Zhang Yang's hands trembled slightly.
If they didn't find those two men in black this time, then they…
Zhang Yang couldn't help but recall when he first arrived at the Li manor, how Magistrate Li, to intimidate them, had a servant buried alive right in front of them!
And that servant had only been caught accepting kickbacks during procurement.
Thinking of the servant's terrified struggles as he was buried alive, thinking of his own recurring nightmares for months, the last trace of color drained from Zhang Yang's face.
No, he couldn't just wait to die. He had to find a way out for himself!
Zhang Yang, propping up his somewhat weak legs, carefully crept away.
…
After celebrating A'wen and A'yi's birthdays, Li Yue Shu shifted her focus to the prefectural examination in April.
With the experience of the county examination, she felt much more relaxed, even having time to visit the pharmaceutical factory daily.
One day, Li Yue Shu was checking on Wei Zi Mo's health.
As she finished writing a new prescription, a guard rushed in, "Young Master, the City Lord has sent a secret message."
Wei Zi Mo fastened his clothes and took the secret message from the guard.
It was only a small slip of paper with not much content, but Wei Zi Mo's expression instantly turned cold.
Li Yue Shu noticed his expression but wasn't curious.
She put down the prescription, "Young Master Wei's recovery is faster than I anticipated. In another two or three months, you'll be completely fine."
As she spoke, she was about to leave directly when Wei Zi Mo suddenly spoke, "The copper mine in Hong Ning City was stolen. Eight hundred catties of refined copper vanished overnight. Does Madam Shen know who did it?"
Li Yue Shu paused, then slowly turned around, "If Young Master Wei doesn't know, how could I possibly know?"
Wei Zi Mo looked directly into her eyes, his scrutiny undisguised, "Has Madam Shen heard of the deposed Crown Prince's failed coup and his suicide in the Eastern Palace over a decade ago?"
Li Yue Shu smiled faintly, "I'm not yet eighteen, and I was born in the mountains far from Chong Zhou. How would I know about events from over a decade ago?"
Her expression remained calm, but Wei Zi Mo understood that she definitely knew.
It seemed this Madam Shen truly held secrets.
Wei Zi Mo's smile deepened, "A decade ago, Hong Ning City belonged to the deposed Crown Prince's fief. The mastermind behind my wet nurse and my fake sister appears to be remnants of the deposed Crown Prince's faction."
Li Yue Shu narrowed her eyes, her smile not reaching them, "Are you telling me this, Young Master Wei, because you suspect me of being one of the deposed Crown Prince's people?"
"Madam Shen jokes," Wei Zi Mo said, as calm as ever. "If not for Madam Shen, I likely wouldn't have known of a mastermind's existence until my death. I am merely afraid that the deposed Crown Prince's people might bear a grudge against Madam Shen because of this."
Regardless of whether his words were true or false, his attitude appeared sincere.
Li Yue Shu smiled, "You needn't trouble yourself with this matter, Young Master Wei."
If the deposed Crown Prince's remnants came looking for her, she might even be able to negotiate a collaboration.
It was said that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Since the deposed Crown Prince's remnants were enemies of the male protagonist, they were her friends.
Wei Zi Mo was unaware of her plans, but seeing her so composed only deepened his curiosity.
…
Li Yue Shu didn't dwell on that day's events and continued with her own affairs.
Meanwhile, a man with an elegant demeanor and his eyes bandaged, accompanied by a young medicine boy, arrived at Heng De Pharmacy. It was Ji Mo Bai and Man Xing.
The pharmacy staff quickly greeted them, carefully assisting him, "Young Master, please be careful. I'll help you to a seat over here."
"Thank you," Ji Mo Bai smiled gently, "May I ask if the owner of your pharmacy is here?"
The pharmacy staff hesitated for a moment, then reacted, "Is the Young Master also here to see the owner?"
Ji Mo Bai was surprised, "Why do you say 'also'?"
The pharmacy staff helped him to a seat and explained patiently, "Eight or nine out of ten people who come to our pharmacy are here for the owner. But the owner is busy with other matters, and we only ask for her when Doctor Chen cannot resolve an issue."
"Young Master, are you here to get medicine, or for something else?"
The word "sick" was not a pleasant one, so the pharmacy staff tactfully avoided mentioning it.
Ji Mo Bai shook his head with a smile, not answering, but instead asked, "Do you buy medicinal herbs?"
Upon hearing this, Man Xing quickly took down his back basket.
The pharmacy staff didn't even look at the basket and said with a smile, "If the Young Master trusts us, I'll take the basket to the back for our师傅s to examine and give you a price."
Man Xing looked surprised, "You're going to buy it without even looking at the quality?"
"As long as the Young Master's herbs are usable, we will buy them," the pharmacy staff maintained a polite smile throughout. "The owner said that everyone has difficult times. As long as the items are usable, we will purchase them."
Ji Mo Bai and Man Xing were both taken aback.
When they first met Madam Shen in Shen Xing Town, they were unable to afford lodging because they couldn't sell their medicinal herbs.
They had thought Madam Shen bought their herbs out of a desire to help them, but also to save their pride. Now, it seemed she was truly such a kind-hearted person.
Ji Mo Bai lowered his gaze, thinking of the book Madam Shen had given him when they parted, and his heart stirred slightly.
After exchanging the herbs for money, Ji Mo Bai didn't linger and left with Man Xing.
Madam Shen was a renowned physician in Tong Mu County. It wasn't difficult to find her whereabouts.
…
Li Yue Shu had anticipated that Ji Mo Bai would return to find her, but she hadn't expected him to come back so soon. Thus, she had already left.
The prefectural examination was held at the prefectural yamen. In this world, one couldn't book hotels online in advance, so she had to bring Shen Yi Min and Mo Lian with her early. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
With a larger carriage, more people could accompany them.
Besides the two children, Li Yue Shu also brought Shen Wei, Mother Mo, and A'yu.
The prefectural examination would last for three rounds, so Li Yue Shu arrived near the yamen three days in advance and booked two superior rooms.
Li Yue Shu had initially planned to visit the Prefect, who was the former magistrate of Tong Mu County, but considering it was the period of the prefectural examination, she abandoned the idea.
If there was an opportunity later, she would visit him then.
That night, Shen Wei slept with the two children, Shen Yi Min and Mo Lian, while Li Yue Shu shared a room with A'yu and Mother Mo.
Due to the prefectural examination, business at the surrounding inns was more bustling than usual, with guests checking in even at midnight.
Most people would settle into their rooms and sleep early, but some checked in with other intentions, using the cover of night to conduct their business.
…
The next day, perhaps due to sleeping in a new bed, Li Yue Shu woke up early.
While everyone was washing up, she went downstairs to ask the waiter to prepare breakfast.
By the time Li Yue Shu finished washing up and came downstairs, the others were already waiting for her at the table.
Li Yue Shu sat directly next to Shen Zhi Yu, habitually stroking his head, "Eat well, little one. Mom will take you out to play later."
Since they had arrived two or three days early, they couldn't stay in the inn the entire time. Allowing for some relaxation outside would also be beneficial for the two children's exams.
Hearing that they were going out to play, Shen Zhi Yu's eyes lit up, and he immediately and happily held his bowl, taking large mouthfuls of congee.
Li Yue Shu chuckled and also took a sip of the congee in front of her.
The next moment, her hand suddenly froze. The soft, sweet congee was in her mouth, but she couldn't swallow it.