When Li Yue Shu found Shen Ting Yi, the young girl was hiding in the warehouse of the pharmaceutical factory, sifting through medicinal herbs as if venting her frustration.
Seeing her in a mood that clearly signaled "I'm upset, and it's best if no one bothers me," Li Yue Shu let out a heartless chuckle.
But she quickly suppressed her laughter, fearing that if the girl heard it, she would become even more enraged.
Li Yue Shu composed herself and walked directly towards Shen Ting Yi.
Upon seeing it was her, Shen Ting Yi immediately turned her back, still clearly sulking.
Li Yue Shu squatted beside her and spoke gently, "A Yi, Mother apologizes to you. Don't be angry anymore, alright?"
Shen Ting Yi's hands, busy with the herbs, paused, but she didn't respond.
Seeing this, Li Yue Shu spoke again, "Mother originally thought that becoming a disciple of the divine physician Ji Mo Bai would be the greatest good for you. But Mother overlooked your feelings. It's Mother's fault. Mother apologizes to you. I'm sorry."
After the incident where the Second Prince sent assassins, she had become somewhat anxious. Thus, despite knowing A Yi disliked studying medicine with Ji Mo Bai, she still proposed she become his disciple. She had been too hasty.
Li Yue Shu's attitude was very sincere, feeling no impropriety in apologizing to a child.
Shen Ting Yi's anger instantly dissipated, but she still tilted her chin arrogantly and turned her head, "Does Mother truly know she was wrong?"
Li Yue Shu chuckled and nodded firmly, "I truly know I was wrong. You children all have your own opinions, and Mother shouldn't force you to make choices. Mother was wrong."
Looking at the apology in her mother's eyes, Shen Ting Yi's heart faltered. She quickly took her hand, "All choices are what we want for ourselves. Mother never forced us, except… except for this time."
With the last sentence, Shen Ting Yi twisted her fingers, a hint of resentment in her tone. Her mother had always been good to them, never using "it's for your own good" as an excuse to force them into anything. Yet, lately, she had become somewhat different.
Li Yue Shu gently stroked Shen Ting Yi's head, "Mother apologizes to you. Will A Yi forgive Mother then?"
Shen Ting Yi immediately nodded and threw herself into her arms, "Mother is the best person in the world. I will never blame Mother!"
Feeling her reliance and trust, Li Yue Shu's heart softened. She gently stroked Shen Ting Yi's head and asked, "Then can A Yi tell Mother now why you don't want to be Ji Mo Bai's disciple?"
Shen Ting Yi lifted her head from her embrace and pouted, "In my heart, Mother's medical skills are the best in the world. That divine physician knows nothing compared to Mother."
Li Yue Shu was a little stunned, "Is that why you don't want to be his disciple?"
Shen Ting Yi nodded firmly, "I only want to learn medicine from Mother. I made a bet with Man Xing, Mother will definitely replace his young master in the future and become a renowned divine physician!"
"No…" Shen Ting Yi frowned and changed her words, "It should be me who becomes a renowned divine physician. Then I will tell everyone that all my medical skills are learned from Mother, and Mother is a divine physician even more skilled than a divine physician!"
Shen Ting Yi's eyes sparkled, seemingly anticipating such a scene.
Li Yue Shu was stunned for a long time, her heart slowly being enveloped by something sweet. This foolish child… She clearly remembered how "she" used to torment her, and even thought of breaking "her" legs, yet now her heart and eyes were full of devotion to her mother. In this moment, Li Yue Shu seemed to profoundly understand the meaning of being a mother. She held Shen Ting Yi tightly, her eyes slightly moist.
…
Since Li Yue Shu no longer insisted on Shen Ting Yi becoming a disciple, she naturally had to apologize to Ji Mo Bai.
Facing her apology, Ji Mo Bai was not angry, nor was he surprised. The past few days had been enough for him to see Shen Ting Yi's reluctance. And Li Yue Shu was not someone who would force her children. The matter of apprenticeship had been unlikely from the start.
However, there were some things Ji Mo Bai wanted to clarify. "Madam Shen, may I presume to ask you something?"
"Young Master, please speak freely," Li Yue Shu replied frankly. As long as he wasn't angry and this didn't create a rift between them, anything could be discussed!
Ji Mo Bai hesitated for a moment, then slowly spoke, "Young Miss Shen's pursuit of medicine is her own preference. What level of accomplishment does Madam Shen hope she will achieve in the future?"
Li Yue Shu didn't know why he asked this, and answered honestly, "No matter what level A Yi's medical skills reach, I only hope she can live a safe and happy life." Sometime, her feelings for the four children had shifted from merely seeking survival and pleasing them to the current expectation. This was also why she had been desperately developing her influence.
Ji Mo Bai could not see her expression and could only analyze the truthfulness of her words through her tone. He slightly tilted his head and asked, "Does Madam Shen wish for Miss Shen to become famous in the future?"
Li Yue Shu didn't grasp the deeper meaning behind his words and chuckled softly, "Fame isn't necessarily a good thing. Look at you; you don't even dare to reveal your true name when traveling outside, isn't that because you are too famous?"
Ji Mo Bai was taken aback, then smiled helplessly. The facts seemed to be just that. Li Yue Shu took a deep breath, "If A Yi were to become famous one day, I hope it would be for her reputation of healing the sick and saving lives. Such a good child like her should live amidst the praise of the world." She was well aware that none of the four children could remain obscure. Therefore, compared to the infamy in the original book, she hoped her children's reputations would improve.
The words "healing the sick and saving lives" seemed to instantly strike a chord with Ji Mo Bai. Though they were merely Li Yue Shu's words, he inexplicably believed them to be the truth. After a long silence, the stone that had been weighing on Ji Mo Bai's heart finally seemed to lift.
"I believe that with Madam Shen's medical skills, you can also achieve a reputation for healing the sick and saving lives," he said with a slight smile. "Madam Shen is a rare genius. With such excellent medical and pharmaceutical skills, as long as they are used for righteous purposes, you will undoubtedly become a divine physician renowned throughout the world." He emphasized the words "righteous purposes" slightly. As intelligent as Li Yue Shu was, she naturally sensed something was amiss. She looked at Ji Mo Bai in confusion, about to ask, when a hurried knocking sound suddenly echoed.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"Madam of Third Master Shen, hurry and open the door! Something has happened at the pharmaceutical factory!" A panicked woman's voice called out from outside, audible to everyone in the courtyard. Aunt Liu quickly dropped what she was holding and ran to open the door.
As soon as the door opened, a village woman rushed in. She was panting heavily from running so fast. She looked around the courtyard and, upon seeing Li Yue Shu, hurried over, "It's bad, Madam of Third Master Shen! You must go to the pharmaceutical factory quickly! Someone… someone has poisoned the pharmaceutical factory!"
"What?!"
At these words, everyone was shocked. Li Yue Shu's brow furrowed, her previous smile instantly replaced by a cold expression, "What exactly happened?"