For the next few days, Li Yue Shu would take Wei Ling to the dungeon to see Madam Wei every day. During their conversations, she often mentioned Shen Yi Min, allowing Madam Wei to get to know her future son-in-law better.
Shen Wei always accompanied them. Seeing her talk about Shen Yi Min with such familiarity, he was greatly surprised.
For a moment, he even felt as if this woman were A Min's biological mother, to know his son's every behavior and habit so well.
He was now quite sure that the person before him was not the woman the Shen family had originally married to him. Yet, he could also feel her affection for the children, and there was no reason for her to be sent by people from Chong Zhou.
Then, who was she?
Shen Wei couldn't figure it out.
...
Meanwhile, Li Xiang Ru, who had tried everything to no avail to bring Mo Lian to her side, finally decided to give up.
Her main objective in returning to Tong Mu County had been achieved, and it was time to return to Chong Zhou for the next step.
Having been away for too long, with the Second Prince's philandering nature, her novelty might already be diminishing.
Before she had a better backer, she couldn't afford to lose the Second Prince's favor. Naturally, she couldn't continue to waste time here.
Hearing that she was leaving, Father and Mother Li were full of reluctance.
Although they didn't understand much, they knew Li Xiang Ru was a decisive person. Since she said she had to leave, they wouldn't stop her.
Mother Li prepared a lot of local produce, as well as her homemade pickles, wanting to pack everything she thought was good for her.
Li Xiang Ru naturally disdained these things. After leaving the items, she also left some silver, "Father, Mother, do you remember what I asked you to do?"
Seeing her filial piety, Father and Mother Li couldn't help but tear up and nodded repeatedly, "We remember, we remember. Don't worry, no matter who asks, you are the one we found outside, and Li Yue Shu is our own daughter."
Li Xiang Ru nodded, but couldn't help but remind them, "After I leave, make sure to spread the word in the village, preferably so everyone believes it."
Father Li solemnly agreed, "Don't worry, you've entrusted it to us. Your mother and I remember it even in our dreams, we know what to do."
Mother Li wiped away her tears and suddenly remembered something, "Oh, the old woman from the Shen family came to find me the other day, wanting me to educate Li Yue Shu. I heard that after she got married, she caused a ruckus at her in-laws' home and even incited her husband to sever ties with the Shen family."
Li Xiang Ru frowned displeasurably, "Did you agree?"
Mother Li's heart tightened, "No... I just said that you've returned recently and the family is busy, and I'll go over later."
Li Xiang Ru was a little displeased, "Mother, since sister is already married, it's someone else's business."
Then, she lowered her voice, "Mother, you must remember, sister is your own daughter. If you help outsiders against her, what will others think?"
As she spoke, she glanced meaningfully towards the door.
Mother Li instantly understood and nervously grabbed Li Xiang Ru's hand, "I was foolish before. Don't worry, I won't help the Shen family's old woman."
Li Xiang Ru gave a few more unassured instructions before turning to leave.
...
Upon returning to the inn, Li Xiang Ru ordered her things to be packed, preparing to set off for Chong Zhou the next morning.
Upon hearing that she was leaving, Shen Cheng Cai immediately panicked.
He had been trying desperately to sneak out of the academy to see Li Xiang Ru these past few days, but each time he was turned away.
Having invested so much effort, he was naturally unwilling to accept her direct departure.
Therefore, Shen Cheng Cai directly skipped class and loitered outside the inn. When he saw Li Xiang Ru emerge, he immediately blocked her as she was about to get into the carriage.
The driver was a guard arranged by the Second Prince, and possessing martial arts skills, he immediately kicked the charging figure away.
"Ouch!" Shen Cheng Cai cried out in pain, "Miss Li, it's me... it's Shen Cheng Cai!"
Hearing this, Li Xiang Ru instantly remembered who he was and frowned with disgust.
During this period, this Shen Cheng Cai from the Shen family had been sticking to her like a piece of gum, impossible to shake off. The mere mention of his name annoyed her!
Li Xiang Ru was about to turn around and get into the carriage when she heard Shen Cheng Cai suddenly shout, "Wait! Miss Li, I have something important to tell you!"
Li Xiang Ru didn't hesitate at all and directly entered the carriage. The driver also got on, preparing to leave.
Seeing this, Shen Cheng Cai disregarded his pain and immediately scrambled up, grabbing onto the carriage, "I know Miss Li came for Mo Lian. I have a way to get him to go to Chong Zhou with Miss Li!"
The driver raised his whip, about to strike, when a voice from inside the carriage suddenly came, "Wait."
The next moment, a slender, fair finger lifted the curtain.
Li Xiang Ru looked at the person by the carriage, her eyes full of inquiry, "Do you really have a way?"
Shen Cheng Cai nodded repeatedly, but then seemed to recall something and shook his head.
Seeing his inconsistency, Li Xiang Ru was about to question him when she heard him say, "Actually, it's not me who has a way, it's my father. He heard me talking about Miss Li wanting to bring Mo Lian to Chong Zhou but being blocked by Li Yue Shu, and he has a way to help you. I came today to invite Miss Li to my home. My father and grandmother have prepared a banquet to entertain you."
Li Xiang Ru's eyes narrowed, as if contemplating the truth of his words.
Shen Cheng Cai looked at her with anticipation, but only he knew how nervous he was.
After an unknown amount of time, Li Xiang Ru finally spoke, "I'll trust you this once. Lead the way!"
With that, she lowered the curtain and returned to the carriage.
"Ah, okay!"
Shen Cheng Cai scrambled onto the carriage with his hands and feet. Just as he was about to lift the curtain, he was grabbed by the collar by the driver, "You sit here."
No matter how unruly Shen Cheng Cai was, he was just a child under ten. Facing the burly driver, he naturally didn't dare to resist.
But he secretly glared at the driver when he wasn't paying attention.
We'll see, once he becomes the master, he'll deal with this sightless driver slowly!
...
The carriage moved very quickly. Before they even reached the Shen family's gate, they saw Madam Shen and Shen Wang waiting from afar.
In such a remote village, even ox carts were rare. Suddenly, such an exquisite and beautiful carriage appeared, drawing everyone's attention.
Some recognized it as the carriage that had visited Old Man Shen San's house not long ago, and heard it belonged to Li Yue Shu's sister.
But today, the carriage went directly to the Shen family. What was going on?
Everyone gathered at the Shen family's door with curiosity. Shen Wang immediately bowed and invited Li Xiang Ru inside, his demeanor extremely fawning.
Li Xiang Ru glanced at the onlookers. It was indeed inconvenient to discuss their topic here, so she followed them into the courtyard.
Several dishes were laid out on the table inside, but there was no sign of meat.
Li Xiang Ru's taste had been refined in her previous life, so she naturally looked down on these things.
She got straight to the point, asking Shen Wang, "You said you have a way to let Mo Lian go to Chong Zhou with me. What is it?"