"Old Man Liu is so stupid! So much land, how much money could he earn each year!"
Mother Shen was furious, as if the land belonged to her. "I don't know what kind of love potion that wicked woman fed Old Man Liu and his wife!"
Shen Wang and Shen Cheng Cai sat beside her, silent but with grim expressions.
Especially Shen Cheng Cai, who had been resentful ever since he was refused participation in the dam training.
That wicked woman was so petty! She claimed not to accept children, but if Grandma and Dad went, she would definitely find other excuses to refuse.
No, the task assigned by Master Li's manor was not yet completed; he had to find a way quickly!
"Grandma, are there no other relatives in the Liu family who oppose this?"
Mother Shen’s face was full of anger. "Old Man Liu has no siblings. He only had one daughter, who married far away and doesn't return much during festivals. Who else could object?"
Shen Cheng Cai hadn't expected this and frowned.
The prefectural examination was not far off. He had to quickly ask Master Li's manor for help.
"Grandma, Dad, you must not provoke Li Yue Shu proactively. Think about Mother's fate," Shen Cheng Cai cautioned them intentionally. "I'm going to town first. I need to return the books I copied."
Knowing he was going to earn money, Mother Shen and Shen Wang naturally did not stop him. They even got up to see him off at the door.
...
While Shen Cheng Cai rushed to seek help from Master Li's manor, Li Yue Shu was preparing for the twins' birthday.
Although the two children shared the same birthday, their cakes had to be made separately.
Fortunately, with Wei Zi Miao and over a dozen guards joining them, two large cakes wouldn't be an issue.
"Happy birthday to you..."
Li Yue Shu led the singing of the familiar birthday song. Wei Zi Miao heard it for the first time.
The simple, repetitive melody was not difficult, but it inexplicably evoked a cheerful and joyful feeling.
His birthday was celebrated every year, but since his sister ran away, only his father had accompanied him. No matter how many people were present, they were not family.
Now, seeing so many people gathered together, he felt a hint of envy.
"A Wen, A Yi, make a wish quickly!"
Li Yue Shu's voice suddenly pulled his thoughts back.
Shen Ting Yi immediately closed her eyes obediently, clasped her hands together, and began to make a wish.
Shen Ting Wen looked up and met Li Yue Shu's smiling eyes. After a moment's hesitation, he also closed his eyes.
His greatest wish had always been to return to Chong Zhou openly and ask that woman why she abandoned them, but now...
Shen Ting Wen secretly opened one eye, looking at the gentle woman opposite him.
His greatest wish was that this woman would always be like this, and never revert to her former self.
...
After the twins made their wishes and blew out the candles, Li Yue Shu took out the gift boxes she had prepared earlier and gave them to the two children respectively.
Shen Ting Yi's box contained a set of ceremonial necklaces.
This child's character in the original book was that of a seductive femme fatale, and she also enjoyed preening. Li Yue Shu had specially commissioned this set of necklaces for her.
Shen Ting Yi, who received the gift, was indeed very pleased and immediately asked Li Yue Shu to put it on for her.
Shen Ting Wen's box contained a deed of transfer.
Although this child was only six years old, he could recognize all the characters.
When he saw the contents of the deed, his eyes widened in shock. "This is... you've transferred seventy percent of the profits from the restaurant to me?"
Seventy percent of the profits was equivalent to making him the major shareholder of the Liu Xian Restaurant!
Li Yue Shu nodded affirmatively. "Until you are capable of supporting Liu Xian Restaurant, I will manage it for you. So, you need to grow up quickly."
Liu Xian Restaurant was actually created by her specifically for Shen Ting Wen.
This child was destined to become the richest man in the world, and he would have more than just one restaurant. This was just the beginning.
Shen Ting Wen's eyes sparkled, as if a light was flashing within them.
"Thank you..."
His voice was suppressed with a sob. He seemed to want to say another word, but he opened his mouth and ultimately remained silent.
Li Yue Shu could sense that he had more to say but did not press further. Instead, she handed him the knife for cutting the cake. "You and your sister will cut the first slice of cake."
Mother Mo and Aunt Liu stood up, helping to distribute the cake to everyone.
Wei Zi Miao sat in the corner, silently watching this warm and lively scene, and silently watching the joyful Wei Ling.
Having lived here for so long, he could tell that Ling'er was happy in this family. He had also privately asked Ling'er, and she now considered Li Yue Shu her mother.
Because of Li Yue Shu's treatment, the child's intellectual disability had improved significantly. So, he had asked her if she remembered her birth mother.
Although Ling'er was foolish back then, she naturally remembered the mother who loved her most in the world.
However, in her memory, her mother's life had not been easy. At least, in Wei Zi Miao's opinion, the daughter of the Hong Ning City Lord's manor should not have lived such a life.
Wei Zi Miao felt a hidden sadness. Looking at the gentle and loving Li Yue Shu, an idea gradually formed in his mind.
...
While everyone was joyfully celebrating the twins' birthday, Master Li's manor received news that Wei Zi Miao had appeared at Li Yue Shu's home.
The villagers only knew Wei Zi Miao as a patient from the Heng De Pharmacy, but the people at Master Li's manor had been watching Li Yue Shu and naturally knew Wei Zi Miao's identity.
"Isn't this woman from Elder Xu's faction? Why is she involved with Hong Ning City again?" Master Li frowned and asked doubtfully.
Although Hong Ning City had copper mines, it did not belong to any particular faction. Could it be that it had already been won over by the Crown Prince?
Steward Li pondered for a long time and hesitantly spoke, "Master, if Li Yue Shu has long been involved with Hong Ning City, could the two black-clothed men we've been searching for be from the Wei family?"
Master Li's expression froze. "How many people did Wei Zi Miao bring with him to Tong Mu County?"
Steward Li replied, "It's said he brought over a dozen guards."
Upon hearing this, Master Li fell silent for a moment before saying, "Have the Zhang family check if those two black-clothed men from before are among Wei Zi Miao's guards."
He added with a cold gaze, "The Zhang family has been living here for free for so long. If they still haven't been of any use..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but Steward Li, who had followed him for many years, immediately understood. "Master, rest assured, I know what to do."
Master Li nodded. Then, as if remembering something, he asked, "It seems the prefectural examination is approaching. Are there two scholars from Li Yue Shu's family participating?"
Steward Li nodded. "Does Master have any instructions?"
Master Li beckoned him closer and whispered something in his ear.
Neither of them noticed that a figure was hiding by the doorway.
Zhang Yang, holding a pot of tea, cautiously leaned against the doorframe, his face a little pale.
He hadn't heard the low murmur of the two inside, but he had heard them talking about taking action against the Zhang family.