No one noticed Shen Cheng Cai's somewhat deliberate question, all looking curiously at the scholar who had just spoken.
The man proudly raised his chin, "So you don't know! Yesterday, I went back to the academy to get something and overheard that young lady asking the tutor if there were any students with exceptional talent but from poor families who couldn't even afford tuition. The tutor mentioned Mo Lian."
"The young lady then inquired about his address and went there by carriage."
Saying this, the scholar patted Mo Lian's shoulder, "So, is that young lady a beautiful and kind living bodhisattva?"
Mo Lian frowned, glanced at everyone's curious gazes, and finally shook his head, "I moved from my previous residence and didn't see her."
Because of Zhang Yang's matter, everyone knew that Shen Yi Min's stepmother had given him a lot of cloth and pastries to thank him, and had also paid for his mother's medical treatment.
As a token of gratitude, he had become Shen Yi Min's book boy, but he didn't know that the mother and son had already moved to Shen Yi Min's home.
Shen Cheng Cai was the only one who knew the truth, but he had no reason to spread it around, so no one knew about it.
Hearing this, everyone was somewhat disappointed, and no one paid attention to where Mo Lian's new home was.
Shen Cheng Cai, relieved, didn't join the others in their excited discussion and went about his own business.
No one took this matter to heart, but what no one expected was that within two days, the young lady from Chong Zhou would come to the academy again.
At that time, everyone was in class when the academy's principal walked in with a woman.
The woman was dressed in fine robes and wore exquisite makeup. Her features were not stunning, but in Tong Mu County, she was considered top-notch.
Sensing everyone's scrutinizing gazes, she curtsied slightly to them, "This humble one, Li Xiang Ru, greets all esteemed scholars."
Her perfectly appropriate etiquette made it clear that she was a young lady raised in a sheltered environment, adding to her beauty and grace.
Seeing this, many quickly clasped their hands in return, although they could not stand up due to being in class.
Li Xiang Ru smiled gently and opened the basket she was carrying, "Yesterday, when I visited, it happened to be the academy's holiday, and I couldn't meet any scholars. Today, I specially made some pastries and came to visit again."
As she spoke, she and the servant behind her distributed the pastries to everyone.
Everyone looked at her with deep gratitude, not because they were bought by a small pastry, but touched by her sincerity.
To help impoverished students pursue their studies, she not only donated money to the academy but also personally made pastries to visit them. How could such kindness not be moving?
Facing everyone's thanks, Li Xiang Ru maintained a gentle, faint smile throughout, appearing calm and composed.
When she reached Shen Yi Min, she gently placed the pastry on his desk.
"Thank you."
Shen Yi Min smiled gently and nodded in thanks, but those who knew him realized he felt nothing in his heart.
Li Xiang Ru stared at the refined young man for a moment, not expecting that such a handsome person could be found in this remote county town.
However, having experienced significant events, she quickly regained her composure and walked towards Mo Lian behind her.
Mo Lian also expressed his thanks, his attitude no different from before, but Li Xiang Ru did not move.
"You are Mo Lian, aren't you?"
Her sudden question made everyone subconsciously look over.
Mo Lian was slightly taken aback and nodded politely, "Indeed."
Li Xiang Ru secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
She had never met that high and mighty Grand Secretary in her previous life, but she had heard that he, like her, was from Tong Mu County. She had subconsciously paid attention to many rumors about him and finally found her way here.
Although she had made a mistake earlier, fortunately, she had finally found the person.
Li Xiang Ru's thoughts flashed through her mind, but her expression remained unchanged, "I heard about you from the tutor. With your talent, if you can study diligently, you will surely pass the imperial examinations step by step and go to places like Chong Zhou."
Chong Zhou was the center of power, the residence of the imperial family. Anyone in Chen Nan Kingdom who pursued academic studies aspired to one day become the top scholar and meet the emperor in Chong Zhou.
Li Xiang Ru's words were the greatest affirmation for Mo Lian as a scholar.
For a moment, everyone cast envious or jealous glances at Mo Lian, wondering why this young lady had taken notice of him.
Mo Lian also didn't know why she suddenly praised him. After a slight pause, he cupped his hands towards her, "Thank you for your kind words, Miss."
Even with such praise, his expression did not change much, his demeanor being perfectly polite.
Li Xiang Ru observed his reaction, her lips pursed slightly, but the movement was so subtle that no one noticed.
She smiled faintly, "If you encounter any difficulties in the future, feel free to come to me. I am staying at the inn behind the academy."
She seemed determined to help Mo Lian, deliberately mentioning her accommodation.
Everyone marveled inwardly, their gazes towards Mo Lian becoming even more envious.
Before Mo Lian could reply, Li Xiang Ru walked towards the next person.
Seeing this, he naturally said no more, but he felt a hint of confusion in his heart.
He didn't know why, but he had a strange feeling that this young lady from Chong Zhou seemed to be here specifically for him.
Shen Yi Min, sitting in the front, was in a position closest to the two, and naturally saw their entire conversation.
His gaze remained on Li Xiang Ru, a hint of suspicion flickering in his gentle eyes.
What Shen Yi Min didn't know was that someone had noticed him staring at Li Xiang Ru.
Shen Cheng Cai clenched his fists, his heart becoming vigilant.
Did Shen Yi Min, the bastard, also want to approach this Miss Li?
No, this opportunity was his, and no one could snatch it from him!
...
Li Yue Shu was unaware of the events at the academy. In the past few days, in addition to managing Heng De Pharmacy and dealing with Mother Mo's affairs, she had also been trying to examine Shen Wei.
According to her plan, the blood clot in Shen Wei's brain should have largely dissipated by now. A detailed examination would require imaging.
However, taking an X-ray required entering her space, and Shen Wei was highly vigilant. Even when Li Yue Shu tried to get close at night, he would wake up from his sleep.
According to A Yi, he had been a bodyguard for a wealthy family in the past, responsible for the safety of their mansion. It was not surprising that his vigilance was high even after returning.
Helpless, Li Yue Shu could only burn incense in the room, add medication to it, and take the antidote beforehand.
In this way, Li Yue Shu conducted a thorough and detailed examination of Shen Wei and confirmed that the blood clot in his brain had completely dissipated.
However, the human brain was a mysterious domain, and it was still uncertain when Shen Wei would regain his consciousness and memory.
Fortunately, Li Yue Shu was not in a hurry and decided to let nature take its course, refraining from prescribing any more medicine or performing acupuncture.
After resolving Shen Wei's issue, all her attention shifted to Mother Mo's affairs.
The blood samples collected from the county yamen's dungeon last time had all been matched, and the results were out.