Chapter 471 Father and Son Conversation
Song Zhiyuan heard the crying coming from the main hall behind him. He paused for a moment, and that instant of hesitation ultimately turned into a sigh that escaped from his throat.
After leaving the main courtyard, he casually walked to Song Lingsu’s Chenxiang Pavilion.
The Chenxiang Pavilion was unlike other courtyards, which were planted with many flowering trees. It only had a large phoenix tree, keeping it very simple.
Song Zhiyuan raised his hand to stop the servant from announcing his arrival and walked into the main room himself.
Song Lingsu’s room was not filled with precious antique vases, but rather with books, along with various valuable calligraphy and paintings. The room had a faint scent of ink. The place where an Arhat bed should have been placed for rest was instead occupied by a desk with the Four Treasures of the Study on it.
Beside the desk was a beauty couch, next to which stood a large floor-to-ceiling bookshelf.
The fragrance of books was elegant.
He knew that there were even more books on the second floor, and the Chenxiang Pavilion was essentially a small study.
Song Lingsu came down from the second floor, holding a travel journal in his hand. When he saw Song Zhiyuan, he was momentarily stunned, quickly walked down with hurried steps, and hid the book behind his back.
But hiding it was futile, as he needed to pay his respects.
Casually tossing the book onto a pile of books, Song Lingsu cupped his hands and performed a filial salute to Song Zhiyuan: "Child greets father, what brings you here?"
There was a hint of cautiousness in his tone.
Song Zhiyuan sighed softly in his heart and smiled, saying, "At ease."
Song Lingsu straightened his body. Over the years, he had grown taller, and his face had changed from youthful to refined and gentle.
The boy had grown up.
Song Zhiyuan couldn’t help but place his hand on his head.
Song Lingsu was taken aback, instinctively wanting to dodge, but upon seeing his surprise, he put his head back, with a slight trace of delight in his heart.
Seeing this, Song Zhiyuan laughed and ruffled his hair.
Song Lingsu also laughed, joyfully saying, "Father, would you like some tea?"
"Sure."
Song Lingsu then personally went to make some tea. When he turned around with the tea in hand, he was a little shocked to see his old man had already picked up the travel journal and was reading it.
"Father, please have some tea." He respectfully offered the tea with both hands.
Song Zhiyuan took it and said, "Why are you reading this type of book?"
Song Lingsu let out a small sound and said, "I saw it by chance at the bookstore, flipped through it, found it quite interesting, and bought it. Just for reading in my leisure time, father."
"No worries, when I was your age, I read all kinds of books too, not limited to the common tales of the marketplace."
Song Lingsu was surprised: "Really?"
"Of course, but back then our family was declining, and we didn’t have as much silver to buy books as we do now."
"Then what did you do, father? You also devoured many books."
"I went to the bookstore to copy books. It allowed me to practice calligraphy, earn some silver, and read books—a threefold benefit." Recalling his childhood days, Song Zhiyuan felt a bit nostalgic.
A trace of admiration and respect rose in Song Lingsu’s eyes, and somewhat embarrassed, he said, "I am not as good as father."
He simply bought whatever he wanted without earning a single piece of silver himself.
"What you enjoy now is because the predecessors planted the trees, allowing the descendants to enjoy the shade." Song Zhiyuan looked at his eldest son and said, "Su’er, everyone is a predecessor. As long as you contribute to the family, your descendants will also enjoy what you have today and perhaps even more wealth, as long as the Song Family continues to prosper."
Song Lingsu pondered silently.
Song Zhiyuan glanced at him and asked, "Your third brother has been selected to become the study companion for the fifth prince. How do you feel about it? Do you have any regrets or resentment?"