An old man in a grey robe stood there.
The elder was dressed meticulously; the patterns on his sleeves and the embellishments on his belt were both exquisite and neat.
A gourd about the size of two fists hung from his waist. His kind and amiable face, however, conveyed a sense of aloof nobility.
The elder’s gaze remained fixed on Shen Tingyi until she entered the herbal hall.
Or rather, from the moment he first saw Shen Tingyi, he couldn’t look away.
What a remarkable young girl!
Though still young, based on his experience, he could tell at a glance that this girl would grow into a great beauty.
Someone like her would be the perfect disciple.
The elder glanced up at the signboard of "Heng De Herbal Hall," a slight curve to his lips, his expression unreadable.
Then, without doing anything else, he turned and left.
...
Li Yue Shu was unaware that someone had taken an interest in her daughter. However, she did hear Shen Tingyi’s tearful account of how Yingluo had been torn by Man Xing.
Looking at the scattered beads of the Yingluo and A-Yi’s red-rimmed eyes and nose, she quickly hugged her daughter to comfort her.
“It’s alright, Mother will find someone in town to fix it tomorrow,” she said, looking down at Shen Tingyi. She added, “Although Man Xing didn’t do it on purpose, he did tear the Yingluo. He should pay for the repairs, and he should be punished by treating you to delicious food.”
As she spoke, she deliberately lowered her voice and said with a mysterious air, “Mother heard from Young Master Bai that Man Xing often goes to help at the pharmaceutical factory and has saved quite a bit of private savings. Let’s fleece him hard!”
Upon hearing this, Shen Tingyi’s eyes lit up. “That’s right, we must fleece that brat Man Xing hard!”
Seeing her expression, a hint of a smile flashed in Li Yue Shu’s eyes.
If she could vent her anger by fleecing him, she wouldn’t let resentment fester in her heart, thus harming the bond between the two little ones.
...
Repairing the Yingluo was not difficult. Li Yue Shu had nothing else to do, so she went to town early the next morning.
However, when the craftsman took the scattered beads to reassemble them, he discovered a red bead was missing, making the whole piece asymmetrical.
This Yingluo was custom-made by Li Yue Shu, and most of the beads were polished according to a diagram. It would likely take some time to repair it properly.
Thinking of A-Yi’s expectant look when she left, Li Yue Shu’s heart softened.
An idea suddenly struck her. “Then I’ll trouble Master to use these beads to make a chain ring. Make the ring adjustable, and add a few small bells…”
Li Yue Shu roughly explained her idea, and the craftsman’s eyes grew more and more amazed.
“Madam, please wait a moment, I’ll make it for you right away!”
The craftsman was highly skilled and worked quickly. Li Yue Shu didn’t wait long before a brand new and beautiful chain ring was presented.
Li Yue Shu hadn’t expected the finished product to be even more stunning than she had imagined. A-Yi would surely love it!
As it turned out, her guess was correct.
When Shen Tingyi saw the little chain ring, her face immediately lit up with surprise.
Li Yue Shu put the chain ring on her. It fit perfectly. “Do you like it?”
“I like it!” Shen Tingyi nodded emphatically. As she moved her wrist, the little bells chimed crisply.
Then, her gaze fell on the remaining beads, and her expression was a little reluctant. “What about these then?”
Li Yue Shu covered the small box containing the beads. “Mother will keep these beads for you. A-Yi will grow older, and the chain ring will naturally need to be enlarged. When A-Yi gets married in the future, all these beads will surely be put to use.”
Shen Tingyi hugged Li Yue Shu’s thigh, her face full of childish sweetness. “A-Yi doesn’t want to get married. A-Yi wants to stay with Father and Mother forever!”
Looking at the child, Li Yue Shu couldn’t help but feel affection.
But when she thought of the “Father” her daughter mentioned, Li Yue Shu’s face darkened.
Shen Wei’s acting was indeed superb. If she hadn’t accidentally seen it that day, she would probably still be in the dark.
Every time she thought about how he had been deceiving her for so long, Li Yue Shu couldn’t give him a pleasant look.
Shen Wei naturally sensed that her attitude towards him was not quite right, as if she were angry.
But whenever he tried to get closer and pry for information, she would act as if nothing were wrong.
For a time, Shen Wei was also bewildered.
After much thought, the only thing he could come up with was that she must be worried about the assassins.
She always thought the assassins were sent by the Second Prince, and it was understandable for her to be worried.
After all, to ordinary people, a county magistrate or prefect was a mountain they couldn’t contend with in a lifetime, let alone a prince of a kingdom.
It seemed he needed to find an opportunity to talk to her soon and bring her under his wing.
But she was still injured. This matter could wait until her injuries healed.
Shen Wei explained it to himself this way, and he became more active in front of Li Yue Shu.
Xing He, watching from a distance, couldn’t help but gasp at his fawning and solicitous demeanor. “Why do I feel like Master, acting like this, is just like that dog kept by Scholar Li Yushi…”
“Slap!”
As soon as he finished speaking, he was suddenly struck on the back of the head.
Chai Yang glared at him impatiently. “How dare you insult Master! Are you tired of living!”
Xing He then realized what he had said and covered his mouth in horror.
He quickly pulled Chai Yang, his face full of nervousness. “You have to keep this a secret for me. Don’t tell Master.”
Chai Yang ignored him, instead looking at the lively courtyard in the distance, his brows furrowed slightly.
Xing He followed his gaze and immediately saw their Master smiling brightly.
Although this face wasn’t their Master’s, the thought of their Master being so solicitous and fawning towards a woman seemed more unbelievable than their Master plotting rebellion.
“Do you also feel that Master is different towards this woman?” Xing He’s expression turned serious. “Perhaps Master himself doesn’t realize that his favoritism and protection of this woman has become subconscious.”
Chai Yang turned to look at him, with an expression that said, “You’re only realizing this now?”
Xing He didn’t notice his gaze and looked concerned. “I’m just afraid that woman might have ill intentions.”
Chai Yang retracted his gaze and said calmly, “You’ve been watching for so long. Have you seen her do anything to harm Master or the young masters and ladies?”
Xing He thought for a moment and honestly shook his head.
Indeed, she hadn’t. She was very good to Master and the young masters and ladies.
But he was still puzzled. “This woman definitely has a secret. What if all of this is an act?”
Chai Yang continued to look at the lively courtyard, his voice filled with determination. “Master trusts her, and I trust Master.”
Xing He was taken aback and looked back at him thoughtfully.
Chai Yang had always been smarter than him. If even he said so, then what reason did he have to doubt further?
Thinking this, Xing He immediately stopped worrying.
No one knew about the conversation between these two, and no one in the courtyard knew that someone was watching them from afar.
Wei Zi Miao, returning after practicing a set of punches, was wiping sweat from his brow and happened to see Shen Wei, who was trying hard to make his presence known in front of Li Yue Shu not far away.