Seeing Shen mother, who was guilty and trying to hide behind, almost falling face-first, Li Yue Shu let out a cold laugh.
She had long anticipated that the Shen family would not stay idle, nor was she afraid of them causing trouble. As long as they could withstand her methods.
Li Yue Shu calmly withdrew her gaze, as if she had noticed nothing.
However, Shen Wei, standing behind her, seemed to sense something. He turned his head towards Shen mother's hiding spot, a cold killing intent flashing in his handsome eyes.
But in an instant, his expression returned to one of vacant foolishness, as if it had all been an illusion, and even he himself had not noticed it.
...
The medicine hall's business was not bad, but after all, it was a place for treating illnesses, not to the point of being extremely popular.
However, whether it was Doctor Chen or Shen Tan and the others, they were all new to these matters, so Li Yue Shu was still the busiest.
At these times, Shen Ting Yi would stay by her side, assisting her and learning at the same time.
No one noticed that in a teahouse diagonally opposite the medicine hall, an elderly figure had been observing them for several days.
Old Xu leaned by the window, the tea on the table had gone cold, indicating he had been sitting for a long time.
His gaze constantly followed the small figure beside Li Yue Shu.
As he was old, his eyesight was not good. From such a distance, he couldn't see the child's face clearly.
They hadn't seen each other for three years. Those two children should be five years old now. He wondered if they resembled their parents as they did back then, and whether they remembered those events.
No, those two children were only two years old back then. How could they have known about those chaotic matters?
Old Xu sighed self-deprecatingly.
Just then, the door was pushed open, and Chang Song walked in.
He respectfully approached Old Xu and spread out the several portraits he was holding on the table. "Master, these are portraits of the Shen family's four children that I had someone secretly draw."
Old Xu's gaze slowly swept across the table, finally settling on the portrait of Shen Yi Min.
He suddenly stood up, excitedly picking up Shen Yi Min's portrait. "Is this... Chang Song, does this child resemble Consort Rong?"
Chang Song quickly stepped forward to support him. "Master, please don't get too excited. It might just be a resemblance."
Old Xu shook his head, extremely confident. "No, it must be them! Several times I've sensed that the twins at the medicine hall were avoiding me. They must recognize me."
"And these twins, don't you think their eyebrows resemble the Eldest Princess? The ages of these children also match. How can there be so many coincidences in the world? It must be them!"
Chang Song also understood this logic but still felt it was somewhat unreal.
They had searched so hard, hiding from the people of Chong Zhou, and found no trace. Yet, when he fell ill halfway, they just happened to encounter the very people they were looking for. It was too coincidental!
Chang Song felt something was not right. Suddenly, a thought struck him. "Master, that's not right. They disappeared three years ago. If Shen Yi Min is Consort Rong's child, he was only four years old then. Even if he remembers you, what about the other two children?"
"Those two were only two years old when the incident happened. Even if they were exceptionally intelligent, they wouldn't remember you, would they?"
Old Xu fell silent, clearly realizing this problem.
But then he suddenly thought of something. "I understand! It was him... he saved the children. He must have told the children about the matters in Chong Zhou!"
Chang Song was a little confused and didn't quite understand his meaning.
Old Xu said excitedly, "Chang Song, do you still remember that three years ago, a master disappeared along with the children?"
Chang Song was startled and his eyes widened. "You mean..."
Old Xu nodded, his eyes filled with excitement. "No wonder I always felt a sense of familiarity whenever I saw that Shen Wei, especially his eyes. They are exactly like that master's!"
Chang Song was shocked. He then frowned. "But... isn't he foolish?"
Old Xu's expression stiffened, his gaze growing solemn.
They were far from Chong Zhou, and had already concealed their identities. He had no reason to pretend to be foolish.
A trace of worry arose in Old Xu's heart. His gaze fell upon the portraits, and he made a silent decision.
"Whether he is truly foolish or faking it, we cannot let the people of Chong Zhou know of their whereabouts."
Chang Song was somewhat surprised, but having followed Old Xu for so many years, he roughly understood his intention.
Although his master was a subordinate of the Crown Prince, he had always admired that master, and wished to see the stability of Chen Nan Kingdom.
Moreover, children were innocent, and his master often lamented the fate of the Crown Prince's heir and the County Princess of the Eldest Princess's manor.
Old Xu stacked all the portraits. "Take them to be burned, and erase all traces. We were able to find this place by following clues, and others can too."
He looked at the busy medicine hall in the distance and sighed, "If they could spend their lives here, it would be a good thing for them."
Chang Song said nothing more and put away the portraits.
Then, he spoke of other matters. "Master, the Crown Prince has sent another letter, hoping you will return to Chong Zhou to assist him."
In the past, Old Xu would always directly reply to such letters, politely declining.
But this time, he stood by the window for a long time, silently watching the direction of Heng De Medicine Hall.
Finally, he said, "Let's go back. While this old bone is still useful, I will do more for Chen Nan Kingdom."
Chang Song was actually reluctant to let his master get involved in this messy affair.
The princes had all grown up, the court factions were complex, and even the one above had become increasingly suspicious.
Chong Zhou now was full of undercurrents.
But he had served by his master's side since he was young and knew that as the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor and a close friend of the late emperor, he valued everything concerning Chen Nan Kingdom more than his own life.
As the princes grew older and Chong Zhou became more turbulent, he became increasingly uneasy.
...
Old Xu and Chang Song's departure was silent, unknown even to Doctor Chen.
Li Yue Shu was still busy at the medicine hall. As Doctor Chen, Shen Tan, and the other seven gradually got the hang of things, she found herself with more ease.
Meanwhile, Shen mother and Yang Shi, who had followed her to the medicine hall, were stunned by what they saw.
Shen mother's face was filled with jealousy. "When did this poisonous woman become so smart? She actually knows how to adopt orphans to make money for her!"
With so many children, how much wages would she have to pay each month!
Yang Shi was somewhat excited. "Mother, we can also adopt unwanted orphans. Not only can they serve us, but we don't have to pay them. As long as they don't starve to death, they can keep making money for us!"
Shen Cheng Cai's eyes also lit up upon hearing this. "Yes, Grandma! That way, I'll have a study companion and won't be outdone by that brat. You don't know, ever since Shen Yi Min got a study companion, he comes to show off to me every day and gangs up to bully me!"
Looking at her precious grandson's wronged expression, Shen mother, who had already been wavering, gritted her teeth and made up her mind. "Alright, we'll adopt too!"
...
Li Yue Shu was unaware of the Shen family's little schemes. Just as she was about to close up and go home, the county magistrate sent someone over.