The inkstone dropper fell to the ground with a clatter, shattering into pieces. Gu Xingzhao, startled, stood up from the sofa. Seeing that Lu Suo was gripping the cabinet door tightly, his body swaying, she hurriedly reached out to support him.

“Uncle Lu, are you feeling unwell?”

She carefully helped him sit down on the sofa, avoiding the shards on the floor.

Lu Suo took a moment to recover, then waved his hand. “It’s nothing, I might just be a little dizzy from lack of rest.”

Gu Xingzhao frowned slightly. “How about I accompany you to the hospital for a check-up?”

“No need.”

“But…” Gu Xingzhao hesitated, wanting to say more.

Lu Suo interjected, “It’s fine. I know my own body.”

“If you’re not feeling well, it’s better to get checked at the hospital,” she insisted.

Lu Suo waved his hand again, reassuring her. “If you keep going to the hospital, even if you’re fine, they’ll find something wrong with you. Besides, we have a medical check-up at my workplace in a few days. Don’t worry.”

Hearing this, Gu Xingzhao nodded and didn’t push further.

Lu Suo glanced at the floor, where the shattered pieces of the inkstone dropper lay. It would be difficult to repair, and he sighed deeply. “What a pity, such a fine item.”

He felt a pang of guilt, regretting the loss of the child’s thoughtful gift.

Gu Xingzhao smiled. “It’s nothing. They say breaking something brings peace.”

Lu Suo sighed again, wanting to get up and clean the mess, but Gu Xingzhao pressed him back onto the sofa.

“Please, rest for a while. I’ll take care of it,” she said.

Lu Suo hesitated but remained seated as Gu Xingzhao found a paper bag and gloves, carefully picking up the shards and placing them in the bag.

Later that evening, Gu Xingzhao left Lu’s house with the bag. Once she had walked some distance, she took out her phone from her pocket and called a friend at the local police station. “Aunt Li, it’s me.”

“Does your office have a medical check-up coming up?”

“Yes, please keep an eye on Uncle Lu during the check-up. Make sure he gets all the necessary tests. He’s stubborn and won’t go to the hospital even if something’s wrong, always thinking that illnesses are discovered at the hospital… Yes, thank you.”

By the time Gu Xingzhao returned home, it was already six o’clock. With no time to cook, she grabbed two backpacks and two folding tables, then transported them to the ancient times.

At that moment, the exiled group was still on the move. Lu Qing, leaning on his divine staff, was full of vigor, looking as if he had been rejuvenated by ten years.

Beside him, Lu Yang was wondering if the ancestor might appear again tonight. Should he volunteer for night watch?

But he wasn’t the only one with such thoughts. Many others, inspired by Lu Xingyao’s divine favor the previous night, were eager to keep watch, hoping to witness the divine presence themselves. After all, the scarf and gloves Lu Xingyao received were highly coveted.

Gu Xingzhao walked alongside them for a while, waiting until nightfall. The officers found a suitable place for the group to rest, and only then were they able to stop for the night.

Lu Zhou wanted to help his father, but Lu Qing, leaning on his divine staff, briskly walked back and forth, declining his son’s offer. “Your father has a divine staff bestowed by the ancestor. I don’t need your help.”

The old man’s proud words made Gu Xingzhao smile.

Lu Zhou and the younger generation exchanged helpless glances.

“A simple staff, and he’s already acting so high and mighty,” they thought.

Meanwhile, Lu Xingyao had just sat down and was fiddling with the scarf around his neck. Despite having walked all day in warm clothes, including thermal wear and a down jacket, he didn’t feel particularly cold. There was no need for the scarf and gloves, but he couldn’t bear to take them off, occasionally flaunting them in front of others.

The grandfather and grandson were truly alike.

Lu Yang whispered to his daughter, “My dear, let’s not be like your grandpa and your cousin in the future. They have no self-respect, okay?”

Lu Youtang looked at him in confusion, not understanding why her grandfather and cousin lacked self-respect, but she nodded anyway, indicating she understood, even though she didn’t know what she was supposed to understand.

Mrs. Xu, Lu Yang’s wife, glanced at him disdainfully, thinking, “He’s probably unaware that he’s the one lacking self-respect.”

Her father at least had a divine staff. Xingyao still had his scarf around his neck. What did Lu Yang have? If a bolt of lightning struck, there would be nothing left of him. How long would he stay so proud?

At the resting place, Gu Xingzhao unfolded two folding tables and placed them on the ground, laying out two blankets. She then set up two book stands on the tables and placed a reading device and water-writing cloth on each, carefully arranging the calligraphy brushes.

“Lu Qing, I’ve prepared some things for you. You can carry the portable items during the day, and I’ll take the larger items like tables and chairs when you settle down at night.”

Lu Qing was grateful. “Thank you, ancestor!”

He hadn’t expected the ancestor to be so thoughtful, even preparing tables and chairs.

Immediately, he sent someone to fetch Princess Shunyu and called for his granddaughter. As for the younger ones who hadn’t yet fully learned their characters, there was no rush for them.

When Shunyu arrived, she stood quietly to the side. Seeing the darkness all around, she didn’t ask any questions but simply waited.

Lu Youtang, led by her mother, Xu, looked around, finding it hard to believe this was a place where one could study.

Having little interest in studying herself, Xu had never read many books, but she didn’t want her daughter to follow in her footsteps. So, she was overjoyed and supportive when her father-in-law decided to teach her daughter to read.

Lu Yang joined in the fun. “Father, we don’t even have books. How are we supposed to study?”

No sooner had he spoken than the surroundings suddenly lit up. Two tables appeared out of nowhere, fully equipped with all the necessary items!

Lu Yang’s jaw dropped. “!!!”

“My God!”

Shunyu stood frozen in place. Just a moment ago, the surroundings were pitch black, but now, with the appearance of the two tables, everything was illuminated as if a sun had appeared above them. This was the power of the divine?!

Even though Lu Qing had been prepared for this, he was still shocked, staring at the scene before him, unable to move.

Xu tightly held her daughter Lu Youtang’s hand. At this moment, she seemed to understand her husband’s feelings.

Gu Xingzhao circled around the dazed group several times. “Lu Qing?”

Lu Qing finally came to his senses and quickly had the two take their seats.

Suppressing her astonishment, Shunyu knelt on the mat at the table and looked at the items laid out. There was a black object, a piece of cloth made from an unknown material, a dish of water, and a brush.

Xu quickly settled her daughter at the table, but she herself didn’t leave, staying to watch.

Lu Qing examined the items, noticing there were no books. He was puzzled. Could the ancestor have forgotten?

Gu Xingzhao spoke softly, “On the black object on the table, there are two raised areas. Pick it up and press one.”

Though puzzled, Lu Qing did as instructed, picking up the black object that resembled a brick. The others gathered around to see what it was.

He carefully pressed one of the raised areas, and suddenly, the black brick lit up, revealing the titles of various books!

“!” Xu and Lu Yang held their breath in astonishment.

“!!!” Lu Qing’s hands trembled.

This… What kind of divine artifact is this!?