The beloved baby has a space

Chapter 186 Eating Fruit

After repeated testing over this period of time, Murong Run realized that the item he bought was indeed worth its price, and he would even be willing to pay another thousand taels of silver now.

“Mother, this is no ordinary fruit. Why don’t you try one and you’ll know if what I’m saying is accurate.”

Lady Murong was unwilling to eat it.

The Murong family was a large and powerful family, with not only high-ranking officials in the imperial court, but also a vast business empire. As the matriarch of the Murong family, what good things hadn't she eaten? What good things hadn't she seen?

Many of the tributes from the imperial palace could even be easily found in the Murong family mansion.

Why is it that so many tribute items have to be selected by them?

“I won’t eat that kind of nonsense. Throw it away right now. As for the money you’re wasting, consider it a lesson learned.” Madam Murong wiped her nose with a handkerchief, pretending that she couldn’t stand the smell. “You’ve had a long and tiring journey. It would be impolite to go see your grandfather like this. Go and freshen up first, and I’ll take you to see him.”

Lady Murong's family was also from Baihua County. The two families were old friends, and their ancestral homes were only one street apart. They had frequent exchanges, and every time Murong Run returned from a trip, he would visit her.

"Alright, I'll give some to my grandfather first, so he can take care of his health."

"Don't you listen to me? Throw that thing away as soon as possible, don't give it to your grandfather, or others will laugh at you!" Madam Murong frowned, very dissatisfied with Murong Run's disobedience. "It doesn't matter if you don't have any other gifts on you, I have already instructed someone to prepare some for you. Just take them to your grandfather, and he will appreciate your filial piety."

Murong Run knew his mother was rather stubborn, and there was no point in arguing with her now, so he just verbally agreed.

"My son knows."

Murong Run's maternal grandfather was once the Crown Prince's tutor. Later, the Crown Prince ascended the throne and became the current emperor. Murong Run's maternal grandfather assisted the emperor for several years. After helping the emperor to establish a firm foothold, he took the initiative to resign and retire.

The Tian family had accumulated considerable prestige. His maternal grandfather was very wise; he withdrew from the business at its peak, thus preserving the family's reputation and ensuring that the Tian family would always remember them and not feel disgusted by their growing power.

When any family reaches the top, it will arouse the suspicion of the imperial family, eventually making the ministers no longer ministers and the emperor no longer emperor. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a distance from both sides.

For this reason, the governor of Baihua County respected his maternal grandfather very much, and officials of all ranks treated both families with great courtesy.

Murong Run's maternal grandfather's surname was Qiu, and people respectfully called him Master Qiu.

When he arrived, Old Master Qiu was taking his medicine while being served by servants.

"Grandpa," Murong Run stepped forward to greet him.

"Run, you've arrived?" Old Master Qiu wiped the medicine stains from the corner of his mouth, struggled to sit up, and looked at Murong Run with exceptionally gentle eyes. "How have you been these past few months?"

"Thank you for your concern, Grandpa. I'm alright."

"You look a bit thin. Is it because the food outside isn't to your liking?" Grandpa Qiu has many grandchildren, but his favorite is Murong Run. This child has clear eyes and a pure heart.

Madam Murong smiled and said, "This child is thoughtful. He has been out here for the past few months looking for a gift that will suit your taste."

As she spoke, Madam Murong gestured to her personal maid to present the prepared gifts.

However, Murong Run took the initiative and directly took out a brocade box from his pocket and placed it in front of Old Master Qiu.

"Grandpa, this is what I found for you. It has the effect of nourishing the mind and spirit. Please try it."

Murong Run originally planned to wait until Old Master Qiu's 80th birthday to figure out how to prepare food for him.

Old Master Qiu was a man who never sought fame or fortune, nor did he have much interest in money. He didn't particularly appreciate the filial piety of his descendants, but rather, thoughtful gifts could bring him some joy. Murong Run's gifts were the most thoughtful.

Seeing Murong Run's insincere behavior, Madam Murong was somewhat displeased, but now that she was in front of her father, she couldn't say anything more.

So that Old Master Qiu wouldn't think that Murong Run didn't care about him anymore and was just going to find some wild fruit outside to appease him.

At this moment, Madam Murong's expression as she looked at Murong Run clearly showed displeasure.

But Murong Run ignored all of that.

Old Master Qiu has been feeling unwell lately and his spirits haven't been very high, but when Murong Run gave him a gift, he managed to cheer himself up.

The brocade box was opened, and inside lay two fruits. They looked to be of excellent quality, but it was unclear what variety they were.

A servant was nearby and wanted to come forward to test him with silver needles, a habit that Old Master Qiu had developed over the years and couldn't break.

"No need to test it. I like how this fruit looks. Cut a piece for me to try." Old Master Qiu's appetite hasn't been very good lately, and even though the fruit was only the size of a fingernail, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to eat it.

Lady Murong could no longer sit still: "Father, this fruit..."

My father's health wasn't very good to begin with. What if there's something wrong with this fruit and he ruins his health?
Old Master Qiu ignored Madam Murong's words; he simply wanted to taste the fruit and wasn't afraid that Murong Run might tamper with it.

The Qiu family has a clean and upright family tradition, without any ulterior motives, and the Murong family is the same; otherwise, they wouldn't have become family friends.

The servant next to him found a clean dagger and cut a small piece off the fruit.

Grandpa Qiu hadn't held out much hope, thinking the fruit would either be sour or sweet. But when the juicy piece of fruit touched his lips and tongue, Grandpa Qiu's eyes widened slightly.

"Father, is something wrong? Spit it out quickly!" Madam Murong said anxiously, and hurriedly called to the people around her, "What are you all standing there for? Quickly get the thing out of the old man's mouth!"

Murong Run, however, remained calm and composed.

The piece of fruit was small to begin with, and before Grandpa Qiu could even feel it, it was gone. So, to everyone's astonishment, Grandpa Qiu reached out, picked up the remaining fruit, and popped it into his mouth without a word.

After finishing one, he immediately went to eat a second one, completely disregarding whether the fruit had been washed or not.

When the old housekeeper who served Master Qiu saw this, he was moved to tears.

"The old man hasn't eaten much these past few days, but he's finally able to open his mouth today!"

If it weren't for the medicine he was taking, Old Master Qiu would have been starving to death.

After eating the two fruits, Grandpa Qiu was in an even better mood.

"Run'er, the fruit you brought is very delicious. Is this what you went out to find?" Old Master Qiu asked in surprise.

Murong Run: "Yes, Grandfather, I originally intended to use the gift for your 80th birthday, but seeing that you didn't look well, I had to send this gift ahead of schedule. Don't worry, I have quite a few left, and I'll have someone send them to your residence later."

Murong Run was unaware that it was this very fruit he had delivered that, by a twist of fate, saved Old Master Qiu's life.

Without this special fruit, Old Master Qiu would have had to let his appetite decline, and eventually died from physical weakness.

(End of this chapter)