"Aunt Mo, as long as one is alive, there are infinite possibilities."
Li Yue Shu's gaze was firm, as if countless forces were being slowly transmitted.
"I've witnessed the passing of countless lives, so I understand the preciousness of life more than anyone else. Once dead, one is completely severed from all the beautiful things one cherishes in this world."
This was also why, upon learning she had transmigrated into the role of a wicked stepmother, she had unhesitatingly chosen to stay.
She wanted to live, to live well, no matter which world she was in.
Mother Mo had already prepared herself for death, so her mindset hadn't changed much whether her body improved or worsened.
But at this moment, looking at Li Yue Shu's eyes, she suddenly realized she wasn't as willing to die easily as she thought.
A Lian was her late-in-life child, born by risking half her life. How could she bear to leave him all alone?
Mother Mo's eyes reddened. "Madam… I understand."
Seeing this, Li Yue Shu smiled and said nothing more, but a sense of relief washed over her.
In many cases, the final straw that breaks a patient's spirit is their own mindset.
She had sensed earlier that Mother Mo's seemingly peaceful demeanor was more like a resolute abandonment of everything.
With her most cherished son having someone to rely on, she felt her frail body was no longer necessary.
In other words, her spirit had died before her body.
After Li Yue Shu's words, although Mother Mo looked no different than usual, her eyes had clearly changed.
When Mo Lian returned home on his day off, he could clearly sense that his mother had changed, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly how.
Meanwhile, Shen Yi Min and Shen Ting Wen had just learned about the commotion caused by the Shen family from Shen Tan and his companions, and knew that Li Yue Shu and the Shen family had completely fallen out.
The two had no objections whatsoever; in fact, they felt it was long overdue.
Li Yue Shu was unaware of the brothers' subtle joy and was preparing to personally cook something delicious.
Normally, after returning from the apothecary, she would not only teach the children medicine but also academics. Cooking was handled by Aunt Liu, and even when they were not home, Aunt Liu took care of Mother Mo.
The Liu elder and his wife were now as close as family to them.
Since there were many people in the household, Aunt Liu helped out in the kitchen. However, halfway through, Li Yue Shu sent her away.
She had also prepared some things in the small kitchen of her space, such as fried chicken and cakes that many modern children enjoyed.
With twelve children in the family, Li Yue Shu had prepared a generous amount, ensuring the children would have their fill.
While Li Yue Shu was busy in the kitchen, Shen Yi Min and Mo Lian were in the courtyard teaching the other children and sharing their organized notes.
The two had always been the top two students at the academy, and with their guidance and help, the children naturally learned faster.
Shen Yi Min turned around and happened to see Mo Lian, which suddenly reminded him of what his third sister had said about Mother Shen hitting Mother Mo.
He walked over and asked with concern, "A Lian, how is Aunt Mo?"
Mo Lian pursed his lips. "My mother's complexion looks a bit poor, but her spirits are quite good."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yi Min nodded and didn't ask further.
Just as he was about to leave, Mo Lian suddenly called him back. "By the way, Yi Min, from now on, don't call my mother Aunt Mo anymore."
Shen Yi Min was stunned, looking at him blankly, clearly not understanding.
They had known each other for so long; hadn't he always called her that?
Mo Lian chuckled softly. "When I hear Madam address my mother, she calls her Aunt Mo."
Shen Yi Min's expression froze, a bad feeling suddenly rising in his heart.
As expected, he heard Mo Lian say slyly, "Yi Min, if we count it this way, you'll have to call me Uncle."
Shen Yi Min's face immediately darkened. "You seem to be a few months younger than me."
Mo Lian waved his hand. "It doesn't matter; seniority is more important than age."
Shen Yi Min: "..."
No, he had to make that woman change her address!
Shen Yi Min shoved his book to Shen Chi, who was standing by, completely oblivious to what was happening, and stormed off to the kitchen.
Li Yue Shu had just brought out a cake from her space when she saw Shen Yi Min storming in, almost making her drop the cake.
A Min had always been the gentle scholar type; what had happened to make him so angry?
Shen Yi Min had already planned what he would say, but as soon as he met Li Yue Shu's confused gaze, his words got stuck in his throat, and his face turned red.
He suddenly realized how childish his actions were; this was not at all like his usual personality.
Shen Yi Min was somewhat annoyed and coughed unnaturally. "Um… I came to see if you needed any help."
Li Yue Shu felt he wanted to say something else but didn't pry, seeing his somewhat awkward expression.
She directly handed him the cake. "Perfect timing, everything else is almost ready. Help me carry these out."
Shen Yi Min secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly took the cake and ran.
Soon, a dazzling array of fragrant and enticing delicacies were laid out on the table. Everyone sat around two tables, chatting and laughing as they began to eat.
In stark contrast to the joy and liveliness here, another side of the village, in a house with blue tiles, presented a completely different extreme.
Three years ago, when Shen Wei returned, he not only brought back a lot of silver but also hunted game every day. The three members of the Shen family gradually grew accustomed to living off him.
Even after Shen Wei's accident, the silver he left behind was enough for them to live lavishly for several years. The lazy trio naturally didn't return to farming, and the family's few acres of land were all left to lie fallow.
Now that there was no money left, the three were living on what little provisions they had, eating worse than beggars on the street.
Shen Cheng Cai, who had just returned from the academy and hadn't yet processed the news, looked at the thin gruel in front of him and slapped himself.
It hurt. This wasn't a dream…
Seeing his action, Yang Shi, with a look of panic, grabbed his hand. "My son, what are you doing!"
Mother Shen, as if stimulated, burst into tears. "What kind of life is this? I might as well die!"
Yang Shi and Shen Wang's expressions were grim, and they paid no mind to her wailing.
Seeing this, Mother Shen's face contorted, and she found a way to save face. "No, if anyone should die, it should be that wretched Li Yue Shu! If it weren't for her, we wouldn't have ended up like this!"
"That poisonous woman is a jinx! She turned my third son into an idiot, and he doesn't even recognize his own mother anymore. She's a menace!"
Shen Wang was somewhat irritable and threw his chopsticks onto the table. "Enough! If you hadn't gone and hit that sickly old woman, we would have gotten six hundred jin of grain for free!"
Mother Shen seemed to have her throat choked, unable to utter a word.
Mentioning this, Yang Shi also looked at Mother Shen with some resentment.
Shen Cheng Cai, unaware of these matters, his eyes lit up upon hearing Mother Shen's words.
"Since that poisonous woman has caused us to become like this, if she dies, will our family be able to return to the way it was before?"