surge of anger rising to his temples. He staggered slightly, almost falling to the ground.
"Father!" Ling Muzhu cried out in alarm and quickly stepped forward to support Second Master Ling, helping him to a nearby chair.
"Father, please do not be angry. You must take care of your health."
"If you want me to live longer, then you will stay in the capital and not request an assignment elsewhere!"
A hint of hesitation flickered in Ling Muzhu's eyes. After a pause, he lifted his eyelids, his gaze filled with determination. "Father, my decision is made. I beg you not to force me. Please grant me this wish this time. I truly do not wish to remain in the capital any longer."
"You have just achieved success, and your great future is only beginning. How can you give up so easily? Muzhu, if you stay in the capital, your grandfather will pave the way for your future. It is far better than you struggling alone. Once you are assigned elsewhere, it will be difficult to return to the capital. Ten or eight years is a short time to be recalled, and some people can never return in their lifetime."
Second Master Ling felt that Ling Muzhu was merely experiencing a fleeting youthful impulse and acting impulsively. He would surely regret it once more time had passed.
At this moment, he had to find a way to dissuade him from leaving the capital. Once he was assigned elsewhere, it would be difficult to return.
"This matter is one I have decided after careful consideration, not an impulsive act. If you truly wish for my well-being, Father, 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 family I have left. Do you not care for your father? Must you distance yourself so far from me? What you are doing is tearing my heart out!"
Second Master Ling wept, his face filled with sorrow, beating his chest and stomping his feet. Yet, he knew how difficult it would be to keep Ling Muzhu.
A stinging sensation pricked his nose, and his eyes gradually filled with tears. Ling Muzhu rose and knelt directly before Second Master Ling. "I will never forget your kindness in raising me, Father, but my mind is made up. I am determined to serve as an official outside the capital."
As his voice fell, Ling Muzhu kowtowed heavily three times, then rose and left.
As the ancestral hall door slammed shut once more, Second Master Ling collapsed onto the ground, utterly drained, tears streaming down his face.
Ling Muzhu walked a few steps outside, then paused and looked back at the ancestral hall. If he left this time, he didn't know when he would see his father again.
He hoped his father would truly understand and no longer continue on the wrong path, falling into an abyss from which there was no return.
...
"Grandfather, I'm really hungry. Why don't we eat first?"
She was so hungry her stomach was pressed against her back. Why hadn't Ling Muzhu returned yet? Feng Jin could no longer sit still. She stood up and looked outside to see if Ling Muzhu was back.
Did this boy not know that today was meant to celebrate him? If the protagonist didn't show up, they, the supporting characters, would also feel awkward starting the meal.
"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 contained a ball of something. Inside were several pieces of plum blossom-shaped pastries.
"If you're hungry, eat some of the dishes in front of you first. Don't touch anything else," said the elderly Master Ling generously, also a little worried that Feng Jin might truly starve. Dealing with that brat Ling Mohan was difficult enough.
Feng Jin glanced at the dishes before her. None of them suited her taste. It was better not to eat. She picked up her chopsticks and put them down again. "Never mind, I'll just wait for Ling Muzhu for a while longer."
As soon as she finished speaking, Ling Muzhu walked in with a melancholic expression. Ling Wan was the first to spot him and hurriedly called out, "Muzhu, you're back! The food has been ready for a long time, just waiting for you."
He forced a smile to his face and nodded faintly. Ling Muzhu sat beside Feng Jin, his face etched with an inexpressible melancholy.
"What's wrong? Where were you just now? Why do you look so upset?" Feng Jin, with her sharp eyes, noticed Ling Muzhu's unusual expression and asked.
Ling Muzhu quickly shook his head and tried his best to calmly deny it. "No, I was just sitting in my room. I was simply thinking about leaving home soon and couldn't help but feel a sense of reluctance."
Feng Jin nodded, half-believing, half-doubting. She still harbored suspicions about Ling Muzhu's words and didn't believe things were as simple as he said. There must be some hidden reason she didn't know.
However, with so many people present, it was not convenient for her to question him. She would have to put the matter aside for now and ask Ling Muzhu about it later when they were alone.
"It's good that you're here. Let's eat first," the elderly Master Ling commanded with his absolute authority. Everyone complied.
Ling Wan's gaze darted back and forth. After some hesitation, she finally spoke, "Grandfather... Eldest Brother hasn't arrived yet. Should we... should we wait a little longer?"
"Wan'er..." Concubine Bai called out softly, as if chiding Ling Wan for daring to ask such a question. Master Ling had already given the order, so why question him further?
This girl was becoming increasingly bold. If a young lady was so opinionated, she would undoubtedly suffer hardship after marrying into her husband's family. What would happen to her then?
"Your eldest brother has official duties to attend to. If we really wait for him, the midday meal might turn into dinner. Let's eat ourselves. Hurry and eat, don't worry about your eldest brother," Feng Jin said, urging everyone to eat quickly. If they truly waited for Ling Mohan, they would indeed be waiting until nightfall.
"Let's eat first. Today is a joyous occasion. After the meal, everyone will go to the ancestral hall to pay respects to our ancestors!"
From the morning, the smile on the elderly Master Ling's face had never faded. In his twilight years, nothing brought him more joy than witnessing his descendants prosper and excel.