187 Eating Fruits
After repeated tests during this period of time, Murong Run had already understood that the things he had bought were indeed worth a lot. He was even willing to pay another thousand taels of silver now.
“Mother, this is not an ordinary fruit. Why don’t you try one and see if your son is right?”
How could Madam Murong be willing to eat it?
The Murong Family was a large family. Not only did they have powerful high-ranking officials in the Imperial Court, but their business territory was also large. As the Madam of the Murong family, what had she not eaten before?
In fact, many tribute foods from the palace could be easily found in their Murong Manor.
Who asked them to be the ones in charge of choosing the tribute foods to be sent to the palace?
“I’m not eating those weird things. Hurry up and throw them away. As for the money you lost, take it as a lesson.” Madam Murong wiped her nose with a handkerchief and pretended to be unable to stand the smell. “You must be tired from the journey and are covered in dust. It’s rude to go and see your Grandpa like this. Go wash up first before I bring you to see your Grandpa.”
Madam Murong’s family was also in Tonghua County. The two families were long-time friends, and their ancestral houses were only one street apart. They usually interacted very closely. Every time Murong Run returned from his trip, he had to pay a visit.
“Alright, I’ll submit a portion to Grandpa first and let him recuperate.”
“You don’t listen to me, do you? Throw that thing away as soon as possible. Don’t give it to your Grandpa to eat, lest others laugh at you!” Madam Murong frowned. She was very dissatisfied with Murong Run’s disobedience. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t have any other gifts on you. I’ve already instructed someone to prepare it for you. When the time comes, you just have to bring it to your Grandpa. He will remember your filial piety.”
Murong Run knew that his mother was very stubborn. There was no point in arguing with her at this time, so he agreed on the surface.
“I understand.”
Murong Run’s grandfather was once the Crown Prince’s Mentor. Later on, when the Crown Prince ascended the throne and became the current Emperor, Murong Run’s grandfather assisted the Emperor for a few years. After helping the Emperor to a stable position, he took the initiative to resign and retire.
The Imperial Family had accumulated a lot of power. His grandfather was very smart and retreated from the political scene when the family was at its most prosperous. By doing that, he managed to preserve the strength of the family completely and retain the gratitude of the Imperial Family. They did not incur the hatred and vigilance of the Imperial Family by seeing them grow bigger and stronger.
When any family reached the top, they would arouse the suspicion of the Imperial Family. In the end, the line between the official and the ruler would be blurred. Therefore, there had to be a distance between the two sides.
It was precisely because of this that the county governor of Tonghua County respected his grandfather very much. The various officials were more polite to the two families.
Murong Run’s grandfather’s surname was Qiu, and people called him Duke Qiu.
When he arrived, Old Master Qiu was drinking medicine under the service of a servant.
“Grandpa.” Murong Run stepped forward to greet him.
“Run’er, you’re here?” Old Master Qiu wiped the medicine stain from the corner of his mouth and struggled to sit up. He looked at Murong Run with an especially gentle gaze. “How have you been these past few months outside?”
“Thank you for your concern, Grandpa. I’m good.”
“I think you’ve lost some weight. Is the food outside not to your liking?” Old Master Qiu had many grandsons, but he liked Murong Run the most. This child’s eyes were clear, and he was a pure-hearted kid.
Madam Murong smiled and said, “This child is very considerate. He’s been out for the past few months just to find a gift for you.”
As she spoke, Madam Murong gestured to her personal maidservant to hand over the prepared gift.
However, Murong Run was one step ahead. He took out a brocade box and placed it in front of Old Master Qiu.
“Grandpa, I found this for you. It has the effect of nourishing the mind. Try it.”
Originally, Murong Run wanted to wait until Old Master Qiu’s 80th birthday before thinking of a way to make the fruits into exquisite food for him.
Old Master Qiu did not fight for fame and fortune all his life, and he did not have much interest in money. He usually did not like the filial piety of his descendants. Instead, only those thoughtful gifts could make him a little happy.
Murong Run was the most attentive.
Seeing Murong Run complying on the surface but disobeying on the inside, Madam Murong was a little unhappy. But now, in front of her father, she could not say anything.
This was to prevent Old Master Qiu from thinking that Murong Run did not care about him anymore and casually found some wild fruits outside to deal with him.
At this moment, Madam Murong looked at Murong Run with obvious displeasure.
However, Murong Run ignored this.
Old Master Qiu’s body had been a little uncomfortable recently, and he was not in good spirits. However, he still perked up when Murong Run gave him a gift.
When the brocade box was opened, there were two fruits lying inside. They looked good, but he did not know what type of fruit they were.
A servant at the side wanted to come forward and test them with silver needles. This was also a habit that Old Master Qiu had developed over the years and could not be changed.
“There’s no need to test it. I see that these fruits look good. Cut some for me to try.” Old Master Qiu’s appetite had not been good recently. Even if the fruits were only the size of a fingernail, he was afraid that he would not be able to eat it.
Madam Murong could not sit still anymore. “Father, this fruit…”
Her father’s health was not good to begin with. What if there was something wrong with this fruit and his body collapsed from eating it?
Old Master Qiu did not listen to Madam Murong. He just wanted to try this fruit. Of course, he was not afraid that Murong Run would do anything to it.
The Qiu family was upright and did not have scheming people. The Murong family was the same. Otherwise, they would not have become family friends.
The servant beside him found a clean dagger and cut a small piece of the fruit.
Old Master Qiu originally did not have much hope. He only thought that the fruit was either sour or sweet. However, when the fruit with rich fruit juice entered his mouth, Old Master Qiu’s eyes widened slightly.
“Father, are you feeling unwell? Hurry up and spit it out!” Madam Murong was anxious and hurriedly called out to the people around her. “What are you waiting for? Hurry up and get the thing out of the Old Master’s mouth!”
Murong Run was calm and composed.
The piece of fruit was small to begin with, so it was gone before Old Master Qiu could sense anything. Therefore, under everyone’s surprised gazes, Old Master Qiu reached out and picked up the remaining fruit before throwing it into his mouth.
After eating one fruit, he continued to eat the second. He did not care if the fruits were washed or not.
When the old butler serving Old Master Qiu saw this, he burst into tears.
“The Old Master hasn’t eaten much in the past few days. He has finally opened his mouth today!”
If not for the fact that there was still medicine to support him, Old Master Qiu would definitely be on the verge of death.
After eating the two fruits, Old Master Qiu was even more happy.
“Run’er, the fruits you brought are very refreshing. Is this what you went out to find?” Old Master Qiu asked in surprise.
Murong Run: “Yes, Grandpa. I originally wanted to use the congratulatory gift for your 80th birthday, but seeing that you don’t look good, I could only send this congratulatory gift in advance. Don’t worry, I still have a lot. I’ll get someone to send it to your residence later.”
Murong Run still did not know that it was this fruit that he had sent over that had saved Old Master Qiu’s life.
If not for this special fruit, Old Master Qiu would continue to refuse food and turn weaker, eventually passing away.