nucmednet Chapter 233 Persuading Chen Ping's Family 3
Chapter 233 Persuading Chen Ping's Family 3
Hearing their eldest son say these words and seeing him standing unharmed before them, Mr. and Mrs. Chen's fear lessened somewhat. However, they remained vigilant, their eyes constantly scanning everyone in the room with wary eyes.
At this moment, a tall, imposing man stepped forward, cupped his hands in a salute, and said, "I am Wang Wu, a guard of Princess Jiayang." His voice was deep and resonant, echoing in the small room like a great bell.
Mr. and Mrs. Chen were both taken aback upon hearing this. The highest-ranking official they had ever encountered was a village head; they had never even seen a county magistrate. Now, suddenly hearing that the person before them was a princess's guard, they couldn't immediately grasp the immense power this title implied. But the mere phrase "princess's guard" made them instinctively feel that this person's official rank must be quite high, perhaps even much higher than a county magistrate!
Thinking of this, Chen's father became increasingly nervous. He stammered, "Sir...sir, you...you came here today...is there something important?" As he spoke, his hands trembled slightly, and a fine layer of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Wang Wu said, "I am here on the princess's orders to invite your family to Xianyang."
Mr. Chen first glanced at Mrs. Chen beside him with a complicated expression, then quickly turned to his youngest son not far away. His son was staring intently at Wang Wu and the others, his eyes filled with curiosity and confusion. Mr. Chen looked away and back into the room. His eldest son was standing blankly by the kang (heated brick bed), his mouth agape, his face filled with astonishment. His lips trembled as he stammered, "Why...why?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Wu smiled and explained, "This is an order from the princess, so please don't worry. I would never harm you. You should know that our princess is a kind-hearted person! Take the heated kang bed in this room, for example; it is one of her great inventions. The princess's invitation to you to Qin is entirely out of goodwill."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Chen instinctively reached out to touch the warmth of the kang (heated brick bed), a wave of warmth instantly spreading throughout his body. Mr. Chen, standing beside him, stared at Wang Wu with equal astonishment, his thoughts drifting back to those bitterly cold winter nights of the past. Back then, every night, his family often found it difficult to sleep due to the cold, and in desperation, they could only huddle together for warmth. His parents would always do their utmost to hold him and his younger brother tightly in their arms; only then could the two brothers barely manage to fall asleep.
However, since the family acquired this heated kang (a traditional Chinese bed-stove) last year, everything has changed dramatically. Even on the coldest winter nights, they no longer fear the biting cold. Who would have thought that such an ingenious and practical invention was created by a princess? Thinking of this, Uncle Chen couldn't help but exclaim, "The princess is truly a great benefactor!"
Wang Wu gently stroked Chen Bo's slightly disheveled hair and said with a smile, "That's right, the princess is a kind-hearted person, so you can rest assured that the princess will never harm you."
Father Chen frowned and said worriedly, "But...we've been honest, hardworking farmers for generations. We don't know anything about farming! Even if we get to Xianyang, what can we do to help the princess?"
Wang Wu explained earnestly and patiently, “Don’t worry, you can still farm. You know, the princess’s estate is vast and boundless, with large tracts of fertile land waiting to be cultivated! Working on the princess’s estate will not only earn you wages, but your taxes will also be lower than other people’s! Furthermore, the children will have the opportunity to attend school and receive an education! All the tenants on the princess’s estate, no matter which family’s children are, can enjoy free schooling, and even their two meals a day will be provided by the princess.”
Hearing this, the worry on Chen's father's face did not completely disappear. He hesitated and said, "But in that case, wouldn't we lose our land?"
Wang Wu quickly waved his hand, comforting her, "If you are so eager to have your own land, it is not difficult. The princess will certainly make proper arrangements for you."
Nevertheless, Chen's father still seemed to have doubts and pressed on, asking, "Then what exactly does the princess want?"
At this moment, Wang Wu turned his gaze to the little Chen Ping who was not afraid of strangers at all and whose eyes were as clear and bright as a mountain spring. He slowly said, "The princess has no other request. She only hopes that you can teach him carefully and let this child concentrate on his studies."
Following Wang Wu's gaze, Chen's father saw his youngest son, nestled quietly in his wife's arms like a porcelain doll, blinking his large, watery eyes, so adorable it was heartbreaking. He couldn't help but frown slightly, pondering to himself: What is the noble princess after, who has gone to such lengths for such a young child?
At this moment, Wang Wu turned his gaze to little Chen Ping and asked, "Chen Ping, do you want to go to Xianyang? If you go to Xianyang, the princess will invite the imperial physician to treat your parents. Your parents' health may be restored, and they will no longer have to endure the pain."
The words had barely left his lips when a surprising scene unfolded—Chen Ping, who had been nestled obediently in his mother's arms, suddenly stood up. Though small in stature, his resolute gaze was no less than that of an adult. He stared directly at Wang Wu and uttered a single word clearly and forcefully: "Go!"
Upon seeing this, Chen's father was taken aback. He knew that although his youngest son was still young and small in stature, his intelligence far surpassed that of ordinary people. However, even so, he had never expected that Chen Ping would be able to understand the conversation between the adults.
Upon hearing Chen Ping's answer, Wang Wu was slightly taken aback at first, then burst into laughter, his voice hearty and resonant: "Haha, good! Truly an extraordinary little fellow! In that case, you and your family should hurry and pack your things. I'll come back to pick you up in two days." With that, he waved his hand and turned to leave with his entourage, leaving behind Chen's father, mother, and uncle, who looked at each other with faces full of doubt and worry as they gazed at little Chen Ping.
At this moment, Chen's father and the others realized that this group of people had clearly come for Chen Ping. However, what puzzled them was why these people were paying so much attention to Chen Ping, who was clearly just an innocent child, and why they had come specifically to invite him. These questions lingered in their minds, plunging the entire Chen family into a heavy atmosphere.
If I can't figure it out, I'll stop thinking about it. Since they want them to go to Xianyang, then so be it. What difference does it make where we farm? It's just a pity about the two acres of wheat we planted this year. I don't even know if we'll be able to harvest wheat next year.
But since things have come to this, all they can do besides sigh is tidy up and try to make the days ahead less unbearable.
Two short days passed in the blink of an eye. That morning, the sunlight gently bathed the earth, and a light breeze rustled the leaves. Wang Wu led a group of people to Chen Ping's house early in the morning, a beautifully decorated carriage following behind him.
The carriage was crafted entirely from the finest wood, adorned with exquisite carvings, and its windows were veiled with sheer fabric, giving it an air of both mystery and elegance. Wang Wu personally stepped forward to open the carriage door and warmly invited the Chen family members aboard.
The Chen family boarded the carriage with curiosity and excitement. As they stepped inside, they were overwhelmed by the spacious and comfortable interior. Although they had never ridden in a carriage before, they found it to be even larger than they had imagined. The carriage was lined with soft carpets and plush cushions, and the four family members sat comfortably without feeling cramped at all.
With a gentle flick of the driver's whip, the carriage slowly started moving, its wheels creaking. The carriage swayed slightly, like a small boat sailing on a calm lake. Mr. Chen and his wife nestled together, while the children pressed against the window, curiously watching the scenery recede into the distance.
The carriage traveled smoothly along country lanes, passing through lush green fields and charming villages. The beautiful scenery along the way captivated the Chen family; they felt the gentle breeze on their faces and enjoyed this entirely new journey. Gradually, the familiar outline of Youxiang receded into the distance, eventually disappearing from view. Ahead of them awaited the bustling city of Xianyang.