Despite the storms raging outside, within the home that Li Yue Shu had meticulously built, a warm and harmonious atmosphere always prevailed.
What surprised Li Yue Shu the most was that Ji Mo Bai, who had always preferred to remain a transparent figure in the corner, had for the past couple of days inexplicably been calling Shen Ting Yi to his side and teaching her basic medical skills.
Li Yue Shu observed everything, feeling both joy and a touch of bewilderment.
She had mentioned to Ji Mo Bai several times before, hoping he would take A Yi as his disciple, but he had always refused.
He had explicitly stated that he had no intention of ever taking on a disciple, so why had he suddenly changed his mind?
After some thought, Li Yue Shu, worried that she might be mistaken, decided not to bring it up. Instead, she simply stopped having Shen Ting Yi go to the Heng De Pharmacy.
Shen Ting Yi was reluctant. "Mother, I want to go to the pharmacy with you. I don't want to learn from him. That smelly Man Xing always calls me stupid!"
Li Yue Shu was accustomed to the daily bickering between the two children, who seemed to dislike each other. She gently stroked Shen Ting Yi's head. "A Yi, you know his identity. Being able to learn medicine from him is something countless people would beg for."
"I don't care for it!" Shen Ting Yi said with clear displeasure. "Mother is much more capable than he is. I want to learn from Mother!"
Li Yue Shu crouched down and patiently persuaded her. "Mother and he excel in different fields. He can teach you much more, and it will benefit you greatly."
"Only if you learn from him can I rest assured."
At the end of her sentence, Li Yue Shu's tone carried a hint of helplessness.
In the original book, A Yi was the disciple of the Poison King of Mount Pang.
Although this Poison King of Mount Pang had never appeared in the book, he was described in everyone's tales as an extremely wicked individual.
As his disciple, A Yi's reputation was ruined from the very beginning.
To alter A Yi's fate, becoming the disciple of the divine physician Ji Mo Bai was the best option.
Shen Ting Yi was unaware of Li Yue Shu's plans. However, she sensed the somberness in her mother's tone. The refusal that had been on the tip of her tongue instantly retreated.
Despite her visible reluctance, Shen Ting Yi obediently went to learn medicine from Ji Mo Bai.
Li Yue Shu watched this scene with satisfaction, waiting for the opportune moment to bring up the matter of discipleship.
Her most pressing concern now was Shen Wei's condition.
Based on what Hong Dai had said last time, Shen Wei must be hiding some secret.
If she couldn't uncover it, not only might it cause further harm to Shen Wei, but it could also lead to unforeseen troubles.
With this thought, Li Yue Shu looked at Shen Wei with a worried expression.
Shen Wei noticed her gaze and asked with curiosity, "A Shu, what are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking about your condition," Li Yue Shu answered instinctively.
Realizing what she had said, she quickly asked, "Shen Wei, do you remember what you used to do?"
Shen Wei's heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively recalled her conversation with Hong Dai at Qing Feng Pavilion.
He blinked his eyes, putting on an innocent expression. "I only remember that many people wanted to kill me. I didn't know them, but they all came at me with swords..."
As he spoke, Shen Wei's face turned pale, and his body began to tremble noticeably.
Seeing his distress, Li Yue Shu felt a pang of heartache and quickly comforted him. "Don't be afraid. I'm here. No one can hurt you. Don't be afraid..."
Looking at her worried expression, Shen Wei's eyes flickered.
He tugged on Li Yue Shu's sleeve. "A Shu, do you know that I've forgotten something? Can you tell me?"
Li Yue Shu sighed. "I wish I knew what you'd forgotten. Then, if any trouble came our way, I could prepare a counter-strategy in advance."
She hadn't yet established a power base for the children that could rival the male and female leads, yet she had already attracted the trouble of the Second Prince due to the Li manor, and now Shen Wei's situation added to it.
She felt as though transmigrating to this world was her penance.
Li Yue Shu grumbled inwardly, but Shen Wei felt something suddenly burst within him.
She had asked Hong Dai to investigate his matters because she was concerned about his safety?
At this moment, something in Shen Wei's heart seemed to snap with a 'pa ta' sound, and a wave of warmth continuously flowed in.
...
Meanwhile, Shen Ting Yi, who had always had a strong interest in medicine, was often distracted while learning from Ji Mo Bai.
Although Ji Mo Bai couldn't see, he could clearly sense his heart sinking.
He knew how diligently this child had studied under Madam Shen. Yet, now, while learning from him, she was so absent-minded. Was it because what he taught differed from what Madam Shen taught?
Thinking about what had happened to Shen Wang, Ji Mo Bai's heart grew heavy.
Therefore, when Li Yue Shu came to inquire about Shen Ting Yi's latest progress one day, he proactively spoke. "Madam Shen, I'd like to discuss the matter you entrusted to me before."
Li Yue Shu's eyes lit up, and she immediately understood what he was referring to. "Young Master Bai, please speak."
Ji Mo Bai tilted his head slightly, precisely facing her. "Miss Shen San is the most talented child I've ever met. I wish to take her as my disciple. Madam Shen, are you willing?"
As he spoke, Shen Ting Yi, who had been looking down at her book, suddenly looked up, her expression flustered as she gazed at Li Yue Shu.
Man Xing also looked up, but his face was filled with joy and anticipation.
Li Yue Shu, not noticing the children's expressions, nodded without hesitation. "Of course, I'm willing! To become Young Master Bai's disciple, A Yi she..."
"I'm not willing!" Shen Ting Yi suddenly stood up, her face a mask of anger.
The few people present instinctively looked at her, and even Wei Zi Miao, who had been dozing nearby, opened his eyes and turned his head.
Perhaps from anger, Shen Ting Yi's face turned red. "Mother, I will absolutely not become his disciple!"
With that, Shen Ting Yi turned and stormed away in a huff.
"A Yi!"
Li Yue Shu panicked and was about to chase after her.
"Madam Shen!" Wei Zi Miao, standing beside her, suddenly called out, stopping her. "Your children are all smarter than children their age, and Miss Shen San is talented. Perhaps she knows very well what she needs."
Li Yue Shu paused, and meeting his gentle, calm eyes, her mind felt as though it had been doused with cold water, becoming clear.
She bowed sincerely to Wei Zi Miao. "Thank you, Young Master Wei, for your reminder."
She had been so focused on how to arrange a better future for the four children that she had forgotten her original intentions for them.
Previously, she had greatly respected the children's choices. Even when A Wen wanted to go into business, or when A Yi wanted to study medicine, she had supported them step by step. Yet, recently, she had become somewhat impatient.
Li Yue Shu collected herself and then went to find the person.
Wei Zi Miao watched the change in her expression, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He then turned his head and closed his eyes again.
The sunlight falling on him was truly pleasant!
Not far away, Shen Wei looked at him meaningfully, the pastry in his hand creased from his grip.
This guy always knew how to say something that resonated with A Shu. The more he looked, the more annoying he became!