Chapter 357: After Binding the Child-Bearing System, Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 358: A Passerby Strives to Live (26)

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

Shen Yao mentioning Liu Mingyu was just going along with the situation; how this child's fortune ultimately turned out was for his own parents to worry about, Shen Yao was merely an elder in the next room over and didn't care.

It was only because she had witnessed Huo Ningjun's unreliability that Shen Yao spoke so directly about these things.

But it was limited to forgetting them as soon as they were said; she had no mind to pay more attention to anything.

The reason was that her own three children had truly outstanding talent, and as formal cultivation was put on the agenda, they completely moved out of the small courtyard to Liu Xiuwen's residence to eat and live with him.

Not even Liu Mingfei, a girl, was an exception.

Shen Yao had already put most of her energy into the three children, often preparing food, clothing, and daily necessities, and occasionally urging Liu Jingyan to go care for them more.

With her remaining time, Shen Yao also had to put effort into maintaining her relationship with Liu Jingyan; Huo Ningjun's matter was truly an accident.

Roughly speaking, words spoken out had some effect, Huo Ningjun's slowly paying special attention to the two young ladies faded away.

Getting along with her natal family was no longer as tense as at the beginning of the year, and she could often see Huo family ladies visiting.

Just as Shen Yao thought life would continue slowly and leisurely, a thunderclap out of nowhere struck directly at Luojing a thousand li away.

It was real thunder! Daylight thunder split the Luojing imperial mausoleum into utter ruin.

Shen Yao obtained second-hand material through the system's oral relay, and came to understand this strange and terrifying matter seven or eight out of ten.

All that can be said is that evil deeds bring their own downfall; they chose a mausoleum site too good and couldn't suppress it, trouble at the mausoleum triggered heavenly thunder, and directly smeared a circle of black on the Wei family's already not-good reputation.

When the news reached Yingchuan, several who could no longer restrain themselves had already risen in rebellion, under the banner of restoring order and punishing the wrong, to attack the young emperor's family in Luojing.

Liu Xiuwen and the others, seeing the situation had arisen, hurriedly suppressed their thumping hearts and put on well the skin of Wei state ministers on their bodies.

Even Liu Xiuwen used this matter to warn the Liu family's direct line not to act rashly.

The proverb says the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole waits behind.

Those who rush out first are all cannon fodder; those hiding behind are the protagonists.

To say Liu Xiuwen didn't have that kind of thought at all would be pure deception; after all, this person was never a simpleton capable of loyalty to the sovereign and love of country, and his little schemes had never disappeared.

At the same time, Liu Xiuwen was also a person with great self-knowledge.

He knew that with his own family's strength, the probability of success was not high; even though his great-grandson's generation let him see hope, by the time the children grew to adulthood it would take decades.

The human race's survival situation changed every day; where were there decades for him to waste?

Therefore, Liu Xiuwen's ultimate plan was to cast a wide net and invest widely, striving to catch a big fat fish; when the fat fish leaped over the Dragon Gate, he could also take advantage to scoop up a decent future to protect the Liu family's hundred years of glory.

"But Grandfather, nowadays within the Wei state border, clans with real power, large and small, number no fewer than a hundred," even if his elder brother ran a trip to Luojing and pulled back some connections, it was still a drop in the bucket, treating symptoms not the root.

Liu Jingyan didn't discover these people had the essence of fat fish; looking at them, their potential wasn't even as good as their own.

"Jingyan, it can't be said like that. Grandfather, out of consideration for the clan, although within the Wei state border the clans are numerous, among them those who can succeed are no more than one in ten."

Liu Jingsheng spoke, easily screening out ninety percent of the unqualified.

Liu Jingyan, hearing this, opened and closed his mouth, thinking that even if so many were screened out, the remaining clans were still not a few.

Excluding those already nearly dead, and those half a catty eight taels with their Liu clan, several clan names stood out increasingly in his mind.

Liu Xiuwen touched his whitening beard, not interrupting the conversation between the Liu Jingsheng brothers.

When it was time to speak, he again made his words resounding and forceful.

"Remember, our Liu clan is not in a hurry; if they want to succeed, they will surely treat the worthy with courtesy."

Of course, the Liu family could not avoid paying a price; even after choosing people and taking sides, they would also face the cruel war to fight for life and death for them.

But this was the necessary path to rise upward; under the flood, there was no Peach Blossom Spring free from contention with the world.

The three grandparents and grandchildren began discussing which clan to invest in had the greatest probability of victory.

Each clan had its own advantages: either military power and martial force, or court connections, or wealth rivaling the country.

'Finally chose the Lin family to watch and wait?' Truly an old fox; Liu Xiuwen's standing was still higher than the Liu Jingsheng brothers.

Several clans with outstanding strength were not chosen; instead, he took a fancy to the mediocre Lin family.

Was Liu Xiuwen playing at multiple powers standing in balance, or did he feel the Lin family could rise to the sky in one leap?

Urging the system to quickly reveal some news about the Lin family, Shen Yao touched her chin and muttered that novels misled her.

