"What are you trying to say by telling me this?"
Zhang Laosan's expression was blank, tinged with anger.
Li Yue Shu looked directly into his eyes. "The county magistrate investigated your situation. Your wife's family had fallen on hard times, and she was almost sold to a brothel. You happened to pass by, and unable to bear it, you spent all your savings to buy her."
"To thank you, and with nowhere else to go, she stayed home to take care of your daily needs. You gradually fell in love, and it was only natural for you to get married."
"After marriage, you were deeply in love, and everyone said you were a good and kind husband. Even though your wife couldn't have children, you never thought of abandoning her."
"That's why, the moment you saw her infidelity with your own eyes, you completely lost control and were filled with despair."
Zhang Laosan lowered his head, his messy hair obscuring his expression, but his emotional turmoil was palpable.
During the long silence, Mo Lian, sitting between them, unconsciously clenched his hands, feeling an indescribable tension.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhang Laosan finally looked up. "What exactly are you trying to say by telling me all this?"
Li Yue Shu calmly replied, "You are seeking death, which is why you react with such strong aversion every time I mention donating your lungs as a continuation of life."
Zhang Laosan pursed his lips. Though he remained silent, his expression provided the answer.
Seeing this, Li Yue Shu advised, "In reality, you haven't wronged her. Sacrificing the rest of your life for her is not worth it."
Zhang Laosan suddenly chuckled, as if mocking himself.
He asked abruptly, "Madam Shen, do you love your husband?"
Li Yue Shu was stunned, not quite processing the question.
Zhang Laosan, however, didn't seem to expect an answer. "She was my only connection to this world. If one day you witness the betrayal of the one you love most, you will understand my current feelings."
Hearing this, Li Yue Shu vaguely understood his meaning.
She was silent for a moment before speaking, "No matter how much I love someone, my life is my own. I am vengeful. If he betrays my kindness, I will make him pay the price, rather than sacrificing the rest of my own life."
Her own life was what she valued most.
Only by living could she do anything she wished.
Perhaps it was the bluntness of her words, or the unwavering determination in her gaze, but Zhang Laosan's lips moved. Yet, he still said nothing.
Li Yue Shu didn't press further and stood up. "I hope you will consider my words carefully. I will return tomorrow."
Zhang Laosan remained unresponsive. The meal that he usually finished was barely touched today.
Mo Lian had remained mostly silent throughout. As they left, he bowed respectfully to Zhang Laosan.
Zhang Laosan had lived for most of his life, and only twice had he received such high courtesy, both happening today.
He felt a touch of emotion, but more so, a sense of complex turmoil.
Zhang Laosan's evident change was even noticed by the jailers.
"To think, this Madam Shen really has a way with people. She's even managed to move that hard-headed fellow, Zhang Laosan."
"Judging by Zhang Laosan's attitude, Madam Shen will likely come for the last time tomorrow."
...
As the two jailers walked away, their conversation was overheard by a prisoner in one of the cells.
It was a haggard woman. Although her appearance was disheveled, she was noticeably tidier than the other inmates.
Hearing the jailers' words, and recalling snippets of news she had gathered over the past few days, a flicker of hope reignited in her deadened heart.
...
Emerging from the dungeon, Mo Lian looked at the person beside him with curiosity.
After some hesitation, he finally spoke. "Madam, what were you trying to achieve by saying those things to him? Were you hoping to rekindle his will to live?"
Li Yue Shu untied the ox rope, nodding as she did.
Mo Lian looked confused. "Madam, I don't understand."
Zhang Laosan had killed two people. Even if it was understandable, according to the laws of Chen Nan Kingdom, he should be executed.
Moreover, they needed Zhang Laosan's lungs. If he truly survived, it would deviate from their objective.
Li Yue Shu finished untying the rope and turned around, instantly recognizing his concern.
She gently patted Mo Lian's shoulder and patiently explained, "He has committed a capital offense. Unless the Emperor intervenes, he will surely be sentenced to death. I have told him countless times that donating his lungs is a continuation of his life."
"If he develops a will to live, then we will have the opportunity to persuade him."
Although it might seem cruel to Zhang Laosan, the reality was that he had to pay the price for his impulsiveness.
Only then did Mo Lian understand.
He was still too young, and no matter how intelligent, there were many things he couldn't comprehend.
However, judging by Zhang Laosan's attitude today, Mo Lian still felt a sense of unease.
After getting into the ox cart, he stared at Li Yue Shu, hesitating for a long time, before finally asking, "Madam, if Zhang Laosan ultimately doesn't agree, can I... can I go to the mass grave?"
He didn't explicitly state his purpose for going to the mass grave, but Li Yue Shu understood.
She glanced back at the anxious Mo Lian and smiled faintly. "Don't worry, I won't let that happen."
Li Yue Shu knew that in this world where lives were cheap, her actions might seem absurd, which was why Zhang Laosan initially thought she was joking.
But she was a doctor. Even though in her past life she had spent most of her time in a laboratory, she had often witnessed lives teetering between life and death.
She held an unusual reverence for life.
Looking at her determined gaze, Mo Lian's restless heart seemed to be soothed, and he became miraculously calm.
They did not bring up the topic again. After buying some provisions in town, they slowly made their way home.
Upon returning, the children eagerly ran to help carry the goods. Li Yue Shu then pulled the ox cart to the shed.
For some reason, she inexplicably felt that something was missing today.
After tethering the ox cart and stepping out, she suddenly realized.
Whenever she had left alone and returned home, Shen Wei was always the first to come running. Why was he nowhere to be seen today?
She searched around the courtyard but couldn't find Shen Wei.
"Madam, are you looking for Master?" Shen Chi approached, carrying a basket of ceramic bottles. "Master has been called inside by Eldest Young Master to help."
Hearing this, Li Yue Shu smiled gently and stroked Shen Chi's head. "Thank you, A Chi. I'll go in and see them."
Shen Chi froze for a moment, then reached up to touch the spot on his head that Li Yue Shu had just stroked. Suddenly, he grinned foolishly.
Madam had touched her head! This was a privilege usually reserved for the young masters and ladies!
No, she had to show off to Shen Tan and the others!
Shen Chi immediately hopped away, his very being radiating happiness.
Li Yue Shu, unaware of this, pushed open the door and called out, "Shen Wei!"
At this moment, Shen Wei was teaching Shen Yi Min calligraphy. Among the many people in the household, Shen Yi Min's handwriting was the best, and the only one capable of teaching him was Shen Wei, who had regained his memories.
But Li Yue Shu's sudden entrance caught them both off guard.
Shen Yi Min quickly regained his composure and looked thoughtfully at Shen Wei.
Didn't Father want to continue pretending to be foolish?
He was very curious to see if Father, with his recovered memories and intellect, could maintain the pretense of the foolish Shen Wei without losing composure.