Chapter 227
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The small second room also contained a heated brick bed as well as a small stool and a wooden chest. This room had belonged to Leo. Unfortunately, due to the side building being open to the elements somewhat, it had become a bit of a storage room with a metal casket of coal and a barrel with a bit of coarse rice at the bottom of it. These, and a few other things, were tossed to one side, a worn out futon rolled out on top of it and three youths spent the night sitting in cultivation above that.
Leon came out of the meditative state before dawn, blinking as he tried to recollect where he was. He certainly hadn't been expecting to see Sun's face first this morning! That person was now leaning uncomfortably against the wall, snoring with dribble sliding down his chin. The heat of another body came from behind him and Leon turned to see Jin Li lazily looking his way with a contented expression upon his face. Realising that he had his small alchemist's attention, he stole a kiss, before inquiring about breakfast.
Breakfast was a simple affair, though Leonard grumbled about the coins his grandson must have wasted on the dried salt pork that was added to the white rice porridge and just how much had it set him back to purchase such fine rice anyway? His bowl was completely cleaned regardless and he even fought with Jin Li over seconds.
Sun's carriage returned to the village not long after breakfast; he had to return home to spend the new year with his family. It was already clear that Leon was going to remain in the village to reacquaint himself with his grandfather and where Leon was, Jin Li was naturally going to be also. However, before hand, the two drivers were recruited to help patch up the roof of the side building and Sun's servant helped clean out the room. Wu Ye, Jin Li and Sun had left to explore the woods, likely for prey, while Leon remained in the doors sitting beside his old grandfather with Li Ming dozing at his feet.
Leonard was binding papers into blank books ready for scholars and students to purchase and use, while Leon was carving a strip of wood hoping to replace a rotten window frame. It was all very harmonious.
"Who the hell are you people!" The shrill voice was so familiar, Leon couldn't help but wonder how it could ever have been forgotten. He glanced up at his grandfather, as his stomach felt as if it were sinking suddenly and echoes of past nerves caught his unawares. The old man sighed then grabbed his cane to help him to his feet. Leon automatically stumbled to his own in order to be additional aid. "What are you doing to my father's house?!"
"Pipe down, Lessa," growled Leonard as he stood in the doorway of the house upon Leon's arm, whose glasses had begun to fog due to the mix of the cold air of the outside and the escaping warmth from inside. "These 'ere men are jus' kindly fixing a few things for this old man on account o' their Master's request. Didnae have anythin' to do with ye."
Leo's aunt was just as Leon had pictured her, though some of those frown lines had etched more permanently upon her face, proving age will claim any outer beauty in the end. There was white in her hair which he recalled was once more a mousy brown. Most of the villagers had tones similar, ranging from a dark ash brown to a colour similar to straw. It had never occurred to him before, but Leon's own midnight locks were actually unique here. So with Yang streaks, naturally he would stand out more in the future.
It wasn't certain if that's what the older woman noticed first about him, because she blinked twice before her eyes narrowed in both thought and speculation. But whatever crossed her mind was dismissed in the next moment as she saw that while the cut of his clothing was better than the second hand, oversized clothes he'd left in, he was still dressed in hemp, like any other commoner. Her own was at least dyed an attractive plum and embroidered with peonies.
"So long as they aren't trying to con you out of coin, father," she grumbled, though her tone clearly held hidden meanings.
"What are ye doin' here anyway," demanded the old man, gruffly, causing her eyes to snap to attention.
"Can't a daughter pay respect to her father now and then?" She asked, despite the lack of any respect in her tone. His dark eyes peered out from beneath his bushy white brows and he stared her down until she added; "I also was told that my nephew had returned. I thought it best to see for myself."
"Ye've seen," Leonard waved a dismissive hand. "Ye can leave now. Wouldn' wan' to keep ye when ye are busy with all of them responsibilities." He turned, continuing to lean on Leon as he reentered the house. Behind them, Lessa's eyes narrowed and her brows furled into a frown, as words from their past were flung back at her. She sent a sharp look at the men patching up the old side building before following her father and nephew into the house uninvited.
And then she shrieked.
"What in heaven's name is that?!" The little white and black striped Coeurl hissed unhappily. It was not a 'that!' It was Li Ming!