From the known information, the Lin family wanting to succeed had great difficulty.

Several clans blocked the way ahead; the Lin family didn't even have an excuse to raise troops and rebel, unless heaven's fortune made it so, other clans suffered mutual losses, and the demon race and strange phenomena didn't jump out to cause trouble, only then did the Lin family have a possibility of rising.

But was this assumption reasonable? Just hearing of the frequent natural disasters and human calamities within the Wei state border, Shen Yao didn't believe there was such a thing as heaven's fortune.

The Hehe where the Lin family was located was not near Yingchuan; between them lay several demon race defense lines. The Liu family couldn't compare with the Lin family but was the local despot of Yingchuan; if both sides wanted to unite, the one definitely taking the first step forward would be the Lin family.

Immediately there was no nervous emotion; everything would wait for the Lin family to come knocking.

If the Lin family was unworthy, Liu Xiuwen might switch sides halfway; all were working for others to earn a future, and one definitely had to choose one good in all aspects.

Considering the matter temporarily settled, fighting to the death around Luojing became a meat grinder, while Yingchuan here was still peaceful, sitting and watching clouds roll and clouds unfold.

Once the flames of war started, it became a spreading trend.

Within no more than three years, there would not be a single piece of pure land left within the entire Wei state border.

At this time Shen Yao's youngest son Liu Mingchen was only nine years old, Liu Mingxuan and Liu Mingfei were only twelve years old.

Touching his bald little head, Shen Yao patiently persuaded Liu Mingchen not to be willful; was the front line a place for children? Even if this child cultivated both martial and qi paths, already at the third stage.

"Mother, the child knows the front line is dangerous, but Father has not returned for a long time, and the child misses Father in his heart."

Liu Mingchen used Liu Jingyan as a shield; since the conflict at the demon race defense line last year, Liu Jingyan personally went to the front line to resist the demon race and had not returned since.

Liu Jingyan occasionally had someone send a letter of safety, but recently the letters of safety had stopped, causing great worry.

Shen Yao had the system to use and knew Liu Jingyan had suffered heavy injuries and was recuperating at the front line, and the person was still safe and sound.

But others at the estate didn't know that the master could keep his emotions hidden, yet the three children couldn't restrain themselves. They had been personally taught by Liu Xiuwen, their cultivation realms were not low, and they clamored to go find their birth father.

Liu Mingchen wasn't the first to come; before this, Shen Yao had just sent Liu Mingxuan and Liu Mingfei away.

"Your father is fine. After a while longer, he should be back."

Shen Yao promised earnestly, thinking to herself that if something really happened, they couldn't be allowed to go even more—the front line had swords and blades without eyes, how dangerous it was.

Liu Mingchen still wanted to go. He still had baby fat on his face now, with big eyes like black grapes blinking one after another; without even acting coquettish, he could make Shen Yao's heart soften.

She sighed silently. Her own youngest son was too good-looking, yet he was also a nature full of great love. Compared to her eldest son and eldest daughter who knew nothing in their youth, Shen Yao felt her head ache a little.

Hiss—

"Go ask your Great Ancestor about this matter; what Mother says doesn't count."

Liu Mingchen was not only her son, but also the future hope of the Liu Family.

Liu Xiuwen had poured who knows how much effort into the three children. For such a big matter as going to the front line, the old ancestors above had to nod in agreement.

Liu Mingchen directly furrowed his brow into a steamed bun face. He had already sought out his Great Ancestor before coming over.

With his little head drooping, Liu Mingchen turned around and went out; from his back view, he didn't look relaxed at all.

Temporarily setting aside such a big burden, Shen Yao called Qing Shui to ask about the situation outside.

The situation outside was not optimistic, but for Shen Yao, a woman of the inner household, it was nothing more than the same old peace and quiet.

Even if there was fighting to the death outside Yingchuan, it hadn't affected life at the estate.

Shen Yao went to bed early and rose early every day as usual, eating and drinking, playing and enjoying herself.

Qing Shui spoke the usual platitudes. The only change was that the situation within the city was bad, causing rice, flour, and oil prices to be high, and the common people in the city were panicked day and night. This allowed some great households to take the opportunity to snatch up many servants.

Of course, the Liu Family hadn't fallen behind either. Basically, they sold themselves into servitude, just to seek protection in this chaotic world.

As for fleeing Yingchuan to other cities? With the vastness of Heaven and Earth, there was no place to take shelter. Moreover, outside wasn't just banditry and a chaotic world; there were also the Demon Race who killed like cutting hemp, and strange phenomena that appeared and disappeared without a trace. How could they possibly hide?

Qing Shui often went out to buy things for her master. Although the shops at the estate didn't have much contact with the outside, they still heard some news when restocking daily.

Back and forth like this, Qing Shui was quite good at grasping the situation outside, and the news basically wouldn't be too outdated.

"Since ancient times, chaotic worlds bring suffering to the common people. When will things settle down? Only when they settle down can things get better." Shen Yao waved the round fan in her hand, causing the stray hair on both sides of her temples to float slightly.

