Li Yue Shu's heart ached slightly. She touched Shen Zhi Yu's small face and solemnly promised, "A'yu, Mother promises you, I will never abandon you."
Perhaps, she should go talk to Shen Wei.
She had been married into the Shen family by force by Shen Mu, and Shen Wei was not the real "Shen Wei." There was no relationship between them to begin with.
As for the four children, no matter what choice they made in the end, she would respect it.
If they chose to leave with Shen Wei...
Then she would stay in Tong Mu County, guard the inn and the pharmacy, and live out her life well.
Li Yue Shu made a decision in her heart, and Shen Zhi Yu was also comforted by her and soon fell asleep.
...
At the same time, in the distant Chongzhou, its own story was unfolding.
The Crown Prince returned to the court, recovered Hong Ning City, and executed dozens of former Crown Prince remnants, a great achievement indeed.
Even though everyone knew that the true credit belonged to the Wei family of Hong Ning City, it did not prevent them from attributing the achievement to Qin Ye Xiu.
For this, the Emperor specially held a celebration banquet in the palace.
The banquet was filled with clinking glasses, and the words "Congratulations, Your Highness" could be heard everywhere.
Even after the banquet ended, many people still surrounded Qin Ye Xiu.
Where there was someone triumphant, there were naturally those who were dejected.
"Slap!"
In a luxurious palace in the Imperial City, a woman in brocade robes, with an elegant and dignified face, swept everything off the table in anger.
"Your Imperial Consort, please calm your anger!"
The palace maids in the room quickly knelt down, burying their heads deeply on the ground.
This woman was Noble Consort Lan, whose status in the harem was second only to the Empress.
After venting her anger, Noble Consort Lan was still displeased, "A bunch of useless people, what else can you do besides tell me to calm down!"
No one dared to reply, and could only lower their bodies even further.
Only an old wet nurse standing nearby dared to step forward and wipe the tea-drenched hand of Noble Consort Lan, "Your Imperial Consort, since things have come to this, the urgent matter should be to discuss countermeasures with the Second Prince."
She waved her hand, and the kneeling palace maids quickly cleaned up the mess on the ground, served fresh tea, and then withdrew.
Noble Consort Lan looked at the old wet nurse, and her anger subsided a lot.
As if thinking of something, she sighed, "Mammy Qian, I have failed you, not being able to protect the Li family."
"What are you saying, Your Imperial Consort?" Mammy Qian quickly poured her a cup of tea. "If it weren't for your mediation, the Li family would probably not even have the last branch left. It is the Li family's honor to be of service to Your Imperial Consort. This time, it can only be blamed on the Li family's lack of caution, which led to them falling into the Crown Prince's trap."
Due to Chai Yang's arrangements, the people of Chongzhou only knew that the Li family's affairs were done by the Crown Prince, but not other matters.
Hearing this, Noble Consort Lan sighed, "Old Master Li has worked for me for many years and has always been cautious. If it weren't for the Wei family of Hong Ning City interfering this time, he would not have ended up like this."
A cold glint flashed in Mammy Qian's eyes, but she quickly concealed it. "Fortunately, before the Li family incident, someone sent us a message, letting us know that Hong Ning City had surrendered to the Crown Prince, so we could prepare in advance."
Thinking of this, Noble Consort Lan also felt fortunate. "Mammy Qian, go and call Cheng'er here."
"Yes."
Mammy Qian accepted the order and retreated.
As soon as she left the palace, the expression on Mammy Qian's face instantly turned cold.
She would definitely avenge the Li family!
...
While Noble Consort Lan and the Second Prince Qin Ye Cheng were discussing countermeasures, Qin Ye Xiu, who should have been in the Eastern Palace, was now outside the Imperial City.
Beside a gently flowing river, the lights were bright, and a luxurious boat was sailing on the river.
Several guards stood around the boat, and inside the cabin, a man and a woman were seated, drinking wine.
The woman raised her wine glass, "Ru'er has not yet congratulated Your Highness. After this matter, you will surely gain more favor from the Emperor."
