Chen Xiuying was so ashamed because her husband was too far behind compared to Liu Dalin, and her big brother still spoke of it on the stage. She couldn't bear it, and also felt suffocated with anger.
Wang Shi herself had a bellyful of things to say, but dared not utter them. Her husband was imposing, and his temper was really explosive. If she said anything on her end, her husband would probably clean her up later.
Mrs. Chen, on the other hand, sat there quietly, her brows lowered and her expression wooden.
By the time Liu Dalin and Chen Xiulan returned to the hall with their well-fed children, everybody had already dispersed.
Chen Changdong secretly breathed a sigh of relief, patting his chest in fright. "I was afraid everyone was here when I first got here. Now, everything's fine. We can talk and laugh whenever we want; there's no need to worry."
Chen Xiulan couldn't help but flick Chen Changdong's forehead. "You've been naughty since childhood. Why are you worrying so much now that you're a teenager? You're like a housekeeper."
That said, everyone knew that Chen Changdong meant to lighten the mood, in case everyone was embarrassed.
However, he was thinking a bit too much. They really weren't embarrassed at all. They hadn't done anything wrong, nor had done something to be guilty of.
They sat and relaxed, to let the kids digest their food. The family didn't have their usual lunch break, so they went straight to the orchard.
The Chen family orchard wasn't far behind the village on a ridge, and occupied a small area of more than thirty acres.
It was usually tended on by the family and was barely enough to keep them busy, but when it came to picking, it was necessary to ask for help.
When the group arrived, Chen Qiming was sitting in the shade and napping against a tree trunk.
Chen Changdong casually pulled a dog's tail grass flower and quietly walked forward, ready to scratch his father's nose.
But as soon as he lifted the dog tail grass up, he received a smack on the head. "Bastard, I knew it was you!"
"Father, aren't you asleep?!" Chen Changdong lost the dog's tail and howled, clutching his head.
"There are shadows! How many tricks have you done? As long as you're home, I always have to be on guard!"
"…"
"Pfft! Hahaha!" Liu Yusheng convulsed with laughter.
"Brother, Dong is just joking. Look at that solid slap of yours." Chen Xiulan snortled.
Chen Qiming stood up, patted the dust on his pants and grinned. "He's a brat. Ever since he was a child, I don't know whose temperament he had inherited, and grew into this character! Come on, I'll show you around. There are oranges and pears in the garden that you can pick if you want. There are also chestnuts. Take some with you when you go back."
"Uncle, did the pears bear fruit this year?" Liu Yusheng asked.
"It bore fruits last year, but they were small and tasted average. This year is much better," saying that, Chen Qiming raised his hand and pointed to the east. The pale yellow fruit was hidden in a large patch of verdant green. It was extremely beautiful. "Here, that piece is ready. I'll pick a few for you to eat later. It's juicy and extra-sweet."
"Thank you, uncle!"
"Why are you thanking me? It's our own orchard. Eat to your heart's content!" Chen Qiming laughed and reached out and ruffled the child's hairy head.
The corners of Cheng Changdong's eyes twitched watching this. He leaned close to Lu Zhixia's ear and whispered, "My dad usually yells at me, but seeing him so kind and gentle so suddenly is giving me goosebumps, tsk."
Liu Zhixia squinted. "How about I go and tell uncle and let him loosen your skin a bit?"
"Good brother, please spare me!"
"Pfft!"
The kids huddled together and joked around. The air was overflowing with the fresh scent mixture of fruit trees and fruit. The adults walked behind, strolling and chatting, enjoying the pleasant and leisurely moment.
On the way home, Liu Yusheng burped all throughout, making the others unable to contain their laughter.
The freshly picked oranges and pears were too fresh, plus the atmosphere was so good that she didn't hold back and ate too much.
She had also planted fruit trees in her space, which was naturally much better than the native fruit in terms of taste. However, picking her space fruit and eating them by herself was too lonely.
It wasn't the same as sharing with family and friends.
With some company laughing and tasting together, sour could taste sweet as well.
The unexpected tranquility of the Chen family that night was a bit of a surprise to Liu Yusheng. Grandma and Grandpa didn't even pull her parents to continue the conversation.
She didn't know if had already given up or if some other change had occurred.
But that didn't stop her from feeling good because she could go home tomorrow after a nap.
She missed her grandparents.
The moon after the 15th was still full. Its glow was soft and bright, and it fell like a veil over the earth.
Quiet and peaceful.
But it didn't blend into the Imperial Chamber at this moment.
The emperor's health began to deteriorate again. He fell unconscious at noon, and has yet to wake up.
The atmosphere was tense and heavy, depressing in every way, as the imperial doctors gathered in the Imperial Chamber to urgently study ways to revive the emperor.
From time to time, riotous commotions could be heard at the doorway of the palace.
It was the empress and concubines of the emperor who were barred from entering the palace.
For this reason, the clamor barely stopped for the whole afternoon.
Either they were clamoring to enter the chamber, or kept sobbing outside.
Fortunately, they retained a bit of their senses and didn't dare to go too far. Even the reprimands and noises were muted.
A young man sat on an armchair inside the Imperial Chamber, looking at the man on the bed whose eyes remained closed. He could describe him as emaciated and withered. He was a man of supreme power, wealth, and glory, but how many of those who were weeping for him outside were sincere in their tears?
How many people hoped he could wake up again?
And how many people wished he would die like this?
Palace maids and maidservants went to and fro in the Imperial Chamber, their footsteps put to almost silent – it was a busy night.
The young man sat on the armchair, hidden in the dim light and quiet as if invisible.
It wasn't until dawn was about to break and a man's low cough came from the bed that the doctors breathed a sigh of relief.
His Majesty woke up once more, snatched back from death's door.
After they let go, they were both physically and mentally exhausted, leaving the on-duty imperial doctor to attend to him. The rest of them temporarily retired for a short recuperation.
"… Qingbai." The emperor's gaze searched the interior of the room, and when it fell on the young man, a glimmer flashed in his dull eyes, and a pleased smile floated on the corner of his mouth. "You're here."
The old eunuch who had been waiting by the bedside knew the emperor's heart and immediately said, "Yesterday, when Your Majesty fell into a coma, His Highness rushed over to guard you in the Imperial Chamber for a whole night, and hasn't closed his eyes until now."
"I've worried you." The emperor seemed to be happy, but his voice was soft and feeble, without any strength. "It's been hard on you to guard me for so long. Go back. Go back and have a good sleep. Don't worry too much about me."
The young man stood up from the armchair. His slender body immediately was exposed to the dim palace lights, and his three-dimensional features were carved out of silhouette by the lights, blurring his expression.
He walked slowly to the bed, looking at the vulnerable man. "You've just awakened from a serious illness. Rest well, Father. I will take my leave."
He looked down and turned around.
He wouldn't worry too much.
Because it was useless to do so.