Persuade Him Quickly

"Dad, I can handle hardship! I don't want to be some pampered royal uncle or just the Queen's brother—I want to chase my dreams and prove my worth," Leonard Yuan said resolutely.

Arthur Evans and Mrs. Charlotte Evans exchanged glances, both at a loss.

Mrs. Charlotte Evans's face was clouded with worry. "Leonard, are you feeling lost because you can't take the Imperial Examination? Are you stuck in a rut? Even if you can't go to Charleston for the exams, you can still make a difference here!"

"No!" Leonard Yuan shook his head. "Mother, a scholar is useless for everything. I used to think that reading the classics would let me serve the kingdom and the people, but I realized I was too narrow-minded. The classics can help, but they're limited. I want to find a faster, better way—to study abroad, learn advanced knowledge and technology, and bring it back so people can live better lives. I know it's tough to study overseas, but I've grown up, I'm a man, and I can handle it. Those kids in Sister Lily's school can go out and study bravely—why can't I? Just because I'm Sister Lily's little brother? Just because I'm the Queen's brother?"

Leonard Yuan gave a self-deprecating smile. "It's precisely because I'm Sister Lily's little brother that I can't just sit back and enjoy luxury, or rely on her connections for an easy official post in the Kingdom of Qin, living off flattery and false pride. Sitting in this position means I have responsibilities. Sister Lily's country—I'm responsible for making it better, so the people can truly live in peace and happiness."

The Kingdom of Qin is poor, its people suffer. Along the way, we've seen so many folks who can't even fill their bellies, forced to sell their own children. I want to find a way to change all of this—not just be some rich young master drifting through life.

As Leonard Yuan spoke, he knelt solemnly before his parents. "Mother, Father, I've thought this through. You have Jill Evans and little Connie Evans by your side, and as the eldest son, it's my duty to venture out and fight for our family's future. You two have the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, using your business skills to serve the kingdom. I want to use my talents so our family thrives for generations, not just coast through life on our ancestors' achievements."

Mrs. Charlotte Evans stared at her eldest son, astonished, as if meeting him for the first time.

Arthur Evans's gaze was complicated—it was the first time he'd truly heard his son's heartfelt ambitions.

In the past, Leonard Yuan always talked about earning honors and becoming a top official to protect his family, like a child not yet grown.

But now, listening to Leonard Yuan, Arthur Evans and Mrs. Charlotte Evans realized their son had truly grown up.

Jill Evans clung to her mother, her big eyes brimming with worry. "Mom, can you talk him out of it?"

Connie Evans, still a toddler, blinked in confusion, sensing the tension but not understanding.

Mrs. Charlotte Evans pulled Jill Evans and Connie Evans close, her voice trembling as she pleaded, "Leonard, please reconsider. Your father and I would be so worried if you left the Kingdom of Qin to study abroad. What if something happened to you?"

Leonard Yuan knelt, bowing his head. "I know you'll worry, but I can't hide behind you forever. If I don't go now, I'll regret it for the rest of my life. Sister Lily always says: 'If you want to do something great, you can't be afraid of hardship.'"

Arthur Evans and Mrs. Charlotte Evans were silent, torn between pride and fear for their son.