Chapter 832 - 100: Lin Chen from Linhu Village Pays His Respects

Quzhou Prefecture.

Li Mansion was shrouded in a solemn white, with two white silk lanterns hanging high above the gate.

The main door was open, and many guests entered with solemn expressions.

The Li Family was a prestigious family in Quzhou, and the passing of Elder Lord Li prompted many families from the Quzhou Prefecture to send representatives to offer their condolences.

However, when the visitors from various families saw the two figures seated in the front hall, they all had their considerations.

The Prefect of Quzhou and the Military Affairs Department both sent representatives, but only their deputies came.

Elder Lord Li had served as both the Prefect of Quzhou and head of the Military Affairs Department in Quzhou Prefecture, and had later held a post in the Jiangnan Dao Military Affairs. Logically, with the passing of the elder, both the Prefect of Quzhou and the Director of the Military Affairs Department should have been present.

But only their deputies came, which was quite telling.

"The Li Family has no successors. Li An lacks the elder’s talent and skills; the Li Family is clearly on the decline. Those two probably know this, hence their absence from the mourning."

"It’s not as it once was. Elder Lord Li was only at the Sixth Grade Realm during his lifetime, while now the Prefect and the Director of the Military Affairs Department shouldn’t be lesser than the Fifth Grade Realm, and among them many are Fourth Grade. Our Prefect of Quzhou and Director of the Military Affairs Department are in the Fourth Grade Realm."

In Liang, Jiangnan Dao has also become a special administrative area. Most officials in Jiangnan Dao have been replaced, and the importance within the bureaucratic system of Liang can now be comparable to the Capital City. The newly appointed Tao Master of Jiangnan Dao is at the First Grade Realm.

Why should a dignified Fourth Grade powerhouse mourn a retired elder who was only Sixth Grade at his passing?

Understanding the attitude of the two chief officials toward the Li Family, many families present became calculative too. The competition within Liang is similarly fierce; the Li Family has considerable business in Quzhou Prefecture. Now, with the elder’s passing, and Li An clearly unable to hold on, moving quickly to seize the Li Family’s assets might mean getting no share at all if one delays.

...

In front of the spirit hall.

Li Qi, draped in mourning clothes, knelt on the ground, her face stained with tears. Her beloved grandfather was gone just like that; though he passed peacefully and it was considered a joyful funeral, her heart was still filled with immense sorrow.

Beside her, Li An saw his daughter crying and his expression turned somber. He said to a young man standing nearby, "Han, help Qi’Er up."

"Alright."

Sheng Han nodded, stepping forward to support Li Qi by the arm, "Qi’Er, get up. The elder went peacefully; you shouldn’t be too sad."

Li Qi did not rise but instead turned her head to look at Sheng Han, "Brother Han, did your grandfather not come?"

Upon hearing Li Qi’s inquiry, Sheng Han’s expression turned a bit unnatural. He explained, "Grandfather caught a cold and is bedridden. He probably couldn’t make it."

"Is Lord Sheng sick?"

Li An, hearing Sheng Han’s response, showed a look of surprise and asked with concern, "Is Lord Sheng’s illness serious?"

"Thank you for your concern, Uncle. The doctor said he just needs half a month of rest to recover."

"That’s good to hear."

Li An breathed a sigh of relief; the Sheng Family’s influence in Quzhou wasn’t as strong as the Li Family’s, but his daughter took a liking to Sheng Han, and he thought Sheng Han was promising as well. Sheng Han, still young, was already at the Eighth Grade Realm, and with support from both the Li Family and Sheng Family, breaking into the Fifth Grade wouldn’t be impossible in the future. By then, the Li Family wouldn’t have to worry about being coveted in Quzhou.

Li Qi looked at her father’s expression, but her mind couldn’t help recalling the words her grandfather had said to her at the bedside three days ago.

"Qi’Er, initially when you took a liking to Sheng Han, I didn’t agree, but you’re a stubborn child, so I could only let you go ahead. Do you know why I disapproved of your engagement with Sheng Han?"

"Grandfather, if you don’t like me being with Sheng Han, I’ll cancel the engagement. I just want you to be well."

"Silly girl, such foolish words you speak. Since the engagement has been set, it can’t be called off easily. The reason I disapproved is due to the unsavory rise of the Sheng Family. Sheng Han’s grandfather, before entering the Martial Hall, had already settled an engagement with a wealthy young lady. Relying on the silver coins from her, he purchased Martial Path resources, making a name for himself in the Martial Hall and getting attention from the Military Affairs Department. But after breaking into the Ninth Grade, he annulled the engagement and married his mentor’s daughter."

"Is there such a thing? Grandfather, why didn’t you tell me this?"

"I found out after sending people to investigate myself. Sheng Han’s grandfather took a total of three thousand silver taels from the young lady, then later gave her six thousand silver taels, annulling the engagement which seemed fair. But the three thousand silver taels during hardship can hardly compare to six thousand after prosperity. The Sheng Family isn’t principled in conduct, and with such family morals, I worry that a crooked top leads to a skewed beam."

"Grandfather, I believe Brother Han isn’t like that."

"Qi’Er, let me ask you. Have you told Sheng Han about my past with Lin Chen?"

"No... Grandfather, you instructed not to tell anyone. I haven’t told Brother Han."

"Good, then. Hopefully, he’s not like his grandfather. Telling you these things, I need to instruct you on something. After I’m gone, observe if Sheng Han’s grandfather comes to mourn me. If he does, no issue; if not... it might be the Sheng Family thinking our Li Family is on the decline and have other intentions."

...

"Qi’Er, what are you thinking about?"

Her thoughts snapped back, and seeing Sheng Han’s concerned expression, Li Qi suddenly felt a bit disgusted but restrained her emotions and asked, "Brother Han, did you tell your grandfather about my grandfather’s passing?"

"This... The doctor said grandfather is weak now and can’t bear stress or sadness. My father and I haven’t told him about it yet, fearing he’d be overly upset and that would worsen his condition."