Leon knelt down and murmured softly to it. "G-go lie in m-m-my room alright." It nuzzled Leon's hand with a purr before giving the loud woman a practiced look of disdain (Wu Ye had taught it well) and then it padded off into the room. The woman clutched at her skirts as it passed and leaned close to the wall.
"Are you trying to get your grandfather killed, idiot boy!" She cursed at Leon, her courage somewhat returned now that the beast was not in sight. "Letting wild animals loose inside a house! It'll kill you in your sleep!"
Leon knew that it was futile to argue back. From the moment he had seen her standing, scowling and angry for no apparent reason outside in the courtyard area, his mind had become filled with memories of this woman. She had considered him a disgrace, a burden and a stain on her reputation. Idiot boy was one of the more polite terms she had used rather than his name. He recalled times when she had screamed at him so much that he had become flustered to the point he could no longer speak, let alone stammer out words. Thus he sat back upon his stool and continued to carve as if she wasn't there.
Unfortunately, this infuriated her. "Father, you are old," she said in righteous anger. "You cannot support this burden any longer! Wasn't that why you sent him to that school in the first place? And look, kicked out and leaning on you once more, just like I stated back then! A waste of that silver coin you gave him for the journey! Give him to me, I'll train him into something useful, perhaps he can even be relied upon to til the fields in the spring."
"Lessa..." there was a vein pulsing at his grandfather's temple, Leon noticed as he glanced up at the old man. However before Leonard could say any more, the door opened behind her and the woman nearly fainted in shock. Wu Ye, this overly large feline who took up too much space within the small house, just sniffed the air before licking it's muzzle and padding nonchalantly into the second room.
Leon's aunt gasped for breath, pointing a trembling finger at the doorway of the second room before that finger then was redirected at her nephew. "You...!"
"We captured a hare!" Sun said cheerfully as he entered revealing the spoils. "It's just an ordinary one though." Most of the animals that lived in the woods had gone into hibernation, so it was of no surprise that not much game was found. The hare was a fair size though and fresh meat was always welcome.
"Th-that's fine," Leon sent him a smile that did not hide the relief he felt for the interruption. "G-grandfather c-c-can't eat m-meat from a sp-sp-spirit b-beast."
"Oh yeah!" Sun grinned and Leon inwardly laughed at him. He reckoned that this innocent young master had never actually hunted for his family's dinner so wouldn't know of that ordinary people couldn't eat the meat from most beasts, with perhaps the exception of dire beasts. In fact, he would not have known if it wasn't for the fact he had practiced cooking with Mino's mother a few times in the past few months, wanting to improve the skill. His eyes lifted to see Jin Li enter and Leon's smile became warmer.
"Make this Lord a pot of tea," Jin Li demanded. Leon rose to his feet and went to heat water in the kettle.
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The small second room also contained a heated brick bed as well as a small stool and a wooden chest. This room had belonged to Leo. Unfortunately, due to the side building being open to the elements somewhat, it had become a bit of a storage room with a metal casket of coal and a barrel with a bit of coarse rice at the bottom of it. These, and a few other things, were tossed to one side, a worn out futon rolled out on top of it and three youths spent the night sitting in cultivation above that.
Leon came out of the meditative state before dawn, blinking as he tried to recollect where he was. He certainly hadn't been expecting to see Sun's face first this morning! That person was now leaning uncomfortably against the wall, snoring with dribble sliding down his chin. The heat of another body came from behind him and Leon turned to see Jin Li lazily looking his way with a contented expression upon his face. Realising that he had his small alchemist's attention, he stole a kiss, before inquiring about breakfast.
Breakfast was a simple affair, though Leonard grumbled about the coins his grandson must have wasted on the dried salt pork that was added to the white rice porridge and just how much had it set him back to purchase such fine rice anyway? His bowl was completely cleaned regardless and he even fought with Jin Li over seconds.
Sun's carriage returned to the village not long after breakfast; he had to return home to spend the new year with his family. It was already clear that Leon was going to remain in the village to reacquaint himself with his grandfather and where Leon was, Jin Li was naturally going to be also. However, before hand, the two drivers were recruited to help patch up the roof of the side building and Sun's servant helped clean out the room. Wu Ye, Jin Li and Sun had left to explore the woods, likely for prey, while Leon remained in the doors sitting beside his old grandfather with Li Ming dozing at his feet.
