Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life

Chapter 97: On the Eve of Departure

The sky had not yet fully brightened, a thin layer of mist enveloped Su Family Village.

The air was clear and cold, carrying the moist scent of dew mixed with earth.

At the entrance of the Su family's small courtyard, the atmosphere of parting fermented in silence.

Mrs. Chen stood before her son, extending her hands covered in thin calluses, smoothing the collar of Su Ming's robe over and over again.

The collar of that blue homespun cloth long gown was already perfectly straight and neat as new, yet her fingertips stubbornly stroked over it.

"When you're away from home, eat your fill and dress warmly," she murmured softly, as if speaking to Su Ming, yet also as if speaking to herself.

She pulled out a small cloth pouch from her bosom, the pouch still carrying the warmth of her body.

Without allowing any argument, Mrs. Chen stuffed the pouch into the inner lining of Su Ming's undergarment, carefully patting it to ensure it was hidden securely.

"Don't lose it."

Su Ming felt the outline of the pouch; inside were some uneven, hard objects and the touch of a pair of thick shoe soles. He knew it was all the family's silver ingots, and the thick-soled cloth shoes his mother had stayed up several nights in a row to make.His throat tightened a little, but he only nodded forcefully.

"Mother, I know."

Su Shan, who had been squatting by the courtyard gate, stood up, tucking the unlit pipe tobacco rod back into the cloth pouch behind his waist.

Without a word, he picked up Su Ming's not-very-heavy traveling bag, turned, and walked towards the direction of the village entrance.

In the morning mist, his back, usually somewhat hunched from the heavy burdens of life, now appeared exceptionally firm, like a silent wall, blocking all the wind and rain behind for his son.

Eldest Brother Su Feng and Second Brother Su Yang stood on either side of Su Ming.

Su Feng smiled with simple honesty, stuffing a bundle of dry rations wrapped in a clean cloth towel into Su Ming's hand; the bundle still carried the warmth of having just come off the stove.

Su Yang, meanwhile, gave Su Ming's shoulder a firm pat, leaned close to his ear, and spoke in a very low voice.

"Leave the family to me."

Four words, weighty as a thousand pounds.

Su Ming's eyes felt a little hot.

He took a deep breath of the cold, clear air, suppressing that surge of aching sorrow, then turned to his family with a reassuring smile.

"Father, Mother, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, you can see me off just here."

He took the traveling bag from his father's hand; it felt light in his grasp, yet his heart felt heavy.

"I'm going to the town to bid farewell to my teacher, then I'll go directly to the capital. You... should all go back now."

Mrs. Chen's lips moved slightly, but in the end, she didn't say anything more, only the rims of her eyes grew redder.

Su Shan stopped walking, turned back to look at his son once. Turbulent emotions swirled in those cloudy eyes, ultimately transforming into only a heavy nod.

Most of the fields along the road had already been harvested, leaving neat rice stubble. A few early-rising villagers were busy working in the fields. Seeing Su Ming, they all stopped their tasks, straightened up, and greeted him warmly.

"Provincial Graduate Su, heading out so early!"

"Su Ming, off to the capital, are you? Be careful on the road!"

Su Ming responded to each one, his steps never halting as he strode towards the dirt road leading to the world beyond the mountains.

Qingshi Town, the west city corner.

family's book stall was busier than

was directing two short-term laborers, carefully sorting stacks of books by category

in the packing. He stood to the side, holding a half-old

homespun cloth bundle, packed cleanly and neatly, revealing its

Su Ming, Xu Qing immediately put down the ledger in his hand, a smile appearing on his face. He dusted off his

from Old Chen's family at the west end of town. Old Chen has been running this route for over a decade; he knows the roads well and is a steady man. I

and steady,

the journey, the post stations and inns along the way are well-established, resupply is convenient, and it's the safest. This is the

carefully and nodded. Xu Qing had considered

the dry rations

just about to discuss this with you, Brother Su," Xu Qing said, reopening the ledger. "For dry rations, I've mainly prepared flatbreads and dried meat that store well. I've also prepared some easy-to-carry fried rice. For medicinal

for a moment. "Prepare some more salt and sugar; they can replenish energy at critical moments. Also, could you check with Old Chen again to confirm if his carriage can have an additional hidden lock installed?

it down in the ledger. "Alright, I'll go take care of that shortly. Brother Su's considerations are

He pulled out a small coin purse from his robe and handed it over. "This is the estimated travel expenses for our journey. Half

decline, accepting the purse straightforwardly, noting it in the ledger, then closing the

smile; everything was

books. Sweat beaded on his forehead. He wiped

but his experience being away from home is still somewhat lacking. The two of you

respectfully. "Uncle, please rest assured. Brother Xu and I will definitely support each other. You must also take good care of your health. These books... take your time sorting

it. These books are my lifeblood; I wouldn't trust them to anyone else. You two focus on going to take your exams for scholarly honor; don't worry about matters at

County School first to bid farewell to several teachers

dry rations and common medicinal herbs for the road. Let's

in the afternoon, rain or

this kid really is reliable. Bringing him along will save a lot of worry on the road," Lin Yu

"Master, between friends, trust is most valuable. Each has their own

throwing knives and a slender iron probe he had ordered a few days prior, concealing them on his person. This was on Lin Yu's instruction,

he detoured to the depths of the County

squatting in the vegetable patch, carefully mounding soil around a cabbage plant.

footsteps, he looked up. Seeing it was Su Ming, a gentle smile

"Leaving?"

to bid you farewell, Professor," Su Ming said respectfully,

the soil off his hands, and pointed to

"Sit."

wash his hands,

Town," Professor Liu said, looking into Su Ming's eyes, speaking slowly. "That is the foot of the Son of Heaven, the vortex center of power. Every person you

paused, his tone turning

for many people. Once you leave Qingshi Town, you must never mention it to anyone again. It's best to dispose

"This student understands."

is a sharp sword, but also a flag that attracts wind and rain. Before you have enough strength to protect yourself, concealing one's edge is more important

words coincided perfectly with Lin Yu's "Way

a stir in

for

pulled out an unsigned letter from his robe. The envelope was made of

line of small characters: "To the Capital,

paper, with only that one line of small

reached a dead end, you can go here

tone

as a cook in the army in his early years. He's fairly reliable. Give him the letter, and

flimsy

of this letter was far heavier than

note of approval. "He's giving you an inconspicuous little path. Disciple, keep it safe. Who knows, you might need to crawl out through

student thanks the Professor for his nurturing!" Su

Liu nodded, turning his gaze back

capital is very hard, and also very fertile. Whether you can take root in that land depends on

Professor Liu's courtyard, Su Ming's mood felt

Su Ming strolled

go to the A-ranked dormitories, but instead walked