Li Yueshu was indeed worried, but she believed in facing challenges as they came. Instead of wasting time worrying, she decided to focus on how to become stronger.
Thus, after entrusting the prefect with keeping an eye on court news, she shifted her attention to the pharmaceutical factory.
Currently, the factory workers were still new and not entirely skilled, but their sheer numbers were enough to support the needs of Hengde Pharmacy.
Once they became more proficient, she would need to consider opening a new pharmacy.
...
News of the Li family's downfall spread quickly, and Shen Cheng Cai, who had been eagerly awaiting it, naturally heard about it.
"Damn it! How can that vixen always be so lucky!" Shen Cheng Cai’s face was grim, his already dark complexion appearing even more terrifying.
After venting his anger, Shen Cheng Cai felt a sense of relief.
Fortunately, his connection with the Li family was secret, otherwise, he might have been implicated as well!
With such an incident, Shen Cheng Cai became more cautious. Unfortunately for him, Li Yueshu remained completely unaware of his machinations.
She had too many things to do every day to bother with such a trivial character.
However, what was with this person who seemed to be following her around every day?
Li Yueshu glanced back at Wei Zi Miao. Feeling her gaze, he returned a gentle smile.
Li Yueshu couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Ever since the prefect personally delivered the results of the prefecture examination, this fellow had been trailing her. When asked if he had anything to say, he wouldn't speak.
Li Yueshu felt a headache coming on. "Young Master Wei, your health has nearly recovered. If you depart now, you should be fully healed by the time you reach Hong Ning City."
The dismissal was so obvious that Wei Zi Miao would have to be foolish not to understand.
Yet, he simply smiled faintly, showing no embarrassment. "The matters in Hong Ning City are not yet resolved. I will have to trouble Madam Shen for a few more days."
Mentioning the situation in Hong Ning City, Li Yueshu's eyes flickered. She wanted to ask something, but ultimately refrained.
Because of her intervention, Wei Zi Miao would likely not suffer the same fate of family ruin as in the original novel. Therefore, he wouldn't become a strategist for the Crown Prince.
As long as Wei Zi Miao was not her enemy, that was enough.
With this thought, Li Yueshu remained silent. However, her hesitant expression was noticed by Wei Zi Miao.
Was she concerned about the remnants of the former Crown Prince, or was she concerned about… his family affairs?
Li Yueshu, unaware of his peculiar gaze, suddenly asked, thinking of something, "Once the Hong Ning City matters are resolved, will you be returning?"
Wei Zi Miao's lips curved upwards, a glint of light seeming to flash in his gentle eyes. "What, you'll miss me?"
The moment he said this, a cold gaze suddenly shot from nearby.
Wei Zi Miao looked over and met Shen Wei's eyes.
Although it was only a fleeting chill, he clearly saw it.
Li Yueshu's hands paused, and she turned her head in surprise, not noticing the interaction between the two men.
She knew Wei Zi Miao was a 'white-cut-black' character, his outward gentleness merely a mask to lower people's guard, but she didn't expect him to say something so like a spoiled rich kid.
"You... took the wrong medicine?"
Wei Zi Miao: "..."
He shifted his gaze uncomfortably. "I was talking about Ling'er... I can see you truly care for Ling'er. If she were to leave with me, would you be reluctant?"
Mentioning Ling'er, Li Yueshu did indeed feel reluctant. This was precisely what she had wanted to ask.
She sighed. "Have you mentioned leaving to Ling'er?"
Wei Zi Miao looked at her and shook his head.
Seeing this, Li Yueshu didn't know what to say for a moment.
Ling'er's mental state had returned to normal, and she had found her family. If she wanted to leave, Li Yueshu had no reason to stop her.
However, after spending so much time together, she had come to regard Ling'er as her daughter-in-law, even like her own child.
If she left with Wei Zi Miao, who knew when she would see her again.
And then there was the betrothal between Ling'er and Ah Min...
Li Yueshu's heart stirred, and she glanced sideways at Wei Zi Miao.
He looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"Ahem, Young Master Wei, that... there's something I don't think I've ever told you, right?" Li Yueshu said, feeling a bit awkward.
Wei Zi Miao sensed something was amiss with her expression and looked confused. "What is it?"
Li Yueshu rubbed her nose, using her sleeve as a cover, and retrieved the marriage contract she had previously written with Madam Wei from her spatial dimension, handing it over.
Wei Zi Miao took it with a perplexed look. Upon reading its contents, his usually composed face registered utter astonishment.
Li Yueshu watched his expression and quickly explained, "This was written by Madam Wei and me earlier. Before this, I had Ah Min meet Madam Wei, and she also agreed."
Wei Zi Miao was Ling'er's maternal uncle. Although Madam Wei had agreed to the marriage, her situation at the time left her with no better options, and the engagement also had other clauses.
"When Madam Wei and I signed the marriage contract, we also said that if the two children..."
"I think it's very good," Wei Zi Miao suddenly interrupted her, his smile as gentle as ever. "I have had some contact with Young Master Shen. I believe his future is limitless, and it will be the best choice for Ling'er to marry him."
Li Yueshu had not expected him to agree so readily and looked somewhat bewildered.
If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would have suspected that Wei Zi Miao didn't like Ling'er at all.
As if sensing her doubt, Wei Zi Miao smiled. "I don't think Ling'er will ever encounter a mother-in-law like Madam Shen, or in-laws like the Shen family."
This was the truth.
If he hadn't witnessed the atmosphere of the Shen family firsthand, he would not have agreed to this marriage so easily.
Li Yueshu hadn't anticipated such a smooth outcome, and all the persuasive arguments she had prepared were now rendered useless.
She couldn't help but smile. "Then, from now on, we are family, brother-in-law."
Wei Zi Miao was startled by the address "brother-in-law," a hint of a smile appearing in his eyes. "Madam Shen, your role transition is quite swift."
Li Yueshu shrugged, noncommittal.
Shen Wei, who had been playing with Shen Zhi Yu, had been eavesdropping on their conversation.
Seeing that their conversation was becoming increasingly animated, he quickly walked over. "Ah Shu, I'm hungry..."
Wei Zi Miao's gaze shifted.
Hungry again?
Li Yueshu, oblivious to the gaze beside her, hurried to prepare food for Shen Wei.
...
Although Wei Zi Miao was staying at Old Man Liu's house, he usually ate at Li Yueshu's.
One day, as usual, he stayed to chat with Ji Mo Bai after dinner.
After some time together, he had vaguely sensed that this Young Master Bai's identity was not simple, though he didn't know who he was.
However, upon reflection, everyone around Li Yueshu seemed to be extraordinary.
With this thought, Wei Zi Miao turned his gaze towards Shen Wei in the distance, his eyes filled with an inexplicable emotion.
He glanced at the two guards beside him, who understood his intent.
One of the guards stretched his stiff neck and suddenly spoke, "This leisurely, pastoral life has made me almost forget that I'm supposed to be a guard!"
The other guard patted his shoulder. "I think you've been too inactive for too long and are itching for a fight! Want to spar?"
"Sure, but don't blame me if I don't hold back when I win!"
Saying this, the two men drew their swords and walked into the middle of the courtyard.