The next day, Li Xiangru returned to the academy once more.
As usual, she engaged with the students under the guise of discussing poetry and literature.
After all, as the original heroine, Li Xiangru had naturally put effort into this aspect in her previous life to vie for favor in the Second Prince’s harem.
Moreover, the students at the academy were at most not yet ten years old, and naturally knew less than her.
Except for Shen Yimin and Mo Lian.
Being of royal blood, despite being only seven years old, his learning was beyond that of ordinary people.
As for why Mo Lian appeared indifferent, it was entirely due to Shen Yimin beside him and his wariness of Li Xiangru’s “unsolicited kindness.”
Li Xiangru sensed their attitude and sighed inwardly at their vigilance.
But then she thought, Mo Lian was destined to be the future Prime Minister, so it was understandable that he was smarter than others.
It was only Shen Yimin, of whom she had no memory from her past life.
The Second Prince never discussed important external affairs with his concubines, and Li Xiangru had never stepped out of the Second Prince’s manor, so she naturally knew little.
She felt that although Shen Yimin was more capable than Mo Lian now, something must have happened in the future that prevented him from achieving fame and success.
Therefore, her attention was entirely focused on Mo Lian, even if he deliberately kept his distance.
On the day of the holiday, she even offered to drive them home in her carriage.
“No need,” Mo Lian refused curtly. “We have someone picking us up, no need to trouble Miss Li.”
As soon as he spoke, Li Yueshu and Shen Wei arrived in an ox cart.
Li Xiangru looked at the woman before her, who bore only a slight resemblance to her past self, her skin now fair and delicate, and her eyes flickered.
But then she put on a kind smile and walked towards Li Yueshu.
“Sister, it’s been a while. I didn’t expect you to have grown so beautiful now.”
As soon as Li Xiangru spoke, everyone was stunned, even Shen Wei’s eyes flashed with surprise.
This woman from Chongzhou was Li Yueshu’s sister?
Li Yueshu’s brow twitched slightly.
As expected of the woman who would one day be empress, she had just incited Madam Yang to deal with her, and now she could appear so friendly and natural.
Li Yueshu curved her lips, “I didn’t expect that after going to Chongzhou, you would still remember me, your sister!”
A flicker of surprise flashed in Li Xiangru’s eyes.
Looking at her, it seemed she had recognized herself long ago?
Li Xiangru’s gaze became more probing, “I heard that Sister not only adopted seven orphans but also opened a pharmacy. How come I didn’t know Sister also knew medicine?”
Li Yueshu, as if not noticing her scrutiny at all, casually made up a story, “Sister, you went to Chongzhou with a noble for a few years, so you naturally don’t know that besides getting married, I also met a kind old doctor who taught me all these skills.”
Seeing her calm demeanor, which did not seem like a lie at all, Li Xiangru was half-believing, half-doubting.
Shen Wei, standing nearby, looked at Li Yueshu thoughtfully.
Was this the reason for her change?
Why hadn’t Chai Yang and the others found out about this?
At this moment, a burly figure suddenly emerged from the carriage nearby, “Sister, I’m hungry…”
Everyone’s attention was drawn by the voice, and they saw a sturdy boy get out of the carriage.
The boy looked about four or five years old, dressed in relatively good clothes, but his hair was messy, as if hewn by a dog, and it was a mess.
Upon closer inspection, his hair seemed to have been maliciously cut, and even with several hair ties, it couldn’t be styled.
The boy hugged Li Xiangru’s leg and looked up pitifully, “Hungry…”
Li Yueshu’s first thought was of Wei Niang’s daughter, Hu Ling, but this was clearly a boy. Had Li Xiangru taken in another child in Tongmu County?
While she was wondering, she saw Li Xiangru gently stroke the boy’s head with a warm smile, “Li Hu, be good. Sister will take you to eat something delicious later.”
Li Yueshu’s pupils contracted.
Li Hu?
Was this the Li Hu who wielded a pair of iron axes to conquer the world?
Li Yueshu remembered that in the original book, Li Xiangru had taken in an orphan years ago and named him Li Hu after her own surname.
Li Hu had suffered a brain injury in his childhood. Although his intellect remained forever at the level of a two or three-year-old, he was a prodigy in martial arts and became Li Xiangru’s greatest killing force.
Later, when Shen Zhiyu became a ruthless general, he died under Li Hu’s pair of iron axes.
Li Yueshu narrowed her eyes and looked at the boy, her heart firming.
No, she absolutely could not let this child stay by Li Xiangru’s side!
While a thousand thoughts flashed through her mind, Li Yueshu outwardly appeared curious, “How come I didn’t know we had a younger brother at home?”
Li Xiangru smiled warmly, “Li Hu is a child I picked up on the street. He looked pitiful, so I brought him home.”
Li Yueshu raised her eyebrows slightly.
As expected of the original heroine, she picked up the Second Prince last time, and now she’s picked up another killing god.
She contained her emotions and pretended to be ignorant, asking, “Didn’t Sister go to Chongzhou as a guest with a noble? This child seems a bit unusual. Wouldn’t it be inconvenient for Sister to take him to Chongzhou?”
Li Xiangru hadn’t considered this problem. She just saw the child was pitiful and felt a moment of compassion.
She had also miscarried a child for the Second Prince in her previous life, so she couldn’t help but soften her heart when she saw children.
He was just a child who understood nothing, and bringing him along wouldn’t be a burden.
Just as she was about to say this, Li Yueshu spoke first, “If Sister feels it’s inconvenient to arrange, why not leave the child to me?”
Everyone was stunned by this remark.
Li Yueshu, on the other hand, looked natural, “This child is strong and capable. Sister, you should know that the children I adopted are working in my pharmacy. I provide them with food and lodging, and I save on wages.”
Hearing this, Shen Yimin and Mo Lian both had strange expressions for a moment.
Although that was the case, before returning home to study every day, Li Yueshu would give Shen Tan and the others pocket money, and even Shen Tingyi received some, the amount being similar to the wages of most people in town.
When she said this, why did it feel like she was targeting this boy?
Shen Wei also looked curious, always feeling that this woman was becoming increasingly strange.
Li Xiangru was stunned by her words, and then couldn’t help but frown, “He’s still a child, how can Sister scheme to have him help you with work!”
Li Yueshu agreed with this statement, as Shen Tan and the others were indeed still children in her eyes.
But in this world, they were already of an age to work and support a family. Li Xiangru’s words were quite interesting.
Facing her accusatory gaze, Li Yueshu shrugged indifferently, “If Sister is unwilling, then forget it. Why should you frame me for mistreating children? A’Lian, let’s go home!”
She deliberately called out to Mo Lian, and as expected, saw Li Xiangru’s expression change slightly.
If she were truly deliberately approaching Mo Lian, she would seize every opportunity.
As expected, as they got into the ox cart to leave, Li Xiangru couldn’t help but call out, “Sister, wait a moment!”