The matter concerning the pharmaceutical factory had escalated considerably. Within an hour, news had spread that Li Yue Shu had rewarded Aunt Zhao fifty taels.
Consequently, those who had not attended the dam training quickly sought out Aunt Liu and Madam Zhou, hoping to secure positions at the pharmaceutical factory.
Currently, the pharmaceutical factory only supplied one medicine hall and thus did not require such a large workforce. However, Li Yue Shu had publicly declared that if the factory needed to hire, she would prioritize the villagers.
The village was not large, and even though Ji Mo Bai and Wei Zi Miao had been confined to their homes, they too heard the news.
Wei Zi Miao was somewhat surprised but, considering it was Li Yue Shu's doing, found it perfectly understandable. If she couldn't handle such a minor issue, she wouldn't be the Madam Shen he knew.
Dismissing his thoughts, Wei Zi Miao turned and resumed his boxing practice with the guards. Now that his body had recovered, he began training with the guards. While he might not become a military general like his father, he would at least no longer be as weak as he was before.
Ji Mo Bai, who also heard the news, fell into a deep contemplation. Regarding the child's poisoning incident, was she more angered by the potential harm to the pharmaceutical factory and medicine hall, or by the act of harming innocent lives? He hoped it was the latter.
Ji Mo Bai distractedly handled the medicinal herbs before him, his usually refined and noble demeanor tinged with worry.
...
Unaware of their thoughts, Li Yue Shu was discussing the establishment of a village patrol team with the village head. Following Shen Cheng Cai's poisoning attempt that morning, she decided to enhance the security of the pharmaceutical factory, ideally by acquiring a few dogs.
Ever since Li Yue Shu established the pharmaceutical factory and helped several households in the village prosper, the village head had been highly supportive of her endeavors. Upon hearing that she intended to recruit a patrol team for the factory, he immediately presented her with a list of several robust young men from the village for her selection.
Li Yue Shu glanced at the list but did not make an immediate decision. Instead, she asked the village head to inform the villagers that anyone interested could register themselves at the pharmaceutical factory. Simultaneously, she relaxed the recruitment criteria considerably, stating, "As long as they are healthy, capable of running and shouting, age is not a concern." This was essentially akin to modern security guards, not requiring the standards of personal escorts.
The village head's eyes lit up. "Even at my age, am I eligible?"
"Of course," Li Yue Shu nodded. "Village head, if you don't find it too troublesome, I'd like to offer you the position of patrol team leader." The village head held significant prestige and had experience managing people, making him the most suitable candidate for the patrol team leader role.
Hearing this, the village head couldn't contain his smile. "Excellent, excellent! As long as you don't mind my age! I'll go and inform the villagers right away."
With this matter entrusted to the village head, Li Yue Shu felt at ease and turned to her own affairs.
...
Returning home that afternoon, Li Yue Shu was preparing to assess Shen Zhi Yu's recent academic progress when a figure rushed in from the doorway. Li Yue Shu recognized him as a villager whom she greeted casually on the road; his wife was an employee at the pharmaceutical factory.
Seeing her, the man looked somewhat anxious. "Madam Shen, something has happened!"
Upon hearing the last two words, Li Yue Shu's temple twitched. "What's happened now?"
The man appeared flustered. "We were escorting Shen Cheng Cai to the county town, and then... he escaped!"
"Escaped?" Li Yue Shu was surprised. "Didn't you two have him under guard, and Uncle Liu was driving the ox cart? How did he get away?"
The man looked embarrassed and lowered his head, not daring to meet Li Yue Shu's gaze. "He said he needed to use the latrine, and we... we thought he was just a child and weren't paying close enough attention, which is how he escaped." As if fearing Li Yue Shu's anger, he quickly added, "But we've already been to the county yamen. The magistrate said this matter can be treated as significant or insignificant. If you wish to pursue it, you can file a report at the yamen tomorrow, and the magistrate can issue a wanted notice."
Li Yue Shu frowned slightly. The child... that was indeed Shen Cheng Cai's best excuse! Shen Cheng Cai's actions were not minor offenses, and regardless of his age, he should be held accountable for his behavior. "There's no need to issue a wanted notice. I'll file a report at the yamen tomorrow. Once he's found, we'll have a good talk with him." A child's future was far more malleable than an adult's. Fortunately, no serious harm was done this time, so she could give Shen Cheng Cai a chance to amend his ways. Whether he seized this opportunity would be up to him.
Having made her decision, Li Yue Shu planned to visit the county yamen the next day. However, as she drove her carriage to the village entrance, a carriage approached her from the opposite direction. Seated in the front was Liu Lan Lan, who had been absent for some time.
Seeing Li Yue Shu, Liu Lan Lan was also surprised. She quickly jumped off the carriage and ran over. "Sister Yue Shu, where are you headed?"
"I was planning to go to the county yamen," Li Yue Shu replied, glancing at the carriage behind her. "Have you brought brother-in-law back?"
Liu Lan Lan nodded hastily. "I went to the medicine hall, but Dr. Chen said you might not be there, so I brought him back directly."
Li Yue Shu blinked. At this hour, she had also visited the medicine hall? Had she not slept last night? Li Yue Shu examined her closely and indeed noticed dark circles under Liu Lan Lan's eyes, indicating fatigue. After a moment's thought, she turned to Shen Wei in the carriage. "You go and find the village head. Please ask him to go to the yamen for me to file the report."
Shen Wei nodded obediently, leaped off the carriage, and ran cheerfully towards the village head's house. Seeing this, Li Yue Shu turned back to Liu Lan Lan. "Sister Lan Lan, let's go back to... let's go to my place first. I need to examine your husband." At this hour, Aunt Liu was at the pharmaceutical factory, and Uncle Liu was still at home. If they went back directly, it might cause the elders unnecessary worry.
Liu Lan Lan understood her intentions and immediately nodded, her eyes full of gratitude. "Thank you, Sister Yue Shu."
...
Madam Mo was curious about Li Yue Shu's return. However, upon learning that she was there to examine Liu Lan Lan's husband, she immediately organized the pharmacy. Ji Mo Bai had previously heard Li Yue Shu mention Liu Lan Lan's husband's condition. Upon hearing that an examination was to take place, he walked over with evident curiosity. "Madam Shen, while you conduct the examination, may I bring Man Xing along?" He was very curious about Li Yue Shu's peculiar methods and saw this as a rare opportunity to witness them.
However, Li Yue Shu paused for a moment before refusing. "Young Master Bai, I apologize, but my examination process involves some secrets that cannot be disclosed." She intended to bring the patient into her space. Although Ji Mo Bai couldn't see it, his senses were several times sharper than ordinary people, and Man Xing was a child who was aware of his surroundings. She dared not take any unnecessary risks.
Her refusal caused Ji Mo Bai to pause, clearly surprised. If it were anyone else, he might not have expressed a desire to observe. However, having known Madam Shen for so long, he knew she was not one to hoard knowledge. Despite his surprise, Ji Mo Bai did not feel resentful. "It was my oversight."
Li Yue Shu found it difficult to explain, so she directly led Liu Lan Lan's husband into the pharmacy, anesthetized him, and then brought him into her space.