Leonard was binding papers into blank books ready for scholars and students to purchase and use, while Leon was carving a strip of wood hoping to replace a rotten window frame. It was all very harmonious.
"Who the hell are you people!" The shrill voice was so familiar, Leon couldn't help but wonder how it could ever have been forgotten. He glanced up at his grandfather, as his stomach felt as if it were sinking suddenly and echoes of past nerves caught his unawares. The old man sighed then grabbed his cane to help him to his feet. Leon automatically stumbled to his own in order to be additional aid. "What are you doing to my father's house?!"
"Pipe down, Lessa," growled Leonard as he stood in the doorway of the house upon Leon's arm, whose glasses had begun to fog due to the mix of the cold air of the outside and the escaping warmth from inside. "These 'ere men are jus' kindly fixing a few things for this old man on account o' their Master's request. Didnae have anythin' to do with ye."
Leo's aunt was just as Leon had pictured her, though some of those frown lines had etched more permanently upon her face, proving age will claim any outer beauty in the end. There was white in her hair which he recalled was once more a mousy brown. Most of the villagers had tones similar, ranging from a dark ash brown to a colour similar to straw. It had never occurred to him before, but Leon's own midnight locks were actually unique here. So with Yang streaks, naturally he would stand out more in the future.
It wasn't certain if that's what the older woman noticed first about him, because she blinked twice before her eyes narrowed in both thought and speculation. But whatever crossed her mind was dismissed in the next moment as she saw that while the cut of his clothing was better than the second hand, oversized clothes he'd left in, he was still dressed in hemp, like any other commoner. Her own was at least dyed an attractive plum and embroidered with peonies.
"So long as they aren't trying to con you out of coin, father," she grumbled, though her tone clearly held hidden meanings.
"What are ye doin' here anyway," demanded the old man, gruffly, causing her eyes to snap to attention.
"Can't a daughter pay respect to her father now and then?" She asked, despite the lack of any respect in her tone. His dark eyes peered out from beneath his bushy white brows and he stared her down until she added; "I also was told that my nephew had returned. I thought it best to see for myself."
"Ye've seen," Leonard waved a dismissive hand. "Ye can leave now. Wouldn' wan' to keep ye when ye are busy with all of them responsibilities." He turned, continuing to lean on Leon as he reentered the house. Behind them, Lessa's eyes narrowed and her brows furled into a frown, as words from their past were flung back at her. She sent a sharp look at the men patching up the old side building before following her father and nephew into the house uninvited.
And then she shrieked.
"What in heaven's name is that?!" The little white and black striped Coeurl hissed unhappily. It was not a 'that!' It was Li Ming!
Leon knelt down and murmured softly to it. "G-go lie in m-m-my room alright." It nuzzled Leon's hand with a purr before giving the loud woman a practiced look of disdain (Wu Ye had taught it well) and then it padded off into the room. The woman clutched at her skirts as it passed and leaned close to the wall.
"Are you trying to get your grandfather killed, idiot boy!" She cursed at Leon, her courage somewhat returned now that the beast was not in sight. "Letting wild animals loose inside a house! It'll kill you in your sleep!"
Leon knew that it was futile to argue back. From the moment he had seen her standing, scowling and angry for no apparent reason outside in the courtyard area, his mind had become filled with memories of this woman. She had considered him a disgrace, a burden and a stain on her reputation. Idiot boy was one of the more polite terms she had used rather than his name. He recalled times when she had screamed at him so much that he had become flustered to the point he could no longer speak, let alone stammer out words. Thus he sat back upon his stool and continued to carve as if she wasn't there.
Unfortunately, this infuriated her. "Father, you are old," she said in righteous anger. "You cannot support this burden any longer! Wasn't that why you sent him to that school in the first place? And look, kicked out and leaning on you once more, just like I stated back then! A waste of that silver coin you gave him for the journey! Give him to me, I'll train him into something useful, perhaps he can even be relied upon to til the fields in the spring."