Qing Shui felt that things wouldn't settle down in a short while. The young emperor in Luojing was still there, and the clans in other places were all restless and eager to move. They didn't look like they could be pacified as soon as possible.

"Those above have never looked at the suffering of the common people. Hoping they have kind hearts is not as good as hoping for a bolt of thunder from the sky to split open a prosperous and peaceful age."

Giving up this daydreaming thought, Shen Yao stood up, returned to her room, and slept soundly wrapped up.

When she opened her eyes again, the sky was dim, and the sound of the children drifted to her ears.

Rubbing her eyebrows and eyes, Shen Yao got up from the bed, went around the screening partition, and saw the three children gathered around the couch.

"How did you come back?"

Picking up the teapot to pour herself a cup of tea, Shen Yao moistened her throat while relaxing her mind.

"Mother, Great Ancestor agreed to let us go find Father," Liu Mingfei said with a face bursting to speak, completely ignoring Liu Mingchen's signals with his eyes. She spoke and told the news outright.

Liu Mingchen sighed like a little adult. Why not say he had come back himself? His elder sister spoke too bluntly. If she hurt Mother's feelings, what should be done?

Liu Mingxuan scratched his head to explain a couple of sentences. "Mother, this time Great Ancestor went out." They just happened to bring them along as a convenience and wouldn't stay too long at the front line.

"Mother, we will listen to Great Ancestor's words, seriously temper our cultivation arts, and will not be lax."

Liu Mingchen obediently raised his hand to show his attitude, his eyes fixed tightly on Shen Yao's facial expression, waiting to discover problems and solve them at the first opportunity.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao stretched out her hand and rubbed her forehead. In the end, she could only temporarily set this matter aside and patiently prepare the luggage packages for the three children's long journey.

With Liu Xiuwen's company, most of Shen Yao's worries were spared.

But Shen Yao still took out many good things that could save lives.

Talisman paper was indispensable, along with other miscellaneous ornaments. They looked ordinary and unremarkable at first glance, but actually had great killing power and were very useful.

The three children knew they were about to go out. After finishing their daily practice, they would run back to accompany their dear mother.

Mother and son four people clung and leaned together for several days. One morning, Shen Yao finally sent them off.

Without a husband and children by her side, Shen Yao was forced to enjoy her single time.

Not only could she sleep until she woke naturally, but she could also read storybooks until midnight.

Huo Ningjun's side also had no time to bother her. Liu Mingyu had fallen ill from the cold; she didn't even have time to take care of him, let alone the mind to cause trouble.

Letting the system keep a closer eye on the three children and Liu Jingyan's situation, Shen Yao was like a hands-off shopkeeper, easily not caring about matters.

Such a life continued until Liu Jingyan was sent back, his face full of vicissitudes and thin and weak, clearly showing he hadn't suffered little at the front line.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao's eyes were brimming with tears. The system's retelling was indeed not as shocking as seeing it with her own eyes.

Liu Jingyan's injury was at the waist and abdomen. Although it had already healed and grown new flesh, this was truly almost fatal.

This was the result of being well-fed and cared for at the front line. If it were other ordinary soldiers, they would have lost their lives directly.

Asked about the reason, Liu Jingyan described it lightly. He had fallen into an encirclement and couldn't break free. Only by fighting to the death together did he have this chance to live.

Shen Yao tidied Liu Jingyan's clothes, then took a handkerchief to wipe his body. Until Liu Jingyan felt a little tired, she then came out to settle accounts with the system.

"Liu Jingyan's injury is fundamentally different from what you said. Was it deliberate?"

Shen Yao gritted her teeth in anger. Good fellow, she almost became a widow.

The system hurriedly explained it hadn't said anything wrong. Whether it was the wound location or the person's situation, at most the description wasn't as straightforward as an image. The Host couldn't wrongly accuse someone for no reason.

Shen Yao rolled her eyes. "Go check on the three children. They haven't come back yet."

Liu Jingyan had at least returned to under her eyelids. Every move of his she could know. As for the three children still drifting outside, they could only rely on the system. Even if something happened, she could only rely on the system to retrieve them.

The system was very dedicated to the mission. Without Shen Yao saying anything, it was already watching eagerly. Now that she had spoken, it promised repeatedly.

These were three children with extremely good talent. Their future after growing up was limitless.

With a swoosh like a gust of wind, it disappeared in an instant.

Shen Yao continued to care for the recuperating Liu Jingyan, and the affection between the two visibly warmed.

It was not bad before, but the relationship could be better; moreover, after Liu Jingyan arrived in Yingchuan, he went out year-round, and the time he spent with Shen Yao dropped sharply.

This injury, not to mention other things, meant at least several months without going out.

Every day she prepared nourishing soups in varying ways to nurture Liu Jingyan's body; Shen Yao was busy and bustling, and when Qing Shui arrived before her and spoke of Liu Mingyu's critical condition, she was still somewhat dazed.

Critical condition? This child suffered who knows how many illnesses large and small every year, and each time was pulled back by the estate's physicians. She thought this time would be no great exception either; how could something suddenly happen.