Shen Cheng Cai subconsciously took a step back, watching the person in front of him warily.
The person looked somewhat familiar, but he couldn't recall who it was.
The man rubbed his chapped red hands, an annoyed expression on his face. "Last time you led the way, didn't you mention that Li Yue Shu was your third aunt?"
Hearing this, Shen Cheng Cai finally remembered that this man was the coachman from Li Residence from last time.
"So it's Master from Li Residence," Shen Cheng Cai's attitude suddenly turned obsequious. "May I ask what brings you to find me, Master?"
The coachman was startled by his address, and then a sense of haughtiness rose within him.
He had served others like an ox or horse for most of his life, and this was the first time anyone had called him Master.
For a moment, the coachman looked at Shen Cheng Cai with much more kindness, no longer blaming him for making him wait at the village entrance for two days in the cold.
"Of course, I've come with good news to give you." He glanced around and walked towards the place he had been hiding. "Follow me."
Shen Cheng Cai cautiously followed. He then realized that the spot he had hidden in was perfect for concealing his presence while still keeping an eye on the village entrance.
The coachman sat on the mat he had previously laid out, assuming an air of authority. "From what you said before, it seems your relationship with Li Yue Shu is not good."
Shen Cheng Cai's face stiffened.
Previously, Steward Li had personally come to deliver the deed of sale to Li Yue Shu, apologized to her, and supported her. If he himself...
The coachman saw what he was thinking at a glance and said, "Don't worry, we at Li Residence are not on Li Yue Shu's side. We were polite to her last time only to find out her secrets."
Shen Cheng Cai was taken aback, and his body instinctively leaned forward. "What secrets?"
The coachman frowned. "If I knew, why would I need you!"
Shen Cheng Cai's expression stiffened slightly, but he didn't dare to say more. "Then... what do you need me to do, Master?"
The address "Master" pleased the coachman, and his attitude towards him improved considerably. "Since you are Li Yue Shu's nephew, it should be easy to get close to her. I want you to stay by Li Yue Shu's side and try to find out her secrets."
"If you handle this well, you'll have plenty of wealth and honor," the coachman whispered. "Even letting you return to the academy wouldn't be a problem."
The last sentence made Shen Cheng Cai's eyes light up instantly. "Really? Master, don't worry, I will definitely dig out all the secrets of that poisonous woman!"
A flicker of disdain crossed the coachman's eyes.
As expected of a child of seven or eight, easily fooled with a few words.
Remembering Steward Li's instructions, he added, "Given Li Yue Shu's relationship with the Shen family, she won't trust you easily, so you have to do this..."
Li Yue Shu was unaware of what had happened at the village entrance, nor that the Shen family, whom she completely disregarded, was plotting new schemes.
She had given Shen Tan and the others a half-day off, and the pharmacy was also in a semi-open state.
After all, it was the first day of the New Year, and people would naturally avoid places like clinics and pharmacies, so it wouldn't be too busy.
Li Yue Shu was playing Monopoly in the courtyard with the children, as they hadn't had enough the night before, when Mother Mo suddenly approached. "Madam, I need to speak with you."
Li Yue Shu put Ah Yu down and followed Mother Mo.
But as soon as she walked over, she saw Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu waiting there.
Uncle Liu held out a red envelope. "Yue Shu, Happy New Year."
Mother Mo also took one out from her sleeve. "Madam, Happy New Year."
Li Yue Shu was stunned and didn't react for a moment.
Seeing that she didn't take it, Aunt Liu explained, "You call me Auntie and her Aunt. We'll presume to be your elders. This is our heart and blessing for you."
Li Yue Shu had been married for almost two years, and no one from the Li family had visited. The Shen family treated her poorly. They were her only elders.
Looking at the bulging red envelopes in their hands, Li Yue Shu's eyes welled up.
She didn't refuse and accepted them with both hands. "Thank you, Uncle Liu, Aunt Liu, thank you, Aunt Mo."
Not far away, Shen Wei, who happened to see her with teary eyes, felt a blockage in his heart and instinctively frowned.
Was she giving him a red envelope as an elder?
At that moment, Shen Yi Min suddenly walked over. "Father, what are you thinking about?"
Shen Wei came back to his senses, shook his head, and said, "Nothing. Where did you go just now?"
This child had disappeared somewhere after everyone started playing Monopoly.
Shen Yi Min glanced around and lowered his voice slightly. "I went to see Chai Yang."
Shen Wei's expression turned serious as he listened to the rest of his words.
"The people from Li Residence are coming because they heard that Grand Tutor Xu rushed on the main road to deliver a message to save a village woman, and they suspect this woman has other secrets."
Shen Yi Min paused and added, "Zhang Yang's family is currently at Li Residence. You previously had Chai Yang and Xing He cripple the Zhang family. Li Residence suspects it's also related to this woman. They've been investigating in Tong Mu County, and there are still spies watching outside Heng De Pharmacy."
The name Zhang Yang sounded somewhat familiar to Shen Wei. He glanced at Shen Yi Min's somber expression and instantly recalled.
Shen Wei narrowed his eyes slightly. "Who is behind Li Residence?"
The Prefect didn't dare to meddle further after learning that Li Yue Shu was Grand Tutor Xu's savior. Yet Li Residence wanted to dig deeper. The person behind them must not fear Grand Tutor Xu's status.
Shen Yi Min's gaze turned cold. "Chai Yang said that Li Yuan Wai's younger sister married the cousin of Noble Consort Lan."
When mentioning "Noble Consort Lan," Shen Yi Min's tone became noticeably colder.
Shen Wei's gaze also deepened, and his aura became somewhat intimidating. "Have Chai Yang send people to watch Li Residence. If they make any rash moves, leave no one alive!"
The last four words fell, and a thread of killing intent emanated from him.
His imposing aura inspired a sense of submission.
Before, when Li Yue Shu was captured, he had already ordered an investigation into Li Residence. They had bribed officials, oppressed the common people, and encroached on land. They had done nothing good, and eliminating them would be removing a scourge for the people.
Shen Yi Min subconsciously looked up at the person beside him, a sense of admiration and reverence rising in his heart.
But then, as if thinking of something, he said, "Father, Chai Yang said that Grand Tutor Xu also sent people to deliver a message, but he was worried about being discovered by people from Chong Zhou, so he sent secret guards. They were delayed on the road for a few days, and now you should know that you used his name to send the message. Has our whereabouts been exposed?"
"No," Shen Wei replied decisively.
"Why?" Shen Yi Min frowned in confusion. "He is the Grand Tutor. Everyone knows the Crown Prince's dissatisfaction with you."
Shen Wei was silent for a moment, a meaningful look flashing in his eyes. "He is the Grand Tutor, and also a loyal minister. He bears the Emperor's expectations, so naturally, he must help the Crown Prince. But some things are not necessarily bound by one's identity."
He turned his head, his deep eyes looking directly at Shen Yi Min. "Zi Min, people's hearts are fickle. One cannot look at things from only one perspective. A ruler should be adept at understanding a person from multiple aspects to become the leader of thousands, not a puppet of others."
The name "Zi Min" struck Shen Yi Min's heart like a heavy hammer, and this sentence was deeply etched into his mind.
It had been almost four years, and he had almost forgotten that he had another name.