"Lessa..." there was a vein pulsing at his grandfather's temple, Leon noticed as he glanced up at the old man. However before Leonard could say any more, the door opened behind her and the woman nearly fainted in shock. Wu Ye, this overly large feline who took up too much space within the small house, just sniffed the air before licking it's muzzle and padding nonchalantly into the second room.
Leon's aunt gasped for breath, pointing a trembling finger at the doorway of the second room before that finger then was redirected at her nephew. "You...!"
"We captured a hare!" Sun said cheerfully as he entered revealing the spoils. "It's just an ordinary one though." Most of the animals that lived in the woods had gone into hibernation, so it was of no surprise that not much game was found. The hare was a fair size though and fresh meat was always welcome.
"Th-that's fine," Leon sent him a smile that did not hide the relief he felt for the interruption. "G-grandfather c-c-can't eat m-meat from a sp-sp-spirit b-beast."
"Oh yeah!" Sun grinned and Leon inwardly laughed at him. He reckoned that this innocent young master had never actually hunted for his family's dinner so wouldn't know of that ordinary people couldn't eat the meat from most beasts, with perhaps the exception of dire beasts. In fact, he would not have known if it wasn't for the fact he had practiced cooking with Mino's mother a few times in the past few months, wanting to improve the skill. His eyes lifted to see Jin Li enter and Leon's smile became warmer.
"Make this Lord a pot of tea," Jin Li demanded. Leon rose to his feet and went to heat water in the kettle.
The small second room also contained a heated brick bed as well as a small stool and a wooden chest. This room had belonged to Leo. Unfortunately, due to the side building being open to the elements somewhat, it had become a bit of a storage room with a metal casket of coal and a barrel with a bit of coarse rice at the bottom of it. These, and a few other things, were tossed to one side, a worn out futon rolled out on top of it and three youths spent the night sitting in cultivation above that.Leon came out of the meditative state before dawn, blinking as he tried to recollect where he was. He certainly hadn't been expecting to see Sun's face first this morning! That person was now leaning uncomfortably against the wall, snoring with dribble sliding down his chin. The heat of another body came from behind him and Leon turned to see Jin Li lazily looking his way with a contented expression upon his face. Realising that he had his small alchemist's attention, he stole a kiss, before inquiring about breakfast.Breakfast was a simple affair, though Leonard grumbled about the coins his grandson must have wasted on the dried salt pork that was added to the white rice porridge and just how much had it set him back to purchase such fine rice anyway? His bowl was completely cleaned regardless and he even fought with Jin Li over seconds. Sun's carriage returned to the village not long after breakfast; he had to return home to spend the new year with his family. It was already clear that Leon was going to remain in the village to reacquaint himself with his grandfather and where Leon was, Jin Li was naturally going to be also. However, before hand, the two drivers were recruited to help patch up the roof of the side building and Sun's servant helped clean out the room. Wu Ye, Jin Li and Sun had left to explore the woods, likely for prey, while Leon remained in the doors sitting beside his old grandfather with Li Ming dozing at his feet.Leonard was binding papers into blank books ready for scholars and students to purchase and use, while Leon was carving a strip of wood hoping to replace a rotten window frame. It was all very harmonious."Who the hell are you people!" The shrill voice was so familiar, Leon couldn't help but wonder how it could ever have been forgotten. He glanced up at his grandfather, as his stomach felt as if it were sinking suddenly and echoes of past nerves caught his unawares. The old man sighed then grabbed his cane to help him to his feet. Leon automatically stumbled to his own in order to be additional aid. "What are you doing to my father's house?!""Pipe down, Lessa," growled Leonard as he stood in the doorway of the house upon Leon's arm, whose glasses had begun to fog due to the mix of the cold air of the outside and the escaping warmth from inside. "These 'ere men are jus' kindly fixing a few things for this old man on account o' their Master's request. Didnae have anythin' to do with ye."Leo's aunt was just as Leon had pictured her, though some of those frown lines had etched more permanently upon her face, proving age will claim any outer beauty in the end. There was white in her hair which he recalled was once more a mousy brown. Most of the villagers had tones similar, ranging from a dark ash brown to a colour similar to straw. It had never