Chapter 3: The Sorrow of Parting with One's Parents

  Although he was already two years old, Ji Yu had never spoken a word. He didn't seem to be as lively and active as other children either, often sitting for an entire day, lost in thought. Many people believed that Ji Yu wasn't just mute, but also mentally challenged. However, Tai Shou knew that his young son was not stupid. Because in Ji Yu's eyes, there was always a deep sadness and a faint confusion. Tai Shou didn't know what kind of gaze it was, but he had never seen such a gaze in anyone else's eyes before. Sometimes, Tai Shou felt confused too, thinking that this feeling was his own misconception, a father's doting love for his son creating an illusion! Nevertheless, Ji Yu was still Tai Shou's young son, and Tai Shou would often come to care for him, whether there was anything specific to attend to or not.

  Five years have passed, and Ji Yu is five years old! In ancient times, the children of officials and nobles would normally start their education at the age of five. However, Ji Yu's father, the Governor, hesitated. He didn't know if his young son was a normal child or not. If Ji Yu were truly an idiot, why make him suffer by sending him to school? After all, as a member of the imperial family, even though the royal title had been downgraded to a marquis due to the Emperor's decree, supporting an idiot son wouldn't be a problem. But precisely because he didn't know if his son was an idiot or not, the Governor worried even more. If his son wasn't an idiot but wasn't given an education, it would mean losing a good son, which was also unbearable for him. The more he thought about it, the more the Governor couldn't make up his mind. This worry seemed to have aged him by ten years or so!

  On this day, Ji Yu sat on the steps again in a daze. The governor saw him and walked over. Ji Yu seemed to have not seen the governor and just sat there motionless. The governor also disregarded his status and sat down beside him. After sitting down, he stroked Ji Yu's head and sighed: "I, Liu Junlang, had a child in middle age, which was originally a happy event, but..."

  The governor fell silent for a moment, then said: "Son! If you are really foolish, I am not afraid to support you for the rest of your life. Your elder brother is a kind person, and after I pass away, even if he inherits my title, he will still treat you well. If you are not foolish, give me a reaction!"

  Watching Ji Yu still being unmoved, the prefect let out a long sigh and said: "Since you have no reaction, it just proves that you're an idiot. As your father, I won't force you anymore! Just live well!"

  The county governor finished speaking and stood up to leave, and Ji Yu looked at the governor's hunched back, feeling a pang in his heart! When he couldn't find a job that year, his father had also said similar words. Ji Yu raised his head and saw a face full of concern, although with a hint of disappointment, but the thick paternal love could not be erased. Pitiful parents' hearts, every parent wants their children to succeed, but when their ideals are shattered, they will still treat their children with endless love.

  Ji Yu looked at the slightly aged Tai Shou, and suddenly his father in this life merged with his father from his past life. Since he couldn't be filial to his father in his past life, why should he let his father in this life down? His parents in this life had given him a body and love, so why should they worry about his losses? Ji Yu's knot was suddenly untied! He knew that no matter what, parents always hoped their children would be well. Since he had been reborn, even if he couldn't go back, he still had to live a fulfilling life, which was the only way to repay his parents' love. Whether in past or present lives, only by living out his own style and splendor could his parents be happy! Ji Yu lifted his head and smiled at Tai Shou, but this bright smile made Tai Shou think he was smiling foolishly. Tai Shou's heart suddenly tightened, and he patted Ji Yu's head, saying: "Son, don't worry! Father will help you arrange everything!"

  "Dad, what are you going to arrange?" A clear and crisp childlike voice, but slightly hoarse, after all, it's been a long time since he spoke, and Ji Yu still wasn't used to it!

  "Ah...?" Tai Shou was taken aback: "Is... is it you who's speaking?"

  The young jade stood up and bowed deeply, then opened his mouth with a smile: "Son let father worry! In fact, son has been able to speak for a long time, just being lazy and not wanting to talk!"

  "Lazy... lazybones?!" Tai Shou didn't know whether to be angry or amused! For a ridiculous reason, he had been ridiculed by outsiders for several years. But his son wasn't an idiot, and his words were so logical that it was possible he was a genius, which made Tai Shou unable to get angry again. Suddenly, Tai Shou loudly shouted: "Someone come! Invite Madame, Eldest Young Master, Second Young Master, Third Young Master, our Xiaojue has started speaking!"

  "That... father!" Ji Yu rubbed his nose and said: "Can't you call me Xiao Ju'er?"

  "Why?" Taishou asked in puzzlement: "People use jade to describe the virtues of a gentleman, and the name 'Jade' is a pair of jades, what a good name!"

  Ji Yu awkwardly smiled and said: "The meaning is not bad, but it's just too unpleasant to hear! Jue Er! Jiao Er's, no one knows what kind of corner it is, sounds like a street performer!"

  The county magistrate looked at Ji Yu and said, "Alright, since you can speak today, I'll call you Zhan'er! Your full name will be just the character 'Zhan'!" Ji Yu nodded, although the name 'Zhan' didn't sound great either, it was much better than the name 'Jue' that he had hated since his past life.

  "Has my son learned to speak?" A woman in her thirties rushed over, followed by three young men ranging from seventeen or eighteen to over ten years old.

  "Nice to meet you, mother and three brothers!" Ji Yu stood up and bowed to the young woman and the three boys.

  "My son can really talk now and is so polite... I... I..." The young woman was overjoyed, she hugged Ji Yu and burst into tears!

  The county lieutenant was extremely embarrassed and chased all the servants away. Ji Yu patted the young woman's back with her small hand and said, "Child has worried Mother, please forgive child's unfilialness!"

  "Good! Good! As long as our son is fine, that's all that matters!" The county magistrate's wife exclaimed excitedly, almost incoherently: "Husband, hurry and pay respects to our ancestors! Xiaojue has recovered normally!"

  Listening to the familiar Xiao Ju, Ji Yu's head was a mess of black threads. What's normal anyway? In the past, they all thought he was an abnormal person! Just as Ji Yu was about to speak, the young man at the front said: "Father, Mother, Fourth Brother has finally recovered, everyone is happy, but Mother is so overjoyed and sorrowful, it's easy to hurt her body!"

  It was actually Season Jade's older brother who spoke up, and the county lieutenant also noticed this problem. He couldn't let his wife cry anymore, so he smiled and said: "Women are just more tearful! Since Zhang'er is fine, we'll have many days of intimacy in the future! Let's set up wine and offerings to worship our ancestors, and drink a few cups to celebrate Zhang'er speaking up!"

  "That... Father!" Ji Yu heard the sound of drinking and felt a little thirsty. In his previous life, he was quite fond of wine, but he had a good capacity for it and was very good at controlling himself, so he never got drunk. The only time he did get drunk, he inexplicably crossed over! However, as a five-year-old child, if he were to suggest that he wanted to drink wine, he worried that his parents would not be pleased!

  The governor saw Ji Yu's coquettish behavior and was somewhat displeased, saying: "A man should be a big husband, why act like a daughter? When it comes to father and brother, speak directly!"

  Ji Yu's face turned red as she said, "Can I have a drink?"