Qin Ye Xiu raised his wine glass and gently clinked it with hers. "I have heard many congratulations today, but Ru'er is the first person to speak so directly."
Everyone knew that he had gained the Emperor's favor on this trip to Hong Ning City, but no one said it directly, they just flattered him with kind words.
Only Li Xiang Ru spoke directly and frankly, which seemed more sincere.
This was also why he came to meet her after the banquet, having heard that Li Xiang Ru had invited him.
Li Xiang Ru smiled faintly, exuding a noble and poised demeanor in every gesture, as if she were a young lady raised in a wealthy family.
She certainly could not miss the moment when the Crown Prince shared his joy after his accomplishment.
Qin Ye Xiu was in a good mood and then thought of something. "By the way, on my trip to Hong Ning City, I also heard news of your sister."
Li Xiang Ru's expression froze, but it vanished instantly. "Did Your Highness see my sister?"
Qin Ye Xiu shook his head. "Not exactly, but I heard that she is known as a divine doctor in Tong Mu County. It was thanks to her discerning the former Crown Prince's remnants' plot that the matter in Hong Ning City was resolved."
Li Xiang Ru's hand, holding the wine glass, tightened involuntarily. She forced a smile at the corner of her mouth but did not reply.
Qin Ye Xiu did not notice her expression and was preoccupied with his own thoughts. "Ru'er, when you went to Tong Mu County before, did you see that brother-in-law named Shen Wei?"
Li Xiang Ru was stunned and couldn't recall such a person for a moment.
After a moment of thought, she nodded and sighed with a hint of regret. "My adoptive mother heard that the Shen family had the most wealth in their village, so she married my sister off. But I didn't expect that the third son of the Shen family would be an idiot. My poor sister..."
As she spoke, Li Xiang Ru lowered her eyes, her expression filled with sadness.
Qin Ye Xiu looked at her expression, and his heart softened. "If Ru'er is worried about her, why not find an opportunity for her to divorce Shen Wei? I heard from City Lord Wei that your sister has the ability to revive the dying and mend broken bones. If she could be brought to Chongzhou, she would surely achieve great things."
Li Xiang Ru's hand trembled, and wine splashed out of her cup, but she paid no attention.
Li Yue Shu must not come to Chongzhou!
A moment later, Li Xiang Ru put down her wine glass and smiled gently. "If my sister is willing, I will naturally help her. However, the last time I saw her, I felt she was very reluctant to part with the Shen family's children. If she were to divorce, I'm afraid..."
Qin Ye Xiu did not notice her unusual expression and just pursed his lips when he heard her mention the children.
If that woman did not wish it herself, he would not interfere.
However, given that woman's status, she would never associate herself with a village woman.
If Li Yue Shu truly had talent, he would arrange a good future for her out of consideration for Ru'er.
With this thought, Qin Ye Xiu dismissed the matter and chatted with Li Xiang Ru about other things.
But Li Xiang Ru's mind was no longer on that.
After chatting for a while, Li Xiang Ru spoke softly, "Your Highness, it is getting late. If Ru'er stays out for too long, I fear my parents will find out."
Upon hearing this, Qin Ye Xiu quickly put down his wine glass and stood up. "Then I shall escort Ru'er back to the Zhenbei General's mansion."
"No need," Li Xiang Ru stood up as well. "Your Highness has drunk a lot of wine today. Remember to have someone brew some hangover soup when you return to the Eastern Palace, so as not to harm your health."
Hearing her concern, Qin Ye Xiu's eyes grew even gentler.
No one disliked a considerate and gentle woman, especially one who was intelligent and capable, with the Zhenbei General's mansion behind her.
Li Xiang Ru curtsied properly and got into the carriage under Qin Ye Xiu's gaze.
As soon as the carriage curtain was lowered, the gentle and kind face instantly became stern.
Hurriedly returning to the Zhenbei General's mansion, Li Xiang Ru, wearing a cloak, slipped in through the small back gate.
Unbeknownst to her, a figure in the shadows watched everything.