occurred to him before, but Leon's own midnight locks were actually unique here. So with Yang streaks, naturally he would stand out more in the future.It wasn't certain if that's what the older woman noticed first about him, because she blinked twice before her eyes narrowed in both thought and speculation. But whatever crossed her mind was dismissed in the next moment as she saw that while the cut of his clothing was better than the second hand, oversized clothes he'd left in, he was still dressed in hemp, like any other commoner. Her own was at least dyed an attractive plum and embroidered with peonies."So long as they aren't trying to con you out of coin, father," she grumbled, though her tone clearly held hidden meanings."What are ye doin' here anyway," demanded the old man, gruffly, causing her eyes to snap to attention."Can't a daughter pay respect to her father now and then?" She asked, despite the lack of any respect in her tone. His dark eyes peered out from beneath his bushy white brows and he stared her down until she added; "I also was told that my nephew had returned. I thought it best to see for myself.""Ye've seen," Leonard waved a dismissive hand. "Ye can leave now. Wouldn' wan' to keep ye when ye are busy with all of them responsibilities." He turned, continuing to lean on Leon as he reentered the house. Behind them, Lessa's eyes narrowed and her brows furled into a frown, as words from their past were flung back at her. She sent a sharp look at the men patching up the old side building before following her father and nephew into the house uninvited.And then she shrieked."What in heaven's name is that?!" The little white and black striped Coeurl hissed unhappily. It was not a 'that!' It was Li Ming! Leon knelt down and murmured softly to it. "G-go lie in m-m-my room alright." It nuzzled Leon's hand with a purr before giving the loud woman a practiced look of disdain Wu Ye had taught it well and then it padded off into the room. The woman clutched at her skirts as it passed and leaned close to the wall."Are you trying to get your grandfather killed, idiot boy!" She cursed at Leon, her courage somewhat returned now that the beast was not in sight. "Letting wild animals loose inside a house! It'll kill you in your sleep!"Leon knew that it was futile to argue back. From the moment he had seen her standing, scowling and angry for no apparent reason outside in the courtyard area, his mind had become filled with memories of this woman. She had considered him a disgrace, a burden and a stain on her reputation. Idiot boy was one of the more polite terms she had used rather than his name. He recalled times when she had screamed at him so much that he had become flustered to the point he could no longer speak, let alone stammer out words. Thus he sat back upon his stool and continued to carve as if she wasn't there.Unfortunately, this infuriated her. "Father, you are old," she said in righteous anger. "You cannot support this burden any longer! Wasn't that why you sent him to that school in the first place? And look, kicked out and leaning on you once more, just like I stated back then! A waste of that silver coin you gave him for the journey! Give him to me, I'll train him into something useful, perhaps he can even be relied upon to til the fields in the spring.""Lessa..." there was a vein pulsing at his grandfather's temple, Leon noticed as he glanced up at the old man. However before Leonard could say any more, the door opened behind her and the woman nearly fainted in shock. Wu Ye, this overly large feline who took up too much space within the small house, just sniffed the air before licking it's muzzle and padding nonchalantly into the second room. Leon's aunt gasped for breath, pointing a trembling finger at the doorway of the second room before that finger then was redirected at her nephew. "You...!""We captured a hare!" Sun said cheerfully as he entered revealing the spoils. "It's just an ordinary one though." Most of the animals that lived in the woods had gone into hibernation, so it was of no surprise that not much game was found. The hare was a fair size though and fresh meat was always welcome. "Th-that's fine," Leon sent him a smile that did not hide the relief he felt for the interruption. "G-grandfather c-c-can't eat m-meat from a sp-sp-spirit b-beast.""Oh yeah!" Sun grinned and Leon inwardly laughed at him. He reckoned that this innocent young master had never actually hunted for his family's dinner so wouldn't know of that ordinary people couldn't eat the meat from most beasts, with perhaps the exception of dire beasts. In fact, he would not have known if it wasn't for the fact he had practiced cooking with Mino's mother a few times in the past few months, wanting to improve the skill. His eyes lifted to see Jin Li enter and Leon's smile became warmer."Make this Lord a pot of tea," Jin Li demanded. Leon rose to his feet and went to heat water in the kettle.
